Swiss Abroad

SNB takes action to counter strong franc

This content was published on Aug 3, 2011 It is the first time the bank has lowered the interbank Libor rate since March 2009, and reflects growing pressure on the bank to act to counter the effects of the strong franc on the Swiss economy. In a news release announcing the move, the bank said it considered the franc to be “massively overvalued…

Swiss Politics

Swiss president to assess Somali refugee camp

This content was published on Aug 3, 2011 The Dadaab refugee camp is located about 100 kilometres south of the Somali border where up to 1,500 new arrivals from famine-stricken Somalia are being registered each day. The camp, built for 90,000, now shelters more than 400,000. Calmy-Rey, who is also foreign minister, will survey the situation in Dadaab in order to evaluate how…

Swiss Politics

‘Not everyone is a potential murderer’

This content was published on Aug 2, 2011 Frank Urbaniok, who heads the psychiatric and psychology unit attached to canton Zurich’s department of justice, also debunks several myths surrounding violent offenders (listen to audio for extended interview). On July 22, Anders Behring Breivik, a Norwegian rightwing extremist, set off a car bomb in the government district of Oslo, killing eight people. He then…

Swiss Politics

US indicts former UBS banker

This content was published on Aug 2, 2011 On Tuesday, Martin Lack was charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the US. The Swiss national had headed UBS’s North American business targeted at wealthy clients until 2003. Tax authorities estimate that Swiss banks helped Americans hide billions in undeclared offshore accounts. Meanwhile, a US Justice Department investigation has Credit Suisse in its…

US debt deal fails to convince Swiss press

This content was published on Aug 2, 2011 Some commentators warn that the compromise agreement struck on Monday in the US House of Representatives – endorsed by the Senate and President Obama on Tuesday – does not bode well for Switzerland and its strong franc. The Tages-Anzeiger and Der Bund in their syndicated editorial are concerned that the deal would not be able…

Swiss Politics

Minor parties take on big boys of politics

This content was published on Aug 2, 2011 But the myriad of groups have only slim chances of winning a seat, with the four heavyweights of Swiss politics and well-established medium-sized parties continuing to dominate. Political scientist Pascal Sciarini says Switzerland’s system of proportional representation can disadvantage minor parties, particularly in small constituencies. “It’s almost a mechanical problem which is the number of…

Swiss Politics

Fireworks and food feature on Swiss national day

This content was published on Aug 1, 2011 Lasting nearly half an hour, around 1,300 fireworks were set off from two barges floating on the River Rhine on Sunday night, the eve of national day on Monday, August 1. And after weeks of wet and gloomy weather, spectators were rewarded with clear, if somewhat cool, conditions for the event which was complemented with…

Swiss Politics

Swisscoy soldiers called up in Kosovo

This content was published on Aug 1, 2011 Some 15 soldiers serving with the Swisscoy peacekeeping mission were dispatched to the north of the country on Saturday where tensions have risen in recent days. On Friday, some 2,000 angry Serbs faced off against Kfor forces in the village of Rudare, north of Mitrovica, forcing the multinational troops to retreat in order to avoid violence.…

Swiss Politics

National Anthem continues to cause discord

This content was published on Aug 1, 2011 Critics say the song, composed 170 years ago, is “too 19th century” and ignores women. The population appears to have mixed views – and not everyone seems to know the words. The anthem, which starts with the words “Radiant in the morning sky”, received the official stamp of approval on April 1, 1981. Before that it…

Swiss Politics

Ten people monitored following Norway attacks

This content was published on Jul 31, 2011 In an interview with NZZ am Sonntag newspaper, deputy chief of the Switzerland’s counter intelligence agency, Jürg Bühler, said the people in question had responded “positively” to the attacks in online posts. Bühler said that although security services had not found anyone who “expressly applauded the attacks”, certain people had praised the ideology expressed in…

Swiss Abroad

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Swiss Abroad

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SNB takes action to counter strong franc

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Swiss president to assess Somali refugee camp

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‘Not everyone is a potential murderer’

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US indicts former UBS banker

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US debt deal fails to convince Swiss press

More

Minor parties take on big boys of politics

More

Fireworks and food feature on Swiss national day

More

Swisscoy soldiers called up in Kosovo

More

National Anthem continues to cause discord

More

Ten people monitored following Norway attacks

Popular Stories

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