Summer is almost over and heading back to school is – for some – an exciting period to catch up with friends or get back into a familiar routine. For others, it will be a time of anxiety because they know that the bullying will start again. Shocking as it may sound, between 10% and […]
The Revolution of the Saints revisited from Geneva
In the West, there is tremendous fear of Islamic fundamentalism taking over the Arab world. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), often described as “extremist” and “militant,” continues its march towards Baghdad; in Egypt the Muslim Brotherhood remains an important actor. Surprisingly, there should be a particular understanding of this phenomenon from a […]
The end of humanitarianism?
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2013. Started in a small apartment in the Old Town of Geneva, the ICRC crystallized and codified the first international norms dealing with the laws of war. After watching on the news the bombings of hospitals and schools in Gaza with innocent […]
Can sports can play a more positive political role in this violent world?
GENEVA The World Cup has ended. An orgy of flag waving and anthem singing has concluded for at least another four years. Germany won, as could have been expected. What wasn’t expected was how the threats of street violence and protest within Brazil over the lavish preparation did not materialize. But more interesting, and worthy […]
Reconciling Peace and War: In But Out
GENEVA The sun shines in Geneva during glorious summer days. Swimming pools are crowded with excited children; some have left for their chalets in the mountains, others have gone or are planning to leave on vacation to the beaches of southern Europe or Asia. “Summertime and the livin’ is easy” as George Gershwin wrote. But […]
Space travellers & crowd pullers
Twelve men have walked on the moon and two of them have visited Switzerland thanks to SwissApollo an association that aims to keep mankind’s greatest achievement alive as an inspiration to current and future generations. This week Dr Edgar Mitchell (Apollo 14) spoke to a press conference moderated by Le News editor, Ed Girardet, at […]
Toxic Americans renouncing citizenship
Worldwide, a total of 3,000 Americans gave up their citizenship last year in the wake of new regulations compelling banks to provide information to US tax authorities on all American accounts. Embassies will not reveal the breakdown by country, but a disproportionate number are believed to be in Switzerland as it is the country hardest […]
US listed terror group in Switzerland
GENEVA/LAUSANNE Local Muslims are concerned by stalls in Swiss streets promoting Ansar al-Sharia, a Salafist group on the US terrorist list. Distributing the Koran may seem harmless enough, but Arab speakers reported they were also attempting to recruit fighters for Syria. Early this month, one kiosk appeared in Geneva’s Place du Molard, and others were […]
Keeping business accountable
BERN The Federal Council has warned Swiss companies operating in developing countries that they must do more to ensure the protection of human rights and the environment, otherwise the government may step in. The matter is expected to go before the parliament in September. The 28 May Council report was in response to a petition […]
Keeping business accountable
BERN The Federal Council has warned Swiss companies operating in developing countries that they must do more to ensure the protection of human rights and the environment, otherwise the government may step in. The matter is expected to go before the parliament in September. The 28 May Council report was in response to a petition […]