World

Export Controls: Federal Council to Continue Internationally Harmonised Control Lists for Dual-Use Goods Date: 13 December 2024 Source: Swiss Confederation Summary: The Swiss Federal Council has decided to continue using internationally harmonised control lists for dual-use goods. Dual-use goods are items that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. The control lists help … Read more

Swiss Confederation Adopts Updated National Action Plan to Support Businesses in Respecting Human Rights (Bern, Switzerland) – On December 13, 2024, the Swiss Federal Council adopted an updated National Action Plan (NAP) to support businesses in respecting human rights. This update marks a significant step forward in the country’s ongoing efforts to promote responsible and … Read more

Federal Council Elects Innosuisse Board for 2025–28 Bern, December 13, 2024 – The Federal Council has elected the Board of Innosuisse for the period from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2028. Dr. Tatjana von Steiger was elected as the new President of the Board. The Federal Council also elected the following members to the … Read more

Federal Commission for Scholarships: Philipp Schweighauser elected Bern, 13 December 2024 – The Federal Council has elected Philipp Schweighauser as a member of the Federal Commission for Scholarships for the period 2025-2028. He will take up his post on 1 January 2025. Philipp Schweighauser is a professor of educational sciences at the University of Zurich. … Read more

Press release – EP to establish two new standing and two special committees 13 December 2024 Today, the European Parliament voted in favour of establishing two new standing committees and two special committees. The decision was taken during the Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg. The two new standing committees are the Committee on Artificial Intelligence … Read more

USA and Luxembourg Sign Framework Agreement for Space Resource Exploration Cooperation Luxembourg, December 13, 2024 – The United States and Luxembourg have signed a groundbreaking framework agreement to collaborate on the exploration and utilization of space resources for peaceful purposes. The agreement was signed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Luxembourg’s Minister for … Read more

Andorra Government Updates Admission Prices for Museums, Monuments, and Exhibition Halls December 13, 2024 The Government of Andorra has announced updated admission prices for museums, monuments, and exhibition halls that are under their management. The new prices will take effect on January 1, 2025. The following table shows the updated admission prices: |Category|Regular Price|Reduced Price| … Read more

Voluntary Contributions Respond to UN Emergency Appeal for the Gaza Strip and World Food Programme Andorra, December 13, 2024 The Government of Andorra has announced voluntary contributions to respond to the United Nations’ emergency appeal for the Gaza Strip and the World Food Programme (WFP). Gaza Strip Emergency Appeal: The Government of Andorra has contributed … Read more

Passive Scrolling Leads to Greater Sense of Loneliness, Finds Study Date: 2024-12-13 14:45 Source: Article published in the journal “Nature Human Behaviour” Key Findings: A new study has found that passive scrolling on social media platforms can lead to increased feelings of loneliness. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan conducted … Read more

EU Launches Humanitarian Air Bridge to Carry Vital Supplies to Syria Brussels, December 13, 2024: The European Union (EU) has launched a humanitarian air bridge to carry essential supplies to Syria, which has been devastated by a decade-long conflict. The first flight carrying 30 tons of food, medical equipment, and shelter materials departed from Brussels … Read more