Early this morning, the solar powered plane, Solar Impulse II, piloted by Bertrand Piccard, landed in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, completing a full circuit of the globe. The aircraft’s 17-leg journey involved 23 days of flying, covering a distance of 43,041 kilometres. Piccard took off from Egypt and arrived in Abu Dhabi […]
Luc Hoffmann, co-founder of the World Wildlife Foundation dies
Born in Basel, Switzerland, in 1923, Luc Hoffmann, co-founder of the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) and grandson of one of the founders of Hoffmann-Laroche, now known as the pharmaceutical giant Roche, died at his home in southern France on 22 July 2016. Hoffmann co-founded WWF in 1961 and was the foundation’s first vice president until […]
How two dog bones cost a family 17 francs in Swiss customs charges
Tribune de Genève. A family from Geneva was recently hit with an unexpected bill at the Swiss customs post at Bardonnex according to Tribune de Genève. Returning from their holiday in Italy, the family was hit with a customs bill of around ten times the value of the bones they had bought for their dog. […]
What Switzerland must do in the face of terrorism
Tribune de Genève. After the terrorist attack in Nice, Geneva state councillor in charge of security, Pierre Maudet, is calling for better police training in the face of the danger posed by jihadists. He told the Swiss newspaper Schweiz am Sonntag, that specialised antiterrorism training of police personnel is required so officers can neutralise terrorists immediately when […]
Roche CEO worried about U.K. drug research following Brexit
Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. The U.K.’s decision to leave the European Union poses a threat to research and development in the pharmaceutical industry, Roche Holding AG Chief Executive Officer Severin Schwan said. A departure would mean the country would have to set up its own system for approving drugs for sale, a job […]
Swiss markets fluctuate on earnings data
22 July 2016 – Swiss and global market roundup. Brought to you by Investec Switzerland. The Swiss Market Index is set to finish the week slightly higher as investors digest second quarter earnings reports and central bank policy announcements. Global financial markets showed resilience this week following the failed coup attempt in Turkey over the weekend. […]
Switzerland could start charging drivers per kilometre
24 Heures. Less than two weeks ago it was revealed that the Swiss Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) wants to limit motorway speeds to 80 km/h during rush hour. It is hoped that lowering the speed limit and using hard shoulders or emergency lanes near cities could increase traffic fluidity and reduce traffic congestion. In addition, the […]
Restored paddle boat “Italie” makes its first test run on Lake Geneva
Taken out of service in 2006 for renovation, the paddle boat “Italie” left dry dock this morning for a test run on Lake Geneva. The vessel, which originally went into service in 1908, made the weekly return trip from Geneva to Le Bouveret and back for nearly 50 years. The 66 metre ship can take […]
Swiss gay divorce rate higher than heterosexual
20 Minutes. Since 1 January 2007, gay couples in Switzerland have been able to register their partnerships under Swiss federal law. At a federal level, same sex partnerships are governed by rules known in French as LPart and in German as PartG, rather than by laws covering heterosexual marriage. A number of Swiss cantons offered […]
Prisoners let out of Geneva prison to clean
Le Matin. Near the end of their terms some Swiss prisoners are put to work. Under certain conditions, a voluntary programme allows them to spend their their days working and their nights in an “open” centre. They end up in workshops, kitchens or cleaning for the city of Geneva, before being released or deported to […]
