Swiss Identity

Driver linked to horror coach crash

This content was published on Jun 15, 2012 The report presented on Friday by Olivier Elsig, the public prosecutor of canton Valais where the accident occurred, ruled out the involvement of a third party, shortcomings in the road surface or the tunnel infrastructure, excessive speed, alcohol or technical problems with the vehicle. It said investigations were now concentrating on the driver, who was one…

Culture

Swiss firm opens doors for Japanese

This content was published on Jun 15, 2012 Walk a few hundred metres from the train station in Schwarzenburg, a village in the alpine foothills southwest of Bern, and you arrive at the entrance to a Japanese company: Gilgen Door Systems. In the reception area is a piece of artwork comprising four Japanese characters: 風林火山 (wind, forest, fire and mountain). This is a…

Demographics

Parliament moves to tighten asylum laws

This content was published on Jun 14, 2012 The House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to reduce payments to a basic minimum for all asylum seekers even before their applications are considered by the authorities. The exact sums asylum seekers would receive vary from canton to canton, but emergency handouts to meet basic living standards are generally less than SFr10 ($10.50) a day, according…

Education

Swiss school system brightens futures in Myanmar

This content was published on Jun 14, 2012 The hall plunges into darkness for the second time within minutes, but everyone stays calm. The students are used to power cuts. A generator starts up, light returns and the lesson can continue. This class has gathered on the third floor of the Red Cross house, an old building in the centre of Yangon. In…

Culture

Sigg collection goes to Hong Kong

This content was published on Jun 13, 2012 Amassed over three decades by the 66-year-old businessman, this assemblage of some 1,500 works spans China’s recent decades of modernisation, and is conservatively estimated to be worth at least $163 million (SFr157 million). In a surprise move after years of hard negotiations with several cities around the world, Sigg chose to donate the bulk of…

Culture

Basel plays host to annual art pilgrimage

This content was published on Jun 13, 2012 “I’m from Basel but for me Art Basel is not a Swiss event – it’s international,” explained 30-year-old artist Reto Pulfer, who is exhibiting his work for the first time this year. “I would be happy to become known to collectors but my dream is to simply be able to work as I want.” Pulfer,…

Culture

Art Basel 43

This content was published on Jun 13, 2012 More than 300 galleries from 36 countries are taking part in Art Basel 43, displaying 10,000 works from 2,500 artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. (Pictures: Christoph Balsiger, swissinfo.ch)

Collecting art is a way of life for some

This content was published on Jun 13, 2012 Neutrality, political stability and banking secrecy have helped art collectors build up their collections and encouraged them to stay in Switzerland. Museums have benefited after their deaths, with works passing into public hands. Art collectors come in all shapes and sizes: bankers, investors, celebrities, heirs, patrons, companies, art lovers or artists themselves. Among them Xavier,…

Demographics

Right-to-die campaigners converge in Zurich

This content was published on Jun 12, 2012 The highlight of the right-to-die event will be a public debate day on Friday, which will be attended by Swiss Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga. According to the federation website, there are more than 55 right-to-die societies in more than 45 countries worldwide. “Every other year, they congregate for a world congress to discuss ways to…

Demographics

UBS faces criminal complaint over Malaysia ties

This content was published on Jun 12, 2012 BMF accuses UBS of having breached its due diligence duties and calls on the Swiss authorities to take criminal action against the bank and those responsible for its relationship with the chief minister of Sabah, Musa Aman. UBS has declined to comment on the accusations. UBS spokesman Yves Kaufmann said the bank complied with the…

Swiss Identity

Popular Stories

Most Discussed