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Switzerland

Switzerland, a wealthy Alpine state in Central Europe, was founded in 1291 and has four official languages. Its system of government is based on direct democracy and a tradition of political and military neutrality.

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All Content on this topic

Mushrooms on a bench during checking session in a forest in western Switzerland

Switzerland's new regulations for mushroom foragers

New measures to protect biodiversity in Switzerland are restricting the country's avid mushroom foragers.
Nature and EnvironmentOctober 27, 20248 images
Fokus Europa Schweiz Geröllrutsch

Focus on Europe — Spotlight on People

Residents of Swiss alpine valleys are being forced to move, as landslides increase.
ConflictsOctober 24, 202426:04 min
Fokus Europa Schweiz Geröllrutsch

In Swiss alps, concerns grow over dangerous landslides

Residents of Switzerland's alpine valley are being forced to move as deadly landslides increase.
ClimateOctober 24, 202405:31 min
Martin Sellner taking part in a demo in Austria in July

Martin Sellner: Switzerland expels Austrian far-right figure

Far-right activist Martin Sellner was escorted out of Switzerland after apparently defying the entry ban against him.
MigrationOctober 19, 2024
Deutschland | Schneekanonen im Einsatz in Garmisch Partenkirchen

Climate-neutral ski slopes — energy-free artificial snow

A ‘snow lance’ produces artificial snow using natural water pressure alone, without other energy inputs.
ScienceOctober 11, 202405:48 min
A hand holds up a rock crystal in front of the mountain peaks of the Swiss Alps.

Crystal hunting in the Swiss Alps

Hidden in the Swiss mountains are crystals worth thousands of euros.
Nature and EnvironmentOctober 9, 202405:20 min
DW Euromaxx (Sendungslogo Composite)

Euromaxx: Lifestyle Europe

Working as a woman at Oktoberfest, treasure hunts in the Swiss Alps, and sweets for dementia.
CultureOctober 4, 202426:04 min
A bus is seen driving through a tight mountain tunnel

Driving Switzerland's most dangerous bus route

The road to the small village of Derborence is a thrilling, nerve-wracking experience for bus drivers and passengers.
SocietyOctober 1, 202402:10 min
The 18-year-old Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer

Cyclist Muriel Furrer dies after World Championship crash

Furrer suffered a head injury when she crashed in the women's junior race at the Road World Championship in Zurich.
SportsSeptember 27, 2024
DW Fokus Europa I Polen Hochwasser

Focus on Europe — Spotlight on People

In the wake of the floods in Poland, how are residents picking up the pieces?
SocietySeptember 26, 202426:04 min
A 'suicide pod' known as 'The Sarco' is seen in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, July 8, 2024.

Switzerland: Police investigate 1st use of 'suicide capsule'

Swiss police detained several people and opened a criminal case a day after the first use of the "Sarco" capsule.
HealthSeptember 24, 2024
A motorcyclist pictured in front of campaign posters

Swiss voters reject biodiversity, pension reforms

Voters in Switzerland have so far voted "no" to biodiversity preservation and pension reforms.
PoliticsSeptember 22, 2024
A drone in the air viewed from the ground in a cornfield in Switzerland.

Protecting deer with drones in Switzerland

Volunteers are using drones to stop tractors from killing fawns in Switzerland.
Nature and EnvironmentSeptember 10, 202402:49 min
Counseling for refugees

Switzerland: Refugees support refugees

The Swiss association Paxion provides training for refugees who want to help others suffering from trauma.
SocietySeptember 9, 202403:59 min
DW "Global Us" Sendungslogo Composite

Can you recycle an old army base? — Global Us

Children in Lebanon suffer as the threat of further conflict intensifies in the Middle East. Refugees support others.
SocietySeptember 7, 202426:04 min
The silhouette of a person in a prison

Switzerland: Inmates escape from jail near German border

Two men, an Algerian and a Tunisian, who were jailed for serious crimes have escaped.
CrimeAugust 31, 2024
The ESC venues in Basel: The St. Jakobshalle, right, and the St. Jakob-Park football stadium, left

Basel chosen to host Eurovision Song Contest 2025

The Swiss city of Basel will host next year's Eurovision Song Contest from May 13 to 17, according to organizers.
MusicAugust 30, 2024
DW Fokus Europa | Schweden Gotland

