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Switzerland
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Friday, September 11, 2026
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Switzerland is grappling with the aftermath of a tragic tour bus accident in the Engadin region, which claimed five lives and injured 40 others. Rescue operations extended into the night, and survivors are being transported to Austria.
In political developments, former Federal Councillor Viola Amherd, who previously headed the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, is facing scrutiny over reports that she overrode her own legal advisors in the F-35 jet procurement, with reasons for her actions remaining undisclosed. Meanwhile, entrepreneur Silvan Wildhaber has officially begun his term today as the new President of Economiesuisse, advocating for changes to safeguard Switzerland's prosperity. A heated debate on neutrality has also taken place between former Federal Councillor Christoph Blocher and former President of the Swiss Confederation Micheline Calmy-Rey.
Other significant domestic news includes a psychiatrist's critique of mandatory firearm checks following the Aarau shooting, concerns over declining spelling and grammar skills among apprentices highlighted by PISA 2025 data and employer feedback, and a controversial employment practice by gastro industry figure Michel Péclard.
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Top Stories
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A serious tour bus accident in the Engadin region of Graubünden, Switzerland, has resulted in five fatalities and 40 injuries. The bus, carrying 49 passengers, veered off the road and overturned. Witnesses described a 'deafening bang,' and rescue operations continued through the night, with survivors being transported to Austria in shock.
Tages-Anzeiger:
Several Dead in Susch: What We Know About the Tour Bus Accident in Engadin
A tour bus carrying 49 passengers veered off the road and overturned in the Engadin region of Graubünden, Switzerland, resulting in multiple fatalities. The rescue operation lasted into the night.
Blick:
Bus Accident in Engadin Claims 5 Lives, Injures 40
A serious bus accident in the Engadin region of Switzerland has led to five fatalities and 40 injuries. Police have provided updates, and Blick reporters are on the scene.
20 Minuten:
Bus Accident Witness Describes "Deafening Bang"
A witness to the bus accident in Zernez, Switzerland, describes the terrifying sound of the crash, highlighting the severity of the incident.
watson:
5 Dead and 40 Injured in Serious Tour Bus Accident near Susch GR - What is…
A severe accident involving a tour bus near Susch in the Swiss canton of Grisons has resulted in five fatalities and forty injuries, with authorities investigating the cause.
Neue Zürcher Zeitung:
Dutch Tour Bus Crashes in Graubünden - Police Report Five Dead, 40 Injured
A serious traffic accident involving a tour bus occurred in the Lower Engadine region of Switzerland, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
20 Minuten:
Bus Brings Car Survivors to Austria, "In Shock"
Survivors of the bus crash in Zernez, Switzerland, are being transported to Austria, with those involved reportedly in a state of shock following the incident.
20 Minuten:
Five Dead in Tourist Bus Crash
A tragic tourist bus crash in Susch, Switzerland, has resulted in five fatalities, making it a significant incident with ongoing investigations.
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New reports indicate that former Federal Councillor Viola Amherd, who served as Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport until March 2025, overrode her own legal advisors regarding the F-35 jet purchase. The reasons for this decision remain undisclosed, raising further political questions about the procurement process.
20 Minuten:
Amherd Overrode Own Lawyers in F-35 Purchase, Reasons Secret
A report indicates that Swiss official Amherd bypassed her own legal advisors regarding the F-35 jet purchase, with the reasons remaining undisclosed, raising political questions.
watson:
Interview: 'The Case Shows that Switzerland Works' - Political Scientist on…
Political scientist Marc Bühlmann discusses the F35 fighter jet procurement controversy, arguing that the process demonstrates the functionality of Swiss democracy.
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Prominent politicians Christoph Blocher, a former Member of the Swiss Federal Council, and Micheline Calmy-Rey, a former President of the Swiss Confederation, engaged in a heated dispute over a neutrality initiative. Their debate highlighted strong disagreements regarding Switzerland's potential involvement in future conflicts.
Blick:
Heated Debate Between Blocher and Calmy-Rey on Neutrality
Politicians Christoph Blocher and Micheline Calmy-Rey engage in a heated dispute over a neutrality initiative, with strong disagreements about potential war involvement.
