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Venezuela says it is ready to pay Holcim

This content was published on Jul 31, 2009 The world’s second-largest cement maker announced on Friday that it was selling its holdings in Panama and the Caribbean to joint venture partner Argos as a direct result of the takeover. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez had forced Holcim to hand over 85 per cent of its Venezuelan subsidiary in June 2008 for a knockdown price…

Clinker

This content was published on Jul 31, 2009 Clinker is a key ingredient for making the most common kind of cement used around the world, Portland cement. Clinker, lumps of limestone and clay, is typically ground with gypsum to become cement. (source: Wikipedia)

Mountain dwellers have fewer heart problems

This content was published on Jul 30, 2009 Even just being born in the mountains has a beneficial effect, according to researchers at the university’s Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine. “We could show that the risk of dying of a heart attack decreased by 22 per cent for each 1,000 metres of increase in altitude,” David Fäh, the study’s author, told swissinfo.ch.…

Economic headwind pounds Swiss profits

This content was published on Jul 30, 2009 In a statement on Thursday, the subsidiary of the German carrier, Lufthansa, said the poor result was due to the global economic downturn and corresponding drop in demand, particularly in the premium segment. Total income from operating activities for the period declined 17 per cent to SFr2.1 billion. Swiss also said the increase of around…

Geneva inaugurates UN lake water project

This content was published on Jul 30, 2009 The thermal-exchange network will allow UN agencies and other international and non-governmental organisations to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions and conserve water. “The UN has played a pioneering role,” said State Councillor Robert Cramer on Wednesday, adding that the SFr33-million ($30.3-million) project “symbolized Geneva’s commitment to renewable energies”. The network should allow the UN to cut 2,000…

Clariant sales drop as more lay-offs likely

This content was published on Jul 30, 2009 Low demand pushed total sales for the first two quarters down to SFr3.2 billion. That is 24 per cent less than the SFr4.23 billion reported for the same time last year. The company based near Basel had posted a SFr92 million net income gain for the first half of 2008. CEO Hariolf Kottmann said in…

Solar Boat

This content was published on Jul 29, 2009 In 2006,a Swiss-built solar vessel became the first sun-powered boat to cross the Atlantic. The 14-metre “Sun21” catamaran took six months to cover 13,000 kilometers. The solar energy captured by mounted photovoltaic panels was used to power the boat’s electric motors and any surplus was stored in batteries, allowing it to travel at a constant…

Time running out for UBS settlement

This content was published on Jul 29, 2009 A Miami judge has heard that the Swiss and US governments cannot agree on how to settle a demand for the confidential information of 52,000 UBS clients. The court case will open on Monday if the impasse continues. Judge Alan Gold had already delayed the case three weeks to allow all parties to reach an…

ABB wins large power line order from Brazil

This content was published on Jul 29, 2009 ABB, which is based in Zurich, said the orders were made from the Abengoa Group for the delivery of key technology. The so-called power highway will link two hydropower plants in the northwest of the country with São Paulo, Brazil’s main economic centre, over a distance of 2,500 kilometres. An ABB statement said on Wednesday…

UBS client admits to US tax charges

This content was published on Jul 29, 2009 The New York owner of a company that represents Chinese and Hong Kong toy manufacturers faces up to three years in prison after entering his plea at the federal court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Tuesday. Sentencing has been set for October 30. He is the third US client of UBS to plead guilty to…

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Venezuela says it is ready to pay Holcim

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Clinker

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Mountain dwellers have fewer heart problems

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Economic headwind pounds Swiss profits

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Geneva inaugurates UN lake water project

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Clariant sales drop as more lay-offs likely

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Solar Boat

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Time running out for UBS settlement

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ABB wins large power line order from Brazil

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UBS client admits to US tax charges

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