Swiss Politics

Swiss cabinet set for female majority

This content was published on Sep 21, 2010 The centre-left Social Democrats and the centre-right Radicals are widely expected to hold on to their seats despite challenges by two other parties. While the political make-up of the cabinet would remain unchanged, modern-day Switzerland looks set to have a majority of women ministers for the first time in its 162-year history. A total of…

Swiss Politics

Minaret gets final approval for construction

This content was published on Sep 21, 2010 The canton published its decision on Tuesday, arguing that local authorities had granted planning permission for the minaret in June last year, five months before a controversial nationwide vote rejecting them. The appeal by neighbours of an Islamic centre in Langenthal was also rejected because the minaret and its crown conformed to plans. Although confirming…

Swiss Politics

Swiss contribute more to Pakistan flood victims

This content was published on Sep 21, 2010 The extra money, which brings Switzerland’s total contribution to SFr8.5 million, is being earmarked for helping the homeless with winter accommodation, seed and water purification. A ministry spokesman told the Swiss News Agency that it would supplement existing projects of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. He added that the decision to increase Bern’s…

Swiss Politics

Pakistan takes delivery of first aid helicopter

This content was published on Sep 21, 2010 The helicopter was due to be transported from Emmen airport near Lucerne on Tuesday in a Pakistani air force cargo plane. The remaining nine will be delivered in the coming months. The Alouette III fleet were due to be taken out of service by Switzerland at the end of the year. In view of the…

Swiss Politics

Army gets back its bullets but not all

This content was published on Sep 20, 2010 More than 240,000 boxes of bullets had been returned by the end of August, Maurer said on Monday. That is out of a maximum total of 257,000 boxes, according to estimates calculated in October 2007. The army should have the rest “in the weeks to come,” he said. The army does not expect to recuperate…

Swiss Politics

Swiss arms industry demands more ammunition

This content was published on Sep 20, 2010 Exports were down in the first half of this year, which some parliamentarians say is the result of banning sales to countries involved in armed conflict or which “systematically and severely violate human rights”. Centre-right parliamentarians Bruno Frick (Christian Democrat) and Sylvie Perrinjaquet (Radical Party) have both submitted motions to cabinet asking it to compare…

Swiss Politics

Development goal progress “partly reversed”

This content was published on Sep 20, 2010 World leaders are meeting on Monday at a three-day summit in New York to push for action on the MDGs, which include targets to cut extreme poverty and child mortality by half and to reverse the spread of HIV/Aids by 2015. In a call to action last week, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the…

Swiss Politics

Government wants rules for assisted suicide

This content was published on Sep 17, 2010 The justice ministry said it was mandated to revise specific nationwide regulations in response to numerous objections raised during the consultation procedure. At the same time the interior ministry is to present its proposals for boosting suicide prevention and palliative care. The cabinet on Friday reiterated the need for new guidelines and restrictions in an…

Swiss Politics

Local alcohol bans fail to curb drunkenness

This content was published on Sep 17, 2010 However, attempts by authorities in two towns in central and eastern Switzerland to curb the consumption of alcohol among the younger generation have proved less effective. It is a familiar sight in many cities and towns across Switzerland: young people gather outside railway stations, in underground passageways and in parks, a six-pack of beer under…

Swiss Politics

Government takes action over forced marriages

This content was published on Sep 16, 2010 There is little data on how many forced marriages there are a year in the migrant community, but a Zurich report has, for the first time, shed light on what people are affected and how. The justice ministry is drawing up a bill on forced marriages which should be ready at the end of 2010.…

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