Lausanne is renewing its backing for the Béjart Ballet. The city has signed an agreement to extend support to the Béjart Foundation for five years. By boosting the city’s image and promoting tourism in the region, the ballet is perceived as an excellent ambassador for the city.
Archives for 2014
Show jumping at Villars-Gryon – win tickets!
This year’s showjumping trials at Villars-Gryon take place on 3–10 July and there’s plenty on offer for those interested in equestrian sports amid spectacular Alpine scenery. This free event, which brings together both regional and national as well as pony competitions, serves as a qualifier tournament for the Swiss Grand Prix Championship Elite 2014. If […]
Report on undeclared workers published
The commission fighting against undeclared workers in the restaurant business has published its annual report. A total of 241 companies throughout Vaud were inspected and the status of 3,425 employees verified. Half of the checks were random, the others as a result of denunciations. There was a slight increase over last year, when 147 companies […]
Glencore under wide attack
Zug-based mining and commodities giant Glencore is facing fierce, detailed criticism of its operations and financial dealings in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Swiss NGOs Bread for All and Fastenopfer, and UK human rights watchdog RAID have issued an exhaustive report accusing the company of allegedly polluting drinking water, evading tax, opaque financial transactions, human […]
Radioactive waste blame game
For the past 18 months, Swiss authorities allegedly have been covering up the presence of highly radioactive material, which in some areas emits radiation of well over 100 times the permitted amount. According to Le Matin, 120kg of highly radioactive radium-based paint, originally used by the watchmaking industry to make watch faces visible at night, […]
Lausanne is bidding to host the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games
Lausanne is bidding to host the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will announce its decision in July 2015 on whether the Games will take place in Lausanne or Brasov in Romania. The Youth Olympics are much like the Olympics but with one small exception, the Olympians are between 14 and […]
The honey bee controversy
Europe and the US have lost 45% of their bees. Given that 80% of Switzerland’s crops and wild plants rely on bee pollination, there is growing concern about the continued decline of Europe’s bee populations. Greenpeace and the European Alliance to Save Bees and Agriculture maintain that excessive use of highly toxic pesticides is largely […]
Schumacher moved to CHUV
Formula One champion Michael Schumacher has been transferred from hospital in Grenoble to the CHUV in Lausanne. His family report that the 45-year-old is no longer in a coma and they have commended the care and treatment provided by medical staff at the hospital in Grenoble. The German champion driver was placed in a medically […]
Tax on “dirty” power?
World Wildlife Fund-Switzerland (WWF) and Pro Solar, an initiative of Swissolar, have launched a joint petition calling for a levy of CHF 0.10 per kWh on electricity produced from non-renewable energy sources. The organizations believe that this would help reduce impact on the environment without putting undue pressure on households and the wider economy. More […]
“Hop Suisse! Hopp Schwiiz! Forza Svizzera!
Le News takes a shot at describing Switzerland’s chances in the World Cup. Switzerland’s 2-1 win over Ecuador last Sunday is an encouraging start, so before discounting the country’s chances of going far in the World Cup, let’s take a look at some of its past and current performances. Noting how well the Swiss are […]
