European court decision shows that a safe climate is a human right, former UN rights chief says

OXFORD, England (AP) — Having a safe climate is becoming more of a human right globally with this week's European court decision that says countries must better protect people from climate change, something warming-hit residents of the Global South long knew, said former Ireland President Mary...

Putin mocks planned Ukraine conference and says Russia won't accept any enforced peace plans

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Thursday mocked a scheduled round of Ukraine peace talks in Switzerland, warning that Moscow will not accept any enforced plans that ignore its interests. Switzerland’s government said Wednesday it will host a high-level...

Switzerland lays out new 'too big to fail' rules in wake of Credit Suisse banking turmoil last year

GENEVA (AP) — The Swiss government Wednesday announced steps to bolster its “too big to fail” rules aimed at avoiding potentially disastrous fallout from banking sector turmoil after woes last year at Credit Suisse before it was taken over by rival UBS. Finance Minister Karin...

Switzerland will host a Ukraine peace conference in June and hopes Russia can join one day

GENEVA (AP) — Switzerland's government said Wednesday it will host a high-level international conference in June to help chart a path toward peace in Ukraine after more than two years of war, and expressed hope that Russia might join in the peace process someday. The lakeside...

The Swiss government says it will host a high-level Ukraine peace conference in June and hopes Russia could join one day

Verdict saying Switzerland violated rights by failing on climate action could ripple across Europe

STRASBOURG, France (AP) — Europe’s highest human rights court ruled Tuesday that countries must better protect their people from the consequences of climate change, siding with a group of older Swiss women against their government in a landmark ruling that could have implications across the...

Swiss refer Syrian president's uncle to trial for alleged war crimes over 4 decades ago

GENEVA (AP) — Swiss federal prosecutors said Tuesday they have indicted former Syrian Vice President Rifaat Assad, the uncle of the war-battered country's current president, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for allegedly ordering murder and torture more than four decades ago. ...

Geneva oil trader reaches $661M settlement with US, Swiss authorities over bribery in Ecuador

GENEVA (AP) — Geneva-based commodities trading firm Gunvor said Friday that it has reached a $661 million settlement with U.S. and Swiss prosecutors after convictions for bribery of foreign officials in connection with the petroleum industry in Ecuador. The Swiss attorney general's...

Swisscom confirms talks to buy Vodafone's Italian unit for 8B euros

GENEVA (AP) — Telecoms operator Swisscom confirmed Wednesday it's in talks with Vodafone Group toward a possible purchase of its Italian subsidiary for 8 billion euros ($8.65 billion). The Swiss company, which is majority owned by the Swiss government, said in a statement it's in...

'Neutral' Swiss plan to boost defense spending in a world destabilized by Ukraine, Mideast wars

GENEVA (AP) — Switzerland's government plans to boost its defense spending by up to 19% over the next four years, citing a rise in global instability, including wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and gaps created when Swiss authorities cashed in on a peace dividend from the fall of the Berlin...