News

Detecting water where none remains today: neutron and X-ray tomography make it possible. In an international study conducted with the participation of the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI, researchers have brought to light macroscopic hydrogen-rich regions inside a Martian meteorite. The findings provide evidence for early water–rock interactions on Mars.

A new notification of cessation of the investigation (aviation) is available on the website of the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB).

The Producer and Import Price Index fell in July 2026 by 0.1% compared with the previous month, to 99.6 points (December 2025 = 100). In particular, petroleum and natural gas, as well as petroleum products, saw falling prices. Compared with July 2025, the price level of the whole range of domestic and imported products fell by 2.1%. These are the results of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

In 2025, Swissmedic carried out 28 inspections of reprocessing, maintenance and vigilance activities for medical devices at 26 Swiss hospitals and two service providers. The results of the inspections show that there is still a considerable need for action to ensure fulfilment of legal requirements. At the same time, Swissmedic’s market surveillance activities are having a positive impact in terms of the signal they send and their steering effect. Several hospitals recognised the need for improvement at an early stage and have planned or already initiated actions to improve device safety of their own volition.

Laser cutting of metals is a powerful and flexible process. However, depending on the material’s thickness and properties, adjusting the cutting machines can be a time-consuming process. Researchers at Empa, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), and the machine manufacturer Bystronic developed a method in an Innosuisse project that allows the laser to assess the cut quality itself using cameras and microphones and, if necessary, adjust it immediately.

At its meeting on 12 August, the Federal Council set out the strategic direction and project organisation for the Geneva AI Summit 2027. It appointed Fabiola Gianotti as its Delegate. The former Director-General of CERN is tasked with implementing the defined objectives.

During its meeting on 12 August 2026, the Federal Council launched the consultation on amendments to the Banking Act and the Liquidity Ordinance. The proposed measures complete the overall package aimed at strengthening the stability of the financial centre. The requirements on bank governance and on crisis preparations for systemically important banks are to be increased. In addition, the tools and powers of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) are to be extended, and banks' access to liquidity from the Swiss National Bank (SNB) is to be expanded. The consultations will run until 19 November 2026.

At its meeting on 12 August 2026, the Federal Council adopted its statement on the ‘Constitutional amendment concerning the Bilaterals III’ parliamentary initiative submitted by the Political Institutions Committee of the Council of States (PIC-S). This initiative calls for a transitional provision in the Federal Constitution which provides for the ratification of the agreements on the stabilisation of relations between Switzerland and the EU by the Federal Council. This would mean that these agreements would be subject to a mandatory referendum. On 30 April 2025, the Federal Council came out in favour of an optional referendum on an international treaty and confirmed this decision when adopting its dispatch of 13 March 2026. It has today reaffirmed its position and requested that the Council of States does not enter into deliberations on the PIC-S’s parliamentary initiative.

The Federal Council will recommend that Parliament reject the popular initiative “For a sustainable and future-oriented Swiss financial centre (financial centre initiative)” without a direct or indirect counter-proposal. This was decided during its meeting on 12 August 2026. The Federal Council is already committed to ensuring that the Swiss financial centre operates in a sustainable manner. However, it views the additional bans called for by the initiative as questionable from an international perspective.

The annual OSCE Ministerial Council will take place in Lugano on 3 and 4 December 2026. A few weeks before Switzerland’s term as OSCE Chair comes to an end, the meeting will bring together numerous foreign ministers from around the world. To ensure security of the event and its participants, extensive measures will be put in place. At its meeting on 12 August 2026, the Federal Council decided to classify the conference as an extraordinary event. Federal funding will therefore be provided to cover most of the security costs incurred by the Canton of Ticino authorities.

On 10.08.2026 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs EAER has amended the Annex to the ordinance. In this context, 6 individuals were added to the Annex. The measures come into force at 11 pm on 11.08.2026.

On 10.08.2026 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs EAER has amended annexes 2 and 8 to the ordinance. In this context, 9 individuals and 45 organizations were added to Annex 8, and the entries concerning 11 individuals and entities were amended in Annexes 2 and 8. The measures come into force at 11 pm on 11.08.2026.