Category: Switzerland

Switzerland Sanctions Putin, Adopts EU Freeze on Russian Assets

Switzerland on Feb. 28 chose to throw its weight behind sanctions the European Union imposed on Russia last week in a dramatic departure from the country’s neutral stance on conflicts between nations. The Swiss government adopted the sanctions imposed by the European Union on February 23 and 25, freezing the assets of a number of…


Neutral Swiss Poised to Freeze Russian Assets: President

GENEVA—Swiss President Ignazio Cassis said on Sunday that it was “very probable” that neutral Switzerland would follow the European Union (EU) on Monday in sanctioning Russia and freezing Russian assets in the Alpine country. Cassis, interviewed on French-language Swiss public television RTS, said that the seven-member Federal Council would meet on Monday and review recommendations by the departments…


Novavax Applies for COVID-19 Vaccine Approval in Switzerland

Novavax Inc. has submitted an application to Switzerland’s drugs regulator for the authorization of its COVID-19 vaccine in adults, the U.S. vaccine maker said on Monday. The submission is based on data from two key clinical trials in the United States and Mexico as well as in the UK that showed the vaccine was 90…


Swiss Reject Ban on Animal Testing in Referendum

ZURICH—Swiss voters rejected a proposal by animal rights activists to make Switzerland the first country to ban medical and scientific experiments on animals, but approved tougher restrictions on cigarette advertising in referendums held on Sunday. Only 21 percent of voters were in favour of the animal experiment ban, with 79 percent against, according to government…


Switzerland’s Shameful Subservience to the Chinese Regime

Commentary A country of 8.6 million people, Switzerland is famous for many things, including its awe-inspiring scenery, luxurious watches, and diabetes-inducing delicacies.  The country holds human rights in high regard; in fact, according to its Federal Constitution, human rights are an integral part of the nation’s value system. Then, one wonders, why are Swiss officials so cozy with the Chinese Communist…


UBS Fee Bonanza Lifts Quarterly Profit to 6-Year High

ZURICH—UBS posted its highest quarterly profit since 2015 on Tuesday, as robust trading activity by the world’s ultra-wealthy led to a 23 percent surge in fee income. The surprisingly strong results follow double-digit percent gains for net profit in each of the past four quarters and come as Switzerland’s largest bank announced new plans for…


German Millionaires Rush Assets to Switzerland Ahead of Election

ZURICH—A potential lurch to the left in Germany’s election on Sunday is scaring millionaires into moving assets into Switzerland, bankers and tax lawyers say. If the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), hard-left Linke, and environmentalist Greens come to power, the reintroduction of a wealth tax and a tightening of inheritance tax could be on the political…


Swiss Central Bank Tracking Evergrande Woes, Swiss Banks Play Down Exposure

ZURICH—The Swiss National Bank is closely monitoring the situation at China’s Evergrande Group, SNB Chairman Thomas Jordan said on Thursday, amid concerns its debt problems could pose risks to China’s financial system. “It is wrong to be alarmist, but it is also wrong to dismiss it as a local small problem,” Jordan told journalists on…


Swiss Will Need COVID Certificates to Go to Bars, Restaurants

ZURICH—People will need to show a COVID-status certificate to enter bars, restaurants, and fitness centers in Switzerland from Monday, the government ordered, in a move to relieve pressure on hospitals that are struggling to cope with the fourth wave of infections. The government last week had held fire on the move—set to last four months…


US Beats Switzerland 3–0 to Open Women’s World Hockey

CALGARY, Alberta—Brianna Decker and Kendall Coyne Schofield each had a goal and an assist and the nine-time champion United States beat Switzerland 3-0 on Friday night to open the women’s world hockey championship. The tournament began with the Beijing Olympics less than six months away. The world championship was last played in 2019 in Finland,…