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Swiss deflect blame for Italian blackout

This content was published on Sep 29, 2003 At least four deaths have been attributed to the blackout, which affected almost all of Italy’s 57 million population. The Italian authorities have blamed the blackout on a breakdown of electricity lines from France and Switzerland, which supply around 17 per cent of Italy’s power. The Swiss electricity company, Aare-Tessin for Electricity (Atel), said powerful…

Basel turns to deep heat for energy

This content was published on Sep 28, 2003 But while most geothermal plants rely on naturally occurring hot springs or steam fields, engineers in Basel have been forced to adopt a different approach. They will drill two boreholes into hot rock to a depth of five kilometres where the temperature is about 200 degrees Celsius. They will fracture the rock between the boreholes…

Gourmet Week showcases Swiss cuisine

This content was published on Sep 28, 2003 swissinfo caught up with the renowned Swiss chef, Annagret Schlumpf, who talked about the event, as well as Swiss cuisine and her love of regional food. The aim of Gourmet Week – which was held from September 18-28 – is to raise awareness about Swiss gastronomy, especially among young people. The quality of local produce…

Federalism offers hope for conflict resolution

This content was published on Sep 27, 2003 The Institute of Federalism also aims to teach students attending its summer course to adopt a more broad-minded, multicultural attitude. “I come from a country, where terrible things have happened,” says Lidija Basta Fleiner, who grew up in the former Yugoslavia, and who now heads the International Research and Consulting Centre (IRCC) at the institute.…

Last orders for absinthe ban

This content was published on Sep 26, 2003 In a week when parliament rejected proposals to decriminalise cannabis, it gave the green light to moves to lift the ban on the toxic tipple. The Senate’s decision paves the way for a formal proposal legalising production of the drink, to be introduced into parliament next year. Urs Klemm, deputy director of the Federal Health…

Old suspicions die hard

This content was published on Sep 26, 2003 Many poorer countries think the rich world should contribute new money to achieve that objective, but the industrialised nations want existing aid to be redirected. Most African nations are rallying behind Senegal’s proposal to create a solidarity fund that would provide new funding for ICT-related projects in developing countries. “We would like to see a…

Uncertainty dogs Switzerland’s first UN summit

This content was published on Sep 26, 2003 But Switzerland, which is to host the event in December, is confident that delegates will eventually agree on a common declaration on the “information society”. “I’m neither disappointed nor discouraged by the outcome,” the director of the Swiss Federal Office for Communication, Marc Furrer, told swissinfo. “These are very difficult topics, such as freedom of…

Switzerland’s largest IT fair shifts focus

This content was published on Sep 25, 2003 This year Orbit/Comdex has shifted its focus onto the high-tech needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). But the fair appears to be a mere shadow of its former self; in its heyday, it attracted an impressive 110,000 visitors. Management then decided the event had grown too big and chose to target the business sector…

Cannabis decision exposes political fears

This content was published on Sep 25, 2003 But the Institute for the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Addiction told swissinfo the vote exposed a serious lack of courage. On Thursday, the House of Representatives rejected legislation that would have allowed possession and production of cannabis for personal use, as well as limited trade in the drug. The bill, which had already been…

Women face retirement at 65

This content was published on Sep 25, 2003 The changes to the state pension scheme were agreed despite fierce opposition from centre-left and Green parties. Under the reforms, due to come into force in 2009, the retirement age for women will be raised from the current 63 to 65 years. The retirement age for men will remain at 65. Raising the retirement age…

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Swiss deflect blame for Italian blackout

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Basel turns to deep heat for energy

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Gourmet Week showcases Swiss cuisine

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Federalism offers hope for conflict resolution

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Last orders for absinthe ban

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Old suspicions die hard

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Uncertainty dogs Switzerland’s first UN summit

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Switzerland’s largest IT fair shifts focus

More

Cannabis decision exposes political fears

More

Women face retirement at 65

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