News
Administrative assistance in accordance with FATCA: notification of receipt of FATCA group requests pursuant to Article 12 paragraph 1 FATCA Act
The Federal Tax Administration has published FATCA group requests pursuant to Article 12 paragraph 1 FATCA Act.
Switzerland reaffirms its commitment to reconstruction at the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome
The Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) has been held since 2022 to coordinate reconstruction efforts in Ukraine. At this year's conference, which took place in Rome from 10 to 11 July, the head of the Swiss delegation, Jacques Gerber, signed an international treaty with Ukraine. This forms the legal basis for increased cooperation with the Swiss private sector in reconstruction. Projects in the areas of health, education and war risk insurance were also approved.
Change in the Executive Board of ETH Zurich and 14 new professors appointed at ETH Zurich and EPFL
At its meeting of 9/10 July 2025, the ETH Board took note of the resignation of Vanessa Wood as Vice President of ETH Zurich. She will leave the Executive Board at the end of December 2025 and will continue to lead her research team. Furthermore, the ETH Board appointed eleven women and three men as professors and awarded the title of Professor of Practice to one individual, upon application of the President of ETH Zurich, Professor Joël Mesot, and the President of EPFL, Professor Anna Fontcuberta i Morral. It also took note of the resignations of two professors and thanked them for their services. In the last 12 months, the ETH Board has made a total of 24 new appointments for women and 26 for men; the proportion of women among these new appointments thus amounts to 48%.
Victims of National Socialism: Call for proposals to design the memorial in Bern
In April 2023, the Federal Council decided to establish a memorial in the centre of Bern for the victims of National Socialism. The Federal Council considers it vital to keep alive the memory of the consequences of National Socialism, as well as the fate of the six million Jews and all other victims of the Nazi regime. On the recommendation of the communal parliament of the City of Bern, the Casinoterrasse near the Federal Parliament was selected as the location for the site of remembrance. A call is now being organised to gather proposals for the its creation from multidisciplinary teams in the fields of art, architecture and history.
Prevention bulletin 2025/1 aviation
The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) is publishing the prevention bulletin 2025/1 aviation.Prevention bulletins contain useful information in accordance with Art. 56 OSITI for the prevention of accidents and serious incidents. They were obtained as part of preliminary investigations into incidents for which an investigation is not opened for reasons of efficiency. The Prevention Bulletins are compiled in chronological order and include those incidents for which a preliminary investigation was completed by the end of the respective quarter. The information does not claim to be complete, is anonymised and is designed to contribute to the safety awareness of the public concerned.The German versions of the prevention bulletins are the originals and therefore authoritative.
Consumer sentiment higher than a year ago
In June 2025 the consumer sentiment index stood at –32 points. This is 4 points higher than in June 2024. The following sub-indices were higher than in June 2024: past financial situation, financial outlook and moment to make major purchases. The following sub-index is lower than a year ago: economic outlook.
Identifying chemicals of concern in plastics – and pathways towards safer polymers
To curb global plastic pollution and to make plastics safer and more sustainable, countries are currently negotiating a global treaty. A new study published in Nature provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of all chemicals that can be present in plastics, their properties, uses, and hazards. Moreover, the study also provides a scientific approach for identifying chemicals of concern. This allows scientists and manufacturers to develop safer plastics and policy makers to promote a non-toxic circular economy.
Sanctions: Ordinance on Measures concerning Haiti
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.
Issue result for Confederation bonds
The Swiss Confederation issued two bonds by auction on 09.07.2025: 0.50%, maturity 27.05.2030 (reopening) and 0.25%, maturity 23.06.2035 (reopening). The issuance volume (excluding own holdings) amounts to a total of 443.210 million francs.
New STSB preliminary report (aviation) available
A new preliminary report (aviation) is available on the website of the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board STSB.
Swissmedic authorises vaccine to control bluetongue serotype 3
Bluetongue is a viral disease transmitted by biting insects that affects ruminants and camelids. Bultavo 3 from the marketing authorisation holder Boehringer Ingelheim (Switzerland) GmbH can be used to vaccinate sheep and cattle against serotype 3.
Strengthening economic ties is focus of talks by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis in Nepal and Bhutan
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visited Nepal and Bhutan during his week-long trip to Asia from 7 to 9 July. The official talks with government representatives centred on bilateral relations and opportunities for deeper economic cooperation.