News

The UN sanctions committee has amended the list of sanctioned individuals, companies and organizations. The SESAM database has been updated accordingly. On 4 March 2016 the Federal Council has adopted the Ordinance on the automatic application of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists. Hence, the amendments of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists enter into force in Switzerland without delay.

On Friday 14 August 2026 the canton of Fribourg officially handed over the keys to Agroscope’s new laboratory building in Posieux to the Swiss Confederation. The ceremony was attended by President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin and delegations from the Fribourg State Council and the Agroscope executive board as well as the Federal Offices for Agriculture (FOAG) and Buildings and Logistics (FOBL). Thus the centrepiece of Agroscope’s new site strategy is now ready for use.

Production of the Swiss F-35A is proceeding as planned: The first fuselage section was assembled with the first wing in Cameri, Italy. Cameri is home to the only F-35 final assembly line in Europe and is part of the international production network. The first F-35A from Cameri is to be transferred directly to Switzerland in mid-2028.

The Interdepartmental Coordinating Group on Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism (CGMF) has published its risk analysis on money laundering and legal entities. The National Risk Assessment (NRA): Legal Entities and Legal Arrangements shows that foreign legal entities and complex legal structures, in particular, pose an increased risk of money laundering. The Federal Council was informed about these findings at its meeting on 12 August 2026.

According to the early estimate of Switzerland's quarterly real GDP approximately 45 days after the quarter end ('GDP flash'), the Swiss economy is estimated to have grown by 1.5% in the second quarter of 2026 [1].The industrial sector made the largest contribution to growth, which was driven in particular by the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. The services sector also grew as a whole.Note: The flash estimate is based on early information available on the production components of GDP. Estimates are used where values are not yet available. The result may therefore change after the complete and updated source data become available. The regular release of quarterly GDP figures, including details on production, expenditure and income as well as updated calculations for the previous quarters, will be published on 3 September 2026.[1] Adjusted for seasonal/calendar effects and sporting events Growth relative to the previous quarter.

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.