Swiss Abroad

Ai Weiwei in the public eye

This content was published on Apr 7, 2011 Ai is perhaps best known for his collaboration as the artistic consultant with Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron on the Beijing Olympic stadium. Alongside his artistic activities, he has been investigating corruption and cover-ups in government.

Art and political world worried for Ai Weiwei

This content was published on Apr 7, 2011 Ai gained international renown when he co-designed the Beijing Olympic stadium, the “Bird’s Nest”, with Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron. His first international solo exhibition was also held in Bern. On Thursday China’s Foreign Ministry said Ai was being investigated “in accordance with the law” for “suspected economic crimes”. Ai was stopped on Sunday…

Swiss Politics

Rightwing stalwart seeks parliamentary comeback

This content was published on Apr 7, 2011 Blocher, arguably Switzerland’s most controversial politician of recent years, on Thursday announced he was standing for his rightwing People’s Party for a seat in October’s elections to both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Blocher said he considered his re-entry into the parliamentary arena – a rare occurrence in Swiss politics for a former…

Swiss Politics

Blueprint served up for political debates

This content was published on Apr 7, 2011 The document serves as a blueprint for the government and aims to provide a basis for a coherent policy and further discussions, the Federal Chancellery said. The scientific report lists 12 strategic areas – including global integration, climate change, security, health, social tensions demography, infrastructure, zoning, the role of the state, as well as international…

Swiss Politics

“The Holocaust is the basis for genocide”

This content was published on Apr 6, 2011 Nevertheless, Yehuda Bauer, professor of Holocaust Studies at the Avraham Harman Institute of Contemporary Jewry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, describes himself as a “realistic optimist”. Bauer was one of many experts and state representatives speaking at the Third Regional Forum on the Prevention of Genocide, held in Bern and organised with the foreign…

Swiss Politics

Cabinet wants to simplify assistance over taxes

This content was published on Apr 6, 2011 The finance ministry said the request to amend double taxation accords, already approved by parliament in June 2010, is in line with internationally applicable standards. It would no longer be necessary to provide the name and address of a taxpayer in order to process administrative assistance requested from Switzerland. However, so-called fishing expeditions are excluded…

Swiss Politics

Privacy and innovation clash in Google ruling

This content was published on Apr 5, 2011 The Swiss Federal Administrative Court ruled on Monday that Google must guarantee anonymity in its popular street view service, blurring faces and license plates captured in Switzerland (see Court ruling). The court largely sided with the Swiss data protection commissioner, Hanspeter Thür, who claimed that Google was breaching citizens’ right to personal privacy. Google’s right…

Swiss Politics

Nuclear process on hold for “at least” two years

This content was published on Apr 5, 2011 Leuthard was speaking at the end of a two-day visit to Italy, during which the two countries agreed to draw up a declaration of their intentions for greater cooperation on energy issues. Both countries suspended plans to build new nuclear power stations in the wake of recent events in Japan. “It will certainly take at…

Swiss Politics

Minister may face “dirty money” issue in India

This content was published on Apr 5, 2011 And it’s an issue that is likely to be raised when Economics Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann visits New Delhi this Wednesday to Saturday. Having served as the backdrop to several Bollywood films, Switzerland has become the most popular travel destination of Indians. But Indian tourists are also increasingly suspected of coming to Switzerland to hide…

Swiss Politics

Assisted suicides increase in 2010

This content was published on Apr 5, 2011 The organisation, which has a branch in both the German and French-speaking parts of Switzerland, saw its overall membership rise by 4,000 to 70,000 people. Those who avail themselves of Exit’s services must first become members. Exit said the rise in membership was a response to moves by both local and national authorities for tighter…

Swiss Abroad

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Swiss Abroad

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Ai Weiwei in the public eye

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Art and political world worried for Ai Weiwei

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Rightwing stalwart seeks parliamentary comeback

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Blueprint served up for political debates

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“The Holocaust is the basis for genocide”

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Cabinet wants to simplify assistance over taxes

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Privacy and innovation clash in Google ruling

More

Nuclear process on hold for “at least” two years

More

Minister may face “dirty money” issue in India

More

Assisted suicides increase in 2010

Popular Stories

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