Archive – Science

Flood-alarm system needs investment

This content was published on Aug 30, 2005 Professor Paolo Burlando, of Zurich’s Federal Institute of Technology, said the country’s flood-alert system must be better coordinated in future, after thousands were caught unawares by last week’s flooding. Other countries, including Japan, already have hi-tech systems in place to predict floods and warn people in time to evacuate. The Swiss model can be improved,…

Swiss aid continues one year after Beslan siege

This content was published on Aug 30, 2005 Switzerland was one of many countries which offered assistance in the wake of the hostage drama in the southern Russian town that claimed the lives of more than 300 people, most of them children. In the months that followed the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) launched a number of projects to help the…

Normality starts to return after floods

This content was published on Aug 28, 2005 Meanwhile, the government has said that reinforced flood protection is likely to cost billions of francs over the next few years. Officials said that despite overnight rainfall, water levels had either receded or remained stable in flood regions such as Thun in the Bernese Oberland and Lucerne in central Switzerland. Meteorologists said a return to…

Floods start to recede but problems remain

This content was published on Aug 27, 2005 But some alpine areas remain cut off and massive clean-up operations continue as the country deals with the devastating impact of the flooding. In the capital, Bern, residents of the low-lying Matte district were being allowed back into their homes. They were forcibly evacuated earlier in the week over fears that some of the district’s…

Leica Geosystems sizes up the world

This content was published on Aug 27, 2005 Based at Heerbrugg in canton St Gallen, the firm produces sophisticated equipment that surveyors, engineers, mapmakers, architects and others use to make precision measurements. “We produce instruments that can measure distances, surfaces and volumes in the broadest sense,” Leica’s chief executive Hans Hess told swissinfo. The instruments use technologies including laser distance tracking, the global…

Flood-hit areas struggle to return to normal

This content was published on Aug 26, 2005 Visiting one of the worst hit areas, Environment Minister Moritz Leuenberger expressed dismay at the level of devastation while praising measures which had helped limit the damage. As clean-up operations continued it was reported that the body of a missing woman had been recovered, bringing the death toll to six. Across the country water levels…

Flying is still the safest way to travel

This content was published on Aug 26, 2005 The Swiss government announced this week that it would shortly be publishing on the internet a blacklist of airlines banned from Switzerland. The move comes after demands from consumer-protection groups, and reflects growing public concern over aviation safety. In August some 340 people died in plane crashes. “Flying today is as safe as it ever…

Experts tackle challenges of ageing society

This content was published on Aug 26, 2005 Experts are examining a range of issues thrown up by longer life expectancy including health care, growing social inequality among the elderly and the threat posed by today’s “cult of youth”. The congress, Healthy Ageing: Current Social Challenges, which is being held at Neuchâtel University, is being hosted by the Swiss Health Observatory (SHO). One…

Engelberg copes with ravages of flooding

This content was published on Aug 25, 2005 The residents have remained calm and the authorities are encouraging tourists in the resort to leave by air. The helicopter approach to Engelberg offers an extensive and apocalyptic view of the central Swiss resort severely damaged by flooding and cut in two by the raging waters of the River Aa. Air is now the only…

Border cantons are not afraid of influx

This content was published on Aug 25, 2005 Switzerland goes to the polls on September 25 on whether to extend the free movement of people accord to the new EU member states. “Employers in Basel are used to working together with people of other nationalities. For years there have been people who live nearby in neighbouring countries crossing the border to work in…

Archive – Science

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Archive – Science

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Flood-alarm system needs investment

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Swiss aid continues one year after Beslan siege

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Normality starts to return after floods

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Floods start to recede but problems remain

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Leica Geosystems sizes up the world

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Flood-hit areas struggle to return to normal

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Flying is still the safest way to travel

More

Experts tackle challenges of ageing society

More

Engelberg copes with ravages of flooding

More

Border cantons are not afraid of influx

Popular Stories

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