Archive
October 2026
SDDS Plus: Why an SNB dataset is more than statistics
The IMF's SDDS Plus standard makes Swiss economic and financial data more comparable. It is not a monetary policy signal, but it matters for public scrutiny.
Twelve Hours of Transparency: The OSCE Review and Its Limits
Switzerland has allowed an OSCE military review. What matters is not the assessment of individual operations but a principle gaining weight in Europe: states disclose, within limits, which forces they keep and how they are organised.
A1 at Luterbach: four nights show how the upgrade grips daily life
Four overnight ramp closures at the Luterbach junction look small. But they show how demanding it is to upgrade one of Switzerland's busiest motorway axes while traffic keeps running.
El Niño doesn't make travel riskier overall – preparation does
El Niño changes weather patterns around the world. For Swiss travellers this does not amount to a blanket health warning – but it does amount to a clear task: check weather, mosquito and hygiene risks for the specific place before every trip, and factor in your health after returning.
Two POWs, One Dispute: Why Seoul and Kyiv Must Repair Trust
The dispute between South Korea and Ukraine centres on two North Korean prisoners of war. What is documented about the arrangement, what remains open, and why Switzerland is watching.
AI, Drones and Cyber: Why Switzerland Must Rework Its Procurement
AI, drones and cyberattacks are changing the security situation. For Switzerland, however, the central challenge lies in procurement: systems must become available faster, connect technically and remain maintainable over the long term.
Alertswiss in Easy Language: the decisive test comes in an emergency
Alertswiss now offers messages in Easy Language. That is more than a translation: in a crisis, information must be fast, correct and enable people to act.
Shells as a building material: Bari's results and open questions
Researchers in Bari are developing new building material mixtures from seashells and harbour sediments. The prototypes are promising – they are not yet market-ready or generally approved.
Unemployment insurance 2025: the CHF 249m loss isn't the whole story
Switzerland's unemployment insurance closed 2025 with a loss of CHF 249 million. Decisive are not only more registered unemployed people but also federal payments that no longer apply.
Marriage Initiative: What Is Actually Decided on 29 November
The initiative against the «marriage penalty» is more than a question of a tax rate. What matters is what it would enshrine in the constitution – and what it would not.
Army strength 2030: Why 147,017 assigned is no all-clear
The Swiss Armed Forces counted 147,017 assigned personnel on 1 March 2026. Why that is no all-clear for 2030 – and what the forecast means for Switzerland.
Scholarships 2025: The canton remains a decisive factor
New FSO data show that access to cantonal scholarships depends not only on a family's financial situation. The canton also shapes how many people receive support and how large the awards are.
Kaliningrad and the nuclear rhetoric: What it means for Switzerland
Russian bodies have again linked Kaliningrad to nuclear rhetoric. For Switzerland this does not mean an immediate alarm level, but a mandate for resilience, diplomacy and sober classification.
OSCE roadmap against torture: implementation is what counts
The Swiss OSCE chairmanship presents 18 steps against torture. The roadmap creates no new law, but it exposes the gap between prohibition and enforcement.
Malware: The most dangerous gap often sits in front of the screen
An antivirus scanner alone does not provide complete protection, and Macs are not immune either. BACS shows which warning signs matter and what to do after a justified suspicion.
Thailand in relentless rain: the next warning is what counts
The toll from Thailand's floods is heavy. But what matters in the coming days is the next weather warning – and how quickly it is turned locally into protection and information.
Nobel Prize for optogenetics: How light sharpens brain research
The 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine honours optogenetics. What the method reveals about the brain, where its limits lie and what Swiss teams are working on.
OSCE in Warsaw: Why human rights are a security issue for Switzerland
In Warsaw, the OSCE is discussing human rights. For Switzerland, this is not a sideshow but part of its security policy.
13th AHV pension: What the planned VAT covers – and what remains open
The 13th AHV pension arrives in December 2026. The planned VAT increase covers only part of the extra costs – and still has to pass a vote.
US bombers leave Fairford: what is confirmed – and the Swiss stakes
All US bombers stationed at Fairford are back in the United States. What is officially established, what remains open and why Switzerland is following the situation.
PFAS in Switzerland: Why a measurement alone is not a health verdict
PFAS can be detected in water, food and blood. What measured values really say – and what Swiss households can take from them.
Flight prices at second glance: what must be in the final price
Flight prices often look confusing. But from Switzerland, unavoidable fees must be included in the final price – what may be shown separately.
Spain votes on 29 November: the ballot and Sánchez's framing
Spain elects a new parliament on 29 November. What is legally decided, how Sánchez reads the vote, and why Switzerland is watching.
Hormuz: pipelines cannot replace the strait – Switzerland's stakes
Pipelines can carry part of oil exports around the Hormuz bottleneck. For Switzerland, supply remains secure, but fragile.