Swiss Identity

Sri Lanka talks get underway in Geneva

This content was published on Oct 28, 2006 Opening the two-day negotiations, Swiss ambassador Heidi Tagliavini called for both sides in the longstanding conflict to respect international human rights law. This is the second time the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tigers have met in Geneva. After talks in February they agreed to stop all forms of violence but since then the country…

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Schmid orders probe into skull row

This content was published on Oct 28, 2006 Germany has been rocked by a scandal over macabre images of its troops posing with human skulls in Afghanistan. The Swiss soldiers are attached to the same contingent, but Schmid said he was sure they were not involved. Schmid told Saturday’s edition of the mass market Blick newspaper that he was shocked by the actions…

History

War of words erupts over sale of ancient texts

This content was published on Oct 28, 2006 They fear the sale of the papyri, which date back to the 2nd century, could precipitate the break-up of a unique collection of around 50 texts held by the Bodmer Foundation. The Bodmer, based in Cologny just outside the city, says it needs to raise money to guarantee the long-term future of its museum, which…

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Ackermann faces Mannesmann retrial

This content was published on Oct 26, 2006 Josef Ackermann, who helped steer Germany’s biggest bank to record profits while cutting costs, has said that he will resign if found guilty. The bank’s board of directors has stood behind him – as they did in his first trial, which ended in acquittal in 2004. Ackermann arrived at the district court in the German…

History

Musig us em Aemmital. Kapelle ‘Hasechlupf’, Oberthal / Aemmitaler Ländlerquintet, Eggiwil

This content was published on Oct 26, 2006

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Apartheid victims demand Swiss compensation

This content was published on Oct 26, 2006 The Apartheid Debt and Reparations Campaign (ADR) has sent an open letter to the government, which it accuses of helping prolong murder, abduction, rape, forced resettlement, torture, repression and other state-approved crimes. The letter was signed by 268 Swiss personalities and 17 organisations involved in politics, culture, science, religion and development. The ADR also criticised…

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Ziegler calls for UN intervention in Darfur

This content was published on Oct 25, 2006 Ziegler, presenting his annual report in New York, said that the war-torn region represented the worst current humanitarian crisis. The Geneva sociologist added that the UN had the right to intervene to help local populations without the authorisation of the Sudanese government. Ziegler, who has yet to travel to Darfur, said this was the only…

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Global water crisis

This content was published on Oct 25, 2006

Suspected cult leader faces second trial

This content was published on Oct 24, 2006 The trial in France takes place four years after he was acquitted of conspiring to brainwash 74 followers of the Order of the Solar Temple into accepting death by occult ritual. Prosecutors appealed against the ruling, and on Tuesday a court in the city of Grenoble reopened the proceedings. The trial is expected to last…

Culture

Alps shown to be the summit of perfection

This content was published on Oct 23, 2006 More than 300 works from artists, scientists and explorers aim to show how the majestic mountain chain has inspired – and awed – people over the centuries. “In the Alps”, which runs until January, presents imagery of the Alpine world from the 17th century to the present day. The items include cartographic models, early tourist…

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