BaselWorld Cancelled; Stadt Police Get New Best Friend; Extended Maternity Leave For Moms

News For 16 November 2021

Baselworld, billed as the world's largest watch and jewelry fair, has fallen on hard times. Planned for March 2022, the expo has lost some of its largest exhibitors, and its sponsor Swiss corporate giant MCH group said cancellation was the best option to find more time for a post-pandemic restart.  Having lost major brand exhibitors in prior years, like Rolex and Swatch group, the trade fair's chief, Managing Director Michel Loris-Melikoff has also tendered his resignation as he moves on to greener pastures.  In the wake of the resignation, there's no word from MCH on when, or if Baselworld will ever restart.

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A German Shepherd named Ico joined the police force nearly three years ago as a pup, and has now graduated into the official ranks of the Basel Police.  At the time of his recruitment, Ico made quite a splash on Basel Stadt Police social media channels, even gathering a sizable following on the official Police Facebook page.  Since then, he has been in training in such disciplines as patrol service, obedience and protection in addition to learning how to identify roads and buildings.  His training having concluded, Ico graduated in 1st place relative to the other dogs going into police service.  German shepherds are often used as police dogs because of their intelligence, and strong instinct to work and protect.

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Effective immediately, the government of Basel Land has voted to extend maternity leave for mothers to 56 days in special cases.  Instances where the family cannot be released from the hospital due to health issues qualify for the new rule.  In addition, the government also increased the length of time allowed for short-term leave required for the care of a sick family member from 3 to 5 days, up to a total of 10 days per year.