Swiss Identity

European Committee for the Prevention of Torture visits Swiss jails

This content was published on Feb 15, 2001 The Federal Department of Justice and Police said the committee visited correctional institutions in cantons Bern, Fribourg, St Gallen, Thurgau and Zurich. Their survey included jails, detention centres, police stations and a psychiatric centre. The inspection lasted 10 days. It is the third in Switzerland since 1991. The committee is expected to submit a report…

Demographics

Hingis struggles to quarter finals in Qatar

This content was published on Feb 15, 2001 Vento’s game crumbled in the second set, giving Hingis a 7-6,6-1 victory after an 81 minute game. Hingis is now qualified for the quarter finals, where she will meet South Africa’s Joannette Kruger. Hingis was playing her first match after a bye into the second round. Vento went into Thursday’s game very confident, following her…

History

Swiss honoured for saving Jews

This content was published on Feb 15, 2001 The honour is awarded by the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem. More than 18,000 people from around the world have so far been included in the list of the “Righteous”. The five Swiss being recognised for their wartime efforts are the former Red Cross workers Walter Giannini and his wife Emma, Margareta Tobler, the…

Demographics

Gypsies take Swiss to task over integration

This content was published on Feb 15, 2001 The move by the Swiss Sinti and Jenisch Action association is a sign of growing discontent among gypsies, who say they are not accepted by either the authorities or the Swiss people. The legal action is in response to an emergency order by the Vaud cantonal authorities last month in which they created three new…

Demographics

Federer falters but maintains winning streak

This content was published on Feb 15, 2001 Federer’s exertions during last weekend’s extraordinary Davis Cup win over the United States may help to explain his sluggish start against the Frenchman. Broken on his first service game, Federer found himself trailing Saulnier 3-0. Pulling back level to set up a tie-break, the Swiss number one then had to defend a set point before…

Culture

“Homerun” for Swiss band Gotthard

This content was published on Feb 15, 2001 Gotthard’ sixth album, available since the end of January, is expected to be another blockbuster. Its single “Heaven” has already gone gold. Singer Steve Lee told swissinfo that Gotthard began life as a hard-rock band, but has since shifted its style to become more melodious. “Some people would like to see Gotthard as a hard…

Demographics

Swissair tightens controls to combat air rage

This content was published on Feb 15, 2001 Since January 1, all Swissair aircraft have been equipped with the handcuffs, which have so far been used once. The airline’s move comes amid increasing cases of air rage worldwide. The most prominent recent incident concerned a 27-year-old Kenyan man who stormed into the cockpit of a British Airways Jumbo jet and almost caused a…

Demographics

Winter games in Flumserberg

This content was published on Feb 15, 2001 The resort of Flumserberg, which lies above beautiful Lake Walen in eastern Switzerland, is one of seven Swiss resorts hosting the snowgames this winter. The event is intended as a celebration of snow sports, and is aimed at weekend skiers and snowboarders who’ve always wanted to compete like the professionals. Entrants are advised to first…

Maier closing in on Von Grünigen

This content was published on Feb 15, 2001 Von Grünigen could have clinched the title on Thursday by finishing ahead of Maier in the Japanese resort of Shigakogen. But a week to the day after being crowned giant slalom world champion in St Anton, Von Grünigen could only manage a disappointing eighth place. Maier, on the other hand, bounced back from his disappointing…

Culture

European version of Swiss classic screened in Berlin

This content was published on Feb 15, 2001 Swiss film critic, Michael Lang, said the premiere pulled the crowds and was a hit with children and adults alike. “I was very impressed because it was a full house. About 70 or 80 per cent of the audience were children, and they were very impressed. I was very pleased with the film – the…

Swiss Identity

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