Switzerland

PNG invited for World Economic Forum

Prime Minister James Marape underscored the significance of this invitation from WEF Founder and Executive Chairman, Professor Klaus Schwab.

He said notably, this stands as a testament to PNG’s increasing prominence on the global stage.

The WEF Annual Meeting serves as a global assembly of leaders from government, business, and civil society, fostering discussions on the current state of the world and setting priorities for the year ahead.

Hat-trick hero Ramos propels six-goal Portugal into quarter-finals

  • Goncalo Ramos scored three on first international startPepe, Raphael Guerreiro and Rafael Leao on target in statement Portugal display
  • Fernando Santos's team face Morocco in last eight on Saturday
  • Portugal 6-1 Switzerland

Goals

Portugal: Goncalo Ramos (17, 51, 67), Pepe (33), Guerreiro (55), Leao (90+2)

Switzerland: Akanji (58)

Switzerland votes to make same-sex marriage legal by near two-thirds majority

According to results provided by the Swiss federal chancellery, 64.1 percent of voters voted in favour of same-sex marriage in the nationwide referendum that was conducted under Switzerland's system of direct democracy.

"We are very happy and relieved," said Antonia Hauswirth of the national committee 'Marriage for All', adding supporters would celebrate in Switzerland's capital Bern on Sunday.

Amnesty International said in a statement that opening civil marriage to same-sex couples was a "milestone for equality".

Sweden 1 Switzerland 0

The first meeting between the nations at a major tournament simmered in the St Petersburg sunshine until Forsberg's fortunate strike handed Sweden a crucial lead.

The RB Leipzig playmaker's tame 66th-minute effort was heading straight at Yann Sommer until Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji stuck out a foot, sending the ball looping beyond his wrong-footed goalkeeper.

Switzerland 2 Costa Rica 2

Brazil's win over Serbia in the night's other Group E game means that Vladimir Petkovic's side finish second in the pool and will take on Sweden in St Petersburg on Tuesday.

Switzerland – whose last-gasp win over Serbia in their second game set them up for progression to the knockout stages – were second best for large periods against their already eliminated opponents, but did take the lead just after the half-hour mark.

Scientist, 104, ends his life in Switzerland

The lauded London-born ecologist and botanist, who was not terminally ill, said the decision had been driven by his deteriorating quality of life.

Mr Goodall had flown from Australia for his assisted suicide, attracting the attention of people around the world.

Shortly before his death, he said he was "happy to end" his life.

"My life has been rather poor for the past year or so and I'm very happy to end it," he said, surrounded by several family members.

Pacific concern relayed at UN over West Papua abuses

The 34th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, was told that Indonesia has not curtailed or halted various widespread violations.

Vanuatu's Justice Minister Ronald Warsal was speaking on behalf of his country and six other Pacific nations: Tonga, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands, and Solomon Islands

Swiss Muslim girls must learn to swim with boys, court rules

It said authorities were justified in giving precedence to enforcing "the full school curriculum" and the children's "successful integration" into society.

The ECHR acknowledged that religious freedom was being interfered with.

But judges said it did not amount to a violation.

The case was brought by two Swiss nationals, of Turkish origin, who refused to send their teenage daughters to the compulsory mixed lessons in the city of Basel.

Equatorial Guinea's VP Obiang's cars seized in Switzerland

Teodorin Obiang Nguema, the son of the country's president, is accused of money laundering. He has not commented.

Swiss authorities have seized 11 cars in total.

Among them was reportedly a Porsche valued at more than $830,000 (£667,000) and a Bugatti Veyron which sells for $2m (£1.7m).

The accused is due in court next year in France on similar charges, which he denies.

Prosecutors in Geneva say he has plundered his country's oil wealth to buy luxuries, including a private jet and Michael Jackson memorabilia.

FIFA bribery suspect agrees his extradition to Nicaragua

However, Rocha's consent to a request by Nicaraguan authorities can only proceed with the approval of the United States, which also seeks his extradition.

Swiss justice department spokesman Folco Galli says it is "for the U.S. authorities to state whether or not they agree to Nicaragua being given priority."

If American officials refuse to let Rocha return home, the Swiss justice ministry will decide which extradition request to grant, Galli says in a statement.