Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Fighting for freedom of speech

This content was published on May 3, 2008 The president of the Swiss section of Reporters Without Borders tells swissinfo about Tunisia, where two men are on hunger strike to fight for their rights. “Tunisia is among around 30 countries that we qualify as predatory, where either the citizens or journalists are followed, threatened or imprisoned,” explained Gérald Sapey. These countries do not…

Swiss Politics

Kinshasa calls on Swiss to back peace efforts

This content was published on May 2, 2008 Switzerland contributes SFr10 million ($9.5 million) annually to United Nations peacekeeping forces in the region and has dispatched three military officers to the capital, Kinshasa. The Congolese defence minister, Chikez Diemu, called on Switzerland to support a reform of the armed forces and programmes for the re-integration of soldiers into society, according to Swiss officials.…

Swiss Politics

Aid alliance wants no tax relief for biofuels

This content was published on May 2, 2008 Alliance Sud said in a statement on Friday that encouraging the production of fuels from agriculture would boost exports from developing countries to rich countries. It said there was no justification for this at a time when millions of people were suffering from hunger because of the “enormous” increase in food prices. Alliance Sud said…

Swiss Politics

May 1 tracks the pulse of class struggle

This content was published on Apr 30, 2008 A new book by historian Urs Anderegg, “Der 1. Mai in der Schweiz – der Traum einer besseren Welt” (May 1 in Switzerland – the dream of a better world), looks back at the evolution of this special day in the working year. swissinfo: How did May 1 evolve? Urs Anderegg: Right from its very…

Swiss Politics

ICRC “extremely concerned” about Somalia

This content was published on Apr 30, 2008 The Swiss-run aid agency said the combination of war and drought had pushed the situation beyond what was bearable. “The living conditions of many families can only be described as shocking,” said Pascal Hundt, head of the ICRC in Somalia, on Wednesday. Somalia has been mired in violence since warlords overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre…

Swiss Politics

Bern and Berlin take off again on flight noise

This content was published on Apr 29, 2008 The move was announced on Tuesday after talks near Bern between the Swiss President, Pascal Couchepin, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. A working group, which has been inactive for two years, is to meet again to try to work out an accord on noise levels caused by flights into and out of the airport passing…

Swiss Politics

World Jewish Congress in new attack on Bern

This content was published on Apr 29, 2008 Repeating earlier criticism, Ronald Lauder said the contract threatened both Israel and the United States. He was speaking in Bern on Wednesday ahead of talks with Swiss President Pascal Couchepin. “Maybe that money that Switzerland is paying to Iran will some day be used to either buy weapons to kill Israelis or buy weapons to…

Swiss Politics

Protection plan announced for threatened birds

This content was published on Apr 29, 2008 The Federal Environment Office in Bern said numbers of wood grouse and middle-spotted woodpecker were falling, and even disappearing altogether in some areas. The wood grouse, known for its elaborate courting display, has disappeared from the Vaud Alps and canton Ticino, and is now only found in the Jura mountains, the pre-Alps and canton Graubünden.…

Swiss Politics

Free trade deal with India makes progress

This content was published on Apr 29, 2008 Leuthhard, who is accompanied by representatives of 25 Swiss firms, made the announcement on Tuesday after meeting the Indian minister of trade and industry, Kamal Nath. She said such an accord was important for both countries, adding that a major delegation representing small and medium-sized business would be included in a follow-up visit next year.…

Swiss Politics

Flight noise harms relations with Germany

This content was published on Apr 28, 2008 The talks will also be an opportunity to discuss another issue that has been grabbing headlines for the past few months: Switzerland’s reputation as a haven for Germans hiding their money from the taxman. It’s Merkel’s first official visit to Switzerland and follows an invitation by Swiss President Pascal Couchepin in February. In 2003 Germany…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

More

Fighting for freedom of speech

More

Kinshasa calls on Swiss to back peace efforts

More

Aid alliance wants no tax relief for biofuels

More

May 1 tracks the pulse of class struggle

More

ICRC “extremely concerned” about Somalia

More

Bern and Berlin take off again on flight noise

More

World Jewish Congress in new attack on Bern

More

Protection plan announced for threatened birds

More

Free trade deal with India makes progress

More

Flight noise harms relations with Germany

Popular Stories

Most Discussed