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by Kacem El Ghazzali,* Switzerland
(9 May 2025) I love Sechseläuten. And I love roasting sausages over embers with a can of beer in my hand while the flames completely consume the “Böögg”. True Sechseläuten fans are not afraid of the hot embers. They persevere. Because it is precisely this collective experience of persevering together that is the magic of this unique Zurich ritual.
(9 May 2025) Interview with former Federal Councillor Christoph Blocher*, questions by Christoph Pfluger**
Christoph Pfluger: Neutrality is primarily understood in military terms, but as we are now seeing, it also has an economic component. How do you see it?
by Jeffrey D. Sachs,* USA
(2 May 2025) President Donald Trump is again loudly complaining that the US military bases in Asia are too costly for the US to bear. As part of the new round of tariff negotiations with Japan and Korea, Trump is calling on Japan and Korea to pay for stationing the US troops. Here’s a much better idea: close the bases and return the US servicemen to the US.
by Pascal Lottaz,* Japan
(2 May 2025) (CH-S) In recent weeks, pressure on Switzerland to join the European NATO alliance has increased enormously. Germany and France, as our country’s direct neighbours, as well as the United Kingdom, as a former world power, and the EU leadership want to urgently shift Europe towards a war economy and a state of readiness for war. Billions are being made available for this purpose. For them, war against Russia seems inevitable.
by Pope Francis†
(2 May 2025) (CH-S) Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis tireless worked for peace all over the world. His last homily was read out in his presence before the Easter blessing “Urbi et Orbi”. The Pope entrusted this task to his master of ceremonies, Archbishop Diego Giovanni Ravelli. For many, believers and non-believers alike, this sermon expresses his unwavering commitment to a more peaceful world.
by Alain Pichard,* Switzerland
(2 May 2025) Muslim fathers refusing to shake hands with female teachers hardly attracts any public attention anymore. And that’s a good thing! Firstly, the vast majority of Muslims in Switzerland have no problem whatsoever with what we consider to be a simple greeting ritual. Secondly, debates about handshakes usually lead to fruitless discussions about symbols, which distract us from the serious issues at hand.