Swiss Abroad

Government accepts army chief’s notice

This content was published on Aug 20, 2008 Nef had announced he wanted to step down last month after allegations of sexual harassment and questions about his integrity. President Pascal Couchepin told a news conference after the meeting on Wednesday that Nef would receive a “suitable” amount. Later it was announced that his severance pay would be SFr275,000 ($250,592). In other business, Couchepin…

Swiss Politics

Women call for end to military service

This content was published on Aug 19, 2008 A system of men and women volunteers, instead of conscription, would lead to more equality in the armed forces and put Switzerland in line with many European countries, according to the women’s chapter of the centre-left Social Democratic Party. The Swiss Society of Officers opposes the move, saying it would result in a shortage of…

Swiss Politics

New body aims to streamline Swiss politics

This content was published on Aug 18, 2008 From August 18 Swiss political power will no longer be concentrated under the sparkling dome of the Swiss parliament and government building. The House of Cantons, located not far from parliament, will also host discussions and decisions that affect the entire country. “The cantons currently work together in really varied areas, from education and justice…

Swiss Politics

Politics seen through the eyes of Swiss kids

This content was published on Aug 18, 2008 Couchepin greeted the children from 12 different nations in German, French (his mother tongue), English and Spanish. Besides answering questions about his favourite food and colour, he explained the procedure for becoming Swiss president and how difficult it is to reason with a dictator, in reference to a current diplomatic dispute with Libyan leader Moammar…

Swiss Politics

“Mauritanians are experiencing a deep malaise”

This content was published on Aug 17, 2008 Mauritanian army officers staged a putsch on August 6, seizing the elected president of the northwest African country and ending a brief experiment in democracy. The new junta appointed Mauritania’s ambassador to the European Union as its prime minister on Thursday and has promised to hold free and fair elections in the impoverished nation “as…

Swiss Politics

Federer and Wawrinka golden together

This content was published on Aug 16, 2008 The Swiss team overcame the Swedish duo of Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson on Saturday evening at the Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Court, capturing the championship with a score of 6-3, 6-4, 6-7(4-7), 6-3. Federer raised his racquet in triumph before embracing Wawrinka, their Swiss red and white outfits standing in stark contrast to the…

Swiss Politics

More funds committed to fight fire blight

This content was published on Aug 16, 2008 The Economics Ministry has promised the additional funds for four new projects over the next four years, the Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil Research Station said. Researchers said they would seek to better understand the history and spread of the highly destructive bacterial disease, which has destroyed orchards in 21 cantons. The most affected have been Thurgau, Lucerne…

Swiss Politics

Swiss mark 60 years of friendship with India

This content was published on Aug 16, 2008 Journalist and writer Bernard Imhasly tells swissinfo about early friendly relations between two very different societies, the evolution of economic cooperation and the state of cultural relations. In numerous articles and books, the Swiss-born Imhasly has described and commented on the rapid development of the world’s second most populous country. He arrived in the country…

Swiss Politics

Swiss continue dialogue to resolve Libya crisis

This content was published on Aug 15, 2008 Discussions are continuing between the two sides to solve the problem between them, but details still have to be negotiated, foreign ministry spokesman Jean-Philippe Jeannerat said on Friday. Hannibal, a son of Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi, was detained in a luxury hotel after two of his servants complained of serious ill treatment at the hands…

Swiss Politics

Relief action stepped up in Georgia

This content was published on Aug 14, 2008 The Swiss-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says the humanitarian situation remains very difficult. It hopes to soon gain access to South Ossetia, where 50,000 people are in dire need of clean water and other essential items. Despite the current lack of access to the breakaway region and the unstable security situation, the…

Swiss Abroad

Popular Stories

Most Discussed