Swiss Identity

Linguists unite against English invasion

This content was published on Dec 16, 2009 Linguistics experts met in the Swiss capital Bern on Tuesday to share ideas on how to deal with the growing language divide within French, German and Italian-speaking communities. Who can get by these days without knowing the meaning of whistleblower, laptop, roaming or task force? They are all words that have entered into common usage…

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Valencia emerges as America’s Cup front-runner

This content was published on Dec 16, 2009 The ruling by the New York State Supreme Court’s appellate division signals a possible end to a legal battle over the terms of the race, and paves the way for Valencia in Spain to host the 33rd America’s Cup next year. Alinghi’s sponsoring club, the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) said in a statement after…

Culture

Switzerland to host francophone summit

This content was published on Dec 15, 2009 A ministerial meeting of the organisation of French speaking countries (OIF) approved the Swiss offer on Tuesday. No objections were raised by any of the seven Muslim member states. The meeting will be held in the town of Montreux on Lake Geneva from October 22 to 24. Switzerland was the only candidate to host it.…

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Minaret appeal filed with Strasbourg court

This content was published on Dec 15, 2009 It was lodged on Tuesday afternoon, said Pierre de Preux, a lawyer acting for Hafid Ouardiri, the former spokesman of the Geneva mosque. Ouardiri wants the Strasbourg court to rule that the ban is incompatible with the European human rights convention. De Preux told the AP news agency that a letter had been sent to…

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Man mauled in Bern bear park leaves hospital

This content was published on Dec 15, 2009 The mentally handicapped 25-year-old victim had undergone several operations and still needs rest and care, the commune of Köniz, where he lives, announced on Tuesday. The man had climbed into the enclosure on November 21 to rescue a plastic bag. The park’s 250 kg male bear, Finn, attacked the intruder, who was only rescued when…

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Red Cross makes breakthrough Afghan visit

This content was published on Dec 15, 2009 The ICRC said in a statement on Tuesday that it had visited three members of the Afghan security forces in the northwestern province of Badghis. The organisation said it would not release any details about the detainees’ condition. It could not say whether they were policemen or soldiers, nor when they were captured. However, it…

Culture

Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch

This content was published on Dec 15, 2009

Quiet wedding for Stanislas Wawrinka

This content was published on Dec 15, 2009 The private civil ceremony took place on December 12, Vuilloud – herself a television presenter – told a local television programme on Monday. “We shall celebrate our union in a church ceremony with lots of guests when our child (due in February) is able to carry our rings,” she said. Wawrinka is 24 years old,…

History

“National Muslim body is not a priority”

This content was published on Dec 15, 2009 The idea of a single body representing the country’s diverse Muslim groups is one of a number of hot topics doing the rounds in Switzerland, which is still reeling from the surprise anti-minaret vote two weeks ago. For Stéphane Lathion, head of a research group on Islam in Switzerland at Lausanne University, focusing on a…

Demographics

Push for animal rights lawyer ruffles feathers

This content was published on Dec 14, 2009 The issue will come to a nationwide vote on March 7 after a leading animal rights group collected enough signatures to put the measure on the ballot. If it passes, each canton must appoint an animal rights attorney. This person would have the power to influence cases that come to court to ensure, for example,…

Swiss Identity

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Swiss Identity

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Linguists unite against English invasion

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Valencia emerges as America’s Cup front-runner

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Switzerland to host francophone summit

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Minaret appeal filed with Strasbourg court

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Man mauled in Bern bear park leaves hospital

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Red Cross makes breakthrough Afghan visit

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Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch

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Quiet wedding for Stanislas Wawrinka

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“National Muslim body is not a priority”

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Push for animal rights lawyer ruffles feathers

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