Swiss Abroad

Tunisia launches new bid for Ben Ali assets

This content was published on Oct 5, 2011 A first request for mutual legal assistance was sent in March but did not supply some important information needed by the Swiss legal system and so was turned down. The latest request was received on Monday and has been passed onto the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, a Federal Justice Office spokeswoman told the Swiss News Agency.…

Swiss Politics

Calmy-Rey slams parliament army decision

This content was published on Oct 5, 2011 In comments made to two newspapers on Wednesday, Calmy-Rey, who serves as foreign minister, said that other areas such as education and agriculture would suffer, with savings which would be “painful”. Parliament on September 28 approved an annual budget of SFr5 billion ($5.6 billion) for Switzerland’s armed forces, including the purchase of fighter jets. The…

Swiss Politics

Authorities won’t close down atomic plant

This content was published on Oct 5, 2011 The ministry was reacting to two applications from Mühleberg residents concerning the power station – one of the oldest in Switzerland – which has recently been subject to safety checks. At the end of 2009 – well before the Fukushima nuclear accident of earlier this year – the ministry granted an unlimited licence for the…

Swiss Politics

Debate over civilian service continues

This content was published on Oct 4, 2011 A recent boom in applicants has led to civilian service criteria being tightened, with candidates now having to attend a preparatory course at the newly-opened Federal Training Centre. Meanwhile the debate continues. On Monday a government advisory committee said Swiss men should be given the choice between military and civilian service. At present, all able-bodied…

Swiss Politics

Syrian activist allegedly harassed in Geneva

This content was published on Oct 4, 2011 The man told police that his car was broken into and a laptop stolen with a 45-page dossier as well as three DVDs on the situation in Syria. He claimed the car’s exhaust pipe was blocked with paper and putty, causing an explosion when the engine started. Earlier he had also reported to police receiving…

Swiss Politics

Angelina Jolie considers new role with UN agency

This content was published on Oct 4, 2011 The 36-year-old actress said in Geneva on Tuesday that she and the agency were still studying their options and working out the details, but hadn’t settled on anything because they want to get it right. Jolie stopped by the UN’s European headquarters to highlight the plight of refugees globally in an address to the agency’s…

Swiss Politics

Reforms demanded for military service

This content was published on Oct 3, 2011 A third of all Swiss men called up for military service are currently declared unfit, said committee president Pierre Maudet on Monday. This “unequal treatment” would only get worse, he added, when the army implemented plans to reduce troop numbers from 200,000 to 100,000. The 20-member strong commission said it wanted to reform rather than…

Swiss Politics

Swiss team up in counterterrorism offensive

This content was published on Oct 3, 2011 In New York for the recent launch of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey said she was convinced the Forum would soon prove to be an “indispensable element in the fight against terrorism”. The United Nations will be a close partner of the Forum and the new group is seen as…

Swiss Politics

Indian president pays state visit

This content was published on Oct 3, 2011 During the two-day visit Patil will be received by the entire cabinet, including President and Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey, and will travel to the Lake Geneva region on Tuesday. The two delegations are also planning to sign a memorandum of understanding between India and Lausanne University. Switzerland is hoping to conclude negotiations on a free…

Swiss Politics

Cultural policy takes a new direction

This content was published on Oct 3, 2011 The plan is SFr31.6 million more than the budget proposed by the cabinet and will see significant increases in funding for cinema and the protection of heritage and monuments in particular. But in a put-down to one of Switzerland’s leading cultural bodies, the Swiss arts council Pro Helvetia was denied additional funding despite its argument…

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Tunisia launches new bid for Ben Ali assets

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Calmy-Rey slams parliament army decision

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Authorities won’t close down atomic plant

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Debate over civilian service continues

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Syrian activist allegedly harassed in Geneva

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Angelina Jolie considers new role with UN agency

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Reforms demanded for military service

More

Swiss team up in counterterrorism offensive

More

Indian president pays state visit

More

Cultural policy takes a new direction

Popular Stories

Most Discussed