Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Swiss Solidarity hails Myanmar aid success

This content was published on Aug 26, 2008 Half of the money has been spent on emergency aid while the remainder is earmarked for restructuring projects to be delivered by partner aid agencies. Although official obstruction by the military regime in Myanmar hindered the distribution of aid, Swiss Solidarity said the overall results were positive, largely because the population knew how to help…

Swiss Politics

Swiss drop charges against Bhutto’s widower

This content was published on Aug 25, 2008 The move by the Geneva prosecutor-general, Daniel Zappelli, ends an 11-year investigation in Switzerland over suspected corruption by Zardari and his late wife, Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated last December. Zappelli said the Geneva inquiry had produced too little for him to continue and there were no indications to prove initial corruption charges. He said…

Swiss Politics

End of the road for large cars?

This content was published on Aug 25, 2008 The Young Greens have collected enough signatures to call a nationwide vote on their initiative launched under the name: “For more people-friendly vehicles”. About 50 supporters – walking, cycling and roller skating – accompanied the boxes containing the signatures to the federal chancellery in Bern on Monday, where their validity will be checked. They waved…

Swiss Politics

Calmy-Rey defends use of dialogue

This content was published on Aug 25, 2008 In a speech to the annual conference of Swiss ambassadors, which opened on Monday, she defended the idea of holding discussions with groups that were considered by some as “beyond the pale”. “The only force we have ever had is that of words,” she said. She commented that groups such as Hezbollah, the Revolutionary Armed…

Swiss Politics

Swiss abroad approve EU labour deal

This content was published on Aug 23, 2008 His speech was a highlight of the three-day annual Congress of the Swiss Abroad, which focused on relations between Switzerland and the European Union, particularly the continuation and extension of a labour accord. It was not without a touch of irony that Leuenberger referred to the theme of Saturday’s gathering in Fribourg of about 400…

Swiss Politics

Party calls for more discipline in schools

This content was published on Aug 23, 2008 Party delegates unanimously backed the move at a congress on Saturday focusing on teaching. Party leader Toni Brunner talked of a lack of discipline in classrooms and more violence on playgrounds – a “resounding failure” of current scholastic and educational theories. “It is high time to restore order in the educational and pedagogical chaos and…

Swiss Politics

Expats slam budget cuts but push e-voting

This content was published on Aug 22, 2008 The assembly, which represents the Swiss expatriate community around the world, also came out in favour of continuing and extending a key labour accord with the European Union, – a parliamentary decision which might come to come to nationwide vote next year. The meeting on Friday appealed to the cantonal authorities –which are in charge…

Swiss Politics

Expats push e-voting despite political hurdles

This content was published on Aug 22, 2008 Switzerland is at the forefront of efforts to introduce electronic voting and e-government in Europe. But progress is slow because of the country’s federalist political system and multilingualism, as well as politicians who fear they could lose out. The Council of the Swiss Abroad, a senior body within the OSA, is widely expected to approve…

Swiss Politics

Swiss urged to accept three Guantanamo inmates

This content was published on Aug 21, 2008 The three – a Libyan, an Algerian and a Chinese – are free to leave if they find a safe haven. Swiss authorities confirmed that they had received the applications for asylum. “We have started examining these cases and will handle them according to the same criteria as other asylum requests received from abroad,” commented…

Swiss Politics

Breeding hope

This content was published on Aug 21, 2008 Switzerland is supporting the Poverty Alleviation Through Livestock Development (PALD) scheme in three northern provinces. It is aimed at increasing farmers’ wealth through initiatives such as pig breeding. swissinfo visited several projects. (Text and pictures: Andrea Arcidiacono)

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Swiss Solidarity hails Myanmar aid success

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Swiss drop charges against Bhutto’s widower

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End of the road for large cars?

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Calmy-Rey defends use of dialogue

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Swiss abroad approve EU labour deal

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Party calls for more discipline in schools

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Expats slam budget cuts but push e-voting

More

Expats push e-voting despite political hurdles

More

Swiss urged to accept three Guantanamo inmates

More

Breeding hope

Popular Stories

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