Swiss Identity

Visiting the island of hope and tears

This content was published on May 7, 2009 Over 12 million immigrants entered the United States through the Ellis Island processing centre in New York between 1892 and 1954. Some of the buildings have been converted into a museum devoted to US immigration history. (pictures: Ellis Island and Dale Bechtel)

Demographics

Plan for “patients’ tax” causes outcry

This content was published on May 7, 2009 The move is part of a larger package of measures aimed at stemming the rise in health costs. “Everyone says that the Swiss health system is a good one, but it is in danger,” said Interior Minister Pascal Couchepin, as he announced the plans on Wednesday. In 2008 the costs associated with obligatory health insurance…

Demographics

Geneva police round up suspected burglars

This content was published on May 7, 2009 More than 100 officers were involved in the operation in eight different locations on Tuesday, when 45 adults and ten children were arrested. Officers also seized jewellery, watches, clothes, computers and a firearm, the police said on Wednesday. A special unit set up to combat the sharply rising number of burglaries in the region carried…

Demographics

US to face Russia at ice hockey worlds

This content was published on May 6, 2009 Both teams played two scoreless periods and racked up a combined 84 shots in a test that saw the US come from behind against third-ranked Finland. The US had not beat Finland since the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. Dustin Brown, TJ Oshie and Ryan Suter all scored within four minutes in the second…

Demographics

Russia beat Belarus to advance at hockey worlds

This content was published on May 6, 2009 Ninth-ranked Belarus managed to keep Russia without any goals during the first period but fell by a score of 4-3. It was their second-best result ever at the world tournament. Russia finished the game with 32 shots on goal versus 22 for Belarus but trailed twice. The game was held in Bern, the Swiss capital.…

Demographics

Ueli Steck in Action

This content was published on May 6, 2009 Ueli Steck, a carpenter from canton Bern, has become known as one of the world’s most extreme mountaineers. On February 13, 2008, Steck broke his own speed record of 3hrs 54min on the Eiger North Face, when he climbed the sheer wall in 2hrs 47min. (Film courtesy of Suunto)

Sakura Kitagawa: Es Fäscht für mis Härz.

This content was published on May 6, 2009 Heech obe Sakura Kitagawa

Culture

MUSIC: Basel Tattoo

This content was published on May 6, 2009 Unique in Switzerland and one of the largest in the world, the Basel Tattoo presents over 200 pipes, drummers and drum majors, including the Top Secret Drum Corps and the Band of the Blues and Royals. The special parade takes place on Saturday July 18.

Robots steal the musical show

This content was published on May 6, 2009 The three high-tech actors are currently starring alongside two human thespians in the world premiere of “Robots”, a musical which mixes drama, humour and science. An eerie sound echoes above the audience from the lungs of the world’s biggest cinema organ. The curtain opens and a flickering candle glides into the 19th-century-style living room, carried…

Culture

Capital voters to choose – arts or business

This content was published on May 6, 2009 The public is best placed to decide who should win this struggle between art and commerce, urban planning experts say. But they warn that a decision to close the cultural centre should not be taken lightly. Real cultural spaces that are run by artists themselves are hard to keep and need to be protected, argues…

Swiss Identity

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