The skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex sold in a Zurich auction last week was bought by a Belgium art foundation, which plans to display the dinosaur at a new cultural centre in Antwerp.
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Fears that the spectacular T. rex skeleton, named “Trinity”, would be bought for a private collection and no longer accessible to the public can be put to rest.
The 3.9-metre-high and 116-metre-long dinosaur skeleton was auctioned in Zurich last week for CHF4.8 million ($5.4 million). While it was originally thought the buyer was an American collector, the Koller auction house identified the new owner of Trinity as the Phoebus Foundation, which is backed by the engineering and logistics conglomerate Katoen Natie.
“Phoebus has announced its intention to show Trinity to the public in its planned cultural centre in Antwerp,” a statement released from Koller said.
The Belgian logistics group Katoen Natie recently purchased the Boerentoren tower in Antwerp, an art-deco building, considered one of Europe’s first skyscrapers. It is being transformed into a cultural venue by architect Daniel Libeskind.
“The dinosaur will be on public display at the Boerentoren centre, where art lovers, researchers and enthusiasts as well as all other visitors will be able to fully enjoy the history and beauty of art, science, architecture and more in all their facets,” Phoebus Foundation chief of staff Katharina Van Cauteren said in the press release.
Until construction is complete, the foundation would like to loan Trinity to a museum. “We are exploring the possibility of loaning Trinity to a museum so that the public can already enjoy this unique specimen,” Van Cauteren said. “Scientists need not worry. Like the rest of our collection, Trinity is available for research.”
Boats sail to Solothurn to celebrate 700 years of Le Landeron
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The challenge of crossing Lake Biel from Le Landeron to Solothurn without a motor was taken up by 16 amateur crews on Saturday. The competition is part of Le Landeron's 700th anniversary celebrations.
Swiss cantonal ministers keep low profile on social media
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A small base of followers and neutral posts: these are the conclusions that emerge from a study published by UNIL researchers into the use of social networks by councillors of state.
Swiss rents forecast to rise up to 5% annually, housing chief warns
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Rents on the Swiss market are set to rise by between 3% and 5% a year over the next few years, warned Martin Tschirren, Director of the Federal Housing Office (FHO), on Sunday. "Demand for housing remains higher than supply".
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The Council of the Swiss Abroad, meeting today in Bern, passed a resolution in favour of the new Electronic Identity Act (Id-e), which will be put to the vote on 28 September.
One person consumes 4.8 megawatt hours of electricity
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On average, the Swiss consume 4.8 megawatt hours of electricity per year. According to Velobiz.de, this is roughly equivalent to the amount generated by all 176 cyclists in the Tour de France during the entire race.
Outgoing ICRC chief in Ukraine defends neutrality amid war
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Swiss national Jürg Eglin, outgoing head of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Ukraine, reflects on his tenure.
Green party leader criticises government’s neo-liberal policy
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The Green Party delegates' meeting opened on Saturday morning in Vicques (JU) with a speech by party president Lisa Mazzone. Mazzone took particular aim at the Federal Council's policy towards the United States.
Working on Sundays is detrimental to well-being, says Swiss study
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A study by the University of Bern shows that working on Sundays is detrimental to well-being and particularly affects women.
Safra Sarasin private bank and former asset manager sentenced
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The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has fined private bank J. Safra Sarasin CHF3.5 million for aggravated money laundering. A former bank employee received a six-month suspended prison sentence.
JPMorgan to pay CHF270 million to settle 1MDB claims
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JPMorgan Chase has agreed to pay CHF270 million to the Malaysian government to settle all issues related to its role in the 1MDB financial scandal.
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