Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Brussels approves accords on closer ties

This content was published on Jan 28, 2008 The formal approval at EU minister level paves the way for the bilateral agreements to come into force later this year, once legal and other technicalities about Swiss participation in the Schengen Area have been ironed out. Bern is aiming for November, a date that Brussels feels is feasible. “We as the European Commission are…

Swiss Politics

Swiss help keep Korean peace

This content was published on Jan 28, 2008 swissinfo visits the demilitarised zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea to learn what it’s like to be one of five Swiss army officers keeping watch on one of the world’s political hotspots. “We are entering the Joint Security Area (JSA). From now on, please follow my instructions scrupulously. Shooting can start at any time,”…

Big Brother will be watching during Euro 2008

This content was published on Jan 28, 2008 While still at a small level compared with other European countries, the use of video surveillance is a growing phenomenon in Switzerland. Yet it is not properly discussed in the public sphere or monitored, says a Swiss expert. The Geneva city government agreed on Thursday to provide local police with eight cameras worth SFr4.7 million…

Swiss Politics

Next US president “should not ignore poverty”

This content was published on Jan 26, 2008 Bob Edgar, president of Common Cause, a “good government” lobby group in Washington that works for politicians to be more attuned to the public interest, gave his views to swissinfo at a forum in Davos open to the public. swissinfo: Whom would you like to see as next president of the United States in the…

Swiss Politics

Leuthard signs trade accord with Canada

This content was published on Jan 26, 2008 At the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, the ministers of the four European Free Trade Association (Efta) states also launched free trade negotiations with India. The economics ministry said on Saturday that the agreement with Canada would eliminate or reduce duties on industrial goods and processed agricultural products. The Efta ministers also…

Swiss Politics

Foreigners step up calls for more rights

This content was published on Jan 25, 2008 Currently foreigners born in Switzerland are not automatically eligible for naturalisation, a situation which the new organisation, Second@s Plus, says must change. And it says it will fight moves to make the process even harder. Around one fifth of Switzerland’s seven million population are foreigners, with an estimated 500,000 of them being second or third…

Swiss Politics

Second anti-WEF protest to go ahead

This content was published on Jan 25, 2008 Last Saturday over 200 members of the “Alliance for Global Opposition” were detained in the Swiss capital for carrying makeshift weapons and throwing firebombs. The trouble came after officials revoked permission for a planned demonstration by the group. The leader of the anti-capitalist group, Giovanni A. Schumacher, has promised a peaceful demonstration this weekend. City…

Swiss Politics

Gold price boosts bank profits

This content was published on Jan 25, 2008 The bank attributed the positive results to the sale of gold reserves, which generated SFr6.4 billion. The price of gold has more than doubled since the beginning of 2005. Foreign currencies also contributed to the bank’s profits, although it said it had lost SFr700 million due to the weak dollar. The central bank will distribute…

Swiss Politics

Business and unions trade blows over tax cuts

This content was published on Jan 25, 2008 Centre-left political parties and trade unions are challenging a reform of company tax laws – approved by parliament last year – while the government and the business community have come out in favour. Earlier this week the Trade Union Federation warned that the reform plans would lead to a shortfall of up to SFr400 million…

Swiss Politics

Compromise fails in building industry

This content was published on Jan 24, 2008 At a meeting on Thursday to discuss the proposal, delegates called for fresh negotiations on a new collective labour accord with the unions, saying the plan was insufficient. In December committees from both sides had come out in favour of the plan, mediated by a government-appointed expert to end more than six months of protests…

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Cluster: Swiss Abroad

More

Brussels approves accords on closer ties

More

Swiss help keep Korean peace

More

Big Brother will be watching during Euro 2008

More

Next US president “should not ignore poverty”

More

Leuthard signs trade accord with Canada

More

Foreigners step up calls for more rights

More

Second anti-WEF protest to go ahead

More

Gold price boosts bank profits

More

Business and unions trade blows over tax cuts

More

Compromise fails in building industry

Popular Stories

Most Discussed