The Swiss Wage Guide 2026 provides a comprehensive overview of customary local and industry-standard wages in Switzerland.

The Swiss Wage Guide 2026

Wage issues play an important role in many areas, be it in negotiations between employees and employers, between social partners, or in public debate. The Swiss Wage Guide 2026 provides a comprehensive overview of local and industry-specific wages in Switzerland.

It is published by the Office for Economic Affairs within the Department of Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich. This reference work, now in its 17th edition, has established itself as a valuable working tool for human resources professionals from all sectors, labor market authorities, social security institutions, and trade unions.

Further information about The Swiss Wage Guide 2026 can be found here: zh.ch

Published by the Office for Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich

“All rights belong to the Office for Economic Affairs of the Canton of Zurich”

Another attack on a gas infrastructure facility!

On April 2nd at around 1:00 am, the Russkaya compressor station, which supplies gas via the TurkStream natural gas pipeline, was attacked by three drones.

The attack was repelled by a joint effort from the Russian Ministry of Defense and mobile forces, and no damage was caused to the Gazprom facility.

“All rights belong to Rusya Ankara Büyükelçiliği” (for this news)

Professor of Veterinary Surgery and Remote and Rural Medicine

Four years of Atlantic Technological University!

"Something extraordinary begins. But what we are building is not simply another veterinary school. We are doing something different", said Patrick Pollock.

Prof. Patrick Pollock:

Four years of Atlantic Technological University!

And this year, something extraordinary begins.

In 2026, ATU will launch one of Ireland’s two new veterinary programmes in more than 125 years — and the first to be established since the foundation of the Irish State.

But what we are building is not simply another veterinary school.

At ATU Veterinary we are doing something different.

From the very first day our students will learn clinical skills, teamwork, resilience and wellbeing alongside the science of veterinary medicine. They will train in a true veterinary community, one grounded in the realities of practice, in rural life, and in the responsibility we carry for animals, people and the environments we share.

Alongside this we are developing veterinary teaching hospitals and clinical facilities that will form a new One Health hub for the northwest of Ireland, connecting animal health, human health and environmental stewardship.

There is something fitting about building this on the Atlantic edge of Europe, where communities have always understood the deep connections between land, animals and people.

As Seamus Heaney wrote:

“Believe that a further shore is reachable from here.”

Four years in, ATU is already making waves.

And the next chapter is just beginning. Orla Flynn Atlantic Technological University

“All rights belong to Prof. Patrick Pollock”

Welcome to the Zurich Cantonal Police!

Would you like to experience the diversity of the Zurich Cantonal Police for yourself?

Kantonspolizei Zürich:

Welcome to the Zurich Cantonal Police!

We are delighted to welcome new colleagues to our team. They have all consciously chosen a position with future prospects and potential.

It's great to have you here - we wish you all a good start!

Would you like to experience the diversity of the Zurich Cantonal Police for yourself?

Here: zh.ch/de/arbeiten-beim-kanton/

Photo: ©ZH

“All rights belong to Kantonspolizei Zürich”

Police-Recorded Crime Statistics 2025

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, Director General for Public Security Franz Ruf, and Director of the Criminal Intelligence Service Andreas Holzer are presenting the 2025 criminal investigation statistics.

Criminal Intelligence Service Austria:

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, Director General for Public Security Franz Ruf, and Director of the Criminal Intelligence Service Andreas Holzer are presenting the 2025 criminal investigation statistics.

Brochures on Crime Development

Since 2013, Criminal Intelligence Service Austria has been publishing brochures containing the most important facts and figures of the Police-Recorded Crime Statistics as well as implemented and planned CID measures. The brochures are currently available in German only, but include an English summary.

Police-Recorded Crime Statistics 2025: kriminalpolizeiliche_anzeigenstatistik_2025_bf.pdf

Statistics and Graphs: bundeskriminalamt.at/en/501/

Photo: ©BMI

“All rights belong to Bundeskriminalamt Österreich”

DSN conducted a nationwide Joint Action Day

The Directorate for State Security and Intelligence (DSN) conducted a nationwide Joint Action Day.

