Swiss Abroad

Chosen people choose Switzerland

This content was published on Jul 20, 2009 The Scuol Palace, where Lower Engadine spa tourism originated 150 years ago, has been run by Abraham Friedman and his wife Zipora for around three years. The wings of the building, which rises like a yellow colossus from the surrounding pines and larches, act like a giant protective wall, protecting the river and its countless…

Swiss Politics

How parties fuss over a cabinet seat

This content was published on Jul 20, 2009 Full-blown campaigning is likely to begin after the summer break, but public discussions have put the spotlight on linguistic and party political issues in the past few weeks. Parliament is due to decide in less than 60 days, on September 16. Controversy started the day the interior minister announced his resignation and focused on the…

Swiss Politics

Ramadan gains hope in US visa case

This content was published on Jul 18, 2009 The ruling boosts the hopes of Ramadan and US civil rights groups who argue that Washington had unlawfully revoked Ramadan’s visa several times in 2004. Ramadan had wanted to enter the US to take up a teaching post. After the original visa ruling, the case was sent back to a lower court for further consideration,…

Swiss Politics

More Swiss banks restrict US business

This content was published on Jul 17, 2009 Zurich Cantonal Bank (ZCB) will close investment accounts of US domiciled customers while Migros Bank said it would not act on client instructions issued from the US. The US authorities are currently demanding the details of 52,000 UBS bank customers. ZCB and Migros Bank have joined a growing list of Swiss banks that are cutting…

Swiss Politics

Swiss condemn Jakarta suicide bombings

This content was published on Jul 17, 2009 “The foreign ministry is deeply shocked about the attacks, which claimed the death of many innocent victims,” a statement said. The casualties include citizens of Indonesia, Japan, India and South Korea as well as the United States, Canada, Australia and several European countries, according to local police. No Swiss nationals are among the victims, according…

Swiss Politics

Hostage poll

This content was published on Jul 17, 2009

Retirement homes planned for junkies

This content was published on Jul 17, 2009 Emergency shelters have identified a need for such long-term accommodation and the Obdach shelter in Lucerne has taken on the task of providing a new home for drug-dependent clients. Similar projects already exist in Zurich and Basel. Rooms in the Lucerne night shelter are functional and sparsely furnished, intended for people in need who are…

Swiss Politics

Controversy as cabinet sidesteps Dalai Lama

This content was published on Jul 16, 2009 Instead the speaker of the House of Representatives, Chiara Simoneschi-Cortesi, has been asked to welcome the Tibetan spiritual leader, the foreign ministry explained. How much the decision reflects pressure from China is not certain. Switzerland is home to the biggest Tibetan community in Europe and the spiritual leader arrives in Lausanne on August 4 where…

Swiss Politics

Swiss “policy of dialogue” explained to Israel

This content was published on Jul 16, 2009 Deputy State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Pierre Helg explained to Ilan Elgar Switzerland’s “policy of dialogue”. “In a conflict situation, Switzerland talks to all parties – therefore also Hamas,” said a foreign ministry spokeswoman. On Wednesday Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey confirmed talks took place with a top leader of Hamas. It comes after Israel strongly…

Swiss Politics

Mother tongue of new minister divides Swiss

This content was published on Jul 16, 2009 The results of a survey found a majority of German speakers saying language is not an issue when choosing a successor to French-speaking Couchepin, while Swiss French and Swiss Italians beg to differ. The findings were published in three Sunday newspapers, SonntagsBlick, Le Matin Dimanche and Il Caffè – one in each of Switzerland’s main…

Swiss Abroad

Popular Stories

Most Discussed