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Some things are not permitted in wartime, such as bombing a hospital, targeting civilians and preventing the wounded from receiving medical treatment. International humanitarian law (IHL) sets limits on parties to armed conflicts, but the rules continue to be flouted all too often. On 3 and 4 November 2026, Switzerland and the ICRC will bring together representatives from more than 100 states in Geneva to identify concrete ways of improving compliance with these rules. This gathering is part of an initiative launched in 2024 by six states and the ICRC.

On 2 November 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) amended the Annex of the Ordinance on measures against Nicaragua. The entry concerning one individual has been modified. The measures come into force on 3 November 2026 at 11 p.m.

On 2 November 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) amended Annex 2 of the Ordinance on measures against Sudan. The entries concerning three individuals have been modified. The measures come into force on 3 November 2026 at 11 p.m.

Although fruit and vegetables are transported in refrigerated trucks, the temperature often varies within the load. Pallets that haven’t been pre-cooled sufficiently, unsuitable packaging, or improper stacking can create hot spots within the cargo. Empa researchers have developed a digital twin of a refrigerated truck to optimize transport and better estimate the shelf life of foodstuff.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.2% in October 2026 compared with the previous month, reaching 101.7 points (December 2025 = 100). Inflation was +1.5% compared with the same month of the previous year. These are the results of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

The Swiss Armed Forces need real estate to fulfil their training and operational mission. This includes barracks, military airfields and military training areas, for example. These properties are recorded in the real estate portfolio of armasuisse Real Estate (ar Immo), which had a value as new of CHF 28.4 billion at the end of 2025. Of this, CHF 23.9 billion is in the core portfolio and is therefore in longer-term use. The current geopolitical situation is leading to a realignment of the Armed Forces, which is also changing their real estate portfolio. The stationing concept originally envisaged reducing the core portfolio to CHF 20 billion. In 2022, however, this was reversed in favour of an expansion to up to CHF 30 billion. The Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) examined whether ar Immo steers its portfolio with suitable instruments and, on the basis of adequate requirements, ensures that projects are carried out economically. The audit identified several areas requiring action, some of them already known: unclear user requirements, a missing strategy, insufficient steering, a backlog of repairs and a lack of standardisation. As a result, ar Immo can perform its tasks only to a limited extent. The Real Estate Board must therefore take fundamental decisions on the direction to be taken.

RUAG MRO Holding AG (RUAG MRO) is a government-owned company. It maintains, repairs and services the Swiss Armed Forces' equipment. In 2022, RUAG MRO launched the “Command, Control, Cyber, Communications, Computers and Intelligence” (C5I) programme; C5I's origins date back to 2017. Since 1 April 2025, C5I has been a business area in its own right, supporting the digitalisation of the Armed Forces' sensor, intelligence, command and effects network. C5I generates 90% of its revenue from services for the Armed Forces Cyber Command. It earns the other 10% from services for clients within the federal government environment. C5I aims to finance the expansion of its business itself. Against this background, the Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) examined whether C5I charges costs and services in a comprehensible manner and in accordance with the federal government's requirements. Overall, the audit produced a positive picture, although transparency in invoicing could be improved.

Allocution de M. Guy Parmelin, président de la Confédération, Chef du Département fédéral de l’économie, de la formation et de la recherche (DEFR) à l’occasion du 20e anniversaire de Suissenégoce

You could be interested by new pages which have been published on the OFCOM website between 15.10.2026 and 31.10.2026.

The Federal Tax Administration has updated the course listings and bonus shares 2024, 2025 and 2026.

The 33rd Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will take place in Lugano on 3 and 4 December 2026. Delegations are expected from the 57 participating States and the 12 Partners for Co-operation to discuss security issues in the OSCE area. At a joint press conference in Bellinzona, the chairman-in-office of the OSCE Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis provided an update on the progress of preparatory work and the political priorities of the conference alongside representatives of the federal government, the Canton of Ticino and the City of Lugano. Earlier, Ignazio Cassis took part in an event with students from the Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano, organised in collaboration with the OSCE.

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and chairman-in-office of the OSCE, outlines at a press conference in Bellinzona the key priorities and preparations for the 33rd OSCE Ministerial Council, which will take place in Lugano on 3 and 4 December 2026. Check against delivery.