Swiss Politics

Tagliavini to lead Georgia inquiry

This content was published on Nov 21, 2008 Swiss foreign minister Micheline Calmy-Rey on Friday said she had agreed to the request by the French-led EU presidency. Georgia reportedly initiated an offensive to regain control over South Ossetia on August 7, launching heavy rocket and artillery fire and air strikes. In response, Russia, which has granted passports to most South Ossetians, launched overwhelming…

Swiss Politics

Europe faces “disappointment” over Obama

This content was published on Nov 20, 2008 Obama attracted 200,000 people to a speech in Berlin and his victory sparked the unusual spectacle of Parisians dancing in the streets. “The whole world is counting on Obama,” said Swiss newspaper Blick. Many Europeans view Obama as the antithesis of George W. Bush: liberal, tolerant and with a sympathetic international outlook. But Professor Stephen…

Swiss Politics

Children’s rights “have to be demanded”

This content was published on Nov 20, 2008 Thursday’s Universal Children’s Rights Day serves as a reminder that these young people are no longer being considered simply as victims but as a group that has fundamental rights that must be respected, advocates say. According to the Lausanne-based non-governmental organisation Terre des Hommes, between 50 and 100 million children around the world live and…

Swiss Politics

Swiss allocate SFr24 million to Burkina Faso

This content was published on Nov 19, 2008 Assistance for the next three years will amount to SFr24 million ($19.9 million) to support broad economic and social reforms. The goal is to establish the necessary conditions for strong and sustainable growth and the alleviation of poverty, according to the Swiss economics ministry. Aid allocated to Switzerland’s partner countries is conditional on certain agreed…

Swiss Politics

Russia and Georgia hold Geneva talks

This content was published on Nov 19, 2008 The talks ended after three hours and with an agreement to meet again in December. A first set of talks, brokered by the European Union and other international bodies, failed to get started last month because of disagreements about whether representatives from South Ossetia and Abkhazia should take part, and how. Abkhazia’s Deputy Foreign Minister…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland and Turkey strive to improve ties

This content was published on Nov 19, 2008 The sea change since 2005 has been remarkable. Concerns about human rights have been replaced with warm words and close cooperation, a Swiss newspaper correspondent tells swissinfo. Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey visited Turkey at the end of October, followed by President Pascal Couchepin in mid November. This week Economics Minister Doris Leuthard takes her…

Swiss Politics

“Street racers must pay for what they do”

This content was published on Nov 19, 2008 Roland Wiederkehr, head of RoadCross, says offenders should be made to visit victims in hospital and calls on the government to show more courage in confronting the car industry. Late on November 8, teenage drivers were racing along roads in canton Solothurn in heavy fog at speeds of up to 100km/h when, trying to overtake…

Swiss Politics

Appeal for proper use of antibiotics

This content was published on Nov 18, 2008 The appeal came as Switzerland joined the first European Day of information on antibiotics on Tuesday. Although the Swiss are among the lowest consumers of antibiotics internationally, Switzerland is facing a growing number of bacterial diseases against which antibiotics are less effective. Health officials are particularly concerned that new infections from resistant bacteria are leading…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland condemns Gaza blockade

This content was published on Nov 18, 2008 The foreign ministry insisted the two sides of the conflict stick to the present five-month ceasefire agreement and comply with humanitarian law. Switzerland is especially concerned about the humanitarian consequences of the tightened measures, enforced by Israel for the past two weeks, the ministry said, adding that relief workers had to have access to ensure…

Swiss Politics

Blocher is back in running for cabinet post

This content was published on Nov 18, 2008 The party will choose a new cabinet representative to replace outgoing Defence Minister Samuel Schmid on November 27. The Zurich branch voted by 47 to one in favour of nominating Blocher for the post. The nomination of Blocher highlights the differences between the different regional party sections. The Bern branch put forward parliamentarians Adrian Amstutz…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Tagliavini to lead Georgia inquiry

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Europe faces “disappointment” over Obama

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Children’s rights “have to be demanded”

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Swiss allocate SFr24 million to Burkina Faso

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Russia and Georgia hold Geneva talks

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Switzerland and Turkey strive to improve ties

More

“Street racers must pay for what they do”

More

Appeal for proper use of antibiotics

More

Switzerland condemns Gaza blockade

More

Blocher is back in running for cabinet post

Popular Stories

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