The Local Switzerland

'It's a lonely country to live in': What you think about life in Switzerland

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:16:30 +0200

A recent global survey of expats found that foreigners in Switzerland thought the country was hard to settle in, partly because it was so difficult to make friends with the locals. Is it really? Here's what you had to say.

Last volume of Swiss history lexicon finished

Tue, 21 Oct 2014 23:47:00 +0200

The final volume of a massive dictionary of Swiss history is set to be published at the end of the week.

Swiss bank pays $4.4mn to avoid US tax rap

Sun, 11 May 2014 11:32:00 +0200

Swisspartners says it will pay a $4.4-million fine to avoid prosecution over its past assistance to US tax dodgers, with Washington hailing the asset manager for its "extraordinary cooperation."

Vote set for ban on food trading 'speculation'

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 00:39:00 +0200

The Swiss will vote on a proposal to ban speculation on agricultural commodities and food, the government said on Wednesday, announcing that organizers had gathered enough signatures to put the issue to a referendum.

US tax evasion hunt feeds banker 'paranoia'

Sun, 27 Oct 2013 20:26:00 +0100

As an American hunt for tax evaders and their accomplices gains momentum, many Swiss bankers are afraid to go abroad for fear of arrest, one business leader said in an interview published on Sunday.

Fugitive UBS exec arrested in Italian hotel

Mon, 21 Oct 2013 00:09:00 +0200

A former top executive at Swiss banking giant UBS wanted in the United States for allegedly helping wealthy Americans hide $20 billion from the taxman has been arrested in Italy, police said on Sunday.

Bern's backing of FATCA 'hits financial sector'

Tue, 10 Sep 2013 11:49:00 +0200

Switzerland is racing to end a bitter dispute with Washington over Swiss bank accounts held by US tax dodgers, but observers warn the new-found peace could come at a high cost.

Foreign banks call for Swiss tax deal with US

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:09:00 +0200

Foreign banks based in Switzerland called on Monday for a rapid resolution of a dispute with Washington over Swiss banks' role in tax evasion by Americans, warning the prolonged uncertainty was putting entire financial institutions at risk.

'Lex USA' bank accord clears Swiss senate

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 20:37:00 +0200

Switzerland's upper house of parliament voted Wednesday in favour of a secretive deal between Bern and Washington to settle a legal battle over Swiss banks' alleged complicity in tax evasion by Americans.

Julius Bär clients targeted in US tax probe

Tue, 28 May 2013 20:10:00 +0200

American clients of private bank Julius Bär were told recently that they are the focus of a US tax evasion probe, a Zurich-based daily reported on Tuesday.

Two Swiss charged in US for aiding tax evasion

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 12:28:00 +0200

The US justice department has charged a Swiss banker and a Swiss lawyer with helping American citizens evade paying taxes by stashing millions of dollars in secret offshore accounts.

Swiss positive despite eurozone crisis: survey

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:04:00 +0100

Unemployment remains the number one concern, but despite the economic crisis in Europe, Swiss citizens are bullish about their prospects and proud about their country, a survey conducted for Credit Suisse shows.

Neuchâtel voters block billion-franc rail scheme

Sun, 23 Sep 2012 23:58:00 +0200

Canton of Neuchâtel voters on Sunday narrowly rejected a proposed regional rail line and related improvements with a price tag of almost a billion francs.

Neuchâtel's billion-franc rail plan draws flak

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 10:23:00 +0200

Voters in the canton of Neuchâtel will decide next month on the fate of a controversial proposed regional train line and associated improvements costing almost one billion francs ($1 billion).

Seven drown as Swiss heatwave continues

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 12:19:00 +0200

At least seven people have drowned in Switzerland since Thursday as residents thronged to beaches and swimming pools to cool off from a heatwave.

New investors eye Servette rescue

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:03:00 +0100

For the second time since 2005, the Geneva football club Servette is on the brink of collapse.