Last Wednesday two pranksters were caught impersonating police officers performing traffic control checkpoints. The two men were using a mobile phone with downloaded siren sound files connected to a mounted loudspeaker to fake the police sounds used by Basel Traffic Police when performing a traffic stop. In addition, the two 23 year old Swiss men had procured fake vehicle mounted flashing lights and high-visibility fluorescent jackets to use during their ruse. Driving in their Volkswagen Polo the men had stopped motorcyclists and several autos in the neighborhoods surrounding Kleinhunungerstrasse before the police apprehended them. It is not clear what the intention of the men was beyond a prank, as they ultimately released all of the people they pulled over having only wasted the time of the motorists. Basel Prosecutors are deliberating the charges they intend to bring against the men.
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In another mysterious stabbing incident, a 27 year old Eritrian man was injured on Monday at 6:30 in the evening. The attack occurred near the public toilet facilities along Freiburgstrasse in Basel. The victim had been part of a group of men seen arguing and then fighting. Although no weapon has been found, According to Detective Inspector Reneé Gsell, the wounds on the man are consistent with knife wounds. The other men in the group fled, leaving the injured man behind. he was able to contact a work colleague that called emergency services on his behalf. Luckily, the victim was quickly rushed to the university hospital emergency services center where he was stitched up and told that his wounds were not life threatening.
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Yesterday was the first day of the new fall semester at the University of Basel. However, many returning students, although enrolled for classes do not have a place to live. According to Chaim Howald, CEO of the Association for Student Housing, the student housing situation has become dire in recent years. He went on to say that 2012 was the last year that all students that needed housing were accommodated with University furnished living quarters in time for the start of the semester, and now most students needing housing will need to live outside the city limits in adjoining towns like Muttenz and Aesch. At the root of all this, of course, is that the university's enrollment has grown faster than its ability to acquire additional dwellings for their student housing portfolio. Michel Molinari of the Swiss Real Estate Association sees the problem in a different light, however. He's not convinced that there is a student housing shortage, suggesting that the problem may be that where students once expected to live in shared flats, today's prosperity is such that students expect and want to have their own homes.
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As we reported a few weeks ago, the love-fest emanating from Basel Stadt towards Basel Land with regard to the upcoming Canton fusion vote seemed rather one sided. Well, it appears that far from simply being unrequited good will in the political debate, the opponents of canton fusion mainly in Basel Land, are engaged in downright dirty tactics to make sure the referendum does not pass. In the communities of Sissach, Gelterkinden and Homburgertal, u to 80% of the pro-fusion posters were removed and replaced with those against the referendum. Closer to Basel-Stadt, in Ettingen, Reinach and Liestal roughly 30% of the pro posters met the same fate. Furthermore, threatening and hostile letters have been anonymously sent to Pro Fusion committee members and to National Councillor Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter an outspoken supporter of the effort accusing them of being traitors to the people of Basel and of being anti-democratic. The irony, of course is lost on those exhibiting the most hostile emotions of accusing their opponents of being undemocratic. Luckily, all of this will be settled on the 28th of this month when the voting on the referendum commences and the Basler Swiss can resume their otherwise diplomatic dispositions.
Remi Christen is the owner and managing director of 