Swiss Identity

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,…

Demographics

Charter flight to evacuate Swiss from Thailand

This content was published on Nov 29, 2008 The travel insurance company, Elvia, said it would send a charter plane to U-Tapao, southeast of Bangkok, to pick up about 160 Swiss citizens. However, Elvia said the aircraft does not have enough seats for all the stranded Swiss tourists and recommended they use an airport in the north of Thailand. About 20 Swiss citizens…

Demographics

Iraqi refugees accepted

This content was published on Nov 29, 2008 The Federal Migration Office said the decision was taken after a thorough examination of the cases. There are currently about 6,000 Iraqis asylum seekers and those with temporary refugee status in Switzerland. The European Union on Thursday decided to accept up to 10,000 Iraqi refugees next year. Overall an estimated 15,000 people – mainly from…

Mumbai violence seen as a sign of inner turmoil

This content was published on Nov 28, 2008 However the attackers are sending a different message this week by targeting foreigners for the first time. There had been ten coordinated attacks since Wednesday. Hotels were under siege, Westerners taken hostage and killed and the central train station turned into a scene of carnage. The attackers have not precisely spelled out the reasons and…

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