Strike Stalls Air Service In Basel; Basel Kids Set World Record; Switzerland Sets Gastronomy Record; New Student Bar For UniBas

News For 10 October 2017

The ripple effect of striking air traffic controllers in France is grounding some flights into and out of Switzerland, including Basel's Mulhouse EuroAirport.  The air traffic controllers were striking in solidarity with thousands of other public sector workers in France aggrieved by the French government's plan to reform employement laws.  To safely deal with air traffic, France's civil aviation authority advised airlines to reduce their planned traffic by 30% into and out of the country on Tuesday.  Easyjet, Swiss Air, and Air France all cancelled flights.  Affected passengers were notified electronically via email and SMS and have the right to get refunds or change their flights free of charge.

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The Basel animal shelter witnessed a world record last week. Over 200 children signed up for the “human-animal-reading-relay” in the context of last Wednesday’s international animal protection day. Each child spent 15 minutes reading a story to an animal from a book brought from home or one that was already at the shelter. Although the animals didn’t understand what was being read to them, the children’s voices are soothing to the animals. 150 kids were needed for the world record, which was monitored by an official record judge, and a total of 205 kids signed up.

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The latest edition of the world famous Michelin Guide to restaurants will show that Switzerland has the highest concentration of the coveted guide's stars in the world.  The latest count will add 14 newly recognized restaurants in the country, bringing the total to 118.  Notable, is the fact that Switzerland now has the most Michelin starred restaurants per person.  Basel's Cheval Blanc at the Trois Rois hotel, held on to its 3 Michelin stars in case you would like to experience the pinnacle of global gastronomy nearby.  

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The Skubar, the University of Basel’s student bar, operated by the university’s student body "Skuba" is getting a makeover and a new name. The grand opening of the newly named “Verso” is Thursday, the 19th of October after four months of renovations. Rod, bassist of the famous German band Die Ärzte, will be playing with his band "Mas Shake".  They have been invited as a special guest to celebrate the opening. The old Skubar was only open on Thursdays, which is the night that students in Basel go out, but Verso is planning on being open on other nights of the week and offering more than just drinks. The three students in charge said that they would like to host plays, poetry slams and other performances.