Swiss Abroad

Fact-finding US politicians visit Bern

This content was published on Jun 9, 2010 The group included members of the Ohio, Nevada and Washington state senates. Representatives of Bern’s cantonal government served as their hosts. The Americans had a tour of Bern’s city hall on Wednesday and learned about the relationship between Switzerland’s federal and cantonal governments. They also had the chance to follow a parliamentary session. In addition,…

Swiss Politics

Iran summons Swiss ambassador

This content was published on Jun 8, 2010 Shahram Amiri, a university researcher working for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation, disappeared during a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia a year ago. Tehran accused Riyadh of handing him over to the US, a charge Saudi Arabia has denied. Swiss Ambassador Livia Leu Agosti was to be given proof that the nuclear scientist had been abducted, the…

Swiss Politics

Swiss answer call to fight floods in Hungary

This content was published on Jun 8, 2010 The rivers are expected to crest mid-week, having already reached alarming levels. Hungarian authorities have declared a state of emergency in eight northern regions and asked Europeans for aid. The Swiss foreign ministry said on Tuesday it would send 500,000 bags for holding sand to reinforce dykes. The shipment is scheduled to arrive Tuesday night.…

Swiss Politics

Libya kicks out UN refugee workers

This content was published on Jun 8, 2010 The UNHCR protested the move vehemently. Melissa Fleming, spokeswoman for the organisation, said Libyan authorities informed them on Wednesday last week that the offices would be closed. “We were given no reason whatsoever,” she said. “We hope this measure is only temporary because it puts all of our programmes in question.” Libya is a major…

Swiss Politics

Swiss president to attend World Cup opening

This content was published on Jun 8, 2010 Prior to the official opening of the football competition, the Swiss president will visit the Swiss squad at their training camp near Johannesburg. She will then attend the opening match between South Africa and Mexico. During her trip, the president is to have brief meetings with representatives of other governments, who will be in South…

Swiss Diaspora

Swiss winemakers find heavenly spot near Cape

This content was published on Jun 7, 2010 The last stretch of the drive to the vineyards of Jean-Claude Martin and Christoph Kaser is a reddish-brown dirt road. A gate with the South African flag – and a smaller Swiss one – indicates the entrance to the Creation Wines estate, a few kilometres inland from the quaint coastal town of Hermanus. It is…

Swiss Politics

Drops of red and white

This content was published on Jun 5, 2010 Jean-Claude Martin grows ten different wines in a picturesque valley east of Cape Town. (pictures: Christoph Balsiger; text: Urs Geiser, swissinfo.ch)

Migration boss slams move to expel foreigners

This content was published on Jun 5, 2010 Director Alard du Bois-Reymond said in an interview published on Saturday that committing even relatively trivial crimes would be reason enough to expel up to four times as many foreigners as today. Currently about 350-400 foreign criminals get sent home each year. Du Bois-Reymond said a counterproposal that made its way through the House of…

Swiss Politics

Schengen police database delayed

This content was published on Jun 3, 2010 The Schengen Information System II – to which Switzerland, as a Schengen member, has access – was originally planned for 2007 but has frequently crashed during tests. The current Schengen Information System enables police to track cross-border criminals by using a databank with information on wanted persons and stolen goods. The updated version is planned…

Swiss Politics

Nigerian refugee family receives payout

This content was published on Jun 2, 2010 Federal Migration Office spokeswoman Marie Avet told the Swiss news agency that it was a “humanitarian gesture” towards the family. The sum, the amount of which has not been announced, is helping to pay for the funeral costs. “The Federal Migration Office greatly regrets this tragic incident,” said Avet. The 29-year-old Nigerian, a convicted drug…

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Swiss Abroad

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Fact-finding US politicians visit Bern

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Iran summons Swiss ambassador

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Swiss answer call to fight floods in Hungary

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Libya kicks out UN refugee workers

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Swiss president to attend World Cup opening

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Swiss winemakers find heavenly spot near Cape

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Drops of red and white

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Migration boss slams move to expel foreigners

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Schengen police database delayed

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Nigerian refugee family receives payout

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