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Joint Statement by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, 26 August 2025
“In the path of righteousness there is life, in walking its path there is no death” (Proverbs 12,28).
by Christine Staehelin*
(5 September 2025) The survey data from the check tests carried out in north-western Switzerland and other performance tests in Switzerland speak for themselves. The decline in performance in German is particularly noticeable at primary level, and there are significant differences in performance between children. Social background – however it is defined here – clearly plays a major role, even more so than mother tongue, as was previously assumed. However, the data does not reveal the causes.
by Regina Castelberg*
(5 September 2025) (CH-S) In Switzerland, passports and identity cards currently only need to be presented when required by law – for example, when opening a bank account or collecting a registered letter from the post office. This rarely occurs in everyday life. In the federal referendum on 28 September 2025, we as Swiss citizens will decide whether, in addition to physical identity, an “electronic identity”’ (e-ID) should also be created. The following article cites one of many examples where, according to a statement by the “Federal Office of Public Health” on 14 August, this electronic identity is to be made mandatory in a sensitive area that affects everyone.
by Robert Seidel*
(29 August 2025) In February 2025, Europe officially set its course for “war” against Russia. Leading the way are EU politicians and the governments of Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the Baltic states. Now, a barrage of manipulation and propaganda is pouring out of official bodies, cross-financed NGOs and the mainstream media across almost the whole of Europe – very sharply in the Baltic states, Germany and the United Kingdom, sharply in Denmark and Sweden, more moderately in Switzerland and less strongly in Hungary.
by Husam Maarouf,* Gaza
(29 August 2025) (CH-S) “Starving the civilian population in Gaza will neither bring Israel the desired ‘complete victory’ over Hamas, nor can it be justified by Jewish values or humanitarian law.” This was stated by the Central Conference of American Rabbis on 27 July 2025.
by M. K. Bhadrakumar,* India
(29 August 2025) Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra’s remark on Wednesday that the US tariff hike is unlikely to have any “major impact” on India’s economy, “subject to retaliatory tariffs coming into the picture, which we do not foresee” – and that even if India cuts back on Russian oil, the impact on domestic inflation may not be severe – can only be seen as a supplementary effort to allay public disquiet.