Swiss Politics Archives - Page 961 of 1339

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Swiss Politics

Move to ban rifles at home gathers pace

This content was published on Feb 24, 2009 Guns are stored in homes under Switzerland’s militia system, but opponents say the practice is too dangerous, pointing to deaths and domestic violence cases involving army weapons. The people’s initiative, launched by the centre-left Social Democratic Party and a number of pacifist organisations, was handed in to the Swiss chancellery in the capital, Bern, on…

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Taking a closer look at green living

This content was published on Feb 21, 2009 With 120 stands organised into a dozen categories, the fourth annual Natur fair in Basel aims to help visitors answer these questions and more. The fair, which runs until Sunday, showcases products and projects that emphasise sustainable living. For Our Future is the motto of the green lifestyle event, which offers opportunities to stock up…

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Swiss Politics

Merz pledges to defend bank secrecy

This content was published on Feb 19, 2009 Merz said the leading Swiss bank had no choice but to settle the case to avoid criminal charges that could have threatened its existence and undermined the country’s economy. He added the bank admitted to fraud under both Swiss and American law and transferred the names of up to 300 clients to the US justice…

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Swiss Politics

Free trade agreement sealed with Japan

This content was published on Feb 19, 2009 The accord, to come into force later this year, is the first between Japan and a European country. The document was signed by Leuthard, who is on a trip to the country, and Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone on Thursday in Tokyo. The Swiss economics ministry described the accord, which was negotiated over a 16-month…

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Swiss Politics

Al-Qaida claims kidnapping of Swiss in Mali

This content was published on Feb 18, 2009 The Swiss foreign ministry said on Wednesday it was checking a report broadcast on Al Jazeera television. The kidnapping case has top priority and Switzerland is cooperating with other countries to seek the swift and unconditional release of the hostages, according to a senior foreign ministry official. Malian officials had initially blamed Tuareg rebels for…

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Swiss Politics

Pension shortfall increases as stocks freefall

This content was published on Feb 18, 2009 The industry insists the situation is under control although one in four funds are now required to reduce benefits or raise contributions. But some observers are worried about the bleak economic outlook. The report compiled by Swisscanto, one of Switzerland’s largest pension funds, estimates that the average fund has only enough assets to cover 94.4…

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Swiss Politics

Lawyers point way out of anti-terrorism trap

This content was published on Feb 17, 2009 In a report based on three years of investigation, the eight-member panel, established by the Geneva-based International Commission of Jurists, has documented the human rights violations committed around the world in the name of combating terrorism. These include torture, enforced disappearances, secret and arbitrary detentions and unfair trials. The report drew on public and private…

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Swiss Politics

Foreign ministers discuss cooperation

This content was published on Feb 16, 2009 Spindelegger told journalists afterwards that his country saw no need for any change in this area. He added that what needed to be discussed was the consequences of a partial lifting of banking secrecy, namely the flow of money to other regions of the world. Switzerland’s tax laws have been fiercely criticised by the European…

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Swiss Politics

Mass measles vaccination considered

This content was published on Feb 16, 2009 Extra effort was needed to reach target vaccination rates of 95 per cent of the population, the Conference of Cantonal Health Directors said on Monday. The group vowed to work with the Federal Health Office to try to achieve target rates. It recommended health authorities study and “seriously consider” mandatory vaccination if current methods did…

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Ministers gain trust while rightwing party slips

This content was published on Feb 15, 2009 A survey released on Sunday and conducted on behalf of a Zurich-based newspaper asked 1,231 eligible voters between October and early February whether they wished the country’s ministers and politicians had more influence. For 78 per cent of the respondents the answer was “yes” for Finance Minister Hans-Rudolf Merz, who also holds the rotating presidency.…

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