Swiss Identity

Asylum seeker from Myanmar returns to Switzerland

This content was published on Jan 5, 2008 The foreign ministry had repeatedly called for his release from prison. He had been sentenced to 19 years in jail by the military rulers in Myanmar apparently for threatening the security and peace of the country. Stanley Van Tha was sent back to Myanmar after he failed to convince the Swiss asylum authorities that he…

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Dakar Rally faces uncertain future

This content was published on Jan 4, 2008 Philippe Cottet is one of two Swiss motorcycle riders who were due to leave Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday for the start of the 9,000-kilometre race across the Sahara Desert to Dakar, Senegal. For the first time in its 30-year history, the annual rally was called off on Friday because of safety concerns in the African…

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Hingis handed two-year suspension for doping

This content was published on Jan 4, 2008 Hingis had announced the positive doping test and her retirement in November, although she strenuously denied ever taking the drug and proclaimed her innocence. The International Tennis Federation said on Friday that an independent anti-doping tribunal had found her guilty of a doping offence after a two-day hearing in December. The tribunal rejected suggestions that…

Culture

Exhibition uncovers female side of God

This content was published on Jan 4, 2008 A new exhibition showing in Fribourg aims to set the record straight, by lifting the veil on the feminine face of God. More than 300 exhibits span a period of 10,000 years. The female objects of worship include the Egyptian goddess Isis and the Virgin Mary. Othmar Keel, who co-organised the exhibition, says changes in…

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Geneva opens free military arms dump

This content was published on Jan 4, 2008 But the pioneering initiative, which opened on Wednesday and is being closely watched by other cantons, has received a lukewarm reception from the federal authorities. “I handed in my assault rifle yesterday, as it’s not very obvious how I can store it safely. I think it’s good to have the choice… to be able to…

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Swiss at heart of Hamas and Israel talks

This content was published on Jan 3, 2008 A senior Swiss foreign ministry official, Thomas Greminger, confirmed the existence of the so-called “Swiss document” on Thursday, which dates back to 2006. Over the past few days, former Palestinian Foreign Minister and top Hamas official Mahmoud al-Zahar and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who is also known as Abu Mazen, have publicly discussed the existence…

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Bern issues warning over Kenya situation

This content was published on Jan 3, 2008 It has also expressed its concern at the situation in the African country as diplomatic efforts continue to try to defuse the political crisis. Bern has urged politicians to “do everything to find a dialogue for Kenya’s political future”. The violence was sparked by charges President Mwai Kibaki stole his way to re-election on December…

Culture

Marc “Cuco” Dietrich: Bärn Bluus

This content was published on Jan 3, 2008

Culture

Komponistenportrait Alois Betschart “s’Piitschä Wysel”.

This content was published on Jan 3, 2008

Demographics

Uneasy calm in Kenya after election violence

This content was published on Jan 2, 2008 The Swiss foreign ministry on Wednesday expressed its “concern” about the turn of events and urged politicians to “do everything to find a dialogue for Kenya’s political future”. It also warned tourists against all but essential travel to Kenya. Ghanaian president and African Union chairman John Kufuor announced the same day a mediation mission to…

Swiss Identity

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