Yoga’s soul, the pope’s visit and a polar summit

Here are the stories we’ll be following the week of June 18, 2018.

Monday

Bexis a veritable melting pot of cultures: it was one of the first towns in western Switzerland to have an asylum centre, and a third of its 7,000 residents are foreigners. How does multiculturalism and integration work in practice?swissinfo.ch spoke with citizens new and old to get a sense of lessons learned.

Tuesday

Starting on Tuesday we’ll be in Davos- not for the annual WEF conference -but for the Polar2018 summit. Since the International Polar Year 2007-2008, it’s the first time that leading Arctic and Antarctic researchers are convening in one place. About 2,000 people are expected, with one main theme being how mountain research can be applied to the poles.

Wednesday

In preparation for Pope Francis’ eagerly-awaited visit to Geneva on June 21 next,we run through what’s to be expected– highlights, logistics, and debates– from the first papal visit to Switzerland since 2004.

Thursday

From Bikram to Tantrum and beer to heavy metal, the practice of yoga has exploded in a myriad of often unexpected directions since it’s popularity hasgrown globally. But are faddish’fringe’ versions of the old meditative practice harming its harmonious soul?

Friday

Given the tone of much discourse incurrent politics, it’s sometimes surprising that people still want to run for office. One picturesque Swiss village in southeastern Switzerland were faced with this problem recently, however, when they couldn’t find anybody to stand for mayor. The solution? Hire a head-hunter to source an external candidate.

In case you missed it last week: