Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER

Space offers a new perspective on greenhouse gases and air pollutants: In future, European satellites will for the first time provide detailed emission maps, all the way down to the contributions of individual power plants and industrial facilities. The necessary methods and technologies were developed by Empa researchers within international research partnerships.

On 30 October 2025, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (EAER) has updated the document “Interpretative aid for sanction measures”. The modifications are visible in track changes mode.

The Swiss Residential Property Price Index (IMPI) rose in the 3rd quarter 2025 by 0.8% compared with the previous quarter and reached 124.3 points (4th quarter 2019 = 100). Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, inflation was 5.2%. These are some of the results from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

On 29 October, the Federal Council decided that Switzerland will adopt further measures from the European Union's 18th package of sanctions against Russia, as well as the EU's additional measures against Belarus. The new measures focus on trade in goods and the financial and energy sectors and will take effect on 30 October.

The state visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa is serving as an opportunity for Switzerland and South Africa to strengthen relations. On Wednesday, 29 October, five documents on future cooperation were signed. Prior to that, the South African president was received by the full Federal Council. Official talks focused on bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries at international level.

On 21 October, Switzerland and the United Kingdom extended the Services Mobility Agreement until 31 December 2029. The Agreement provides Swiss companies with easy access to British service suppliers and regulates Swiss service suppliers' access to the UK market.