Swiss Politics

Swiss on target in small arms survey

This content was published on Jul 16, 2008 However, Switzerland was named one of the most transparent small arms exporters in the latest Small Arms Survey, published annually by the Geneva-based Graduate Institute of International Studies (GIIS). “The score for Switzerland on transparency has improved dramatically, partly because there’s been a strong effort by the Swiss government to take seriously concerns for being…

Swiss Politics

Swiss call for debate on Security Council

This content was published on Jul 16, 2008 But two permanent members of the Security Council, China and Russia, said they were against such a move, arguing that the issue was the business of the council alone. The three other permanent members – Britain, France and the United States – were in favour of the debate, according to Switzerland’s UN ambassador Peter Maurer.…

Swiss Politics

Experts see limited potential for party merger

This content was published on Jul 16, 2008 However, analysts say the move is primarily of symbolic value and unlikely to have a major impact on the party political system as key issues remain unsolved. The Radicals – the third largest group in parliament with two ministers in cabinet – and the small Liberal Party, seek to join forces in October, hoping to…

Swiss Politics

Leuthard accepts apology over frisky Russian

This content was published on Jul 14, 2008 The minister was stopped just before she boarded her plane on her way home following six days of talks aimed at building stronger links between Moscow and Bern. The Russian foreign ministry said an inexperienced security officer at the airport had been unaware that Leuthard’s diplomatic immunity exempted her from being searched, according to an…

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.…

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Swiss on target in small arms survey

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Swiss call for debate on Security Council

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Experts see limited potential for party merger

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Leuthard accepts apology over frisky Russian

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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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