Archive
2026
Clean-Up Day: Why Full Litter Bags Don't Prove Success
A new field study shows how littering can be reduced. Why the amount of waste collected is the wrong yardstick.
€3.3 billion for Kyiv: How the EU loan works
The EU is paying €3.3 billion for Ukraine's defence. What was already agreed, who carries the loan risk, and what the payment does not yet prove.
A funerary mask returns to Egypt – four years after the customs stop
Stopped at customs in 2022, now returned to Egypt: the Ptolemaic funerary mask shows how important provenance checks are in the antiquities trade.
Iran's UN Trip: What Lies Behind the US Shopping Rules
Behind the US conditions for Iran's UN delegation stand host-state obligations and authorisations for certain purchases. What the original documents actually record.
US sanctions: Washington's leverage targets Russia's buyers
Washington is stepping up pressure on Moscow and its trading partners. The law could also affect Swiss banks and commodity traders – but its impact depends on enforcement.
Psychiatry tariff cap: What remains open before the decision
The planned tariff cap also covers psychiatry and psychotherapy in principle. A blanket exemption is missing; approval and consequences remain open.
Rail weekend to Germany: up to two hours more travel time
Replacement buses and diversions shape the weekend towards Germany. Why train speed is not the only thing that counts when travelling by rail.
PFAS labelling fails – the information gap remains
The Council of States rejects a general PFAS declaration requirement. Existing rules cover individual substances but offer no comprehensive guidance when shopping.
Tax phishing: How to spot fake emails in the federal government's name
A professionally designed message is still not a government email. Five checks help you spot scam attempts – and react quickly if you have given data away.
Verkehr ’45: Billions in projects prioritised without secured funding
112 billion francs have been prioritised, around 50 billion are planned by 2045. According to the Federal Audit Office, the financing of these projects is not demonstrated.
Emergency fee: Why the surcharge would also hit genuine emergencies
The Council of States rejects the emergency fee. A look at the draft shows that referral and deductible would count – not urgency alone.
Helvetia Baloise expects up to 140 million francs in hail damage
Helvetia Baloise expects hail damage of 120 to 140 million francs after reinsurance. What the figure means – and why cars shape the industry's balance.
The big games of autumn 2026: pre-ordering is rarely needed
Autumn 2026 is a very dense season for video games. JournalPlus ranks the main confirmed releases – and shows why patience is often the best buying strategy.
Out despite autumn: 7 outdoor ideas and an often-missing safety rule
No desire for indoor pools? Seven autumn activities in Switzerland show how young people can stay outdoors – affordable, varied and with a realistic view of risk.
Trump threatens EU with new trade barriers over Canada
Trump is pressuring the EU over its Canada plans. What he is threatening, what has already been ordered, and why Swiss suppliers have to follow this conflict.
Swiss housing: who owns the buildings – and what the data omits
New FSO data show that two-thirds of recorded residential buildings belong to natural persons. But building structure and data gaps limit what the figures can say.
Culture Grows Broadly – Not in Full-Time Jobs
More cultural businesses, but few additional full-time positions: New BFS data shows an industry that is growing while increasingly fragmenting into micro-enterprises.
EFAS unifies payment, but not the provision of care
EFAS removes a misaligned incentive between outpatient and inpatient care. But new data show that use, costs and organisation of hospital outpatient care vary widely from canton to canton.
Rare Diseases: The Long Path to Correct Diagnosis
Over half a million people in Switzerland are estimated to live with a rare disease. New legal foundations will ensure stable funding for specialized care and advice. For affected individuals, reducing lost time in diagnosis and treatment is the main priority.
Anthropic's AI scenarios meet Swiss labour market data
15 percent growth and mass unemployment: the headline sounds like a prediction. In fact, Anthropic's model shows which assumptions lead to extreme results – and where Switzerland is already measuring change.
Revolut data breach: When the wrong agency comes asking
Revolut handed over data in response to fake government requests. What is documented about the incident, why the trick is well known and which questions remain for Swiss customers.
Beach holidays in October: sea still warm, weather can turn
Cyprus, Antalya, Tenerife or Madeira? A comparison of official climate data shows where beach weather is still likely in October and which risks travellers from Switzerland should plan for.
Canada Moves Closer to EU, But Its Model Has Limited Fit for Switzerland
Canada deepens its partnership with the EU without being a candidate for accession. For Switzerland, this is politically interesting, but not a replacement for its bilateral agreements.
Learning without constant stress: why self-tests beat re-reading
Less cramming, better recall: research on study methods shows how pupils can prepare for exams without sacrificing sleep and free time.