Swiss Identity

Kälin calls for humanitarian action in Nepal

This content was published on Apr 25, 2005 The United Nations’ representative for the human rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs) told swissinfo that the country was in the grip of a “climate of fear”. Kälin has just completed a ten-day visit to Nepal where he travelled to several districts and spoke to those driven from their homes by fighting between Maoist rebels…

Demographics

Visa offers Swiss athletes passport to cash

This content was published on Apr 25, 2005 But the head coach of Switzerland’s 2006 Winter Olympics team has expressed concern that other upcoming athletes will continue to struggle to make ends meet. The deal with Visa gives a major financial boost to three Olympic hopefuls: alpine skier Daniel Albrecht, reigning World Cup snowboarding champion Daniela Meuli and Paralympic athlete Thomas Pfyl. The…

Culture

Cutbacks at swissinfo outrage Swiss in France

This content was published on Apr 24, 2005 Speaking at their annual congress, participants were firmly opposed to the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation’s (SBC) proposals to economise at Switzerland’s news and information platform. The SBC announced in March that it would axe up to 80 jobs and eight language services at swissinfo, leaving only a reduced English department. Representatives of the nearly 167,000 Swiss…

History

Half of Switzerland unhappy with papal election

This content was published on Apr 23, 2005 However, a large majority said they disagreed with his conservative views on celibacy, contraception and the ordination of women priests. The Swiss television programme 10 vor 10, produced by swissinfo’s sister company SF DRS, commissioned the survey, which interviewed 1,012 Swiss people a day after Pope Benedict XVI was elected. Nearly 30 per cent of…

Demographics

Suspected terrorist extradited to Spain

This content was published on Apr 22, 2005 Spanish police took Mohamed Achraf into custody in Zurich a week after his appeal to the Swiss Federal Court against his extradition was rejected. Justice Ministry spokesman Folco Galli said the alleged terrorist flew on Friday afternoon to Madrid under the escort of three Spanish police officers. Achraf arrived handcuffed in the Spanish capital shortly…

Demographics

Swiss say UN is falling short on human rights

This content was published on Apr 22, 2005 Officials warned that progress on Nepal, counter-terrorism and Darfur masked deeper problems within the UN Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) – a view endorsed by Human Rights Watch. “We think it has been a rather good year for the commission, but it is still not enough,” said Jean-Daniel Vigny, minister for human rights at the…

Demographics

Government presses for gay-couple rights

This content was published on Apr 22, 2005 Blocher said the nationwide vote was not about promoting homosexuality but enshrining greater rights for gay couples within the law. At a news conference in Bern on Friday, Blocher said the law would bring improvements in the areas of inheritance and pensions. Couples entering registered partnerships would have certain rights and obligations. The minister said…

Culture

Herbie Kopf Nonet: U.F.O – Universal Fake Orchestra

This content was published on Apr 22, 2005

History

Geneva Jews want action over racist attacks

This content was published on Apr 21, 2005 The most recent incident, which took place last weekend, saw the Grand Synagogue in Geneva defaced with swastikas and neo-Nazi slogans. A memorial in front of the synagogue to the millions of Jews who died in the Nazi death camps was spray-painted with the words: “Heil Hitler” and “Gas the Jews”. “It’s not the first…

History

Media’s pope coverage reflects global trend

This content was published on Apr 21, 2005 In an interview with swissinfo, Roger Blum said that wall-to-wall global coverage of the deaths of personalities was now commonplace. Blum said that the Swiss media had extensively covered the death of the Pope John Paul II, and the election of his successor Pope Benedict XVI, because of the huge public interest. But he said…

Swiss Identity

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Sign in and personalize Swissinfo

Swiss Identity

More

Kälin calls for humanitarian action in Nepal

More

Visa offers Swiss athletes passport to cash

More

Cutbacks at swissinfo outrage Swiss in France

More

Half of Switzerland unhappy with papal election

More

Suspected terrorist extradited to Spain

More

Swiss say UN is falling short on human rights

More

Government presses for gay-couple rights

More

Herbie Kopf Nonet: U.F.O – Universal Fake Orchestra

More

Geneva Jews want action over racist attacks

More

Media’s pope coverage reflects global trend

Popular Stories

Most Discussed