Focus on Europe – Spotlight on People

Swedish authorities report that hundreds of tankers are traveling from St. Petersburg to India or China.
PoliticsAugust 29, 202426:04 min
1MDB Skandal - 1Malaysia Development Berhad Fonds

Switzerland convicts 2 oil executives in 1MDB graft scandal

Two men have been sentenced to jail time and ordered to return well over a billion dollars to the Malaysian 1MDB fund.
CrimeAugust 28, 2024
Technology Brand Illustration Images

The pros and cons of AI in schools

AI use is on the rise in many professions, making it all the more important for kids to learn how to use it at school.
Digital WorldAugust 16, 202407:11 min
Nach Bluttat in Southport - Rotherham

Focus on Europe - Spotlight on People

Far-right rioters in Britain attacked both migrant and Muslim targets.
PoliticsAugust 15, 202426:03 min
Fokus Basejumping Schweiz

Base jumping into the Swiss 'death valley'

More and more base jumpers have had fatal accidents in Switzerland.
SportsAugust 15, 202406:09 min
Burnt-out vehicles in front of building in Sudan

Sudan truce talks start in Switzerland without Sudanese army

Participants in the US-led talks are focusing on humanitarian issues in the Sudan conflict between the army and the RSF.
ConflictsAugust 14, 2024
Police stand guard outside the Agudas Achim synagogue after a man was stabbed, in Zurich, Switzerland, on March 2, 2024

Switzerland: Police arrest man for pouring gas on synagogue

A 32-year-old Swiss national detained hours after the attack was described by police as "mentally disturbed."
CrimeAugust 11, 2024
Swimmers in the Seine during the triathlon

Olympics: Triathletes fall sick after swimming in Seine

Bacteria levels in the Seine forced practice for the triathlon mixed relay on Saturday and Sunday to be canceled.
SportsAugust 4, 2024
Poke Bowl Vegan mit gebratenem Tofu

What would happen if all humans went vegan?

No more farm animals, meat or leather – a realistic scenario for the near future?
ScienceJuly 26, 202405:32 min
England players celebrate after Trent Alexander-Arnold scored the winning goal during the penalty shootout of a quarterfinal match between England and Switzerland at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Duesseldorf, Germany, Saturday, July 6, 2024.

Euro 2024: England eliminates Switzerland on penalties

England are through to the Euro 2024 semifinals after a penalty shootout in Düsseldorf.
SportsJuly 6, 2024
Granit Xhaka grimaces as he looks towards the center of the screen

Euro 2024: The remarkable rise of Granit Xhaka

Granit Xhaka has turned perceptions upside-down to help make Switzerland Euro 2024 contenders.
SportsJuly 4, 2024
The collapsed Visletto bridge between Visletto and Cevio, in the Maggia Valley, southern Switzerland

7 dead after storms hit France, Switzerland, Italy

Scientists say climate change is increasing the severity, frequency and duration of extreme weather events.
CatastropheJuly 1, 202402:02 min
Niclas Füllkrug smiles and looks forward towards the camera

Euro 2024: Germany secure late draw against Switzerland

Germany top Group A after Niclas Füllkrug's last-gasp header earn the hosts a hard-fought draw in their Euro 2024 match.
SoccerJune 23, 2024
Excavators remove stones from the bed of the Navizence river

Switzerland: Floods cause deadly landslide

Severe storms and flooding have also prompted evacuation of hundreds in the southwestern canton of Valais.
CatastropheJune 23, 2024
Ajay Hinduja outside court in Geneva

UK's richest family get jail terms for exploiting staff

The Hinduja family forced vulnerable domestic workers from India to work long hours for a pittance in Switzerland.
Law and JusticeJune 21, 2024
Friedensgipfel Ukraine in der Schweiz | Ukraines Präsident Wolodymyr Selenskyj, Chiles Präsident Gabriel Boric und Kanadas Premierminister Justin Trudeau

Peace summit reaffirms Ukraine's territorial integrity

More than 80 countries and institutions sign peace summit’s joint communique, but more than a dozen do not.
ConflictsJune 16, 202402:51 min
Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy sits behind a microphone, looking pensive

Ukraine seeks path to 'just peace' at Swiss summit

Ahead of the talks, Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded Ukraine's effective surrender as a basis for peace talks.
PoliticsJune 16, 202402:24 min
The logo of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine is displayed outside the conference at the Buergenstock Resort in Switzerland

Ukraine summit: Which Southeast Asian nations are going?

