Swiss Identity

Swiss advised to leave Japan danger zones

This content was published on Mar 16, 2011 The Swiss president, Micheline Calmy-Rey, told journalists on Wednesday after a special cabinet meeting that for the moment people could return home on commercial flights. But she added that in case of need, charters would be arranged. The situation at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in northern Japan is still not under control after it…

Demographics

Shaken and shocked

This content was published on Mar 16, 2011 More than 10,000 people are feared to have been killed in Japan by a magnitude 8.9 earthquake and a subsequent tsunami. Adding to the difficulties is a worsening nuclear crisis: on March 16 authorities ordered emergency workers to withdraw from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant amid a surge in radiation. The same day Emperor…

Cuche wins fourth downhill title

This content was published on Mar 16, 2011 The win comes a day after the 36-year-old speed specialist scotched rumours that he was ready to retire. In the season’s final women’s World Cup downhill, Switzerland’s Lara Gut came second, 0.81 seconds behind race winner Julia Mancuso. Cuche scored enough race points to overtake Austria’s Michael Walchhofer, who placed 11th in his final downhill…

Demographics

Aeroplane from Japan cleared for radiation

This content was published on Mar 16, 2011 The aeroplane, which had come from Tokyo and stopped over in Hong Kong, landed at Zurich just before 8am on Wednesday. On Friday a massive earthquake and tsunami devastated northeast Japan and crippled a nuclear power station, raising the risk of uncontrolled radiation. A spokesman for Swiss said none of the passengers was screened, but…

Demographics

The veteran champion

This content was published on Mar 16, 2011 Cuche has thrilled fans since he first came to international prominence as a silver medal winner at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Excelling in downhill, super G and giant slalom, Cuche had his fair share of injuries over the years. He ends this season with a string of fresh victories to his credit.

Swiss end rescue efforts in Japan

This content was published on Mar 16, 2011 The team, which included 23 workers and nine dogs searching for people among the tsunami debris, as well as experts in disaster relief and engineers, had flown into the country on Sunday. On Wednesday they headed to a United States air base ahead of flying back to Switzerland. Toni Frisch, head of the Swiss Humanitarian…

Demographics

Ian Thorpe prepares for Olympics in Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 16, 2011 The five-time Olympic gold medallist plans to train with Russian-born swim coach Gennadi Touretski in Tenero, Ticino, for most of the year, while also doing blocks of training in Abu Dhabi and Australia. The 28-year-old described Touretski as one of the best coaches in the world, saying he is “always thinking and is innovative with…

Demographics

Cuche dispels retirement rumours

This content was published on Mar 15, 2011 The three-time World Cup downhill champion and cornerstone of the Swiss ski team called a news conference on the eve of the season’s final meeting in the Swiss resort of Lenzerheide, saying he had “great motivation” to continue. The news was greeted by applause by assembled reporters. “I’m continuing out of pure fun and not…

Culture

Heidi Happy: Hiding With The Wolves

This content was published on Mar 15, 2011 Out Of Spin Heidi Happy

Demographics

Embassy staff in Tokyo remain at work

This content was published on Mar 15, 2011 On Tuesday dangerous levels of radiation leaking from a crippled nuclear plant forced Japan to order 140,000 people to seal themselves indoors after an explosion and a fire dramatically escalated the crisis spawned by a deadly tsunami. In a nationally televised statement, Prime Minister Naoto Kan said radiation had spread from the four stricken reactors…

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