Swiss Politics

ICRC prepares for crisis in Pakistan

This content was published on May 7, 2009 The Swiss-run organisation said on Thursday there were reports of up to 500,000 Pakistanis displaced by the conflict in Dir, Buner and Swat between Taliban militants and Pakistani security forces. “We can no longer reach the areas most affected by the fighting on account of the volatile situation,” said Benno Kocher, who is running the…

Swiss Politics

Cabinet sets priorities for bilateral tax talks

This content was published on May 6, 2009 Finance Minister Hans-Rudolf Merz said the cabinet had decided to give the official green light for a new round of tax treaty negotiations primarily with industrialised countries. However, Merz said further discussions were necessary with the OECD to make clear that it would take more time to put into force the new fiscal agreements. “It…

Swiss Politics

Cases of suspected flu virus fall

This content was published on May 6, 2009 The Federal Health Office said of the 73 cases now registered in the country as suspect, 53 have been cleared and one confirmed. The 19-year-old who tested positive for the virus behind “swine flu” was treated with the antiviral drug Tamiflu. The remaining cases are in the cantons of Aargau, Bern, Basel Country, Geneva, St…

Swiss Politics

E-passport ballot too close to call

This content was published on May 6, 2009 An opinion poll by the gfs.berne polling and research institute on behalf of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation found 49 per cent of respondents were in favour of biometric passports. About 37 per cent said they would vote against, while 14 per cent were still undecided three weeks ahead of the ballot. The authors of the…

Swiss Politics

Proposed bio-ethanol plant concerns critics

This content was published on May 6, 2009 Officials promoting the SFr100 million ($88.44 million) plant in Delémont, western Switzerland, say the refinery could produce almost 100,000 tons of fuel and 30,000 tons of pharmaceutical-grade alcohol annually. But environmentalists and other activists have denounced the project as “irresponsible”. They argue that bio-ethanol, though produced from renewable, organic sources, takes up agricultural land that…

Swiss Politics

Conservative Democratic Party

This content was published on May 5, 2009 The newly-elected Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf as well as the defence minister were thrown out of the People’s Party accused of betraying Blocher. The Conservative Democratic Party (Bürgerlich-Demokratische Partei/BDP, Parti Bourgeois Démocratique/PBD) which has its power bases in Graubünden and Bern, was founded in 2008. Initially it had two representatives in the cabinet, before Defence Minister Samuel…

Swiss Politics

Steinbrück puts Swiss on par with Burkina Faso

This content was published on May 5, 2009 At a meeting of finance ministers in Brussels, Steinbrück rejected complaints from Switzerland that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s decision to place the country on a “grey list” of tax havens took place at a meeting the Swiss did not attend. “They could have come,” Steinbrück said. “And of course I’ll also invite…

Swiss Politics

London

This content was published on May 4, 2009 Migrant workers from Ticino were already present in Britain and Ireland in the early 18th century. The first to arrive were plaster workers who decorated English and Irish churches and homes. They were followed in the early 19th century by glaziers and barometer makers but the arrival of Carlo Gatti in 1847 would change everything.…

Citizens to settle territorial Jura conflict

This content was published on May 4, 2009 A special advisory assembly on Monday handed over its final report to the justice ministry, recommending two options without giving a preference. The Inter-Jura Assembly, which was formed 15 years ago, said it was up to voters in the cantons of Bern and Jura to choose between the enlargement of Jura or granting more autonomy…

Swiss Politics

A historic visit

This content was published on May 4, 2009

Swiss Politics

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ICRC prepares for crisis in Pakistan

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Cabinet sets priorities for bilateral tax talks

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Cases of suspected flu virus fall

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E-passport ballot too close to call

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Proposed bio-ethanol plant concerns critics

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Conservative Democratic Party

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Steinbrück puts Swiss on par with Burkina Faso

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London

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Citizens to settle territorial Jura conflict

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A historic visit

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