News and saying of the day: Danger: laughing gas canisters found at the bottom of Lake Geneva!

blue News and Keystone-ATS give you a first glimpse of the news, with the latest news unearthed in the press. Without forgetting birthdays and the saying of the day!

Today’s highlights

AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL: America and the world are holding their breath on Wednesday after polling stations closed in the United States. The first results of this ballot with an uncertain outcome have already been released, but it is impossible to know whether it will take hours or days of counting to decide between the two candidates. Polls show 60-year-old Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and 78-year-old former Republican leader Donald Trump neck and neck.

LITERATURE : After the Goncourt, Renaudot and Femina prizes at the start of the week, the Prix Médicis will be awarded on Wednesday in Paris. Since 1958, this prestigious French literary distinction has crowned a novel, a story or a collection of short stories whose author is just starting out or does not yet have a reputation corresponding to his talent. The Geneva writer and visual artist Gabriella Zalapi, trained at the Geneva High School of Art and Design, is in the running with her novel “Ilaria or the conquest of disobedience”.

DIPLOMACY: End of the two-day state visit to Switzerland by Czech President Petr Pavel. He will be received this Wednesday with military honors on the Federal Square in Bern by the Federal Council in corpore. Official talks will follow at the Bernerhof on relations between Bern and Prague, particularly in terms of economic exchanges, security issues, energy and migration. More broadly, the Swiss-EU negotiations and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East will also be discussed.

FOOTBALL : The Young Boys will play their fourth Champions League match this Wednesday evening at 6:45 p.m. in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The Bernese face the Ukrainians of Shakhtar Donetsk. The two clubs have not shone so far, with three defeats for YB and two losses and a draw for Shakhtar.

TODAY IS…: Like every November 6, today is the International Day for the Prevention of Environmental Exploitation in Times of War and Armed Conflict. The loss of civilian or military life, as well as material damage due to armed conflicts, has always been recorded. On the other hand, the environment often remains a silent victim. For the sole purpose of gaining a military advantage, for example, well water may be polluted, crops burned, trees cut down or animals killed.

Seen in the press

JUSTICE : A French businessman has filed a complaint against Credit Suisse and its current owner, UBS, for alleged surveillance. According to an indictment that the NZZ was able to consult, the complainant claims that the bank implemented a vast spying program against him between 2016 and 2019, allegedly orchestrated by the boss of the CS at the time, Thiam . The latter would have had a relationship at the time with the wife of the complainant, his current partner. The businessman filed the lawsuit in Washington state and presented evidence, text messages and reports. According to the NZZ, UBS and TidjaneThiam are not commenting on the matter.

SECURITY CONTROLS: The University of Bern and the Bern University of Applied Sciences are waiving security checks for students coming from high-risk countries, spokespeople for the two institutions told German-speaking Tamedia newspapers. On the other hand, the ETH Zurich introduced such a control at the end of October for students from 23 risky countries, including China, Russia and Iran, in order to prevent espionage. The Chinese Embassy criticized the move and asked the EPF to reconsider the practice. According to the EPF, the controls are particularly aimed at protecting specialized areas using dual-use technologies that could be used for both civil and military purposes.

ONLINE SALE : Long dedicated to good deals exchanged between individuals, the Ricardo online sales platform has been offering a somewhat surprising new category since this summer. Bicycles, watches and jewelry, leather goods from major brands, luxury cars and even works of art are on sale there under the “GOV” label. Their particularity? These articles come from prosecution and bankruptcy offices, public ministries and other Swiss institutions which are increasingly using online platforms to sell seized, confiscated or lost property, write the Courier and the Quotidien Jura.

PARENTAL LEAVE: After the cantons of Valais, Geneva, Jura and Ticino, which are calling for the rapid implementation of national parental leave by initiative of the Federal Berne, that of Neuchâtel on Tuesday set foot in the door of the Federal Assembly, we read in the Courier Under the pressure of these now five Latin cantons, the question will have to be taken up by a federal commission, then debated in parliament.

HILARIOUS GAS: Laughing gas cylinders found at the bottom of Lake Geneva off the Quai de Cologny (GE): the Association for the Protection of Lake Geneva has discovered 77 bottles of nitrous oxide, indicates the Tribune de Genève. Laughing gas is probably bought on the internet and consumed on the docks. Not knowing how to dispose of them, users then throw the canisters into the lake. Laughing gas is known for its euphoric effects. It appeals to certain groups of partygoers, but it is far from harmless: neurological effects, risk of addiction and damage to long-term physical and mental health. In addition, the presence of nitrous oxide canisters constitutes a real problem for the waters of Lake Geneva and weakens its ecosystem.

Birthdays and jubilees

– One year ago (2023): Death of Jörg Bucherer, boss of the Bucherer brand, at the age of 87. The billionaire had sold his jewelry and watch chain to Rolex a few months earlier. He had run the family business for three generations.

– 20 years ago (2004): Nine French soldiers are killed in the bombing of a French position by the Ivorian air force in Bouaké.

– 40 years ago (1984): Outgoing Republican American President Ronald Reagan wins the presidential election against his Democratic opponent Walter Mondale, the clearest victory since the 1936 election. Mr. Mondale only won one state, Minnesota.

– 60 years ago (1964): Death of Swiss cyclist Hugo Koblet at the age of 39, four days after a car accident. Police and relatives concluded that the most successful Swiss cyclist of all time committed suicide.

– 60 years ago (1964): Birth of American singer Greg Graffin, one of the founders of the punk rock group Bad Religion.

– 75 years ago (1949): Birth of American actor Brad Davis (“Midnight Express”).

Saying of the day

When in November it thundered, winter was aborted

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