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Circus comedian reveals comic side to the Swiss

This content was published on Aug 24, 2003 He told swissinfo it is a key element of his performance as guest of honour at the Swiss National Circus Knie, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. The Italian-born cabaret artist and comedian has been nicknamed “the poet of laughter” for his comical look at everyday life in Switzerland. swissinfo: What’s the difference…

A train ride through history

This content was published on Aug 23, 2003 Many died in the monumental struggle to take locomotives across the Alps. A glimpse into the public archives of the Swiss Federal Railways shows how many lives were lost in building the railways, and how pivotal trains have been for Switzerland’s political and economic survival. The Federal Railways Heritage Foundation, based in Bern city centre,…

Pesticides pollute 50% of Swiss groundwater

This content was published on Aug 23, 2003 A survey of 390 monitoring stations found traces of pesticides and weed killer at more than half of them. Priority was given to analysing data from farming areas, and pollution levels exceeding the permitted norms were recorded at several sites. Some 80 per cent of Switzerland’s drinking water is taken from the ground, but experts…

Old alpine trading route revived

This content was published on Aug 21, 2003 They spent a week doing what traders did for centuries – leading pack animals laden with salt and cheese over a series of mountain passes. Some of the party turned up in authentic costume, and one of them – Ludwig Degelo – even sported a pair of hobnail boots. He said they gave him a…

Heat saps Swiss forests

This content was published on Aug 21, 2003 The leaves on thousands of trees are already changing colour and dying, something which should not happen for another two months. Forestry workers say the early autumn is the trees’ way of coping with lack of water, and might help them survive the unusual heat. But the trees are left in a weakened condition, and…

Swiss lose taste for white wine

This content was published on Aug 21, 2003 They show consumption of foreign wine increasing, while the biggest loser in the changing market is traditional Swiss white wine. And for the first time, imports of Italian wine have overtaken imports of wine from France. In the 12 months between June 2002 and June 2003, the average Swiss drank around half a litre less…

Swatch Group is hit hard but optimistic

This content was published on Aug 21, 2003 Net profit for the first half fell to SFr186 million ($133.51 million), down 9.7 per cent on the same period last year Sales at the group, which includes the Breguet, Blancpain, Omega, Longines and Swatch brands, fell by 6.6 per cent to SFr1.82 billion. However, the group said in a statement from its headquarters in…

Psychologist surprised by condition of hostages

This content was published on Aug 20, 2003 Markus Gurt accompanied the hostages during their flight home from Mali, where they were set free on Monday afternoon. “I was able to speak to each of the former hostages for about an hour,” Gurt told swissinfo. “I was surprised by the good condition they were in. “When you think about what they’ve experienced, they…

Government reignites debate over excess gold

This content was published on Aug 20, 2003 Last year, voters rejected two proposals to use some of the money to fund humanitarian projects and to boost the state pension scheme. The Swiss National Bank holds 1,300 tons of excess gold in its reserves, estimated to be worth between SFr18 billion and SFr20 billion ($13 billion and $14.4 billion). Some 840 million tons…

Zurich Financial Services on the road to recovery

This content was published on Aug 20, 2003 The result was well above market expectations and indicates Zurich may be recovering from last year’s bruising $3.4 billion loss. Jim Schiro, the Zurich chief executive who was appointed to the job in May last year, welcomed the result. “I’m excited by this recovery, but we have a long road ahead. I see us facing…

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Circus comedian reveals comic side to the Swiss

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A train ride through history

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Pesticides pollute 50% of Swiss groundwater

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Old alpine trading route revived

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Heat saps Swiss forests

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Swiss lose taste for white wine

More

Swatch Group is hit hard but optimistic

More

Psychologist surprised by condition of hostages

More

Government reignites debate over excess gold

More

Zurich Financial Services on the road to recovery

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