Swiss Identity

Tourists fly out of Thailand

This content was published on Dec 1, 2008 A first flight with nearly 200 passengers on board arrived in Zurich on Sunday. The Swiss aircraft received approval to use Bangkok’s military airport. Another chartered flight departed Chiang Mai on Monday for Switzerland and landed in the early evening in Zurich. A second departure from the northern Thai town is planned for Tuesday. More…

Voluntary work falls out of favour

This content was published on Dec 1, 2008 The proportion of people donating their time to organisations or clubs declined by three per cent to 24 per cent between 1997 and 2007. The results of the study, published ahead of International Volunteer Day on Friday, found that Swiss men had become less willing than women to give up their free time. There were…

Demographics

Votes highlight gap between heart and head

This content was published on Dec 1, 2008 In a major upset in Sunday’s nationwide ballot, voters came out in favour of a proposal to tighten legal provisions against paedophile criminals, extending indefinitely the statute of limitations. “The victims’ victory”, headlined Le Temps in Geneva, where support was the weakest in the country. Nationally however 52 per cent of voters came out in…

Demographics

Voters back drugs policy, tough on child abuse

This content was published on Nov 30, 2008 In a major upset in Sunday’s nationwide ballot, voters came out in favour of a proposal to tighten legal provisions against paedophile criminals, extending indefinitely the statute of limitations. An early retirement scheme and plans to curb the powers of environmental groups were opposed by a clear majority. Final results show 68 per cent of…

Demographics

Voters back heroin policy, paedophile initiative

This content was published on Nov 30, 2008 In a major upset on Sunday, a proposal to tighten legal provisions against paedophile criminals was carried. An early retirement scheme and plans to curb the powers of environmental organisations failed to pass at the ballot box. Sixty-eight per cent of voters approved a plan to enshrine the government’s four-pillar drugs policy in law, according…

Demographics

Voters agree heroin scheme, but throw out dope

This content was published on Nov 30, 2008 A close call is expected on a proposal to tighten legal provisions against paedophile criminals. In Sunday’s other votes, an early retirement scheme and plans to curb the powers of environmental organisations appear to have been rejected. More than two-thirds of voters approved a plan to enshrine the government’s four-pillar drugs policy in law, according…

Demographics

Swiss to agree heroin scheme but say no to dope

This content was published on Nov 30, 2008 Projections show the electorate also rejecting plans to facilitate early retirement and to curb the powers of environmental organisations. A close call is expected on a proposal to tighten legal provisions against paedophile criminals. More than two-thirds of voters appear to approve a plan to enshrine the government’s four-pillar drugs policy, according to projections by…

Demographics

Janka surprises downhill elite in skiing

This content was published on Nov 30, 2008 Italy’s Peter Fill won the event on Saturday which was marked by mild temperatures and poor visibility. Janka, who was competing in only his third World Cup downhill race, started with number 65 way back in the field to finish just 0.08 seconds behind Fill. “It was a big day for me. I had a…

Culture

“I need to get my energy out somehow!”

This content was published on Nov 30, 2008 The 16-year-old will perform the Bizet/Busoni Carmen Fantasy as part of “A Night under the Stars”, a charity classical music concert raising money for London’s homeless, hosted by Sir Roger Moore. Born in Zurich to Romanian and Canadian parents, Gheorghiu won the San Marino International Piano Competition in 2004 and the Purcell School Senior Concerto…

Demographics

Ammann jumps to victory in World Cup opener

This content was published on Nov 29, 2008 It is the fourth World Cup victory for the 2002 double Olympic gold medal winner who finished four points ahead of Austria’s Wolfgang Loitzl at Kuusamo on Saturday. Ammann was top with a first jump of 131 metres and managed to hold on to the lead despite a weaker second attempt. His compatriot, Andreas Küttel,…

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