Switzerland

Swiss neutrality means paying VAT on drugs and sex

Swiss neutrality means paying VAT on drugs and sex Geneva - A court in Switzerland ruled Thursday that value added tax must be paid for all things sold, even prostitution, dismissing a claim by a brothel owner.

The owner, who was told by the tax authorities to pay 95,000 Swiss francs (84,640 dollars) in VAT on the services she proffered, claimed the government could not tax "immoral" acts.

UEFA accuses Macedonian club of match-fixing

UEFA accuses Macedonian club of match-fixinNyon, Switzerland - The president of Macedonian club Pobeda as well as a player have been charged for match-fixing, UEFA announced Thursday.

"UEFA has announced today that the Macedonian club FK Pobeda, its president and one player have been charged for being in breach of the principles of integrity and sportsmanship by manipulating the outcome of a UEFA match to gain an undue advantage for themselves and a third party," said European football's ruling body in a statement.

IATA : Passenger traffic plummets in February

IATA : Passenger traffic plummets in February Geneva - Air passenger traffic in February dropped by 10.1 per cent, following a trend of declines in recent months, The International Air Transport Association said Thursday.

A 5.9 reduction in capacity last month, deemed by the association to be "the most aggressive since the crisis began," was not able to keep pace with the continued decline in passenger travel.

Also, international freight volumes were 22.1 per cent below 2008 levels, the third consecutive month of such steep declines.

Geneva regional bank reports lower profits, but large net inflows

Geneva regional bank reports lower profits, but large net inflows Geneva - Banque Cantonale de Geneve on Wednesday reported a record drop in profits last year, news that was counterbalanced by data showing a boost in the amount of funds deposited.

Profits at the regional publicly traded bank fell by 11.6 per cent to 68.1 million Swiss francs (60.3 million dollars), the bank reported.

However, it also reported 12,600 new clients, more than double the amount of a normal year, and a 930-million-franc increase in client funds deposited.

UN expert: Somalis are victims of the "most terrible" rights abuses

UN expert: Somalis are victims of the "most terrible" rights abuses Geneva - Somalia is the scene of one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world and its citizens have been victims "of most terrible human rights and humanitarian law abuses," the United Nations expert on the east African country said Wednesday.

Globally 19 UN staff members missing, captive, UN says

Globally 19 UN staff members missing, captive, UN says Geneva- The United Nations was marking Tuesday the 50th day that John Solecki, who worked for the organization in Quetta, Pakistan, was being held in captivity.

Solecki was abducted on February 2 this year, in an attack that killed another UN staff member. His health was said to be deteriorating and the UN was worried about his medical condition.

Currently, 19 UN staff members are under arrest, detained or missing, around the world, said UNHCR, the refugee agency that employs Solecki.

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