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Tag: Switzerland

  • Switzerland reopens Iraqi embassy after 33 years

    Switzerland reopens Iraqi embassy after 33 years

    Switzerland has reopened its embassy in Iraq after 33 years.

    The embassy in Baghdad was closed during the 1991 Gulf War and unlike many other European missions there, it never reopened until now.

    The security situation has improved to such a degree after years of conflict that it is now safe to again have a presence in Iraq, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

    Iraq is playing an increasingly important role as a bridge-builder and mediator in the Middle East and one of the aims of the embassy is to strengthen bilateral relations, the statement added.

    “In recent years, Iraq has repeatedly campaigned for peace and security in the region,” it said.

    It says with its energy resources and economic diversification, Iraq offers interesting long-term export and investment opportunities for Swiss companies.”

  • Arrests ‘ll be made over reports I died in Switzerland – Ned Nwoko

    Arrests ‘ll be made over reports I died in Switzerland – Ned Nwoko

    Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta) has dismissed reports claiming that he died in Switzerland.

    Nwoko representing Delta North Senatorial District in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said that the reports were entirely false and malicious.

    ”In recent weeks, I have also been subjected to unwarranted insults and accusations regarding the purchase of a car for a little content creator.

    “These claims are baseless and misleading. Whether this is a misguided joke or a deliberate act of malice, it has gone too far and will not be tolerated.

    “I am taking immediate legal action against those spreading these falsehoods. Arrests will be made, and anyone involved should be prepared to face the consequences.

    “This is not a matter of influence; it is about holding those responsible accountable for their harmful actions.

    I will not tolerate any attempts to malign my character or to downplay the seriousness of this situation.

    “If you are involved in these activities, expect to face legal repercussions without delay,”  Nwoko warned.

  • Euro 2024: England beat Switzerland 5-4 on Penalties to reach last four

    Euro 2024: England beat Switzerland 5-4 on Penalties to reach last four

    The Three Lions of England on Saturday evening cruised into the semi-final of the ongoing Euro 2024 after defeating Switzerland 5-4 in Penalties.

    Both teams played goalless in the first half and only managed to score two dying minutes goals apiece to extend the game to extra time.

    Switzerland forward Embolo put the Swiss ahead inside 73rd minutes but England coach Southgate quickly made changes and it paid off .

    Bukayo Saka powered home a low drive that beat goalkeeper Sommes for an equalizer.

    All efforts by both teams to score in extra time proved abortive.

    England converted all their spot  kicks but Akanji  missed his spot kick to give the English an advantage.

    The results meant England have scaled through to the semi-finals of the tournament  for the second consecutive time.

    They will be playing either Netherlands or Turkey for a space in the final next week Wednesday.

  • Defending champions Italy crash out of Euro 2024

    Defending champions Italy crash out of Euro 2024

    The Azurris of Italy on Saturday evening crashed out of the ongoing Euro 2024 tournament holding in Germany after losing 2-0 to Switzerland.

    Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas scored the goals that propelled Switzerland to the quarter-finals, overcoming a surprisingly weak Italian team.

    In the 37th minute,  Freuler controlled a low cross with his first touch and volleyed the ball into the bottom corner from nine yards to register the first goal of the thrilling encounter.

    Upon resumption of second half, Vargas curled  an absolute beauty into the top corner in the 46th minute.

    All efforts to score or reduce the deficit proved abortive for the Italians.

    The results meant that defending Champions Italy are out of the tournament after failing to register a goal in the round of 16 cracker against Switzerland.

     

     

  • Euro 2024: See teams that have already qualified for knockout round

    Euro 2024: See teams that have already qualified for knockout round

    Four teams have already made it to the round of 16 at the ongoing Euro 2024 in Germany.

    Switzerland joined Germany and Spain on Sunday night to secure second round ticket after playing a 1-1 draw with the German Machine in Frankfurt.

    Ndoye’s goal was cancelled out by a late Fullkrug header.

    Germany finished top of Group A with seven points, while Switzerland progressed as runners-up with five points.

    Portugal and Spain have also qualified for the next round.

    Switzerland will take on the team that finishes second in Group B, while Germany faces the team that finishes second in Group C.

    Both matches are on Saturday.

    Portugal are waiting for the best third-placed team from Group A, B or C and Spain take on the best third-placed team from Group A, D, E or F.

  • Euro 2024: Shaqiri’s wonder strike against Scotland tipped as goal of the tournament

    Euro 2024: Shaqiri’s wonder strike against Scotland tipped as goal of the tournament

    Rafael van der Vaart  a former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has tipped Switzerland attacker, Xherdan Shaqiri’s wonder strike against Scotland as the best goal so far at the ongoing Euro 2024.

    Recall that Shaqiri recently scored a goal as Switzerland played a 1-1 draw against Scotland on Wednesday in Cologne.

    Switzerland had won their first 3-1 against Hungary before settling for a draw against Scotland.

    However, Van der Vaart picked Shaqiri’s brilliant left-footed curler as the best in the competition so far.

    The former Real Madrid star said (as per Madrid Xtra): “I think Shaqiri’s goal is the best goal of the EUROs so far.”

  • Shettima departs for World Economic Forum in Switzerland

    Shettima departs for World Economic Forum in Switzerland

    Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday departed Abuja to attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

    Shettima will join other political and business leaders from across the world for the week-long meeting, which will hold from Jan. 15–19, 2024.

    The Forum engages foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

    According to his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, in a statement issued in Abuja, the vice president will also co-chair the launch of the Private Sector Action Plan for African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA).

