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Founder-member of European Free Trade Association (Efta).
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Joins Council of Europe.
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Women granted right to vote in federal elections.
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Referendum guarantees women legal equality with men within marriage.
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Swiss banks agree $1.25bn compensation deal with Holocaust survivors and families.
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- Eleven die as huge fire breaks out after crash in Gotthard tunnel.
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Switzerland formally becomes a member of the UN.
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Blackout for 18 hours
A nationwide power blackout in Italy hit virtually the whole population in the dead of night. Power was out for as much as 18 hours. Problems began after a tree branch hit power lines in Switzerland. -
Teen smoking
A survey said Swiss teenagers smoke more cannabis than their peers in every other European country. -
Nestle
Swiss chocolate-maker Nestle AG said it will fatten up its weight-loss business by buying Jenny Craig Inc. for $600 million. -
Swiss vs. Thai
A Swiss man was jailed for 10 years for insulting Thailand's revered king by vandalizing his portraits during a drunken spree. -
Racism
In Geneva over 100 countries agreed on a declaration to combat racism and related forms of intolerance worldwide. The US was not among them, prompting sharp criticism from African-American groups participating in the UN's second global conference on racism. -
Elections
2011 Oct 23, Switzerland held national elections. Citizens were poised to hand nationalists an unprecedented 30 percent voice, following voting dominated by concerns about immigration, nuclear power and the economy.