Swiss Identity

US asks Swiss to take Guantanamo inmates

This content was published on Dec 16, 2008 Cabinet minister Moritz Leuenberger told the House of Representatives on Monday that the government would examine the request “extremely closely”. He added that it would take account of the situation of detainees whom the US wants to free for lack of charges, but would also consider the possible consequences of accepting Guantanamo detainees in Switzerland.…

Culture

Grand designs

This content was published on Dec 15, 2008 Vacancies, an exhibition at the Swiss Alpine Museum in Bern, highlights how tourism in the Alps has changed.

Health office changes parasite policy

This content was published on Dec 15, 2008 In a change of policy, the authorities have come out against systematic screening for the parasite, since infection is in any case irreversible. Currently 90 per cent of pregnant women are tested. Infection during pregnancy can be transferred to the foetus. In rare cases this can lead to eye inflammation and brain damage in the…

Demographics

Snow leaves villages isolated

This content was published on Dec 15, 2008 The southern canton of Valais was most severely hit. In the upper part of the Rhone Valley, no trains were running on a 20-kilometre stretch between Niederwald and Oberwald on Monday. The line normally links the town of Andermatt with Visp and Zermatt. The road between the two villages has also been closed because of…

Demographics

Swiss skippers out of Vendée Globe

This content was published on Dec 15, 2008 Bernard Stamm followed Dominique Wavre in being forced to make port in the Kerguelen Islands in the southern ocean on Sunday. Stamm made for land after discovering a problem with his rudder bearings on Saturday. But storm winds drove his boat aground on arrival, causing further damage. It could not be refloated until Monday morning.…

Demographics

Ammann extends World Cup ski jump lead

This content was published on Dec 15, 2008 On Sunday Ammann lost out to Fumihisa Yumoto of Japan, who won his first World Cup meet of the season. Yumoto jumped 126 metres on his first attempt and didn’t have to defend the result because adverse weather forced the cancellation of the second jump. Ammann, who won Saturday’s event, jumped 124.5 metres for second…

Culture

Switzerland, a land of surprises

This content was published on Dec 15, 2008 Historian Leo Schelbert has been taking aim at some of the clichés surrounding the country, while also trying to explain the diversity and complexity of this small but successful nation. It took three-and-a-half years for Schelbert, a Swiss citizen and emeritus professor of history at the University of Chicago at Illinois, to compile his Historical…

Demographics

Swiss like neutrality but worry about money

This content was published on Dec 15, 2008 According to the 2008 Credit Suisse Worry Barometer survey, Swiss people were most concerned about losing their jobs. It was the sixth successive year that employment ranked highest on the list of worries. The study, conducted by the polling firm gts.bern and released on Monday, also revealed that while refugees and concerns about personal safety…

Demographics

Fiscal issues to tax Brussels talks

This content was published on Dec 15, 2008 The talks come one week after European Union ministers issued a document listing key issues to be resolved between Brussels and Bern if bilateral relations are to be extended. Swiss president Pascal Couchepin is leading the Swiss delegation, which includes Finance Minister Hans-Rudolf Merz and Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf. Ahead of the meeting with European…

Demographics

Women curlers victorious

This content was published on Dec 13, 2008 The Swiss side proved too strong for the home team and defending champion, Sweden, winning 5-4. Bronze in the event went to Denmark. The Swiss team led by skip Mirjam Ott became the first since 1996 to win a gold medal in an important tournament, including the Olympics and World Championships. And it was Ott…

Swiss Identity

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Sign in and personalize Swissinfo

Swiss Identity

More

US asks Swiss to take Guantanamo inmates

More

Grand designs

More

Health office changes parasite policy

More

Snow leaves villages isolated

More

Swiss skippers out of Vendée Globe

More

Ammann extends World Cup ski jump lead

More

Switzerland, a land of surprises

More

Swiss like neutrality but worry about money

More

Fiscal issues to tax Brussels talks

More

Women curlers victorious

Popular Stories

Most Discussed