A 43-year-old Swiss man has been arrested on ‘strong suspicion’ of carrying out a rare deadly shooting at a rave in Aarau, Switzerland, authorities said on Monday. The gun attack happened in the early hours of Sunday as an annual rave at the racecourse in Aarau, the capital of Switzerland's northern Aargau canton, was coming to an end. The shooting prompted an international manhunt for the suspected gunman. One Italian woman was killed and five other people were injured, with some suffering serious wounds.&nbsp;"A 43-year-old Swiss man was apprehended shortly before 1:00 am Monday (2300 GMT Sunday)," Aargau police said in a statement. "The man was subsequently arrested on strong suspicion of having committed the crime. "Investigations into the exact sequence of events, the background, and the possible motive are currently under way. "At this stage, it is believed a lone perpetrator was involved."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-plans-55-6-billion-defence-plan-focused-on-drones-and-artificial-intelligence-warfare-1788174177921">Japan plans $55.6 billion defence plan focused on drones and artificial intelligence warfare</a>&nbsp;Police said partygoers were preparing to leave when the gunman allegedly opened fire. In an earlier statement Monday, cantonal police said attendees were getting ready to head home when several shots were fired "at a group of people". A 22-year-old Italian woman was killed in the attack. "She died instantly, despite attempts to resuscitate her," police said, adding that five other people were wounded.&nbsp;Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Sunday that two Italians were among those injured. However, Aargau police later clarified that the five wounded victims were four Swiss men and one German woman, aged between 24 and 31. The injured victims were transported to hospital, where they received treatment for wounds ranging from minor to serious, according to police. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the suspect's possible motive and the exact sequence of events.

Swiss man arrested over deadly shooting at a rave in Aarau that killed a 22-year-old Italian woman and injured five others, police say

A 43-year-old Swiss man has been arrested on ‘strong suspicion’ of carrying out a rare deadly shooting at a rave in Aarau, Switzerland, authorities said on Monday. The gun attack happened in the early hours of Sunday as an annual rave at the racecourse in Aarau, the capital of Switzerland's northern Aargau canton, was coming to an end. The shooting prompted an international manhunt for the suspected gunman. One Italian woman was killed and five other people were injured, with some suffering serious wounds. "A 43-year-old Swiss man was apprehended shortly before 1:00 am Monday (2300 GMT Sunday)," Aargau police said in a statement. "The man was subsequently arrested on strong suspicion of having committed the crime. "Investigations into the exact sequence of events, the background, and the possible motive are currently under way. "At this stage, it is believed a lone perpetrator was involved." Also Read: Japan plans $55.6 billion defence plan focused on drones and artificial intelligence warfare Police said partygoers were preparing to leave when the gunman allegedly opened fire. In an earlier statement Monday, cantonal police said attendees were getting ready to head home when several shots were fired "at a group of people". A 22-year-old Italian woman was killed in the attack. "She died instantly, despite attempts to resuscitate her," police said, adding that five other people were wounded. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Sunday that two Italians were among those injured. However, Aargau police later clarified that the five wounded victims were four Swiss men and one German woman, aged between 24 and 31. The injured victims were transported to hospital, where they received treatment for wounds ranging from minor to serious, according to police. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the suspect's possible motive and the exact sequence of events.

A Swiss man has been arrested after a deadly shooting at a rave in Aarau killed an Italian woman and injured five others, police said

Switzerland rave party shooting: Police arrest 43-year-old man on 'strong suspicion'

The Swiss are set to vote on whether they want to ban full facial coverings in public on March 7, when they will also vote on a range of other issues as part of the country’s direct democratic system.

The text of the proposed ban does not mention Muslim veils explicitly, stating only that “no one shall cover their face in public, nor in areas accessible to the public or in areas where services are ordinarily accessible to all”.

A similar burqa ban was imposed previously by other European nations including the Netherlands, Germany, France, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland and Denmark.

But the proposal, which has been opposed by the Swiss government, is widely seen as targeting niqabs, burqas and other face-covering veils worn by some Muslim women. 
 
Watch: China's burqa and 'abnormal' beard ban (WION Gravitas)

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The initiative proposes some exceptions to the ban, including in “places of worship” and for “health reasons”.

The main argument by the proponents of the ban appears to be security concerns and to a lesser extent Islamophobic sentiments.

The ballot on the proposed burka ban comes nearly 12 years after Swiss voters approved a ban on the construction of new minarets, in what was seen as a political upset. 
 
Watch: Denmark fines first woman for violating burqa ban

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The grouping behind the burqa ban proposal - the “Egerkinger Komitee” that includes members of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) - was also behind the 2009 move to ban minarets, which was approved by nearly 60% of voters.

Supporters of the 2009 proposal saw the minarets as alien to Swiss traditions and values at a time of growing unease over the activities of Islamist militants in Europe and the Middle East.

Muslims make up only about 5% of Switzerland’s 8.6 million people, official statistics show.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Swiss are set to vote on whether they want to ban full facial coverings in public on March 7, when they will also vote on a range of other issues as part of the country’s direct democratic system.

