GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The week is turning out to be a deadly one around the world with group deaths high in several countries, from violence and natural disasters. Early reports from Afghanistan‘s Nangarhar area near the border with Pakistan say 13 people have died and 60 were injured in a 5.5 earthquake Wednesday 24 April. [...]
WTO tells China to take on more governance work
March 25, 2013 by
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The World Trade Organization’s leader, Pascal Lamy, told a Chinese group in Beijing Sunday 24 March that China “A harmonious society in China will be difficult to achieve without a more harmonious world. China has to become an agent of convergence in global issues.” Lamy was addressing the China Development Forum. “China’s [...]
Chinese math: just what do those rising defense numbers mean?
March 6, 2013 by
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – China said Tuesday 5 March that it is increasing military spending by 10.7 percent in 2013, making defense a top priority as the National People’s Congress session opens under new leadership. The new was greeted outside China by a mix of concern and puzzlement, as analysts struggle to interpret how much of [...]
Chinese outpouring after stolen baby murdered
March 6, 2013 by
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – A two-month old baby was murdered in northeastern China, in Jilin province, and the Chinese public has taken to the Internet by the thousands to protest. The child’s father, who owns a supermarket, parked his SUV in front of the store for a moment and left the engine running, with the baby [...]
Cyber spying from China (Chappatte cartoon)
February 25, 2013 by
©2013 Chappatte, distributed by Globe Cartoon. More cartoons on Chappatte’s web site. Geneva-based Patrick Chappatte works for the International Herald Tribune, for Geneva newspaper Le Temps, and for NZZ am Sonntag. All cartoons reproduced with permission.
Chinese football teams also hit with corruption charges
February 19, 2013 by
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Just days after Eurpol said it is investigating a massive corruption network in the European football world, with ties further afield, Chinese authorities have announced fines and life bans among its football clubs. Shanghai Shenhua was fined more than £100,000 according to British media reports, and it has lost its 2003 China [...]
N Korea nuclear test provokes widespread outrage
February 12, 2013 by
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Few governments have remained quiet about North Korea’s third nuclear explosion Monday 11 February, which was registered in several places as a seismic activity. KCNA, the official news agency for the country has confirmed the explosion, saying a lighter, miniaturized nuclear device was used.” Reaction from several governments came swiftly, once the [...]
Fireworks in China: bridge blown up, smog to curb New Year fireworks
February 1, 2013 by
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – A load of fireworks carried by a truck crossing a highway bridge in China exploded, taking the bridge down with it. Four people died and eight were injured when several vehicles fell into the river in Henan Province. Fireworks, hugely popular for the New Year’s festivities in China, which get underway in [...]
Beijing direct from Geneva – Air China to open 4 weekly routes
January 23, 2013 by
Ed. note: for anyone stranded by the three-hour closing of Geneva’s airport Saturday 19 January due to bad weather, the airport now has an official announcement for download, for insurance or other purposes. GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – One of the world’s largest airline, Air China, with 400 aircraft in its fleet, is adding a new direct [...]
Interest in luxury watch brands sees continued growth
January 22, 2013 by
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Luxury watch brands continue to fuel growing interest, as measured by internet searches worldwide. Searches in 20 markets grew for a third consecutive year in 2012, up seven percent according to a preview of the World Watch Report released Tuesday 22 January. The figures were issued to coincide with the International Luxury [...]