Bundesministerium für Inneres (BMI):

DSN conducted a nationwide Joint Action Day

The Directorate for State Security and Intelligence (DSN) conducted a nationwide Joint Action Day.

Goal: Combating right-wing extremism.

The state offices for state security and combating extremism (LSE) as well as local police forces from the state police directorates were also involved.

This led to:

-House searches
-Seizures
-Warnings to potential offenders
-Interrogations of suspects from the far-right scene
-A temporary weapons ban

Photo: ©BMI / Alexander Tuma

“All rights belong to Bundesministerium für Inneres (BMI)”

the Golden Decoration of Honour for Dr. Koss

At Palais Trautson, the long-serving managing director of the NEUSTART association, Dr. Christoph Koss, was awarded the Golden Decoration of Honour for his services.

Bundesministerium für Justiz - BMJ:

the Golden Decoration of Honour for Dr. Koss

At Palais Trautson, the long-serving managing director of the NEUSTART association, Dr. Christoph Koss, was awarded the Golden Decoration of Honour for his services. He has been with the Association for almost 35 years and has worked as managing director since 2012.

Justice Minister Anna Sporrer particularly praised Koss' commitment to the probation service and the handling of young offenders: "Dr. Christoph Koss has impressively demonstrated over decades that security is not created through punishment, but through support, dialogue and the genuine opportunity for change."

With his unwavering belief in the potential of every individual, he has had a lasting impact on social work in the Austrian justice system – always with the individual at the center.”

What is the NEUSTART Association?

The NEUSTART Association has been active since 1957 in the areas of social work related to the justice system, offender support (probation, aftercare), victim assistance, and prevention.

With approximately 1,600 full-time and volunteer staff members, NEUSTART is one of the largest non-profit social economy organizations in Austria.

It receives about 75 percent of its funding from the Federal Ministry of Justice.

Congratulations!

More about the NEUSTART association: neustart.at

Photo: ©BMJ

“All rights belong to Bundesministerium für Justiz - BMJ”

Criminal Intelligence Service Austria

Most Wanted!

Sometimes a single clue can make all the difference!

Criminal Intelligence Service Austria:

Sometimes a single clue can make all the difference!

At bundeskriminalamt.at/fahndung/ you will find current police wanted notices, from female and male criminals to most wanted persons and missing persons.

If you have observed something: You can provide information anonymously at any time by calling the number provided or at any police station.

Europe’s Most Wanted Persons: eumostwanted.eu

Austria`s Most Wanted Persons: bundeskriminalamt.at

Emergency and rescue numbers in Austria: bmi.gv.at/Notrufnummern/

Police emergency number 133
European emergency number 112

“All rights belong to Bundeskriminalamt Österreich”

MBA - Krisenmanagement - Feuerwehr – Rettungsdienst

Polizei - Katastrophenschutz - @GEOBYTE SOFTWARE GmbH

DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY

The German Firefighters Association has provided another important impetus with its position paper on the future of disaster relief in the context of civil defense, published.

Björn Vetter:

The German Firefighters Association has provided another important impetus with its position paper on the future of disaster relief in the context of civil defense, published. The paper addresses in detail the changed geopolitical and security situation, also referring to lessons learned from the war in Ukraine.

The focus is on specific capability requirements in civil protection. These include technology, vehicles, equipment, protected infrastructure, logistics, firefighting water supply, CBRN protection, mobility in the event of infrastructure destruction, and self-sufficient operational capability. The document thus makes it clear that civil defense is not only a matter of concepts, but also of material resources and resilient structures.

Topics that have long preoccupied me, and which I am very receptive to, include digitalization, leadership, situational awareness, and redundant voice and data communication networks. Anyone who cannot quickly gather, evaluate, and make information available across organizations in complex situations loses the ability to act.

However, in my view, one essential, absolutely crucial point remains unaddressed: digital sovereignty.

