Category Archive: 3.) Swissinfo Business and Economy

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SWISS reports highest ever profit 

2024-03-07

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2024-03-07

SWISS’ turnover totalled CHF5.3 billion ($6 billion) last year, the airline announced on Thursday, a significant increase on the previous year’s CHF4.4 billion, and a return to 2019 levels for the first time since the pandemic.

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Swiss vote: ‘yes’ to higher pensions, ‘no’ to retiring later | #switzerland #pension #vote

2024-03-04

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Yesterday, Swiss voters agreed to increase state pensions and maintain the retirement age at 65. ?️ Here are three key points to bear in mind about the votes: ?Voter turnout was far above average, at 58%. ?It was the first time a people’s initiative launched by trade unions won over Swiss voters. ?Not a single canton voted in favour of raising the retirement age to 66. Tap here to read our analysis piece about five key takeaways from the vote:...

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This Day in History – Switzerland recognises Kosovo’s independence | #switzerland #kosovo

2024-02-27

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Exactly 16 years ago, the Swiss government joined the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and others in recognising Kosovo’s independence from Serbia. February 27 became a joyous day for Kosovars in Switzerland but less so for Swiss-based Serbs. Around 250,000 people of Kosovo origin live in Switzerland. The bond between Kosovo and Switzerland remains strong, encompassing political and economic ties, as well as deep-rooted historical and...

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Swiss exports to Russia suspected of evading sanctions

2024-02-27

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2024-02-27

Since the beginning of the Ukraine war, Swiss exports to countries close to Russia have increased significantly – which points to a possible evasion of sanctions.

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Young Socialists demand inheritance tax on ‘super rich’

2024-02-08

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2024-02-08

The wealthiest in society “must pay for the fight against the climate crisis”, said the group on Thursday as they handed in over 140,000 signatures for a people’s initiative.

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India eyes $100bn investment deal with Switzerland and Norway

2024-02-07

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2024-02-07

India is close to finalising a first-of-its-kind trade deal that could see a small group of European nations invest as much as $100 billion (CHF87 billion) over 15 years in exchange for easier trade access to the world’s most populous nation, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

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Can South Africa accuse Israel of genocide? | Listen to our Inside Geneva #podcast

2024-02-06

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The International Court of Justice (the United Nations’ top court) is considering charges of genocide against Israel. The case was brought by South Africa. Can that really work? Or will this high-profile case simply distract from other human rights violations? Find out all about it in our Inside Geneva podcast ? ?Apple podcasts:...

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South Africa’s genocide case against Israel | Part 1

2024-01-29

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There has been a lot of talk about Israel being accused of genocide by South Africa. ??????⁠ ⁠ But what exactly is this case all about? And what is the legal definition of "genocide"? ⁠ In this video, we explain what the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is and does, and what the possible future developments of the case could be.⁠ ⁠ Tap here to listen to our Inside Geneva podcast where host Imogen Foulkes explains it all in detail....

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Switzerland marks start of China’s ‘high-level exchange’ with Europe

2024-01-15

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2024-01-15

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is visiting Switzerland this week. The official state visit by China’s second highest ranking official signals a renewal in Sino-Swiss ties and the kick-off of his “high-level exchange” with Europe. Here’s what you need to know about official Swiss-Chinese relations.

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Swiss banker pleads guilty to tax offences in the US

2023-12-22

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2023-12-22

A Swiss banker has pleaded guilty to tax offences in the United States. Between 2008 and 2014, he allegedly helped wealthy US clients hide their assets from the US authorities in accounts at Zurich-based Ihag Privatbank.

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Inside Geneva: UN Correspondents assess 2023

2023-12-21

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In this episode Imogen Foulkes is joined by New York Times contributor Nick Cumming-Bruce, Emma Farge of Reuters, and Dorian Burkhalter of Swissinfo, to look back at 2023 and the stories that made the news.

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Swiss budget agreed with humanitarian spending cut

2023-12-21

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2023-12-21

Switzerland’s parliament has finalised the 2024 budget after agreeing to a CHF10 million cut on humanitarian funding.

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Inside Geneva talks to Navi Pillay: from the apartheid regime to the UN

2023-12-21

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On Inside Geneva: part four of our series marking the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Imogen Foulkes talks to Navi Pillay, who served as UN Human Rights Commissioner from 2008 to 2014.

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Politicians want 75% of Swiss CO2 emissions to be cut at home

2023-12-20

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2023-12-20

Switzerland must reduce at least three-quarters of its carbon emissions in the Alpine country, the House of Representatives agreed on Wednesday.

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Palliative care without the hospital vibe

2023-12-19

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Many people who are terminally ill would prefer to spend their last days at home. However, this is often not possible. "La Maison de Tara" in Geneva offers a cosy alternative to hospital. Round-the-clock care by volunteers, home cooked food and medical assistance on tap are all part of its charm. The volunteers say "it's not a house of death but a house of love". swissinfo.ch visited the home to find out why. --- swissinfo.ch...

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Exploring Science in Davos: EP6 Lab 42 AI lab decoding the human brain

2023-12-18

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Artificial intelligence chatbots like ChatGPT generate remarkably human-like results. But how intelligent is it really? SWI swissinfo.ch visits Lab42, a new AI lab in Davos, which is deploying playful techniques to better understand the fundamentals of human intelligence. In addition to the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) gathering, Davos is home to several leading research institutes. The newest is Lab 42, which opened its doors in July 2022,...

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Exploring Science in Davos: EP5 Snow and avalanche research in Davos

2023-12-18

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When and where the next avalanche will happen is hard to predict. In a special cold laboratory in Davos, researchers simulate the effects of wind on fresh snow to better understand the mechanisms that trigger avalanches. For centuries, avalanches have posed a threat to mountain farmers and their livestock. With the development of winter tourism, roads, railways and hydropower plants, the interest in avalanche research and protective measures has...

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Exploring Science in Davos: EP3 Why house dust mites, pollen and food additives cause allergies?

2023-12-18

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The small city of Davos in southeastern Switzerland, located at an altitude of 1,560m above sea level in the Swiss Alps, attracted tuberculosis patients back in the 1800s and 1900s after scientists discovered that clean mountain air had a positive effect on their health. However, with the development of antibiotics, the sanatoriums eventually lost their purpose. Today that same clean Davos air, marked by the absence of tree pollen, such as birch,...

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Exploring Science in Davos: EP2 Studying bones at the AO Research Institute Davos

2023-12-18

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Before 1960, broken bones were treated simply by using plaster casts or traction. Then 13 Swiss surgeons began rethinking fracture treatment: they standardised instruments, screws and nails, scientifically evaluated every operation, and started training surgeons. On their tour of Davos’s scientific communities, Sara and Michele go behind the scenes to see what new technologies are currently being developed. The AO Foundation in Davos has been a...

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Exploring Science in Davos: EP1 Orthopaedics gathering at the AO Davos Courses 2022

2023-12-18

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The Swiss town of Davos is famous for mountain slopes, winter sports and the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. But did you know that it also attracts scientists and doctors from all over the world? In this six-part video series, SWI swissinfo.ch journalists Sara Ibrahim and Michele Andina take you on a journey to discover five of Davos’s research institutes. In this first episode, they take you to the AO Davos Courses, a two-week...

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