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Friday Hailstorm: How Exceptional Was the Severe Weather?
On Friday, heavy thunderstorms with gale-force winds, hail, and heavy rain swept across Switzerland. Locally, hailstones reached six centimeters. Such large hail is rare in this country.
Kanye West Divides Russia: Concerts as Political Issue
Kanye West plans two concerts in St. Petersburg. The announcement divides Russia: fans rejoice, Kremlin allies criticize. Whether the shows will take place remains uncertain.
Flash Flood in Nepal: Helvetas Prepares Emergency Aid
Following a severe flash flood in Nepal on Tuesday morning, Helvetas provides CHF 100,000 for emergency relief. A team assesses the damage in remote mountain regions.
Emergency Campaign: Partner & Partner Wins Contract
Partner & Partner agency wins the contract for the "Behavior in Crisis and War" brochure campaign. The contract value of CHF 966,392 is significantly below the allocated budget.
FMCH Demands Moratorium for TARDOC Upper Limit
The FMCH umbrella organisation calls for a moratorium on new flat-rate caps in the outpatient tariff. It demands that TARDOC's evaluation metrics be reviewed first.
Uefa Prepares Criminal Complaint Against Infantino
Uefa intends to prosecute Gianni Infantino in Switzerland, alleging criminal mismanagement related to the failed "Fifa Forward Enterprise" plan. The European football body seeks evidence in the US before filing a formal complaint under Swiss law.
NVIDIA Exceeds Expectations: AI Boom Boosts Figures
NVIDIA surpassed expectations. Revenue and profit increased, and the stock turned positive. A signal for the AI sector – and for Swiss investors.
After Record Drought: 71.5 Million for Forests and Agriculture
The 2026 summer drought left its mark. The Federal Council requests an additional 17.5 million francs for forests and 54 million for farm operational support. These funds aim to mitigate the drought's impact on crucial sectors.
After the Fires: Greece Cleans Up and Worries
Greece's wildfires are out, but the consequences are immense. Destroyed livelihoods, endangered soils, and unanswered demands: reconstruction begins. Critics call for increased climate protection and preventive measures.
Cybersecurity in SMEs: Threat Landscape and Government Support
With 29,006 voluntary reports and 145 mandatory cases, Switzerland's cyber situation is serious yet stable. The Federal Council is planning regulation over funding programs. What are the facts behind these claims?
Swiss Rental Prices: Data Unclear
The Federal Statistical Office regularly publishes rental price figures. Current claims of a 2.3 percent increase are not verifiable from available sources. The editorial team is investigating.
AI for Citizen Participation: What Switzerland Can Learn
A new study by the Bertelsmann Stiftung and OECD shows how Artificial Intelligence can support citizen participation. For Switzerland, this presents opportunities but also raises questions regarding transparency and inclusion.
Federal Supreme Court Election Postponed Due to Judges' Relationship
The Judicial Commission postpones the general re-election of the Federal Supreme Court to the 2026 winter session. The reason is a relationship between two Federal Supreme Court judges. Whether it was compatible with their office remains open.
Accident Insurance: Federal Council Lowers Threshold for Self-Employed
The Federal Council lowers the entry threshold for voluntary accident insurance. Self-employed individuals with an annual income of CHF 44,460 can now insure themselves. Approximately 40,000 people benefit from this change.
Frontex Accuses Belarus of Tunnel Construction into EU
Frontex accuses Belarus of state-backed tunnel construction at the EU border. Switzerland monitors the situation but has no direct evidence so far.
Federer Wins Exhibition Match Against Roddick in New York
Roger Federer won an exhibition match against Andy Roddick in New York. The 20-time Grand Slam champion thereby returned to the tennis court.
Iceland's EU Rapprochement: A Signal for Switzerland?
A narrow majority of Icelanders supports starting EU accession negotiations, according to a poll. This raises questions for Switzerland regarding its own European policy.
Hot Summer: Farmers Face Winter Crisis
Switzerland's hot summer impacts agriculture. Farms still operate, but a major crisis threatens this winter as feed supplies dwindle. Farmers are taking steps to mitigate the severe drought effects.
New General and Sports Medicine Center in Fribourg
On September 1, Clinique Générale Sainte-Anne in Fribourg opens a general and sports medicine center. Three FMH specialists will treat patients regardless of insurance status.
MEM SMEs: Economy Improves, Skilled Labor Shortage Remains
The Swissmechanic business climate index rises to around minus 20 points. However, two-thirds of companies still view their situation as unfavorable. The skilled labor shortage remains the biggest challenge.
Raiffeisen Schweiz Cuts Up to 180 Jobs
Raiffeisen Schweiz aims to save around CHF 60 million by 2027. Up to 180 jobs will be eliminated, with more than half through natural attrition. Despite this, net profit rose significantly in the first half of 2026.
Blood Moon over Switzerland: Partial Lunar Eclipse on August 28
A partial lunar eclipse will occur in Switzerland on August 28, 2026. From 4:34 AM, Earth's shadow will cover up to 94 percent of the full moon. Observation tips and background information.
Switzerland's GDP: Data Situation Unclear After FSO Publication
The latest GDP data from the Federal Statistical Office is not yet available. A chart page from August 25, 2026, references the period 1996 to 2025. Specific figures are missing.
Psychotherapy: Commission Requires Psychiatric Diagnosis
The National Council's Health Committee wants to reimburse psychological psychotherapy only after a psychiatric diagnosis. Psychotherapists are protesting strongly, with over 2,000 having signed a petition.