The Local Switzerland

Switzerland orders temperature checks for travellers from Sweden

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 20:13:21 +0200

Switzerland opened its borders Monday to travellers from European Union countries but said temperature checks would be required for those flying in from Sweden, which has been hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Swaziland to change its name – and Switzerland’s partly to blame

Fri, 20 Apr 2018 10:43:50 +0200

The southern African country of Swaziland has announced it is to change its name, partly because people keep mixing it up with Switzerland.

Spotify: Swiss or Swedish? Whatevs, says New York, flies the wrong flag

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 17:18:28 +0200

When you're trying to honour a Swedish company on its first day of public trading on the world's largest stock market there's one thing you don't want to do. Hoist the Swiss flag.

Sweden or Switzerland? Airline to end confusion with ‘Swederland’ campaign

Thu, 02 Nov 2017 16:18:28 +0100

For many people, Sweden and Switzerland seem almost impossible to tell apart. And on occasion, the two European countries are even merged into the one and same, or “Swederland”. Now, a Swiss airline is offering tickets to the mysterious “Swederland” in a bid to teach people the difference.

Swiss pick Swedes as ideal neighbours

Thu, 28 Aug 2014 12:03:00 +0200

Despite a campaign launched by the Swedish to help Chinese people tell the difference between them and the Swiss, it turns out Switzerland and Sweden feel akin after all. Swiss people would rather have the nation of Ikea and ABBA as their neighbour than any other EU country, according to a new survey.

Bern cancels Swedish fighter-jet air show

Tue, 11 Mar 2014 18:30:00 +0100

The Swiss government's eagerness to avoid graft accusations could explain why Switzerland cancelled plans for Swedish fighter jets to take part in an air show, reports from Stockholm said on Tuesday.

Sweden has 'secret plan' to tip Swiss Gripen vote

Wed, 12 Feb 2014 09:38:00 +0100

Sweden developed a secret action plan to influence a referendum in Switzerland on the purchase of 22 new Jas Gripen fighter jets after Swiss Defence Minister Ueli Maurer asked the Swedes for help, according to media reports from Stockholm.

Swedes implore Chinese: 'We are not Swiss'

Fri, 01 Nov 2013 13:21:00 +0100

Fed up with being mistaken for Switzerland by the Chinese, Swedish authorities have launched a competition in China to tease out humorous ways to keep the two European countries apart.

Gripen jet order faces referendum next spring

Wed, 18 Sep 2013 12:36:00 +0200

Swiss citizens are expected to vote next spring on whether to accept a government plan to purchase 22 Swedish fighter jets for 3.12 billion francs ($3.37 billion).

Swiss get Gripen jets for bargain: report

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 20:15:00 +0100

Switzerland will pay far less for the 22 fighter jets it is planning to buy from the Swedish company Saab than Sweden itself would pay for the aircraft, the Swiss public broadcaster SF reported.

Switzerland buys 22 Swedish fighter jets

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 19:39:00 +0200

The sale of 22 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden to Switzerland was confirmed on Tuesday for a price of more than 3 billion francs ($3.1 billion).

Swiss go ahead with jet fighter deal

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 11:33:00 +0200

Switzerland has agreed details of its planned purchase of 22 fighter jets from Sweden, despite a critical parliamentary report on the deal, the defence ministries of the two countries said on Saturday.

Swiss to stick with under fire Swedish jets

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 11:27:00 +0200

Switzerland is to press ahead with its controversial purchase of 22 Saab Gripen fighter jets despite a highly critical parliamentary report into the deal released on Tuesday.

Swiss could borrow Swedish fighter jets

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 17:56:00 +0200

Sweden could loan a fleet of Gripen fighter jets to Switzerland as it awaits delivery of the craft's next generation model, Swiss Defence Minister Ueli Maurer said on Friday.

Swiss stick with Swedish jets to replace fleet

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:53:00 +0100

The Swiss government is standing by its choice of the Gripen jet to replace its ageing fighter fleet, the defence ministry said on Tuesday, after reported military fears that the aircraft was not up to
the job.