Swiss Politics

Swiss mourn Polish ex-minister Geremek

This content was published on Jul 13, 2008 Geremek was president of the pro-European Jean Monnet Foundation in Lausanne. He was widely respected in Switzerland, the foreign ministry said. He was a “personality who was appreciated by everyone,” said foreign ministry spokesman Jean-Philippe Jeannerat. The politician entertained excellent relations with Bern when foreign minister and was held in great esteem by the diplomatic…

Swiss Politics

Swiss limit unhealthy trans fats

This content was published on Jul 13, 2008 The move follows a study by the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, which revealed that almost a third of the 120 food items tested contained an excessive amount of the fats. Industrial trans fats, also known as trans fatty acids, are formed by a process called hydrogenisation, which hardens the fats and improves their…

Swiss Politics

Minister against “death tourism”

This content was published on Jul 13, 2008 Swiss law tolerates assisted suicide when the patient commits the act and the helper has no direct interest. Several organisations offer the service, but only one group to foreigners. “Today somebody can come to Switzerland and already the next day can have an assisted suicide through one of these assisted suicide organisations. This should not…

Swiss Politics

Imam warns minaret ban will fuel extremism

This content was published on Jul 13, 2008 Imam Sakib Halilovic tells swissinfo that the supporters of the initiative are playing with fire and the move could endanger cherished Swiss values, the image of the country and integration efforts. The initiative is supported by members of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party and a fringe ultra conservative group. It was handed in to the…

Swiss Politics

US official calls for Swiss sanctions on Iran

This content was published on Jul 11, 2008 Volker tells swissinfo that Switzerland continues to play an important role in representing American interests in Iran but the time is right to support United Nations resolutions on Iran and start imposing sanctions. He describes the signing of a gas deal between a Swiss company and Iran in March as a “mistake” and says cooperation…

Swiss Politics

When bloodstains say more than DNA

This content was published on Jul 10, 2008 Among them were around 140 sleuths who gathered in Zurich at the beginning of July for a European conference on “bloodstain pattern analysis”. “DNA analysis, which has certainly led to enormous progress in criminal science, is overestimated,” public prosecutor Ulrich Weber, head of the Zurich prosecutor’s office in charge of violent crimes, told the conference.…

Swiss Politics

Forging closer economic ties with Russia

This content was published on Jul 8, 2008 The plan is aimed at paving the way for a number of economics treaties, particularly the promotion of investment, patent protection, the easing of customs regulations and certification procedures. It foresees regular contacts at ministerial and administrative levels as well as between delegations of private industry for at least two years, according to a statement…

Swiss Politics

Swiss negotiator in Colombian line of fire

This content was published on Jul 7, 2008 Critics say the pressure on the Swiss is a deliberate tactic to undermine any future negotiated solutions with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) following last week’s spectacular military hostage rescue. Together with France and Spain, Switzerland has engaged in trying to secure the release of hostages in Colombia for several years. The attack…

Swiss Politics

Donors provide main income source for parties

This content was published on Jul 7, 2008 However researchers warn that statistics of party financing are of limited relevance, as there is no transparency in political funding and different accounting systems are applied. The trend towards financing through donations is most marked with the rightwing Swiss People’s Party and the centre-left Social Democrats, the authors of the study said on Monday. “The…

Swiss Politics

Drugs law faces public vote

This content was published on Jul 7, 2008 Opponents to the changes made to the legislation – members of the ultra conservative Federal Democratic Union and of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party – say they have collected more than the 50,000 signatures required to force a referendum. The revisions in the law being challenged permit the use of psychoactive substances for scientific or…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Swiss mourn Polish ex-minister Geremek

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Swiss limit unhealthy trans fats

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Minister against “death tourism”

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Imam warns minaret ban will fuel extremism

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US official calls for Swiss sanctions on Iran

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When bloodstains say more than DNA

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Forging closer economic ties with Russia

More

Swiss negotiator in Colombian line of fire

More

Donors provide main income source for parties

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Drugs law faces public vote

Popular Stories

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