TOPIC

/ location

Switzerland

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Switzerland. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Bern

Head of State

President Viola Amherd

Head of Government

President Viola Amherd

Omega has updated its Constellation collection with four 28mm models. Photo: Handout

Style Edit

Style Edit: Omega’s polished Constellation line is designed for 24/7 wear

The stainless-steel timepieces pair striking dials with diamond or white gold accents, alongside signature details rooted in a 1952 icon.

14 Aug 2026 - 10:00AM

Style Edit

Style Edit: Richard Mille’s fresh take on women’s watches

13 Aug 2026 - 10:00AM

China-Latin America relations

China moves to join Brazil’s WTO fight over Trump’s forced labour tariffs

11 Aug 2026 - 6:05AMvideocam

Banking & finance

In Focus | Beijing hits super-rich with 20% offshore tax. What does it mean for Hong Kong?

For decades, Hong Kong has prospered by managing the wealth of Asia’s elite. Will that change as China introduces tougher offshore tax policies?

10 Aug 2026 - 12:05PMvideocam

Myanmar

Myanmar rebuffs Asean call to free Aung San Suu Kyi

Myanmar will continue to work with Asean’s special envoy but does not see the need to continue when Singapore takes over on January 1.

9 Aug 2026 - 8:26PMvideocam

Saudi Arabia

How Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan pact acts as ‘insurance’ over US disengagement

The Mecca deal may emerge as a third geopolitical ‘centre of gravity’ in the Middle East, with more members joining, analysts say.

9 Aug 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

Timepieces

Full-lume watches are the new flex, from heritage brands to indie upstarts

Luminescence was a stand-out trend at this year’s Watches and Wonders – here’s how makers are using innovative materials to light up horology.

9 Aug 2026 - 12:00AM

IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Ceralume. Photo: Handout

China-Latin America relations

UnionPay to link Chinese payment apps to Brazil’s Pix after US tariffs

Central banks stay silent on pilot that would let tourists scan and pay weeks after Washington taxed the system.

8 Aug 2026 - 4:41AMvideocam

Timepieces

5 top watch moments in July, from Wimbledon wrist game to an F.P. Journe for auction

Former Audemars Piguet CEO unveils a new brand, IWC and Longines lean into blue dials, and a US watch retailer sues over Trump tariffs on Swiss imports.

7 Aug 2026 - 2:00PM

China stock market

Global AI trade revival brightens outlook for Chinese tech stocks

Improved corporate earnings and a broader global tech rebound are helping stocks bounce back from a record monthly decline.

7 Aug 2026 - 3:42PM

The tech-heavy Star Market 50 Index on the Shanghai Stock Exchange is expected to close the week up by about 6 per cent. Photo: Shutterstock

Timepieces

How new materials are reshaping the future of luxury watchmaking

H. Moser & Cie and Hublot are among those experimenting with advanced compounds that boost performance and deliver distinctive finishes.

6 Aug 2026 - 12:00AM

The new Ulysse Nardin Super Freak model is a limited edition piece marking 25 years of the Freak collection, built around the house’s patented diamond-coated silicon architecture. Photo: Handout

Artificial intelligence

Opinion | The AI order will have 3 tracks, not 2

Between American-secured diffusion and Chinese developmental multilateralism, middle powers have space to make their presence felt.

5 Aug 2026 - 2:46AMvideocam

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong church-goers urged to avoid masses by breakaway Catholic group SSPX

Call comes about a month after Vatican excommunicated followers of Society of Saint Pius X for consecrating four new bishops against Pope Leo XIV’s instructions.

3 Aug 2026 - 7:45PM

Artificial intelligence

Opinion | America and China can be allies against AI catastrophe

Rival powers have contained nuclear and cyber threats before. AI safeguards demand the same instinct for survival.

1 Aug 2026 - 12:08PM

AI safety activists take part in a "Stop the AI Race" protest march in San Francisco on July 11. Photo: AFP

Banking & finance

Hong Kong expands CMU’s global reach with Swiss, Spanish securities link

The HKMA connects its securities settlement platform with Switzerland’s SIX exchange, while also launching equity post-trade services.

29 Jul 2026 - 7:46PM

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is based inside the IFC in central Hong Kong. Photo: SCMP/Jonathan Wong

United Nations

US walks out on France at UN over human rights criticism

Rift deepens after sharp clash over UN rights chief’s second term and a scathing social media post.

