Swiss Identity

Jungfrau drama continues

This content was published on Nov 25, 2009 On Friday a Swiss military court acquitted the two guides, who led an army ascent of the Jungfrau mountain that ended in the death of six recruits in July 2007. The defendants were awarded damages by the court in Chur in eastern Switzerland. They faced up to three years in prison if found guilty. The…

Bear park man “wanted to save plastic bag”

This content was published on Nov 25, 2009 Investigators have learnt that the man, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries, had been under the guardianship of the commune of Köniz, canton Bern, for several years and was regularly allowed to walk around Bern unaccompanied on Saturdays. On Wednesday authorities in Köniz said that since he wasn’t considered a danger either to himself or to others…

Culture

Roman Polanski granted bail

This content was published on Nov 25, 2009 But Polanski will remain in jail in Zurich until the Federal Justice Office decides whether to file an appeal. It has ten days to do so. On Wednesday evening Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf told Swiss television she saw no reason to appeal against the court’s decision. In a statement, the court said it accepted Polanski’s…

D’oh! Swiss TV slaps warning on The Simpsons

This content was published on Nov 25, 2009 Following a complaint from a concerned mother, the federal television ombudsman, Achille Casanova, ruled that the show was not suitable for children under 12. From now on each episode broadcast on SF (German-language television) will be preceded by a written and spoken warning. The issue began when a mother complained about an episode featuring the…

Demographics

16 days to fight violence towards women

This content was published on Nov 25, 2009 The drive also aims to fight what it calls less visible, but more widespread types of abuse, such as discrimination and the pay gap between the sexes. More than 60 organisations and associations have signed up for the “16 days against violence against women” campaign, which starts on Wednesday, the International Day for the Elimination…

Culture

Spies, dodgy banks and Switzerland

This content was published on Nov 25, 2009 These are just some of the scenes from Swiss-American author Christopher Reich’s books – tales of international espionage and financial shenanigans that are bestsellers in the United States. One of his latest books, Rules of Deception, is being developed into a film by Paramount Pictures. Brad Pitt is up to play the hero. The California-based…

Demographics

Amnesty calls on Swiss not to ban minarets

This content was published on Nov 25, 2009 Swiss voters will decide on Sunday on a rightwing proposal to forbid the building of the Islamic structures. “A ban on the construction of minarets while, for example, allowing those of church spires would constitute discrimination on the basis of religion,” said Nicola Duckworth, Europe and Central Asia Programme Director at Amnesty International. “Contrary to…

Demographics

“Match-fixing is like doping in cycling”

This content was published on Nov 25, 2009 Willy Mesmer from Swisslos, which is also responsible for Totogoal, a football betting service, says match-rigging around the world is one of the biggest threats for football and sport in general. International investigators believe 200 games to have been rigged, including three in the qualifying stages of the Champions League and 12 in the Europa…

Demographics

Federer beats Murray to end year on top

This content was published on Nov 25, 2009 The Swiss still has one match to go to qualify for the semifinals, but the round-robin win in London gives Federer enough points to ensure that Rafael Nadal of Spain – the world number two – won’t catch him in overall rankings by year’s end. The top eight players are battling for 1,500 points at…

Demographics

Aids deaths drop dramatically

This content was published on Nov 24, 2009 A United Nations report on Aids released on Tuesday found that 50 people in Switzerland died of complications related to HIV infections in 2008. In 1995 it was 600 people. Antiviral drugs have helped people live longer with the disease. New rates of infection are dropping in Switzerland among drug users who share needles. At…

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