LAUSANNE. In a close vote in the referendum on 13 April, the planned commercial and residential project, Tour de Beaulieu, nicknamed the “Taoua” was rejected by 51.9% of Lausanne voters. Turnout for the vote was 37.6% which according to the municipality was unusually high for such a vote. The controversial project had been the source […]
Archives for 2014
Chateau Chillon, Easter at Chillon – 20 April, 10h-16h
Children can let their imaginations soar on Easter Sunday by decorating eggs and hanging them on a tree in the chateau’s Bernese Garden. The target is to have 2,014 eggs on the tree! One egg per person until stock runs out. The workshop is open from 10:00 to 16:00. Château de Chillon Av. de Chillon […]
Online extortion – beware ransomware
The Reporting and Analysis Centre for Information Assurance (MELANI) has just released its latest report on cyber threats and the protection of personal and business information. One aspect, which is particularly worrying for everyday computer users, is extortion malware or ransomware. This is used to extort money from the owners of infected computers. The principle […]
Surge in motorbike registrations
The number of new motorcycles registered in Switzerland increased by a staggering 15.1% in the first quarter of 2014 as compared to last year. Over 10,500 two-wheelers will now be taking to the nation’s roads. In the same period, according to Office fédéral des routes, 68,722 new passenger cars (voitures de tourisme) were registered – […]
Erasmus+: interim solution – pragmatism prevails
An interim solution to the halt of Erasmus + has been given the all clear by the Federal Council at a meeting this week in Bern. In an announcement likely to be welcomed by academia, students and business alike, the Federal Council has agreed that costs of implementing an interim solution to maintain key elements […]
Value added tax – no escape for foreign companies
Bern is to reduce what it heavily terms as “VAT-related competitive disadvantages suffered by domestic companies”. It claims that services bought from abroad are often wrongly procured without VAT and are thereby less expensive for the buyer than domestic services. The government has therefore decided that in future, foreign companies must give a Swiss VAT […]
ALLER.RETOUR JAPON.GENEVE
In the context of the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Japan andata.ritorno laboratoire d’art contemporain presents the exhibition ALLER.RETOUR JAPON.GENEVE Tami Ichino – Isamu Krieger – Yuki Shiraishi Curators of the exhibition: Michèle Vicat & Joseph Farine Opening: Tuesday April 29, 2014 at 6 :00pm Exhibition from April 29, 2014 through May 10, […]
Montreux. Montreux Choral Festival – 24 April – 26 April
Each Spring the Montreux Choral Festival hosts choirs from around the world, regardless of their size, style or the age of the singers. The sole requirement for selection by the jury is quality! Théâtre de Vevey Rue du Théâtre 4 1800 Vevey Auditorium Stravinski Grand Rue 95 1820 Montreux www.choralfestival.ch CHF 30. Concs: CHF 5. […]
Burgundy: recycling France’s rail and tow routes
BEAUNE One of the most impressive cycle routes in France is the almost completed circuitous 800km Saône et Loire Voie Verte in Burgundy, built along abandoned railway lines and canal towpaths. Less than two hours from Geneva, this voie verte was begun in 1997 and follows a route away from car traffic through staggeringly beautiful […]
Switzerland at 14 million – with no towers
The people have spoken: the boat is full and cannot accept any more! LAUSANNE “Not so,” says a noted Swiss architect who has done a comprehensive study showing that Switzerland could accommodate as many as 14 million inhabitants over the next three decades, with no decline in lifestyle and without building more towers. Basel architect […]