28 Jul 2026 - 10:38AM

Extreme weather

France and Spain race to curb wildfires before new heatwave arrives

Authorities have evacuated about 220,000 people, including tourists, in France, while in Spain around 100,000 have been told to seek shelter.

28 Jul 2026 - 5:42AM

Wealth management

China targets offshore trusts – including Hong Kong’s – amid tax overhaul

Beijing’s new tax rules aim to close loopholes and boost fiscal revenue amid slowing economic growth and rising fiscal burdens.

27 Jul 2026 - 5:38PM

The late Zong Qinghou, billionaire founder of soft-drink giant Wahaha Group, pictured in 2017. An inheritance dispute within his family has shed light on the wealth tycoons transfer to overseas accounts. Photo: Getty Images

Africa

First person vaccinated – in UK – in Ebola jab trial amid DRC outbreak

The first dose of the rapidly developed vaccine was administered to Ed Hunt, a 37-year-old volunteer, said Britain’s Oxford University.

24 Jul 2026 - 11:16PM

Artificial intelligence

China’s Kimi K3 well behind US rivals in cyberattack ability, study shows

Kimi K3’s overall score of 32.2 per cent compares with top, unnamed US models that average 76.2 per cent.

24 Jul 2026 - 6:35PM

US-China trade war

Liberation Day 2.0? US slaps fresh wave of tariffs on China, 50-plus economies

‘Forced labour’ duties replace Trump administration’s original sweeping levies but are unlikely to generate the same level of global shock.

25 Jul 2026 - 6:38AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump at a rally in Georgia on Wednesday, before the administration’s tariff announcement. Photo: AP

Banking & finance

Hong Kong to approve tax breaks for fund managers ‘soon’ to boost economy: KPMG

The bill, expected to pass this year, will exempt private equity, venture capital and other fund managers from paying tax on performance-linked income.

22 Jul 2026 - 10:37PMvideocam

The Hong Kong government is expected to pass a bill offering tax breaks to hedge funds which will potentially attract investment and new talent to the global city. Photo: Jelly Tse

Artificial intelligence

China’s Kimi K3 calls US safety curbs on top AI models into question

New model from Moonshot AI is ‘extremely close’ to OpenAI’s flagship after ‘very big jump’ in capabilities, researcher says.

24 Jul 2026 - 6:34PMvideocam

Style Edit

Style Edit: Vacheron Constantin’s exploration-inspired watches shine at Hong Kong exhibition

The Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points, one of the novelties unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2026 in April, was the star of the show.

15 Jul 2026 - 10:00AM

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong holds world’s costliest-property crown, but quality of life takes hit

Deutsche Bank cuts the financial hub’s quality-of-life standing as soaring expenses squeeze households, and Seoul emerges as a tech-driven regional competitor.

14 Jul 2026 - 5:00PM

The Hong Kong skyline is seen from The Peak. Photo: Sam Tsang

Richard Mille

Style Edit: Richard Mille’s RM HJ-02 redefines high jewellery and haute horlogerie

The 12 bejewelled models in the collection are split into pink, violet, blue and green chapters, each a mosaic of gemstones in harmony with the technical watchmaking.

5 Aug 2026 - 10:57AM

The Philippines

South China Sea: 10 years after Hague ruling, how has the Philippines’ stance evolved?

Officials and analysts say Manila’s deterrence strategies can now make China ‘at least hesitate’, even though there is still much to be done.

14 Jul 2026 - 1:31PM

China’s private sector

Can AI collaborations power China’s next wave of blockbuster drug deals?

China develops 30 per cent of new therapies worldwide as it rises to the top tier in innovation efficiency, drug supervision official says.

13 Jul 2026 - 8:40PM

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Switzerland

Style Edit: Omega’s polished Constellation line is designed for 24/7 wear

The stainless-steel timepieces pair striking dials with diamond or white gold accents, alongside signature details rooted in a 1952 icon.

Style Edit: Richard Mille’s fresh take on women’s watches

China moves to join Brazil’s WTO fight over Trump’s forced labour tariffs

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}In Focus | Beijing hits super-rich with 20% offshore tax. What does it mean for Hong Kong?

For decades, Hong Kong has prospered by managing the wealth of Asia’s elite. Will that change as China introduces tougher offshore tax policies?

Myanmar rebuffs Asean call to free Aung San Suu Kyi

Myanmar will continue to work with Asean’s special envoy but does not see the need to continue when Singapore takes over on January 1.

How Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan pact acts as ‘insurance’ over US disengagement

The Mecca deal may emerge as a third geopolitical ‘centre of gravity’ in the Middle East, with more members joining, analysts say.

Full-lume watches are the new flex, from heritage brands to indie upstarts

Luminescence was a stand-out trend at this year’s Watches and Wonders – here’s how makers are using innovative materials to light up horology.

UnionPay to link Chinese payment apps to Brazil’s Pix after US tariffs

Central banks stay silent on pilot that would let tourists scan and pay weeks after Washington taxed the system.

5 top watch moments in July, from Wimbledon wrist game to an F.P. Journe for auction

Former Audemars Piguet CEO unveils a new brand, IWC and Longines lean into blue dials, and a US watch retailer sues over Trump tariffs on Swiss imports.

Global AI trade revival brightens outlook for Chinese tech stocks

Improved corporate earnings and a broader global tech rebound are helping stocks bounce back from a record monthly decline.

How new materials are reshaping the future of luxury watchmaking

H. Moser & Cie and Hublot are among those experimenting with advanced compounds that boost performance and deliver distinctive finishes.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | The AI order will have 3 tracks, not 2

Between American-secured diffusion and Chinese developmental multilateralism, middle powers have space to make their presence felt.

Hong Kong church-goers urged to avoid masses by breakaway Catholic group SSPX

Call comes about a month after Vatican excommunicated followers of Society of Saint Pius X for consecrating four new bishops against Pope Leo XIV’s instructions.

Opinion | America and China can be allies against AI catastrophe

Rival powers have contained nuclear and cyber threats before. AI safeguards demand the same instinct for survival.

Hong Kong expands CMU’s global reach with Swiss, Spanish securities link

The HKMA connects its securities settlement platform with Switzerland’s SIX exchange, while also launching equity post-trade services.

US walks out on France at UN over human rights criticism

Rift deepens after sharp clash over UN rights chief’s second term and a scathing social media post.

France and Spain race to curb wildfires before new heatwave arrives

Authorities have evacuated about 220,000 people, including tourists, in France, while in Spain around 100,000 have been told to seek shelter.

China targets offshore trusts – including Hong Kong’s – amid tax overhaul

Beijing’s new tax rules aim to close loopholes and boost fiscal revenue amid slowing economic growth and rising fiscal burdens.

First person vaccinated – in UK – in Ebola jab trial amid DRC outbreak

The first dose of the rapidly developed vaccine was administered to Ed Hunt, a 37-year-old volunteer, said Britain’s Oxford University.

China’s Kimi K3 well behind US rivals in cyberattack ability, study shows

Kimi K3’s overall score of 32.2 per cent compares with top, unnamed US models that average 76.2 per cent.

Liberation Day 2.0? US slaps fresh wave of tariffs on China, 50-plus economies

‘Forced labour’ duties replace Trump administration’s original sweeping levies but are unlikely to generate the same level of global shock.

Hong Kong to approve tax breaks for fund managers ‘soon’ to boost economy: KPMG

The bill, expected to pass this year, will exempt private equity, venture capital and other fund managers from paying tax on performance-linked income.

China’s Kimi K3 calls US safety curbs on top AI models into question

New model from Moonshot AI is ‘extremely close’ to OpenAI’s flagship after ‘very big jump’ in capabilities, researcher says.

Style Edit: Vacheron Constantin’s exploration-inspired watches shine at Hong Kong exhibition

The Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points, one of the novelties unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2026 in April, was the star of the show.

Hong Kong holds world’s costliest-property crown, but quality of life takes hit

Deutsche Bank cuts the financial hub’s quality-of-life standing as soaring expenses squeeze households, and Seoul emerges as a tech-driven regional competitor.

Style Edit: Richard Mille’s RM HJ-02 redefines high jewellery and haute horlogerie

The 12 bejewelled models in the collection are split into pink, violet, blue and green chapters, each a mosaic of gemstones in harmony with the technical watchmaking.

South China Sea: 10 years after Hague ruling, how has the Philippines’ stance evolved?

Officials and analysts say Manila’s deterrence strategies can now make China ‘at least hesitate’, even though there is still much to be done.

Can AI collaborations power China’s next wave of blockbuster drug deals?

China develops 30 per cent of new therapies worldwide as it rises to the top tier in innovation efficiency, drug supervision official says.

In Focus | Beijing hits super-rich with 20% offshore tax. What does it mean for Hong Kong?

Opinion | The AI order will have 3 tracks, not 2