Swiss Abroad

Swiss killed in Morocco bomb attack

This content was published on May 1, 2011 The Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday Moroccan authorities had idenfied the pair among those killed. They had been travelling with two Swiss women who were seriously injured in the attack. The attack on the cafe in the busy Djemma el-Fna square in Marrakech killed 16 people and injured more than 20. The…

Swiss Politics

Tax at source proposed for US account holders

This content was published on May 1, 2011 In an interview with the SonntagsZeitung, Widmer-Schlumpf said negotiations with the US for a tax at the source had not yet begun. But she said the imposition of a final tax could be a means of resolving differences between the US and Switzerland on issues of banking secrecy. Widmer-Schlumpf said such a tax would allow…

Swiss Politics

Foreign hotel staff to face tougher competition

This content was published on May 1, 2011 swissinfo.ch took a look around in the famous mountain resort of Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn ahead of May 1. Walking through the streets lined with shops selling jewelry, watches and souvenirs of all sorts, the numerous American, Asian and European tourists are a common sight. They are as much part of the village…

Swiss Politics

ICRC flies former detainees to Tripoli

This content was published on Apr 30, 2011 The Geneva-based ICRC said the five, who had been held by rebels in Benghazi, were civilians. “To the best of our knowledge these five were not members of the Libyan armed forces,” an ICRC spokeswoman said. Libyan rebels said the five were soldiers loyal to Moammar Gaddafi. The rebels said they had released the five as…

Swiss Politics

Arab Spring brings Fatah and Hamas together

This content was published on Apr 29, 2011 The accord that will be signed on Wednesday in Cairo by representatives of Fatah and Hamas provides for the formation of a caretaker government and paves the way for presidential and legislative elections within a year. Switzerland has expressed its satisfaction at the agreement and acknowledged “the central role” taken by Egypt in the negotiations.…

Swiss Politics

UN inquiry launched into Syrian deaths

This content was published on Apr 29, 2011 Switzerland had backed the calls by western nations for the inquiry during a special session of the United Nations’ top human rights body on Friday on the situation in Syria. In arguing the need for an inquiry, officials said the killings of more than 450 people during protests may include crimes against humanity. The 47-member…

Swiss Politics

Swiss focus on “democratic transition” policy

This content was published on Apr 29, 2011 From May 1-3, in a hotel in a chic area of the capital, Tunis, the foreign ministry will work out a “global support strategy for democratic transition”, an aim adopted by the government last month. This is essential and not before time, according to Hasni Abidi, director of the Geneva-based Study and Research Center for…

Swiss Politics

Benefits of free movement scrutinised

This content was published on Apr 29, 2011 The agreement on the free movement of people between Switzerland and the EU allows EU citizens to migrate to Switzerland for an unlimited time if they have a work contract. They may also stay in Switzerland for three months without a job. The agreement came into force in staggered intervals from 2002. In the seven…

Swiss Politics

Palestinian unity deal welcomed

This content was published on Apr 28, 2011 In a statement on Thursday the foreign ministry said it also welcomed Egypt’s key role in brokering the deal. The comments came a day after Hamas and Fatah reached an initial deal in Cairo to end a four-year dispute that has left the Palestinians with rival governments: a Fatah-dominated administration in the West Bank and…

Swiss Politics

Syrian protests spark fear of destabilisation

This content was published on Apr 28, 2011 Lorenzo Suarez, a Swiss who returned from Syria last month after three and a half years in the country, tells swissinfo.ch there are fears that a weakening of the regime could destabilise the entire region. Violence against protestors is only fuelling the demonstrations, he says, and there is concern inter-community clashes could break out. At…

Swiss Abroad

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Swiss Abroad

More

Swiss killed in Morocco bomb attack

More

Tax at source proposed for US account holders

More

Foreign hotel staff to face tougher competition

More

ICRC flies former detainees to Tripoli

More

Arab Spring brings Fatah and Hamas together

More

UN inquiry launched into Syrian deaths

More

Swiss focus on “democratic transition” policy

More

Benefits of free movement scrutinised

More

Palestinian unity deal welcomed

More

Syrian protests spark fear of destabilisation

Popular Stories

Most Discussed