SNB & CHF

East-West relations are more strained than ever as a result of the Ukraine conflict. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev warned of the consequences of an arms build-up in an exclusive interview with Swiss public television. (SRF/swissinfo.ch) --- swissinfo.ch is the international branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its role is to report on Switzerland and to provide a Swiss perspective on international events. For more articles, interviews and videos visit swissinfo.ch or...

A new kind of sponge being developed in Switzerland could help contain future oil spills. Researchers at the Empa materials testing lab have created the sponge by modifying the chemical properties of nanocellulose in order to absorb mineral oils. (SRF Tagesschau, swissinfo.ch)  -- swissinfo.ch is the international branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its role is to report on Switzerland and to provide a Swiss perspective on international events. For more articles, interviews...

The Modeco school of fashion and design in Zurich has seen a revolution in textile design since it first opened in 1889. Students’ aspirations may have changed but the quality of the craftsmanship is being kept alive. (SRF/swissinfo.ch) --- swissinfo.ch is the international branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its role is to report on Switzerland and to provide a Swiss perspective on international events. For more articles, interviews and videos visit swissinfo.ch or...

Letters are a thing of the past: but how much have emails and text messages changed what people write when communicating with far-off friends and family? (Raffaella Rossello, swissinfo.ch) --- swissinfo.ch is the international branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its role is to report on Switzerland and to provide a Swiss perspective on international events. For more articles, interviews and videos visit swissinfo.ch or subscribe to our YouTube channel: Website:...

A former Swiss army officer has founded a militia in Syria to protect Christian minorities from jihadists. (RTS, Cyril Dépraz - swissinfo.ch) --- swissinfo.ch is the international branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its role is to report on Switzerland and to provide a Swiss perspective on international events. For more articles, interviews and videos visit swissinfo.ch or subscribe to our YouTube channel: Website: http://www.swissinfo.ch Channel:...

The current Swiss health insurance system is based on a few dozen health insurers. Some only have a few thousand policyholders. Others even fewer. Like Turbenthal health insurance, which is run by one man. (RTS – swissinfo.ch) --- swissinfo.ch is the international branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Its role is to report on Switzerland and to provide a Swiss perspective on international events. For more articles, interviews and videos visit swissinfo.ch or subscribe to our...

Cris Sheridan welcomes back Marc Chandler, Global Head of Currency Strategy at Brown Brothers Harriman. Marc discusses the key long-term drivers that may push the dollar higher for several years and how this will affect investors... http://www.financialsense.com/subscribe

Switzerland’s cow bell-toting custom is coming under scrutiny in the light of new research from the federal technology institute ETH Zurich. Scientists have proven that cowbells have an impact on cows’ wellbeing. As part of a PhD study involving more than 100 cows on 25 farms across the country, animals were fitted with 5.5 kilogram bells plus monitors to gauge the sound level, the cows’ movements, heart rate and eating habits. Tests were carried out over three days. Bell sounds were played...

Every year, about 30 men and women in historic dress follow old trade routes through the Alps, traversing mountain passes with donkeys and mules. Hikers accompany them on a 150-kilometre-long journey from Lake Lucerne to Italy. For hundreds of years, traders used this route to transport valuable goods to Italy, such as salt, grains, cattle, furs, crystals or works of art. Sbrinz cheese from central Switzerland was also among their exports. On the way back, they brought wine, rice, chestnuts,...