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Switzerland backs global ban of organic pollutants

This content was published on Dec 10, 2000 The Swiss government has agreed to an accord in Johannesburg, which bans the worldwide use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The Swiss delegation reported that a breakthrough at the 122 nations conference was made on Sunday. Switzerland’s five-member delegation spent just under a week in the South African city to try to bring the negotiations…

International Human Rights Day focuses on awareness

This content was published on Dec 10, 2000 One of the group’s board members, Maya Doetzkies, told swissinfo that not enough people in Switzerland realise that human rights are very much a domestic issue. “A lot of people think violations of human rights happen only in other countries”, she says, “but we also have a lot of work to do here in Switzerland…

Swissair gives all-clear to grounded Airbuses

This content was published on Dec 9, 2000 Swissair spokesman, Urs Peter Näf, said on Saturday that the nine planes which had been checked would be free to fly again. The Swiss carrier cancelled several long-haul flights on Friday after French authorities grounded various production series of the Airbus A330 plane powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. Passengers scheduled to fly Swissair from…

Farmers’ union wants end to live animal imports

This content was published on Dec 9, 2000 The measures suggested by the union are to be set up bearing in mind the situation in Britain, France and Germany in mind. “The steps taken in these countries against mad cow disease will take time before becoming effective,” the president of the union, Melchior Ehrler said. He added: “The measures we’re suggesting will help…

Protests by shop staff pay off

This content was published on Dec 9, 2000 The supermarket chain, Migros, made its intentions clear in several newspaper advertisements: by next year around 700 staff earning less than SFr3, 000 gross will have their wages topped up. The advertisements went on to say that by 2003 there will be a minimum wage of SFr3,300 at the store. Saturday’s announcement follows a round…

The week in business

This content was published on Dec 9, 2000 The four licences went for only SFr205 million ($120 million), just SFr5 million above the minimum price set by the government. The sale was originally meant to take place in November but was postponed after many of the bidders dropped out. In the end just four companies were left competing for the same number of…

Museum splashes out on Titanic bear

This content was published on Dec 9, 2000 Christie’s auction house in London said on Thursday the Titanic bear – which fetched $131,937 (SFr223,000) – was a sought-after item and in excellent condition. It had been languishing in a cupboard after its owner had grown out of it, teddy expert Daniel Agnew told swissinfo. Christie’s had put a reserve price of $22,000 on…

UMTS technology promises Golden Age at a price

This content was published on Dec 9, 2000 “Hello, Mr Fischer. It’s the 25th February 2003 and the time is 7am. The weather is cloudy but it’s expected to brighten up this afternoon. The temperature is eight degrees Celsius. Your first appointment is at 9am with Mr Aroyo.” Those words are not spoken by a hyper-efficient butler, but by a mobile phone lying…

Swissair grounds A330s to check engines

This content was published on Dec 8, 2000 The Swiss carrier cancelled several long-haul flights after French authorities grounded various production series of the Airbus A330 plane powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. Swissair has a fleet of 15 such planes and announced late on Friday that it had suspended service with 11 of them. The remaining four were not affected. In Brussels,…

Central bank leaves interest rates unchanged

This content was published on Dec 8, 2000 Announcing his decision on Friday, the president of the central bank, Hans Meyer, said the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) would remain the same at three to four per cent. Meyer said that, despite the strength of the Swiss economy, inflation was well under control, and “there was no sign of price instability in…

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Switzerland backs global ban of organic pollutants

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International Human Rights Day focuses on awareness

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Swissair gives all-clear to grounded Airbuses

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Farmers’ union wants end to live animal imports

More

Protests by shop staff pay off

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The week in business

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Museum splashes out on Titanic bear

More

UMTS technology promises Golden Age at a price

More

Swissair grounds A330s to check engines

More

Central bank leaves interest rates unchanged

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