Swiss Identity

Appeals of Libyan hostages put off

This content was published on Dec 22, 2009 The Swiss section of the human rights organisation, Amnesty International, quoted “reliable sources” as saying the proceedings due to take place in Tripoli on Tuesday were cancelled. The delay will allow the defendants, Max Göldi and Rachid Hamdani, to seek access to their court files, according to Amnesty. The Swiss foreign ministry said neither of…

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Polanski case takes nod toward no jail time

This content was published on Dec 22, 2009 On Monday an appeal court rejected his bid to have a three-decades-old child-sex case tossed out of court but suggested legal options that could lead to his freedom. Although the California 2nd District Court of Appeals rejected a request from both Polanski and his victim, Samantha Geimer, to have the 32-year-old case dismissed outright, it…

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Court pursues Polanksi but hints at freedom

This content was published on Dec 22, 2009 Polanski has been under house arrest in the Swiss resort of Gstaad while awaiting possible extradition to the US for sentencing in a case of unlawful sex with a minor in the late 1970s. The California 2nd District Court of Appeals on Monday rejected a request filed on behalf of both Polanski and his victim,…

History

Government engages Muslims in dialogue

This content was published on Dec 21, 2009 At a meeting with them on Monday, Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said that the popular vote last month to ban the construction of minarets made no difference to the freedom to practise the Islamic religion. A communiqué issued by the Justice Ministry quoted her as saying that the vote was “the expression of problems, but at the…

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Libyan hostages to attend court in person

This content was published on Dec 21, 2009 The two men did not attend the original trial, at which they were convicted of visa irregularities and tax evasion. Their lawyer, Salah Zahaf, told the AFP news agency on Monday that they would go to the court in person, and would return to the embassy afterwards. He did not say whether they had been…

Culture

Kirchner adds colour to Davos culture

This content was published on Dec 21, 2009 Kirchner came to the high-altitude village in 1917 – as many others did at the time – for health reasons. His landscapes in and around Davos were to add to the reputation he’d already earned at home. A simple museum, opened in 1992, turns out to be a gem housing more than 10,000 of Kirchner’s…

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France to hand over stolen HSBC data

This content was published on Dec 21, 2009 The decision by the public prosecutor in Aix-en-Provence follows a judicial request by Swiss justice authorities. It was announced on Monday and confirmed by the Swiss Federal Prosecutor’s office. However, the Swiss finance ministry said the handover would not affect the government’s decision to suspend the ratification process of a new dual taxation agreement with…

Culture

A magic sound across the centuries

This content was published on Dec 21, 2009 Constructed around 1430, this unique instrument is the focal point of a Gothic organ festival that has been held each year for 40 years in Sion, capital of canton Valais. Visitors lucky enough to be in the venerable church when the organist starts playing stop dead in their tracks. After a moment of uncertainty, they…

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Ammann jumps 141 metres for hill record

This content was published on Dec 20, 2009 The 2002 Olympic double-gold winner and 2007 world champion already won on Friday and finished second on Saturday. He sealed his victory with the 141-metre jump, which earned him 144.8 points in an event that was reduced to one jump because of weather conditions. Norway’s Bjørn Einar Romøren finished second and Japan’s Daitki Ito was…

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Second Libya trials postponed to January

This content was published on Dec 20, 2009 Max Göldi and Rachid Hamdani had been scheduled to be tried on Saturday and Sunday respectively on charges of conducting illegal economic activities. Their trials will take place on January 2 and January 3, spokesman Erik Reumann said. The two men have already been convicted of visa violations in a dispute stemming back to the…

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Appeals of Libyan hostages put off

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Polanski case takes nod toward no jail time

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Court pursues Polanksi but hints at freedom

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Government engages Muslims in dialogue

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Libyan hostages to attend court in person

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Kirchner adds colour to Davos culture

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France to hand over stolen HSBC data

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A magic sound across the centuries

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Ammann jumps 141 metres for hill record

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Second Libya trials postponed to January

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