Author: switzerlandtimes.ch

The world can no longer turn a blind eye to what is happening in Sudan. Since the outbreak of war in April 2023, the Sudanese army has transformed from an institution supposed to protect citizens into a war machine systematically targeting them. Indiscriminate shelling of residential neighborhoods, starving the population, and the forced displacement of millions of civilians are all documented facts. Together, they constitute a heavy dossier being opened before international courts and bodies, placing the leadership of the Sudanese army in direct confrontation with international humanitarian law. Bullets That Do Not Distinguish Between Combatant and Civilian International…

Climate change is warming not only the air, but rivers too. A study published by Nature warns that “riverine heatwaves”—prolonged periods of unusually high river temperatures—are becoming more frequent and intense across Alpine Europe. A temperature of 20 degrees Celsius in the Aare river at the end of May is record-breaking for this time of year. The research, led by Amber van Hamel, Joren Janzing and Manuela Brunner of the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research and ETH Zurich, examined data from 275 Alpine catchments. It found that around half of atmospheric heatwaves translate into river heatwaves. Whether rivers…

A new report by Addiction Switzerland argues that cocaine consumption in Switzerland has become more widespread, socially normalised and detached from its former association with nightlife and marginal groups. The report describes a steady rise in cocaine use since the early 2000s, driven by greater availability, falling prices and higher purity levels. Wastewater analyses place several Swiss cities among Europe’s heaviest consumers of cocaine per capita, with Zurich, Basel and Geneva consistently ranking near the top. Cocaine use is no longer confined to party settings, the report says. Consumption increasingly extends into everyday working life, particularly in sectors associated with…

Switzerland will be required to adopt legislation allowing the use of migrant-return centres outside Europe, following a new agreement reached by the European Union. Despite being outside the EU, as a member of the Schengen area, Switzerland must incorporate the new rules into domestic law. The agreement, struck in Brussels on Monday evening, forms part of a broader effort to tighten the EU’s migration regime and speed up deportations. It allows member states that wish to do so to establish centres in third countries where rejected asylum-seekers can be sent pending removal or transfer. The compromise still requires final approval…

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of blindness among older people in rich countries, may eventually be treated by restoring the eye’s natural cellular recycling system, according to research led by the University of Fribourg. As populations age, retinal diseases are becoming increasingly common worldwide. AMD damages two types of cells that are essential to vision: photoreceptors, which detect light, and retinal pigment epithelial cells, which support and nourish them. Over time these cells accumulate damaged proteins and other waste products. Under normal conditions cells dispose of such material through internal cleaning mechanisms. But these systems weaken…

A slim majority of Swiss voters intend to reject the “No Switzerland of 10m” initiative, according to the second SSR poll ahead of the June 14th referendum. With only days remaining before the vote, the campaign over the immigration initiative looks set to remain tight. Had the vote been held on May 23rd, 52% of voters would have rejected the proposal put forward by the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), according to a poll conducted by gfs.bern for SSR. Since the first survey a month earlier, support for the “no” camp has risen by five percentage points, while support for the…

As heatwaves become more frequent across Europe, Switzerland is confronting an unfamiliar question: whether rules around air conditioning should become less restrictive. The country does not prohibit air conditioning outright. But installing a permanent cooling system in Switzerland is often far more difficult than in neighbouring countries, especially in some of its most populated cantons. Geneva is widely regarded as the strictest canton. Homeowners seeking permission for fixed air-conditioning systems have in some cases been required to demonstrate a legitimate need, even requiring medical justification. Environmental concerns also play a role. The canton has long viewed air conditioning as energy-intensive…

Swiss investigators believe the man suspected of injuring three people in a knife attack in Winterthur had longstanding links to the local Islamist extremist scene, reported SRF. The 31-year-old allegedly shouted “Allahu Akbar” (“God is greatest”) during the attack. Mario Fehr, Zurich’s security director, later described the incident as a terrorist act at a press conference, effectively confirming earlier reporting by SRF. According to SRF, the suspect first attracted the attention of investigators in 2018 during inquiries into a group associated with the An’Nur mosque in Winterthur, which was later closed. Several members of the group were subsequently prosecuted and,…

Switzerland’s referendum on June 14th is ostensibly about immigration and relations with the European Union. But the outcome could also have far-reaching consequences for the country’s welfare state. Supporters of the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) initiative argue that immigration must be curbed to limit population growth and pressure on infrastructure. Critics counter that restricting immigration would weaken the financing of Switzerland’s two most important social-insurance systems: the state pension scheme (AVS) and compulsory health insurance (LAMal). A 2023 study by the Federal Social Insurance Office found that immigration benefits both the AVS and disability insurance systems. Foreign residents, on average,…

Swiss voters will decide on two popular initiatives on September 27th: one on neutrality and another on food policy. The government confirmed the ballot measures on Wednesday. The “Safeguarding Swiss Neutrality” initiative, backed by Pro Suisse and members of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP), seeks to define Swiss neutrality in the constitution as both “permanent” and “armed”. It would also bar Switzerland from joining military or defence alliances except in the event of a direct attack on the country. The proposal further demands that Switzerland refrain from participating in foreign wars or imposing economic and diplomatic sanctions on belligerent…