    He is also expected to hold high-level discussions with the Managing Director of International Finance Corporation (IFC), Makhtar Diop, and the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, among others.

    “Also on the sidelines of the annual meeting, Shettima will chair a roundtable dialogue on Nigeria’s economic path.

    “He will also attend a special session dedicated to building trust in the global energy transition programme,” Nkwocha added.

    The vice president is expected to return to Nigeria at the end of the meeting.

  • Israel v Palestine: Swiss government introduces law banning Hamas

    Israel v Palestine: Swiss government introduces law banning Hamas

    The government of the European nation of Switzerland, has announced that it would bring forward a draft law by the end of February explicitly banning Hamas activities or support for the Palestinian militant group within the country.

    “The Federal Council decided to draft a federal act banning Hamas, considering this to be the most appropriate response to the situation that has prevailed in the Middle East since October 7,” the government said in a statement.

    “The act will provide the federal authorities with the necessary tools to counter any Hamas activities or support for the organisation in Switzerland.”

    Recall that On October 7, Hamas gunmen launched the worst attack in Israel’s history that left around 1,200 people dead, most of them civilians, according to the Israeli government.

    Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups also took an estimated 240 Israelis and foreigners hostage.

    Israel declared war on Hamas, vowing to bring the hostages home and to destroy the militant group.

    It launched a major bombing campaign and ground offensive in Gaza, which, according to the Hamas government, has killed 14,100 people, thousands of them children.

    The seven-member Swiss government is formed by ministers from the four biggest parties, and lawmakers in parliament are likely to swing strongly behind the draft law, given the positions of the major parties.

    The hard-right Swiss People’s Party, the biggest in the country, has been strongly pushing for a ban.

    The Swiss government called Wednesday for respect for international humanitarian law and particularly the protection of civilians.

    It “reiterated its condemnation of the Hamas terrorist attacks in the strongest possible terms” and voiced “deep sorrow” for the thousands of civilians who have lost their lives since.

    Switzerland “recognises Israel’s right to ensure its own defence and security”, it added.

    “In view of the dramatic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, the Federal Council stresses the need to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access. Humanitarian pauses are necessary for this purpose.”

    Bern reiterated the need to restore the prospect of a political framework in the region, based on a two-state solution.

    “This approach is the only viable path towards ensuring that both the Palestinian and Israeli populations can coexist peacefully, securely and with dignity,” it said.

  • Senate President elected to IPU’s executive committee in Angola

    Senate President elected to IPU’s executive committee in Angola

    The President of the Senate and leader of Nigeria’s delegation at the 147th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly in Luanda, Angola, Godswill Akpabio, has been elected to the Executive Committee of the Union.

    This marks the first time Nigeria has secured such a position in 59 years, with the last election dating back to 1964.

    According to a statement from the Senate President’s Special Assistant (Media/Communication), Anietie Ekong, Senator Akpabio’s election to the Executive Committee was the result of overwhelming support from delegates worldwide.

    His appointment to this important position at the IPU’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, will hold for a three-year term.

    The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is a global organization established in 1889, uniting national parliaments worldwide and devoted to advancing peace through parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue.

    Over its 135-year history, the IPU has evolved into a truly international body, counting 179 member countries from the 193 nations around the globe.

    The IPU plays a crucial role in promoting parliamentary diplomacy, enabling parliaments and parliamentarians to foster global peace, democracy, and sustainable development.

    The 147th IPU Assembly took place in Luanda, Angola, from October 21 to October 27, 2023, and was hosted by the National Assembly of Angola.

    During this week-long assembly, the IPU deliberated on pressing global issues and explored strategies to enhance trust between citizens and governing bodies, improve the effectiveness, accountability, and representativeness of public institutions, and better equip parliaments to address the interconnected geopolitical, economic, and environmental challenges confronting the world.

  • Swiss brush up attacking plan for knockout game against Spain

    Swiss brush up attacking plan for knockout game against Spain

    Coach Inka Grings says the Swiss Women Football team have worked intensively this week on the offensive part of their game.

    Switzerland kept a clean sheet through the group stage of the Women’s World Cup but only scored two goals through three games.

    “This was definitely one of our focus points this week . . . it was something that we analysed intensively.

    “We talked through with the team and also take the offensive players, assertive players, bring them more into the team,” Grings told a news conference on Friday.

    Switzerland take on Spain in a FIFA Women’s World Cup Round of 16 game at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday.

    Grings’ 20th-ranked squad topped Group A in their second World Cup appearance, with a 2-0 win over the Philippines and scoreless draws with Norway and New Zealand.

    “Of course we have to be more assertive in that run towards the goal,” Grings said.

    “We have really understood that message and we have helped to convey that with videos.

    “I can also read from the body language from the players that it’s been quite an intensive week.”

    Sixth-ranked Spain, considered the favourites on Saturday, albeit in a tournament of numerous upsets so far, kicked off their campaign by beating Zambia and Costa Rica by a combined score of 8-0.

    But Japan ran roughshod over La Roja in a 4-0 victory to cap the group stage.

    “(Spain) have shown us weaknesses that we have analysed intensively with our team, however (Saturday) of course is a different match,” Grings said.

    “Spain has very strong players. We don’t want to focus and shouldn’t focus on just one player. We look at them as a compact and strong team.”

    The Swiss were ousted in the round of 16 in their only other World Cup appearance in 2015.

    The winner of Saturday’s match will play the winner of the Netherlands and South Africa next Thursday.