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How Swiss and British migration debates differ

This content was published on Jan 28, 2014 In both Switzerland and Britain there is considerable scepticism towards the EU among parts of the population, and the free movement of people which it promotes looms large in public debate in both countries. As of January 1 Romanians and Bulgarians have had free access to Europe’s single labour market. For its part, Switzerland is…

Life in goldfish bowl

This content was published on Jan 25, 2014 The Congress Centre appears hermetically sealed from the outside world, in good part by necessary security measures. Once past the airport-style checks, the forum then resembles the Titanic – a series of watertight compartments. Delegates and journalists are categorised with typical Swiss efficiency and afforded access to various rooms in the party house according to…

Bankers still desperately seeking love

This content was published on Jan 25, 2014 United States investment bank JP Morgan took the brunt of the legal wrist-slapping last year, shelling out some $13 billion (CHF11.6 billion) to settle claims. No wonder then that CEO Jamie Dimon adopted a low profile in Davos, avoiding public debate. Dimon did manage a media interview in which he slammed the US government for…

Migration a migraine for some

This content was published on Jan 24, 2014 Davos residents will be among those Swiss citizens voting on February 9 with the issue also sparking much fierce debate throughout Europe and further afield. Several international speakers have added their voice to the debate in Davos this week. “The feeling of being overcrowded in Switzerland is a result of economic success,” said Martin Schulz,…

Anti-immigration vote challenges EU relations

This content was published on Jan 24, 2014 Experts predict rising tensions along with countermeasures with unforeseen consequences if the rightwing Swiss People’s Party’s initiative “against mass immigration” passes at a nationwide vote on February 9. “I imagine there would be a great deal of legal uncertainty and Switzerland would find itself under constant pressure,” said Thomas Cottier, director of the Institute of…

Central banks have delicate balancing act

This content was published on Jan 24, 2014 With the United States Federal Reserve slowing the rate of its own spending spree, all eyes are on other central banks to see if they follow suit. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has seen its balance sheet bloat from CHF100 billion ($112 billion) in 2006 to nearly CHF500 billion in defence of the franc. But…

Glitch means shoppers were charged twice

This content was published on Jan 23, 2014 SIX Management AG – a Swiss company that processes electronic payments – announced on Thursday that anybody withdrawing cash or paying for something with plastic on January 21 was accidentally charged twice. The glitch affected cards issued by banks in Switzerland as well as in the tiny neighbouring state of Liechtenstein. “SIX is in close…

New trains in million-franc legal dispute

This content was published on Jan 23, 2014 The legal row comes less than three weeks before voters decide on a wide-ranging package which supporters say would put future Swiss railway infrastructure investments on a solid financial footing. Swiss Railways spokesman Stephan Wehrle confirmed a Wednesday evening report on the Rundschau programme on Swiss public television, SRF, adding that the claim was “unfounded”.…

Controversy stalks Davos corridors

This content was published on Jan 23, 2014 Each year, the NGOs name and shame the worst examples of corporate excess and environmental vandalism during the Public Eye Awards ceremony. This year, it is the turn of Russian energy giant Gazprom and US clothing firm Gap to “win”. Gazprom’s drilling in the Arctic circle has left a particularly bitter taste in Switzerland after…

Dark clouds remain over Davos

This content was published on Jan 23, 2014 For while there is no more financial crash to be contended with, no imminent EU break-up to be contemplated or raging civil war across North Africa to be observed, it has been soberly noted that a number of deep divisions and problems remain unsolved. Swiss President (and Foreign Minister) Didier Burkhalter pointed out in his…

Internal: Archive

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Internal: Archive

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How Swiss and British migration debates differ

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Life in goldfish bowl

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Bankers still desperately seeking love

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Migration a migraine for some

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Anti-immigration vote challenges EU relations

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Central banks have delicate balancing act

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Glitch means shoppers were charged twice

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New trains in million-franc legal dispute

More

Controversy stalks Davos corridors

More

Dark clouds remain over Davos

Popular Stories

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