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Rising oil prices threaten to slow recovery

This content was published on Aug 11, 2004 The warning comes amid fears that a barrel of oil – currently trading at a 21-year high of $45 (SFr57) – could cost more than $50 by the end of the year. United States crude oil prices reached a peak of $45.04 per barrel on Tuesday after unrest in Iraq halted production. Some experts predict…

Lausanne design school stamps its mark

This content was published on Aug 11, 2004 The institution has become one of the best addresses in the business in the space of ten years, and students have to fight for a place to study there. The art school and its students are now rarely out of the spotlight. Two of its visual communications students took top honours in July at Britain’s…

Regions’ funding threatened by EU enlargement

This content was published on Aug 10, 2004 Switzerland’s border cantons fear that the squeeze on their neighbours will weaken ties that have been built up over years. Although not an EU member, Switzerland contributes to the Union’s regional funds. Border cantons say the cooperation has helped cement ties with their neighbours and, by extension, improved relations between Switzerland and the EU. The…

Welcome to Zermatt

This content was published on Aug 10, 2004 For decades, the village with one of the world’s best-known mountains – the Matterhorn – on its doorstep did not believe there was any need to be nice. The results of a new survey of 10,000 tourists in Zermatt and two other resorts (Villars, Scuol) taking part in a pilot project, “Enjoy Switzerland”, are surprising.…

Private banking gains boost UBS profit

This content was published on Aug 10, 2004 The bank reported that net profit was up by 28 per cent over 2003 to SFr1.974 billion ($1.58 billion), matching analyst expectations. UBS said that half-year net profit had jumped by 60 per cent to reach SFr4.397 billion. Last week, rival Credit Suisse announced second-quarter income of SFr1.457 billion, but cautioned about future prospects. It…

Wealth management boosts UBS profit

This content was published on Aug 10, 2004 Rival Credit Suisse last week posted first-half net income of SFr3.3 billion. But the second-quarter net profit at both banks was down on that reported in the first three months of the year. UBS said on Tuesday that net profit for the period from January to March was up by 28 per cent over 2003…

Scientists hope to unlock secrets of the Arctic

This content was published on Aug 9, 2004 The ambitious programme, jointly funded by 16 countries including Switzerland, aims to shed light on climate change over the millennia. Scientists know that 45-55 million years ago the Arctic was warm and ice-free, and that its waters were home to crocodiles. By examining sediment recovered from beneath the sea floor, scientists hope to find clues…

Swiss spice is worth its weight in gold

This content was published on Aug 9, 2004 Saffron from the village of Mund was the first Swiss spice to receive certification guaranteeing its origin and quality. But the costly Swiss saffron almost never reaches the shops, since demand far outstrips supply. The best way of tasting it is to head to the village where the aromatic spice is the key ingredient in…

Geneva station gets a controversial facelift

This content was published on Aug 6, 2004 But in a third report on Swiss stations, swissinfo finds that a new outdoor platform at the city’s terminus is being described by some residents as an urban eyesore. “This is a ridiculous and pointless monstrosity,” a veteran taxi driver told swissinfo. “It is nothing but chaos trying to access this station by road.” One…

Stereotypes live up to their name

This content was published on Aug 6, 2004 A study reveals that they take family obligations much more seriously than their “Germanic” counterparts, who tend to be more active in voluntary organisations. “Social capital” has become a fashionable concept in the social sciences in recent years. It can be defined as “the set of institutions, social norms and networks of personal relationships that…

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Rising oil prices threaten to slow recovery

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Lausanne design school stamps its mark

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Regions’ funding threatened by EU enlargement

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Welcome to Zermatt

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Private banking gains boost UBS profit

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Wealth management boosts UBS profit

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Scientists hope to unlock secrets of the Arctic

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Swiss spice is worth its weight in gold

More

Geneva station gets a controversial facelift

More

Stereotypes live up to their name

Popular Stories

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