World leaders, including delegates from Southeast Asia, are converging in a Swiss resort to discuss peace in Ukraine.
ConflictsJune 14, 2024
DW Dokumentationen | Schweiz: Ein Paradies für russisches Geld?

Switzerland: A haven for Russian money?

Despite sanctions, asset managers are said to have hidden money belonging to Putin‘s confidants.
SocietyMay 28, 202442:34 min
Swiss police

Switzerland: Police arrest knife attack suspect

A man with a knife attacked and injured several people in the Swiss town of Zofingen before being arrested by police.
CrimeMay 16, 2024
A view of a funicular railway

Swiss funicular generates energy by braking

The Stoosbahn in the Swiss mountains is the steepest funicular railway in the world — and it even generates energy.
InnovationMay 14, 202403:12 min
Swiss singer Nemo (center), the winner of the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, arrives at Zurich Airport

Hundreds of fans greet Eurovision winner Nemo in Switzerland

Nemo arrived at Zurich Airport, where they signed autographs from fans and posed for selfies.
MusicMay 13, 2024
Nemo representing Switzerland celebrates after winning during the Grand Final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, in Malmo, Sweden

Swiss non-binary singer wins 2024 Eurovision Song Contest

Amidst this year's contest controversies, Swiss artist Nemo clinches the win with a powerful track of self-discovery.
MusicMay 12, 202402:27 min
Nemo, representing Switzerland, wins the final of the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest at the Malmö Arena, in Malmö, Sweden, Saturday, May 11, 2024

Eurovision: Switzerland wins 2024 song contest

Switzerland has won the 2024 contest following political protest, disqualifications and withdrawals.
MusicMay 12, 2024
Anne Mahrer and Rosmarie Wyder-Walti, of the Swiss elderly women group "Senior Women for Climate Protection," talk to journalists

Swiss pensioners win European climate case

The landmark ruling in favor of Swiss seniors could have an impact on climate and environment legislation across Europe.
ClimateApril 9, 202402:26 min
Fokus Schweiz Patissiere

Award-winning patissière in Switzerland

As Switzerland’s “Patissière of the Year”, Felicia Ludwig has made her childhood dream come true.
SocietyApril 2, 202402:10 min
Tourists taking photos in front of the Matterhorn mountain in Zermatt

Switzerland: 3 dead, 1 injured after Zermatt avalanche

Swiss police did not identify the victims or say if more people could be missing.
CatastropheApril 1, 2024
An aerial view of Nice during a dust storm

Sahara dust cloud smothers Germany, France and Switzerland

Parts of Europe experienced yellow skies and poor air quality after a cloud of dust was swept up from the Sahara desert.
Nature and EnvironmentMarch 30, 2024
DW Tomorrow Today Sendungslogo Composite

Tomorrow Today – The Science Show

This week we prepare for a journey to a mysterious moon of Mars and deep dive into what we can learn about exoplanets.
ScienceMarch 22, 202426:06 min
View of a red sign that reads "Danger! Mines!", set up next to a dirt road

Swiss company helps Ukraine clear landmines

Vast swaths of the war-torn country's farmland are littered with unexploded ordnance.
ConflictsMarch 15, 202402:46 min
Slowakei Bratislava | Proteste gegen Strafrechtsreform

Focus on Europe - Spotlight on People

Slovakian painter Andrej Dúbravský is openly gay and a target of the country's culture minister.
SocietyMarch 14, 202426:05 min
Schweiz I Aletschgletscher gibt Wrack nach 54 Jahren frei

Switzerland: Winter sports during climate change

The famous Aletsch Glacier is at risk of disappearing. Swiss engineers want to save its ski area.
ClimateMarch 14, 202405:28 min
DW Projekt Zukunft | Tomorrow Today (PZ) Sendung

A new chemical process facilitates plastic recycling

Lots of packaging is made from mixed plastics. Now PET can be separated from other varieties using chemical recycling.
ScienceMarch 13, 202404:16 min