Swiss Identity

Louis Armstrong makes “appearance” at Bern jazz festival

This content was published on May 2, 2001 As with many similar events, the one in Bern is strictly-speaking more than a festival of modern and traditional jazz. For example, it begins with a gospel night featuring the Brown Sisters, making their first appearance in Europe. Another evening is devoted to soul music, with a bill which includes Wilson Pickett and his band.…

Culture

The battle to help kids love books

This content was published on May 2, 2001 “The main aim is to get children loving reading,” says Daniel Beugger, a Geneva teacher and head of the organising committee. The Battle of the Books is now in its fifth year. The children, aged between eight and 12, come mainly from Geneva. Over 120 classes from the canton are participating. But it is no…

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Pro-Chechen gunmen charged after Swiss hotel attack in Istanbul

This content was published on May 2, 2001 According to Turkish newspapers, the gunmen have been charged with taking hostages and belonging to a criminal organisation. It is not yet known when the case will go to court. The rebel group held 120 people captive for 12 hours at the “Bosphorus” Hotel owned by the Swissair Group in Istanbul. The hostages included 12…

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Swiss hockey team undone by Czechs

This content was published on May 1, 2001 Ralph Krueger’s men were unlucky to come away from the Nuremburg arena with nothing to show for their efforts after competing on level terms with the reigning world champions for much of the game. The first period of the match had begun with some fairly frantic Swiss defending as the Czech team went in search…

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Zberg wins Frankfurt cycling Grand Prix

This content was published on May 1, 2001 Zberg completed the 206.1 kilometre race with a sprint finish in a time of five hours, five minutes and 34 seconds. It’s only the third time a Swiss cyclist has won the event. But it’s the second time a member of the Zberg family has taken the title. Marcus’s brother, Beat, was champion in 1996.…

Demographics

Nigerian asylum seeker dies during deportation

This content was published on May 1, 2001 In a statement, canton Valais police said the prisoner became violent during the journey to the airport, and the officers accompanying him were forced to subdue him and finally place him in handcuffs. They said that shortly afterwards the officers noticed that the prisoner had stopped breathing, and attempted to resuscitate him using artificial respiration.…

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Police clash with protesters after May Day rally in Zurich

This content was published on May 1, 2001 Violence broke out towards the end of the official May Day celebrations, when a crowd of protesters with their faces covered scuffled with police following a speech by a controversial Palestinian resistance figure, Leila Khaled. Police used water cannon, rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the protesters. A spokesman said 30 arrests were made.…

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Rothschild Bank takes ex-director to court

This content was published on May 1, 2001 “A complaint has been lodged,” said the bank’s lawyer, Dominique Poncet, confirming reports in the Swiss French newspaper the “Tribune de Genève”. The inquiry is now in the hands of the legal authorities. Mourad Sekkiou, the lawyer representing the defendant, whose name was not released, said she would fight the case: “My client is contesting…

Demographics

Top politicians call for fairer wages in May Day speeches

This content was published on May 1, 2001 Speaking in Unterseen in canton Bern, Leuenberger said May Day rallies traditionally focused on the need for a just society and equal rights for all citizens. He said that despite the advances made in the past 100 years, these were still goals worth striving towards. Leuenberger, who is also transport, energy and communications minister, said…

Demographics

Swiss charity says slave ship children were being trafficked

This content was published on May 1, 2001 Local delegates of the Lausanne-based Terre des Hommes Foundation took charge of 16 girls and seven boys at the request of the Benin authorities. The children, who came from Benin, Togo and Mali, were aged between three and 14 years. “Although the statements of children are often uncertain and sometimes contradictory, it nonetheless clearly emerges…

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Swiss Identity

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Louis Armstrong makes “appearance” at Bern jazz festival

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The battle to help kids love books

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Pro-Chechen gunmen charged after Swiss hotel attack in Istanbul

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Swiss hockey team undone by Czechs

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Zberg wins Frankfurt cycling Grand Prix

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Nigerian asylum seeker dies during deportation

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Police clash with protesters after May Day rally in Zurich

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Rothschild Bank takes ex-director to court

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Top politicians call for fairer wages in May Day speeches

More

Swiss charity says slave ship children were being trafficked

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