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Pond scum shows promise against Alzheimer’s

This content was published on Jan 7, 2006 But the scientists warn it could be years and plenty of money before any potential application appears on the drug market. It is believed to be the first time that a potent agent against Alzheimer’s has been extracted from a type of cyanobacteria commonly known as ‘pond scum.’ The new compound, nostocarboline, was isolated by…

Government agrees with OECD verdict

This content was published on Jan 6, 2006 The OECD report on Switzerland, published on Friday, said welfare, competition, education, fiscal and tax reforms did not go far enough and were moving too slowly. Jean-Daniel Gerber, head of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco), agreed with the OECD conclusion that Switzerland must increase growth potential and get public spending under control. But…

Cautious optimism for Swiss economy

This content was published on Jan 6, 2006 The announcement came as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) told Switzerland it needed to boost production and get a tighter grip on public spending. On Friday the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) said it was upgrading its previous forecast for 2006 by a tenth of a percentage point. “The government’s panel…

“Introverted” Swiss lead the world in openness

This content was published on Jan 6, 2006 Hot-blooded Italians, cold Germans, unassuming Canadians, welcoming Indians… The list of stereotypes is long, sometimes offensive and almost always wrong. Stereotypes come into existence, and survive, through a combination of history, political discourse, culturally determined jokes, and of course, the media, which reinforces the image of a “typical” national type. But rarely do stereotypes stand…

Sharon’s stroke prompts peace-process fears

This content was published on Jan 5, 2006 With Sharon critically ill in hospital, observers fear for the future of the Middle East peace process and do not hold out much hope for an improvement in recently soured Swiss-Israeli relations. Leuenberger sent Sharon a telegram on Thursday wishing him a speedy recovery after emergency surgery. “The Swiss government and the Swiss people share…

Unions want everyone to benefit from upswing

This content was published on Jan 5, 2006 Employers for their part are demanding more constructive cooperation among politicians, a balancing of the federal budget and improvements to the social welfare system. The trade union federation president, Paul Rechsteiner, told a news conference in Bern on Thursday that since the economy was on the upswing, it was time for the majority of people…

Farmers want help to adapt to market

This content was published on Jan 5, 2006 But the Swiss Farmers’ Association said on Thursday the agricultural sector was prepared to adapt to new conditions with political support. “Most farms are in a critical economic situation and breaking even is a major challenge for them,” pointed out the association’s director, Jacques Bourgeois. Speaking in Barberêche, the village near Fribourg that is home…

Foreigners swell Swiss managerial ranks

This content was published on Jan 4, 2006 The main reason offered by the study from Fribourg University is that many important firms in Switzerland are actually domiciled outside the country. Researchers said that part of the reason for the high concentration of foreigners was due to companies domiciled abroad sending someone from headquarters to work in a branch in Switzerland. This would…

Market reacts to health scare at Nobel Biocare

This content was published on Jan 4, 2006 Analysts say the market is beginning to react to claims – which the company denies – that a particular brand of implant could lead to bone loss in the jaw. During trading on Wednesday Nobel Biocare stock fell to SFr265 ($207.50), its lowest level since last July. Shares in the firm rose more than 40…

Thun bank collapse is finally settled

This content was published on Jan 4, 2006 The Savings and Loan Bank in Thun (SLT) was forced to close down in 1991 to the consternation of the Swiss banking world. Its closure led to major changes in the financial landscape. Nearly SFr900 million ($685 million) has been returned to creditors but a further SFr233 million will not be paid out, said the…

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Pond scum shows promise against Alzheimer’s

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Government agrees with OECD verdict

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Cautious optimism for Swiss economy

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“Introverted” Swiss lead the world in openness

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Sharon’s stroke prompts peace-process fears

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Unions want everyone to benefit from upswing

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Farmers want help to adapt to market

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Foreigners swell Swiss managerial ranks

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Market reacts to health scare at Nobel Biocare

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Thun bank collapse is finally settled

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