Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard has been dreaming for years of becoming the first pilot to circumnavigate the earth using solar energy alone. The dream has come one step nearer to reality with the unveiling of the Solar Impulse, the prototype of a plane that has taken six years to design and build. (Julie Hunt, SF1, swissinfo.ch)

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Not so long ago, when summer skiing was all the rage, lift companies made tidy profits all year round. These days, due to global warming and melting glaciers, there are only two resorts left in Switzerland where out of season skiing is still possible. (SF, swissinfo.ch 27.08.2009)

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Full story and reports on Yves Rossy: www.swissinfo.ch Details about the flight, achieved one day later than planned and away from the media spotlight, were announced by Rossy's publicity handlers on Tuesday, after swissinfo.ch reported the successful completion of the stunt based on confirmation from two people close to the event. swissinfo.ch - Swiss Broadcasting Corporation

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5 years ago extreme skier Jean-Yves Michellod won at the Verbier Xtreme freeride event. Just a couple of years later an accident put an end to his dreams and left him paralysed. Since then he has had only one goal: to get back on the slopes. (SF/swissinfo)

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swissinfo.ch released new apps for both Android and iPhone today, along with a short clip stating our neutrality on the subject... and a message of hope for world peace and more understanding among fans. Enjoy.

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The women's cook group is held twice a week at the House of Religions, a centre which brings different religions together. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians learn about each other's eating habits and food preferences, while gardening and cooking together. The project helps migrants put down roots in their new home. (Morven McLean and Christoph Balsiger, swissinfo.ch)

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The "Occupy Wall Street" movement started in the United States and has now reached Europe. In Switzerland protesters are gathering in the major cities of Zurich, Bern, Geneva and Basel to express their existential fears as well as anger over excessive salaries. Swiss television talked to people of different age groups and social classes about the growing discontent over growing social inequality. (SF/swissinfo.ch)

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If you're a fan of Nordic sledge dogs, Gryon in canton Vaud is the place to be. Throughout the ski season, visitors can enjoy being pulled along at high speeds by the fluffy canines. The tourism office also organises an annual race for sledge dog owners, to test their mettle. (swissinfo, Julie Hunt)

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As sub zero temperatures persist in Switzerland, one artist is rubbing his hands together not just to keep warm, but also in glee. Karl Neuhaus is an ice sculptor, and the freezing cold weather is helping to maintain the winter wonderland of palaces and fairytale figures he has created in a forest near Schwarzsee, canton Fribourg. (SF/swissinfo)

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Keeping numbers down In Graubünden In Switzerland this year more than 14000 deer were counted - the highest number in ten years. Most are to be found in Graubünden, around the national park. But in this region more than 4'000 deer must be shot, to prevent their habitat from becoming overpopulated. There are over 5000 hunters here, including an increasing number of women. (SF/swissinfo)

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No one disputes Roger Federers control of the racket. His dress code, however, has raised a bit of controversy. Some British tennis and gossip media even ridiculed him for his glitzy outfit at Wimbledon. One thing is certain: he likes fashion. (SF/swissinfo.ch)

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The region of Brienz is famous for its handcrafted wood. It was here that, 60 years ago, a couple devoted their lives to the production of carved animals. Generations of Swiss children have enjoyed the toys, and despite the onset of old age, the couple are still making them. (swissinfo)

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The villagers of Auw in central Switzerland are gearing up for an historic event. On October 12, the pope will officially declare one of their former residents, the blessed Maria Bernarda Bütler, a saint. The last Swiss person to be made a saint was Niklaus von Flüe, who lived in the 15th century. He was canonised in 1947. Julie Hunt visited Auw to find out how Maria Bernarda Bütler earned her holy status. (swissinfo, Julie Hunt)

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Bring heavy loads up the mountains. In the last decade the Swiss army has undergone a major restructuring program. In 1995 it still numbered 400000, today about 220000. In spite of budget cuts, the packhorse soldiers have been spared, together with their sturdy and patient animals. (SF/swissinfo, 22.06.2009)

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Swiss Tourism broadcast a spoof film on April 1, 2009, showing the lengths it would go to attract tourists. The video portrayed a mountain cleaning team in Engelberg, central Switzerland, abseiling down cliff faces to remove bird droppings. Some 30000 people took the online test to find out whether they had what it took to become Alp cleaners. Now they have the chance to join a real course. (Julie Hunt, swissinfo.ch)

