Stories from Zurich · Switzerland

Siemens and a Swiss company signed a contract worth approximately 2 billion Swiss francs today. The agreement involves the sale of new trains intended for use in the Zurich S-Bahn network and Western Switzerland. These new trains are expected to help increase capacity in those regions.

The Swiss national hockey team lost 1 to 8 against Sweden during the Euro Hockey Tour. Tobias Geisser scored the only goal for Switzerland. The team is scheduled to play against Czechia and Finland over the weekend. This follows a previous 1-8 loss against Sweden on Thursday. The tournament's home week is scheduled to begin in nearly two weeks.

FIFA is discussing political and economic issues regarding the participation of the Iranian national team in the World Cup. A briefing has been provided to President Donald Trump regarding military scenarios as the 60-day congressional deadline for overseas operations expires today. This comes despite the US bet that a strict naval blockade will force Tehran to accept an agreement under its own terms. The US President is weighing military options, including potential short-duration strikes on Iranian bridges, energy facilities, and power plants to force negotiations. Iranian officials stated they are prepared for another confrontation with the US. Military leaders view such a move as an opportunity to engage US forces directly on the ground by targeting energy facilities and power stations.

Naturalization costs in Switzerland vary significantly between cantons and municipalities, ranging from several hundred to several thousand Swiss francs per person. Requirements also differ, with some regions mandating interviews while others require compulsory cultural courses.

Swiss banking laws include a provision that subjects journalists to up to three years of imprisonment for using leaked bank data in investigative research. Provisional court measures can be imposed to prohibit newsroom reporting in Switzerland. Financial-heavy individuals and companies are using abusive lawsuits against smaller newsrooms as an intimidation tactic, according to the report.

Researchers at ETH Zurich and partners are planning a live telescope to search for evidence of life on exoplanets. The project requires funding to proceed.

Thousands of people are participating in demonstrations for increased social justice across many Swiss cities. An unauthorized follow-up demonstration involving far-left groups occurred along the route, where participants reportedly sprayed facades and shop windows. Demonstrations also took place in Bern and Basel, where Basel-Stadt Cantonal Police reported around 2,500 participants. Approximately 5,000 people participated in a May Day demonstration in Zurich to protest working conditions and wages. Several hundred participants in the procession were reportedly masked. Demonstrations were also reported in other locations globally. The weather during the demonstrations was described as cloudy and early morning. The event remained largely peaceful, though some masked individuals engaged in skirmishes with police and caused isolated property damage.

FIFA is increasing its economic allocation by 15 percent. The organization is also implementing a mandatory requirement for U-20 teams in all leagues worldwide. This move could lead to similar mandatory U-20 structures for clubs in Bolivia.

SBB has definitively awarded a multi-billion dollar contract to Siemens for 116 new S-Bahn double-decker trains. While Siemens presented promotional images of the new trains, the company did not specify how much of the total value will translate into Swiss jobs. Siemens has secured a contract from SBB to provide new trains for Zurich and Romandie. The company won the bid because its overall offer was cheaper than the competing proposal from Stadler Rail. Manufacturing will take place in Germany rather than by Swiss competitor Stadler Rail. Siemens has received a contract from Swiss bus and rail operators to supply 110 double-decker trains. An option for 40 additional trains has also been included in the agreement. The new trains are expected to begin replacing existing stock in the Zurich S-Bahn network starting in 2026. SBB plans to deploy the vehicles starting in 2031.

A study published in the journal Science Advances found that AI models are less accurate when predicting very hot weather, very cold weather, and wind storms. While previous tests showed AI effectiveness for everyday weather, these findings suggest limitations for extreme events. The research has implications for how weather agencies apply AI technology to forecasting. The study was conducted in Switzerland. A new study by climate scientists in Germany and Switzerland found that AI weather models misjudge extremely hot and extremely cold weather events. Researchers compared AI models against traditional forecasting models that utilize physics to determine predictive accuracy.