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Award-winning biologist owes success to worms

This content was published on Jan 11, 2007 Hengartner, a Swiss who grew up in Canada and began his research career in the United States, told swissinfo that if he has enjoyed some success so far, it was because others were prepared to give him a chance. The prize was handed over at a ceremony in the capital, Bern, on Thursday. His work…

Swiss focus foreign trade on WTO

This content was published on Jan 10, 2007 Despite various ups and downs last year – not least the collapse of the Doha Round of world trade talks – Switzerland will continue to focus its trade policy on the WTO, the ministry said on Wednesday. In a statement it said the cabinet did not want to put the various WTO accomplishments on the…

Luxembourg stands by Switzerland over taxation

This content was published on Jan 10, 2007 In an interview with the Zurich-based Tages-Anzeiger newspaper on Tuesday, Luxembourg Finance Minister Luc Frieden said attacks on Swiss cantonal taxation stemmed from a “poor knowledge of the federal system” and “jealousy”. The interview followed talks between Frieden and his Swiss counterpart, Hans-Rudolf Merz, in Bern on Tuesday which centred on financial and taxation issues.…

Swiss firms feel heat in “war for talent”

This content was published on Jan 10, 2007 Employment specialists Manpower Switzerland say more than half of Swiss companies are struggling to recruit suitable candidates to fill vacancies. “We are now seeing a big shortage of qualified personnel in certain areas,” country director Charles Bélaz told swissinfo. “This started last year in the technical and finance sectors.” The Swiss engineering industry announced in…

Rabobank takes hold of Bank Sarasin

This content was published on Jan 9, 2007 For its part, Sarasin, which along with other mid-sized wealth managers has faced stiff competition from banking giants such as UBS, has unveiled ambitious growth goals. Under the SFr445 million ($360 million) deal, Rabobank has acquired a 46 per cent stake Sarasin’s equity capital and 69 per cent of its voting rights. In a statement,…

Is Switzerland preparing to butt out?

This content was published on Jan 9, 2007 The proposed amendment to Switzerland’s Employment Act would ban smoking in the workplace, including restaurants and bars, to protect employees from second-hand smoke. Exceptions would be made for family-run businesses, and establishments would still be allowed to set up separate, well-ventilated smoking rooms, or fumoirs. The parties and interest groups expressed their views on the…

Flight restrictions “would cost billions”

This content was published on Jan 8, 2007 The Swiss Business Federation, economiesuisse, also fears foreign firms could be put off coming to Switzerland if local voters accept to restrict flights to 250,000 a year. The Zurich airport is the country’s biggest. The Federation outlined its case against the initiative in a report on the value of air transport to the Swiss economy,…

Threatened fish named “animal of the year”

This content was published on Jan 8, 2007 Pro Natura, the country’s leading conservation agency, which accorded the fish the honour, warned that it faced an uncertain future owing to loss of habitat. Traditionally found in lower-lying areas of Switzerland, the common grayling prefers fast-flowing, oxygen-rich, gravel-bottomed waterways in which to live and breed. But, according to Pro Natura, these conditions are proving…

Switzerland maintains low jobless rate

This content was published on Jan 8, 2007 The jobless rate rose slightly at the end of the year after spending six months at 3.1 per cent, but this was due to seasonal factors according to experts. “It’s a fact that the improved economy had an impact on the job market,” said Swiss Economics Minister Doris Leuthard on Monday in Bern. “Last year…

Space specialist dreams of new life forms

This content was published on Jan 7, 2007 Nicollier, the only non-American to have been given mission specialist status by Nasa, tells swissinfo how the film highlights his passion for science fiction and his belief that life can be found all over the universe. The film, shot by his niece Maria Nicollier, aims to show not only the adventures of the 62-year-old astronaut,…

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Award-winning biologist owes success to worms

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Swiss focus foreign trade on WTO

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Luxembourg stands by Switzerland over taxation

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Swiss firms feel heat in “war for talent”

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Rabobank takes hold of Bank Sarasin

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Is Switzerland preparing to butt out?

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Flight restrictions “would cost billions”

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Threatened fish named “animal of the year”

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Switzerland maintains low jobless rate

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Space specialist dreams of new life forms

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