Top news from our partner swissinfo
- Cabinet moots steps to clean-up tax haven image
22.02.2012
The Swiss government has agreed in principle on extending due diligence requirements of banks and improved legal assistance on tax matters with other countries.
- Swiss tourism: a tale of two markets
21.02.2012
In common with many other industries in Switzerland, the ailing tourism sector is being kept afloat by stable domestic consumption and strong growth in Asia.
- Banking secrecy remains secure at home
22.02.2012
Switzerland’s tax dispute with foreign countries would disappear overnight were it to lift banking secrecy completely rather than gradually.
- Party pockets lined by business interests
21.02.2012
Centre-right and rightwing parties have the upper hand over their political opponents when it comes to funding publicity campaigns ahead of elections and votes.
- Moonlighting wins converts in Switzerland
21.02.2012
Scorned as cheating the tax office and social security, moonlighting is often also a way of preserving human dignity and keeping skills up to date.
- Party ends for easy corporate tax relief
20.02.2012
The Federal Audit Office has denounced the generous tax breaks granted to companies up to 2007 under the pretext of aiding disadvantaged regions.
- Assisted suicide numbers up in 2011
20.02.2012
The number of people who ended their lives with the help of assisted suicide organisations increased significantly in 2011, according to new figures.
- Economic slump helps firms innovate
20.02.2012
The impact of the strong Swiss franc has driven the government to offer companies a pot of gold to boost innovation. One firm is hoping it will also lead to profits.
- Global trader cements Swiss roots with listing
19.02.2012
Multinational trade firm DKSH that bills itself as the largest privately held company in Switzerland has announced plans to list on the Swiss stock exchange.
- Easing the burdens of old age
19.02.2012
As the number of people suffering from dementia rises, innovative solutions are being sought to make life easier for them and their carers.
- Swiss come into US sights again over Iran
18.02.2012
The United States authorities have long been at odds with some Swiss banks, but could soon be turning their sights on Swiss-based commodity traders.
- Going batty for nature protection
17.02.2012
Ever since 1998, environmental organisation Pro Natura has promoted an animal of the year – animal in the widest sense, with two, four or six legs, or no legs at all.
- “Swiss umma” project takes shape
17.02.2012
An initiative to create a democratically elected body representing Switzerland’s 400,000 Muslims, a so-called “Swiss umma”, is steadily gaining ground.
- Eritreans brave extreme journey for new life
16.02.2012
Eritreans who once wound scarves around their faces to protect against the heat and dust of the Sahara, now wrap up warm against Switzerland’s icy temperatures.
- Swiss colonel is Kfor’s “eyes and ears”
17.02.2012
Colonel Adolf Conrad heads the Kfor liaison team in Kosovo, Nato’s “eyes and ears” in the region – and is the first Swiss to command a Nato unit.
- Swiss expats caught in middle of US tax conflict
16.02.2012
Switzerland’s banks no longer want American clients but now Swiss citizens living in the United States are finding it hard to keep accounts back home.
- “We shouldn’t wait for a catastrophe”
15.02.2012
The Turin court case against a Swiss industrialist and his business partner has exposed the truth about the asbestos affair, says a Swiss expert.
- Ambassador believes worst may be over in tax row
14.02.2012
The United States’ probe into tax cheats hiding assets in Swiss banks has reached its “low point”, according to America’s ambassador to Bern.
- Better labour integration demanded for migrants
14.02.2012
Immigrants in Switzerland suffer from a lower unemployment rate than in most developed countries, but those on humanitarian permits need more support, experts say.
- European Fatca deal “threat to Swiss secrecy”
13.02.2012
A deal between the United States and major European countries could step up pressure on Swiss banking secrecy, according to an international tax campaigning group.
- Industrialist convicted in asbestos case
13.02.2012
A court in Italy has found Swiss industrialist Stephan Schmidheiny, along with his Belgian business partner, guilty of the deaths of hundreds of workers.
