20 Minutes. In June 2014, Swiss citizenship requirements were tightened allowing only those with permanent residency permits (e.g. a C permit) to apply, excluding anyone on a different permit such as a B permit. Yesterday the federal council issued a proposed ordinance which tightens requirements further. People receiving social assistance and a wider range of […]
Archives for 2015
Swiss immigration initiative RASA gets required number of signatures
Tribune de Genève. On 9 February 2014 a slim majority of 50.3% of Swiss voters called for an end to open immigration from European Union (EU) nations. Since then Switzerland has been engaged in difficult discussions with EU negotiators who say that Switzerland’s EU deals, which include trade, must come as a package and cannot […]
Unpaid UN intern in tent tells his story
David Hyde, the young man who lived in a tent while working unpaid for the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, published his story on the website The Intercept. He describes how he planned to make a documentary about the plight of unpaid UN interns. He talks about his shock at the scale of the media’s […]
What is driving the Swiss franc’s fall?
Bilan. For several days the Swiss franc has been losing ground against the Euro. According to Bilan the franc came close to 1.10 against the Euro on 11 August 2015 before recovering to around to 1.085 on Thursday the 13th of August based on Reuters data. According to Bilan experts are forecasting a return to […]
The expats banned from voting
After 15 years abroad British citizens lose the right to vote. According to a recent article in the British newspaper the Telegraph, this is about to change, albeit too late for British expats to vote on whether Britain should stay in the European Union or not. A BBC article describes a global trend towards greater […]
Verbier to cut price of ski passes
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 […]
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. […]
