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Spying fears highlight worth of data centres

This content was published on Jun 24, 2013 The centre’s stark concrete vaults also protect the highly sensitive information of banks and other clients from the prying eyes of governments or economic spies. ‘Trust’ is the watchword of the expanding Swiss data storage industry as it quietly carves out a highly lucrative global niche. Recent revelations of United States intelligence agency spying, coupled…

A pilgrimage to meet African saints

This content was published on Jun 22, 2013 Despite the passing of time, he still fascinates many people as an annual pilgrimage to the town that bears his name in canton Valais shows. On June 2, around 1,500 Africans from all over Switzerland took part. The event, which began in 2001, aims to give a positive image of the African community. Twelve choirs…

Improved lending wins cautious praise from SNB

This content was published on Jun 20, 2013 Since last year’s warnings of “below average” capitalisation and a gloomy outlook for the banks’ futures if they didn’t adjust their lending practices, the SNB has significantly softened its tone and even praised UBS and Credit Suisse for their efforts in the past year. Both banks significantly reduced their investment banking activities, issuing more bonds…

In terms of sex ed, schools do their own thing

This content was published on Jun 20, 2013 In this particular Basel suburb, it kicks off with a game resulting in giggles and some pink cheeks. Given a word on a card, each student has to define it without actually using the word. “This gives us a chance to see what terminology the students are familiar with,” explains Cécile Notter of the Basel…

Privacy officials raise concerns over Glass

This content was published on Jun 19, 2013 Hanspeter Thür signed the letter sent to Larry Page, Google’s chief executive officer, along with commissioners from Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Israel. “We would be very interested in hearing about the privacy implications of this new product and the steps you are taking to ensure that, as you move forward with…

Parliament vote stalls US tax settlement

This content was published on Jun 19, 2013 A majority of opponents on Tuesday argued the law violated Swiss sovereignty and didn’t provide either enough information about possible consequences or assurances from the US to protect bank employees. The result of the vote – 126 against, 67 in favour, with two abstentions – dealt a blow to the cabinet and Finance Minister Eveline…

Former UBS trader charged in Libor case

This content was published on Jun 18, 2013 Britain’s Serious Fraud Office says the 33 year old, who also worked for Citigroup, was charged in London on Tuesday with conspiracy to defraud in connection with the rigging of the benchmark rate. UBS was not immediately available for comment. The former UBS employee specialised in products pegged to Libor and worked in offices in…

Expanding Switzerland’s ‘Health Valley’

This content was published on Jun 18, 2013 Inside the lofty glass entrance hall of the former headquarters of Merck Serono in Geneva you can hear a pin drop. “The last staff members left last week,” explains the lone receptionist. Just over one year ago the German drug and chemical maker Merck dropped a biotech bombshell when it announced it was closing its…

The creeping disease that threatens populations

This content was published on Jun 17, 2013 It’s not the desert on the move but farming land that is slowly disappearing, contrary to what most people believe. “The mental picture we have is one of a sandy desert and dunes swallowing up villages and fields,” Gudrun Schwilch, a researcher at the University of Bern’s Centre for Development and Environment, told swissinfo.ch. “But…

Swiss take first step to end US tax spat

This content was published on Jun 12, 2013 Following more than 20 hours of debate, the Senate on Wednesday approved the divisive bill by 24 votes to 15. Supporters, mainly from the centrist parties, warned of the potentially disastrous consequences for indicted banks, the finance industry and also for the Swiss economy if the government-sponsored bill was rejected. The law would help draw…

Internal: Archive

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Internal: Archive

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Spying fears highlight worth of data centres

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A pilgrimage to meet African saints

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Improved lending wins cautious praise from SNB

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In terms of sex ed, schools do their own thing

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Privacy officials raise concerns over Glass

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Parliament vote stalls US tax settlement

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Former UBS trader charged in Libor case

More

Expanding Switzerland’s ‘Health Valley’

More

The creeping disease that threatens populations

More

Swiss take first step to end US tax spat

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