Swiss Press Mix
Swiss - U.S. Issues
Federal Council approves tax compliance deal with U.S. The SVP party announced that it will resist the agreement
The government has decided to sign a controversial deal with the United States aimed at cracking down on wealthy American tax dodgers. The accord further undermines Switzerland’s tradition of banking secrecy.
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/Cabinet_approves_tax_compliance_deal_with_US.html?cid=34978646
Ab 2014 sollen Schweizer Banken Daten von US-Kunden den US-Behörden melden müssen. Der Bundesrat will das Steuergesetz Fatca unterzeichnen und in die Vernehmlassung schicken. Die SVP kündigt Widerstand an.
http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/schweiz/standard/Gruenes-Licht-fuer-FatcaAbkommen/story/10259981
Article on free trade agreement planned between the U.S. and the EU. If it is signed, this may lead to discrimination against Swiss exports
Die USA und die EU planen das grösste Handelsabkommen überhaupt. Die Schweiz hat die Verhandlungen mit den USA hingegen vor Jahren auf Eis gelegt – sie konzentriert sich auf den Freihandel mit China.
Swiss - Global Issues
Switzerland prepares to sit at G20 head table
For the first time Switzerland is taking part in meetings of the finance ministers and central bank governors of the G20 group of the world’s most economically powerful countries thanks to support from Russia, which holds the G20 presidency.
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/Switzerland_prepares_to_sit_at_G20_head_table.html?cid=34965482
Swiss - European Issues
Horsemeat scandal gallops on to Switzerland
Coop, Switzerland’s second-largest supermarket chain, has confirmed that traces of horse were found in its own-brand beef lasagne, produced by the French company Comigel implicated in the “horsegate” scandal that is making headlines across Europe.
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_news/Horsemeat_scandal_gallops_on_to_Switzerland.html?cid=34982554
Swiss Domestic Issues
Politics
The Swiss Federation makes CHF 1.3 billion: for the fourth time in a row, the Federation achieves a budget surplus
Das vierte Mal in Folge weist der Haushalt der Eidgenossenschaft einen Überschuss auf. Im Jahr 2012 waren die Einnahmen 1,3 Milliarden Franken höher als die Ausgaben.
Air Force aerobatic team to be scrapped?
The defence ministry plans to clip the wings of the prestigious Patrouille Suisse aerobatic team for financial reasons.
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_news/Air_Force_aerobatic_team_to_be_scrapped.html?cid=34976736
Mortgage lending restriction irritates banks
The Swiss government has come under fire after forcing banks to set aside more capital to cover the risk of mortgage loan defaults. The February 13 decision was prompted by fears of a bubble in property prices bursting.
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/Mortgage_lending_restriction_irritates_banks.html?cid=34979026
Homeowners sitting on a mountain of debt
Usually seen as prudent and cautious, the Swiss are currently among the most indebted homeowners in the world. The tax system and market conditions are fuelling the mortgage boom and the powers that be are starting to worry.
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_news/Homeowners_sitting_on_a_mountain_of_debt.html?cid=34957624
Economy/Finance
It’s a family affair
Switzerland is the best place in Europe to have a family business, according to a study by the German Centre for European Economic Research. FKG Dental Products is one such family firm.
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/It_s_a_family_affair.html?cid=34877560
Franc cap remains “valid” policy
The president of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) has reaffirmed the central bank’s determination to keep the Swiss franc cap in place for as long as needed. Thomas Jordan said he expected the currency to continue easing against the euro in 2013.
