Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Zurich’s rich foreigners lose their tax perks

This content was published on Feb 8, 2009 On Sunday voters unexpectedly endorsed a proposal by centre-left political parties to abolish lump sum taxation. Nearly 53 per cent of voters came out in favour of scrapping tax perks – in the first ballot held on the issue. Proponents of lump sum tax argued Zurich stood to lose revenue to other cantons. Opponents took…

Swiss Politics

Geneva introduces e-voting

This content was published on Feb 8, 2009 With more than 70 per cent in favour, voters decided on Sunday to enshrine electronic voting in the constitution – making Geneva the first of Switzerland’s 26 cantons to do so. Government officials said the result showed the popular support for e-voting, which will be introduced in 2010. The cantonal government and parliament said e-voting…

Swiss decide on key labour accord with EU

This content was published on Feb 8, 2009 The ballot, which was forced by rightwing political parties, is considered crucial for relations with Switzerland’s main EU trading partners. First trends show supporters slighly ahead, but experts predict a close result. At stake is an agreement between Switzerland and 25 EU member states to grant mutual access to labour markets. At the same time…

Swiss Politics

Voters to give verdict on EU labour accord

This content was published on Feb 7, 2009 The ballot, which was forced by rightwing political parties, is considered crucial for relations with Switzerland’s main EU trading partners. Opinion polls predict a close result. At stake is an agreement between Switzerland and 25 EU member states to grant mutual access to labour markets. At the same time voters will decide on an extension…

Swiss Politics

Exploiting the animals we love to hate

This content was published on Feb 6, 2009 Its poster shows three huge black birds with curved beaks and a cruel glint in their eyes pecking away aggressively at a small Swiss map. “The ravens are aggressive, cunning and devious,” according to Pirmin Schwander, head of the People’s Party campaign committee when he presented the campaign to the media. Not a bit of…

Swiss Politics

You the reporter

This content was published on Feb 5, 2009 Send us your photos to ireport@swissinfo.ch

Foreign ministry calls for Sri Lanka ceasefire

This content was published on Feb 5, 2009 A statement issued by the foreign ministry on Thursday spoke of the country’s “deep concern” at the humanitarian situation in the north of the island. It said 200,000 civilians were caught in the crossfire, and that international law was being ignored. A “disproportionate use of force” had already caused many civilian casualties. The statement also…

Swiss Politics

Aid organisation reports record donations

This content was published on Feb 5, 2009 Announcing the figures on Thursday, Helvetas said its “Toilets for All” campaign had inspired many donors. The campaign to mark Sanitation Year highlighted the fact that 2.6 billion people in the world do not have access to basic sanitation. In 2008 the organisation helped provide 250,000 people with access to clean water, and improved the…

Swiss Politics

Parental fines considered for poor show pupils

This content was published on Feb 5, 2009 The cantonal government approved an amendment to the Education Act this week that would allow fines of up to SFr1,000 ($863) for the worst serial offenders. The fine is part of a raft of measures that the canton intends to introduce, making its regulations among the strictest in Switzerland. The move faces a final vote…

Swiss Politics

TV programme refutes Colombia ransom claim

This content was published on Feb 4, 2009 Jean-Pierre Gontard was mandated by the foreign ministry in 2001 to act as an intermediary between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) and the Basel pharmaceutical company Novartis, to achieve the release of two Novartis employees kidnapped by the guerrilla group. An investigation by French-language television to be broadcast on Thursday found documentary evidence…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Zurich’s rich foreigners lose their tax perks

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Geneva introduces e-voting

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Swiss decide on key labour accord with EU

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Voters to give verdict on EU labour accord

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Exploiting the animals we love to hate

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You the reporter

More

Foreign ministry calls for Sri Lanka ceasefire

More

Aid organisation reports record donations

More

Parental fines considered for poor show pupils

More

TV programme refutes Colombia ransom claim

Popular Stories

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