Swiss Abroad

Chinese may slap Swiss wrists over Uighur affair

This content was published on Feb 6, 2010 The Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday that the Swiss government’s acceptance of the two men from the United States prison in Guantanamo “will certainly affect Sino-Swiss relations”. “It will impact trade relations, but not significantly,” said Nicolas Musy of the Swiss Center Shanghai, a non-profit organisation that assists small- and medium-sized companies interested in…

Swiss Politics

Women descend on parliament

This content was published on Feb 6, 2010 Economics Minister Doris Leuthard, who holds this year’s Swiss presidency, along with the speakers of the two chambers of parliament, arranged the “meeting day” to mark the fact that in 2010 for the first time ever all three annually rotating posts are held by women. The programme, organised by Leuthard’s ministry, included discussions with women…

Politicians in disarray over banking secrecy

This content was published on Feb 5, 2010 Speculation is most rife about whether the government will give in to pressure from European Union countries and agree to the automatic exchange of bank customer details. “The question is whether there could be different variants of an automatic exchange of information,” said Finance Minister Hans-Rudolf Merz after a cabinet meeting earlier this week. His…

Swiss Politics

Baby Doc assets saga takes another twist

This content was published on Feb 3, 2010 The latest move in the long-running saga immediately followed a Federal Court decision to reverse a lower court’s ruling that a large share of the $5.7 million (SFr6 million) in Swiss accounts should have gone to charities working in Haiti. Duvalier’s family and supporters have petitioned to reclaim the money. “In view of the criminal…

Swiss Politics

Cabinet condemns German bank data buy

This content was published on Feb 3, 2010 In a strongly worded statement, the cabinet expressed “astonishment” at the German plan and said it “violates public policy and the principle of good faith”. German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble on Tuesday said a decision had been made “in principle” to buy the information, reported to concern some 1,500 possible tax evaders and costing €2.5…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland to take in two Guantanamo inmates

This content was published on Feb 3, 2010 The decision to accept the two men was welcomed by United States officials but was criticised by the Chinese government, which wants the men sent back to China. The move comes a day after the authorities in canton Jura said they would issue brothers Bahtiyar and Arkin Mahnut a residence permit. “We of course weighed…

Swiss Politics

Haitians face shelter crisis

This content was published on Feb 3, 2010 Yet shelter for the hundreds of thousands of survivors remains a desperate race against the clock as the rainy and hurricane seasons loom. The aid operation in Haiti has been complicated and frustratingly slow but is making significant progress, particularly in getting food to quake survivors, the top United Nations relief official said in Geneva…

Health reform comes first for minister

This content was published on Feb 2, 2010 “Ideological arguments don’t get us anywhere,” he said at a news conference 100 days after taking office. He appealed to all sides to stop the blame game, but urged parliament to push ahead with plans to tackle increasing costs for health insurance, including the introduction of medical networks and a new hospital funding system. The…

Swiss Politics

Libyan acquittal leads to cautious optimism

This content was published on Feb 2, 2010 On Sunday a Libyan appeal court cleared Rachid Hamdani of being in the country illegally and overturned his 16-month prison sentence. The court is due to decide on other charges against him and that of fellow countryman Max Göldi this week. Libya’s prosecution of Hamdani and Göldi has been at the centre of a diplomatic…

Swiss Politics

Foreign minister pays lightning visit to Haiti

This content was published on Feb 1, 2010 Foreign ministry spokesman Lars Knuchel told the Swiss News Agency that in her meeting with Préval she had expressed sympathy and solidarity with the Haitian people after the devastating earthquake last month. She also discussed with Préval ways in which Swiss aid would continue in the medium and long term. Knuchel added that she had…

Swiss Abroad

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Swiss Abroad

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Chinese may slap Swiss wrists over Uighur affair

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Women descend on parliament

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Politicians in disarray over banking secrecy

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Baby Doc assets saga takes another twist

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Cabinet condemns German bank data buy

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Switzerland to take in two Guantanamo inmates

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Haitians face shelter crisis

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Health reform comes first for minister

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Libyan acquittal leads to cautious optimism

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Foreign minister pays lightning visit to Haiti

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