Swiss Politics

Leuthard signs trade accord with Canada

This content was published on Jan 26, 2008 At the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, the ministers of the four European Free Trade Association (Efta) states also launched free trade negotiations with India. The economics ministry said on Saturday that the agreement with Canada would eliminate or reduce duties on industrial goods and processed agricultural products. The Efta ministers also…

Swiss Politics

Foreigners step up calls for more rights

This content was published on Jan 25, 2008 Currently foreigners born in Switzerland are not automatically eligible for naturalisation, a situation which the new organisation, Second@s Plus, says must change. And it says it will fight moves to make the process even harder. Around one fifth of Switzerland’s seven million population are foreigners, with an estimated 500,000 of them being second or third…

Swiss Politics

Second anti-WEF protest to go ahead

This content was published on Jan 25, 2008 Last Saturday over 200 members of the “Alliance for Global Opposition” were detained in the Swiss capital for carrying makeshift weapons and throwing firebombs. The trouble came after officials revoked permission for a planned demonstration by the group. The leader of the anti-capitalist group, Giovanni A. Schumacher, has promised a peaceful demonstration this weekend. City…

Swiss Politics

Gold price boosts bank profits

This content was published on Jan 25, 2008 The bank attributed the positive results to the sale of gold reserves, which generated SFr6.4 billion. The price of gold has more than doubled since the beginning of 2005. Foreign currencies also contributed to the bank’s profits, although it said it had lost SFr700 million due to the weak dollar. The central bank will distribute…

Swiss Politics

Business and unions trade blows over tax cuts

This content was published on Jan 25, 2008 Centre-left political parties and trade unions are challenging a reform of company tax laws – approved by parliament last year – while the government and the business community have come out in favour. Earlier this week the Trade Union Federation warned that the reform plans would lead to a shortfall of up to SFr400 million…

Swiss Politics

Compromise fails in building industry

This content was published on Jan 24, 2008 At a meeting on Thursday to discuss the proposal, delegates called for fresh negotiations on a new collective labour accord with the unions, saying the plan was insufficient. In December committees from both sides had come out in favour of the plan, mediated by a government-appointed expert to end more than six months of protests…

Swiss Politics

Jet ban “threatens national sovereignty”

This content was published on Jan 24, 2008 Schmid reiterated his view on Thursday that by restricting training and patrol flights – which often take place over the Alps – Switzerland would be abandoning a duty to citizens. “If a country cannot guarantee the security of its own airspace, it cannot carry out the duties the law requires,” he said. Schmid has the…

Swiss Politics

Swiss and US commit to finding Kosovo solution

This content was published on Jan 23, 2008 The two parties met in Zurich on Wednesday to discuss further cooperation in relation to the breakaway province and other conflict zones such as the Middle East and Afghanistan. Rice spoke for 30 minutes with Calmy-Rey at Zurich airport en route to attending the World Economic Forum summit in Davos. It was the first time…

Swiss Politics

EU wants “movement” in tax dispute

This content was published on Jan 23, 2008 Discussions ended with a “clarification” of positions but no solution. The head of the European delegation said on Wednesday that the commission now expects the Swiss to make some “movement” on the issue before another meeting in April. The European Union is concerned over foreign-owned holding companies flocking to Switzerland to take advantage of low…

Swiss Politics

Call for end to Tamil deportations

This content was published on Jan 22, 2008 In a statement, the organisation pointed out that most Sri Lankan asylum seekers in Switzerland were Tamils from the war-torn north and west of the country. The Council also urged Swiss authorities to expedite asylum applications received at the Swiss embassy in Colombo. “There is no longer any region in Sri Lanka where those fleeing…

Swiss Politics

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Leuthard signs trade accord with Canada

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Foreigners step up calls for more rights

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Second anti-WEF protest to go ahead

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Gold price boosts bank profits

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Business and unions trade blows over tax cuts

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Compromise fails in building industry

More

Jet ban “threatens national sovereignty”

More

Swiss and US commit to finding Kosovo solution

More

EU wants “movement” in tax dispute

More

Call for end to Tamil deportations

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