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Swiss renew criticism of North Korea at UN

This content was published on Oct 12, 2006 The comments were made on Wednesday by the Swiss ambassador to the United Nations, Peter Maurer, at the General Assembly in New York. The UN is considering what action to take against North Korea, which claimed to have performed the test on Monday. US diplomats are said to be circulating a new draft of a…

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Fight over child benefit begins in earnest

This content was published on Oct 11, 2006 It comes after the government and supporters of a unified benefit put their case, arguing that the economy can stand the extra costs, and that families’ purchasing power will increase. At present the country’s 26 cantons set their own child benefit levels, which vary widely. The government says it is now time to do away…

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Swiss press decries North Korea nuclear test

This content was published on Oct 10, 2006 Newspaper editorials reflected on the difficult steps ahead and the possible responses of the world powers with their limited options. On Monday North Korea announced that it had carried out an underground nuclear test. The Swiss government condemned the test and said it was ready to support United Nations sanctions against Pyongyang. The Swiss reaction…

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Rightwing fears financial pressure from EU

This content was published on Oct 9, 2006 The rightwing Swiss People’s Party, which forced a nationwide vote on the issue scheduled for November 26, said on Monday the payment could prompt further financial demands from the European Union. Party President Ueli Maurer warned that Switzerland could incur unpredictable costs if voters approved a pledge by parliament and the government to spend SFr1…

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Switzerland condemns North Korea nuclear test

This content was published on Oct 9, 2006 The foreign ministry statement came after North Korea announced on Monday that it had carried out an underground nuclear test. In a strongly worded communiqué, the Swiss government described the reported test as “counter to international efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and a threat to the security of the region”. Neutral Switzerland…

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Former Swiss ambassador sings Annan’s praises

This content was published on Oct 9, 2006 Jenö Staehelin, the first-ever Swiss ambassador to the UN, told swissinfo ahead of the announcement why Kofi Annan has been such an influential figure for Switzerland. swissinfo: What is your assessment of the ten years of the UN with Kofi Annan at the helm? Jenö Staehelin: The first five years were very positive. They ended…

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Swiss embassy in Tehran beefs up security

This content was published on Oct 8, 2006 The statement followed a report by the Südostschweiz am Sonntag newspaper, which alleged that there were “definite threats” against the Swiss delegation in Iran. “Security measures have been stepped up over the past few weeks at the embassy,” foreign ministry spokesman Jean-Philippe Jeannerat confirmed on Sunday. Jeannerat added that since the Lebanon crisis in July…

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Greens make progress towards elections of 2007

This content was published on Oct 6, 2006 The election barometer 2007, which has just given first indications of next year’s parliamentary elections, says that if voters had their say now, the Greens would make clear gains and the centre-right Radicals would be the losers. The rightwing Swiss People’s Party, the centre-left Social Democrats and the centre-right Christian Democrats would maintain their positions.…

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Parliament backs funds for much-needed crèches

This content was published on Oct 3, 2006 After several months of ping-pong, the House of Representatives agreed on Monday to follow the Senate by approving a SFr120 million ($96.5 million) credit for the creation of nursery places over the next four years. Young families in Switzerland face a major lack of crèches. It is estimated that 50,000 places are needed to meet…

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Swiss Politics

Weapons ban wins support among young Swiss

This content was published on Oct 2, 2006 The demand was one in a series of petitions approved by the 15th Youth Session held in the mountain resort of Laax in southeastern Switzerland on behalf of the federal parliament. The petition, which won a majority of the 180 representatives in Monday’s plenary session, wants to outlaw firearms, including army weapons, in private homes.…

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