Swiss Abroad Archives - Page 1241 of 1630

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Swiss Politics

Retailer admonished in competition drive

This content was published on Apr 2, 2009 The Competition Commission said on Thursday it would open an enquiry if complaints proved justified that Coop hindered suppliers trying to do business with other retailers. A previous examination had come up with no conclusive result. However, the commission president, Walter Stoffel, said consumers were benefiting from the increasing competitive pressure on the Swiss retail…

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Swiss Politics

Files emerge in nuclear spy case

This content was published on Apr 2, 2009 The justice ministry said it was notified that copies of shredded documents still existed at the Federal Prosecutor’s Office. The documents relate to Swiss engineers suspected of involvement in a trafficking ring operated by Abdul Qadeer Khan, the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear programme. The Swiss authorities are awaiting recommendations by the International Atomic Energy Agency…

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Swiss Politics

“Abu Sayyaf is no al-Qaida”

This content was published on Apr 1, 2009 But the militants based on islands in the south of the Philippines are not holy warriors fighting for Islam so much as a rogue group of uneducated opportunist bandits, according to experts. “It’s in fact a criminal group devoid of any political objective,” said a Swiss analyst who requested anonymity. “The group paints its criminal…

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Swiss Politics

Government appeals to ICRC kidnappers

This content was published on Apr 1, 2009 “We appeal to your sense of humanity. Please spare the lives of the hostages,” the government said in a statement on Wednesday. Earlier on Wednesday the Philippines government said it was confident the three ICRC workers held by Abu Sayyaf Islamic militants since mid-January were alive, one day after a rebel deadline to behead one…

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Swiss Politics

Tremor damage prevention to be improved

This content was published on Apr 1, 2009 The cabinet approved a set of measures, including a coordinating and supporting role for the federal authorities for prevention activities of the cantons, the communes and private owners. The measures are to be implemented by 2012, said Environment Minister Moritz Leuenberger on Wednesday. He appealed to cantons, which have a wide-ranging autonomy, to increase checks…

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Swiss Politics

New chief named for secret services

This content was published on Apr 1, 2009 From the beginning of next year both units will pool data for evaluation, but information gathering will still be carried out separately. Defence Minister Ueli Maurer said Seiler had the necessary professional experience and political sensitivity for the post. Seiler has been in charge of unifying both services under one ministry following a decision by…

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Swiss Politics

Bern repeats pledges for Afghanistan

This content was published on Mar 31, 2009 The aim on Tuesday was to strengthen and coordinate better international support for Afghanistan. The head of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Martin Dahinden, confirmed Bern’s political support, which went hand in hand with “a consolidation of its long-term civil commitment”, according to a foreign ministry statement. But he repeated the need…

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Swiss Politics

Bern decides on exports of munitions

This content was published on Mar 31, 2009 In a statement on Wednesday, the cabinet said the decisions had been made because of unsatisfactory domestic and human rights situations in the three countries. The applications concerned machine guns, assault rifles, grenade launchers and components for air defence systems. Pakistan was the largest purchaser of Swiss arms last year. But the government did approve…

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Swiss Politics

Hostages face unsure future as deadline passes

This content was published on Mar 31, 2009 Abu Sayyaf militants on the southern island of Jolo seized three workers from the Swiss-run International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in mid-January and had threatened to behead one of them at 8am Switzerland time unless their demands were met. The militants, who belong to a radical Muslim group that has fought for independence…

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