Bern
city in Switzerland, capital of the canton of Bern and de facto capital of Switzerland
- Jul 10
France leaves Switzerland with CHF30 million G7 security bill after failed cost-sharing talks
Three weeks after the G7 summit in Évian, negotiations have collapsed: France will not help pay the CHF30 million Swiss security bill for protests that spilled into Geneva.
- Jul 9
Night free across Swiss cantons for World Cup quarter-final against Argentina
Dozens of Swiss cities and cantons suspend closing hours as the national team faces Argentina in its first World Cup quarter-final since 1954.
- Jul 5
Racist abuse surges at 2026 World Cup: Swiss and Dutch players targeted, FIFA reports 11% of insulting posts are racist
FIFA says racist comments now make up 11% of abusive online posts during the tournament, a three-point rise from 2022. Switzerland's FA disabled comments after its opening draw, and Dutch players blocked their accounts following a penalty shootout loss.
- Jul 2
Albania's 'Pink Flamingo Revolution' enters 35th night as protesters topple PM Rama's bust and demand his resignation
Tens of thousands marched in Tirana on Saturday for the 35th consecutive night of protests that began over a $4.6 billion luxury resort linked to Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, but have since grown into a broad anti-corruption movement demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
- Jul 2
WHO declares hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship MV Hondius over after last contact clears quarantine
The last contact of a person exposed on the MV Hondius completed quarantine and tested negative, the WHO chief said Thursday. No cases have been reported since 25 May.
- Jul 1
America's 250th birthday arrives amid deep polarization, partisan squabbling and Trump's self-promotion
The Fourth of July weekend marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence will be overshadowed by sharp political rifts, a controversial state fair on the National Mall, and a wider national mood of self-doubt.
- Jul 1
Swiss Federal Audit Office finds persistent flaws in voting booklet forecasts, calls for reform
The Swiss Federal Audit Office (EFK) has found that official forecasts in voting booklets and parliamentary messages frequently omit crucial details, lack transparency, and are too narrowly focused on financial costs, undermining voters' ability to make informed decisions.
- Jul 1
Thunderstorms lash Switzerland, stranding thousands, cancelling 70 flights and shutting roads
Severe thunderstorms across Switzerland on Tuesday night triggered over 700 emergency responses in Zurich, forced the cancellation of 70 flights and disrupted a Linkin Park concert before causing road and rail blocks in mountain regions.
- Jul 1
Bern apologizes after police detain trans woman in pool nudist area
The city of Bern has admitted making a mistake after a trans woman was removed from the women-only nudist area of the Marzili outdoor pool on Sunday, saying she was entitled to be there.
- Jun 29
A8 autobahn reopens after 5.5-hectare wildfire at Chiemsee; rain aids fires in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony
The A8 autobahn near Chiemsee reopened Monday morning after a 5.5-hectare forest and moor fire forced an overnight closure; meanwhile, rain assisted firefighters in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saxony, where two more fires were brought under control.
- Jun 28
Bern police attacked in two weekend incidents; officer injured during Marzilibad operation
A police officer was lightly injured Sunday at Bern's Marzilibad outdoor pool when an unknown assailant attacked her during an operation, while a separate incident hours earlier saw pepper spray deployed after objects were thrown at officers.
- Jun 28
Pakistani man disappears in Aare river after ignoring friends' warnings; search continues amid weekend of Swiss drownings
A 28-year-old Pakistani man went missing Saturday evening after jumping from the Mülimatt footbridge into the Aare river at Windisch, despite companions pleading with him not to. Search efforts involving police and a rescue helicopter have so far been unsuccessful.
- Jun 28
Switzerland to face Petkovic's Algeria in World Cup last 16 after dramatic final group-day twist
An 8% chance became reality on the final night of the group stage, setting up a round-of-16 meeting between Switzerland and a familiar face: ex-Nati boss Vladimir Petkovic, now guiding Algeria.
- Jun 24
Germany breaks heat record for second day with 41.5°C, triggering transport chaos and evacuations
Germany recorded 41.5°C on Saturday in Drewitz, Saxony-Anhalt, surpassing Friday's 41.3°C and prompting rail shutdowns, motorway closures and the evacuation of care homes as extreme heat pushed eastward.
- Jun 23
Two Swiss sisters, 17 and 23, killed in five-car pile-up on Germany's A5 motorway
Aulona, 17, and Erza Z., 23, from Olten died at the scene when a Volvo rear-ended their stationary car at the end of a traffic jam near Appenweier on Saturday.
- Jun 22
Swiss government backs 2038 Winter Olympics bid with 200 million franc pledge, Parliament to decide
The Swiss Federal Council announced support for the country's 2038 Winter Olympic and Paralympic bid on Monday, pledging up to CHF 200 million in federal funding and sending the proposal to Parliament for approval.
- Jun 21
Zurich flights resume after Skyguide radar fault halts takeoffs, closes eastern airspace
A technical malfunction at Swiss air traffic control Skyguide forced the closure of airspace east of Bern early Sunday, suspending all takeoffs at Zurich Airport for several hours. Landings continued, and flights gradually resumed after 07:45.
- Jun 21
Swiss neutrality initiative headed for defeat in September vote, first poll shows 54% opposed
A Leewas survey commissioned by Tamedia and 20 Minuten finds 54 percent of Swiss voters plan to reject a constitutional amendment on perpetual neutrality, with only 34 percent in favour three months before the 27 September referendum.
- Jun 20
US and Iran begin peace talks in Switzerland as Tehran closes Strait of Hormuz over Israeli strikes in Lebanon
Vice President JD Vance arrived at Bürgenstock Resort near Lucerne to meet Iranian negotiators, hours after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, though the US military says 55 merchant ships transited on Saturday.
- Jun 19
Swiss Federal Council proposes extending protection status S for Ukrainians beyond March 2027, considers excluding draft-age men
The Swiss government today opened consultation on a concept to continue the temporary protection status for Ukrainian refugees beyond March 2027, while also considering the exclusion of Ukrainian men of military age, aligning with EU discussions.
