Swiss Abroad

Damascus blasts follow UN security talks

This content was published on Mar 17, 2012 The explosions followed a briefing to the United Nations Security Council in Geneva on Friday by former UN Secretary-General and now special envoy to the region, Kofi Annan. Two car bombs targeted the aviation intelligence department and criminal security department buildings in Damascus, according to Syria’s state-run news agency SANA. Initial, but unconfirmed, reports said…

Swiss Politics

Foreign policy refocuses on Europe

This content was published on Mar 16, 2012 The centre-right Radical’s decision signals an end to the Swiss policy of “active” neutrality that was instituted under his centre-left Social Democrat predecessor, Micheline Calmy-Rey. Basel’s international airport is actually in France, with Swiss and French sectors. But a French court decision has thrown a spanner in the works, opening the door for Paris to…

Swiss Politics

Parliament dismisses bid to rein in central bank

This content was published on Mar 15, 2012 Both chambers held special debates in the aftermath of the resignation of bank chairman Philipp Hildebrand in January over controversial private currency dealings. The affair led to a reform of internal regulations and prompted the president of the bank’s supervisory authority to abandon a bid for the renewal of his mandate. The emotional atmosphere in…

Swiss Politics

Swiss hostages are free

This content was published on Mar 15, 2012 The pair from canton Bern were filmed by local television smiling and waving as they alighted from a military helicopter at Rawalpindi military base near Islamabad, where they had been transported by Pakistani authorities. In a statement on Thursday, the Swiss government said embassy officials in Islamabad were in direct contact with the couple, who…

Alternative to “fat cat” initiative agreed

This content was published on Mar 15, 2012 The initiative by entrepreneur and senator Thomas Minder against “fat cat” salaries dates back to 2008 and parliament has since been grappling to ensure a counterproposal is put forward when it goes to a nationwide ballot. The alternative takes a softer approach to Minder’s initiative. He called for a complete end to golden parachutes and…

Swiss Politics

Taliban free Swiss hostages

This content was published on Mar 15, 2012 The couple from Bern were filmed by local television smiling and waving as they alighted from a military helicopter at Rawalpindi military base near Islamabad, where they had been transported by Pakistani authorities. In a statement on Thursday, the Swiss government said embassy officials in Islamabad were in direct contact with the couple, who were in good…

Central bank powers remain untouched

This content was published on Mar 14, 2012 The House of Representatives threw out bids to restrict the bank’s foreign currency deals and to set a minimum equity capital quota and keep current gold reserves unchanged. Wednesday’s special debate was called in the wake of the resignation of the president of the central bank, Philipp Hildebrand, in January over controversial private currency transactions.…

Swiss Politics

Safeguard clause looks like safety valve

This content was published on Mar 13, 2012 The clause, included in the accord on the free movement of people which enables Swiss and EU citizens to work freely in each other’s countries, can be invoked if the number of people arriving in any one year is more than ten per cent up on the average for the previous three. One group that…

Swiss Politics

Hotels lose bid for reduced tax rate

This content was published on Mar 13, 2012 The Senate on Tuesday followed the House of Representatives and the government in rejecting the proposal put forward by representatives of mountain cantons, including Valais, Graubünden and Bern. Supporters argued that some tourist regions were suffering from a ten per cent slump in overnight stays as a result of the expensive Swiss franc for foreign…

Swiss Politics

Zurich residents vote to move sex scene out of city centre

This content was published on Mar 12, 2012

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Damascus blasts follow UN security talks

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Foreign policy refocuses on Europe

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Parliament dismisses bid to rein in central bank

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Swiss hostages are free

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Alternative to “fat cat” initiative agreed

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Taliban free Swiss hostages

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Central bank powers remain untouched

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Safeguard clause looks like safety valve

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Hotels lose bid for reduced tax rate

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Zurich residents vote to move sex scene out of city centre

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