An outpouring of support for Lausanne police after recent incidents; 20,000 Swiss jobs could be lost due to US tariffs; and more news in our roundup on Friday.
Massive outpouring of support for Lausanne police after recent riots
After they intervened to stop violent riots which erupted in the Vaud capital earlier this week – and which involved the death of a teenager of African origin who crashed on his scooter while fleeing – Lausanne police have come under massive criticism and accusations of racism.
READ ALSO: What’s behind the violent unrest in Swiss city of Lausanne?
However, hundreds of people have taken to social media to support and defend the police action — on Facebook, Instagram, and various other forums.
“Total support for the police and all law enforcement agencies, without whom chaos would erupt in the city,” one commentator said, while another added that “I support the police, rather than brainless little idiots who endanger innocent people.”
“Police are just doing their job – that is, maintain order,” someone else said.
Numerous commentators also criticise the trend of “blaming the police” and “exonerating the offenders” – particularly related to the death of the aforementioned teenager, who fled on a stolen scooter before crashing.
“So we steal and flee… and the police must do nothing?” a social media user asked, echoing numerous similar comments.
US tariffs threaten up to 20,000 jobs in Switzerland
A UBS study released on Thursday estimates the number of jobs the country could lose as a result of Trump’s tariffs at up to 20,000.
Sectors such as metallurgy, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical instruments, and watchmaking are particularly at risk.
Therefore, the bulk of job losses would likely strike Basel, the hub of the pharmaceutical industry, as well as Neuchâtel and Jura, the centre of watchmaking.
The cantons of Geneva and Vaud, on the other hand, would be less affecred, as their exports “are less sensitive to the American market,” according to UBS economist Thomas Veraguth.
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Update on the new cross-border trains
To remain competitive on the international market, the national rail company, SBB, said in April it wanted to introduce new, high-speed trains to connect Swiss and foreign cities.
Its goal is to reach lucrative tourist destinations such as Rome, Barcelona, and even the planned route to London, more quickly and efficiently than by relying on foreign rail companies.
At the time, the company had to decide whether buying the new trains, or leasing them, would make more financial sense.
Now, the decision is made: on Thursday, the SBB said that due to its tight financial situation, it is opting to lease the rolling stock, and is therefore launching a selection process among companies most suitable to its needs.
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Noah and Emma: The most popular baby names in Switzerland this year
This is what emerges from the data published by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) on Thursday.
For girls, Mia follows Emma, and Sofia remains in the third place, same as last year.
As far as boys’ names go, Liam took second place behind Noah, with Matteo following third.
Overall, there is nothing new regarding the most popular names for both sexes: according to the FSO, Noah was already the most popular in 2010, 2011, from 2013 to 2017, and from 2021 to 2023.
And Emma was the most popular in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2022.
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