It is not enough to demand digitalization if new critical dependencies arise at the same time. A digitized civil protection system that relies on foreign software, externally hosted cloud services, or third-party controlled platforms for core functions creates additional vulnerabilities. This affects not only large specialized applications but also fundamental components such as geodata, map databases, identity services, interfaces, push notifications, and communication solutions.

Especially in the context of civil defense, digital sovereignty is not a technical side issue, but a question of resilience and security. Digital systems in civil protection must not only be efficient, but also controllable, robust, and as independent as possible from external influences.

Photo: ©Björn Vetter

“All rights belong to Björn Vetter”

New Preparedness Guide in English!

You can easily download or order a copy on our website! “Prepare for disasters”

In addition, a version in Easy Language will be released soon.

Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz und Katastrophenhilfe (BBK):

New Preparedness Guide in English!

We have just published our new preparedness guide in English!

You can easily download or order a copy on our website.

Soon, the guide will also be available for download in Arabic, French, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, and Ukrainian language.

In addition, a version in Easy Language will be released soon.

You can find the guide here: bbk.bund.de

Photo: ©BBK

“All rights belong to Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz und Katastrophenhilfe (BBK)”

Ministerin für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kultur

“Science Minister of the Year”

Manja Schüle, Minister for Science, Research and Culture of the State of Brandenburg, was awarded the title of "Science Minister of the Year".

Manja Schüle:

What an evening! The German Science Gala of the German University Association (DHV) at the Konzerthaus Berlin - full of impressive personalities and stories that show what science can achieve.

I was awarded "Science Minister of the Year" – this makes me happy, proud, and grateful. Because this prize doesn't belong to me alone: ​​it belongs to the many people who make Brandenburg a strong science hub every day: researchers, lecturers, students, university administrators, and staff in administration and technology.

I had the honor of standing on stage yesterday as a representative of this community. This award therefore stands for teamwork, trust, and partnership. It is recognition – but above all, it is an incentive. Because we are far from finished.

The challenges are significant: international competition, a shortage of skilled workers, and the protection of academic freedom. It is therefore all the more important that we continue to act reliably, listen, and find solutions together – so that Brandenburg remains a place where bright minds enjoy working, conducting research, and enriching our society with their knowledge!

“All rights belong to Manja Schüle”

23 countries joined forces in “Operation Alice”

Global cybercrime crackdown: over 373 000 dark web sites shut down. The investigation began in 2021 against the dark web platform “Alice with Violence CP”.

Europol:

Massive take-down of fraudulent websites advertising child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and cybercrime-as-a-service (CaaS)

On 9 March 2026, a global operation led by German authorities and supported by Europol was launched against one of the largest networks of fraudulent platforms in the dark web. The investigation began in 2021 against the dark web platform “Alice with Violence CP”.

During the investigation, authorities discovered that the platform’s operator was running more than 373 000 fraudulent websites advertising child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and cybercrime-as-a-service (CaaS) offerings.

In total, 23 countries joined forces in 'Operation Alice,' which initially only targeted the platform operator.

Plot twist: through international cooperation, the investigation ended up uncovering the identities of 440 customers who had used the operator's services.

Read more in our press release: europol.europa.eu

"All rights belong to Europol"

Minister der Justiz und für Digitalisierung im Land Brandenburg

Digital Future Brandenburg Congress in Potsdam

Dr. Benjamin Grimm:

The Digital Future Brandenburg congress will take place in Potsdam on April 21, 2026. Here you can network, gain new inspiration and discuss digital transformation together.

Key topics include:

-The state's new digital strategy
-The federal modernization agenda
-Germany Stack and federal IT architectures
-Register modernization & secure data use
-AI-supported administrative modernization
-Digital sovereignty & IT security in municipalities
-Debureaucratization through digitalization in Brandenburg
-Digital skills & change management

In addition to exciting content-related impulses, the congress primarily offers space for genuine exchange and valuable networking within the Brandenburg digital landscape.

