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Swissinfo.ch – analysis and reporting of the minaret debate

This content was published on Nov 30, 2009 Switzerland’s direct democracy means that it is citizens who have the last word on important political decisions. At the weekend Swiss voted, with a majority of 58 per cent, to accept a ban on future minaret construction. The minaret debate dossier provided by swissinfo.ch contains reactions as well as analysis articles on the result of…

Sino-Swiss free trade accord weighed up

This content was published on Nov 30, 2009 The study will examine issues covered by free trade agreements, such as trade in goods and services, investment and other possible areas of cooperation. Swiss Economics Minister Doris Leuthard said the study would clarify how ambitious the accord should be. “Either we have too many expectations and an accord will take years to sign, or…

Big bang machine zips into record books

This content was published on Nov 30, 2009 Scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (Cern) were able to use the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) to accelerate twin proton beams to 1.18 teraelectonvolts (TeV). That beats the previous record of 0.98TeV set in the United States in 2001. In particle physics, an electron volt is a measurement of kinetic energy. A TeV…

Obwalden votes against rich “ghetto zone”

This content was published on Nov 29, 2009 The canton has already introduced a flat-tax system to attract rich people to the area, which has enjoyed public support. But observers say the widely criticized move over land went too far. The ballot result stood at 8,881 no votes to 5,365 yes votes. Obwalden’s plans caused quite an uproar in Switzerland with Swiss Environment…

Vaud says no to nuclear plant

This content was published on Nov 29, 2009 With 64 per cent against, they rejected plans to extend the licence for the Mühleberg plant, in neighbouring canton Bern. But the federal authorities still have the final say. The plant, which supplies energy to the canton, has a licence to operate until 2012. The energy ministry had been waiting for the outcome of the…

Geneva voters approve Franco-Swiss rail link

This content was published on Nov 29, 2009 The project, which has been on the cards for almost a century, was opposed by a vocal minority, which argued that it was too expensive and did not solve Geneva’s major traffic problems. The CEVA train link between Geneva’s Cornavin train station, Eaux Vives and the French town of Annemasse would make the French border…

Leuthard queries free movement policy

This content was published on Nov 29, 2009 She said it expected more European Union citizens to return home after losing their jobs in the economic crisis and that she was considering making it harder for them to get unemployment benefits. Switzerland has signed a bilateral agreement with the EU allowing the free movement of people, meaning that EU and Swiss citizens can…

A Swiss apple a day keeps wrinkles at bay

This content was published on Nov 28, 2009 Used in creams and serums, stem cells from the Uttwiler Spätlauber apple are said to protect skin cell regeneration and so delay the onset of wrinkles. The discovery was made by a Swiss company. The November edition of the United States Vogue magazine went as far as to call the variety “the super-apple”, and asked…

Drug agency aims for European agreement

This content was published on Nov 27, 2009 The government has asked Swissmedic, the Swiss regulatory body, to start negotiations with the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) in order to give it access to the EMEA’s confidential data, the minister, Didier Burkhalter, told journalists on Friday. This will greatly speed up the approval process of new drugs. Had such an agreement already been in…

Swiss teacher boldly goes on a Mars mission

This content was published on Nov 27, 2009 The training will take place at the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah, whose clients include Nasa. For two weeks Burtscher will live in conditions akin to those on the Red Planet. Burtscher, who is 24 years old, leaves on Friday and will join five others at the station, whose location in the desert of…

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Swissinfo.ch – analysis and reporting of the minaret debate

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Sino-Swiss free trade accord weighed up

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Big bang machine zips into record books

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Obwalden votes against rich “ghetto zone”

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Vaud says no to nuclear plant

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Geneva voters approve Franco-Swiss rail link

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Leuthard queries free movement policy

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A Swiss apple a day keeps wrinkles at bay

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Drug agency aims for European agreement

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Swiss teacher boldly goes on a Mars mission

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