Latest news with #SwissFederalCouncil
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Swiss President's message to UEFA Women's EURO 2025 fans in heartwarming new video: Even if you lose, you win in Switzerland
ZURICH, Switzerland, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Next month, Switzerland is hosting UEFA Women's EURO 2025. For the first time, the president of a host nation has addressed the fans of a major event directly, declaring their support for the sport and all the teams competing. This morning, the Swiss president Karin Keller-Sutter released an official video which sends a clear message: Switzerland attaches great importance to UEFA Women's EURO 2025 and the role the host nation has to play. 'In Switzerland, even if you lose, you win' Keller-Sutter's message to football fans is one of positivity and optimism, as she points out 'wouldn't it be a pity to miss all this' before revealing to the viewers some of the host nation's best attributes, accompanied by beautiful on-screen visuals. What is the upside of losing UEFA Women's EURO 2025? The earlier a team goes out of the tournament, the more time they'll have to enjoy being in Switzerland! A female president supporting women in sport Karin Keller-Sutter serves as President of the Swiss Confederation this year, a role that rotates annually between the seven members of the Swiss Federal Council. Recently named by Financial Times as one of the '25 most influential women of the year' alongside prominent female figures ranging from Beyoncé to Ursula von der Leyen, Keller Sutter's landmark decision to record an official video of support is both a display of female empowerment and reflection on the office she holds. Switzerland, represented by its female president, is committed to women in sport and the growing significance of women's football. Football firsts and new records for Switzerland UEFA Women's EURO is being held in Switzerland for the first time and has already been breaking records before the tournament has even begun. Over 500,000 tickets have been sold – more than ever before at this stage at a women's European tournament. So far, two thirds of tickets have been bought by fans from Switzerland, followed by Germany, England, France and the USA. The tournament kicks off on 2 July with two matches: Iceland vs Finland at 5pm in Thun and Switzerland vs Norway at 8pm in Basel. Reigning champions England will play their first game against France on Saturday 5 July at 8pm in Zurich, while Wales will play against The Netherlands on the same day at 5pm in Lucerne. Matches will be played in eight host cities – Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lucerne, Sion, St. Gallen, Thun and Zurich – with the final taking place on 27 July in Basel. Switzerland will write a new chapter in football history this year and will make UEFA Women's EURO 2025 even more memorable by offering visiting football fans a wide range of experiences before, during and after the tournament. It will also set new standards in terms of sustainability, with the Swiss rail network SBB providing over 300 extra trains across Switzerland and free-of-charge return travel to football matches (within Switzerland) for all ticket holders on match days. Note to editors Links Contact Markus Berger, Head of Corporate Communications, Switzerland Tourism +41 (0)44 288 12 70 | News release and further information can be found at: About Switzerland Tourism Switzerland Tourism is the Swiss national tourist board responsible for promoting Switzerland as a premier holiday and business destination. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland Tourism is present in 23 markets worldwide, employing around 270 people. Its UK and Ireland office is in London. About Karin Keller Sutter Abroad, Karin Keller Sutter is often referred to simply as the 'Swiss President' for the sake of convenience. However, Switzerland's government is structured as a collegial body, the Federal Council, consisting of seven members of equal standing. Together they form the executive branch, with each councillor heading a federal department. The President of the Confederation chairs the meetings of the Federal Council. The presidency rotates annually. Elected in 2018, Karin Keller-Sutter has headed the Federal Department of Finance since 2023. In the same year, she was named one of the '25 most influential women of the year' by the British Financial Times — appearing on a list alongside figures such as Beyoncé and Ursula von der Leyen. 'Knowledge, courage and determination are perhaps the most important qualities in a politician — and to me, Karin embodies all of them,' wrote Swedish Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson at the time, referring to her Swiss counterpart. The active involvement of the President of the Confederation in support of UEFA Women's EURO 2025 highlights the growing significance of women's football and reflects the importance Switzerland attaches to hosting this European championship.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Switzerland joins range of measures under 17th EU sanctions package against Russia
On 2 June, Switzerland's Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) made the decision to implement part of the European Union's 17th package of sanctions against Russia. Source: Swiss Federal Council, as reported by European Pravda Details: The EAER expanded its sanctions list by incorporating 17 individuals and 89 legal entities targeted by the EU into its latest sanctions package. Switzerland also added 189 vessels to its blacklist. These ships are believed to belong to Russia's shadow fleet. Additionally, the country expanded the list of sanctioned goods. The measures will take effect at 23:00 on Tuesday, the Swiss Federal Council reported. Background: On 20 May, the EU Council approved the 17th package of sanctions against Russia for its war against Ukraine, as well as separate sanctions for the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. The EU Council also revealed details of additional individual sanctions introduced in response to Russia's hybrid destabilisation activities targeting EU countries and allies. These sanctions are part of a series of packages that were set forward for approval on 20 May. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Euronews
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Switzerland told it isn't doing enough to comply with climate ruling
The Swiss government has been pushing back against a landmark legal climate ruling last year. ADVERTISEMENT Switzerland hasn't shown that it's meeting the requirements of a landmark climate change decision from Europe's highest human rights court, the Council of Europe announced on Friday. Last April the European Court of Human Rights sided with a group of older Swiss women against their government. It ruled that countries must better protect their people from the consequences of climate change and that Switzerland 'had failed to comply with its duties' to combat climate change and meet emissions targets. Six months after the decision, Switzerland asked for the case to be shut, arguing it was fully in compliance with the obligations set by the Strasbourg-based court. The intergovernmental body that supervises the court's judgments, the Committee of Ministers, recognised that Switzerland had made some progress but hadn't demonstrated it was meeting all of the requirements. Environmentalists hail the decision as a victory 'The Swiss Federal Council is not getting away with its arguments at the Committee of Ministers. Switzerland must improve its climate policy to remedy the violation of our human rights,' Rosmarie Wydler-Wälti, co-president of Senior Women for Climate Protection (KlimaSeniorinnen) and one of the plaintiffs in the case, said in a statement. The group, which counts around 2,000 members across Switzerland with an average age of 73, argued that older women's rights are especially infringed on because they are most affected by the extreme heat that will become more frequent due to global warming. What happens next in the KlimaSeniorinnen case? Following a three-day meeting this week, Bern was asked to provide more information on a number of topics including 'concrete measures being taken to alleviate the most severe or imminent consequences of climate change in Switzerland, including any particular needs for protection, especially for persons in vulnerable situation.' This includes helping people adapt to heatwaves, for example, and involving citizens in the development of climate protection measures. The Committee of Ministers, composed of the foreign affairs ministers from the body's 46 member states, will meet again in September 2025. By then, the Swiss Federal Council must also declare the foundations of its climate strategy - including quantifying emissions within a national CO2 budget framework. The decision ignited debate in Switzerland and the government claims the court has overstepped its mandate. Corina Heri, an expert in climate change litigation at Tilburg Law School, said the decision to ask for more information was typical of the compliance process at the ECHR. 'Nothing is final yet,' she told The Associated Press. Climate litigation is on the rise Environmental groups, frustrated by what they see as the failure of elected officials to combat climate change, have increasingly turned to courts to advance their cause. ADVERTISEMENT Late last year, the International Court of Justice took up the largest case in its history, hearing the plight of several small island nations helpless in combating the devastating impact of climate change that they feel endangers their very survival. The world has already warmed 1.3 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times because of the burning of fossil fuels. Between 1990 and 2020, sea levels rose by a global average of 10 centimetres and parts of the South Pacific have seen significantly more.
