Swiss Abroad

Red Cross launches Ivory Coast appeal

This content was published on Dec 30, 2010 On the IFRC website, the Geneva-based federation said the money would go to the Red Cross National Societies of the countries neighbouring Ivory Coast where the refugees are fleeing amid political upheaval. “Over 15,100 people, mostly women and children, are believed to have fled the country, the vast majority having left for the eastern part…

Swiss Politics

Kosovo leader rejects Swiss bank account charges

This content was published on Dec 30, 2010 In an interview with the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper, the Kosovo leader said the way charges had been laid against him by Swiss senator Dick Marty reminded him of the “propaganda of [Nazi] Joseph Goebbels”. Thaci said Marty’s report, which was published as part of a Council of Europe investigation, “is a document of a political act…

Swiss Politics

Refugee agency looks back and looks forward

This content was published on Dec 29, 2010 The Geneva-based Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR, which celebrated its anniversary in December, is now active in 118 countries. It was in 1956, when the Soviet Union crushed the Hungarian revolution, that the agency faced its first major emergency, helping some 200,000 Hungarians who fled into exile. After that…

Swiss Politics

Gun loving folk

This content was published on Dec 29, 2010 Whether it’s the militia army, the federal shooting competiton or a spontaneous volley of gunfire to express joy, guns are part of the Swiss heritage. And many people associate them with historical battles rather than with killings and crime. (Picture editor: Christoph Balsiger, swissinfo.ch)

Gaddafi’s son to get WEF invitation

This content was published on Dec 29, 2010 The French-language newspaper La Liberté reported on Wednesday that Seif al-Islam, a son of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi, had been trying in vain to get an invitation to next month’s event in the Swiss resort of Davos, which brings together business, political and other leaders of society. Seif al-Islam is widely regarded as a reformist,…

Swiss Politics

Swiss back Ivory Coast election winner Ouattara

This content was published on Dec 29, 2010 The foreign ministry said the decision was in line with the policy of most members of the international community following the victory of Alassane Ouattara in November’s presidential elections. The ministry added that it has received no formal request from Ouattara’s government for a new ambassador to Switzerland. The ministry also called on both sides…

Swiss Politics

Swiss urged to get tough on Tehran

This content was published on Dec 29, 2010 Donald Beyer told the Basler Zeitung newspaper that Washington had asked the Swiss government to adopt the sanctions imposed by the US and the European Union. He admitted that Switzerland was in a difficult position, since it acts as a neutral mediator between the US and Iran. It has represented US interests in Tehran since…

Swiss Politics

Libyan leader’s son not invited to WEF

This content was published on Dec 29, 2010 According to the French-language newspaper La Liberté, Seif al-Islam has tried appealing to US business leaders and Hollywood stars to intercede on his behalf, but Klaus Schwab, the founder of the WEF, which holds its annual meeting in Davos every January, has remained firm. The paper says Schwab has told the Libyans several times that…

Swiss Politics

How Swiss politics hit the headlines in 2010

This content was published on Dec 28, 2010 Not surprisingly perhaps 2010 was marked by political fights over Swiss banking secrecy as well as moves to tighten regulations for immigrants, targeting particularly foreign criminals. While little progress appears to have been made in boosting relations with the European Union over the past 12 months, a crisis with Libya could be partly defused with…

Swiss Politics

Minister Maurer sings praises of Swiss army

This content was published on Dec 28, 2010 At an end-of-year event in the resort of Adelboden in the Bernese Alps on Tuesday, he told journalists that security was at the top of his priorities. Maurer explained that the world was becoming less safe and people in Switzerland felt less secure. He said Switzerland had mastered the financial crisis and placed itself well…

Swiss Abroad

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Swiss Abroad

More

Red Cross launches Ivory Coast appeal

More

Kosovo leader rejects Swiss bank account charges

More

Refugee agency looks back and looks forward

More

Gun loving folk

More

Gaddafi’s son to get WEF invitation

More

Swiss back Ivory Coast election winner Ouattara

More

Swiss urged to get tough on Tehran

More

Libyan leader’s son not invited to WEF

More

How Swiss politics hit the headlines in 2010

More

Minister Maurer sings praises of Swiss army

Popular Stories

Most Discussed