Cluster: Swiss Identity

Resorts introduce low-cost skiing

This content was published on Dec 22, 2007 In some cases, and under certain conditions, daily ski passes can be bought for half the normal price. In canton Valais for example, the Four Valley resorts led by Verbier have introduced dynamic pricing, a concept inspired by low-cost airlines. On certain weekdays during the low season, such as Wednesdays in December and January, adult…

Demographics

Swiss troops to stay in Kosovo

This content was published on Dec 21, 2007 In a statement released on Friday, the cabinet said an end to the presence of international peacekeepers in the breakaway Serbian province was nowhere in sight. Up to 220 Swiss soldiers are deployed as part of the multinational Kosovo Force (Kfor). An additional 50 peacekeepers can be sent to the province for stints lasting up…

Demographics

Watch industry hands in Unesco bid

This content was published on Dec 21, 2007 The bid was handed in at Unesco headquarters in Paris on Friday. The United Nations cultural agency will decide on this latest Swiss candidature by summer 2009. It is one of five Swiss bids on a shortlist; seven other sites have already been awarded World Heritage status. The 500-page dossier was presented by the Swiss…

Demographics

Swiss set to apply payments to new EU members

This content was published on Dec 20, 2007 The SFr1 billion ($870 million) payment to countries mainly in eastern Europe was approved by Swiss voters in 2006. Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey and Economics Minister Doris Leuthard signed the documents on Thursday. “Today’s event is of historic significance. With the signature we are giving the go-ahead for enlargement contribution implementation and opening a…

Demographics

Partial tax amnesty passes parliament

This content was published on Dec 20, 2007 Also on Wednesday, the House of Representatives rejected a proposal to scrap a flat-rate tax for rich foreigners. Finance Minister Hans-Rudolf Merz condemned tax evasion during the debate in the House. But he said incentives were necessary for the state to get back the funds it is rightfully owed. “There is no ideal solution from…

Demographics

Ballot box votes on citizenship outlawed

This content was published on Dec 19, 2007 The rightwing Swiss People’s Party has forced a nationwide vote on the issue, likely to take place next year. The Senate finally followed the House of Representatives on Wednesday in approving a proposal that only an elected body or a local assembly must deal with citizenship requests. The decision came after several rounds of debate…

Culture

R2-D2 kidnapped from museum

This content was published on Dec 19, 2007 According to local police, the theft must have occurred some time between the beginning of the month and Tuesday, when some objects were reported missing. The thieves broke into a basement storage room, making off with an exact copy of the famed robot character as well as other items. The 1.2-metre-high robot is worth thousands…

Returning to the roots of the Christmas tree

This content was published on Dec 19, 2007 The exhibition Red in Green traces the tree’s story right back to the first written record in the old guildhalls of the upper Rhineland in the 16th century. Although Christmas trees graced the salons of rich and noble houses in German-speaking regions from then on, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that they became…

Culture

Christmas lights

This content was published on Dec 19, 2007 Christmas lighting transforms the streetscape of Switzerland at this time of year, creating a festive atmosphere. swissinfo has collected some nighttime scenes from around the country.

Francine Jordi: Dann kamst Du

This content was published on Dec 19, 2007

Cluster: Swiss Identity

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Cluster: Swiss Identity

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Resorts introduce low-cost skiing

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Swiss troops to stay in Kosovo

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Watch industry hands in Unesco bid

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Swiss set to apply payments to new EU members

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Partial tax amnesty passes parliament

More

Ballot box votes on citizenship outlawed

More

R2-D2 kidnapped from museum

More

Returning to the roots of the Christmas tree

More

Christmas lights

More

Francine Jordi: Dann kamst Du

Popular Stories

Most Discussed