Swiss Abroad

Parental fines considered for poor show pupils

This content was published on Feb 5, 2009 The cantonal government approved an amendment to the Education Act this week that would allow fines of up to SFr1,000 ($863) for the worst serial offenders. The fine is part of a raft of measures that the canton intends to introduce, making its regulations among the strictest in Switzerland. The move faces a final vote…

Swiss Politics

TV programme refutes Colombia ransom claim

This content was published on Feb 4, 2009 Jean-Pierre Gontard was mandated by the foreign ministry in 2001 to act as an intermediary between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) and the Basel pharmaceutical company Novartis, to achieve the release of two Novartis employees kidnapped by the guerrilla group. An investigation by French-language television to be broadcast on Thursday found documentary evidence…

Swiss Politics

Women battle to become Zurich’s next mayor

This content was published on Feb 4, 2009 Voters will choose between two inexperienced candidates from the left and right political wings. The campaign has been dominated by themes of gender and sexuality, as one nominee is openly gay. The office of mayor in Zurich is a largely ceremonial position wielding less power than in London, Berlin, New York or Paris. Besides presiding…

Swiss Politics

Leuthard looks to increase ties with Egypt

This content was published on Feb 4, 2009 “For the Swiss economy, Egypt presents enormous potential, not just because it is a big country, but also because of its geographic location,” Leuthard told swissinfo on Wednesday. She said the country could become the centre of the pharmaceutical industry in the Middle East.The Egyptian government in power since 2004 had undertaken a series of…

Swiss Politics

Welfare abuse dismissed ahead of EU vote

This content was published on Feb 3, 2009 Ahead of a nationwide vote on Sunday the government rejects such allegations, saying the old age and disability pension systems, as well as the unemployment insurance schemes benefit from payments by foreigners. The Swiss People’s Party and other rightwing parties have campaigned with posters showing black ravens maliciously pecking at Switzerland implying foreigners are a…

Swiss Politics

Sharp rise in arms exports

This content was published on Feb 3, 2009 The Swiss arms export market was valued at SFr721,968 ($620,713) million in 2008 compared with SFr464,479 in the previous year, the Federal Customs Office said on Tuesday. Exports to Saudi Arabia rose from SFr485,294 in 2007 to SFr32 million in 2008. Elsewhere in the Middle East – the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Kuwait –…

Geneva ready to take Guantánamo prisoners

This content was published on Feb 2, 2009 The cantonal authorities said they wanted to reinforce Geneva’s reputation as a humanitarian city, but said any former inmate of the military prison at the US airbase on Cuba would have to be innocent and have had no contacts with terrorism. On January 21 the government said it welcomed a decision by the new president,…

Swiss Politics

Ticino wary despite boon of EU labour deal

This content was published on Feb 2, 2009 But voters remain wary of closer ties with the EU as Ticino’s economy is exposed to strong competition from neighbouring northern Italy. A majority of the electorate in southern Switzerland is likely to reject the continuation and extension of a labour accord with the EU in a nationwide vote on February 8. Pressure on salaries…

Swiss Politics

Marty calls for collective responsibility on Guantánamo

This content was published on Feb 1, 2009 The Swiss senator told swissinfo that the “illegal prison” on the Cuban island was a sign of an arbitrary and inefficient policy against terrorism. Marty said the international community needed to find a humanitarian solution for the camp’s inmates. The US has come under heavy pressure from Europe to close the prison and while European…

Swiss Politics

Leuthard says bank wage gap is “too large”

This content was published on Jan 31, 2009 “For me, it is clear that the wage gap between the banking sector and other sectors has become too large,” Leuthard told the Berner Zeitung newspaper on Saturday. “Bankers’ wages must fall, that is clear for me.” Her comments come after UBS announced a SFr2 billion ($1.72 billion) bonus package for its employees despite losing…

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Parental fines considered for poor show pupils

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TV programme refutes Colombia ransom claim

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Women battle to become Zurich’s next mayor

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Leuthard looks to increase ties with Egypt

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Welfare abuse dismissed ahead of EU vote

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Sharp rise in arms exports

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Geneva ready to take Guantánamo prisoners

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Ticino wary despite boon of EU labour deal

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Marty calls for collective responsibility on Guantánamo

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Leuthard says bank wage gap is “too large”

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