Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Aid groups hail boost for development funds

This content was published on Sep 18, 2008 A coalition of aid agencies and church groups, which had campaigned for the United Nations Millennium goal of 0.7 per cent, welcomed the decision. It is confident that the other parliamentary chamber, the House of Representatives will follow suit. It took the Senate more than one session this week to discuss the government’s development budget.…

Swiss Politics

Refugee apprenticeship programme successful

This content was published on Sep 18, 2008 The programme, which involved language acquisition, education and networking in the labour market, had benefitted more than 50 people since it began in 2006. Participants worked at sites in the hotel and catering sectors, in the logistics industry, in construction and in sales. The Migration Office said it was satisfied with the programme’s 50 per…

Swiss Politics

End is nigh for cat-skin trade

This content was published on Sep 18, 2008 The House of Representatives had already approved the bill, and the government must now draft legislation to bring Switzerland into line with the European Union. In March the Swiss association SOS Chats handed in a petition with almost 120,000 signatures, including those of Brigitte Bardot, Michael Schumacher and former Miss Switzerland Lauriane Gilliéron. Switzerland has…

Swiss Politics

Rules of war clarified for private contractors

This content was published on Sep 17, 2008 Experts from 17 countries approved the recommendations at the end of a three-day meeting in the resort of Montreux, organised by the Swiss foreign ministry and the Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The document brings together and clarifies the current laws and obligations affecting private military and security companies, known collectively as…

Swiss Politics

Trans-alpine traffic to be cut – but not yet

This content was published on Sep 17, 2008 However, the target date for obliging freight companies to reserve slots for their trans-alpine trucks was delayed by about ten years to 2019 at the earliest. When the reservation system is in place, the annual number of transiting heavy-goods trucks will be limited to 650,000. On Wednesday the House of Representatives followed the Senate in…

Swiss Politics

Senate sends no-smoke signal to restaurants

This content was published on Sep 17, 2008 Both the Senate and House of Representatives favour such a ban but disagree on whether smaller establishments should nevertheless be allowed to permit smoking on their premises. The proposal, voted down 25 to 18 by the senators, would allow restaurants and bars measuring less than 100 square metres to be designated as smoking establishments. Both…

Swiss Politics

Bird flu risk low this winter, authorities say

This content was published on Sep 16, 2008 In a statement on Tuesday, it said there would be no designated risk areas with heightened security measures in response to the virus commonly known as bird flu. It said it had based the decision on a current risk analysis and new scientific findings, but did not rule out taking further measures. The Veterinary Office…

Swiss Politics

Three dog breeds added to Geneva blacklist

This content was published on Sep 15, 2008 Regional authorities on Monday added the three breeds to a list of dogs considered too dangerous to keep as pets. Fifteen breeds are now banned in the canton. The new law is not retroactive for pets already in the canton, but those who own the breeds must report them to local veterinary affairs offices. The…

Swiss Politics

Kosovo

This content was published on Sep 15, 2008 In the capital Pristina, as in the rest of the province, there is much evidence of the close relations between Kosovo and Switzerland. (Photos: Luigi Jorio)

Ticino’s brothels profit from Italy clampdown

This content was published on Sep 15, 2008 Prostitution is currently booming in Ticino, Switzerland’s Italian speaking canton. But many of the girls involved are illegal. The authorities say they are keeping a close eye on the situation. Half a dozen brothels line the road that links the north and south of the canton at Monte Ceneri. The establishments are doing brisk business,…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

More

Aid groups hail boost for development funds

More

Refugee apprenticeship programme successful

More

End is nigh for cat-skin trade

More

Rules of war clarified for private contractors

More

Trans-alpine traffic to be cut – but not yet

More

Senate sends no-smoke signal to restaurants

More

Bird flu risk low this winter, authorities say

More

Three dog breeds added to Geneva blacklist

More

Kosovo

More

Ticino’s brothels profit from Italy clampdown

Popular Stories

Most Discussed