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This summer Euro 2008 has brought thousands of football fans from all over Europe to Switzerland - too many for the hotels. Some Swiss are making space for them in their own homes and putting up tents in their gardens. Euro 08 visitors can find just the right accommodation via the internet service www.sleep-in.ch. (SF/swissinfo)

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Tourists discovered Kandersteg in the early 1900s. It was the era of the Belle Epoque, hotels for the high society were built and winter sports established. Now, a hundred years later, Kandersteg is traveling back in time. (Michele Andina, swissinfo.ch)

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Christmas just wouldn't be the same without a stuffed turkey, mince pies, brandy covered puddings and crackers. So expat English speakers living in Switzerland go to great lengths to import their Christmas goodies from home, and organise carol services in their own language. (swissinfo, Julie Hunt)

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The Blues and Royals Band is part of the British Queen's Household Cavalry. Its main job is to play at ceremonial occasions such as the Trooping the Colour and Changing the Guard at Windsor Castle. For the first time, the band is to appear at the Basel Tattoo, which takes place in July. The Blues and Royals will be bringing their 30 horses with them. Rehearsals are already underway in London. (swissinfo, Julie Hunt)

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Wearing a custom-built jet suit and a jet-propelled wing, Swiss pilot Yves Rossy flies alongside two Albatross jets.

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Hornussen is a traditional team sport popular in the countryside of German-speaking Switzerland. swissinfo attended preparations for a match of the current champion "HG Wäseli" to get a better understanding of the unique game. (swissinfo, Michele Andina)

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50 years ago the first group of Franciscan friars came to live on the Werd island in Stein am Rhein in northeastern Switzerland. As in the past, the friars go out on the streets, bringing hope to drug addicts and homeless people. (swissinfo)

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Yodelling has been experiencing a renaissance of sorts in Switzerland. Twenty-year-old Melanie Oesch grew up in a yodelling family, and she has become the star of the Oesch band. (SF/swissinfo)

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The operating theatre is not where you would expect to see a Swiss cow, but at the Clinic for Ruminants in Bern more than a few sick animals are undergoing treatment. (swissinfo)

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Maya Wirz has won the television talent competition,Switzerland's Got Talent 2011. Her hometown near Basel might soon be looking for a new bus driver: if the TV success opens the right doors, Wirz is ready to quit, and fulfill her lifetime dream of becoming a professional singer. (SF/swissinfo.ch)

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Swiss ski resorts have been offering Christmas discounts to counteract the effects of the strong franc and Europe's financial woes. But the high end chalet business is doing a roaring trade, with some clients paying up to SFr 200000 ($215000) per week for catered chalets in resorts such as Verbier, Gstaad and Crans Montana. (Julie Hunt, swissinfo.ch)

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Together with neutrality and federalism, direct democracy is a part of the Swiss national identity and helps unite the various languages, religions and cultures in the country. This video gives you a short introduction to this unique political system. (Produced by swissinfo.ch on behalf of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad)

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The Swiss school of violin making in Brienz is the only school in Switzerland specialised in manufacturing string instruments. The style, design and construction taught here are strongly influenced by the work of the great baroque, classical and modern violinmakers.

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As winter approaches, the Berger family prepare to take their herd down from the high mountain pastures near Schwarzsee to the valley below. But will the pregnant Maloya manage the 27-kilometre trek?

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After nearly 500 years in a pit, Bern's famous bears have a new home - a riverside reserve on the edge of the old city. The opening of the new enclosure brings to an end years of protests by tourists and animal lovers, who complained that the pit was an unsuitable place to keep bears. (Julie Hunt, SF, swissinfo.ch 25.10.2009)

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Switzerland persecuted presumed witches longer than any other country in Europe. In relation to its population, it also executed the most people for the crime of witchcraft. An exhibition at Chillon castle sheds light on witch trials in canton Vaud, which used to be a stronghold of witch persecution. (swissinfo.ch)

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The Swiss national sport known as "Schwingen" is a type of wrestling on a sawdust-covered floor. Participants fight wearing jeans covered by loose shorts. It's a sport that evokes intense national passion and you have to start young to get really good at it. Julie Hunt visited a wrestling club in Zürich to find out how it's done. (swissinfo, Julie Hunt: 480p setting)

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Swiss Broadcasting Corporation - Our free iPad app has been launched! Details on www.swissinfo.ch Enjoy swissinfo.ch on your Apple iPad tablet!

