Swiss Identity

The short trip that launched a travel empire

This content was published on May 22, 2006 The top of the Uetliberg ridge has been a favourite lookout spot since the 19th century and, in 1906, helped Kuoni start what would become Switzerland’s largest travel company. Travellers today pay SFr25 ($21) just for the return trip by rail. The journey begins on an underground platform at Zurich’s main station, and takes day…

Demographics

Nations take stock of flu pandemic plans

This content was published on May 22, 2006 Monday’s opening, however, was overshadowed by the death of World Health Organization director-general Lee Jong-wook, who spearheaded the body’s fight against bird flu. According to Swiss health officials, a lack of resources and transparency in some developing countries means there is still much work to be done to prepare for a pandemic. Last week the…

Education

Voters take pragmatic approach to education

This content was published on May 21, 2006 They say fears that Switzerland will now become more centralized are unfounded. In their view, the current system doesn’t meet the people’s requirements. Lucien Criblez, professor at the college of Teacher Education in Aarau, says the outcome of Sunday’s vote shows the days of absolute cantonal autonomy on education matters are over. “The generation of…

Demographics

Hingis wins first title in four years

This content was published on May 21, 2006 The former world number one defeated the 16th seeded Safina in two sets, 6-2, 7-5. It was Hingis’s first win in a final since Tokyo in 2002. “It’s great to be on top of the game,” the 25-year-old Swiss said after Sunday’s match. She won her first two games easily before coming back from 0-40…

Culture

Swiss vote emphatically for education reform

This content was published on May 21, 2006 The cabinet and education authorities welcomed Sunday’s decisive result, which was marked by one of the lowest turnouts ever in a nationwide vote. Just 27 per cent of voters cast their ballots. The reforms are aimed at improving co-ordination among the different school systems and giving the federal authorities a bigger say. Voters in all…

Culture

How the Swiss seized their New World chances

This content was published on May 20, 2006 Schelbert, who was recently awarded this year’s Swiss expatriate prize in recognition for his work on Swiss emigration to the US, says poverty was not necessarily the driving factor. Around one million people who live in the US are estimated to have Swiss roots. Many are descended from settlers who emigrated to the country in…

Demographics

African churches

This content was published on May 20, 2006

Language lessons leave adolescents tongue-tied

This content was published on May 20, 2006 Plans by canton Bern to teach pupils French from age eight and English two years later could be replicated across the country, if the Swiss vote in favour of harmonising education on Sunday. The German-speaking Pestalozzi and Munziger Schools in Bern are sister establishments and located a stone’s throw away from each other. At the…

Culture

Calmy-Rey pushes for closure on Kosovo

This content was published on May 19, 2006 Calmy-Rey made her comments at a two-day seminar in canton Graubünden at which a delegation from Kosovo was studying the political set-up of the trilingual canton. On Tuesday the fifth round of United Nations-mediated talks between Serbian and ethnic Albanian officials are set to begin in Vienna. The talks are to determine whether the province…

Demographics

Swiss start kicking the habit

This content was published on May 19, 2006 The percentage of smokers fell from 33 per cent to 30 per cent between 2001 and 2005, according to statistics presented on Friday. Young smokers in particular are starting to give up. “This step in the right direction is basically down to political anti-smoking efforts and a change in people’s mentality,” said Federal Health Office…

Swiss Identity

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Swiss Identity

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The short trip that launched a travel empire

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Nations take stock of flu pandemic plans

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Voters take pragmatic approach to education

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Hingis wins first title in four years

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Swiss vote emphatically for education reform

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How the Swiss seized their New World chances

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African churches

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Language lessons leave adolescents tongue-tied

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Calmy-Rey pushes for closure on Kosovo

More

Swiss start kicking the habit

Popular Stories

Most Discussed