Swiss Identity

Fertility rate slows and fewer people marry

This content was published on Feb 23, 2012 Provisional population figures released by the Federal Statistics Office on Thursday showed the fertility rate had decreased from 1.54 children per woman in 2010, to 1.49 in 2011. Fabienne Rausa of the office’s demography and migration section told the Swiss News Agency that the fall was the result of fewer births among foreign nationals in…

Demographics

Mobile phone frequencies allocated

This content was published on Feb 23, 2012 The results were announced by the Swiss telecoms regulator, the Federal Communication Commission (ComCom), on Thursday. The auction allocated frequencies that are currently free and others whose licences expire in 2014 and 2017. The new licences are valid until 2028. Secure bids were taken via internet over 13 days, ending on Wednesday. The ComCom said…

Demographics

Swiss Re triples income

This content was published on Feb 23, 2012 The company reported on Thursday that its net income for the full year was $2.6 billion (SFr2.4 billion), well above what experts had forecast, compared with $863 million in 2010. “With a successful year behind us and a modest but broad market turn underway, Swiss Re is well positioned to perform and grow in a…

Cold beds create hot heads in alpine resorts

This content was published on Feb 23, 2012 The initiative threatens the valley community’s very existence, according to the local council. “It’s the daftest thing I’ve ever heard!” thunders Maurice Epiney behind the wheel of the bus bringing two dozen or so people up from Sierre into the alpine villages of Val d’Anniviers: tourists with rucksacks, snow shoes and skis sit next to…

Culture

Ticino: Genuine Folk Music from Southern Switzerland

This content was published on Feb 22, 2012 These melodies, ballads, songs and dances are typical of the temperament of the Ticino people, and of their spontaneous spirit and natural emotions. Contrasting moods of merriment and melancholy are symbolic of their day-to-day lives and find their expression in this music. Reflections Ticino is world-renowned today as a sunny palm-tree paradise for tourists. But…

Culture

A Swiss National Yodeling Festival

This content was published on Feb 22, 2012 The Swiss Yodeling Association was founded 1910 in Bern. Its various activities – training, courses, publications – include the organisation of national competitions for yodeling, alphorn playing and flag throwing. The first official National Yodeling Festival was held in Basel in 1924, with 31 groups participating. Seventy-two years later, no less than 549 groups, 269…

Education

Funds for training and research increase

This content was published on Feb 22, 2012 Around SFr23.88 billion will be allocated to domestic programmes, with the rest going to European framework projects. The government says that it wants to maintain the excellent level of the country’s educational system and research. The federal institutes of technology will receive a large chunk of the funding, with around SFr9.5 billion over four years.…

Demographics

Second baby window planned

This content was published on Feb 22, 2012 It will be the second such window in the country. A similar facility at the hospital in the town of Einsiedeln has received seven babies since it opened in 2001. The latest case was a baby girl left there on Monday. “The hospital in Davos wants to face up to its social responsibilities,” its director…

Adoption by same-sex couples gains backing

This content was published on Feb 22, 2012 The civil partnership law introduced in 2005 bans such adoption, although single lesbians or gays do have the right. A motion put forward after a petition by same-sex organisations and approved by a Senate legal affairs commission aims to tackle the situation. It proposes that all adults, whatever their civil status or lifestyle, be allowed…

Demographics

SMI end of service

This content was published on Feb 22, 2012 With the launch of the new swissinfo.ch offer, we are no longer able to provide this service. Please refer directly to the Reuters site.

Swiss Identity

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Swiss Identity

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Fertility rate slows and fewer people marry

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Mobile phone frequencies allocated

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Swiss Re triples income

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Cold beds create hot heads in alpine resorts

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Ticino: Genuine Folk Music from Southern Switzerland

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A Swiss National Yodeling Festival

More

Funds for training and research increase

More

Second baby window planned

More

Adoption by same-sex couples gains backing

More

SMI end of service

Popular Stories

Most Discussed