News

On 20 October 2025 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs EAER has amended annex 6 of the ordinance on measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran. 24 individuals and 23 entities have been added to the annex. The measures come into force at 11:00 pm on 21 October 2025.

On 20 October 2025 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs EAER has amended the annex of the ordinance on measures against Nicaragua. The entries concerning two individuals have been modified. The measures come into force at 11:00 pm on 21 October 2025.

Ultrathin terahertz optical components, large-area strain sensors and surface microstructuring with high throughput rates: For these innovations, three Empa researchers – Elena Mavrona, Mohammad Jafarpour and Nicolas Zaugg – have been granted this year's Empa Entrepreneur Fellowships, which will enable them to exploit their research to develop innovative products.

The latest forecasts of the Federal Finance Administration (FFA) through to 2029 show a mixed picture for Switzerland's public finances. The Confederation's financial situation remains tight and is largely dependent on the implementation of the planned relief package 27. The cantons are likely to continue to generate surpluses thanks to stable receipts overall, while the municipalities are set to post small structural deficits. There is considerable uncertainty for the social security funds, especially in connection with the financing of the 13th monthly AHV pension payment. Counter-financing for this has been planned from 2027 onward, but it has not yet been decided.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the FDFA, will be in Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait on official visits from 22 to 25 October 2025. Mr Cassis will be accompanied by the National Council president, Maja Riniker. The visit to the Middle East will serve to deepen bilateral relations, explore possible new avenues for cooperation and discuss current regional developments.

Markus Mäder, State Secretary for Security Policy, will receive Singapore’s Permanent Secretary (Defence) Chan Heng Kee in Bern on 21 October 2025. They will discuss current security policy developments and challenges and visit the National Emergency Operations Centre.

In its annual report, the Exemplary Energy and Climate initiative (EEC) reveals the progress made by Swiss providers of publicly relevant services in the areas of energy and climate. In the reporting year 2024, these participants increased the share of renewable energies in their total energy consumption from 65% to 69%. By doing so, they are making an important contribution to the energy transition in Switzerland.

In order to better maintain air sovereignty in the lower airspace, the Swiss Air Force needs partially mobile short-range radars. For this purpose, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse has selected the supplier for this new system as part of an invitation procedure. The Italian manufacturing company Leonardo with its TMMR (Tactical Multi Mission Radar) radar system received the contract for this important new capability of the Swiss Air Force.

On 20 October 2025 in Brussels, Switzerland and the European Union (EU) signed the Amending Protocol to the Agreement on the automatic exchange of financial account information to improve international tax compliance. With the Amending Protocol, the Agreement will be aligned to the amended OECD standard and supplemented with new provisions on administrative assistance for the collection of VAT claims.

An event in connection with SDG Flag Day 2025 was held in Lugano on Friday 17 October at the Asilo Ciani with representatives of Bern and Zurich attending alongside the mayors of Biel/Bienne and Lugano. The two Federal Council delegates for the 2030 Agenda, Markus Reubi (FDFA) and Daniel Dubas (DETEC), as well as the director of the Swiss Union of Cities, Monika Litscher, also participated.

Swiss Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider opened the World Meteorological Congress in Geneva on 20 October 2025. In her speech, she emphasised the central role played by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and national weather services in combating climate change and providing early warnings of extreme events around the world. Internationally, Switzerland brings its expertise to bear in the development of global early warning systems, for example through the Weather4UN pilot project.

The Federal Tax Administration has published final decrees pursuant to Article 5 paragraph 3 letter b of the FATCA Agreement.