Swiss Abroad

Swiss to increase humanitarian aid for Gaza

This content was published on Dec 30, 2008 A ministry statement described the acts of violence as “intensifying the suffering of the civil population”. The statement added that the ministry was “following the situation in the Gaza Strip with concern”. “Given the precarious human rights situation, in particular problems of medical treatment for the injured and food provision, it is ready to make…

Swiss Politics

Black ravens warn against EU treaty

This content was published on Dec 30, 2008 In February voters will have the final say on a parliamentary decision to prolong an accord aimed at easing access to the labour market and extend it to Romania and Bulgaria. The government, business community, trade unions and most political parties argue the labour accord – also known as the free movement of people agreement…

Swiss Politics

Tehran, Tripoli, Tbilisi mark 2008 foreign policy

This content was published on Dec 30, 2008 Mediation and efforts to broker peace deals in the Caucasus region, in Latin America and Africa played an important part of Swiss government activities abroad. However, the government’s foreign policy decisions and particularly Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey’s appearance on the international stage ruffled a few feathers. In February Switzerland recognised the independence of the breakaway…

Swiss Politics

Review finds social policies lacking

This content was published on Dec 29, 2008 The 2009 Social Almanac, published by the Christian charity Caritas, says Switzerland failed to make enough welfare provisions during its recent boom years. The review says in recent years there has been a dismantling of the social security system, increased pressure to integrate with other systems without taking into account the market’s capacity for providing…

Swiss Politics

Air strikes stretch Gaza hospitals to limits

This content was published on Dec 29, 2008 Strikes by Israeli forces have killed at least 300 people and left more than 950 wounded since Saturday, according to Palestinian officials. The Geneva-based ICRC said the influx of casualties had put a tremendous strain on Gaza’s already overburdened hospitals, which are in “dire need” of medical equipment. Stocks of supplies and medicines were already…

Swiss Politics

Party politics and bailout package shaped 2008

This content was published on Dec 29, 2008 Voters had the final say on a series of policy issues, but they confirmed their conservative reputation by throwing out most of the proposals, including tougher citizenship rules and pension and health insurance reforms. The year 2008 in politics was already drawing to a close when parliament approved a financial rescue plan – including a…

Swiss Politics

Competition among charities harms the cause

This content was published on Dec 28, 2008 Among the world’s highest per capita donors, Swiss residents give some SFr800 million ($737 million) to charity every year, attracting the interest and activity of foreign organisations, Roland Jeanneret of Swiss Solidarity told swissinfo. Jeanneret is head of communications for the fundraising arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, which works alongside 35 Swiss partner charities.…

Swiss Politics

Government calls Israeli attacks “excessive”

This content was published on Dec 27, 2008 The foreign ministry acknowledged that Israel has a right to protect itself but condemned Saturday’s attacks on Gaza City as “excessive”. The ministry has called for a ceasefire from all sides and for humanitarian supplies to be allowed into the blockaded area immediately. The Israeli military launched the attacks against Hamas targets in Gaza as…

Swiss Politics

Schmid toasts his last day in public

This content was published on Dec 27, 2008 Schmid, who announced his resignation in November amid mounting critical pressure, will hand over the post to incoming minister Ueli Maurer of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party officially at midnight on December 31. Schmid has served as defence minister for eight years. Critics began to call for him to step down after Roland Nef, his…

Swiss Politics

Swiss tsunami survivors still have nightmares

This content was published on Dec 26, 2008 Although the exact figure will never be known, it is now thought that about 230,000 people died. Many of those who survived, locals and western tourists, still bear psychological scars. A new word leapt from specialist text books into mainstream language: tsunami. The overwhelming majority of the dead were, naturally, locals. Over a million people…

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Swiss to increase humanitarian aid for Gaza

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Black ravens warn against EU treaty

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Tehran, Tripoli, Tbilisi mark 2008 foreign policy

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Review finds social policies lacking

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Air strikes stretch Gaza hospitals to limits

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Party politics and bailout package shaped 2008

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Competition among charities harms the cause

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Government calls Israeli attacks “excessive”

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Schmid toasts his last day in public

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Swiss tsunami survivors still have nightmares

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