News stories by Ray Smith

BERN, Switzerland, Mar 13 (IPS) - Switzerland has eased its restrictions on arms exports - in order to save a few thousand workplaces. Critics fear that Switzerland's credibility as an international peace broker will now suffer.

ZURICH, Switzerland, Feb 23 (IPS) - Swiss voters have approved an initiative by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) aimed at limiting immigration. The result not only threatens the free movement of people, but all agreements between Switzerland and the European Union.

BERN, Switzerland, Feb 15 (IPS) - A ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in relation to a Turkish national has kicked up a new row on anti-racism legislation.

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 24 (IPS) - As self-appointed global leaders gather at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos and discuss ‘The Reshaping of the World', a stone's throw away non-governmental organisations named this year's winners for their dreaded Public Eye Awards.

LUCERNE, Switzerland, Jan 23 (IPS) - Switzerland facilitated family reunification for Syrians in September. So far, more than 1,100 Syrian refugees have benefited from the programme, while thousands are waiting at Swiss embassies in the region, hoping for a similar chance. Surprised by these numbers, Switzerland put an end to the programme.

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 22 (IPS) - With no acute crisis on the radar, this year's Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) will move away from the response mode of the past years and "look for solutions for the really fundamental issues," its founder Klaus Schwab said at the pre-meeting press conference.

BERN, Oct 29 (IPS) - Swiss voters will decide Nov. 24 on introducing a salary cap that would limit the wage spread in companies to 1:12. The economic lobby is nervous - success for the proposal in the referendum is not as unrealistic as once expected.

ZUG, Switzerland, Oct 15 (IPS) - A Swiss village has decided to reject tax money from the firm Glencore and to instead donate it to charities. Other towns may follow, sending a strong signal to the government to follow the U.S. and the EU and introduce transparency rules for the extractive industry.

LUCERNE, Switzerland, Sep 12 (IPS) - Refugee rights organisations are demanding an EU-wide temporary protection regime for Syrian refugees. The announcement by some countries that they can take a few thousand refugees is not enough, the groups say.

LUCERNE, Switzerland, Aug 28 (IPS) - Water power is the backbone of Alpine countries' energy supply. Despite its important role in Europe's energy shift, further development of hydroelectric infrastructure in Austria and Switzerland is on hold.