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Swiss Politics

Arab anger inflamed by suffering in Gaza

This content was published on Dec 31, 2008 As Arab foreign ministers meet in Cairo to seek a common position in response to the Israeli attacks, Syrian-based Swiss journalist Karin Wenger tells swissinfo about the public outrage felt across the Arab world. Hamas said on Wednesday it was prepared to study proposals for a ceasefire that would require Israel to halt attacks and…

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Caution urged as Taser law comes into force

This content was published on Dec 31, 2008 Amnesty International says the guns have been known to kill people and should only be used as a last resort and under strict conditions. Taser guns were approved as part of a new law applicable from January 1 governing the use of force by federal police and border guards. It aims to ensure a minimum…

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Swiss to increase humanitarian aid for Gaza

This content was published on Dec 30, 2008 A ministry statement described the acts of violence as “intensifying the suffering of the civil population”. The statement added that the ministry was “following the situation in the Gaza Strip with concern”. “Given the precarious human rights situation, in particular problems of medical treatment for the injured and food provision, it is ready to make…

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Black ravens warn against EU treaty

This content was published on Dec 30, 2008 In February voters will have the final say on a parliamentary decision to prolong an accord aimed at easing access to the labour market and extend it to Romania and Bulgaria. The government, business community, trade unions and most political parties argue the labour accord – also known as the free movement of people agreement…

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Swiss Politics

Tehran, Tripoli, Tbilisi mark 2008 foreign policy

This content was published on Dec 30, 2008 Mediation and efforts to broker peace deals in the Caucasus region, in Latin America and Africa played an important part of Swiss government activities abroad. However, the government’s foreign policy decisions and particularly Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey’s appearance on the international stage ruffled a few feathers. In February Switzerland recognised the independence of the breakaway…

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Review finds social policies lacking

This content was published on Dec 29, 2008 The 2009 Social Almanac, published by the Christian charity Caritas, says Switzerland failed to make enough welfare provisions during its recent boom years. The review says in recent years there has been a dismantling of the social security system, increased pressure to integrate with other systems without taking into account the market’s capacity for providing…

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Swiss Politics

Air strikes stretch Gaza hospitals to limits

This content was published on Dec 29, 2008 Strikes by Israeli forces have killed at least 300 people and left more than 950 wounded since Saturday, according to Palestinian officials. The Geneva-based ICRC said the influx of casualties had put a tremendous strain on Gaza’s already overburdened hospitals, which are in “dire need” of medical equipment. Stocks of supplies and medicines were already…

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Swiss Politics

Party politics and bailout package shaped 2008

This content was published on Dec 29, 2008 Voters had the final say on a series of policy issues, but they confirmed their conservative reputation by throwing out most of the proposals, including tougher citizenship rules and pension and health insurance reforms. The year 2008 in politics was already drawing to a close when parliament approved a financial rescue plan – including a…

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Swiss Politics

Competition among charities harms the cause

This content was published on Dec 28, 2008 Among the world’s highest per capita donors, Swiss residents give some SFr800 million ($737 million) to charity every year, attracting the interest and activity of foreign organisations, Roland Jeanneret of Swiss Solidarity told swissinfo. Jeanneret is head of communications for the fundraising arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, which works alongside 35 Swiss partner charities.…

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Government calls Israeli attacks “excessive”

This content was published on Dec 27, 2008 The foreign ministry acknowledged that Israel has a right to protect itself but condemned Saturday’s attacks on Gaza City as “excessive”. The ministry has called for a ceasefire from all sides and for humanitarian supplies to be allowed into the blockaded area immediately. The Israeli military launched the attacks against Hamas targets in Gaza as…

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