24heures, Fre - A 14-year-old girl who left home in Aigle in July to be with a 58-year-old French man she met online may have been fleeing an arranged marriage.
According to Christophe Blanchet, who works with young immigrants, both arranged and forced marriages still occur in Switzerland, primarily among recent immigrants. (continue reading)→
24heures, Fre - A 58-year-old French man has been arrested for sexual assault on a minor from Aigle. He met the girl in question, now aged 14, in an internet chat room three years ago. Initially using the screen name "Sophie_13" he eventually revealed his true identity before persuading the girl to join him in the south of France. He picked her up after classes ended in July. Her parents believed he was the father of the friend she said she had gone to visit. (continue reading)→
24heures, Fre - Funding has now been found to build a crematorium in Aigle.
Since the crematorium in Vevey closed in 1996 there have been plans to open one in eastern Vaud. Political problems and concerns about air pollution delayed the project considerably.
Jean-Bernard Croset, a driving force behind the project, is convinced that the crematorium is necessary. Around 70% of families in the area, both Catholic and Protestant, choose cremation. This can often mean a long drive to either Lausanne or Sion. (continue reading)→
