This week the city of Geneva announced plans to provide administrative and promotional documents in English and four other languages. The city welcomes nearly 20,000 new residents every year and city officials have decided language shouldn’t be a barrier to accessing public services. After a survey they decided on five languages: Spanish, Portuguese, Albanian, Arabic […]
Business elite meet to discuss inequality in Davos
The World Economic Forum’s annual event for 2016 starts today in Davos, Switzerland. While the topics appear well chosen and at a glance the speakers well matched to the issues, some criticise the event for being an elitist get-together that excludes some of the very people at the heart of some discussions. This year’s topics Key themes for 2016 are: how to cope with the challenges of rising […]
Around 30 Geneva airport staff banned from the tarmac for security reasons
Tribune de Genève. Around 30 people have been banned from the tarmac at Geneva airport. Just before Christmas a number of airport staff had their access passes revoked for security reasons. Angry, some have called on the SSP union and a lawyer. Bag handlers were among the employees affected. Removing tarmac access means these staff have […]
Terrorism alert level rises in Geneva
Tribune de Genève. According to the newspaper, unease is rising among the public in Geneva. Concerns started on Thursday morning when Geneva’s authorities revealed that they had been notified by Bern of the likely presence in the Geneva region of several terrorist suspects. The unfolding of events is set out below. Thursday 10 December 2015 at […]
Radicalised bag handler worked at Geneva airport
Tribune de Genève. According to the newspaper, a resident of the French region of Haute-Savoie sought by the French authorities after the attacks in Paris, worked as a baggage handler at Geneva airport for six months. The self proclaimed preacher placed under house arrest in November, before being placed in detention for not regularly clocking in with the […]
Geneva’s giant broken chair gets a new foot
As part of the commemoration of world disability day Geneva’s giant broken chair found itself with a giant foot. The foot appeared on Monday last week. The chair, which has three good legs and one which appears to have been blown off in an explosion, symbolises opposition to land mines. The 12 metre high chair was […]
Geneva’s Jet d’eau pays tribute to Paris victims
Last night Geneva’s iconic jet of water, the Jet d’eau, was lit red white and blue in tribute to the victims of this weekend’s attacks in Paris. Le jet d’eau de Genève rend également hommage aux victimes des attentats à Paris ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/BTA4nOclsn — KangouRo (@Roro080319911) 15 Novembre 2015 @LHallyday @JohnnySjh #TeamHallyday Ce soir #Genève […]
Swiss president speaks out on Paris attacks
In an interview by RTS, Switzerland’s national broadcaster, Swiss president Simonetta Sommaruga strongly condemned the attacks in Paris. She said she was deeply shocked by what happened yesterday evening in Paris and that Switzerland strongly condemns the attacks. Adding that “these attacks are against all our deepest societal and human values. Our hearts are with […]
Swiss-French border controls strengthened after Paris attacks
Tribune de Genève. After the attacks in Paris last night, where according to lemonde.fr at least 128 are dead and 180 wounded the French government decided to control France’s borders. According to the Geneva based daily, border controls have been strengthened between France and Geneva. At the Thônex-Vallard border, the main motorway entry point from France […]
Is this Switzerland’s next FIFA scandal?
The FIFA corruption scandal may be growing steadily worse, but yet another Swiss-based organization may not be far behind. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which manages the Eurovision Song Contest, has come up with its own version of hidden agendas, lack of transparency and blatant conflict of interest. Essential Edge co-editor Edward Girardet explores the issues. […]
