Roman Polanski will not go easily, to America, that is. As both France and Poland urged Switzerland to free the 76-year-old award-winning director on bail, his lawyer said he will fight extradition to the U.S.

The Indian launcher Polar Space Launch Vehicle took off at 8:22 a.m. - Swiss time. Twenty minutes later, the SwissCube was ejected from the nose cone of the rocket at an altitude of around 720 kilometers. At 9:37 a.m. the first ever signals sent from a Swiss satellite in space were picked up from Stanford (California). Mission accomplished.

More foreigners are inquiring about moving to and living in Switzerland as the taxes rise in their home countries. Although the banking secrecy rules have changed in Switzerland, the country is still attractive to rich people who hope to pay less taxes on income.

Breaking with long-held tradition, Swiss bank UBS AG agreed on Wednesday to turn over banking information for 4,450 accounts to the IRS. These are accounts suspected of holding undeclared assets by American customers.

Mortgage interest rates are not only low in the United States. They are also historically low in Switzerland. This situation is of course desirable for current or future home owners. However, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) calls on banks to exercise caution and discipline when granting new mortgages. There may be some valuable lessons for the U.S. Real Estate and lending sectors.

As the world is moving toward green mentality how the ski resorts protect their eyes to save energy? Andermatt in Switzerland, one of the best Swiss resorts, wraps the glacier in a prtective PVC blanket.

Swiss citizens have voted on whether to admit Romanian and Bulgarian workers to Switzerland in a referendum that could undo the country's carefully negotiated ties to the European Union, Insiderworld reports.

Swiss newspaper Tribune de Geneve has reported that Muntadar al-Zaidi, the so-called "Bush Shoe Thrower" who has been in custody in Iraq after hurling shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush during a mid-December press conference, has asked for asylum in Switzerland.

Switzerland is out of contention at the European Soccer Championship Euro 2008 and faces Portugal in its final tournament match looking for a decent farewell.

Switzerland and China Thursday praised their bilateral relations and cooperation in trade and other fields.

U.S., British and Afghan officials opened this year's World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Wednesday with calls for greater effort to fight global terror and find peace in the Middle East. VOA's Barry Wood reports from Davos.

Calmy-Rey will hold talks with President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and other top political leaders.