Swiss Identity

Parliament rejects prison camps for criminal asylum seekers

This content was published on Mar 6, 2001 The Senate followed the House of Representatives, which dismissed the proposal last year, arguing that the measures would contravene the European Convention on Human Rights. The justice ministry had also come out against the plan. The proposal, first mooted by the parliament of canton Aargau, was aimed at interning all criminal asylum seekers, or those…

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WADA decision set for end of July

This content was published on Mar 6, 2001 The agency, which aims to coordinate the global campaign against drugs in sport, said on Tuesday that it would be announcing its final decision on July 31 or August 1. Lausanne, which has provided a temporary base for the agency since it was established in 1999, also learned on Tuesday that it would be facing…

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Drug companies take on South Africa over cut-price medicines

This content was published on Mar 6, 2001 The lawsuit is centred on a South African law adopted in 1997 – but never implemented – which gives the health minister a limited right to import generic versions of patented drugs or licence their domestic production. An alliance of drug companies – including Switzerland’s Roche, Novartis and Janssen-Cilag – is arguing that the law…

History

Muslims celebrate Feast of Sacrifice

This content was published on Mar 6, 2001 Eid-al-Adha is a time of celebration, of visiting family and friends and generally giving thanks. It marks the end of the Hajj, or Pilgrimage to Mecca and more specifically commemorates Abraham’s willingness to obey God’s order to sacrifice his son, Ishmael, considered by Arabs to be their forefather. According to the Koran, a voice from…

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Federer named ATP Player of the Month

This content was published on Mar 5, 2001 The award is given to the player who performs best in the ATP champions league, a ranking system based on results from 2001. The Swiss teenager began the month by winning the first ATP title of his career in Milan. He followed up this success by reaching the finals in Rotterdam and the semi-finals in…

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UNRWA to open Geneva liaison office

This content was published on Mar 5, 2001 UNRWA has been seeking a permanent representation in Europe for some time, and Geneva was selected as it is already the base for a number of non-governmental agencies (NGOs). René Aquarone, who will head the new office when it opens on Tuesday, hopes the liaison office will enable the agency to work in closer cooperation…

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Government agrees tax exemption for World Anti-Doping Agency

This content was published on Mar 5, 2001 In an agreement signed by the Swiss foreign minister, Joseph Deiss, the sports minister, Samuel Schmid, and WADA president Dick Pound, the agency will have to pay no direct or indirect taxes, nor will its foreign employees have to pay tax on their salaries, if Lausanne is selected. Joseph Deiss said the agreement would “offer…

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Zurich no longer candidate to host Winter Olympics

This content was published on Mar 5, 2001 The organisers said on Monday that the popular ski resort of Davos in Graubünden would now be the official candidate town and the bid would be renamed Davos 2010. The new plan foresees Davos hosting the opening and closing ceremonies, while many of the events would take place in the surrounding region. The joint bid…

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Record Swiss presence at Berlin travel fair

This content was published on Mar 5, 2001 Switzerland Tourism has its largest-ever stand at the five-day event. Apart from the organisation itself, aother 40 tourism and tourism-related groups have been brought together in the 550 square metre stand. Exhibitors, including public services and hotels, are paying about SFr6,000 for the opportunity to show off their wares. Swiss Radio International (SRI), which produces…

Demographics

Lausanne celebrates curling’s rich heritage

This content was published on Mar 5, 2001 The exhibition, Curling: Ancient Game, Modern Sport, traces the sport’s development from its 17th Century Scottish birthplace to its acceptance as an Olympic Sport in time for the Nagano Winter Games. The sport has generated a wealth of art and literature, testimony to how it was woven into the fabric of Scottish life. Alongside the…

Swiss Identity

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Swiss Identity

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Parliament rejects prison camps for criminal asylum seekers

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WADA decision set for end of July

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Drug companies take on South Africa over cut-price medicines

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Muslims celebrate Feast of Sacrifice

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Federer named ATP Player of the Month

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UNRWA to open Geneva liaison office

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Government agrees tax exemption for World Anti-Doping Agency

More

Zurich no longer candidate to host Winter Olympics

More

Record Swiss presence at Berlin travel fair

More

Lausanne celebrates curling’s rich heritage

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