Swiss Politics

Financial rescue plan under political scrutiny

This content was published on Dec 8, 2008 The House of Representatives agreed in principle on Monday to accept the Swiss National Bank’s cash injection of SFr6 billion ($5 billion) and $54 billion government loan, with 116 votes in favour and 55 against the UBS bailout. Parliamentarians debated the issue for nearly seven hours. The plan will go before the Senate on Tuesday.…

Swiss Politics

National Day explosive suspect released

This content was published on Dec 8, 2008 The Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona overturned an appeal by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office for his continued detention. But magistrates ordered the suspect, in prison since January, to surrender his Irish, Canadian and Japanese papers on release and attend a police station every week. The 35-year-old is suspected of having planted an explosive device on…

Swiss Politics

Aid boost wins consent by parliament

This content was published on Dec 8, 2008 But it made the financial boost conditional on the government presenting a plan next year on how to finance the increase. The Senate on Monday decided to limit multilateral development aid to 40 per cent – in line with a decision by the House of Representatives – and gave preference to bilateral aid. Both parliamentary…

Swiss Politics

Ammann flies further in Norway

This content was published on Dec 7, 2008 At Sunday’s event in Trondheim, Norway, the Swiss jumper beat his rivals with a total of 280.2 points. Finland’s Matti Hautamäki finished second with 278.3 and Schlierenzauer’s 274.8 took third place. On Saturday, Ammann ended fifth, only managing 271.3 points. The 27-year-old Swiss admitted to feeling ill but had obviously recovered sufficiently by Sunday to…

Swiss Politics

Fowl findings surprise veterinary officials

This content was published on Dec 7, 2008 According to a report in the Sunday newspaper, SonntagsZeitung, the Federal Veterinary Office has called a crisis meeting of food and health experts, as well as poultry producers, for December 18. A spokesman told the SonntagsZeitung that the veterinary office was surprised by the results of the unpublished study, expecting only half as many chickens…

Swiss Politics

Switzerland’s new man in Geneva talks politics

This content was published on Dec 7, 2008 Martinelli, who recently took over from Blaise Godet as head of the Swiss mission in Geneva, returns to Switzerland after four years in Beijing as ambassador to China. The Swiss-Italian diplomat also has extensive experience of the European Union, notably as ambassador and head of the Swiss mission to the European Union in Brussels from…

Swiss Politics

Finding a “rightful place” for human rights

This content was published on Dec 5, 2008 Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey announced the Agenda for Human Rights in Geneva as part of celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The panel will comprise eight experts including former UN rights commissioner Mary Robinson as well as an expert from Geneva University. The programme identifies key issues…

Swiss Politics

Cabinet issues executive pay counterproposal

This content was published on Dec 5, 2008 In a statement released on Friday, the government said that revisions of company and accounting laws reflected the need for improved corporate governance, but said that its actions went further. “Compared with the initiative, the proposed revision is more comprehensive and essentially covers all joint-stock companies under Swiss law – not just those whose equities…

Swiss Politics

ICRC boosts aid for Zimbabwean cholera victims

This content was published on Dec 5, 2008 Humanitarian agencies say that the disease has claimed more than 560 lives, and more than 12,500 cases have been reported. The Swiss-led ICRC, which is based in Geneva, says more than 13 tonnes of medical supplies have arrived at Harare airport from its regional logistics centre in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. They include a complete…

Swiss Politics

Swiss sign treaty banning cluster bombs

This content was published on Dec 4, 2008 The Convention on Cluster Munitions, signed at a ceremony in Oslo on Wednesday, lacks the support of the world’s big users and producers including the United States, China and Russia, who have so far refused to endorse the agreement. Switzerland was one of 93 countries to sign the convention prohibiting the weapons, which are often…

Swiss Politics

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Swiss Politics

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Financial rescue plan under political scrutiny

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National Day explosive suspect released

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Aid boost wins consent by parliament

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Ammann flies further in Norway

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Fowl findings surprise veterinary officials

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Switzerland’s new man in Geneva talks politics

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Finding a “rightful place” for human rights

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Cabinet issues executive pay counterproposal

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ICRC boosts aid for Zimbabwean cholera victims

More

Swiss sign treaty banning cluster bombs

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