Swiss Abroad

Drinking among youth remains a big problem

This content was published on Apr 14, 2009 Drinking alcohol is still at a high level, with 14 per cent of 13-year-olds getting drunk at least once a month, the Swiss Institute for the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Problems reported on Tuesday. The Lausanne-based organisation called for stricter control measures, arguing that alcohol was too easy to obtain in Switzerland and too…

Swiss Politics

Immigration accord with Bosnia planned

This content was published on Apr 14, 2009 Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf and the visiting Bosnian security minister, Tarik Sadović, signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at increasing cooperation on immigration and easing visa regulations. They also discussed the implementation of an accord agreed last November on police cooperation and the return of rejected asylum seekers. Sadović’s visit to Switzerland on Monday came…

Swiss Politics

Iran’s president to attend Geneva summit

This content was published on Apr 14, 2009 Organisers confirmed that Ahmadinejad will attend the controversial five-day meeting, which known as Durban Review Conference. The Geneva summit has been overshadowed by concerns that it could become an anti-Semitic forum. Ajmadinejad has publicly denied the Holocaust and called for the annihilation of Israel. So far at least ten countries will be represented by heads…

Swiss Politics

Swiss want wild bears

This content was published on Apr 13, 2009 The environmental organisation said on Monday – a year after “problem bear” JJ3 was shot after repeatedly entering populated areas of canton Graubünden – that the concept of wild bears was accepted across the country. JJ3 was killed after attempts to frighten it away failed. It was recently stuffed and is now on display at…

Swiss advised not to visit Thailand

This content was published on Apr 13, 2009 Around 1,000 Swiss tourists are estimated to have travelled to Thailand for what is the high tourist season because of Easter, according to the travel insurance company Elvia. The foreign ministry told Swiss to keep in contact with their tour operators and to listen out for advice from the Thai authorities. Tourists were also warned…

Swiss Politics

Couchepin blasts G20

This content was published on Apr 12, 2009 He said the G20 had created a form of “new world government”, abasing the United Nations (UN) and degrading the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to a ratings agency. “In this [financial] crisis the OECD shouldn’t be dishing out stars to good and bad states like a restaurant guide. It should instead serve…

Early English helps Swiss children learn French

This content was published on Apr 10, 2009 Reversing the learning order would probably have the same effect, the researchers say in their report, emphasising the benefits of introducing new languages at a young age. Critics of the introduction of two new languages in primary school argue that it overstretches the children. But the study “Early English – excessive demand or opportunity?”, carried…

Swiss Politics

OECD explains to Swiss its position on tax

This content was published on Apr 9, 2009 In a letter to Swiss President Hans-Rudolf Merz, disclosed on Thursday, the OECD’s Secretary-General, Angel Gurría, said some recent public statements in Switzerland on the tax issue were “inaccurate”. Gurría wrote on April 2 saying there were no “black lists” of non-cooperative countries and the OECD did not include or “threaten to include” Switzerland on…

Swiss Politics

ICRC denies ransom demand in the Philippines

This content was published on Apr 9, 2009 A Philippines military report on Tuesday said that the Abu Sayyaf group that kidnapped three ICRC workers on the island of Jolo in January had demanded $5 million (SFr5.6 million). The group last week released one ICRC worker, Mary Jean Lacaba, a Philippines national, last week. The two remaining in captivity are a Swiss, Andreas…

Swiss Politics

Minister remains wary of alternative medicine

This content was published on Apr 9, 2009 He was speaking ahead of a nationwide vote on May 17 on whether the constitution should allow the inclusion of treatments such as acupuncture into the list of paid health insurance services. Couchepin, who is in charge of health matters, said even if the move is approved by voters, the proposed treatments would have to…

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Swiss Abroad

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Drinking among youth remains a big problem

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Immigration accord with Bosnia planned

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Iran’s president to attend Geneva summit

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Swiss want wild bears

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Swiss advised not to visit Thailand

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Couchepin blasts G20

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Early English helps Swiss children learn French

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OECD explains to Swiss its position on tax

More

ICRC denies ransom demand in the Philippines

More

Minister remains wary of alternative medicine

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