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Swiss Politics

Swiss urged to accept three Guantanamo inmates

This content was published on Aug 21, 2008 The three – a Libyan, an Algerian and a Chinese – are free to leave if they find a safe haven. Swiss authorities confirmed that they had received the applications for asylum. “We have started examining these cases and will handle them according to the same criteria as other asylum requests received from abroad,” commented…

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Breeding hope

This content was published on Aug 21, 2008 Switzerland is supporting the Poverty Alleviation Through Livestock Development (PALD) scheme in three northern provinces. It is aimed at increasing farmers’ wealth through initiatives such as pig breeding. swissinfo visited several projects. (Text and pictures: Andrea Arcidiacono)

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Swiss Politics

Civilian service boosts numbers

This content was published on Aug 21, 2008 The period of duty for conscientious objectors is 50 per cent longer than the mandatory regular service in the militia army. The economics ministry said there were 991 requests, an 18 per cent rise compared with the same period last year. Some 3.6 per cent of applicants were refused. A total of 12,103 people were…

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Swiss Politics

Mass drinking gives authorities a headache

This content was published on Aug 21, 2008 But the police, who want to enforce greater control and responsibility for the mess left behind, are caught in legally uncharted waters. On July 18 around 1,300 young people turned up unannounced at a Geneva park with vast quantities of alcohol, drank it all – peacefully – and went home. Some politicians want to ban…

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Swiss Politics

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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