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/Franc_cap_remains_valid_policy.html?cid=34969074
Nestlé made a profit of CHF 10.6 billion in 2012
Nestlé a annoncé avoir dégagé l’an dernier un bénéfice net en hausse de 11,6% à 10,6 à milliards de francs. Le chiffre d’affaires du groupe alimentaire vaudois a lui augmenté de 10,2% à 92,2 milliards.
http://www.tdg.ch/economie/nestle-affiche-benefice-net-106-milliards-francs-2012/story/10630061
Profits sank by 15% for ABB Group in the past year
Le groupe technologique ABB a vu son bénéfice reculer de 15% l'an dernier à 2,5 milliards de francs. Le chiffre d'affaire est lui en hausse.
http://www.tdg.ch/economie/entreprises/benefice-2012-baisse-groupe-abb/story/22126215
The U.S. in the Swiss Press
Tribune De Geneve Blog on the economic situation in the U.S.
Et là on atteint des sommet dans la difficulté. J'ai beau lire et relire mes sites préférés dans tous les sens, il manque un soupçon de passion et une louche d'intérêt dans le marché en ce moment.
http://morningbull.blog.tdg.ch/
Giant fusion in the U.S. sky: The boards of American Airlines and U.S. Airways have approved the consolidation
Les conseils d'administration des compagnies aériennes American Airlines et US Airways ont approuvé leur fusion. Cette décision permet la naissance au plus grand géant mondial de l'aviation.
http://www.tdg.ch/economie/fusion-geante-ciel-americain/story/11722295
Politics
Pressure builds for Keystone decision after Obama speech
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Environmentalists and industry groups ramped up efforts on Wednesday to influence the White House's decision on the Keystone XL pipeline project, a day after President Barack Obama said he would take action to curb climate-warming emissions.
Opinion Piece: "Obama wants to get things going in the area of climate change"
Après avoir essuyé le refus d'un projet de loi sur l'énergie en 2009, le président américain repart en campagne contre le réchauffement climatique. L’analyse de Dominique Bourg, professeur à l’Uni de Lausanne.
http://www.tdg.ch/savoirs/environnement/obama-veut-bouger-choses-climat/story/20304406
Drone pilots honoured: For the first time in history, the U.S. awards Medals to soldiers who never set foot in a war zone
Erstmals verleihen die USA Auszeichnungen für Soldaten, die nie einen Fuss in ein Kampfgebiet gesetzt haben. Es ist der erste neue Orden seit 1944.
http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/ausland/amerika/Neuer-Orden-fuer-Drohnenpiloten/story/27339392
Foreign Affairs
According to the watchdog group that monitors the Afghan funds, the U.S. should hit the "pause" button on Afghan aid
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government should reconsider whether to spend more on reconstruction aid in Afghanistan, the U.S. watchdog that monitors the funds said on Wednesday, citing Afghanistan's persistent corruption and inability to manage projects as U.S. troops withdraw.
International Issues
Germany
German economy shrinks 0.6 percent in fourth quarter on weak exports
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's economy shrank by 0.6 percent in the final quarter of 2012, its deepest contraction since the height of the global financial crisis in 2009 as exports slowed at the end of the year, seasonally-adjusted data showed on Thursday.
Syria
Syrian troops bombard rebel posts around capital
AMMAN (Reuters) - President Bashar al-Assad's forces bombarded the southeast of Damascus with air strikes and artillery on Wednesday to try and dislodge rebel fighters who have gained a foothold in the Syrian capital, opposition activists said.
South Korea / North Korea
South Korea unveils missile it says can hit North's leaders
SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea unveiled a cruise missile on Thursday that it said can hit the office of North Korea's leaders, trying to address concerns that it is technologically behind its unpredictable rival which this week conducted its third nuclear test.
Russia
Suicide bomber kills three police in Russian Caucasus
MOSCOW (Reuters) - A suicide bomber killed three policemen and injured another six at a police security checkpoint early on Thursday, Russian investigators said, in the volatile North Caucasus region, where the Kremlin is fighting to staunch an Islamist insurgency.
Israel / Australia
Israel publishes some details as Australian spy mystery deepens
JERUSALEM/CANBERRA (Reuters) - Israel broke its official silence on Wednesday over the reported suicide in jail of an Australian immigrant recruited to its spy service Mossad, giving limited details about a closely guarded case that has raised questions in Israel and Australia.