Internal: Archive

Swiss sceptical of US-EU farm reform deal

This content was published on Aug 14, 2003 The proposal, presented at the World Trade Organization on Wednesday night, is aimed at pushing stalled global trade talks forward. The US and EU are hoping the plan will provide a basis for negotiations at the next round of world trade talks in Cancun, Mexico, in September. It addresses the biggest issue dividing rich and…

Forest fire blazes in southern Switzerland

This content was published on Aug 14, 2003 Fire fighters are bracing themselves for 45kmh winds that could fuel the blaze further. On Thursday morning, only a few pockets of fire were still blazing and cantonal police declared the situation under control. “But the problem is that we are expecting winds that could be very dangerous,” local journalist, Gabi Nanzer, told swissinfo. Adding…

Communes fear heavy hand of federal government

This content was published on Aug 14, 2003 As it celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Association of Swiss Communes is preparing to launch a new campaign to give its 2,000 members more political clout. The commune is the smallest political unit in Switzerland’s federal system. For most Swiss, allegiance is to the commune first, the canton second and the federal government last. The…

Unions call for salary increase

This content was published on Aug 13, 2003 The federation also criticised the economics minister, Joseph Deiss, for not doing enough to stimulate economic growth. Union leaders said salaries had to increase by a minimum of two per cent if consumer spending and investment were to increase. “Next year will see a drop in employees’ disposable cash, while health insurance and pension fund…

Pontresina becomes village of the dammed

This content was published on Aug 13, 2003 Since the 19th century, they have erected dry stonewalls and an elaborate network of fences to protect their homes and their lives. Anchored to the slopes above the village are 16 kilometres of steel fences costing at least SFr1,500 ($1,102) per metre. On August 13, when the community officially takes possession of an SFr7 million…

Swiss trains buckle under the heat

This content was published on Aug 13, 2003 The Swiss Federal Railways also said it hoped to improve working conditions in future heatwaves by installing air conditioning in drivers’ cabins on its new trains. The Federal Railways says that around 350 rail repairs are being made each week, compared to the usual average of 250. Certain models of train have handled the heat…

Activists fear WTO investment accord

This content was published on Aug 13, 2003 Swiss NGOs have demanded that the accord be discussed in the United Nations and not the World Trade Organization. Trade ministers from all 146 WTO member countries are due to gather in Cancun, Mexico, on September 10 for a four-day summit. The meeting is a crucial staging post in talks to create a global treaty…

UBS sails further into profit

This content was published on Aug 13, 2003 UBS said in a statement on Wednesday that positive market developments had boosted revenues and profitability in all its businesses. It reported second-quarter income of SFr1.639 billion, up by 29 per cent over the first. It added that the second quarter saw “near perfect” fixed income trading conditions and a relatively rapid rise in equity…

Heat becomes a burning issue for the Swiss

This content was published on Aug 13, 2003 The move comes after temperatures in Locarno, canton Ticino, reached a record-breaking high of 37.9°C on Monday. The normal speed limit on Swiss motorways is 120kmh. The authorities said the speed limit would remain in place for a maximum of eight days and urged residents to leave their cars at home and either use public…

Swiss “gratified” at speed of job cuts

This content was published on Aug 12, 2003 The carrier has also denied widely publicised claims that it is considering the possibility of bankruptcy protection. Swiss is in the middle of a restructuring plan that includes the sacking of a third of its 9,000-strong workforce as well as a drastic reduction in its fleet. “The implementation of the measures which Swiss announced on…

Internal: Archive

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Internal: Archive

More

Swiss sceptical of US-EU farm reform deal

More

Forest fire blazes in southern Switzerland

More

Communes fear heavy hand of federal government

More

Unions call for salary increase

More

Pontresina becomes village of the dammed

More

Swiss trains buckle under the heat

More

Activists fear WTO investment accord

More

UBS sails further into profit

More

Heat becomes a burning issue for the Swiss

More

Swiss “gratified” at speed of job cuts

Popular Stories

Most Discussed