Zurich

Swiss government opposes push for national burqa ban

Geneva - Muslimchronicle

The Swiss government on Wednesday opposed an initiative aimed at creating a nationwide burqa ban, saying it was up to the regions to determine if such a ban was appropriate. Swiss voters will eventually be called to vote on the initiative "Yes to a ban on face coverings", presented last September by a committee run by a memberRead more

Global disaster costs in 2017 to hit $306 billion

Zurich - Muslimchronicle

Total economic losses from natural and man-made disasters in 2017 are estimated to be $306 billion, up from $188 billion last year, reinsurance firm Swiss Re said Wednesday. "The US was hardest hit, including by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, which have made 2017 the second costliest hurricane season" after 2005, the company said. source: AFPRead more

Russian bobsledder banned over doping

Zurich - Muslimchronicle

Russian bobsledder Alexey Voevoda has been given a life ban from the Olympics for anti-doping violations at the Sochi Games where he won two gold medals, the International Olympic Committee IOC) said on Monday. The decision comes two weeks after the IOC banned Russia from next year’s Pyeongchang Winter Olympics for what it called “unprecedented systematic manipulation” of the anti-doping system. The IOC, however,Read more

ANZ Bank sells life insurance arm to Zurich for US$2.14 bn

Sydney - Muslimchronicle

ANZ Bank said Tuesday it has offloaded its life insurance arm to Zurich for Aus$2.85 billion (US$2.14 billion), making the Swiss giant the country's largest retail life insurer by premiums. It follows National Australia Bank selling most of its life insurance business to Japan's Nippon and Commonwealth Bank shedding its insurance arm to AIA in recent years as Australia's topRead more

FIFA bans Caribbean FA chief for six years

Zurich - Muslimchronicle

FIFA suspended Caribbean Football Union president Gordon Derrick from the sport for six years on Tuesday after he was found guilty of several ethics violations. Derrick becomes the latest in a long line of football executives sanctioned by FIFA's ethics committee, which has thrown dozens of people out of the sport over graft. In a statement, FIFA said the caseRead more

Miller-Uibo shocks Schippers and Thompson in 200m

Zurich - Muslimchronicle

Bahamas' Shaunae Miller-Uibo stunned world champion Dafne Schippers and Olympic gold medallist Elaine Thompson to win the women's 200m at the Diamond League final on Thursday. Miller-Uibo, who was only third in the event at the recent world championships in London, won in a time of 21.88sec ahead of Thompson (22.00) and Marie-Josee Ta Lou of the Ivory Coast (22.09),Read more

Austrian minister: Fighting tax evasion will be EC presidency priority

Zurich - Muslimchronicle

Pushing forward European and international measures to prevent profit shifting and international tax fraud will be a top priority for Austria’s European Council presidency in the second half of 2018, Austrian Finance Minister Hans Joerg Schelling said on Saturday. “The cross-border fight against tax fraud and tax avoidance is a top priority for me,” Schelling said in a statement followingRead more

Spanish federation boss Villar resigns from FIFA, UEFA

Zurich - Muslimchronicle

Suspended Spanish football federation (RFEF) boss Angel Maria Villar has resigned from his senior roles with FIFA and UEFA following his arrest in Spain last week, the global and European soccer bodies said on Thursday. Villar, his son Gorka and two other football federation executives were detained on July 18 on allegations of collusion, embezzlement and falsifying documents. Villar, whoRead more

Swatch says profits up in first half

Zurich - AFP

Swiss watchmaker Swatch said Friday that its profits rose in the first six months, but its performance was dampened by the strength of the Swiss franc. "The overvalued Swiss franc dampened growth in the first half of the year," Swatch said in its first half report. "As in the previous year, the first half of 2017 was characterised by worldwideRead more

FIFA poised to seal Qatar Airways deal

Zurich - AFP

FIFA could seal a major partnership deal with Qatar Airways within weeks, a source said on Friday, the same day football's corruption-tainted world body announced a $369 million loss. "We hope to confirm it in the next few months, perhaps before the congress in Bahrain (May 10-11)," the source close to FIFA said in Zurich. The contract between FIFA andRead more