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S U B S C R I B E
WRS stories about Geneva
Protestors fight early closing hours for Geneva bars
Monday, 4 March, 2013
Fighting for the right to party—that was the aim of about 800 young people in Geneva on Saturday night answering a call announced on Facebook. From 10 p.m. until the early hours revelers gathered on Plainpalais to protest the proposed earlier closing hours of 28 bars in the city. Authorities hope this will put an end to a wave of noise complaints. WRS’s Helena Humphrey explains:
Monday, 4 March, 2013
Fighting for the right to party—that was the aim of about 800 young people in Geneva on Saturday night answering a call announced on Facebook. From 10 p.m. until the early hours revelers gathered on Plainpalais to protest the proposed earlier closing hours of 28 bars in the city. Authorities hope this will put an end to a wave of noise complaints. WRS’s Helena Humphrey explains:
Crackdown on bars takes Geneva by surprise
Tuesday, 19 February, 2013
Geneva is hardly a city renowned for its exciting night life. But things might become even quieter because the authorities have ordered 28 of its liveliest bars to close their doors at midnight rather than 2 a.m.—weekends included. Michael Hollingdale reports:
Tuesday, 19 February, 2013
Geneva is hardly a city renowned for its exciting night life. But things might become even quieter because the authorities have ordered 28 of its liveliest bars to close their doors at midnight rather than 2 a.m.—weekends included. Michael Hollingdale reports:
'Geneva attracts foreigners but can't house them'
Tuesday, 27 November, 2012
Geneva was once a beacon of banking and international relations, while at the same time a small town where the living was easy. Where does it stand now? Recently, Geneva has had to contend with attacks on the tax and banking system, with jam-packed trains and buses as well as a very tight housing market. And there is more competition from other cities looking to attract international organizations. A new study by a panel of experts from the whole Lake Geneva region gives a status report. The buzz words are housing, education and better governance. WRS’s Lucas Chambers reports:
Tuesday, 27 November, 2012
Geneva was once a beacon of banking and international relations, while at the same time a small town where the living was easy. Where does it stand now? Recently, Geneva has had to contend with attacks on the tax and banking system, with jam-packed trains and buses as well as a very tight housing market. And there is more competition from other cities looking to attract international organizations. A new study by a panel of experts from the whole Lake Geneva region gives a status report. The buzz words are housing, education and better governance. WRS’s Lucas Chambers reports:
Voters to decide on Geneva constitution's update
Thursday, 11 October, 2012
The canton of Geneva’s constitution is more than 150 years old. But many believe it’s time for a change. Voters in the canton will go to the polls this Sunday to decide whether they get a new one. So what ‘s likely to change? WRS’s Dave Goodman talks to Marguerite Contat Hickel, a member of the Green Party in Geneva. She’s the co-chair of the assembly that was in charge of actually coming up with the draft constitution:
Thursday, 11 October, 2012
The canton of Geneva’s constitution is more than 150 years old. But many believe it’s time for a change. Voters in the canton will go to the polls this Sunday to decide whether they get a new one. So what ‘s likely to change? WRS’s Dave Goodman talks to Marguerite Contat Hickel, a member of the Green Party in Geneva. She’s the co-chair of the assembly that was in charge of actually coming up with the draft constitution:
TPG tweaks routes after Geneva transport fiasco
Wednesday, 26 September, 2012
If you’ve used Geneva’s public transport system over the last year you will be well aware of the massive changes to the city’s buses, trams and train network. Many of you wrote in to tell us about your frustrations after the changes were brought in last December. Since then, city authorities say, they’ve examined the problems—and yesterday they unveiled 30 more changes which they say will improve things. WRS’s Dave Goodman talks to Philippe Anhorn, from the city’s public transport company, TPG:
Wednesday, 26 September, 2012
If you’ve used Geneva’s public transport system over the last year you will be well aware of the massive changes to the city’s buses, trams and train network. Many of you wrote in to tell us about your frustrations after the changes were brought in last December. Since then, city authorities say, they’ve examined the problems—and yesterday they unveiled 30 more changes which they say will improve things. WRS’s Dave Goodman talks to Philippe Anhorn, from the city’s public transport company, TPG:
How Lake Geneva debris gets into food chain
Monday, 24 September, 2012
