Internal: Archive

Swiss to explore free-trade talks with US

This content was published on Jul 23, 2005 The agreement would see the abolition of import duties on US goods, which currently average 4.5 per cent. However, the US is being cautious. Speaking in Washington at the end of a three-day working visit, Deiss said experts from both sides would meet “in September or in autumn”. A decision would be taken before the…

Swisscom acquires Hungarian broadcast firm

This content was published on Jul 21, 2005 The leading Swiss telecoms provider said its subsidiary had submitted the most attractive bid, beating off competition from Austria and Australia. “The acquisition of a 75 percent stake (plus one share) in Antenna Hungaria will give Swisscom Broadcast operational and strategic control of the company,” Swisscom said in a statement on Thursday. The Hungarian state…

London hit by second set of explosions

This content was published on Jul 21, 2005 Three bombs went off on the London transport system, while at least one other device failed to detonate, police said. One person was injured. Minor explosions occurred on two Underground trains and a bus, leading to part of the rail network being closed down on Thursday. Prime Minister Tony Blair called for calm. London police…

New product could relight smokers’ hopes

This content was published on Jul 21, 2005 The Swiss producer of NicStic hopes to win converts among smokers who have been fighting a losing battle against the worldwide anti-tobacco lobby. Swissmedic, the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, has declared that NicStic is not a medicinal product. “Therefore no formal approval according to health legislation is required for market introduction,” Monique Helfer of…

Strong exports continue to drive economy

This content was published on Jul 21, 2005 However, the figures published by Federal Customs Office were well below the real 6.8 per cent increase during the same period last year. Results for June were particularly strong, with a real increase of 4.9 per cent. Overall, Switzerland ran a trade surplus of SFr4.61 billion ($3.59 billion) in the first half of the year.…

Row fizzes over use of champagne name

This content was published on Jul 20, 2005 Producers of the famous French sparkling wine have objected to a bakery in the Swiss village of Champagne using the word in its packaging. The Cornu bakery in Champagne in canton Vaud makes sweet and savoury biscuits and pastries under the slogan “Recette de Champagne”. But a trade association which represents French champagne growers and…

Pharma figures reveal a healthy Basel

This content was published on Jul 20, 2005 Both have produced results for the first six months of the year above the industry average. Roche on Wednesday reported net profit of SFr3.24 billion ($2.5 billion), up four per cent over the comparable period last year, while Novartis last week posted net income of $3.12 billion, up by 12 per cent. But what about…

Chemistry at Roche fails to convince investors

This content was published on Jul 20, 2005 The Basel pharmaceuticals and diagnostics company recorded a net income of SFr6.6 billion ($5.53 billion) that sent the share price falling by 4.7 per cent to SFr121.10. Analysts had expected better figures, with their comments on the Roche performance ranging from “a big disappointment” to “a good opportunity to buy”. “There was a slight sense…

Swiss farmers join WTO protest march

This content was published on Jul 20, 2005 The protestors will stop in the federal capital, Bern, on Saturday before making their way to Geneva for a demonstration outside the World Trade Organization (WTO). The march began in mid-June when a group of 20 Norwegian farmers set off from the city of Trondheim on a 2,000km journey across Europe to the WTO headquarters.…

Storm damage is higher than expected

This content was published on Jul 20, 2005 The damage to cars alone will cost insurers up to SFr70 million ($54 million), and the high winds and hail destroyed hundreds of hectares of vineyards. The Swiss Insurance Association said hailstones the size of golf balls damaged around 15,000 cars. Hardest hit of the vineyards carpeting the slopes above Lake Geneva was the Lavaux…

Internal: Archive

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Internal: Archive

More

Swiss to explore free-trade talks with US

More

Swisscom acquires Hungarian broadcast firm

More

London hit by second set of explosions

More

New product could relight smokers’ hopes

More

Strong exports continue to drive economy

More

Row fizzes over use of champagne name

More

Pharma figures reveal a healthy Basel

More

Chemistry at Roche fails to convince investors

More

Swiss farmers join WTO protest march

More

Storm damage is higher than expected

Popular Stories

Most Discussed