The Swiss are set to vote on whether they want to ban full facial coverings in public on March 7, when they will also vote on a range of other issues as part of the country’s direct democratic system. The text of the proposed ban does not mention Muslim veils explicitly, stating only that “no one shall cover their face in public, nor in areas accessible to the public or in areas where services are ordinarily accessible to all”. A similar burqa ban was imposed previously by other European nations including the Netherlands, Germany, France, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland and Denmark. But the proposal, which has been opposed by the Swiss government, is widely seen as targeting niqabs, burqas and other face-covering veils worn by some Muslim women. Watch: China's burqa and 'abnormal' beard ban (WION Gravitas) The initiative proposes some exceptions to the ban, including in “places of worship” and for “health reasons”. The main argument by the proponents of the ban appears to be security concerns and to a lesser extent Islamophobic sentiments. The ballot on the proposed burka ban comes nearly 12 years after Swiss voters approved a ban on the construction of new minarets, in what was seen as a political upset. Watch: Denmark fines first woman for violating burqa ban The grouping behind the burqa ban proposal - the “Egerkinger Komitee” that includes members of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) - was also behind the 2009 move to ban minarets, which was approved by nearly 60% of voters. Supporters of the 2009 proposal saw the minarets as alien to Swiss traditions and values at a time of growing unease over the activities of Islamist militants in Europe and the Middle East. Muslims make up only about 5% of Switzerland’s 8.6 million people, official statistics show. (With inputs from agencies)

Swiss citizens set to vote on controversial burqa ban referendum

A clear majority of Swiss voters favour introducing a nationwide prohibition against wearing face-covering garments in public spaces, known as a "burqa ban", a poll showed Friday.

According to the Tamedia poll of 15,000 eligible voters, a full 63 per cent of those questioned said they would vote yes or were considering voting yes in an upcoming popular vote on the ban, the Tages Anzeiger daily reported.

The Swiss are set to vote on whether they want to ban face coverings in public on March 7, when they will also vote on a range of other issues as part of the country's famous direct democratic system.

The text does not mention Muslim veils explicitly, stating only that "no one shall cover their face in public, nor in areas accessible to the public or in areas where services are ordinarily accessible to all."

But the proposed ban, which has been opposed by the Swiss government, is widely seen as targeting burqas and other face-covering Muslim veils.

The initiative also makes several exceptions, including in "places of worship", and, vitally in these pandemic times, for "health reasons".&nbsp;

The Egerkingen committee which presented the initiative is heavily backed by the populist right-wing Swiss People's Party, but some left-leaning politicians have also joined the campaign in the name of protecting women's rights.

Swiss Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter announced this week that the government opposed the nationwide ban, stressing that women wearing full body-covering veils were rarely seen in&nbsp;Switzerland.

She stressed that most women seen in the country wearing such veils are tourists.

The justice minister also insisted the issue should be left up to&nbsp;Switzerland's 26 cantons.

Two cantons, Ticino and St.Gallen have already introduced such bans, while three other cantons, Zurich, Solothurn and Glarus, have rejected doing so in recent years.&nbsp;

The government and parliament are backing a counter-proposal, which would require people to reveal their faces to the authorities for identification purposes, for instance at borders or on public transport.

Fines of up to 10,000 Swiss francs ($11,300, 9,300 euros) could be given to anyone who refused, according to the counter proposal, which will enter into force if the Egerkingen initiative is rejected.

A clear majority of Swiss voters favour introducing a nationwide prohibition against wearing face-covering garments in public spaces, known as a "burqa ban", a poll showed Friday.

A clear majority of Swiss voters favour introducing a nationwide prohibition against wearing face-covering garments in public spaces, known as a "burqa ban", a poll showed Friday. According to the Tamedia poll of 15,000 eligible voters, a full 63 per cent of those questioned said they would vote yes or were considering voting yes in an upcoming popular vote on the ban, the Tages Anzeiger daily reported. The Swiss are set to vote on whether they want to ban face coverings in public on March 7, when they will also vote on a range of other issues as part of the country's famous direct democratic system. The text does not mention Muslim veils explicitly, stating only that "no one shall cover their face in public, nor in areas accessible to the public or in areas where services are ordinarily accessible to all." But the proposed ban, which has been opposed by the Swiss government, is widely seen as targeting burqas and other face-covering Muslim veils. The initiative also makes several exceptions, including in "places of worship", and, vitally in these pandemic times, for "health reasons". The Egerkingen committee which presented the initiative is heavily backed by the populist right-wing Swiss People's Party, but some left-leaning politicians have also joined the campaign in the name of protecting women's rights. Swiss Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter announced this week that the government opposed the nationwide ban, stressing that women wearing full body-covering veils were rarely seen in Switzerland. She stressed that most women seen in the country wearing such veils are tourists. The justice minister also insisted the issue should be left up to Switzerland's 26 cantons. Two cantons, Ticino and St.Gallen have already introduced such bans, while three other cantons, Zurich, Solothurn and Glarus, have rejected doing so in recent years. The government and parliament are backing a counter-proposal, which would require people to reveal their faces to the authorities for identification purposes, for instance at borders or on public transport. Fines of up to 10,000 Swiss francs ($11,300, 9,300 euros) could be given to anyone who refused, according to the counter proposal, which will enter into force if the Egerkingen initiative is rejected.

