Internal: Archive

Search for institute president set to begin

This content was published on Nov 3, 2006 The search comes after the resignation on Wednesday of president Ernst Hafen, who threw in the towel because of strong opposition to reforms he wished to introduce. Hafen, who had been in the job less than a year, stood down because members of the board and most of the faculty didn’t agree with his plans.…

Mounting tunnel costs cause controversy

This content was published on Nov 3, 2006 The scheme, which aims to transfer transalpine freight traffic from road to rail, has been dogged by rising prices, geological problems, political interference and a legal wrangle. The New Rail Links through the Alps (NRLA) project involves the construction of two main tunnels – the Gotthard in central Switzerland and the Lötschberg in the western…

The benefit jungle

This content was published on Nov 3, 2006 These different child benefit systems are often considered an example of why federalism doesn’t always work. The Swiss constitution allows the government to set child benefits, but the authorities have only done so in the agricultural sector. For other professional categories, cantonal legislation sets the guidelines. Some companies also have their own system, in this…

New air hand luggage rules come into force

This content was published on Nov 3, 2006 The new regulations come after British police announced last August they had foiled a plot to bomb flights to the United States using liquid explosives. Swiss officials announced in October that they had adopted the rules, following a decision by the EU to step up airline security. “The Federal Aviation Office took this decision to…

NGOs warn Africa is squandering oil windfall

This content was published on Nov 2, 2006 Campaigners say new international rules are needed to guarantee transparent management of oil revenues and job opportunities so that the poorest can benefit from the financial windfall. Caroline Morel, executive director of Swissaid, which hosted the event, said the issue of how the continent’s oil revenues were dispersed was of “global importance”. “[We need] to…

Pay slump

This content was published on Nov 2, 2006

Barry Callebaut produces rich results

This content was published on Nov 2, 2006 The Zurich-based company’s positive results for 2005-2006, announced on Thursday, come after last year’s bitter-sweet fall in profit, despite higher sales. Barry Callebaut, a maker of chocolate for food manufacturers, artisans and chefs, said it welcomed the figures. The results were largely in line with analysts’ expectations. “We are pleased that we have again achieved…

Credit Suisse results shine over rival UBS

This content was published on Nov 2, 2006 This contrasts with net profit from its rival UBS, which earlier this week announced a net profit drop of 21 per cent from a year ago to SFr2.2 billion, significantly less than expected. Credit Suisse said on Thursday its profit had fallen by only one per cent compared with the same period last year and…

Switzerland losing corporate tax advantage in Europe

This content was published on Nov 1, 2006 Stiff competition from Ireland and eastern European countries coupled with a European Union attack on the Swiss tax system could undermine Switzerland’s reputation. The report by tax specialists KPMG shows that Switzerland as a whole occupies a mid-table position in the corporate tax league. But several Swiss cantons, which can set their own rates, are…

Head of top institute of technology resigns

This content was published on Nov 1, 2006 Ernst Hafen who has been in the top post of the prestigious Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich for less than a year faced increasing opposition from the board and fellow professors. “It has become clear over the past few days that I don’t have the necessary support to continue in my position,” said Hafen…

Internal: Archive

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