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S U B S C R I B E
WRS stories about Geneva
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:
Why Geneva has higher rents than Zurich
Friday, 3 February, 2012
For many people living in Switzerland, the idea of a housing crisis is nothing new. But how do rents in Zurich compare to those in Geneva, Bern or in smaller towns in less populated cantons? According to comparis.ch, the winner of the most expensive average rent is Geneva. A Geneva flat advertised with 4.5 rooms comes with an average monthly rent of 3,900 francs. That even beats Zurich by almost 1,000 francs. WRS’s Dave Goodman talks to a specialist in real estate economics, professor Philippe Thalmann from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL):
Friday, 3 February, 2012
For many people living in Switzerland, the idea of a housing crisis is nothing new. But how do rents in Zurich compare to those in Geneva, Bern or in smaller towns in less populated cantons? According to comparis.ch, the winner of the most expensive average rent is Geneva. A Geneva flat advertised with 4.5 rooms comes with an average monthly rent of 3,900 francs. That even beats Zurich by almost 1,000 francs. WRS’s Dave Goodman talks to a specialist in real estate economics, professor Philippe Thalmann from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL):
Angry petitioners: Latest Geneva transport changes not enough
Monday, 16 January, 2012
Anger over changes to Geneva’s public transport system is showing no sign of abating. Last week, even the local government raised objections and ordered the transport company, the TPG, to make some adjustments. Campaigners gathering signatures in protest at the new network layout say those adjustments don’t go far enough. So what are the main things the petitioners are taking issue with? WRS’s Catherine Allen reports:
Monday, 16 January, 2012
Anger over changes to Geneva’s public transport system is showing no sign of abating. Last week, even the local government raised objections and ordered the transport company, the TPG, to make some adjustments. Campaigners gathering signatures in protest at the new network layout say those adjustments don’t go far enough. So what are the main things the petitioners are taking issue with? WRS’s Catherine Allen reports:
Geneva editor explains cops' dispute with canton
Friday, 13 January, 2012
Police in Geneva have gone to war with cantonal minister Isabel Rochat over working conditions. Earlier this week 200 officers protested against working hours and an overload of administrative tasks. The force announced it would stop issuing fines and working overtime. For her part, Rochat says senior officers should discipline those rocking the boat. She’s backed by the rest of the canton’s government. To find out exactly what’s behind the unrest, WRS’s Dave Goodman talks to Pierre Ruetschi, the editor-in-chief of one of Geneva’s daily papers, the Tribune de Genève:
Friday, 13 January, 2012
Police in Geneva have gone to war with cantonal minister Isabel Rochat over working conditions. Earlier this week 200 officers protested against working hours and an overload of administrative tasks. The force announced it would stop issuing fines and working overtime. For her part, Rochat says senior officers should discipline those rocking the boat. She’s backed by the rest of the canton’s government. To find out exactly what’s behind the unrest, WRS’s Dave Goodman talks to Pierre Ruetschi, the editor-in-chief of one of Geneva’s daily papers, the Tribune de Genève:
Fixes to Geneva's public transport system explained
Wednesday, 11 January, 2012
Fewer trams, fewer buses, more changes—those were some of the complaints coming from users of Geneva’s public transport system after its overhaul last month. Those complaints sparked a meeting yesterday between the cantonal transport minister, Michèle Künzler and Geneva’s transport company, the TPG, to figure out how to fix the fiasco. WRS’s Lucas Chambers asked her what main changes were decided:
Wednesday, 11 January, 2012
Fewer trams, fewer buses, more changes—those were some of the complaints coming from users of Geneva’s public transport system after its overhaul last month. Those complaints sparked a meeting yesterday between the cantonal transport minister, Michèle Künzler and Geneva’s transport company, the TPG, to figure out how to fix the fiasco. WRS’s Lucas Chambers asked her what main changes were decided:
TPG to fix Geneva transport fiasco
Tuesday, 10 January, 2012
Geneva’s public transportation system got a serious facelift a month ago, and many say it has been a disaster. The Cantonal Transport Ministry met with TPG officials yesterday to decide how to fix it. WRS’s Lucas Chambers was there and explains the changes, including the return of the original bus number three route, that are going to be implemented:
Tuesday, 10 January, 2012
Geneva’s public transportation system got a serious facelift a month ago, and many say it has been a disaster. The Cantonal Transport Ministry met with TPG officials yesterday to decide how to fix it. WRS’s Lucas Chambers was there and explains the changes, including the return of the original bus number three route, that are going to be implemented:
Christian Dems call for TPG to compensate customers
Wednesday, 21 December, 2011
Public transport in Geneva is in chaos after major changes made to tram and bus lines by the TPG over the past two weeks. TPG authorities insist the chaos is due to accidents and bad weather over the past few days. Philippe Morel, head of the Christian Democrat faction at Geneva’s cantonal Parliament talks to WRS’s Dave Goodman. Morel is calling for the TPG to compensate clients for the new transport system’s rocky start:
Wednesday, 21 December, 2011
Public transport in Geneva is in chaos after major changes made to tram and bus lines by the TPG over the past two weeks. TPG authorities insist the chaos is due to accidents and bad weather over the past few days. Philippe Morel, head of the Christian Democrat faction at Geneva’s cantonal Parliament talks to WRS’s Dave Goodman. Morel is calling for the TPG to compensate clients for the new transport system’s rocky start:
Anger after Geneva Public Transport tweaks
Wednesday, 21 December, 2011
It’s been 10 days since Geneva woke up to a whole new public transport system. But instead of getting a pat on the back from passengers, transport authorities of the TPG have been getting it in the neck. Local newspaper headlines speak of “chaos” and “popular revolt.” The Christian Democrats are even demanding free travel to compensate passengers. WRS’s Adam Beaumont talks to Philippe Anhorn from Geneva Public Transport:
Wednesday, 21 December, 2011
It’s been 10 days since Geneva woke up to a whole new public transport system. But instead of getting a pat on the back from passengers, transport authorities of the TPG have been getting it in the neck. Local newspaper headlines speak of “chaos” and “popular revolt.” The Christian Democrats are even demanding free travel to compensate passengers. WRS’s Adam Beaumont talks to Philippe Anhorn from Geneva Public Transport:
Should Geneva change its anti-begging law?
Friday, 9 December, 2011
Begging has become a big problem in Geneva in recent years—so much so that a law was introduced in 2008 to make begging an offence punishable with a fine or even prison. But now coalition of campaigners, faith groups and political parties has launched a petition to have the law overturned. They say the law disproportionately targets members of the Roma community and argue that it’s ineffective, costly and discriminatory. WRS talks to a spokesperson of that coalition as well as the Geneva cantonal police:
Friday, 9 December, 2011
Begging has become a big problem in Geneva in recent years—so much so that a law was introduced in 2008 to make begging an offence punishable with a fine or even prison. But now coalition of campaigners, faith groups and political parties has launched a petition to have the law overturned. They say the law disproportionately targets members of the Roma community and argue that it’s ineffective, costly and discriminatory. WRS talks to a spokesperson of that coalition as well as the Geneva cantonal police:
