Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Potato promoted as food staple of the future

This content was published on Mar 7, 2008 Swiss aid agencies run projects in Latin America to promote sustainable and eco-friendly cultivation methods in an effort to safeguard biodiversity. “I shall not neglect to suggest to my countrymen to introduce the plant known as the potato,” said the Italian friar Agostino Dal Pozzo in a text published in 1820. “The French call it…

Swiss Politics

Swisscoy could stay in Kosovo

This content was published on Mar 5, 2008 Questions have been raised over whether the peacekeeping unit should continue its work there, especially after Kosovo declared its independence – which Switzerland recognises – last month. The around 220-member Swisscoy, part of the multinational Kosovo force (Kfor), has been present in the region since 1999. The government decided to extend its mandate last year…

Swiss Politics

Initiative combats “mass naturalisation”

This content was published on Mar 4, 2008 Slamming “numerous abuses”, the fringe party, which is not represented in the federal parliament, called for a tightening of the criteria used when giving out Swiss passports. The party said on Tuesday that all those applying for Swiss citizenship should have to learn one of Switzerland’s four national languages since language was the most important…

Swiss Politics

Dam refugees could request asylum

This content was published on Mar 4, 2008 Non-governmental organisation the Berne Declaration said on Tuesday that people’s homes would be flooded. The three European states last year granted export-risk guarantees to contractors taking part in the project, which include Swiss-Swedish electro-engineering giant ABB. One hundred inhabitants of Hasankeyf, a historical town that would be covered by the dam’s waters, travelled to the…

Swiss Politics

New naturalisation

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Peace promotion credit accepted

This content was published on Mar 4, 2008 The House of Representatives confirmed on Tuesday an earlier decision by the Senate, rejecting attempts by the rightwing Swiss People’s Party to have the four-year credit reviewed by the government. Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey said that promoting peace and reinforcing human rights were at the heart of Swiss foreign policy. Eighty per cent of the…

Swiss Politics

Government gives Medvedev cautious welcome

This content was published on Mar 3, 2008 But Swiss parliamentarian Andreas Gross – head of the Council of Europe’s monitoring mission – told swissinfo that the vote, which Medvedev won by a landslide, was “neither free nor fair”. Speaking at a news conference in Slovenia, Couchepin said it was beyond doubt that the “impressive result” notched up by Medvedev, who had been…

Swiss Politics

Problem bear wakes from winter slumber

This content was published on Mar 3, 2008 The bear, named JJ3, arrived in the area from Italy in June 2007 and was fitted with a tracking device before it began its four-month hibernation. Harsh weather due this week could force the animal back under cover, the canton’s hunting service said on Monday. JJ3 caused problems last year destroying rubbish bins around the…

Swiss Politics

Pension and property on parliament agenda

This content was published on Mar 3, 2008 The centre-left wants to facilitate early retirement for low-income earners to balance out a planned increase in the regular retirement age for women from 64 to 65. However, centre-right and rightwing parties have come out against it. The House of Representatives is also due to debate shoring up the invalidity benefit scheme, which has run…

Swiss Politics

Observers worried by Russia poll fairness

This content was published on Mar 2, 2008 Swiss parliamentarian Andreas Gross, head of the Council of Europe’s monitoring mission, is due to present his report on Monday, and will not comment until then. He spent election day listening to people in the field and monitoring the voting. However, one monitor told Reuters news agency that voters’ ballots had been visible to election…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Cluster: Swiss Abroad

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Potato promoted as food staple of the future

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Swisscoy could stay in Kosovo

More

Initiative combats “mass naturalisation”

More

Dam refugees could request asylum

More

New naturalisation

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Peace promotion credit accepted

More

Government gives Medvedev cautious welcome

More

Problem bear wakes from winter slumber

More

Pension and property on parliament agenda

More

Observers worried by Russia poll fairness

Popular Stories

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