Bern
city in Switzerland, capital of the canton of Bern and de facto capital of Switzerland
- 4d ago
Swiss cantons ban fireworks ahead of National Day as drought fuels forest fire risk
Cantons from Schaffhausen to Valais have prohibited fireworks and open fires, citing persistent drought and high forest-fire danger. The restrictions hit retailers hard, with some reporting sales drops of up to 95 percent, while a public survey shows 62 percent support a permanent ban.
- 4d ago
Swiss wasp nest reports jump fivefold in five years, but experts debate real increase
Mobiliar insurance data shows reported nests per 1000 households rose from 0.27 to 1.34 between 2021 and 2025, with the Romandie region hardest hit. Biologists cite mild winters and insect decline, but some question whether the numbers reflect a genuine population boom.
- Jul 26
GC Zürich fans pull emergency brake four times on Intercity train in protest over cut of extra trains
Fans of Grasshopper Club Zürich pulled the emergency brake four times and set off a smoke alarm aboard an Intercity train on Saturday, protesting the Swiss Federal Railways' reduction of dedicated fan trains. The action halted the IC 81 between Zürich and Bern, disabled air conditioning, and required police and ambulance presence at Bern station.
- Jul 26
Swiss army studies reactivating disused bunkers for secure storage
Switzerland is evaluating a plan to repurpose its disused underground military bunkers as secure storage sites for ammunition, medicines and electronic equipment, with a tender already issued for a feasibility study.
- 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.
