Cluster: Archive

Swiss tourism puts forward a friendlier face

This content was published on Feb 22, 2003 Hundreds of shops, restaurants, hotels and ski lifts now participate in the programme, helping the industry rid itself of a reputation for poor and unfriendly service. Sandra S, who was employed as a “mystery person” as part of the Swiss Tourism Federation’s programme, says she was impressed with the service and lessons she received at…

Gold still shines for the Swiss

This content was published on Feb 22, 2003 The metal, derided in the 1990s as a poor investment, is currently worth around $350 an ounce (SFr475) – its highest level since 1997. Along with the Swiss franc, gold remains one of the world’s traditional “save havens”. In times of uncertainty, investors pile into the yellow metal, safe in the knowledge that it is…

Swiss GM crop trial to start in March

This content was published on Feb 21, 2003 Switzerland’s environment ministry on Friday removed the final hurdles blocking a long-awaited trial of modified wheat. Swiss fields have been GM free since the early 1990s when modified potatoes were planted. Two other requests to grow GM crops outdoors were rejected in 1999. The Zurich test crop has had a long gestation. Originally rejected by…

Swiss devise system to contain oil slicks

This content was published on Feb 21, 2003 They say the new system would be the first effective way to remove vast amounts of oil floating on the sea’s surface. Originally the brainchild of Ugo Cavalli, a retired engineer from Ticino, the idea has recently been taken up and developed by the engineers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. Anton…

Fantasy and aphrodisiacs spice up gardening fair

This content was published on Feb 20, 2003 The former was a horticultural flight of fancy while the latter seemed to attract an unusually large number of visitors, not all of them gardening enthusiasts. What’s been called the “Fireship” at Giardina was a stand featuring 25 aphrodisiac plants, subtly illuminated by green lighting and arranged along a passageway with a canvas ceiling. The…

Syngenta posts loss amid weak outlook

This content was published on Feb 20, 2003 The figure was down $34 million on a year ago, but took included a $396 million charge for restructuring costs. The company said on Thursday it would have made a net profit of $265 million before these one-off items were taken into consideration. Sales also fell over the same period from $6.323 billion to $6.197…

Rare animals freeze on flight to Switzerland

This content was published on Feb 19, 2003 Many of the creatures, which included exotic chameleons, frogs and hedgehogs, were due to be housed at a Zurich reptile centre and at the city zoo. Reptile centre director Martin Schreiber arranged the February 7 flight with Air France, and even travelled to Madagascar to help pack the animals, but he was unable to travel…

Swiss move closer to decriminalisation of cannabis

This content was published on Feb 19, 2003 A parliamentary commission met on Wednesday to discuss the possible liberalisation of the drug in Switzerland. The Senate has already come out in favour of such a move. However, anti-decriminalisation sentiment is growing, with the staunchest opposition centred in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Opponents of liberalisation have stepped up pressure on parliamentarians, and one…

Swiss regain upper hand in time measurement

This content was published on Feb 19, 2003 The unique timepiece measures seconds with extreme precision using lasers and is so accurate it will gain or lose no more than a second every 30 million years. Its creators – a group of physicists at Neuchâtel’s cantonal observatory – say the clock will act as a reference point for measuring international time and play…

Nestlé takes to the water… again

This content was published on Feb 19, 2003 Its water division has acquired Russia’s Clear Water company, the country’s leader in Home and Office Delivery (HOD). The acquisition, at an undisclosed price, comes just a fortnight after Nestlé expanded its bottled-water empire by acquiring the Powwow group for €560 million (SFr754 million). That deal cemented Nestlé’s position as the leader in the bottled…

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Cluster: Archive

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Swiss tourism puts forward a friendlier face

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Gold still shines for the Swiss

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Swiss GM crop trial to start in March

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Swiss devise system to contain oil slicks

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Fantasy and aphrodisiacs spice up gardening fair

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Syngenta posts loss amid weak outlook

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Rare animals freeze on flight to Switzerland

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Swiss move closer to decriminalisation of cannabis

More

Swiss regain upper hand in time measurement

More

Nestlé takes to the water… again

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