Switzerland edition

SBB is trying to ease the overcrowding on rush-hour trains. Photo: SBB

Federal Railways guides commuters to seats

At peak times commuters often have trouble finding a free seat on Switzerland’s trains. Federal Railways SBB wants to make better use of the available seating. READ () »

Yemen gunmen ‘kidnap Swiss Red Cross worker’

Tribal gunmen have kidnapped a Swiss man working for the Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross in southern Yemen, a local pro-government militia leader said on Monday. READ () »

The trial is expected to last months. Photo: Federal Criminal Court

Major money laundering case opens in Bellinzona

Five Czech citizens and a Belgian are appearing before the federal criminal court in Bellinzona on Monday charged with money laundering and other crimes. READ () »

Basel is trying to improve knowledge of German in its classes. Photo: AFP

Basel mulls language quotas in schools

Politicians in Basel are considering measures to deal with the large number of non-German speaking pupils in schools. READ () »

The crime scene was close to the railway station in Spiez. Photo:bps

Police hunt killer following double murder

Police in the Bernese Oberland are searching for a murder weapon after a man and a woman were found stabbed to death at a children’s home in Spiez. READ () »

Boys and girls have separate swimming lessons at the Aargau school. Photo: www.badi–info.ch

Muslim girl made to attend swimming lessons

Integration comes before religion, according to the country’s supreme court. It ruled that a 14-year-old Muslim girl could not be excused from swimming lessons because the teacher was male. READ () »

The fatal accident happened on Lake Biel near the St Peter Island. Photo: Google Maps

Pensioner to stand trial over boat accident death

A 77-year-old man is to appear in court charged with the negligent manslaughter of a young woman killed by a motorboat on Lake Biel in 2010. READ () »

Ueli Maurer was contrite in a meeting with Jewish groups. Photo: Federal Chancellery

Maurer apologizes for Holocaust message gaffe

Swiss Federal President Ueli Maurer has apologized for his controversial message on Holocaust Remembrance Day at the end of January. READ () »

Photo: Children First Association

Deficient Swiss day care dogs working parents

Politics, crime and . . . day care? In Switzerland these days, child care is often front-page news. Authorities and parents are wringing their hands over everything from high prices and long waiting lists to overly detailed regulations that govern child-care facilities. READ () »

James Fleetham collected 414 business cards. Photo: Festival of Media Global

Networking record set at Montreux media festival

The Festival of Media Global in Montreux has set a new world record for the most business cards collected in 24 hours. READ () »

The former Swiss banker was convicted of sex with a minor. Photo: AFP

Ex-banker convicted on sex charge in Singapore

A Swiss former banker was found guilty on Tuesday of having sex with an underage Singaporean prostitute. READ () »

Cyber crime is on the rise. Photo: cybercrime.admin.ch

Switzerland increasingly targeted by spies: report

Cyber attacks and abductions of Swiss abroad were two of the main security challenges faced by Switzerland last year, according to a government report. READ () »

The man died in the Arnon river near Grandson. Photo: Google Maps

Man drowns trying to save dog from river

A man died in the canton of Vaud on Sunday as he jumped into the Arnon river to rescue a dog and was swept away. READ () »

Photo: Baselworld

Size matters for Swiss watches at Basel fair

It seems nothing is too big for Switzerland's watch industry, whose vast annual Baselworld trade fair is a touchstone for the health of a sector which has bucked the downbeat global economy. READ () »

Paolo Basso, savouring the moment. Photo: AFP

Swiss sommelier tops world wine waiter contest

The world's best wine waiter was crowned in Japan on Friday, at the culmination of a three-day competition attracting entrants from around the globe. READ () »