People in Switzerland favour 'burqa ban', poll shows

Switzerland, which last fought a foreign war more than 200 years ago and has no discernable enemies, wants to spend billions on new fighter jets.

Many oppose the idea, saying the neutral country neither can afford nor needs cutting-edge warplanes to defend Alpine territory which a supersonic jet can cross in 10 minutes.

Ireland, Malta and Luxembourg don't have jets, they say, making the $6.6 billion&nbsp;plan a waste of money.

"Who is our enemy? Who is attacking a small, neutral country,&nbsp;surrounded by NATO?" asked Priska Seiler Graf, a member of parliament for the left-leaning Social Democrats. "It's really absurd."

Voters get their say on Sunday September&nbsp;27. Approving funding in the binding referendum would let the government decide next year among the Eurofighter from Airbus, the Rafale from France's Dassault, Boeing's&nbsp;F/A-18 Super Hornet, or the Lockheed Martin&nbsp;F35-A Lightning II.

The aircraft would replace&nbsp;Switzerland's aging fleet of 30 F/A-18 Hornets which will go out of service in 2030.

Seiler Graf said cheaper alternatives, such as a fighter version of Leonardo's M346 trainer, offered better value than the "expensive toys" under consideration. &nbsp;

"We need new aircraft, that is not disputed, but buying lighter, simpler aircraft would be enough," she said. "It would be better to have a Fiat than a Maserati."

Voters six years ago rejected the purchase of Gripen jets from Sweden. In 1989 a proposal to scrap its entire army got 35% of voter support.

Pollster Lukas Golder from GFS.Bern said voters are likely to back the plan to buy the jets. Armed neutrality is crucial to how&nbsp;Switzerland&nbsp;defines itself, he said, going back to the belief a strong army deterred invasion by Nazi Germany in World War II. The Pope's Swiss guards are also a reminder of the country's mercenary past.

Lawmaker Thomas Hurter from the right-wing Swiss People's Party, a former air force pilot, said&nbsp;Switzerland&nbsp;had to protect itself without relying on other countries.

"If we don't replace these old aircraft, that means we have no air force, there is no protection any more and we are not fulfilling our constitution," he said.

Smaller jets could not fly high enough, he said, or have the acceleration needed to react quickly to emergencies.

"We don't know what's going to happen in the next 50 years," Hurter said. "You need to have the fire brigade ready when there is a burning house, otherwise it's too late."

Switzerland, which last fought a foreign war more than 200 years ago and has no discernable enemies, wants to spend billions on new fighter jets. Many oppose the idea, saying the neutral country neither can afford nor needs cutting-edge warplanes to defend Alpine territory which a supersonic jet can cross in 10 minutes.

Switzerland, which last fought a foreign war more than 200 years ago and has no discernable enemies, wants to spend billions on new fighter jets. Many oppose the idea, saying the neutral country neither can afford nor needs cutting-edge warplanes to defend Alpine territory which a supersonic jet can cross in 10 minutes. Ireland, Malta and Luxembourg don't have jets, they say, making the $6.6 billion plan a waste of money. "Who is our enemy? Who is attacking a small, neutral country, surrounded by NATO?" asked Priska Seiler Graf, a member of parliament for the left-leaning Social Democrats. "It's really absurd." Voters get their say on Sunday September 27. Approving funding in the binding referendum would let the government decide next year among the Eurofighter from Airbus, the Rafale from France's Dassault, Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet, or the Lockheed Martin F35-A Lightning II. The aircraft would replace Switzerland's aging fleet of 30 F/A-18 Hornets which will go out of service in 2030. Seiler Graf said cheaper alternatives, such as a fighter version of Leonardo's M346 trainer, offered better value than the "expensive toys" under consideration. "We need new aircraft, that is not disputed, but buying lighter, simpler aircraft would be enough," she said. "It would be better to have a Fiat than a Maserati." Voters six years ago rejected the purchase of Gripen jets from Sweden. In 1989 a proposal to scrap its entire army got 35% of voter support. Pollster Lukas Golder from GFS.Bern said voters are likely to back the plan to buy the jets. Armed neutrality is crucial to how Switzerland defines itself, he said, going back to the belief a strong army deterred invasion by Nazi Germany in World War II. The Pope's Swiss guards are also a reminder of the country's mercenary past. Lawmaker Thomas Hurter from the right-wing Swiss People's Party, a former air force pilot, said Switzerland had to protect itself without relying on other countries. "If we don't replace these old aircraft, that means we have no air force, there is no protection any more and we are not fulfilling our constitution," he said. Smaller jets could not fly high enough, he said, or have the acceleration needed to react quickly to emergencies. "We don't know what's going to happen in the next 50 years," Hurter said. "You need to have the fire brigade ready when there is a burning house, otherwise it's too late."

Why is Switzerland holding a referendum to purchase fighter jets?

The government’s plan to re-open primary schools on May 11th has raised concerns among teachers and parents.

Switzerland : Parents Worried As Schools Reopen