Swiss Identity

Protests greet rail cargo job cuts announcement

This content was published on Mar 7, 2008 The cuts – which will affect depots cross the country – come after the freight operation suffered a loss of SFr190 million ($185 million) last year. Workers at one of the four affected sites immediately went on strike and are planning demonstrations on Saturday. The state-owned company – with a workforce of more than 4,400…

Demographics

Diplomacy plea after Israeli college shooting

This content was published on Mar 7, 2008 In a statement on Friday, the Swiss foreign ministry expressed shock at the attack and reiterated the government’s concern over the “constant degradation” of the situation in Gaza and the south of Israel. The militant Hamas group claimed responsibility for the attack at the Merkaz Harav seminary library in the Kiryat Moshe quarter in west…

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Foreign police at Euro 2008 tournament

This content was published on Mar 7, 2008 The sport ministry said most of the German officers would be on duty in the cities of Basel and Zurich, while French security forces will be stationed in Geneva. The cantonal police authorities, which are responsible for security during the event, had asked for foreign police support in three of the four Swiss host cities.…

Demographics

More aid for fewer emerging countries

This content was published on Mar 7, 2008 The economics ministry said the cabinet had approved a SFr800 million ($784 million) credit pending backing by parliament. The programme will be cut back from 12 to seven countries: Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Peru, South Africa and Vietnam. It is aimed at diversifying trade and boosting their competitive edge in the globalised economy, according to…

Demographics

Boosting women’s professional careers

This content was published on Mar 7, 2008 The interior ministry said companies would be encouraged to fight discrimination of women at the workplace and put salaries on a par with men’s. The government has earmarked SFr1 million ($0.98 million) annually for a series of trials to be launched at the beginning of next year. Until now, only non-profit organisations and institutions were…

Culture

Geneva turns camera on human rights

This content was published on Mar 6, 2008 The programme opens as the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council is holding its seventh session, addressing rights violations and attempting to overcome its north-south divide. Remaining faithful to its concept of “a film, a subject, a debate”, in which each screening is accompanied by public debate, the organisers hope to strengthen the festival’s role…

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Alinghi yacht team face more legal problems

This content was published on Mar 6, 2008 The Kiwi syndicate filed suit in the New York State Supreme Court under a breach of contract argument since the team signed up for the 33rd challenge with the promise that it would be raced in Valencia, Spain, in July 2009. The other suit was filed in a federal court under United States antitrust legislation,…

Demographics

Switzerland comes up with more billionaires

This content was published on Mar 6, 2008 Topping the list of the 1,125 wealthiest men and women around the globe is United States investor Warren Buffett with a net worth of $62 billion (SFr64 billion). He outranks Mexican telecommunications magnate Carlos Slim and Microsoft’s Bill Gates. There were four more Swiss billionaires compared with last year’s inventory published by the US-based magazine…

History

Head of world’s smallest army steps down

This content was published on Mar 6, 2008 Elmar Mäder said he was planning on continuing his career in Switzerland, but gave no further details. Pope Benedict XVI will choose a successor to Mäder at a later date. The Swiss Catholic Church said Mäder, whose mandate is due to run out in August, had done an excellent job overseeing the 500-year celebrations of…

Demographics

Pressure builds for ban on trade in cat hides

This content was published on Mar 6, 2008 Organisers said the campaign, launched in September, had registered the support of almost 120,000 people. On its website, SOS Chats (SOS Cats) invited citizens to show their support as it delivered the petition to the federal authorities in the capital Bern on Thursday. Animal welfare organisations, politicians from various political parties and celebrities, including Brigitte…

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