BERN Last year saw 575 new HIV infections in Switzerland, an 8% decrease compared to 2012. Though encouraging, the numbers are still too high for Swiss authorities, whose aim is to reduce the figure to 350 annually by 2017. A new campaign tackling sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), seeks to curb detrimental sexual behaviour through remorse: […]
Archives for May 2014
Geneva observers to monitor Egyptian elections
Falling in with a more assertive “Geneva International” approach as a hub for planetary concerns, a 50-strong team from the Global Network for Rights and Development (GNRD) leaves for Egypt this week as part of a broader observer mission to monitor the country’s presidential elections on 26–27 May. The GNRD, one of six invited international […]
Health spending reaches 11.5% of Swiss GDP
Swiss medical care costs rose from 11% of GDP in 2011 to 11.5% in 2012 due largely to an unprecedented increase of CHF 2.3 billion in hospital spending. With the average healthcare spend per person reaching CHF 709, the nation’s total 2012 health bill reached a record CHF 68 billion.
SWISS – Flying up or down quality-wise?
Swiss International Airlines, which was founded in 2002 following the collapse of Swissair, dislikes – for legal reasons – being referred to by the same name as its predecessor. Yet Swiss, a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group, still talks about having 80+ years’ experience, cashing in on the quality reputation that Swissair once enjoyed. Heavily […]
Online overtaking taxi cartels
Taxi tariffs in the region are expensive and compare unfavourably even with Paris or London. French-side taxis are cheaper, but fewer and far between. The trade is highly regulated with virtual monopolies or cartels operating without any real threat of competition. The operators justify their rates by arguing that they provide a safe, secure and […]
Switzerland part of EU plan to battle invasive species
GLAND There are over 12,000 alien animal and plant species in Europe, ranging from the North American grey squirrel, red-eared terrapin and grass carp to the highly dangerous Asian hornet and tiger mosquito. They are causing €12 billion worth of damage annually and pose an ever-growing threat to biodiversity and health. Walking around ponds and […]
Palexpo generates CHF 581 million for region
Palexpo, Geneva’s exhibition and conference centre turned over CHF 77m in 2013, an increase of 15% over last year, despite the number of events it hosted falling from 110 to 96. Based on calculations modelled by two professors from the University of Geneva, Palexpo reports that its activity generated CHF 581 million for the regional […]
Le News edition 25
15 May 2014 Download the latest edition of Le News here: Le News 15.05.14 Edition 25 (Right click “save target as”)
Patrouille des Glaciers: Reaching new heights
The Patrouille des Glaciers took place last week, with a record 5,400 participants, after some fears it might have to be cancelled like the previous race in 2012. Unstable weather and significant snowfalls at the beginning of the week delayed all departures by a day, but in the end everyone was able to compete. The […]
Nuit des Musées
Free entrance since 17h Location: List of the participating museums: www.museesriviera.ch Date: 17 May, 17h-0h Museum night on the Riviera. Visit museums in the region from 17h00 until midnight for free. There really is a magical and mysterious atmosphere when visiting museums in the evening. Each museum will host a special event (shows, music, […]