Registration is now open!

Secure your spot and take advantage of the networking opportunity: digizu-bb.de/anmeldung

"All rights belong to Dr. Benjamin Grimm"

Will the German Armed Forces get a German Starlink?

“In war, as we are increasingly seeing in Ukraine, tactics are becoming ever more important,” explains Professor Andreas Knopp from the Bundeswehr University Munich.

“The faster I can react to a situation because I have access to real-time information, the greater my tactical advantage,” said Knopp. That’s precisely what a satellite-based system offers.

You can find the full report by Alexander Poel on zdfheute here: zdfheute.de

"All rights belong to Universität der Bundeswehr München" (for this news)

Annual General Meeting of the Bavarian Association of Court Bailiffs

The Bavarian Association of Court Bailiffs held its annual general meeting today in the beautiful town of Kinding in the Altmühl Valley.

Matthias Boek:

The Bavarian Association of Court Bailiffs held its annual general meeting today in the beautiful town of Kinding in the Altmühl Valley. The Federal Executive Board gladly accepted the invitation.

Right at the start, the long-serving chairman of the state association, Gregor Weber, was unanimously appointed an honorary member. This recognized his more than 24 years of service on the committees of the Bavarian state board. In my welcoming address, I thanked him – also on behalf of the entire Federal Association – for his tireless commitment to the DGVB and invited him to the next court bailiff congress in Mainz.

In the subsequent election of the state executive committee, Matthias Göß was elected chairman, Mario Holler his deputy, Norbert Linha treasurer, and Tanja Jauch managing director. The federal executive committee warmly congratulates them all on their election and looks forward to a good and productive collaboration.

Another agenda item focused entirely on the current legislative procedures for the further digitalization of enforcement proceedings. Thomas and I were able to present the latest developments and future changes to the members in detail. Our Bavarian colleagues showed great interest, and a lively and very constructive exchange ensued.

We look forward to seeing you again soon.

"All rights belong to Matthias Boek"

300 interviews for Focus online alone?!

"Sounds like marketing. But for me, it was above all a deeply moving moment of realization", said Elisabeth Hussendörfer.

Elisabeth Hussendörfer:

300 interviews for Focus online alone?!

Sounds like marketing. But for me, it was above all a deeply moving moment of realization.

Last year I took a podcast training course. My coach talked about public image and suggested a strong intro could go something like this:

"As a journalist, I've already conducted 300 interviews for XY..."

To be honest? To me, that sounded a bit "contrived," too much like "selling," and somehow exaggerated.

But then I got curious and just counted them.

And you know what?

I actually conducted over 300 interviews for FOCUS online – with doctors, activists, educators, politicians…

Wow. I had to let that sink in. And then the memories came flooding back. All those people and their stories. That's exactly my passion. That moment when a connection is made and the other person opens up.

The feedback afterwards is often overwhelming. And that's exactly what motivates me to delve even deeper into the topic – this time in the audio field (more on that soon).

300 is a number that might sound impressive.

For me, it's a side effect.

What is more important to you? Enthusiasm or "selling"?

"All rights belong to Elisabeth Hussendörfer"

World leader in mathematics

Prof. Dr. Gerd Faltings will be the first German to receive the Abel Prize in 2026.

Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt:

World leader in mathematics: Prof. Dr. Gerd Faltings will be the first German to receive the Abel Prize in 2026. There is no Nobel Prize for mathematics, but the Abel Prize is considered equivalent: It is awarded in May in Oslo by the Norwegian Crown Prince and is endowed with 670,000 euros.

Faltings has been awarded the prize by the Norwegian Academy of Sciences for his achievements in arithmetic geometry: for "introducing powerful tools and solving long-standing (...) conjectures by Mordell and Lang." Our community will know what that means! The prize committee acknowledges that Faltings' ideas and results have had a groundbreaking impact on the field.

