Cluster: Swiss Identity

Swiss to vote on first home buyers scheme

This content was published on Jan 31, 2012 The initiative has been launched by the Swiss Association for the Promotion of Home Savings. It calls for the cantons to give tax breaks on savings accounts specifically destined for the purchase of a first home, or for renovations on houses to make them more energy efficient or environmentally friendly. For proponents of the initiative…

Culture

Buying Swiss books comes at a price

This content was published on Jan 31, 2012 It is arguably the most controversial issue among the five decisions to come to a nationwide vote on March 11. Supporters say the agreement would boost Swiss publishers, bookshops and authors while opponents argue it would distort the book market. “The promotion of Swiss books as a cultural good cannot be achieved with this law,”…

Demographics

Four Georgians charged in organised crime case

This content was published on Jan 30, 2012 Its members are believed to be behind a wave of burglaries and shoplifting in Switzerland. Swiss authorities said on Monday that the Georgian nationals were indicted by the nation’s highest criminal court, accused of membership of the so-called “Thieves in Law” criminal organisation. Authorities said in a statement that they were investigating 30 others in the international…

Demographics

Secrecy hampers money laundering fight

This content was published on Jan 30, 2012 It means that the Swiss Money Laundering Reporting Office (MROS) is obliged by law to hold back information from its foreign counterparts. The government has now come under international pressure to change this situation. On the one hand, the inter-governmental Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has declared that countries whose anti-money laundering bodies refuse to…

Demographics

Pranksters answered bottled message

This content was published on Jan 30, 2012 Earlier this month, Werner Kühnis reported that he had received a reply to his message – 30 years after tossing it into the Rhine. A woman in South Africa sent him a letter claiming that she had found the bottle on a beach near Cape Town. However, the truth has since come out: rather than…

Demographics

Ammann aims for 2014 Sochi Olympics

This content was published on Jan 30, 2012 The 30-year-old from canton St Gallen was thought to be ready to end his career after struggling with new regulations and pulling out of the Four Hills tournament because of illness. His best finish is eighth in World Cup events this season. But Ammann said in a statement on Monday that he was excited about…

Demographics

Rich Greeks balk at financial aid for homeland

This content was published on Jan 30, 2012 Switzerland is home to several ultra-rich Greeks, like the granddaughter of the legendary shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, billionaire Spiros Latsis, who made his money through oil, housing and banking, and the heirs to shipping tycoon Stavros Niarchos. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation funds a number of social programmes in Greece, including food aid schemes, to help…

Demographics

Cantons struggle to house asylum seekers

This content was published on Jan 28, 2012 This week some 400 concerned residents from Pully, an affluent small town on the edge of Lausanne, attended a heated information session regarding the imminent opening of an underground civil protection shelter to hold 50 asylum seekers. Despite agreement in principle between the federal and cantonal authorities, plans to create additional capacities for 2,000 asylum…

Culture

Who’s who?

This content was published on Jan 28, 2012 In fact, the people he portrays are “Look-alikes”. So are we looking at the original or a double? Who is Who puts a finger on a sensitive issue in the media and its obsession with stars, where authenticity and identity often ring hollow. Spoerri wants to spark a discussion about the power of the mass…

New limitations to alcohol sales proposed

This content was published on Jan 27, 2012 The government has dropped an earlier idea to push up prices to help lower consumption, citing potential legal difficulties and stating that it now considers the measure disproportionate. Retail sales would be banned between 10pm and 6am, while bars would no longer be allowed to have so-called “happy hours” or offer unlimited drinks during that…

Cluster: Swiss Identity

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Cluster: Swiss Identity

More

Swiss to vote on first home buyers scheme

More

Buying Swiss books comes at a price

More

Four Georgians charged in organised crime case

More

Secrecy hampers money laundering fight

More

Pranksters answered bottled message

More

Ammann aims for 2014 Sochi Olympics

More

Rich Greeks balk at financial aid for homeland

More

Cantons struggle to house asylum seekers

More

Who’s who?

More

New limitations to alcohol sales proposed

Popular Stories

Most Discussed