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A new shopping and leisure complex has opened in the Swiss capital, Bern, designed by New York star architect, Daniel Libeskind. The SFr500 million project includes 55 shops, ten restaurants and bars, a hotel, a multiplex cinema, a spa and leisure pool, and an old people's home. Trendy apartments will be added later. (Julie Hunt, swissinfo)

Switzerland is a well-known transit route for north/south traffic. This applies to cars, trucks, trains – and also birds. Every year, millions of migrating birds pass through Swiss airspace on their way south. An observation post has been set up in the northern village of Lauwil by the Swiss ornithological station. For the rest of October, migrating birds will be observed, registered and ringed. (SF/swissinfo)

Swiss saint

Central Swiss village honours its new saint.

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)

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)

St Bernard dogs were first recorded as doing rescue work in the early 18th century. Because of their heavy build, they were eventually replaced by lighter dogs. Today the "Barry" foundation is not only preserving the legendary St Bernard breed but is also seeking a new role for it. (SF1/swissinfo)

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In autumn, it's common in Switzerland to see herds of cattle decorated with bells and flowers being led down from the mountains to their winter stables. But these days, you might rub your eyes – surely those aren't cows marching down into the valley? No indeed: around 400 Swiss farmers now keep llamas or alpacas to supplement their falling incomes. (SF1/swissinfo)

After carrying tourists up and down the mountain in Kandersteg for over 60 years, one of the oldest wooden chairlifts of its kind in the world has gone into retirement. The best efforts of heritage groups were unable to stop its dismantling. (SF/swissinfo)

Generations of women have been reading the Swiss women's magazine Annabelle – keeping up to date with the latest lifestyle, beauty and fashion trends. The journal is celebrating its 70th anniversary. (SF1)

Josef und Silvia Beeler have an unusual occupation. They breed snails on their organic farm in Steinen, central Switzerland. The molluscs could soon help the Beelers make their fortune, as they're about to be offered as delicacies in upmarket restaurants. (SF/swissinfo)

Roger comes home

Crowds gather in Basel to welcome Federer.

Thousands of fans gathered on the market square in Basel to welcome Roger Federer home and celebrate his success. After a difficult season, the tennis star is happy to return home with Olympic gold and the US Open trophy. (SF1)

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Particle physics

Cern and the Large Hadron Collider.

The LHC is housed in a 27-kilometre tunnel beneath the French-Swiss border near Geneva and is the world's largest and most complex scientific instrument. It smashes protons at almost the speed of light, recreating conditions a fraction of a second after the Big Bang 13.7 billion years ago. (Cern/swissinfo)

Car graveyard

Dale Bechtel visits a dumping ground for old cars, which may be the largest of its kind in Europe.

The authorities have ordered the clearing of the site near Bern by the end of the year, saying it no longer meets environmental standards. But the lot is also a fertile ground for rare flora and fauna. (pictures: Karen Cordes)

Lucky snails

Molluscs make a mint.

Josef und Silvia Beeler have an unusual occupation. They breed snails on their organic farm in Steinen, central Switzerland. The molluscs could soon help the Beelers make their fortune, as they're about to be offered as delicacies in upmarket restaurants. (SF/swissinfo)

Movie revival

Forgotten films given new lease of life.

The Lichtspiel cinema in Bern takes you on a magical journey back through time, lovingly recalling the early days of silent movies, and charting the development of film through the ages. (swissinfo, Michele Andina)

From this week on, Swiss pet owners are no longer allowed to keep single canaries, parrots, rats, mice and guinea pigs. New regulations dictate that these social animals must be kept in groups. But what if one of a pair dies? An enterprising breeder has the answer – rent a replacement. (SF/swissinfo)

MAZ-Video about Journalism in Switzerland. www.maz.ch

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