Switzerland

November 6, 2024 4:15 PM

Swiss ‘burqa ban’ to take effect from 2025

A contentious Swiss prohibition on facial coverings in public spaces widely known as the "burqa ban" will take effect on Jan. 1, the government said on Wednesday. Narrowly passed in a 2021 referendum in neutral Switzerland, and condemned by Muslim associations, the measure was launched by the same group that organised a 2009 ban on new minarets. The governing Federal Council said in a statement it had fixed the start of the ban, and that anyone who unlawfully flouts it faces a fine of up to 1,...

September 16, 2024 3:24 PM

EAM Jaishankar addresses women’s safety concerns in Geneva

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raised significant concerns about women's safety and crimes against women while addressing the Indian diaspora in Geneva on Friday. During his speech, he highlighted the recent tragic incident at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital, where a second-year postgraduate medical student was raped and murdered on August 9. Jaishankar quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reflections on societal attitudes towards women, questioning whether similar precautions are extende...

June 15, 2024 4:10 PM

US VP announces $1.5 billion for aid for Ukraine at peace summit in Switzerland

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced more than $1.5 billion in aid in part for Ukraine's energy sector and its humanitarian situation as a result of Russia's 27-month invasion of Ukraine. The announcement was made as Harris attended a Ukraine peace summit in Lucerne, Switzerland, where she was to meet Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and address the summit's plenary session. The $1.5 billion includes $500 million in new funding for energy assistance and the redirecting of $324 mill...

June 7, 2024 3:59 PM

PM Modi thanks leaders of Indonesia, Switzerland for congratulating him on LS election win

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed gratitude to the leaders of Indonesia and Switzerland for congratulating him on his party's resounding victory in India's general elections. PM Modi responded to Amherd in a post on X saying, "President @ViolaPamherd, we appreciate your kind words. The 'Festival of Democracy' in India has indeed drawn global attention. We will work together to enhance the India-Switzerland partnership". The Swiss leader had earlier congratulated PM Modi, calling...

May 16, 2024 10:43 AM

Dozens of countries sign up for Ukraine peace summit, Switzerland says

A summit that Switzerland hopes will pave the way for a peace process in Ukraine has drawn delegations from more than 50 countries, Swiss President Viola Amherd said on Wednesday. The neutral Swiss government was seeking a broad-based turnout from different parts of the world, and 160 invitations were sent, Amherd said at a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz after the two met in Berlin. Switzerland wants to persuade more countries from the so-called Global South as well as Chin...

May 12, 2024 3:54 PM

Switzerland wins Eurovision Song Contest amid Gaza protests

Switzerland on Saturday won the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Swedish host city Malmo, beating runner-up Croatia, after having been among bookmakers' top-three to win the competition. Billed as a feel-good celebration of European diversity, this year's contest has been thrust into the political spotlight with calls for Israel to be excluded over its military campaign in Gaza, triggered by Hamas' deadly attack on Oct. 7 in Israel. Swiss rapper and singer Nemo, 24, won the contest with "The ...