Swiss Identity

Sahara tourists set free

This content was published on Aug 18, 2003 After a day of uncertainty the Swiss foreign ministry confirmed news of their release on Monday night. “We have been informed that the hostages have been handed over to the Malian government,” Simon Hubacher of the Swiss foreign ministry told swissinfo. “They were released on Monday afternoon and the Malian government told us that all…

Africans seek to counter negative stereotypes

This content was published on Aug 18, 2003 The Swiss African Forum (SAF) aims to defend and promote the interests of Africans living in Switzerland, in part by countering negative stereotyping. The South African and Nigerian ambassadors were among those who attended the SAF’s first African Integration Forum in August. Both expressed their willingness to support the organisation, which was founded last May.…

Culture

Pakistani film takes top honours at Locarno

This content was published on Aug 16, 2003 Switzerland also celebrated success, with “iXième, Journal d’un Prisonnier” sharing top prize in the best video category. The 56th Locarno film festival reached its climax on Saturday with an awards ceremony on the Piazza Grande and resounding applause for Sumar’s movie – her debut feature film. “This is the first film of its kind to…

Demographics

Lucerne yields up explosive secrets

This content was published on Aug 16, 2003 Residents of a quiet area of Lucerne were shocked recently to find that explosives had been buried beneath their streets. They were planted there by the Swiss army because the road was judged strategically important; in the event of invasion it would have been blown up. But local people are angry that they didn’t know…

Demographics

Stars shine on Weltklasse anniversary

This content was published on Aug 15, 2003 Swiss world champion Andre Bucher was unable to make much impression on the 800 metres however, finishing in eighth place. With temperatures considerably cooler than in the days leading up to the event, five runners were able to post new season’s best times. One of the night’s most thrilling races came in the men’s 3,000…

Culture

Locarno pays tribute to Ken Loach

This content was published on Aug 15, 2003 The official presentation was made in the Piazza Grande on Friday before a special screening of his 1993 film “Raining Stones”. The 67-year-old became the first Briton to receive the prestigious award for a body of work that stretches back almost 40 years. Loach has been a frequent visitor to Locarno. He made his debut…

Demographics

Swiss revel in reporting Internet crime

This content was published on Aug 15, 2003 Since the beginning of the year, 3,600 complaints have been lodged with the Swiss Coordination Unit for Cybercrime Control (Cyco). Half of the complaints concerned websites carrying pornographic content – and half of these depicted hardcore acts. Other objections addressed spam emails, racist and extremist sites and infringement of copyright. Spokesman Philipp Kronig told swissinfo…

Demographics

75 years of world class athletics

This content was published on Aug 14, 2003 And in keeping with the occasion, a star-studded line-up has been drawn to this year’s event. Twelve world champions, including Switzerland’s own André Bucher, are set to do battle at the Letzigrund stadium, along with three world record holders and 16 holders of year’s best times. Interest in the Zurich meeting also seems to have…

Demographics

Weltklasse: 1928-2003

This content was published on Aug 14, 2003 The Weltklasse’s official website has compiled the following history to mark the occasion. 3000 spectators were cheering Paavo Nurmi when he won the 5000m race in 15:18.3 on August 12, 1928. This was by far the most spectacular performance of the first international meeting in Zurich, a venue that has become the greatest one-day track…

Bhutto appeals against Swiss sentence

This content was published on Aug 14, 2003 Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari both received six-month suspended jail sentences earlier this month. Bhutto’s spokesman said her lawyers had filed the appeal on Wednesday. Daniel Devaud, an investigating magistrate in Geneva, sentenced the pair using his discretionary powers on August 5. The couple were accused of receiving multi-million dollar kickbacks in exchange for handing…

Swiss Identity

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Swiss Identity

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Sahara tourists set free

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Africans seek to counter negative stereotypes

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Pakistani film takes top honours at Locarno

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Lucerne yields up explosive secrets

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Stars shine on Weltklasse anniversary

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Locarno pays tribute to Ken Loach

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Swiss revel in reporting Internet crime

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75 years of world class athletics

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Weltklasse: 1928-2003

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Bhutto appeals against Swiss sentence

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