News

Opening address by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, at the conference organised by the Swiss OSCE Chairmanship on anticipating technologies at CERN – check against delivery

Terahertz radiation is a promising part of the electromagnetic spectrum that has so far been underutilized. Empa researchers Elena Mavrona and Erwin Hack want to help close the so-called terahertz gap. With their spin-off company Lepto, they manufacture filters and other devices for terahertz radiation, enabling a wide range of applications both in space and on Earth.

Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) at the annual meeting of the Mittwochsgesellschaft in Cham – Check against delivery

How could life in Switzerland develop socially, economically and politically by the end of the century? Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL investigated this as part of the NCCS-Impacts programme. The result? Five scenarios with significantly different impacts on greenhouse gas emissions, as shown by modelling in a new publication.

A new final report (aviation) is available on the website of the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board STSB.

The Federal Council today decided to submit to the Federal Assembly a spending ceiling of CHF 3.93 million for the Swiss Human Rights Institution (SHRI) for the period 2027–30, thus maintaining the same level of funding as in the previous period.

At its meeting on 6 May 2026, the Federal Council amended several ordinances to promote a secure emergency call system. In future, people in distress will be able to use their smartphones to write to the police, fire brigade and ambulance emergency services via real-time text (RTT). Furthermore, the next-generation automatic emergency call system for vehicles (NG eCall) will also be able to use more advanced mobile communications technologies. In addition, a helpline and advice service for victims of domestic violence has been set up under the short number 142.

One person with a hantavirus infection is currently being treated at the University Hospital Zurich (USZ). The patient is male and returned to Switzerland after travelling on the cruise ship on which there were a number of hantavirus cases. The USZ is prepared to deal with such cases, is able to care for the patient, and guarantee the safety of staff and all patients. There is currently no danger to the Swiss public.

On Tuesday, 5 May, President Guy Parmelin met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Rome. The talks focused on bilateral relations, security issues and competitiveness in Europe, as well as current international affairs. The response to the devastating fire in Crans Montana was also discussed. On 6 May, President Parmelin will attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new Swiss Guards at the Vatican. During his visit, he will meet Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.

Agroscope is testing the use of new breeding technologies by cultivating a late blight-resistant potato cultivar in the field. Authorised by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), the field study serves as a basis for researching potato varieties containing no foreign DNA. These so called ‘cisgenic’ varieties reduce the need for plant-protection products and can better withstand extreme weather conditions.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.3% in April 2026 compared with the previous month, reaching 101.1 points (December 2025 = 100). Inflation was +0.6% compared with the same month of the previous year. These are the results of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Address by Vicepresident of the Federal Council, Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) - check against delivery