
Geneva mulls closure of border crossings next month; most luxury car thefts are reported in Geneva and Vaud: and other news in our Wednesday roundup.
Geneva mulls closure of border crossings next month
The G7 summit will take place from June 15th to June 17th in Evian, France.
As the town is located only 45 km from Geneva, the canton’s police chief Monica Bonfanti said authorities could reintroduce border checks or close some of the 34 crossings altogether.
The move is being considered as anti-G7 protests are planned in Geneva, with officials weighing whether to allow, limit or ban demonstrations.
Police say they are preparing for multiple threats – from cyberattacks to unrest – and will be reinforced by forces from across Switzerland.
Most luxury car thefts occur in Geneva and Vaud
AXA insurance noted an increase in the number of reported car thefts in 2025, with most vehicles stolen in Geneva and Vaud.
The total cost of claims related to car thefts is estimated at about 5 million francs in 2025 – almost twice as much as in previous years.
The reason why most thefts occurred in Geneva and Vaud is the proximity with the French border.
“An increasing number of organised gangs are stealing vehicles and taking them out of the country,” said Samuel Gétaz, head of AXA’s Claims division.
According to the Federal Police (Fedpol), “French-speaking Switzerland is most affected by organised crime from France.”
It added that most perpetrators come from the suburbs of French cities located just over the border: Annemasse, Lyon, Grenoble, Montbéliard and Saint-Etienne.
READ MORE: Calls in Switzerland to boost border controls with France after spike in crime
Man wearing a horse costume charged with animal cruelty
To show off in front of his friends, the disguised prankster, 37, danced and jumped in a pasture in the Zurich countryside, spreading panic among (real) horses that were grazing in the meadow.
His antics caused stress among the horses, with one sustaining serious injuries in the process.
The man was charged with animal cruelty and slapped with a 2,400-franc fine on Tuesday, Swiss media reported.
The hope is that he will learn a lesson and stop horsing around in the future.
Zurich’s train station offers the best ‘premium experience’ for travellers
At least, this is according to a new ranking of 40 stations worldwide carried out by a UK travel insurance carrier.
It rated each station based on the lounge access, dining options, shopping, as well as its proximity to high-end hotels.
The company reported that Zurich’s central station (HB) has received the highest score because “it has built a reputation not only for its scale and efficiency, but also for the quality of the experience it offers passengers passing through.”
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at news@thelocal.ch

