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“You have (opened and read) mail”

This content was published on Oct 31, 2008 However, the Swiss criminal code leaves no room for misinterpretation when it comes to postal secrecy: “Whoever opens a sealed letter faces three years in prison or a fine.” The concept of the virtual letterbox is very simple: whatever would traditionally be squeezed through your letterbox by a postman – postcards, love letters, bills, adverts…

Economic growth hits five-year low again

This content was published on Oct 31, 2008 Figures released on Friday show that the KOF Swiss Economic Institute indicator, which evaluates the economy’s likely performance six months from now, hit a new five-year low in October. In July, the indicator was as low as it had been since July 2003. It has continued to tumble, falling to 0.35 in October from a…

Radio and TV concessions announced

This content was published on Oct 31, 2008 Four stations – two radio and two television – lost their concessions but will still be allowed to retransmit their signals, the ministry announced on Friday. The Swiss government limits the number of broadcasters using public airwaves per region and levies taxes on radio and television sets to help fund public broadcasting nationwide. In 15…

Regulators intervene over electricity prices

This content was published on Oct 31, 2008 The Competition Commission on Friday called for an overhaul of the national power-grid operator, Swissgrid, to distance itself from electricity companies. Swissgrid caused a public outcry when it announced in late September that electricity prices would double over the next five years. The Competition Commission said Swissgrid’s board of directors needed to be reformed “immediately”.…

Pepper-spray pistol aims to replace Tasers

This content was published on Oct 31, 2008 But human rights group Amnesty International Switzerland questions this, saying both are dangerous and their effects unpredictable. Unlike a can of pepper spray, the JPX Jet Protector pistol fires two 9.4-gram bursts of oleoresin capsicum, a cayenne pepper extract, with the help of a pyrotechnic charge. The solution rockets out of the barrel at 450…

Financial excesses could slow economic reform

This content was published on Oct 30, 2008 Economiesuisse president Gerold Bührer believes the Swiss people may need re-convincing about the merits of the open market before they vote on further liberalisation measures. The federation has consistently campaigned for the liberalisation of the electricity and postal markets and for closer trading links with the European Union. Bührer, an employee of Swiss bank UBS…

Animal experiments increase in 2007

This content was published on Oct 30, 2008 The figure represented a ten per cent increase in basic research, although medical research decreased by eight per cent. No testing was done for cosmetics, the Veterinary Office said. Half of all tests were done by industry while one-third were conducted in universities and hospitals. Some 80 per cent of the animals were rodents, such…

Biblical mines unearthed but no King Solomon

This content was published on Oct 29, 2008 Stefan Münger of Bern University’s Biblical Institute, who examined finds from the site, tells swissinfo about the importance of the excavations even if there is still no evidence of the existence of the Old Testament ruler. The team used high-precision radiocarbon dating and the expertise of scientists like Münger to push back the date of…

Swiss executive to take over Shell

This content was published on Oct 29, 2008 The Dutch firm on Wednesday said that Voser, a graduate of Zurich University of Applied Sciences, would take over from Jeroen van der Veer on July 1, 2009. “Voser’s selection came after a comprehensive assessment and review of internal and external candidates led by the Board Nomination and Succession Committee,” said Shell’s chairman, Jorma Ollila.…

Is the economy set to shrink into recession?

This content was published on Oct 29, 2008 The Créa Economic Institute said on Wednesday that the economy was set to shrink for the first time since 2003 as slowdown in foreign demand spread to the domestic economy. In a statement, the institute forecast that the economy would slip into recession in the first quarter of 2009, and would shrink by 0.6 per…

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Internal: Archive

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“You have (opened and read) mail”

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Economic growth hits five-year low again

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Radio and TV concessions announced

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Regulators intervene over electricity prices

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Pepper-spray pistol aims to replace Tasers

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Financial excesses could slow economic reform

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Animal experiments increase in 2007

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Biblical mines unearthed but no King Solomon

More

Swiss executive to take over Shell

More

Is the economy set to shrink into recession?

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