Swiss Identity

Legendary Swiss stone stolen again

This content was published on Aug 20, 2005 This is the second time thieves have taken the stone. In 1984 it was taken by Jura separatists, who returned it again 17 years later. The 83.5-kilogram Unspunnen stone is named after Switzerland’s most revered stone throwing contest and has been tossed at celebrations of folklore and national heritage for a century. It is one…

Culture

Mind-bending Swiss genius returns

This content was published on Aug 20, 2005 This addictive test of logic has already conquered the United States, Japan and Britain and it is now creeping into Swiss newspapers and bookstores. “Maths hardly comes into it,” Professor Alberto Bersani, a mathematician at La Sapienza University in Rome and a games enthusiast, told swissinfo. “Nor does riddle-solving. What counts is logic, a quick…

Culture

Swiss abroad feature on posters at home

This content was published on Aug 20, 2005 Officials say the general public and the media often underestimate the contribution made by the Swiss abroad. The 20 laminated posters are displayed on Expatriates’ Square on the edge of a park in Brunnen on Lake Lucerne. The exhibition was officially inaugurated earlier this month. From the square a visitor can look across the lake…

Demographics

Soldiers sent home for racist behaviour

This content was published on Aug 19, 2005 The suspensions come shortly after other cases of misconduct within the ranks were revealed in the media. The defence ministry announced the suspensions on Friday, adding that the misconduct was confined to a small group of soldiers. Officers and recruits at the training school in Isone, canton Ticino, witnessed the incident last week. The two…

Demographics

Late diagnosis could be helping spread of HIV

This content was published on Aug 19, 2005 The survey of 62 patients, conducted between 2002 and 2004 by the university’s department of infectious diseases, found nearly three-quarters had not been diagnosed in the critical early stages. Project leader Huldrych Günthard told swissinfo that people who acquire HIV are more likely to spread the infection in the first 90-day “acute” stage before the…

Culture

Performance group heads for the stars

This content was published on Aug 19, 2005 öff öff Productions are wowing the public this summer at the Zurich Theatre Spectacle, an annual festival on the banks of the lake. The troupe has been together since 1994, but their unusual dance, acrobatics and climbing combinations are difficult to classify. A recent performance involved dizzying moves off an iron bridge in Bern, witnessed…

Demographics

Top athletes prepare for battle in Zurich

This content was published on Aug 19, 2005 Fifteen newly crowned world champions are set to take part in the Golden League meeting, facing athletes looking for revenge after coming second best in Helsinki. The main event will be the men’s 100m sprint, although the planned duel between American world champion Justlin Gatlin and world-record holder Asafa Powell has been called off. The…

Demographics

Government hooligan plan is “overreaction”

This content was published on Aug 18, 2005 David Zimmermann said the temporary measures for dealing with troublemakers were inappropriate and in part unworkable. They include a database of known hooligans and preventive detention. The psychologist said that the government’s focus ahead of the 2008 European football championships should be on preventing trouble. Other reactions have been more positive, with the Swiss Football…

Demographics

Burns victims healed with foetal skin cells

This content was published on Aug 18, 2005 They said the groundbreaking procedure, which was carried out at Lausanne University Hospital, offered the hope of rapid and complication-free treatment. The study, which was published in the medical journal The Lancet, reported that a bank of foetal skin cells was developed from a single donation of foetal skin. The mother, who had miscarried after…

Demographics

Mexico raid sends warning to watch fraudsters

This content was published on Aug 17, 2005 The successful raid in Mexico City on August 8 was the result of a joint operation between local police and the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry’s regional office. Federation president Jean-Daniel Pasche told swissinfo that the operation was one part of a global strategy to clamp down on counterfeiters, who cost the Swiss watch…

Swiss Identity

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Sign in and personalize Swissinfo

Swiss Identity

More

Legendary Swiss stone stolen again

More

Mind-bending Swiss genius returns

More

Swiss abroad feature on posters at home

More

Soldiers sent home for racist behaviour

More

Late diagnosis could be helping spread of HIV

More

Performance group heads for the stars

More

Top athletes prepare for battle in Zurich

More

Government hooligan plan is “overreaction”

More

Burns victims healed with foetal skin cells

More

Mexico raid sends warning to watch fraudsters

Popular Stories

Most Discussed