Swiss Identity

Foreign ministry calls for order in Kyrgyzstan

This content was published on Apr 8, 2010 In a statement, it urged all parties to exercise restraint and avoid further bloodshed. Switzerland is calling for respect of human rights and the rule of law. Opposition leaders on Thursday proclaimed a new interim government after protests and clashes left dozens dead nationwide. The foreign ministry has advised Swiss citizens against tourist and other…

History

Muslim scholar welcomed after lengthy US ban

This content was published on Apr 8, 2010 Ramadan said he was happy to be back despite an hour-long delay passing through customs. US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton lifted the ban on Ramadan in January. He had been kept out after donating money to a Swiss charity suspected of supporting Hamas. Ramadan has described the controversy as ridiculous and said he…

Culture

Learning how the other half lives – and speaks

This content was published on Apr 8, 2010 Even in parliament, many members struggle to follow what their colleagues from other language regions are saying. Radical party member Ruedi Noser tells swissinfo.ch about the reasons for his decision to spend a year in the French part of the country. Noser sits in the House of Representatives for the centre-right party. An engineer by…

Culture

Om: Willisau

This content was published on Apr 7, 2010 Part VI Om

Zurich population to hit 400,000 by 2020

This content was published on Apr 7, 2010 Basing their calculations on the number of planned constructions, they estimated the population would lie between 409,000 and 415,000 by 2020. The central district which includes the Escher Wyss quarter is alone expected to grow by 35 per cent, playing a significant role in Zurich’s changing skyline. While 380,000 people live in the city itself,…

Demographics

Escaped prisoner back in custody

This content was published on Apr 7, 2010 Police said locals spotted the 32-year-old man, who had been convicted on robbery and drug charges, in Lucerne on Tuesday night. He did not resist arrest. The other two men – Serbian nationals – who fled the jail in Willisau on Sunday, are still at large. Police describe them as dangerous. To escape last weekend,…

Culture

The folk hero

This content was published on Apr 7, 2010 General Henri Guisan (1874-1960) personified Swiss resistance during the war. The charismatic general was revered by the Swiss population, and would become a larger-than-life figure. (photo editor: Christoph Balsiger, swissinfo.ch)

Vaud myths

This content was published on Apr 6, 2010 Lucienne Fontannaz’s paintings bring to life 20 myths selected from Alfred Cérésole’s popular book, Légendes des Alpes Vaudoises, which was written in 1885 but continues to be published to this day. (Paintings: Lucienne Fontannaz)

Teacher shortage threatens schools

This content was published on Apr 6, 2010 Switzerland is the only country in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that trains its teachers in three years instead of four. It’s also the country whose teachers give the most lessons: 28-32 a week, compared with a European average of 20-24. Teachers are using these statistics to push the authorities into taking…

Demographics

Prisoners make an Easter break

This content was published on Apr 6, 2010 The three attacked a prison officer, tied him up and shut him into a cell on Sunday evening. The escapees are described as violent and dangerous. Shortly after 8pm the prison officer was able to free himself and raise the alarm. He suffered three broken ribs. There is no trace of the three men, described…

Swiss Identity

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Sign in and personalize Swissinfo

Swiss Identity

More

Foreign ministry calls for order in Kyrgyzstan

More

Muslim scholar welcomed after lengthy US ban

More

Learning how the other half lives – and speaks

More

Om: Willisau

More

Zurich population to hit 400,000 by 2020

More

Escaped prisoner back in custody

More

The folk hero

More

Vaud myths

More

Teacher shortage threatens schools

More

Prisoners make an Easter break

Popular Stories

Most Discussed