Swiss Identity

Exploring the Grimsel Pass

This content was published on Sep 10, 2002 The authorities at the time demanded that the power company rebuild and run the hotel, thereby making a long-term commitment to tourism. The “new” Hotel Grimsel Hospiz sits on a rocky outcrop high above the waters of the Grimsel Lake. The old building lies at the lake bottom, and reappears like a ghost each spring…

Swiss human rights expert joins UN panel

This content was published on Sep 10, 2002 The vote was held in New York, one day before Switzerland becomes a full member of the United Nations on September 10. Kälin, who is a professor of human rights and international law at Bern University, received 131 out of 143 votes. The Swiss ambassador to the UN, Jenö Staehlin, welcomed the decision taken on…

Demographics

Hijacker on the run from Swiss prison

This content was published on Sep 9, 2002 Police said Hussein Hariri did not show up at Plaine de l’Orbe jail in Bochuz in canton Vaud on Sunday night. The 36-year-old Lebanese was convicted in 1989 for killing a passenger and seriously wounding a flight attendant during the hijacking of an Air Afrique flight to Geneva in 1987. Prison authorities said Hariri had…

Demographics

Switzerland win opening Euro 2004 match

This content was published on Sep 9, 2002 Köbi Kuhn’s men thrilled the home crowd in Basel with a smooth performance, boosting their chances of advancing to the finals in Portugal. Switzerland’s Alex Frei scored the first goal of the match in the 37th minute. The Georgians answered with a goal in the 62nd minute, scored by Glasgow Rangers’ Shota Arveladze. The dominant…

Demographics

Zimbabwe deadline expires

This content was published on Sep 8, 2002 Dozens of farmers hurriedly left their properties as the Sunday lunchtime deadline approached, but would soon return, a farm lobby group said. “I am sure a lot of them will be going back to their farms (on Monday). We also had a lot of farmers on their properties who haven’t been arrested,” said John Worswick,…

Sympathy for US has worn thin

This content was published on Sep 8, 2002 As Switzerland prepares to join the United Nations – a day before September 11 – the Swiss are increasingly uneasy about the US’s undermining of the multilateral system. Like most friendly countries, Switzerland was shocked and supportive in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. But since then, even if bilateral ties remain friendly,…

Culture

No roads lead to mountain hotel

This content was published on Sep 7, 2002 But the continued existence of the oldest surviving mountain hotel in the Alps is no longer certain. Even though it has survived in its near original state, it is not a listed heritage building, which would guarantee its protection, because its owners cannot afford the high restoration costs. “We’d have to invest a lot in…

Culture

Museums face a competitive world

This content was published on Sep 7, 2002 But according to the Association of Swiss Museums – which is holding its annual congress in Bern this week – many face stiff competition from private galleries. “The problem is that art museums – private and semi-private institutions and foundations – are starting to compete with each other,” says Lorenz Homberger, president of the Swiss…

History

September 11 still weighs heavily on Switzerland’s Muslims

This content was published on Sep 7, 2002 There have been no significant acts of aggression against Muslims since September 11. But Islamic scholars say their faith is viewed with increasing distrust and concern. “Since September 11 there are more discussions about Muslims and Islam than in the past,” says Atef Thürlemann Salim, a Palestinian living in Horgen in canton Zurich. “The Islamic…

Culture

Switzerland opens heritage sites to public

This content was published on Sep 6, 2002 More than 200 historic buildings and sites will be open free to the public on September 7 and 8. This year the Office for Monument Preservation (NIKE), which is in charge of the Swiss end of the European-wide event, wants to give visitors both the chance to visit listed buildings and to find out more…

Swiss Identity

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