The number of people living with HIV in Geneva has remained stable this year, according to new statistics released by the Department of Health. One in 100 people in Geneva are living with the virus – more than 4,000 people – and during the first 10 months of this year, 46 people were diagnosed. However, […]
New kindergarten planned for Lausanne
The Petit de Chateau de Vennes, a charming period mansion originally built in 1839 is being re-developed as a nursery and kindergarten at a cost of nearly CHF 3 million. The much-needed municipal facility, on the Route de Berne, will service families in the Vennes and La Sallaz neighbourhoods of north Lausanne. It is expected […]
UDC seeks to block Islamic Centre
The right-wing Swiss People’s Party (UDC) of Fribourg is gathering signatures for a referendum to oppose an Islamic studies center at the University of Fribourg. The move comes at a time when reaching out to Muslim communities seems more important than ever. That is certainly the opinion of Antonio Loprieno of the University of Basel, […]
Lady Godiva pub in Geneva in dispute against Godiva Chocolate
The Lady Godiva pub in the centre of Geneva is being challenged over the use of its name by Turkish-owned Belgian chocolate brand, Godiva. The chocolate company claims the pub is trading off its name and brand and has delivered a 90 day ultimatum to the pub owner to stop using the name and associated […]
Geneva wins prestigious energy award
For the second time running, Geneva has won the Gold European Energy Award (EEA) for its visionary energy policies. Considered the most prestigious distinction of its kind for European cities and issued every four years, the award recognizes Geneva’s performance with a top rating of 82% of renewable energy initiatives compared to 77% in 2010, […]
Who is speaking out for Swiss Muslims?
If Swiss Muslims are not speaking out with a single voice to condemn the brutalities of ISIS, it may be because there is no single voice that speaks for all of Islam. The majority of Swiss Muslims come from Balkan countries such as Kosovo, Bosnia and Macedonia, and practise Sufism, a moderate form of Sunni […]
Montreux appoints new Municipal Secretary
Montreux has appointed M. Olivier Rapin (45) as its new Secrétaire municipal (town clerk). A qualified lawyer with a post-graduate diploma in European Community Law, he takes over at the start of February from Mme Corinne Martin who was recently appointed Head of local housing services. Olivier Rapin is no stranger to local and regional […]
Japan’s collaboration with International Academy of Sports Science and Technology in Lausanne in the fight against doping
Hideki NIWA, the Japanese State Minister of Education and Sports last week visited the International Academy of Sports Science and Technology in Lausanne to discuss further collaboration in the fight against doping; improved governance of sport administration; and the management of emerging technologies in sport.
First possible Ebola patient arrives at Geneva hospital
The first potential ebola sufferer arrived in Switzerland this week under strict quarantine. The nurse who had been working with ebola victims in Sierra Leone has been repatriated to Geneva’s cantonal hospital. He will remain there for three weeks, the incubation period of the disease, until cleared.
Ebola nurse arrives in Geneva from Sierra Leone
According to the Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs, a foreign nurse who was working for an international organisation in Ebola affected Sierra Leone, arrived in Geneva yesterday suffering from a bite inflicted by a child suffering from the Ebola virus. The communiqué stated that this is the first person to land in Switzerland from a region affected […]