Stories from Bern · Switzerland

A Swiss canton is providing aid for vine uprooting.

A study published last year indicates a decline in sperm quality across Europe, including Switzerland. This trend is linked to decreasing fertility rates and potential health issues in newborns. Research shows a disparity in sperm quality between urban and rural areas.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni obtained an agreement from the Swiss Confederation ensuring no payments will be requested from the families of young Italians injured during the Cranmontana tragedy.

Jens-Christian K. is transferring from the Eisbären to the Swiss club SC Bern. The move follows his time with the Eisbären. No specific contract terms or dates were provided.

The Swiss government announced on May 4th that it is participating in the NATO Tiger Meet multinational joint exercise as part of the NATO Partnership for Peace program. Switzerland has maintained permanent neutrality since the 1815 Congress of Vienna.

The Swiss Federal Intelligence Service has granted access to files regarding former Nazi war criminal Joseph Mengele, as evaluated by the Berger Commission. These documents are intended to be subject to liberal consultation practices. An appeal against the Federal Intelligence Service decision is currently pending before the administrative court. Swiss intelligence services maintain extensive files on Josef Mengele, according to a report from SRF 4 News. Historian Gerard Wettstein has received a negative decision regarding a request to open these files to the public. The report notes that Mengele may have resided in Switzerland following World War II before fleeing to South America. The Swiss intelligence service is considering conditions and restrictions for the release of certain files. It is unclear how much of the dossier will be accessible to researchers.

Michael Kunz has been appointed as the new CEO of Lidl Switzerland. This event was previously reported with the same description. He takes over the leadership role in Bern. This appointment is part of the company's ongoing leadership transitions.

Current air defense coverage is reported as insufficient and obsolete, covering only 8% of the territory.

Arma Suisse, the Swiss Federal Office for Defense Procurement, is responding to criticisms regarding various equipment purchase projects and their associated risks.

FC Thun secured the championship in the Swiss first football league. This marks the first league title in the 128-year history of the club from the Canton of Bern. The club had previously spent five years in the second league. FC Thoune became the Swiss champion for the first time in the club's history. The Bernese club secured the title following a 3-0 victory by FC Sion against Saint-Gall. The result finalized the championship outcome.