Swiss Identity

Expert raises doubts over Saddam trial

This content was published on Jan 23, 2006 Marc Henzelin says it is difficult to have an independent judiciary in Iraq and that the resignation of the chief judge is a serious blow to the proceedings. The international criminal law specialist was originally approached by Saddam’s wife to take part in the defence team, but he turned the case down over fears it…

Demographics

Swiss roll out football carpet for Brazil

This content was published on Jan 23, 2006 A Swiss manufacturer of coffee machines is spending some SFr1.1 million ($875,000) on the facility in picturesque Weggis, on the shores of Lake Lucerne. The owner of the company, Thermoplan, told swissinfo that it took him all of five minutes to decide whether to invest in the project. “When the Brazilians come to town, it’s…

Culture

Young talents hope to dance to success

This content was published on Jan 23, 2006 A total of 66 young dancers from all over the world are expected to take part in this year’s event, which starts on Monday. The six-day competition is open to dancers of all nationalities aged 15-17 who are not yet professionals. The winners are usually awarded scholarships to some of the most famous ballet schools…

Demographics

Swiss welcome three-stage World Social Forum

This content was published on Jan 23, 2006 They say this year’s forum is an opportunity to focus attention on the global fight against poverty. For the first time since the WSF was launched in 2001 in response to growing mistrust of the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, non-governmental organisations have chosen to meet in three locations. The cities selected…

History

Swiss Guard honoured at home and away

This content was published on Jan 22, 2006 Swiss Defence Minister Samuel Schmid took part in the local festivities, praising the guards for their loyalty throughout the years. Pope Benedict XVI did not attend the proceedings in person but he was in Fribourg in spirit: he sent his blessing to participants via a satellite link-up from the Vatican. He also blessed the 110-strong…

History

Swiss Guard book leafs through 500 years

This content was published on Jan 22, 2006 Christian-Roland Marcel Richard has just published a book on the papal guard – the first history of the pope’s personal army to be written by a serving guardsman. Swiss Guards Across the Centuries tells the story of the Sack of Rome in 1527 when 147 guardsmen died trying to protect the pope. It also relates…

History

The mercenaries who converted the Vatican

This content was published on Jan 21, 2006 Visitors to the Vatican cannot fail to notice the Swiss guards. Armed with antique halberds and sporting helmets adorned with ostrich plumes, their garb is much the same as in medieval times. Legend has it that Michelangelo himself designed their eye-catching gala uniforms. But decorative though they may be, they still play an important role…

Demographics

Inferno race set to relive its glory days

This content was published on Jan 20, 2006 The 14.9-km course in the Alpine village of Mürren attracts up to 1,800 amateur skiing daredevils each year, testing their skiing and endurance skills to the limit. The organisers waited until Friday evening before deciding the length of the course. The full course is three times longer than the longest World Cup downhill race, the…

Demographics

Egypt complains to Switzerland over CIA leak

This content was published on Jan 19, 2006 The Swiss government said on Thursday that its ambassador to Cairo had been summoned to the Egyptian foreign ministry to receive the complaint. News reports said Egypt had informed Charles-Edouard Held on Sunday that it considered the leaking of an official document to be “unacceptable”. A Swiss foreign ministry spokesman said Held had expressed the…

Demographics

Campaigners hail ban on electroshock weapons

This content was published on Jan 19, 2006 But campaigners are unhappy that a bill on approved methods for restraining deportees includes the use of police dogs and shackles. On Wednesday the government adopted a series of proposals setting out what officers can do to restrain deportees or prisoners in transit who refuse to cooperate. The measures will now be submitted to parliament…

Swiss Identity

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Sign in and personalize Swissinfo

Swiss Identity

More

Expert raises doubts over Saddam trial

More

Swiss roll out football carpet for Brazil

More

Young talents hope to dance to success

More

Swiss welcome three-stage World Social Forum

More

Swiss Guard honoured at home and away

More

Swiss Guard book leafs through 500 years

More

The mercenaries who converted the Vatican

More

Inferno race set to relive its glory days

More

Egypt complains to Switzerland over CIA leak

More

Campaigners hail ban on electroshock weapons

Popular Stories

Most Discussed