Swiss Abroad

First candidate to succeed Couchepin named

This content was published on Jul 8, 2009 The executive of Neuchâtel’s centre-right Radical Party nominated Burkhalter on Wednesday evening. The 49-year-old economist has been a member of parliament since 2003, first in the House of Representatives and since 2007 in the Senate. Couchepin, one of two Radical Party representatives in the seven-member cabinet, announced his resignation last month. Parliament will choose his…

Swiss Politics

Assault by Swiss students provokes outrage

This content was published on Jul 8, 2009 Many people, angered by what they perceive as “soft justice” and “mollycoddling” in Switzerland, want the perpetrators to be made to pay for their crimes in Germany. On June 30 the 16-year-old students from Küsnacht, canton Zurich, attacked five people – one of whom was disabled – within the space of half an hour. One…

Swiss Politics

Seven acquitted in cigarette smuggling case

This content was published on Jul 8, 2009 The alleged members of an international cigarette smuggling ring, all Swiss residents, had faced charges of supporting Italian criminal organisations and money laundering. On Wednesday, the court in Bellinzona found two Italians guilty on the first charges. One received a jail sentence of two years and nine months with the two years suspended while the…

Swiss Politics

Violence in Xinjiang worries foreign ministry

This content was published on Jul 8, 2009 On Wednesday, it called on all sides to exercise restraint in order to prevent an escalation of violence. It urged the Chinese authorities to respect democratic rights, especially freedom of expression and freedom of the media, and to ensure the rule of law in all respects. Switzerland expressed its condolences to the families of the…

Swiss Politics

Preparing for the worst

This content was published on Jul 8, 2009 At the Ecogia training centre just outside Geneva, new delegates put into practice what they had learned with intensive simulation exercises. Passing military checkpoints, comforting refugees or responding to the media are just a few of the situations they could find themselves in.

Sects warning as new religious groups boom

This content was published on Jul 8, 2009 While globalisation is a factor in the change, the economic crisis may also be playing a role as people look for a system of beliefs to help them deal with the problems they face. And whereas many people in Switzerland are apparently concerned about the rise of Islam, researchers are warning that the danger posed…

Swiss Politics

Financial losers send complaints flooding in

This content was published on Jul 8, 2009 The Ombudsman has been nearly overrun with gripes that increased 250 per cent last year from 2007, and will keep coming for another two years. One observer accused professionals of “ripping off” layman investors. The number of complaints rose to a record 4,144 in 2008 from 1,609 the previous year, according to figures updated since…

Swiss Politics

Gaza fact-finding mission ends hearings

This content was published on Jul 7, 2009 Israeli and Palestinian witnesses and experts gave accounts of psychological trauma and violence endured by rocket attacks launched from Gaza, and the effects of alleged crackdowns by Israeli security forces against demonstrators. A first set of hearings held in the Gaza Strip late last month was dominated by Palestinian testimony of death and destruction in…

Swiss Politics

Ilisu pullout hits Swiss firms

This content was published on Jul 7, 2009 A consortium of German, Austrian and Swiss engineering and consulting companies involved in the Ilisu project said they were withdrawing because of Turkish non-compliance with conditions. Any further engagement depended on the Turkish government. “The Turkish authorities were not able to meet the conditions on the environment, cultural heritage and the relocation of people, despite…

Swiss Politics

Spies target banks for the secrets they hold

This content was published on Jul 7, 2009 Jürg Bühler, acting director of Switzerland’s counter-intelligence agency, says foreign services are increasingly interested in the financial data locked in Swiss banks, especially as the global hunt for undeclared assets stiffens. “It’s not just about collecting intelligence on military or political or industrial data of Swiss enterprises but, more specifically today, financial data,” Bühler told…

Swiss Abroad

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Swiss Abroad

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First candidate to succeed Couchepin named

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Assault by Swiss students provokes outrage

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Seven acquitted in cigarette smuggling case

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Violence in Xinjiang worries foreign ministry

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Preparing for the worst

More

Sects warning as new religious groups boom

More

Financial losers send complaints flooding in

More

Gaza fact-finding mission ends hearings

More

Ilisu pullout hits Swiss firms

More

Spies target banks for the secrets they hold

Popular Stories

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