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Regulator closes net on web scams

This content was published on Jul 26, 2004 But officials are warning that the cost of dealing with junk email could reach SFr4 billion ($3.17 billion) this year. A ban on companies automatically connecting web users to the internet at premium rates without their knowledge came into force in Switzerland on April 1. Ofcom said the total number of complaints from members of…

Zurich farms out IT along with 1,600 jobs

This content was published on Jul 26, 2004 As part of the $1.3 billion deal, Zurich’s 1,600 IT jobs will be transferred to the California-based contracting firm, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC). Switzerland’s biggest insurer said on Monday that no layoffs were expected. Spokesman Daniel Hofmann added that the agreement would in no way weaken Zurich’s control over its information technology systems. The company…

Year of Rice offers a grain of hope

This content was published on Jul 26, 2004 The United Nations International Year of Rice 2004 is aimed at highlighting the cereal’s importance in the fight against poverty. In Switzerland it has triggered a discussion about fair trade. In Thailand, they say “kin khao”, in China “chi fan”, in Myanmar “tamin sa deh” and in Vietnam “an chom”. Every country has a word…

Two-thirds of Swiss favour cigarette price rise

This content was published on Jul 25, 2004 The poll also found that 86 per cent of the nearly 500 people questioned would like to see compulsory non-smoking areas in restaurants. The survey – published on Sunday in two Swiss newspapers – comes one week after the director of the Federal Health Office, Thomas Zeltner, unveiled new proposals to fight tobacco addiction. He…

Turbulent times at Fribourg station

This content was published on Jul 25, 2004 As part of a series of reports on Swiss railway stations, swissinfo visits Fribourg. The painter Salvador Dali was once quoted as saying that a railway station in Catalonia triggered an epiphany: “I felt I’d unravelled the secrets of the universe, and the station became the centre of the world.” But with five tracks, 168…

Unesco railway bid is back on track

This content was published on Jul 24, 2004 Plans to list only the first half of the route, which crosses the Alps from north to south, caused an outcry further down the line. The railway journey, which begins in the town of Chur and ends in the Italian town of Tirano, is an engineering marvel of stone viaducts and loops among some of…

UBS accused of “laundering” Cuban money

This content was published on Jul 24, 2004 They are calling for an investigation into transactions worth $3.9 billion (SFr4.9 billion) alleged to have been made between 1996 and 2003. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Cuban-born Republican and congressional representative for the state of Florida, wants to track the money. She claims the Swiss bank carried out 1,900 transactions with the government of Cuban leader…

Switzerland defends agriculture subsidies

This content was published on Jul 23, 2004 Trade ministers will gather in Geneva on Tuesday to try to overcome differences blocking a new global treaty. The so-called “Group of Ten” nations, which heavily subsidise their farming sectors, are asking that non-commercial concerns be taken into account, such as consumer and environmental protection. The countries also want to preserve high tariffs for what…

Tourist killed in balloon accident

This content was published on Jul 23, 2004 Several other passengers were injured when a strong wind knocked the balloon into a wall of the museum building. The local authorities said the Indian woman died from her injuries after being thrown from the balloon when it hit the wall. Other members of the tour group who were injured were taken to hospital for…

New law puts wolf in the firing line

This content was published on Jul 23, 2004 The legislation is a compromise demanded by parliament to take into account the concerns of sheep farmers. Announcing details on Friday, the Swiss environment agency said the law also gives the cantons more competence to act alone. There has been a small wolf population in Switzerland since 1995, but sheep farmers have not welcomed the…

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Regulator closes net on web scams

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Zurich farms out IT along with 1,600 jobs

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Year of Rice offers a grain of hope

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Two-thirds of Swiss favour cigarette price rise

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Turbulent times at Fribourg station

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Unesco railway bid is back on track

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UBS accused of “laundering” Cuban money

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Switzerland defends agriculture subsidies

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Tourist killed in balloon accident

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New law puts wolf in the firing line

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