Swiss Identity

Grave statement

This content was published on Aug 19, 2012 Switzerland has one of the highest rates of cremation, just one in three burials include a classic headstone. Those who opt for an individually crafted headstone are expressing a basic need of the bereaved to mark the passing of a loved one. (Pictures: Christoph Balsiger, swissinfo.ch)

Swiss keep religion at a distance

This content was published on Aug 19, 2012 Five years of research into religion in society, comprising 28 projects, has revealed that not only are the main established churches haemorrhaging members, most of those who stay within the fold have at most a superficial attachment to the church. The phenomenon of keeping religion at arms’ length was studied by sociologist Jörg Stolz of…

History

It’s in the cards

This content was published on Aug 19, 2012 Nine per cent of the Swiss population practises alternative spirituality, according to a national study on religion.

Expats praised as driving force of innovation

This content was published on Aug 18, 2012 In his speech to the annual Congress of the Swiss Abroad on Saturday Burkhalter stressed the importance for Switzerland to seek an exchange with the world while standing by its solid values. “Switzerland will remain strong if it retains its pioneering role in science and research. It will continue to be strong if it is…

Demographics

Winners and losers in Swiss tourism

This content was published on Aug 18, 2012

Demographics

Cutting through to the future in China

This content was published on Aug 18, 2012 The photographs were taken in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, some 2,000 kilometres west of Shanghai. With 14 million inhabitants, Chengdu is a booming economic centre in western China. A large percentage of its population come from the surrounding countryside, seeking new opportunities in the city. Job offers, which include accommodation, are highly sought…

Demographics

Switzerland takes in refugees from Malta

This content was published on Aug 17, 2012 Although the refugees arrived in Switzerland in April, their presence has not been made public until now. “Eurema” is a European Union programme intended to distribute North African refugees who have landed on the island of Malta among European countries. Switzerland agreed to take a share of the refugees in need even though it is not part…

Demographics

Switzerland’s cocaine hot spots rival Amsterdam

This content was published on Aug 17, 2012 Bern, Zurich, Geneva and Lucerne are hot spots for cocaine, according to Christoph Ort, from the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag). “The amounts of cocaine in the sewage of these cities were in the same range as those European cities with the highest consumption,” declared the Swiss researcher. Ort participated in…

Demographics

Cocaine roots and routes

This content was published on Aug 17, 2012 Somebody grabs the twigs, preferably a whole bunch, holds them tight at the stems and lets them slip through their hands like a rope, not too fast because it hurts, not too slow because they may miss too many leaves. This is how it all starts. Somebody takes a straw (those from McDonald’s work well),…

Absinthe receives European protection label

This content was published on Aug 16, 2012 The Federal Agriculture Office said on Thursday that absinthe, the Fée verte (Green fairy) and La Bleue (The Blue) were names specific to the products distilled by traditional methods in the Val-de-Travers region of canton Neuchâtel. The label was given despite opposition from 42 interest groups, including 20 from abroad, who argued that the…

Swiss Identity

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Swiss Identity

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Grave statement

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Swiss keep religion at a distance

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It’s in the cards

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Expats praised as driving force of innovation

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Winners and losers in Swiss tourism

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Cutting through to the future in China

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Switzerland takes in refugees from Malta

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Switzerland’s cocaine hot spots rival Amsterdam

More

Cocaine roots and routes

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Absinthe receives European protection label

Popular Stories

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