Neonicotinoid insecticides have adverse effects not only on bees but also on freshwater invertebrates. Exposure to low but constant concentrations of these substances - which are highly soluble in water - has lethal effects on these aquatic organisms.

The Newsletter from the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI is published.

On 8 May 2013 the Federal Council decided to grant Burkina Faso and Mozambique general budgetary assistance of CHF 32 million each for the years 2013 to 2016. This will support both countries in implementation of their poverty reduction strategies, which focus on broad-based and sustainable growth.

Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, Swiss Governor at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), will be attending the Bank's Annual Meeting in Istanbul on 10-11 May 2013. Switzerland supports the vision of an efficient bank that sets clear priorities and measures the impact of its activities.

Arbeitslosigkeit im April 2013. Gemäss den Erhebungen des Staatssekretariats für Wirtschaft (SECO) waren Ende April 2013 135'851 Arbeitslose bei den Regionalen Arbeitsvermittlungszentren (RAV) eingeschrieben, 3'142 weniger als im Vormonat. Die Arbeitslosenquote sank damit von 3,2% im März 2013 auf 3,1% im Berichtsmonat. Gegenüber dem Vorjahresmonat erhöhte sich die Arbeitslosigkeit um 12'693 Personen (+10,3%).