Archive – Science

NGOs warn Africa is squandering oil windfall

This content was published on Nov 2, 2006 Campaigners say new international rules are needed to guarantee transparent management of oil revenues and job opportunities so that the poorest can benefit from the financial windfall. Caroline Morel, executive director of Swissaid, which hosted the event, said the issue of how the continent’s oil revenues were dispersed was of “global importance”. “[We need] to…

Head of top institute of technology resigns

This content was published on Nov 1, 2006 Ernst Hafen who has been in the top post of the prestigious Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich for less than a year faced increasing opposition from the board and fellow professors. “It has become clear over the past few days that I don’t have the necessary support to continue in my position,” said Hafen…

Court puts wind in sails of renewable energy

This content was published on Oct 29, 2006 Judges at Switzerland’s highest legal authority said the fact that wind power does not currently contribute significantly to the country’s energy supply should not be allowed to hinder its development. The Federal Court thus reversed a decision by a lower court in Neuchâtel, which had ruled in favour of residents opposed to the building of…

Sun shines for nuns

This content was published on Oct 29, 2006

Assisted suicide prompts more recommendations

This content was published on Oct 27, 2006 The Swiss National Advisory Commission on Biomedical Ethics says organised suicide assistance should only be permitted for people suffering from serious illnesses. The commission last year recommended that tighter controls should be introduced on assisted suicides, with organisations carrying them out to be put under state surveillance. In 2003, 272 people committed assisted suicide in…

New energy policy generates stiff resistance

This content was published on Oct 26, 2006 The Swiss Business Federation, economiesuisse, and the Swiss power company association, swisselectric, distanced themselves from the “Energy Outlook Forum” final report, presented on Thursday. The working group brought together the main actors from politics, business, civil society and the environment to discuss Switzerland’s long-term energy policy up to 2035. The report headed by former senator,…

Rediscovering Switzerland’s concrete giants

This content was published on Oct 26, 2006 Perched almost 2,000 metres above sea level opposite Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest peak, Emosson dam in canton Valais is the second largest structure of its type in Switzerland. Our journey begins way down in the Rhône valley. From here the Mont-Blanc Express has linked Martigny and Chamonix in France for a century, screeching and rattling…

Molecular biologist wins top science prize

This content was published on Oct 25, 2006 The award, worth SFr100,000 ($79,000), is one of the most renowned research accolades in Switzerland and is presented each year by the National Science Foundation (SNF). Hengartner’s work revolves around a worm called Caenorhabditis elegans, which he has been studying for nearly 20 years. The creature is a nematode worm, a parasite which lives in…

Expert highlights untapped migrant resource

This content was published on Oct 24, 2006 Manuel Carballo claims that far from being “charity cases”, the majority of unofficial migrants in Europe represent a valuable economic and social resource that is largely going to waste. The comments by the executive director of the Geneva-based International Centre for Migration and Health (ICMH) come hot on the heels of a similar warning last…

“Migrant-friendly” handbook helps hospitals

This content was published on Oct 23, 2006 The Federal Health Office said that if people from different cultures and linguistic backgrounds received better treatment, overall costs would go down. Thomas Spang, head of equal opportunities and health at the Federal Health Office, said on Monday that migrants do not have the same opportunities regarding health as locals. He said migrants were overrepresented…

Archive – Science

Popular Stories

Most Discussed