Le Matin. “Normally we announce price increases” Virginie Barras, marketing coordinator for the 4 Valleys ski area, which includes Verbier, told the Swiss newspaper Le Matin. Next ski season however prices will go down. “We must respond to two big challenges with the strong franc and declining numbers” she added. According to the interview the […]
Archives for August 2015
Swiss climber climbs 82 Alpine summits in 62 days
20 Minutes. The Swiss climber who holds numerous mountain climbing speed records recently set himself a new challenge: climb all European Alpine peaks over 4,000 metres in under 80 days. Ueli Steck, nicknamed the “Swiss machine” announced on Wednesday that he had successfully climbed all 82 peaks in 62 days, well within his 80 day […]
Barbeque bans lifted
20 Minutes. The cantons of Vaud, Fribourg and Neuchâtel have all lifted their fire bans after recent rain reduced the risks. The fire risk level has now fallen to level 3 on a scale from 1 to a maximum risk level of 5. This means fireworks and barbeques near forests are permitted. A level 3 […]
Why are UN Geneva interns not paid?
The plight of David Hyde, a 22 year unpaid United Nations (UN) intern from New Zealand, found camping in a leaky tent near the edge of lake Geneva, has sparked widespread condemnation of the UN and allegations of exploitation. Unpaid #UN intern David Hyde forced to live in tent near the UN Beach Club http://t.co/FRCtyx56yi […]
Comme un avion; Amy; Mad Max – Fury Road; Une seconde mère; Love and Mercy; While We’re Young
Love and Mercy – one and a half stars So Brian Wilson, the musician, is a genius? And the Beach Boys?? This minor biopic, produced by Mr. Wilson himself, makes them sound terribly important, using two completely different-looking actors – Paul Dano and John Cusack – to portray the troubled Wilson’s early and later years. […]
Could Switzerland be the best place when climatic catastrophe strikes?
The American climate change activist and director of climate science at Columbia University’s Earth Institute James Hansen describes Switzerland’s advantages when global droughts, rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions strike. The Atlantic newspaper asked James Hansen: “If climate change continues at this pace, is anywhere going to be safe?”. “Switzerland would be a good […]
Swiss prices continue to fall in July
Switzerland is becoming accustomed to deflation. The Swiss consumer price index fell by 0.6% in July 2015 and the index is now 1.3% lower than in July 2014 and at its lowest level since October 2007. July 2015 deflation was largely driven by the falling price of imports – driven by a strong Swiss franc, […]
Swiss hikes its airfares
20 Minuten. For quite some time Swiss has been promoting affordable airfares that compare favourably with airlines such as easyjet, which have lured customers away from established airlines by promising low cost air travel. Now according to an article in 20 Minuten, Swiss is increasing its airfares. Tickets issued for long haul flights from 6 […]
The wine voted the world’s best Chasselas
La Grand’Rue, Chasselas Réserve 2013, Domaine de la ville, Morges. Imagine strolling through a farm orchid on a crisp sunny day, the breeze carrying scents of apples, oranges, lemons, mandarins and lime drift past. A small cottage comes into sight and the smell of homemade biscuits wafts out of the open front door. On the […]
The Swiss name that’s popular across all languages – 2014 baby names
On 4 August 2015 the Swiss Federal Office of Statistics (OFS) published the most popular baby names in 2014. Last year saw the arrival of 85,287 newborns in Switzerland. 41,437 girls and 43,850 boys. The choice of names varied depending on the regional language, however in 2014 there was a name that made the top […]