Switzerland Surpasses 18,000 Public EV Charging Points

Switzerland continues to strengthen its electric vehicle infrastructure, with more than 18,000 publicly accessible charging points now available across the country.

According to the Swiss Federal Office of Energy, there were 18,284 charging points operating at 8,535 locations nationwide as of April 2026. On average, each charging location offers just over two charging points.

Canton of Zurich leads the country in total charging infrastructure, with 2,692 public charging points. It is followed by Canton of Bern with 1,891 charging points and Canton of Vaud with 1,590.

Smaller cantons reported significantly fewer public charging facilities. Appenzell Innerrhoden recorded only 31 charging points, while Appenzell Ausserrhoden had 77 and Obwalden had 109.

The report also highlighted major differences in charging point usage across Switzerland. Canton of Zug showed the highest concentration of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) per charging point, with 53 EVs sharing each public charger.

Canton of Thurgau followed with 27 BEVs per charging point, while Appenzell Ausserrhoden recorded 24.

In contrast, Graubünden had the lowest pressure on infrastructure, with only six battery electric vehicles sharing each public charging station.

The expansion of Switzerland’s charging network reflects the country’s growing shift toward sustainable mobility and cleaner transportation technologies, although regional disparities in infrastructure remain a challenge.

Switzerland Opens New Embassy in Athens.

Ignazio Cassis officially inaugurated the new Swiss embassy in Athens, introducing a unique diplomatic space designed to combine culture, science, and international cooperation.

The newly opened facility has been described as a “Swiss House for Culture, Research and Diplomacy.” It brings together the Swiss embassy, the Swiss School of Archaeology in Greece, and a cultural foundation under one roof for the first time.

According to Cassis, the project represents a modern vision of diplomacy where scientific research, cultural exchange, and international relations operate together within a shared environment.

During his visit to Greece, Cassis also held official talks with Giórgos Gerapetrítis. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, economic cooperation, scientific partnerships, and cultural collaboration between Switzerland and Greece.

The ministers also reviewed the Swiss-Greek cooperation programme connected to Switzerland’s second contribution toward European cohesion and regional development.

In addition, Cassis met with Nikos Dendias to discuss regional security issues within the framework of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which Switzerland currently chairs.

Swiss officials noted that Greece shares Switzerland’s strong commitment to multilateral diplomacy and plays an important role in maintaining stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans.

The opening of the new embassy highlights Switzerland’s efforts to strengthen international partnerships through diplomacy, culture, education, and scientific collaboration.

Gotthard Tunnel Traffic Jam Reaches 20km

Heavy holiday traffic caused major congestion at Switzerland’s famous Gotthard Road Tunnel on Saturday, with the traffic jam at the northern entrance stretching to 20 kilometres by mid-morning.

According to the Touring Club Switzerland (TCS), drivers heading toward southern Switzerland faced delays of more than three hours and 20 minutes due to the severe congestion.

Traffic conditions worsened rapidly during the morning. In the early hours, the queue measured around 10 kilometres, but it doubled in length shortly before 10am as more vehicles entered the holiday travel routes during the Whitsun weekend.

Authorities also warned that alternative routes were experiencing heavy traffic. The A13 motorway via the San Bernardino Tunnel was already congested over a distance of approximately 17 kilometres.

The TCS advised travellers to consider diversions through the A9 Simplon route or use the Lötschberg car transport service to avoid the worst traffic conditions.

The Federal Roads Office (Astra) had already predicted exceptionally high traffic volumes during the long holiday weekend. Officials noted that the historic record at the Gotthard Tunnel remains 28 kilometres of congestion, recorded during the 2018 Whitsun period.

The Gotthard route is one of Europe’s most important north-south transport corridors and regularly experiences major congestion during peak holiday travel seasons.

Swiss Committee Backs Double Majority for EU Deal.

A parliamentary committee in Switzerland has supported a proposal requiring a double-majority vote—both of the people and the cantons—for the approval of the upcoming Swiss–EU agreement package.

The proposal, backed by the House of Representatives’ Committee of Political Institutions, reflects growing political debate over how major international agreements should be ratified within Switzerland’s direct democratic system.

The committee approved the plan by 15 votes to 10, stating that the agreement’s importance and constitutional implications justify a higher level of democratic approval.

Under the proposed system, the bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the European Union would need not only a majority of voters but also a majority of cantonal approval to be adopted.

The idea aligns with Switzerland’s tradition of direct democracy, where major constitutional or highly significant national decisions often require approval from both citizens and cantons.

At the same time, lawmakers are also exploring an alternative approach known as a “sui generis” referendum model, which would be a unique voting mechanism tailored specifically for this agreement package. The committee has requested further examination of this option, which was supported by a 16–9 vote.

The debate highlights the political sensitivity surrounding Switzerland’s relationship with the European Union and the constitutional questions linked to future bilateral cooperation.

Swiss Expert Rejects “10 Million Population” Fear Claim.

A Swiss population expert has stated that Switzerland is unlikely to reach the controversial 10 million population threshold, even as political debate intensifies over immigration and population growth limits.

The discussion has been driven by a proposal titled “No to 10 Million Switzerland,” supported by the Swiss People’s Party, which aims to restrict population growth by limiting immigration into the country.

