Wednesday 19.06.2013  
 
 

100 days of Pope Francis

ʻThings are happening behind the scenesʼ

One hundred days after his election, Pope Francis I is enjoying a positive image and heightened popularity. Although he hasn’t been in his seat long, observers estimate that signs are showing the “pope of the poor” will become an important decision-maker.  [...]

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Biotech boost

Expanding Switzerland’s ‘Health Valley’

The Campus Biotech owners are expected to soon move into the empty 40,000 square metre former Merck Serono building

Backed by billionaires, a major new biotech research initiative in Geneva dubbed ‘Campus Biotech’ looks set to shift Switzerland’s ‘Health Valley’ up a gear. Coming after major job losses in the region, it is receiving a cautious welcome.  [...]

Fight against desertification

Halting a desert with the ‘Great Green Wall’

La brique verte de Ibrahim

Advancing deserts are not unstoppable. By planting trees, it is possible to redevelop the soil and create an ecosystem that is more favourable for agriculture. The Swiss association Sylla Caap is convinced of this and in the savannah of Senegal has started building a Great Green Wall. (Luigi Jorio, swissinfo.ch)  [...]

Basic income for all

Old utopian ideal revived on Swiss streets

The committee presented its initiative to the public in April 2012

It is arguably one of the most unusual political ideas launched in decades and campaigners for an unconditional basic income for all say they have already collected enough signatures to force a vote on their utopian proposal.  [...]

Poet

'I never imagined writing would pay the bills'

Angelia Maria Schwaller

At the age of 12, Angelia Maria Schwaller from the sleepy village of Überstorf in canton Fribourg discovered the internet. She sought out likeminded people on forums to learn from and exchange ideas with. Her passion – poetry.  [...]

Eastern expansion

The global ambitions of Art Basel

An installation titled "Aztec Pattern" created by South Korean artist Osang Gwon was displayed at the Art Basel in Hong Kong

Art Basel opens in Switzerland following the launch weeks earlier of its first Asian edition in Hong Kong. With Art Basel Miami Beach now in its tenth year, swissinfo.ch looks at the brand’s expansion and how experts view the change.  [...]

Seeking justice

The long road from Guantanamo to Switzerland

The end of Guantanamo does not necessarily mean the beginning of freedom

Illegally imprisoned for eight years, three former inmates of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp have found refuge in Switzerland. Three others fell foul of administrative hurdles in Bern. swissinfo.ch looks at where they are now.  [...]

Made in Switzerland

Are Swiss watches Swiss enough?

Swiss watches set to become more Swiss

Moves are underway to increase the “Swissness” in manufactured products in Switzerland. One sector where the Swiss-made label is being hotly debated is the watch industry.  [...]

Transparency on tax

FATCA sounds death knell of banking secrecy

 To continue operations in the US, Swiss banks will have to submit to the tax authority (IRS)

Legislation allowing for the sharing of American citizens’ bank data will go before the Swiss parliament next month. It seemingly spells the end of prized Swiss banking secrecy, although lawmakers say it is far from a done deal.  [...]

Finance Minister Widmer-Schlumpf (bottom right) suffered a defeat in parliament

Bank deal

Parliament vote stalls US tax settlement

The House of Representatives has clearly rejected a planned law allowing Swiss banks to hand over data of suspected tax dodgers to the United States. Discussions in parliament are continuing on Wednesday.  [...]

Google grievances

Privacy officials raise concerns over Glass

The Swiss data protection commissioner and government privacy officials from a handful of other countries have written to Google to raise privacy concerns about its wearable computing eyewear, Glass.  [...]

Too many doctors

Parliament re-instates medical practice limits

Parliament has green-lighted renewed limits on the number of healthcare specialists who may operate in the country. For three years starting July 1 new medical practice licenses will be restricted in some regions and costs reigned in.  [...]

Benchmark fraud

Former UBS trader charged in Libor case

Espionage affair

Government condemns alleged US snooping

Banking secrecy

EU plays tough ahead of tax talks with Swiss

Unfit for work

Even minor depression affects everyday life

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Last updated: 15:23