SBB is launching more direct connections to Italy and France; the war in Iran has caused Swiss mortgage rates to soar; and more news in our roundup on Friday.
SBB is launching more direct connections to Italy and France
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) announced on Thursday the launch of more international trains during the summer season.
From April 16th to November 2nd, direct TGV trains will run between Thursday and Sunday, from Lausanne and Geneva to Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, and Marseille.
From June 27th to August 23rd, these trains will be running daily.
Additionally, there will be, from May 30th until October 4th, a train connecting Zurich to the Italian city of Rimini.
READ MORE: The new international train services from Switzerland in 2026
War in Iran causes Swiss mortgage rates to skyrocket
According to Comparis consumer platform, this hike is attributed to war-driven tensions in the capital markets. After a downward trend at the start of the year, rates rebounded sharply following the escalation of the conflict in Iran.
The rate for a two-year fixed-rate mortgage has now reached 1.48 percent, across all providers. It stood at 1.34 percent as recently as late February, prior to the outbreak of the Middle East conflict.
For five-year terms, the rate rose from 1.51 percent to 1.63 percent, while for 10-year terms, it currently stands at 1.84 percent – up from 1.77 percent at the end of February.
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New study reveals favourite brands of Swiss consumers
In an analysis published on Thursday, the 2026 BrandAsset Valuator (BAV) lists the brands (both Swiss and foreign) that Switzerland’s consumers value most.
Its conclusion: The preferences are “decidedly shifting in favour of established brands that are seen as reliable”.
These are the top 10:
1. REGA: Air rescue service
2. Coop: Retailer
3. Le Gruyère: Cheese
4. Migros: Retailer
5. Coop Supercard: Points-based loyalty programme
6. Whatsap: Instant messaging service
7. Google: Global tech company
8. SBB: National train company
9. IKEA: Furniture
10. Lego: Toys
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Four more officials are charged in Swiss fire probe
Four more current and former officials are now under criminal investigation in the probe into Switzerland’s Crans-Montana fire disaster that killed 41 people and injured 115 others.
“The investigation has been extended to include four new individuals, bringing the total number of defendants to 13,” said the public prosecutors’ office in Valais.
The Crans-Montana municipal councillor in charge of security, their 2013-2016 predecessor, the current deputy head of the public safety department, and the 2009-2016 mayor of the neighbouring municipality of Chermignon, will be interviewed between May 11th and June 3rd. (AFP)
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