Switzerland

UN says Jewish student groups disrupting anti-racism conference

UN says Jewish student groups disrupting anti-racism conference Geneva - Two European Jewish student groups have been "particularly" disruptive during the Durban Review Conference on racism in Geneva, a United Nations official said Wednesday.

Rupert Colville from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights noted that so far 46 people have had their accreditation revoked since the start of the conference on Monday, mostly from non-governmental organizations and one from the media.

UN racism conference continues with resolution already in hand

UN racism conference continues with resolution already in hand Geneva - The United Nations Durban Review Conference on racism entered its third day Wednesday with delegates having already adopted by consensus the outcome document which calls upon all states to fight racism, intolerance and discrimination.

The declaration was adopted Tuesday afternoon after no state attending the conference in Geneva voiced objection to the text, which was drafted over several months and included compromises to satisfy as many governments as possible.

Nestle reports diminished first quarter sales

Nestle reports diminished first quarter sales Geneva - Nestle Group announced Tuesday its first quarter sales dropped 2.1 per cent from the same period last year to 25.2 billion Swiss francs (21.56 billion dollars).

The company said it achieved organic growth of 3.8 per cent in the quarter and was on track to meet its goals of "at least" 5 per cent organic growth this year.

Organic growth, which does not take into account currency effects and acquisitions, was nearly 10 per cent in the first quarter of last year.

Platini calls for tough action against racism

Platini calls for tough action against racismNyon, Switzerland - Europe's governing football body UEFA on Tuesday called for tough action against racism in football stadiums and said they would not rule out abandoning matches.

"It is our wish that matches are interrupted for ten minutes if there are racist chants in a stadium. There should also be stadium announcements. If the chants continue the game should be abandoned," UEFA President Michel Platini said.

"We need to be brave when there is racism on the terraces. That is UEFA's brief."

Schumacher calls off superbike start following crash

Schumacher calls off superbike start following crashGivrins, Switzerland - Former Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher has called off a planned start this weekend in the German superbike series, saying he was still feeling the effects of a crash two months ago.

The record seven-time F1 champion was due to compete in the first race of the German IDM series at the Lausitzring in eastern Germany.

"Unfortunately I have had to call it off because I am not yet ready," he told German Press Agency dpa in Givrins, Switzerland.

Credit Suisse to compensate more clients exposed to Lehman

Credit Suisse to compensate more clients exposed to LehmanZurich  - Credit Suisse said Tuesday it would compensate more clients who invested in Lehman Brothers' financial products, which have lost all their value since the investment bank's collapse last September.

A deal was reached with the Swiss consumer group Federation Romande des Consommateurs for clients who had assets up to 500,000 Swiss francs (427,758 dollars) as of August 31 last year and had invested over 20 per cent of those assets in capital-protected Lehman products.

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