The initiative has gained significant public attention and is scheduled for a nationwide vote on June 14. The proposal argues that Switzerland should take stronger measures to prevent population growth from exceeding 10 million, mainly through tighter immigration controls.

However, a population specialist has challenged these concerns, stating that Switzerland is unlikely to reach the 10 million mark under current demographic trends. The expert’s remarks directly question the assumptions behind the initiative and its long-term projections.

The debate reflects broader tensions in Swiss politics over immigration, labor needs, housing pressure, and national identity. While supporters of the initiative emphasize limits on population growth, critics argue that Switzerland’s economy depends heavily on skilled migration.

As the vote approaches, the issue is expected to remain a central topic in Swiss political discourse, with strong opinions on both sides regarding the future direction of the country’s population policy.

WhatsApp Tests “Read-Once” Message Feature.

WhatsApp is testing a new privacy-focused feature in its iOS beta version that allows messages to automatically disappear once they are read by the recipient.

This new “After Reading” option expands on the platform’s existing “Disappearing Messages” feature, which previously allowed users to set messages to delete after fixed time periods such as 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days.

With the new update, users will be able to choose a more immediate privacy option where messages are automatically deleted after being opened, providing stronger control over sensitive conversations.

The feature is designed to enhance user privacy and reduce the risk of message storage or unintended sharing. It is especially useful for sharing confidential or time-sensitive information.

In addition to this, WhatsApp is also introducing “Custom Timers,” allowing users to set personalized message deletion periods such as 1 hour, 6 hours, or 2 days, depending on their preference.

Currently, these features are available only to selected iOS beta testers. However, the company is expected to roll them out gradually to Android users and eventually to the wider public in future updates.

Meta Platforms continues to focus on improving privacy and security across its messaging ecosystem, with more advanced message control tools expected in upcoming releases.

WHO Warns Ebola Outbreak Is Spreading Rapidly in DRC.

The World Health Organization has issued a strong warning that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading rapidly, with a growing number of suspected cases and deaths reported across affected regions.

According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, nearly 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths have been recorded so far, while 82 infections have been laboratory confirmed. He stated that the situation in the DRC is “much more serious” than initially understood.

The outbreak continues to raise international concern as health authorities struggle to contain the spread in conflict-affected areas. Violence and insecurity in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo are significantly hampering response efforts, making it difficult for medical teams to reach affected communities.

In neighboring Uganda, officials report a more stable situation, with only two confirmed cases and one death so far.

Global attention has also increased after reports that an American citizen tested positive for Ebola, while another high-risk contact was transferred to the Czech Republic for monitoring and treatment.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) stated that while the outbreak could still be contained, the coming days will be critical in determining whether it can be controlled or escalates further.

Health experts continue to emphasize the importance of rapid response, contact tracing, and safe medical support to prevent further spread of the virus.

Google Launches Gemini Omni AI for Video Creation

Google has officially introduced its new multimodal AI system, Gemini Omni AI, designed to transform how users create and edit videos using artificial intelligence.

The new system, part of the latest Google Gemini ecosystem, is capable of processing multiple types of input including images, audio, video, and text. This allows users to generate high-quality video content with advanced realism and contextual understanding.

One of the key features of Gemini Omni AI is natural language-based video editing. Users can simply describe changes in text or voice, such as adding characters, modifying scenes, or changing visual styles, and the AI automatically updates the video accordingly.

The model is built using Google’s advanced world knowledge and physics-based understanding, enabling it to generate more realistic motion and environments. It can simulate real-world behavior such as fluid dynamics and physical interactions to improve video authenticity.

Google has also introduced the first version, Gemini Omni Flash, which is now available in the Gemini App, Google Flow, and YouTube Shorts.

The company plans to expand access to developers and enterprises through API integration in the near future, allowing broader use of AI-powered video generation tools.

Users will also be able to create personalized digital avatars with their own voice and appearance, enabling highly customized video content creation. All outputs generated by Gemini Omni will include SynthID watermarking to ensure transparency and traceability of AI-generated media.

Google stated that safety remains a key priority, and the system has been designed with strict policies to ensure responsible and secure AI usage.

Driverless Delivery Van Accident Kills Pensioner in Zurich.

A tragic accident in Zurich has claimed the life of a pensioner after she was struck by a driverless delivery van on a sidewalk in the city’s Höngg district.

According to Zurich city police, the elderly woman suffered life-threatening injuries after being hit on Thursday afternoon. She later died in hospital on the same evening despite medical efforts to save her.

Preliminary investigations suggest that a parked delivery van began moving unexpectedly around 1pm near the intersection of Michelstrasse and Engadinerweg. The vehicle reportedly rolled several metres onto the pavement before striking the pedestrian.

Authorities said the exact reason why the van started moving remains unclear and is currently under investigation. Police are examining whether a technical fault, mechanical failure, or other external factor may have caused the incident.

The accident has raised serious concerns about the safety of autonomous and semi-autonomous delivery systems being tested and used in urban environments across Switzerland and Europe.

Officials in Zurich have launched a full investigation to determine how the vehicle became uncontrolled and whether additional safety measures are required to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Urban mobility experts say such cases highlight the growing challenges of integrating automated delivery vehicles into busy pedestrian areas, where even minor technical errors can have severe consequences.