Swiss Identity

Keeping a lid on wage dumping in Vaud

This content was published on Sep 17, 2005 Ahead of a nationwide vote on the issue on September 25, swissinfo joined a team of building-site inspectors in canton Vaud to find out whether concerns are justified. It’s just after 9am when we pull up unannounced in front of a half-built chalet on a hillside above the town of Vallorbe. A five-strong team of…

Culture

Vacheron Constantin ticks over 250 years

This content was published on Sep 17, 2005 Respected as one of the top addresses in horology, the Geneva company is looking back on a rich history of tradition and quality. But it is determined not to rest on its laurels. A tour around the state-of-the-art centre on the outskirts of Geneva reveals a world of wonder. This is where master watchmakers put…

Demographics

Swiss put positive spin on UN summit

This content was published on Sep 16, 2005 Peter Maurer said there were plenty of positives to show from the meeting of 150 world leaders, despite claims from NGOs that nothing significant had been achieved. “I would not say it’s been a missed opportunity,” Maurer told swissinfo. “I think the secretary-general [Kofi Annan] has given an accurate description, making it quite clear that…

Demographics

Call for universal data-protection law

This content was published on Sep 16, 2005 At a conference in Montreux on Friday, the commissioners aimed to strengthen the universal nature of data-protection principles. The International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners also adopted two resolutions, one on the use of biometric data in travel and identity documents and a second on the use of personal data for political communication.…

Demographics

US postpones imposition of biometric passports

This content was published on Sep 16, 2005 In the meantime the current machine-readable 2003 model Swiss passport will still be issued. The extension gives Swiss authorities the opportunity to be ready on time as they plan to have the new high-tech passport available from September 2006. The Federal Police Office said it was informed of the extension on Friday morning although it…

Demographics

Danes blame Swiss police for football clashes

This content was published on Sep 16, 2005 More than 100 Swiss supporters were detained on Thursday after skirmishes with police before a Uefa Cup game between Bröndby IF and FC Zurich. Danish police spokesman Arne Wissing said on Friday that Zurich police had not responded to a request for information about hooligans travelling to the Bröndby game despite this being a distinct…

Demographics

Swiss urge UN to make human rights a priority

This content was published on Sep 16, 2005 Addressing world leaders in New York, Swiss President Samuel Schmid also insisted that the UN Security Council should become more representative and its working methods reformed. In his speech on Thursday, Schmid covered a wide range of themes from human rights and respect for international humanitarian law through to UN reform and the need to…

Culture

Jerry Rojas / Peter A. Schmid: Songbook

This content was published on Sep 15, 2005

Culture

Exhibition reveals hidden drug scene

This content was published on Sep 15, 2005 People visiting the immaculate lawns of the spot once nicknamed “Needle Park” are confronted with graphic images, shot by Swiss photographer Michael von Graffenried, who documented 18 months in the lives of three addicts. Medieval carvings of the Virgin Mary and various saints gaze down on photographs of addicts snorting cocaine or injecting themselves with…

Demographics

Group aims to raise awareness of lymphoma

This content was published on Sep 15, 2005 The Swiss Lymphoma Patients Organisation and cancer associations are holding a forum of experts and patients on Thursday to discuss this largely unknown disease. Lymphoma is a cancer which damages the body’s immune system. It is estimated to cause almost 200,000 deaths around the world each year, with approximately 350,000 new cases being diagnosed annually.…

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