Bern University has set up a professorial post in bee health with the aim of better understanding the insect and its dwindling colonies. The post, funded with a SFr5 million ($5.89 million) donation by the Biel-based Vinetum foundation, will be attached to the university’s veterinary faculty. It aims to study the largely […]
by Peter Siegenthaler, swissinfo.ch As the Swiss Refugee Council marks Refugee Day on June 18 with a focus on what refugees have to offer society, European states worry about a new wave of asylum seekers. Swiss justice minister, Simonetta Sommaruga, tells swissinfo.ch that she wants to simplify and speed up […]
by Dale Bechtel, swissinfo.ch The authorities have placed strict conditions on an agreement governing the independent monitoring of forced deportations of rejected asylum seekers. Monitors deployed by the Federation of Protestant Churches in a six-month trial period starting in July will not be allowed to go public with their reports. […]
Zermatt’s place in history was tragically secured with the first ascent of the Matterhorn in the 19th century. As the surrounding peaks were climbed in the 1830’s to 50’s, there developed intense competition to conquer the Matterhorn, which for many years had been considered “unclimbable”. The English climber Edward Whymper […]
A rare Sicilian “error of colour” issued in 1859 has become the world’s second most expensive stamp after selling for €1.8 million (SFr2.18) at auction in Basel. The stamp, which was printed erroneously in blue instead of orange, was the centre piece of the four-day auction by Galerie Dreyfus which […]
by Eveline Kobler, swissinfo.ch The insistence of the Roman Catholic Church that priests have to be male reflects the power of men and not Christian theology, says Swiss theologian Doris Strahm. Strahm is co-author of a recent study into women in leadership roles in the Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths. […]
by Marc-André Miserez, swissinfo.ch Antennas developed by Swiss scientists have sounded ice layers in Antarctica up to several kilometres thick, as well as the rocks underneath. This is of interest not only to geologists and climatologists attempting to measure the effects of global warming on Earth’s ice-covered regions, but also […]
by Julia Slater, in Lucerne, swissinfo.ch Concerns about both climate change and safe energy supply in the post-Fukushima world have given a new impulse to one of Switzerland’s specialities: hydroelectricity. About 900 experts in dams from all over the world converged on Lucerne this week for the annual symposium of […]
by Matthew Allen, swissinfo.ch The net is closing on football’s world governing body following corruption claims and bans meted out ahead of Wednesday’s presidential election, campaigners say. The latest fiasco has seen Mohamed bin Hammam suspended and forced to step down as the only challenger to incumbent President Joseph “Sepp” […]
by Matthew Allen, swissinfo.ch Manufacturers are shifting a greater share of investments out of Switzerland with the dollar in the doldrums and the euro plunging to record lows against the franc. Renewed fears that Greece might default on its debts has sparked a fresh wave of euro weakening while the […]
by Abdelhafidh Abdeleli, swissinfo.ch The protests and subsequent government crackdown are dividing opinion among Syrians watching events unfold from Switzerland. While some Syrians feel the protests are a consequence of the Arab Spring sweeping through North Africa, others say wider diplomatic forces are at work. Although all the Syrians who […]
Switzerland is the 16th most peaceful country in the world, according to the annual report from the Institute for Economics and Peace, a global non-profit research organisation. Iceland is apparently the most peaceful nation, followed by New Zealand, Japan, Denmark and the Czech Republic. The least peaceful nations are Somalia, […]
2010 to 2011 have seen a major series of crises which have affected ever increasing numbers of people. Demand for humanitarian assistance has reached an unprecedented level at a time when long term conflicts continue unabated. The challenge for the ICRC in the year ahead, will be to meet these […]
Swiss MPs and journalists are set to travel aboard a Swiss ship taking part in an aid convoy bound for the Gaza Strip at the end of June, it was reported on Tuesday. The ten-ship flotilla was organized by human rights activists. “The Swiss ship will set off in the […]
The Federal Health Office will launch its latest alcohol prevention campaign on Saturday, beginning a so-called dialogue week. There will be more than 260 different activities, including driving simulations, sport and working in a bar. They will take place at 620 locations across the country such as hospitals and libraries […]
The Swiss representative to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said a European may not be the best person for the vacant managing director’s position. René Weber is one of 24 IMF executive directors who will cast votes to decide the eventual replacement for former French managing director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, […]
The rightwing Swiss People’s Party says it will launch an anti-immigration campaign this election year. Party leaders on Monday said they wanted to re-introduce a quota system even though it would go against the Swiss-European Union free movement of people agreement. According to the proposal, it will be up to […]
Patients in Switzerland are among the most satisfied with hospital care, according to an international study. The survey compared 15 countries, 11 within Europe and four outside, and found that hospital staff were also generally happy with their working conditions. read more
ZURICH — Voters in Zurich overwhemingly rejected on Sunday proposed bans on assisted suicide and “suicide tourism” – foreigners travelling to Switzerland to receive help ending their lives. Only 15.5 percent of voters in the local referendum backed a ban on assisted suicide, while nearly 22 percent supported a ban […]
by Laureline Duvillard, swissinfo.ch Although women in Switzerland are making progress as judges, there are still very few female court lawyers. Long hours, the lack of part-time work and expectations that women will take up family rather than business law help explain the gap and why women in general don’t […]