BERN Switzerland’s scientific community heaved a collective sigh of relief following measures from Bern to temporarily fund some projects. The panic has not completely died down however, since the measures proposed by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) are transitional, pending resolution of the problem posed by the cutoff of EU funding. After the 9 […]
Banning paedophiles
After the referendum on immigration, the results of which are still raising questions and doubts, Switzerland is getting ready for an important new vote on 18 May – to ban convicted paedophiles from working with children for life. The so-called Marche Blanche (White March) initiative would prohibit paedo-criminals and those guilty of sexually abusing a […]
Vevey pushes back on invasive parking
Vevey market is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque markets in the region. Popular with residents and tourists alike, it has for hundreds of years served as the fulcrum of trade in the Riviera. Centred in the Grand Place and spreading out through the adjacent side streets, stall-holders offer an abundance of local produce, crafts […]
Lausanne celebrates its 140,000th inhabitant
On 24 April, Marc Vuilleumier, the director responsible for the integration and protection of the population presented a welcome gift to the 140,000th inhabitant of the commune to celebrate the city’s growth. Lausanne has seen a steady increase in its population from 124,800 in 2000. The rise is mainly due to the number of foreigners […]
Geneva: in the red but under control
The city has announced an annual deficit of CHF 35 million for 2013, although in a statement it said the deficit was due to an extraordinary payment of CHF 120 million made to the city’s new inter-communal pension fund to cover underpayment in previous years. Without this exceptional item, officials report that the city would […]
Paedophile ban vote
BERN The Swiss National Council recently supported an initiative seeking to ban convicted paedophiles from ever working with children again. The so-called Marche Blanche proposal, which passed by 82 votes to79, aims to prevent repeat offences by prohibiting access to potential victims through professional pathways. The referendum is set for18May. The Federal Council, however, deems […]
Research fund side-steps EU ban
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) in Bern has set up a temporary funding scheme to get around the European Union’s 26 February ban excluding Switzerland from European Research Council (ERC) grants. According to SNSF spokesman Jürg Dinner, researchers working in Switzerland, or who applied for an ERC starting grant before 25 March, may request […]
French elections: Round one, right wing won
GEX The first round of the French municipal elections confirmed the growing force of the right. With record breaking abstentions (38.7% failed to vote), towns such as Perpignan, Avignon, Forbach, Fréjus and Tarascon saw the Front National (FN) take the lead. More locally, the conservative parties (UMP, DVD and FN) have done well, especially in […]
More time to shop
BERN The Federal Council’s proposal to homogenize the opening hours of retail businesses throughout Switzerland will rescind existing cantonal and municipal laws. Given growing cross-border competition, where prices can be 20–30% less, and the strong Swiss Franc, the project seeks to address strident economic realities hindering the country’s retail market. If the plan passes, communes […]
Champ-Dollon prison violence
GENEVA Tensions remained high at Geneva’s Champ-Dollon prison, which holds inmates from 100 different nationalities, after three days of fighting. Last Sunday afternoon a brawl involving a hundred prisoners broke out resulting in seven injured, including one guard. More fighting erupted on Monday. On Tuesday morning, prison authorities called in ambulances after two further fights. […]
