Cluster: Archive

Swiss vintners go in search of new palates

This content was published on Jan 25, 2004 In 2003, Switzerland exported 1.5 million litres of wine – a mere drop in the ocean alongside imports of more than 160 million litres. “For our export activities we are trying to focus on a few markets that are important, namely Germany and the Benelux countries,” Jürg Bussmann, director of the Swiss Wine Association (SWA),…

Changing the world through dialogue

This content was published on Jan 25, 2004 As the World Social Forum (WSF) drew to a close in Mumbai, swissinfo met the Protestant theologian and resident of canton Vaud, Shafique Keshavjee. Shafique Keshavjee is originally from India and currently works at a centre for inter-religious dialogue in Lausanne. He has recently written a novel, called “The Princess and the Prophet”, set in…

Holcim moves to strengthen position in Mexico

This content was published on Jan 23, 2004 Holcim said on Friday that it wanted to “tie” the Mexican company more tightly into the group. No details have been given on how much Holcim would raise or when the capital increase would take place, but the company said that the extra cash would provide enough equity to “maintain its financial profile”. Holcim is…

Deiss defends trade talks in Davos

This content was published on Jan 23, 2004 Non-governmental organisations have strongly criticised Friday’s meeting in Davos, fearing it will only defend the interests of industrialised nations. Negotiations stumbled last year at a meeting of the World Trade Organization in Cancun, Mexico, over the issue of agricultural subsidies to farmers in Europe and the United States. “We think it’s a good opportunity for…

Rightwing forces vote on maternity leave

This content was published on Jan 22, 2004 On Thursday the rightwing Swiss People’s Party handed in a petition with just over 72,000 signatures, 22,000 more than needed to challenge a new law. The proposed new law would give gainfully employed mothers 14 weeks of paid leave based on 80 per cent of their salary. Liliane Andrey, a campaigner for statutory maternity benefit,…

Unions attack retail giant Migros

This content was published on Jan 22, 2004 The company, which employs 80,000 people, dismissed Thursday’s action as a “publicity stunt” aimed at attracting new union members. Union officials circulated flyers to staff accusing the company of violating employees’ rights. Migros denounced the claims as unfounded and announced it would hold a press conference on Friday to defend its position. “These demonstrations are…

Novartis reports healthy growth

This content was published on Jan 22, 2004 The Basel-based group said it expected to achieve strong earnings in 2004 while continuing investment in new medicines. The results were slightly above analysts’ expectations. The world’s fifth-largest pharmaceutical group said in a statement that the result was driven by a 19 per cent rise in annual sales to $24.9 billion. “[Our sales have] reached…

Alternative voices echo in Davos

This content was published on Jan 22, 2004 Anti-globalisation protesters believe their presence in Davos is crucial for highlighting issues such as corporate responsibility and the needs of developing nations. Julien Reinhard, a member of the non-governmental organisation, the Berne Declaration, describes himself as a full-time activist. “Our role is to show another point of view,” the 32-year-old told swissinfo. “We give a…

Novartis reports healthy growth

This content was published on Jan 22, 2004 The Basel-based group said it expected to achieve strong earnings in 2004 while continuing investment in new medicines. The results were slightly above analysts’ expectations. Europe’s third-largest pharmaceutical group said in a statement that the result was driven by a 19 per cent rise in annual sales to $24.9 billion. “[Our sales have] reached record…

Students angered by fee hike proposal

This content was published on Jan 21, 2004 Proposing a fourfold increase, it said the current level of fees covered only around three per cent of higher education costs. On Tuesday, the Swiss Business Federation and the business think tank, Avenir Suisse, said it was crucial for the country to improve the quality of its higher education in view of tough competition from…

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Swiss vintners go in search of new palates

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Changing the world through dialogue

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Holcim moves to strengthen position in Mexico

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Deiss defends trade talks in Davos

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Rightwing forces vote on maternity leave

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Unions attack retail giant Migros

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Novartis reports healthy growth

More

Alternative voices echo in Davos

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Novartis reports healthy growth

More

Students angered by fee hike proposal

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