Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Visa measures demanded in Gaddafi affair

This content was published on Nov 2, 2009 Geri Müller, a Green parliamentarian and president of the commission – which voted for action by 12 to 11 – didn’t elaborate on what exactly should be done. The commission also decided to not break off diplomatic relations with Libya – by 14 votes to seven, with four abstentions. The comments come a week after…

Swiss Politics

Swiss minaret answers “reassure” Muslim bloc

This content was published on Nov 1, 2009 Babacar Ba, the OIC representative to the United Nations in Geneva, also outlines a possible offer of mediation in the ongoing Swiss-Libyan hostage crisis. An initiative to ban the construction of minarets in Switzerland launched by members of the People’s Party and of a small ultra-conservative Christian party comes to a nationwide vote on November…

Swiss Politics

New political party says it’s here to stay

This content was published on Oct 31, 2009 The centre-right group was founded by more moderate members of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, who were unhappy with the party management line. A celebration of the anniversary – officially November 1 – was held in Chur in the presence of the party’s cabinet member, Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf. She is one of seven ministers…

Swiss Politics

Merz appoints consultant in Italian tax affair

This content was published on Oct 31, 2009 Earlier this week Italy carried out a raid on branches of Swiss banks in the country as part of a tax amnesty, a move which caused an outcry in Switzerland, particularly in Italian-speaking Ticino. Merz, who also holds the finance portfolio, said that Respini, who hails from Ticino, would be tasked with bringing the political,…

Swiss Politics

Swiss ready to roll out flu vaccine programme

This content was published on Oct 30, 2009 The Federal Health Office recommends inoculating certain risk groups in a first wave, including the chronically-ill, pregnant women and health staff, but stops short of mandatory jabs. Two brands of vaccine have won the regulator’s approval. “I hope the consensus struck between the different players involved allows us to avoid a cacophony like in many…

Swiss Politics

Technology opens cracks in Swiss defence

This content was published on Oct 29, 2009 The system now being called into question is a form of so-called network centric warfare (NCW), already tried and tested by the United States and other military powers. “As platforms such as tanks, aircraft and vehicles have evolved they have developed various means of communicating with each other,” Tony Skinner of the military magazine Janes…

Swiss Politics

Swiss mull new Libya hostage strategy

This content was published on Oct 28, 2009 After a 60-day deadline for normalising relations between both countries ran out last week, the Swiss government’s new strategy for securing the release of two Swiss businessmen from Libya remains cloaked in mystery. Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey has accused Libya of “kidnapping” the two men, who have been prevented from leaving Tripoli for some…

Swiss Politics

Cabinet seeks to crack down on suicide tourism

This content was published on Oct 28, 2009 The cabinet on Wednesday presented two draft bills defining conditions for organised euthanasia, including medical confirmations of a terminally ill patient’s death wish, the use of approved medicines and clear documentation of every case. Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said the purpose of the planned regulation was to slow down the process of assisted suicide and…

Swiss Politics

Swiss seek increased justice ties with China

This content was published on Oct 27, 2009 Human rights issues were also addressed in meetings with government ministers, according to a justice ministry statement. Preparations are underway for a next meeting of the ongoing human rights dialogue between the two countries, it added. Widmer-Schlumpf discussed efforts to combat organised crime, human trafficking and illegal migration as well as the exchange of experts…

Swiss Politics

Libya row “concerns” US

This content was published on Oct 27, 2009 Ambassador Donald Beyer said in an interview on Tuesday with the Südostschweiz newspaper that the US was following the case of two missing Swiss businessmen closely and “would welcome their return”. “We view the situation of the two Swiss citizens with concern from a humanitarian perspective and look forward to a satisfactory resolution of the…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Visa measures demanded in Gaddafi affair

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Swiss minaret answers “reassure” Muslim bloc

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New political party says it’s here to stay

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Merz appoints consultant in Italian tax affair

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Swiss ready to roll out flu vaccine programme

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Technology opens cracks in Swiss defence

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Swiss mull new Libya hostage strategy

More

Cabinet seeks to crack down on suicide tourism

More

Swiss seek increased justice ties with China

More

Libya row “concerns” US

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