National carrier, Swiss International Air Lines is to stop its operations at Basel’s EuroAirport at the end of May 2015. The decision comes as no surprise (Le News passim) with the airline blaming a difficult political environment that offers little prospect carriers such as SWISS being able to operate profitably. Indeed, Swiss’ operations in Basel […]
Web inventor Timothy Berners-Lee wins prestigious Swiss Award
The brains behind the creation of the world wide web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee has been awarded prestigious Gottleib Duttweiler award. According to the institute, the award recognises people who have made “outstanding contributions to the well-being of the wider community”. Previous winners include: Václav Havel, president of the former Czechoslovakia; and Wikipedia founder, Jimmy Wales. […]
Meet the new President
Switzerland’s parliament has re-elected Social Democrat, Simonetta Sommaruga (54) to the Federal Council to become the new President of Switzerland. She received 181 votes (well over 80%) in Wednesday’s parliamentary vote in Bern. She replaces Didier Burkhalter, the Foreign Minister. Sommaruga was first elected to the seven-strong cabinet in 2010 where she took over the […]
Sewa Beats: Do you speak djembe?
An exceptional show based on the idea that sharing music and rhythm generates an extraordinary shared experience. As you come into the theatre, you will find a djembe drum on your seat. Guided by Doug Manuel, the Master of Ceremonies, you play and accompany the twelve musicians and singers on stage. You become a percussionist […]
You are being fleeced: “Reputable” foreign companies taking money off Swiss consumers
Many supposedly reputable foreign companies are taking Swiss consumers to the cleaners. Their marketing is masterful in its obfuscation. Some recent product launches exemplify how such companies seek to make excessive profits by charging “Swiss prices” when they have no need to, and how they abuse consumers’ trust here. Netflix, the US-based video on demand […]
Manor in Chavannes reopens
After spending CHF 15 million on the refit of one of its key stores, Manor Chavannes reopens on 20 November. The main renovations and changes include the modernisation of and upgrade of all the departments “to reflect latest concepts”; a significant enlargement of the shop’s already pretty impressive food hall (as well as the enlargement […]
Timeless value: The world’s most expensive and most complicated watch fetches CHF 23 million
The Henry Graves Supercomplication re-established its status as the most valuable timepiece in auction history, selling for CHF 23.2 million and beating expected sale price of CHF 15 million. The previous record price of $11 million was set by the same piece in 1999. Five bidders competed for this masterpiece of horology which went to […]
Urgent Notice: Dangerous product recall
One of the exhibitors at the Léman International Fair in Lausanne last weekend has reported that their gift to attendees is potentially dangerous to use. The company and the organisers have been very quick to respond to concerns and have asked anyone who received the free gift, not to use it and to discard immediately. […]
Getting your winter tyres on
According to Touring Club Suisse (TCS), the Swiss motorists association, more many motorists in the country still have to change their summer car tyres to winter ones. This is meant to happen at the beginning of October. According to Auto Suisse, as a general rule of thumb the period for running winter tyres is from October until […]
Le News Movie Time:
Original Language Version (VO) films (usually in English) showing at le Ciné 17 in Geneva from 5 to 11 November. INTERSTELLAR (2014) by Christopher Nolan starring Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine VO English – 2hrs 49; Age: 13 15h00 Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday; 18h00 Everyday; 21h00 Everyday MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT (2014) […]