Swiss Identity

Chilly Zurich rings in the spring

This content was published on Apr 23, 2001 The city of Zurich has just celebrated its annual “Six o’clock bells” (Sechseläuten), the city’s traditional spring festival, which culminates in the burning of an over-sized snowman, called the Böögg. And despite another overcast day, thousands turned out to watch the centuries-old festival, as hundreds of traditionally dressed guild members paraded through the city’s streets…

Demographics

Hostage drama at Swiss hotel in Istanbul ends peacefully

This content was published on Apr 23, 2001 The hotel’s owner, Switzerland’s SAirGroup, confirmed that the gunmen had surrendered and released all the hostages unharmed. Among the captives were a nine-member Swissair crew and three other Swiss citizens. Swiss embassy officials said the attackers had handed their weapons over to the Turkish security forces following the intervention of the Turkish interior minister, Sadettin…

Culture

Big drop in number of Swiss newspapers

This content was published on Apr 23, 2001 Mergers and closures are blamed for the dramatic drop in the number of newspapers from 266 in 1980 to 201 in 1999. The Federal Office for Statistics said more and more papers had also teamed up to produce shared editorial pages, leading to less diversity in the marketplace. The shrinking number of titles was blamed…

Demographics

Capriati denies Hingis Charleston title

This content was published on Apr 23, 2001 After a disastrous first set, Hingis changed tactics, taking some of the pace off her shots. She eventually stormed to a 3-0 lead before finally winning the second set. But after breaking serve in the first game of the third set, Hingis missed a few key shots, allowing Capriati to notch up a 5-1 lead.…

Demographics

Filmmaker sheds light on dark side of Lausanne

This content was published on Apr 23, 2001 Director Raphaël Sibilla spent a year making the film, “117 Police Secours”. Its title refers to the telephone number in Switzerland for emergency calls to the police. “At first I sensed a deep mistrust by police officers of what I was doing,” says Sibilla. “But by going out with them night after night, not only…

Demographics

Luxury Swiss hotel stormed by pro-Chechen gunmen

This content was published on Apr 23, 2001 The gunmen, armed with automatic rifles and shotguns, stormed the Swissôtel shortly before midnight on Sunday, firing shots. They ordered all the people in the lobby to lie down. A nine-member Swissair crew, made up of two pilots, six cabin personnel and a security official, are among those being held. Reports say the gunmen, believed…

Demographics

St Gallen back on top of Swiss football league

This content was published on Apr 22, 2001 St Gallen took a 2-0 lead through Zwyssig (45th minute) and Nixon (55th minute) and seemed to be coasting to an easy home victory. But Basel, despite playing with nine men after having two players sent off, recovered with two goals by Huggel and Yakin, bringing the two sides level with just six minutes remaining.…

Demographics

Pfadi lose bid to win European handball title

This content was published on Apr 22, 2001 In Saturday’s game, Pfadi were unable to penetrate the Yugoslav defence. Moreover, Kac’s aggressiveness prevented Winterthur’s Korean players Cho and Kang from finding their own rhythm. swissinfo with agencies

Demographics

Lugano crush Lausanne in Swiss Football Championship

This content was published on Apr 22, 2001 The match started well for Lausanne, with a goal by Hellebuyck after only three minutes. Lugano then took half an hour to equalise. Spurred on by their comeback, Lugano went into second gear five minutes later with another goal courtesy of Gaspoz. In the second period, Lugano scored again on a penalty, thanks to Bastida.…

Demographics

Lugano breeze through match against Fribourg Olympic

This content was published on Apr 22, 2001 Lugano, who were heading for victory from the start, held a comfortable 24- point lead over Fribourg halfway through the game. Olympic lacked the confidence to pull back, and finally lost 96-76. Fribourg have lost just three of their last 13 matches. All three ties were against Lugano, who are giving Fribourg coach Milutin Nikolic…

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