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The goodness of potatoes: how to make real farmers' rösti. In Switzerland the basic food staple is the potato.

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Since the construction of a road in the 1950s, the south-eastern hamlet of Juf is the highest place in Europe that's inhabited all year round. swissinfo visits Juf, accompanied by local resident, Dorli Menn. (swissinfo, November 2006)

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The centre for asylum seekers in Chiasso, on the Italian border, has been in the news over the past few months due to fights among newcomers. Some politicians have exploited the incidents in order to call for the centre's closure. But the violence has been an exception to the normally peaceful living conditions at the place. To counteract the negative headlines and overcome prejudices, the centre organizes cultural activities, which includes a visit to the sculpture museum Vela, in the nearby village of Ligornetto. (Raffaella Rossello, swissinfo.ch)

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The cantonal authorities in Uri, central Switzerland are trying to keep the tradition of hay making alive, because the hay not only provides winter fodder for livestock, but growing grass for hay in the high mountains encourages biodiversity and stops the pastures returning to forests. The canton organises an annual course for would-be haymakers. swissinfo joined the students on their adventure. (Julie Hunt, swissinfo.ch 01.10.2009)

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Nina and Manfred Grossniklaus are perfect partners when it comes to finding suitable houses for well heeled Russian clients. Former banker Nina, with her contacts in Ukraine, and successful Swiss property developer Manfred, are now exploring the southern Swiss canton of Ticino on behalf of oligarchs and tycoons. (Julie Hunt, swissinfo.ch)

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The largest solar boat in the world has set sail from Monaco at the start of a world tour aimed at promoting the use of sustainable energy. The 'Tûranor', a Swiss creation, is set to become the first ever boat to circumnavigate the world using solar power alone. (SF/swissinfo.ch)

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A second dolphin has died in the space of a week in the Connyland theme park in Lipperswil, in the northern Swiss canton of Thurgau. The two dolphins, aged eight and 30, were suddenly taken ill. An investigation is underway to establish whether they were poisoned. (SF/TSR/swissinfo.ch)

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Stepping up at the 39th Prix de Lausanne ballet competition. The Prix de Lausanne is an international dance competition for young dancers aged 15 to 18. Unlike other competitions, it rewards potential rather than present accomplishment. This makes it the most important event of its kind. (Michele Andina, swissinfo.ch)

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Since ancient times birds of prey have been a symbol of strength and power. Today very few people know how to use a wild bird to hunt. (SF/swissinfo.ch)

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The Brain Bus has been touring Switzerland for a few years. By looking, touching, smelling and playing games, children as well as adults get to learn more about the brain. Further evidence of the vitality of the neuroscience community in Switzerland. (Raffaella Rossello, swissinfo.ch)

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Swiss ski resorts are opening up for business, thanks to some late snow, but the strong franc and economic problems in Europe are keeping many tourists away. Tourist organisations and ski resorts are now slashing prices in an effort to pull them in. (TSR/swissinfo.ch)

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Xavier Rosset is a snowboard champion who fulfilled a castaway dream of living on a desert island. With no food supplies, and only a few tools he coped with hunger, mosquitoes and tropical storms. Loneliness was the hardest challenge. He documented his adventure in a self-shot documentary. (SF/, swissinfo.ch)

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Switzerland now has its own source of caviar. The first Swiss-bred sturgeon are now swimming around in the Bernese mountains, in tanks fed by warm water from an underground spring. The water is discharged in Frutigen from the longest tunnel in the Alps the Lötschberg. The spring water will also be used to heat greenhouses growing tropical fruit: all part of the Tropenhaus project, now in its final construction phase. (SF/swissinfo)

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As part of the editorial photography course at MAZ School of Journalism, Samuel Trümpy, in cooperation with swissinfo.ch, accompanied 15-year-old intellectually disabled Fabia and her mother through a typical day. Trümpy gives us an impression of their life together.

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