Swiss Identity

Switzerland urged to combat child sex trade

This content was published on Dec 20, 2001 Jean-François Giovannini, who attended the second World Congress against child sexual exploitation in Yokohama, Japan, told swissinfo on Thursday he would try to persuade the Swiss government to establish a federal agency to coordinate the fight against child prostitution. Giovannini said Switzerland had fallen behind policing efforts of EU nations, particularly Scandinavia, where cross-border cooperation…

Demographics

Giant steps – the Swiss year in skiing

This content was published on Dec 20, 2001 The nation was stunned just weeks ago when rising young talent Silvano Beltrametti suffered a horrific crash in Val d’Isère which left the 22-year-old from Graubünden permanently paralysed from the chest down. It was all a long way from the hopes spawned in February’s world championships – hopes in which Beltrametti himself played a major…

Demographics

Lugano climb up to third place

This content was published on Dec 19, 2001 Wednesday’s win lifted last season’s play-off finalists up four places in the standings to third. Chur stay rooted to the bottom of the league with just five wins all season. swissinfo with agencies

Demographics

Ciba compensates Toms River cancer victims

This content was published on Dec 19, 2001 Residents of the New Jersey town have claimed a link between the abnormally high incidence of childhood cancer in the area and the activities of Ciba, Union Carbide and the local water company, United Water Toms River. The three companies signed an agreement last week to pay a settlement to 69 families. Ciba spokesperson Thomas…

Demographics

Beltrametti undergoes successful operation

This content was published on Dec 19, 2001 Beltrametti, who was permanently paralysed from the chest down following a high-speed accident during the men’s world cup downhill race in France 11 days ago, spent five hours on the operating table on Wednesday to have sections of his broken spine replaced. Centre spokesman Roland Spengler said that the operation had been a success, but…

Demographics

Swiss stress child protection at conference on sex trade

This content was published on Dec 19, 2001 The four-day conference kicked off in Yokohama, Japan, on Monday. The head of the Swiss delegation, Jean-François Giovannini, told swissinfo that a key priority was to agree a legal framework within existing international law to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children. “We should always base our work around the convention on the rights of…

Culture

Tolkien blockbuster film has Swiss ring

This content was published on Dec 19, 2001 Howe, who relocated to Switzerland in the 1980s, helped propel the film to screen, with his compelling sketches and paintings of characters and dramatic events in Tolkien’s Middle Earth. As the man responsible for the film’s artistic concept, Howe explored the complex Tolkien universe in Part One of the Tolkien trilogy. The film, which cost…

Demographics

US ambassador lauds Swiss role in fight against terrorism

This content was published on Dec 19, 2001 Reynolds, who formally took up his post on September 11, has monitored the fight against financial crime and the search for possible terrorists who may reside in or who may have transited through Switzerland. “The U.S. is extremely pleased with this country’s efforts,” said Reynolds. “The Swiss are at the forefront in fighting the financial…

Demographics

No trace of missing Swiss activist in Borneo

This content was published on Dec 19, 2001 Mohd Yusoff Jaafar, police commissioner of eastern Sarawak state, said that local police had found no proof that he had died, was murdered or lost in the area. Investigations began into Manser’s case last week, more than a year after he is said to have entered Sarawak secretly in May, 2000. “Nonetheless, the police are…

History

Christmas and New Year, Swiss style

This content was published on Dec 19, 2001 People in the village of Kandersteg in the Bernese Oberland take to the streets on December 25 dressed in costumes meant to frighten away evil spirits. The characters are part of a pagan ritual – repeated on January 1 – called “Pelzmartiga”. Child eater Some of the figures wear fur (pelz = fur) and frightening…

Swiss Identity

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Swiss Identity

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Switzerland urged to combat child sex trade

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Giant steps – the Swiss year in skiing

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Lugano climb up to third place

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Ciba compensates Toms River cancer victims

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Beltrametti undergoes successful operation

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Swiss stress child protection at conference on sex trade

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Tolkien blockbuster film has Swiss ring

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US ambassador lauds Swiss role in fight against terrorism

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No trace of missing Swiss activist in Borneo

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Christmas and New Year, Swiss style

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