Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Swiss hostage in Libya freed

This content was published on Jun 10, 2010 “His physical and mental state is good. He is in a hotel in Tripoli right now and on Saturday we will start making arrangements for an exit visa so he can return home,” said his Libyan lawyer, Salah Zahaf, on Thursday evening. Swiss Foreign Minîster Micheline Calmy-Rey, who is currently in the United States, said…

Tax accords backed by parliament

This content was published on Jun 10, 2010 The ten agreements, updated in line with international transparency standards set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), were approved by the House of Representatives on Thursday. They were backed by the Senate in March. Switzerland was last year placed on an OECD grey list of countries that had pledged to meet international…

Swiss Politics

Banks lobby for part in US financial reform

This content was published on Jun 9, 2010 The two Swiss banks have together spent nearly $3 million (SFr3.4 million) on lobbying so far this year alone. Two years after the collapse of the financial sector, Congress and Senate are reconciling their versions of proposed reform, one of US President Barack Obama’s priorities. A compromise text is expected to be adopted before July…

Swiss Politics

Fact-finding US politicians visit Bern

This content was published on Jun 9, 2010 The group included members of the Ohio, Nevada and Washington state senates. Representatives of Bern’s cantonal government served as their hosts. The Americans had a tour of Bern’s city hall on Wednesday and learned about the relationship between Switzerland’s federal and cantonal governments. They also had the chance to follow a parliamentary session. In addition,…

Swiss Politics

Iran summons Swiss ambassador

This content was published on Jun 8, 2010 Shahram Amiri, a university researcher working for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation, disappeared during a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia a year ago. Tehran accused Riyadh of handing him over to the US, a charge Saudi Arabia has denied. Swiss Ambassador Livia Leu Agosti was to be given proof that the nuclear scientist had been abducted, the…

Swiss Politics

Swiss answer call to fight floods in Hungary

This content was published on Jun 8, 2010 The rivers are expected to crest mid-week, having already reached alarming levels. Hungarian authorities have declared a state of emergency in eight northern regions and asked Europeans for aid. The Swiss foreign ministry said on Tuesday it would send 500,000 bags for holding sand to reinforce dykes. The shipment is scheduled to arrive Tuesday night.…

Swiss Politics

Libya kicks out UN refugee workers

This content was published on Jun 8, 2010 The UNHCR protested the move vehemently. Melissa Fleming, spokeswoman for the organisation, said Libyan authorities informed them on Wednesday last week that the offices would be closed. “We were given no reason whatsoever,” she said. “We hope this measure is only temporary because it puts all of our programmes in question.” Libya is a major…

Swiss Politics

Swiss president to attend World Cup opening

This content was published on Jun 8, 2010 Prior to the official opening of the football competition, the Swiss president will visit the Swiss squad at their training camp near Johannesburg. She will then attend the opening match between South Africa and Mexico. During her trip, the president is to have brief meetings with representatives of other governments, who will be in South…

Swiss Abroad

Swiss winemakers find heavenly spot near Cape

This content was published on Jun 7, 2010 The last stretch of the drive to the vineyards of Jean-Claude Martin and Christoph Kaser is a reddish-brown dirt road. A gate with the South African flag – and a smaller Swiss one – indicates the entrance to the Creation Wines estate, a few kilometres inland from the quaint coastal town of Hermanus. It is…

Swiss Politics

Drops of red and white

This content was published on Jun 5, 2010 Jean-Claude Martin grows ten different wines in a picturesque valley east of Cape Town. (pictures: Christoph Balsiger; text: Urs Geiser, swissinfo.ch)

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Swiss hostage in Libya freed

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Tax accords backed by parliament

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Banks lobby for part in US financial reform

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Fact-finding US politicians visit Bern

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Iran summons Swiss ambassador

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Swiss answer call to fight floods in Hungary

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Libya kicks out UN refugee workers

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Swiss president to attend World Cup opening

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Swiss winemakers find heavenly spot near Cape

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Drops of red and white

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