Swiss Politics

Swiss drinking less alcohol every year

This content was published on Sep 7, 2011 Based on this trend, the government has decided against raising alcohol prices as part of the revision of the law on alcohol, the finance ministry announced on Wednesday. From 2009 to 2010, consumption of alcohol dropped from 8.6 to 8.5 litres per head. The 1990 level was 10.8 litres. “The vast majority of the Swiss…

Swiss Politics

Sawiris Egyptian jail sentence lifted

This content was published on Sep 7, 2011 Orascom said it had been able to reach an agreement with Egypt’s finance authorities. It told the Swiss News Agency on Wednesday that it was pleased that both the jail sentence and the related fine had been dropped. The company declined to comment on the details of the settlement. In late August, Sawiris was sentenced…

Swiss Politics

Long-standing Swiss foreign minister resigns

This content was published on Sep 7, 2011 During her nine years in government, Calmy-Rey’s style and actions have often drawn criticism, but Swiss diplomacy has gained in international visibility. The 66-year-old, who also holds the rotating post as Swiss president this year, said she would not put herself up for re-election in December. Wednesday’s move had been subject to intense media speculation. “I…

Swiss Politics

Animals come under government spotlight

This content was published on Sep 7, 2011 First and foremost it wants to strengthen measures against animal disease, a communiqué said. But there are also moves to stop the trade in cat and dog fur. The cabinet intends to introduce the ban through a change to the animal protection law. Until now only the import has been banned in Switzerland. Parliament had…

Swiss Politics

Micheline Calmy-Rey steps down

This content was published on Sep 7, 2011 The Geneva politician has not been an uncontroversial figure during her time in office.

Swiss Politics

Climate expert calls for more innovation

This content was published on Sep 7, 2011 The professor emeritus at Bern University has confidence in Switzerland’s politicians, though he occasionally “gets a bit annoyed” that Swiss democracy takes so much time and that only “small steps” are being taken in climate policy. Ahead of the October 23 parliamentary elections he is also concerned about the loss of influence of the moderate…

Swiss Politics

Commemorative objects

This content was published on Sep 7, 2011 A sign that the collective memory of September 2001 is passing from trauma into history is evident in gift shops, where the past becomes merchandise and shared tragedy turns into kitsch. For all of the debate about an official memorial at the Trade Center site, each souvenir is, in its own way, a monument in…

Nigerian police patrol in St Gallen

This content was published on Sep 6, 2011 The visit is part of a pilot project, which started on Monday and runs until the end of October, in which the cantons of Geneva and Zug are also participating. St Gallen and Geneva are regarded as centres for the cocaine trade, while Zug attracts economic crime and money laundering. In 2010, Switzerland received more…

Swiss Politics

Fear of Islam

This content was published on Sep 6, 2011 The Swiss voted in 2009 to ban the building of any new minarets. The campaign, launched by the rightwing People’s Party, stirred up huge controversy internationally. The Federal Commission against Racism claimed that it defamed Muslims and violated religious freedom. (archive 25/07/2007/Julie Hunt/SF/swissinfo.ch)

Making prostitution safer

This content was published on Sep 6, 2011 Eva Büschi, a professor at the School of Social Work of the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, interviewed managers of sex establishments for a study entitled “Violence in the Sex Business” and concluded that lack of regulation was a major problem for both sex workers and the establishments themselves. “In other businesses workers get…

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Swiss drinking less alcohol every year

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Sawiris Egyptian jail sentence lifted

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Long-standing Swiss foreign minister resigns

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Animals come under government spotlight

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Micheline Calmy-Rey steps down

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Climate expert calls for more innovation

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Commemorative objects

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Nigerian police patrol in St Gallen

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Fear of Islam

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Making prostitution safer

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