As the summer draws to a close, many of us will have fond memories of hot weather and swimming in Switzerland’s lakes or rivers. But over the weekend, specialists in the French-speaking part of the country got together to highlight the risk of rubbish and debris polluting what are otherwise beautiful, picturesque sites. They took part in a huge clean-up operation of Lake Geneva. One of those getting stuck in was the vice president of the Royal Geographical Society, Paul Rose. He’s a diver, polar expert, explorer and a passionate environmentalist. WRS’s Dave Goodman talks to him:
Monday, 24 September, 2012
As the summer draws to a close, many of us will have fond memories of hot weather and swimming in Switzerland’s lakes or rivers. But over the weekend, specialists in the French-speaking part of the country got together to highlight the risk of rubbish and debris polluting what are otherwise beautiful, picturesque sites. They took part in a huge clean-up operation of Lake Geneva. One of those getting stuck in was the vice president of the Royal Geographical Society, Paul Rose. He’s a diver, polar expert, explorer and a passionate environmentalist. WRS’s Dave Goodman talks to him:
Show your face in your fave Geneva place
Friday, 21 September, 2012
This weekend an exhibition called Faces of Geneva opens, aiming to paint a portrait of Geneva using the faces of its multi-cultural inhabitants snapped in their favorite places. You can get involved too. Plus, get your glass ready for a refill as wine festivals gear up for weekend fun. There’s so much more to do in Switzerland this weekend and beyond, and WRS’s Dave Goodman and Helena Humphrey fill you in:
Friday, 21 September, 2012
This weekend an exhibition called Faces of Geneva opens, aiming to paint a portrait of Geneva using the faces of its multi-cultural inhabitants snapped in their favorite places. You can get involved too. Plus, get your glass ready for a refill as wine festivals gear up for weekend fun. There’s so much more to do in Switzerland this weekend and beyond, and WRS’s Dave Goodman and Helena Humphrey fill you in:
Smooth ride for Geneva public transport?
Monday, 17 September, 2012
It has been a confusing period for public transport users in the city of Geneva. Firstly, the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne came out with a damning report on the changes that Geneva Public Transport made at the beginning of the year. Then, public transport lobby group Actif Traffic published its own account a week later saying that according to its study—of 53 cities in Switzerland—Geneva has the third highest-rated public transport system. WRS’s Pete Forster spoke to Andrea Von Malthitz of Actif Traffic to find out just how Geneva did so well:
Monday, 17 September, 2012
It has been a confusing period for public transport users in the city of Geneva. Firstly, the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne came out with a damning report on the changes that Geneva Public Transport made at the beginning of the year. Then, public transport lobby group Actif Traffic published its own account a week later saying that according to its study—of 53 cities in Switzerland—Geneva has the third highest-rated public transport system. WRS’s Pete Forster spoke to Andrea Von Malthitz of Actif Traffic to find out just how Geneva did so well:
Merck closure kindles debate over Geneva 'addiction' to multinationals
Thursday, 26 April, 2012
Geneva’s cantonal government has set up a crisis unit to handle closure of Merck Serono’s headquarters. Officials say they’ve never faced so many layoffs—more than 1,200—at once. The shutdown comes two months before elections to fill an open seat in the cantonal government, and it’s sparked a political skirmish over the importance of multinationals in the canton’s economy. WRS’s Jordan Davis reports:
Thursday, 26 April, 2012
Geneva’s cantonal government has set up a crisis unit to handle closure of Merck Serono’s headquarters. Officials say they’ve never faced so many layoffs—more than 1,200—at once. The shutdown comes two months before elections to fill an open seat in the cantonal government, and it’s sparked a political skirmish over the importance of multinationals in the canton’s economy. WRS’s Jordan Davis reports:
Geneva sends petty criminals packing
Tuesday, 10 April, 2012
The canton of Geneva is going out on a limb to send repeat offenders with no legal status in Switzerland back to their home countries. Authorities estimate there are around 350 in the canton—most convicted of petty crimes, and most coming from North Africa. For the past eight months the police and security department has been offering money to those who agree to leave voluntarily. The program is showing its first signs of success, but also its weaknesses as WRS’s Lucas Chambers reports:
Tuesday, 10 April, 2012
The canton of Geneva is going out on a limb to send repeat offenders with no legal status in Switzerland back to their home countries. Authorities estimate there are around 350 in the canton—most convicted of petty crimes, and most coming from North Africa. For the past eight months the police and security department has been offering money to those who agree to leave voluntarily. The program is showing its first signs of success, but also its weaknesses as WRS’s Lucas Chambers reports:
Will new anti-criminal brigade make Geneva safer?
