Swiss Abroad

Gaddafi couple to sue Geneva authorities

This content was published on Apr 8, 2009 “Hannibal” Gaddafi and his wife, along with the Libyan state, filed a civil lawsuit against the Geneva authorities in a Geneva court on Wednesday. They are claiming damages for the “disproportionate” way in which they were treated by the Geneva police who detained them in their hotel in July, after receiving complaints that they had…

Swiss Politics

Cabinet seeks greater say on tax haven laws

This content was published on Apr 8, 2009 The government said on Wednesday it wants to have a say in defining accepted tax practices and is willing to contribute a multi-billion credit line to strengthen the international financial system. President Hans-Rudolf Merz, who also holds the finance portfolio, said Switzerland was seeking partners to make its voice heard within the Organisation for Economic…

Swiss Politics

Biometric passes divide voters

This content was published on Apr 8, 2009 The poll, carried out by the gfs.berne research and polling institute for the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, swissinfo’s parent company, shows that 47 per cent of voters think they will vote in favour of the new passports on May 17, while 39 per cent are against them and 14 per cent are undecided. The poll found…

Swiss Politics

Hans-Rudolf Merz on banking secrecy

This content was published on Apr 8, 2009

Swiss Politics

ICRC condemns leak of US torture report

This content was published on Apr 8, 2009 The 40-page confidential report, drawn up for the US authorities in 2007, appeared on the website of the New York Review of Books, accompanied by a lengthy commentary. The report accuses the US of practising torture at the prison, and condemns the presence of medical personnel during torture sessions, whose job was to say whether…

Swiss Politics

OECD defends its position in tax dispute

This content was published on Apr 8, 2009 It is in Paris, the headquarters of the OECD, that the future of Switzerland as a financial centre will be decided over the coming months. The OECD will take a close look at Switzerland’s position on fiscal cooperation and decide whether the country will remain on the so-called “grey list” of countries considered to only…

Swiss Politics

Secret US-Iran meetings held in Geneva

This content was published on Apr 7, 2009 Switzerland’s Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey said she was aware of the ongoing contacts over the past few years but had not played an active role. “The talks are on a purely informal level and the foreign ministry is not involved,” Calmy-Rey said on Tuesday. The meetings – known as the Track II process – involving…

Swiss Politics

Farm incomes on the rise

This content was published on Apr 7, 2009 Income per worker rose to SFr43,400 ($38,416) in 2008 from SFr39,500 in 2007, according to provisional data from the Agroscope research institute. Agricultural income per farm stood at SFr67,200 compared with SFr61,000 the year before. Incomes rose on higher prices for commodities including pork and milk. Milk production remained stable, Agroscope said. The cost of…

Political spat threatens German trade boom

This content was published on Apr 7, 2009 The two countries enjoyed a bumper year of trade in 2008, but the economic recession coupled with an escalating row over tax evasion has already put a brake on soaring exports and imports. Last year, Germany underlined its status as Switzerland’s most important trading partner by sending 4.3 per cent more goods and services across…

Swiss Politics

Egg production reaches record levels

This content was published on Apr 7, 2009 The egg producers’ umbrella organisation, Gallosuisse, says its members have stepped up production to cope with extra seasonal demand, after there was a shortage last year. Gallosuisse says it expects production to total 58 million eggs in March and 56 million in April. This represents a monthly increase of five million eggs compared with last…

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Gaddafi couple to sue Geneva authorities

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Cabinet seeks greater say on tax haven laws

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Biometric passes divide voters

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Hans-Rudolf Merz on banking secrecy

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ICRC condemns leak of US torture report

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OECD defends its position in tax dispute

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Secret US-Iran meetings held in Geneva

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Farm incomes on the rise

More

Political spat threatens German trade boom

More

Egg production reaches record levels

Popular Stories

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