Swiss Identity

SNB joins international effort to bail banks

This content was published on Sep 18, 2008 The announcement follows the collapse of United States investment bank Lehman Brothers on Monday and warnings that several other institutions in desperate trouble. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) said on Thursday that the coordinated effort to increase repurchase agreements – known as repo auctions – was designed to improve liquidity conditions globally. Liquidity, or the…

Demographics

What disability?

This content was published on Sep 18, 2008 The Olympic Games for athletes with physical disabilities have taken place since 1960. This year around 4,000 people from 148 countries fought for glory in the Chinese capital. Switzerland reached its target of 11 medals.

Cancer vaccine plan launched amid controversy

This content was published on Sep 18, 2008 Health authorities say that vaccinating girls against human papilloma virus, or HPV, will help reduce cases of the cancer. But objections have been raised about the high costs and the effectiveness of the medication. The huge campaign, launched to coincide with the start of the school year, involves the Federal Health Office, the cantons, health…

Demographics

Swiss Paralympians hit their target

This content was published on Sep 17, 2008 The team won three gold, two silver and six bronze medals to finish in 34th place. China won the most medals at 211. Britain took second with 102 medals. The United States placed third with 99. Ruedi Spitzli, head of the Swiss team, had mixed feelings about Switzerland’s performance while expressing hope that the Paralympic…

Demographics

From Peshawar to Swiss pastures

This content was published on Sep 17, 2008 The 40-year-old from Peshawar in northwestern Pakistan spent a month in Switzerland this summer. But instead of the regular tourist experience, he wanted to get a feel for what it’s like to work in Switzerland and to learn something new. One of his new experiences was herding cows and making cheese. This rural idyll ended…

Demographics

Paralympic athletes win gold and bronze

This content was published on Sep 17, 2008 Edith Hunkeler broke away from the pack in the final lap to win the Women’s Marathon T54 in Paralympic record time (1:39:59). Amanda McGrory of the United States finished second in 1:40:00, just ahead of Switzerland’s Sandra Graf in 1:40:01. The bronze was Graf’s first Paralympic medal. Hunkeler captured bronze a day earlier in the…

Demographics

FC Basel lose opening Champions League match

This content was published on Sep 17, 2008 Shakhtar Donetsk took control of the match in the first half with two long-range goals from free-kicks by Brazilian midfielders Fernandinho and Jadson. There was little the Basel defence could do about the first goal with Fernandinho, one of five Brazilians in Shakhtar’s starting line-up, scoring just before the half-hour mark with a ferocious free-kick…

Demographics

Swiss search abroad for retirement inspiration

This content was published on Sep 16, 2008 The ageing Swiss demographic is one of the greatest challenges facing the country’s retirement system. Today there are just four people working for every retired person. By 2050 experts believe that ratio will halve, potentially causing the system to collapse So at the request of the Federal Social Insurance Office, a team of experts from…

Demographics

Hunkeler wins bronze at Paralympics

This content was published on Sep 16, 2008 Hunkeler made a successful return to the track having been admitted to hospital briefly on September 8 after causing a pile-up which took out six of the 11 racers in the 5000-metre race. This is the 36-year-old’s third medal in two Olympics. In Athens Hunkeler, who has won the Swiss disabled athlete of the year…

Mountain village with cables of a cable car

Culture

The last nostalgic ride

This content was published on Sep 16, 2008 60-year-old chairlift retires After carrying tourists up and down the mountain in Kandersteg for over 60 years, one of the oldest wooden chairlifts of its kind in the world has gone into retirement. The best efforts of heritage groups were unable to stop its dismantling. (SF/swissinfo)

Swiss Identity

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Swiss Identity

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SNB joins international effort to bail banks

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What disability?

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Cancer vaccine plan launched amid controversy

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Swiss Paralympians hit their target

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From Peshawar to Swiss pastures

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Paralympic athletes win gold and bronze

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FC Basel lose opening Champions League match

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Swiss search abroad for retirement inspiration

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Hunkeler wins bronze at Paralympics

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The last nostalgic ride

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