September 2010

Corine Mauch: Powering the 2000-watt city

Since the spring of 2009, Social Democrat Corine Mauch has been Zurich’s first citizen. From a virtually unknown position as a local politician, she has risen to become the mayor of Switzerland’s economic capital. Zurich ranks among the world’s top three cities for quality of life. Swiss News met Mauch in her office overlooking the Limmat River. More...

September 2010

Doing an MBA in Switzerland

Over the past decade, Switzerland has attracted an impressive roll call of European corporate headquarters: Yahoo, Procter & Gamble, McDonald’s, Nissan and Starbucks, to name but a few. In 2010, Switzerland also benefited from the UK’s decision to impose a bonus tax on finance professionals, with hedge funds such as Brevan Howard Asset Management and BlueCrest Capital Management responding by opening large offices in Geneva. So, what does this influx of international headquarters mean for someone contemplating an MBA course in Switzerland? David Williams of QS TopMBA.com investigates... More...

September 2010

International education hurdles: available places & local funding

Switzerland has a well-deserved reputation as an international business location, but there are criticisms that it does not do enough to support the infrastructure that relocating families need – in particular, international schools... More...

August 2010

SBB:
On track for the future?

The Swiss railway network enjoys near-sacred status. Bringing a small country even closer together, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) has made great developments in recent years. More changes are to come – but the question is: Will Swiss federalism hinder the SBB from making progress with some of their most important plans? ... More...

August 2010

A force to be reckoned with

Pascale Bruderer, Switzerland’s lower parliamentary house speaker, is not only part of the country’s first ever ruling female triumvirate, she is also one of the youngest house speakers to ever have taken seat. 
Swiss News‘ Julia Hancock had a chance to chat with her in Bern halfway through her term. ... More...

July 2010

Libya vs. Switzerland: Is a happy ending in sight? 

Muammar Gaddafi is the most powerful man in Libya – and he has taken a very strong dislike to Switzerland. The souring of relations between the two countries eventually developed into a major diplomatic crisis; however, the mid-June release of Swiss citizen Max Göldi, imprisoned in Libya for almost two years, could prove the catalyst for renewed relations. Let’s look back on how this peculiar situation began, and what the future might hold ... More...

July 2010

Power crunch: keeping the lights on

Blessed with high-energy hydropower, Switzerland may appear to be in a strong position to maintain a secure, low-carbon economy, but business groups warn of a likely energy supply crunch. More...

June 2010

A red card to the sceptics?

With the World Cup less than two weeks away, all eyes will be on South Africa and the 32 national football teams competing for the iconic gold trophy of world champions. As expected, FIFA president Sepp Blatter is in rare form, promising a spectacular showcase – as an African nation hosts the competition for the first time in its history. More...

Solar Impulse: ready for take-off

Imagine an airplane that runs on solar power alone – in the light of day and in the dark of night. Bertrand Piccard and his Solar Impulse team are turning that vision into reality, one solar panel at a time. More...

April 2010

State of the nation

Federal Councillor and Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf speaks with Renske Heddema about banking secrecy, the controversial minaret ban, euthanasia and Switzerland’s international relations. Let’s join them in Bern. More...

Sechs-ism: Beyond the Böögg

For the first and only women’s guild in Zurich, the quest to march in the Sechselaeuten parade hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park. The Gesellschaft zu Fraumünster’s 21-year struggle for equal rights demonstrates the ongoing battle between tradition and modernity in both public and private Swiss life. More...