Tuesday, 27 March, 2012
Crime in Switzerland rose 6 percent last year—with property crimes and theft making up the vast majority of offenses. In Geneva, the rise in crime was three times the national average. To try to deal with the situation, Geneva is setting up a new ad-hoc police force next month. WRS’s Pete Forster talks to police spokesman Patrick Puhl:
Tuesday, 27 March, 2012
Crime in Switzerland rose 6 percent last year—with property crimes and theft making up the vast majority of offenses. In Geneva, the rise in crime was three times the national average. To try to deal with the situation, Geneva is setting up a new ad-hoc police force next month. WRS’s Pete Forster talks to police spokesman Patrick Puhl:
TPG still defending transport changes
Thursday, 22 March, 2012
Geneva’s public transit commuters were outraged when the TPG made massive changes in December. Complaints to the TPG jumped by some 1,000 percent. Now, in its final emergency report, the TPG says things are “satisfactory” and it’s now focusing on fundamental improvements. But commuters still don’t seem to be sold—complaints remain at nearly double the previous rate. So were the changes a mistake? WRS’s Alex Helmick turns to TPG communications head Philippe Anhorn and Derek Christie from the Geneva section of the Swiss transport and environment association for some answers:
Thursday, 22 March, 2012
Geneva’s public transit commuters were outraged when the TPG made massive changes in December. Complaints to the TPG jumped by some 1,000 percent. Now, in its final emergency report, the TPG says things are “satisfactory” and it’s now focusing on fundamental improvements. But commuters still don’t seem to be sold—complaints remain at nearly double the previous rate. So were the changes a mistake? WRS’s Alex Helmick turns to TPG communications head Philippe Anhorn and Derek Christie from the Geneva section of the Swiss transport and environment association for some answers:
Concern rises over new Geneva law curbing protests
Thursday, 15 March, 2012
A 100,000 franc fine and a possible five year ban—just some of the possible consequences of holding a demonstration in canton Geneva after a vote on Sunday tightened protest laws. Fifty-four percent of Genevans voted for the new restrictions which involve giving a month’s notice before holding a demonstration and facing a ban on holding demos in the future if things get out of hand. The UN—which has its European headquarters in the city—has openly criticized the changes saying they “unduly restrict the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression, which are core in any democracy.” WRS’s Dave Goodman spoke to Michael Ineichen from the International Service for Human Rights who supports the UN’s stance on the law and began by asking him to outline his concerns:
Thursday, 15 March, 2012
A 100,000 franc fine and a possible five year ban—just some of the possible consequences of holding a demonstration in canton Geneva after a vote on Sunday tightened protest laws. Fifty-four percent of Genevans voted for the new restrictions which involve giving a month’s notice before holding a demonstration and facing a ban on holding demos in the future if things get out of hand. The UN—which has its European headquarters in the city—has openly criticized the changes saying they “unduly restrict the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression, which are core in any democracy.” WRS’s Dave Goodman spoke to Michael Ineichen from the International Service for Human Rights who supports the UN’s stance on the law and began by asking him to outline his concerns:
How low can Geneva's housing supply go?
Friday, 24 February, 2012
Geneva may be one of the most difficult places in the entire world to find a place to live. And things didn’t improve in 2011—the building of new housing in the canton was the lowest in 70 years. New accommodations dropped some 35 percent in 2011 from 2010. WRS’s Alex Helmick talks to Pierre-Alain Rumley, chair of land use and development at the University of Neuchâtel. He is also the former head of the federal office of land use and urban development:
Friday, 24 February, 2012
Geneva may be one of the most difficult places in the entire world to find a place to live. And things didn’t improve in 2011—the building of new housing in the canton was the lowest in 70 years. New accommodations dropped some 35 percent in 2011 from 2010. WRS’s Alex Helmick talks to Pierre-Alain Rumley, chair of land use and development at the University of Neuchâtel. He is also the former head of the federal office of land use and urban development:
