An international eye on Swiss news

November 2026

Swiss unions plan vote on 5,000-franc minimum wage for apprenticeship graduates (LINK) 13 November 2026

Swiss cross logo to be reserved for goods made in Switzerland (LINK) 13 November 2026

Switzerland's vote on 29 November to ban firecrackers (LINK) 13 November 2026

EPFL introduces a new Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence (LINK) 12 November 2026

— "Our goal is to educate students who can do more than apply existing AI technologies. We want them to understand the scientific principles behind these technologies and acquire the knowledge needed to develop new ones. That requires a rigorous education in both mathematics and computing. We are working closely with EPFL's Institute of Mathematics to ensure that both are at the heart of the curriculum," explained Haitham Al Hassanieh, professor at IC and director of the new program.

— The Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence will welcome its first students in the 2027–2028 academic year. During the first year, programming courses will be taught in French, while students will be able to choose between French and English for their mathematics and physics courses. All courses in the second and third years will be taught in English.

Explore our feature on AI and university education. — (LINK)

Swiss businessman Schmidheiny faces fresh Italian trial on accusations of 60 counts of aggravated manslaughter related to asbestos (LINK) 11 November 2026

— The statute of limitations was declared to apply in respect of a further 25 victims of asbestos-related diseases. The request by the Attorney General's Office, which had sought confirmation of the nine-year-and-six-month prison sentence for the defendant, was rejected.

Mafioso, 59, given six-year prison sentence in Switzerland and 10-year-ban: logistical and financial hub of the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta in Switzerland (LINK) 10 November 2026

— According to the indictment, the man transported money to Italy, acted as an intermediary in drug trafficking and supported the illegal trade in arms and ammunition.

Geneva backs reopening of the Tonkin cross-border railway line between St-Gingolph (Valais) and Evian-les-Bains (France), disused since 1998, despite French indifference (LINK) 6 November 2026

— Le Temps: It would provide a direct link between Valais and Geneva along the southern shore, relieving pressure on the overloaded line along the northern shore of Lake Geneva via Lausanne, which is particularly vulnerable to operational disruptions.

$1m Romanov sapphire up for auction in Geneva next Wednesday (LINK) 6 November 2026

Lake Geneva region has overtaken Zurich as the biggest economic hub in the country: Geneva, Vaud and Valais together generated a gross domestic product of around CHF 190 billion in 2024, compared with CHF 167 billion for Zurich (LINK) 5 November 2026

— WRS: Geneva and Vaud alone now account for more than CHF 168 billion in GDP, with a smaller combined population than Zurich. Zurich has lost major employers — Vontobel and Cembra banks have both announced they are relocating their headquarters, taking around 2,160 jobs out of the city.

First known cyberattack on Swiss food refrigeration system: butcher's shop in Bern (LINK) 4 November 2026

Horse-Sport: World's Top 10 confirmed for Geneva showdown (LINK) 4 November 2026

— Defending champion Scott Brash, three-time winner Steve Guerdat, and two-time champion Kent Farrington are among the exceptional for field 25th Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final at CHI Geneva on Friday 11 December.

Gotthard Pass road to close for winter on 5 November: due to weather conditions and for safety reasons, it is in force between Hospental, canton Uri, and Airolo on the Ticino side (LINK) 3 November 2026

— The walking and cycling path through the Schöllenen has been closed since Monday, the Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) announced. The Susten and Furka Passes are already closed for the winter. The other two Alpine passes in Uri, the Oberalp and Klausen Passes, remain open to traffic as normal until further notice.

Free Swiss app "Snow Safety" launched to help prevent skiing and snowboarding accidents: provides reminders on how to wear a helmet correctly, the rules of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation on the slopes, and what to do in the event of an accident (LINK) 3 November 2026

Switzerland celebrates fifth three-star Michelin restaurant: Japanese Restaurant, located in Andermatt, canton Uri, situated within the luxury hotel The Chedi (LINK) 3 November 2026

16-year-old arrested following cyberattack on Swiss schools: gained unauthorised access to an IT platform containing data on around 38,000 pupils and 3,500 teachers in the Swiss canton of Vaud: arrested on 31 October (LINK) 3 November 2026

Freedom24 plans Geneva office for Q1 2027, deepening ties with Swiss finance and research (LINK) 3 November 2026

— The European investment platform of Nasdaq-listed Freedom Holding Corp (FRHC), outlined its plans following a Geneva discussion on connecting Swiss AI research with capital, computing infrastructure and commercial opportunities. KNEWS (Kathimerini Cyprus): "Geneva combines international finance, wealth management and institutional trust with access to world-class research and innovation."

Bitcoin Suisse CEO: Switzerland has lost interest in cryptocurrencies (LINK) 2 November 2026

Switzerland holds national conference on dangers of the 'manosphere': study shows that in Switzerland, one in five men subscribe to a concept of masculinity based on domination (LINK) 2 November 2026

Zurich politicians condemn weekend riots: People's Party criticised the fact that the city police had not reported any arrests following "insane night of rioting". Others accused it of tolerating illegal squatting. Greens "condemn the riots in the strongest possible terms" (LINK) 2 November 2026

— The police were attacked with fireworks, bottles and stones. In response, they used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets against the rioters. On Sunday, the cantonal police, who had supported the operation, reported two arrests and 18 people being removed from the area.