Swiss Abroad

Libya grants visa to Swiss chargé d’affaires

This content was published on Jul 14, 2009 The chargé d’affaires will replace Ambassador Daniel von Muralt who retired at the beginning of the year, a Swiss foreign ministry spokesman confirmed. Since von Muralt’s departure the embassy has been staffed by just by one accredited diplomat. Relations between the two countries have been strained since the detention of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi’s son…

Swiss Politics

Back seat passengers fail to buckle up

This content was published on Jul 14, 2009 Just two-thirds are buckling up in the back seat, indicating that this safety step has not yet become a reflex action for many. Rear passengers have been obliged by law to wear seat belts since 1994. The annual representative survey of seatbelt usage found that 87 per cent of drivers and 88 per cent of…

Swiss Politics

Military observers return from Georgia

This content was published on Jul 13, 2009 Russia had blocked a continuation of the UN contingent in the breakaway republic of Abkhazia amid territorial disputes between Moscow and Georgia that flared up last year. The four Swiss observers were part of a 151-strong mission from 30 countries monitoring a ceasefire between Georgia and Abkhazia agreed in 1993. Neutral Switzerland has taken part…

Swiss Politics

Final ICRC hostage is free

This content was published on Jul 12, 2009 Eugenio Vagni, an Italian, was released by Muslim rebels in the early hours of July 12 local time, the ICRC said. Fellow abductees Mary Jean Lacaba and the Swiss Andreas Notter regained their freedom in April. “The ICRC is relieved and happy that Mr Vagni will soon be back with his family and friends, who…

Libya case reveals flaws in Swiss diplomacy

This content was published on Jul 10, 2009 Though some progress has been made to heal Swiss-Libyan ties in recent months, the Gaddafi affair has brought Switzerland into direct conflict with another government – unprecedented for a neutral country that champions diplomacy. “Switzerland excels in mediation, but it has hardly ever been directly involved in a crisis with another state,” said Hasni Abidi,…

Swiss Politics

“Stop Nespressure” campaign targets Nestlé

This content was published on Jul 10, 2009 Union representatives say the problem is largely at Nespresso factories in Asia. On Friday they introduced an awareness campaign called “Stop Nespressure” to highlight their grievances. In Indonesia, workers who campaigned for the right to negotiate wages were subject to intense pressure from Nestlé management to abandon the cause, IUF said. Similar cases were reported…

Swiss Politics

Conflict over nuclear files intensifies

This content was published on Jul 10, 2009 At the centre of the showdown is a dossier that contains roughly 100 pages of documents so sensitive that the government wants them destroyed. The original files were indeed shredded secretly in November 2007 but copies surfaced last December. On Thursday investigators and cantonal police stormed into federal security offices in Bern and seized a…

Swiss Politics

Agreement to regulate assisted suicide

This content was published on Jul 10, 2009 This is the first time an assisted suicide group has signed such an agreement with government authorities. The text, which was announced on Friday but reached last week, will regulate the particulars of assisted suicide, including the use of deadly sodium pentobarbital and compensation for those who help others kill themselves. The basis comes from…

Swiss Politics

Pressure grows for six weeks’ vacation

This content was published on Jul 9, 2009 Citing stress and the need to be on a par with other European countries, the trade union umbrella organisation Travail Suisse is putting the case for more time off. It has backed up its argument with an initiative signed by 108,000 people. After the signatures have been checked by the Federal Chancellery in Bern, the…

Swiss Politics

Sri Lanka tells ICRC to scale down activities

This content was published on Jul 9, 2009 The move follows the cessation of hostilities between Sri Lankan forces and the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The government declared victory over the Tamil Tigers in May. An ICRC statement on Thursday said the Geneva-based organisation was reviewing its setup and operational priorities in Sri Lanka. “As a first step, it will close…

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Libya grants visa to Swiss chargé d’affaires

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Back seat passengers fail to buckle up

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Military observers return from Georgia

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Final ICRC hostage is free

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Libya case reveals flaws in Swiss diplomacy

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“Stop Nespressure” campaign targets Nestlé

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Conflict over nuclear files intensifies

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Agreement to regulate assisted suicide

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Pressure grows for six weeks’ vacation

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Sri Lanka tells ICRC to scale down activities

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