Stories from Switzerland

Some politicians fear a reduction in donations, but lobbying is not solely conducted in secret or behind closed doors. Transparency International stated that lobbying is a legitimate and legal practice that is part of the political process.

The Swiss parliament in Bern has issued a statement regarding the 'Aktion Kinder der Landstraße' (Operation Children of the Road). This follows initial apologies and compensation payments made 13 years ago.

A film will premiere on Tuesday, May 5th, at the Cinématheque in Geneva. It will also show on May 17th at the Cinéma in Lausanne. The film features music by Dheb and was produced with Chief.

A project called 'Hilfswerk für die Kinder der Landstraße' was used as a pretext for forced measures. Up to 2,000 children from minority groups, including Yenish and Sinti, were taken and placed in homes.

A Swiss cyclist has become a superstar, drawing more viewers than past cycling legends like Fabian Cancellara. This phenomenon, dubbed 'Pogimania,' is seen as a honor for the Tour de Romandie.

Tibetans who fled after the Dalai Lama left Tibet in 1959 are speaking about the difficult situation of the exile community. One individual, Karma, who was born in the camp, expressed the need for caution due to the constant fear of Chinese spies.

Chiaka, a filmmaker and political science graduate, has released her second feature film in French-speaking Switzerland. Her first film, released in 2017, explored the experiences of Swiss people of African origin and was titled 'Bounty'.

Domestic violence cases in Switzerland have increased by 4.4% in one year, representing nearly 1000 additional cases. This equates to one offense every 25 minutes, based on reported cases to the police. The helpline '142' aims to prevent victims from suffering alone.

The Trinkhalle in Switzerland, known as a 'Lost Place,' has been closed since 2006. It is no longer publicly accessible due to the risk of rockfalls from its hillside location. The building is gradually deteriorating.

Two birds arrived at a raptor rehabilitation center in very poor condition. One bird was found on the ground after becoming trapped in a hospital enclosure and hitting itself.