The award didn't come out of nowhere: Faltings became a professor of mathematics in 1982 at the age of 27. Just a few years later, in 1986, he became the first German to receive the Fields Medal, one of the highest honors in mathematics alongside the Abel Prize. Faltings succeeded in providing the mathematical proof of Mordell's so-called conjecture, which had baffled the mathematical community for 60 years. In addition to many other major prizes, he received another prestigious award in 1996: the Leibniz Prize.

The BMFTR extends its warmest congratulations on this extraordinary and well-deserved honor! A strong signal for the excellence of mathematical research in Germany.

"All rights belong to Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt"

Minister for Education and Research

"We're flying to the moon", said Minister Christina Egelund

Denmark thrives on knowledge, good ideas, research, and entrepreneurship. That is why we must strengthen research and innovation in Denmark.

Christina Egelund:

We're going to the moon – in more ways than one

Denmark thrives on knowledge, good ideas, research, and entrepreneurship. This is essential for solving the biggest societal problems: climate, environment, health, and safety. At the same time, we are in the midst of a global technological race where, for example, it is crucial whether AI is developed based on European values. That is why we must strengthen research and innovation in Denmark.

- The 1% target should be a lower limit, not an upper limit.

- EU compensation should be abolished.

- We must strengthen our international research cooperation.

I won't hide the fact that I'm saddened by the Liberal Party's proposal to cut research spending by 4 billion – it's the wrong priority in every respect. I'm glad that many people share this view.

"All rights belong to Christina Egelund"

Richterin am Oberlandesgericht und Personalreferentin

Signing of the cooperation agreement

Corinna Diesel:

As a graduate of the University of Trier, it is a particular honor and pleasure for me that we have succeeded in concluding a cooperation agreement between the Faculty of Law of the University of Trier and the Higher Regional Court of Koblenz.

For us in the judiciary, close contact and exchange with research and teaching, especially with students, is of paramount importance, true to our motto "Justice of the Future". A heartfelt thank you goes to Carina Binz and Markus Mavany, who played a key role in its development!

The agreement will be signed on April 14, 2026 by the current Dean Mohamad El-Ghazi and Vice Dean Birgit Peters, as well as our President of the Higher Regional Court of Koblenz, Thomas Henrichs.

We cordially invite you to the celebration in the old jury courtroom of the Trier Regional Court.

Die Anmeldung erfolgt über die Pressestelle des Landgerichts Trier an: lgtr@ko.jm.rlp.de

Juristen Alumni Trier

Moseljuristen — Alumni-Verein des Fachbereichs Rechtswissenschaft, Universität Trier

Juristen Alumni Trier:

Dear Alumni,

We would like to draw your attention to the following event:

To strengthen cooperation between legal scholarship and the judiciary, the Faculty of Law and the Higher Regional Court of Koblenz have concluded a cooperation agreement.

We are pleased to celebrate the official signing of this agreement with you and cordially invite you to the event!

As seating in the jury courtroom is limited, registration is absolutely necessary.

Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Old Courtroom, Trier Regional Court
Registration via email to: lgtr@ko.jm.rlp.de

The title of Professor Dorn's lecture is:

"Former Trier Law Students at the Secular Courts of the Electorate of Trier at the End of the 18th Century"

We would be delighted to welcome you to this special event!

Sincerely,

Dr. Andreas Ammer, Senior Judge
Prof. Dr. Franz Dorn
Prof. Dr. Carsten Fischer

"All rights belong to Corinna Diesel" (for this news)

Helicopter crash in Qatar

Qatari Armed Forces helicopter crashed into the sea due to technical failure during training exercises at Qatar-Turkish joint combined force command.

The Republic of Türkiye Ministry of National Defence on helicopter crash in Qatar:

Qatari Armed Forces helicopter crashed into the sea due to technical failure during training exercises at Qatar-Turkish joint combined force command.

Immediate search and rescue operations recovered the helicopter wreckage and bodies of our martyrs, including one Turkish Armed Forces personnel and two ASELSAN employees.

We extend our condolences and wish patience to their families.

"All rights belong to T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı"