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Swiss lift ban on French and Irish meat

This content was published on Apr 23, 2001 The Federal Veterinary Office said on Monday that the decision was taken because no new cases of foot-and-mouth disease had been reported in France and the Irish Republic in the past month. However, certain restrictions remain in place for meat imports from areas that were directly affected by the disease. The Veterinary Office added that…

Last-ditch talks between Switzerland and Germany to end aviation row

This content was published on Apr 23, 2001 Germany says it expects Switzerland to present new proposals for ending the long running dispute. Senior Swiss officials have raised expectations that the deadlock can be broken. But André Auer of the Federal Aviation Authority said the talks in Berlin would be very difficult for Switzerland. “I sincerely hope that it will be possible to…

Ascom poaches financial director from EMS

This content was published on Apr 23, 2001 Germann, who is finance director at the EMS Group, will take up his new position as worldwide head of Ascom Corporate Financial Services by September 30 at the latest. The company said in a statement that Germann would bear particular responsibility for the future financing of the company. He replaces Olivier Audouard, who joined the…

Novartis buys rights to cholesterol treatment

This content was published on Apr 23, 2001 The Basel-based company announced on Monday that it had purchased the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, currently in clinical phase II development, from French group, Hazal Finance, for an undisclosed amount. Hazal had licensed pitavastatin from Japan’s Kowa Company and Nissan Chemicals Industries. “We are really excited about having a ‘super-statin’ in our portfolio,” said Thomas Ebeling,…

A symbol of Swiss unity given new lease on life

This content was published on Apr 23, 2001 Georges Zaugg, who heads the “Fondation de la Petite Gilberte” responsible for restoring the previously dilapidated Hotel de la Gare in the French-speaking village of Courgenay near the border with France, said the purpose of bringing the place back to life was not only to toast the memory of the wartime heroine, but to preserve…

SAirGroup sells Swissôtel to Raffles

This content was published on Apr 23, 2001 SAirGroup had listed the unit as one of a number of businesses it wanted to sell to help it return to profitability. SAirGroup spokesman, Erwin Schärer, told swissinfo that the group had been looking to divest itself of activities which were not directly linked to the company’s core businesses of airlines and airline-related services. SAirGroup…

Switzerland dons a white coat

This content was published on Apr 21, 2001 The poor weather conditions triggered a number of traffic accidents across the country, causing injuries but no deaths. Up to 10 centimetres of fresh snow fell in low-lying areas. German parts of the country, including Zurich, the Bernese Oberland and canton Graunbünden were particularly badly hit. A number of roads were closed, and drivers crossing…

Switzerland’s M4Music festival reveals new talent

This content was published on Apr 21, 2001 The festival, founded by Swiss retail giant Migros, took place in Zurich this month. Philipp Schnyder, head of the festival, told swissinfo about the concept behind the event. “M4Music Festival is about bringing people together, exchanging ideas, getting to know new people, and having a look at the artists and their arts.” For young Swiss…

More trouble brewing for SAirGroup

This content was published on Apr 20, 2001 Honegger resigned from the board shortly before the Swiss airline group posted record SFr2.9 billion ($1.65 billion) losses at the beginning of this month. But according to the German language weekly, Weltwoche, Honegger is demanding that the company honour a new contract, signed in December last year. The contract is said to entitle Honegger to…

Media giants throw lifeline to bankrupt sports promoter

This content was published on Apr 20, 2001 The German edition of the Financial Times said on Friday that a deal had been struck between the ISMM management and the French company, Vivendi, as well as the Luxembourg-based television company, RTL. If confirmed, the deal would give the media firms access to lucrative licences to market and broadcast sports events. They could also…

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