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SAirGroup flights dogged by new incidents

This content was published on Aug 12, 2000 A Swissair MD-11 aircraft was forced to break-off its voyage from Johannesburg to Zurich and return to its South African starting point. A spokesman from Swissair said that an engine failure had prompted the pilots to take the decision. The spokesman added that a faulty tyre, which had lodged itself inside the engine shortly after…

Debitel pulls out of German race for mobile phone licence

This content was published on Aug 12, 2000 Debitel’s withdrawal on Friday came after two weeks and 127 rounds of bidding. It leaves another six contenders in the field who are competing for four to six licences. Peter Wagner, Debitel’s chief executive, said: “If the cost of obtaining a licence exceeds its economic value, quick market access becomes the decisive criterion.” In order…

The Week in Switzerland

This content was published on Aug 12, 2000 The debate about a perceived increase in right-wing activities in Germany spread to Switzerland this week, after a senior police official called for extra resources to counter the rise in right-wing extremism and racism. The justice minister, Ruth Metzler, also came forward and announced she was considering tightening legislation to clamp down on right-wing militants.…

The business week in review

This content was published on Aug 12, 2000 News of a surge in consumer confidence dominated the business headlines this week, with a survey showing public confidence in the economy is now at levels not seen since before the recession in the 1990s. The survey among 1,100 households showed that for the first time in years, the Swiss are also much more relaxed…

Hedgehogs spread the word in Geneva

This content was published on Aug 12, 2000 Over 150 of these cute creatures have invaded the streets of Geneva and its suburbs to spread the word: that many things – from motor oil to old sofas, from clothes to potato peelings – can be re-used. Needless to say, we are not talking about real hedgehogs. These animals with a mission are huge,…

Winemakers cut yields to boost reputation

This content was published on Aug 12, 2000 Wine has always been one of Switzerland’s best-kept secrets. Hardly any is exported because the domestic market consumes virtually the entire output. Like any country that takes its wine seriously, Switzerland has strict standards to ensure that its wines are as good as possible. But now the Geneva wine-producers have gone a step further. Where…

The Matterhorn remains a fatal attraction

This content was published on Aug 11, 2000 “It’s the mountain of mountains,” says Bruno Jelk, head of Zermatt’s rescue service as he stares at the huge, hooked pyramid of the Matterhorn. “Everyone wants to get up it even if they’re not proper climbers. It’s not really a difficult climb but if you’re inexperienced, it can be tricky. “There’s the danger of losing…

Solar power deemed too expensive for commercial use

This content was published on Aug 11, 2000 The study’s findings, presented at a press conference on Friday, do not bode well for environmentalists and others concerned about renewable energy. After three years of research, the solar power company that conducted the study, Mont Soleil, has concluded that technologies to harness the Sun’s energy remain far more expensive and inefficient than other sources…

Small village pays tribute to icy pioneer

This content was published on Aug 11, 2000 Lourtier, all closely-huddled houses and narrow streets, sits in a beautiful green valley below the resort of Verbier. It would be completely unremarkable if it wasn’t for the fact that Jean-Pierre Perraudin was born and lived here. Perraudin is the village’s most famous son but he is not as well known as he deserves to…

Swiss National Bank continues gold sales

This content was published on Aug 11, 2000 The Bank said its gold reserves fell by SFr119.3 million ($69.8 million) to SFr37.99 billion ($22.2 billion) in the ten-day period ending August 10. The National Bank began selling gold in May when Switzerland’s new currency and payment law came into force. The government plans to hold on to 1,300 tonnes of gold – half…

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Internal: Archive

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SAirGroup flights dogged by new incidents

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Debitel pulls out of German race for mobile phone licence

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The Week in Switzerland

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The business week in review

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Hedgehogs spread the word in Geneva

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Winemakers cut yields to boost reputation

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The Matterhorn remains a fatal attraction

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Solar power deemed too expensive for commercial use

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Small village pays tribute to icy pioneer

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Swiss National Bank continues gold sales

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