Swiss Politics

Urine-filled pools to be cleaned up

This content was published on Jul 22, 2009 The good news however is that while water quality often leaves something to be desired, the health of swimmers is not at risk – and the government now wants to clean things up. It wants to introduce a limit to the presence of urea – the main nitrogen-containing substance in urine – of 3mg per…

Swiss Politics

Iceland’s destiny puts Swiss on the spot

This content was published on Jul 22, 2009 The decision by Iceland’s parliament to apply for EU membership may not have a direct effect on Switzerland, but it does draw attention to the special case Switzerland has become, surrounded on the map by an expanding sea of blue EU countries. As one of the club of four which make up the dwindling membership…

Swiss Politics

On mission with the ICRC in Geneva

This content was published on Jul 22, 2009 To find out more swissinfo.ch followed 18 new delegates from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), who were learning the ropes in Geneva before heading out to the field. It’s Tuesday morning. After a week of theory at the Ecogia training centre just outside Geneva, four teams of new delegates were preparing to…

Swiss Politics

Crisis-hit truckers plead for tax breaks

This content was published on Jul 22, 2009 The Swiss Road Hauliers’ Association wants cuts in a duty on heavy goods traffic, as well fewer bureaucratic hurdles and environmental restrictions, notably a tax on diesel. Demand for international services caved in dramatically and competitors are offering services at cut-throat prices, according to the association. Domestic orders decreased by up to 20 per cent…

Swiss Politics

Firms hit back at rising service charges

This content was published on Jul 21, 2009 Some 1,535 protests were sent in the first six months of this year, double the number from the same period in 2008. Charges leveled have not leapt recently but the increase in complaints show that long-term rises were suddenly starting to bite. Price watchdog Stefan Meierhans said small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) figured prominently…

Swiss Politics

Tax row squeezes Swiss expats in US

This content was published on Jul 20, 2009 Sarah Mastantuoni, a legal expert with the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA), says it is difficult to avoid being affected, but she is hopeful the situation will be resolved before long. High-level negotiations are underway in the case of the 52,000 accounts of US citizens with the Swiss bank UBS suspected of tax fraud.…

Swiss Politics

Chosen people choose Switzerland

This content was published on Jul 20, 2009 The Scuol Palace, where Lower Engadine spa tourism originated 150 years ago, has been run by Abraham Friedman and his wife Zipora for around three years. The wings of the building, which rises like a yellow colossus from the surrounding pines and larches, act like a giant protective wall, protecting the river and its countless…

Swiss Politics

How parties fuss over a cabinet seat

This content was published on Jul 20, 2009 Full-blown campaigning is likely to begin after the summer break, but public discussions have put the spotlight on linguistic and party political issues in the past few weeks. Parliament is due to decide in less than 60 days, on September 16. Controversy started the day the interior minister announced his resignation and focused on the…

Swiss Politics

Ramadan gains hope in US visa case

This content was published on Jul 18, 2009 The ruling boosts the hopes of Ramadan and US civil rights groups who argue that Washington had unlawfully revoked Ramadan’s visa several times in 2004. Ramadan had wanted to enter the US to take up a teaching post. After the original visa ruling, the case was sent back to a lower court for further consideration,…

Swiss Politics

More Swiss banks restrict US business

This content was published on Jul 17, 2009 Zurich Cantonal Bank (ZCB) will close investment accounts of US domiciled customers while Migros Bank said it would not act on client instructions issued from the US. The US authorities are currently demanding the details of 52,000 UBS bank customers. ZCB and Migros Bank have joined a growing list of Swiss banks that are cutting…

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