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Silvan Wildhaber has officially taken office today as the new President of Economiesuisse, the Swiss business federation. In an interview, Wildhaber emphasized the need for change to safeguard Switzerland's prosperity and urged businesses to actively voice their concerns.
Neue Zürcher Zeitung:
Interview: 'A Jolt Must Go Through Our Country. Some Believe Our Prosperity is…
The new president of Economiesuisse, Silvan Wildhaber, discusses the need for change regarding Switzerland's prosperity and urges businesses to voice their concerns.
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New PISA 2025 data indicates a continued decline in the academic performance of Swiss students, particularly in reading skills. This trend is echoed by small and medium-sized enterprise bosses who are reporting increasing difficulties in training new apprentices due to a noticeable decline in their foundational competencies, including spelling and grammar. [cite: Le Temps, PISA 2025, Le Temps, SME bosses]
Le Temps:
Spelling, Syntax at Work: Should these declining skills be maintained, and how?
Swiss employers report a decline in spelling and grammar skills among apprentices, prompting reflection on how to maintain and improve these competencies in the face of advancing technology.
Le Temps:
PISA 2025: Swiss school performance continues to decline but remains above…
Graphical analysis of PISA 2025 data indicates a continued decline in the academic performance of Swiss students, though their scores still surpass those of nearby nations.
Le Temps:
"We clearly see a decrease in skills": SME bosses face difficulties training…
Small and medium-sized enterprise bosses in Switzerland are experiencing challenges in training new apprentices due to a noticeable decline in their foundational skills.
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Following the Aarau shooting, psychiatrist Carlo Calanchini criticized the idea of regular checks on all firearm owners. He addressed public fears by stating that individuals with psychiatric disorders can possess firearms if they are receiving appropriate treatment.
Ticinonline:
Psychiatric Disorders and Firearms: A Complex Issue After Aarau Shooting
Following the shocking case of the Aarau shooter, psychiatrist Carlo Calanchini criticizes the idea of regular checks on all firearm owners and addresses public fears, stating that having a psychiatric disorder and firearms is possible if the person receives treatment.
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Michel Péclard, a prominent figure in the Swiss gastro industry, is under scrutiny for controversial employment practices. Employees are reportedly required to provide a doctor's note from day one of any absence, and only Péclard's ex-wife is authorized to issue these certificates.
Tages-Anzeiger:
Controversial Work Practice: Gastro King Péclard Rigorously Combats Faked Sick…
This story investigates the controversial employment practices of Michel Péclard, a prominent figure in the Swiss gastro industry. Employees are required to provide a doctor's note from day one of any absence, and remarkably, only Péclard's ex-wife is authorized to issue such certificates.
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A 20-year-old Ukrainian epilepsy patient, Ilarion Spynu, is fighting deportation to Poland despite his family having received protection status S in Switzerland. His case highlights potential issues with the protection status for refugees.
Tages-Anzeiger:
Epilepsy Patient Without Protection Status: Ukrainian Fights in Biel
A 20-year-old Ukrainian, Ilarion Spynu, who suffers from epilepsy, is facing deportation to Poland despite his family having received protection status S in Switzerland. His case highlights a potential issue with the protection status for refugees.
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Swiss national football team coach Murat Yakin has made strategic decisions regarding the national team, successfully securing two dual-nationality players for Switzerland.
watson:
Murat Yakin Clarifies and Ties These Two Dual Citizens to Switzerland
Swiss national football team coach Murat Yakin has made decisions regarding the national team, securing two dual-nationality players for Switzerland.
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An invasive species of ant, the Tapinoma ant, is spreading in various municipalities within the canton of Zurich, prompting authorities to implement measures to control its proliferation.
watson:
Tapinoma Ant Spreading in Zurich Municipalities - How It Will Now Be Combated
An invasive species, the Tapinoma ant, is spreading in parts of the canton of Zurich, and measures are being implemented to control its spread.
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Daily news summaries from Switzerland
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