Switzerland Politics Guide

Former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden could be granted safe passage in Switzerland if he helped a potential criminal inquiry into U.S. spying there, the Swiss public prosecutor's office said on Monday. He would probably not be extradited to the United States if Washington asked, but it was also unlikely that he would be granted political asylum, according to a document laying out Switzerland's legal options if Snowden were to visit. The prosecutor's office, which provided the document to Reuters, stressed the issue was "purely hypothetical" because Snowden had not been invited to come from his current refuge in Russia. It had no further comment.

Roger Federer led his country into November's final against France with a clinching singles victory in the semifinals against Italy.

For the first time in Olympic history, an Alpine skiing race ended in a tie. Tina Maze of Slovenia and Dominique Gisin of Switzerland both sped down the Rosa Khutor course 1 minute, 41.57 seconds on Wednesday to share Olympic gold in women's downhill. A few moments later, the good friends held hands as they stepped up to the top of the podium.

"We are very close."

Ministers appeared close to sealing the world's biggest trade reform for two decades early on Saturday but a last-gasp objection from Cuba forced an overnight halt, leaving the World Trade Organization four votes short of a final victory.

Oprah Winfrey says she's sorry for the media storm that erupted after she recounted that she was the victim of racism in a posh Swiss boutique.