Switzerland temporarily closes its embassy in Iran
"In view of the intensity of military operations in Iran and the highly unstable situation on the ground, the FDFA has decided to temporarily close the Swiss embassy in Tehran," the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LBCI
8 hours ago
- LBCI
Mandatory military service for Lebanon's youth: Solution or just a dream?
Report by Lara El Hachem, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian In Singapore, one of the world's most developed and wealthiest countries, young people who turn 18 face two options: perform military service or opt for civil service if they cannot complete military training for health reasons. Civil service involves working in government institutions or non-governmental organizations. Both options fall under national service, which lasts between 22 and 24 months. Switzerland, considered one of the most stable countries in the world, follows a similar model, with a service period ranging between 18 and 21 weeks. These services are not unpaid. The state provides allowances, which do not match regular salaries but serve as compensation for the period of service. In Lebanon, however, ongoing security disruptions, social problems, and rising unemployment led to the suspension of mandatory military service in 2005. One key reason was that an entire year of a young man's life would be devoted to service for only symbolic compensation. Political pressures and regional electoral considerations also played a role. Today, Lebanon is considering a model inspired by Switzerland and Singapore through a draft law introduced by MP Adib Abdel Massih, titled 'National Service.' But how does it differ from the Singaporean and Swiss systems? First, it does not set an age limit. It is open to any young man or woman who wishes to join a state institution according to their specialization, whether a student or a retiree. The army has already begun implementing this by offering courses to students at the military school over the past three years. Participation—whether in the army or other state institutions—is voluntary. The minimum period is 180 days, which can be completed intermittently rather than continuously. This allows expatriates visiting Lebanon to contribute to national development and feel part of the state. It also encourages them to support the project financially, which would be managed by a national service council, headed by a senior military officer and composed of both military and civilian members. The primary focus of the proposal is the military. In the face of security threats and sectarian and political divisions, Lebanon urgently needs to recruit soldiers and reinforce a sense of national belonging and coexistence among different social groups. Equally important is integrating youth into state institutions to help rebuild society, especially given the high poverty rates that push young people toward delinquency and illegal activities. The question remains: Will the state finally turn its attention to its youth, or will all solutions remain postponed under the excuse of 'no money, and we're not Switzerland or Singapore'?
LBCI
8 hours ago
- LBCI
Iran says Europe has no right to extend deadline for snapback sanctions
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday said European powers had no right to trigger snapback sanctions under a moribund 2015 nuclear deal or extend the October deadline to trigger them. "When we believe that they do not have the right to implement snapback, it is natural that they do not have the right to extend its deadline either," Araghchi told state news agency IRNA. AFP
LBCI
16 hours ago
- LBCI
Iran cannot completely cut ties with the IAEA, foreign minister says
Iran cannot completely cut its ties with the UN nuclear watchdog IAEA, the country's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said in comments published on Wednesday on the official news agency IRNA. Reuters
