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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

Hong Kong’s Hetao innovation hub has already attracted a mix of global firms and start-up companies. Photo: Karma Lo

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong Hetao innovation hub fully leases 2 wet lab buildings amid strong demand

Around 90 enterprises have signed up for hub’s first phase, with mainland Chinese companies accounting for more than half of the tenants.

33 minutes ago

Banking & finance

Hong Kong assets hit record US$5.38 trillion on renewed China appetite: SFC

2 Jul 2026 - 5:29PM

Religion

Vatican excommunicates 6 bishops from rebel Catholic group

2 Jul 2026 - 4:03PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump sees progress as US and Iran hold talks in Qatar

Both sides agreed to establish a communication channel to report and record violations of their initial memorandum of understanding.

2 Jul 2026 - 7:45AMvideocam

Women talk in front of a banner depicting slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei kissing head of the late commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard expeditionary Quds Force, General Qassem Soleimani, in downtown Tehran on Monday. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

US, Iran officials hold indirect talks in Qatar to try to end war: diplomat

US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are apparently not taking part in the technical talks. They met Qatar’s PM on Tuesday.

1 Jul 2026 - 11:55PM

Banking & finance

How AI boom exposes investors to risk, while a downturn could see a fast crash

Bank for International Settlements says AI funding is funnelled through loosely regulated private credit channels, raising stability fears.

28 Jun 2026 - 5:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran survived 3 months of war. Can it survive the aftermath?

US$270 billion in damage and 4 million citizens plunged into poverty may have broken Iran’s economy.

27 Jun 2026 - 1:41PMvideocam

Smoke and flames rise from the site of US-Israeli airstrikes on an oil depot in Tehran on March 7. Photo: Sasan/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images/TNS

US, Israel war on Iran

When geography is destiny, Gulf states must diversify their defence, expert says

World Economic Forum meeting also told Iran’s leadership now views economic survival – not geopolitical ambition – as primary priority.

26 Jun 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

Breakthrough in US-Iran talks; Japan visa hike to affect Chinese: 7 highlights

From deadly school shooting in Philippines to a Chinese man jailed for breeding 300 snakes, here are highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

26 Jun 2026 - 12:14PM

Science

In China’s 6G smart city, every wall and pipe can be a sensor

Chinese innovation boosts wireless data rates, reduces dead zones and can track people and objects, even underground.

26 Jun 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

Chinese scientists have developed technology designed for 6G and future networks, which can reduce dead zones and boost wireless data rates up to 400 Mbps. Photo: Getty

Fame and celebrity

Meet Orlando Bloom’s 28-year-old rumoured girlfriend, Luisa Laemmel

Bloom, who was married to Katy Perry, is said to be dating Laemmel, who has worked with brands like Maybelline, YSL Beauty and Calvin Klein.

26 Jun 2026 - 6:00AM

Orlando Bloom is said to be seeing 28-year-old model Luisa Laemmel. Photos: @orlandobloom, @luisalaemmel/Instagram

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump touts Iran inspection deal as Tehran disputes claim

US president says Iran agreed to inspections ‘long into the future’, but Tehran says no decision has been made on IAEA access.

24 Jun 2026 - 4:45PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

‘Intentional’: Israel purposely targeted Gaza children, says UN inquiry

There is evidence Palestinian ‌children were deliberately killed, showing genocidal intent, a new report says. Israel denies the claims.

23 Jun 2026 - 6:45PM

Millionaires, billionaires and trillionaires

What’s powering the rapid rise of Hong Kong’s ultra-wealthy class?

The city’s ultra-wealthy population jumped by more than 26 per cent in 2025 – roughly one super-rich individual for every 412 residents.

23 Jun 2026 - 6:02PMvideocam

Hong Kong has nearly 18,300 ultra-high-net-worth individuals, defined as those with net assets exceeding US$30 million. Photo: Karma Lo

United States

Iran agrees to invite IAEA inspectors back, says US

This is ‘the first step in permanently ending a nuclear weapons programme in Iran’, said US Vice-President J.D. Vance.

22 Jun 2026 - 9:49PM

Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, in June 2025 before the start of a special meeting on US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. Photo: dpa

US, Israel war on Iran

Could Iran replace China as US soybean market? Farmers aren’t buying Trump pitch

American growers sceptical, dismissing claims of a new Iranian market for their exports as unrealistic and misleading.

23 Jun 2026 - 1:30PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

A crisis ‘defused’ as blockade lifted, assets to be returned to Iran after Swiss talks

Iranian foreign minister says real test is ending conflict in Lebanon, while US vice-president says assets must be spent on American goods.

22 Jun 2026 - 10:03PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong to roll out measures boosting offshore yuan trading in July

Government wants more listed firms trading stocks in renminbi and will use city’s hub status to help mainland Chinese firms expand overseas.

22 Jun 2026 - 7:00AM

Hong Kong overtook Switzerland as the world’s largest cross-border wealth hub last year, with assets of US$2.95 trillion, according to a report by the Boston Consulting Group. Photo: May Tse

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran-US talks continue as Trump threat, Lebanon and Hormuz strain Swiss summit

Tehran’s delegation remains engaged in Switzerland despite initial walkout over white-hot social media warnings from Washington.

22 Jun 2026 - 9:44AM

US, Israel war on Iran

US and Iran embark on ‘historic’ nuclear peace talks at Swiss resort

With help from Pakistani and Qatari mediators, teams from Washington and Tehran try to shore up a ceasefire.

21 Jun 2026 - 9:51PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Vance in Switzerland for US-Iran talks as Hormuz closed again

Making ‘progress’ on Tehran’s nuclear programme and Lebanon ceasefire are expected to top the agenda.

21 Jun 2026 - 1:19PMvideocam

Smoke billows after an Israeli drone carried out a double strike on a vehicle in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh on Saturday. Photo: ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump threatens US tolls on Hormuz after Iran says strait is closed

Peace talks in Switzerland could be off to a rough start, with Tehran warning that Israel’s attacks in Lebanon must stop.

21 Jun 2026 - 4:43AMvideocam

The Strait of Hormuz near Khasab, a small town in northern Oman. Photo: Xinhua

United States

US envoy Witkoff, Iranian minister to meet in Switzerland for talks

The development may signal that both sides intend to begin technical talks aimed at securing a permanent truce.

20 Jun 2026 - 9:22PMvideocam

Hong Kong property

Pop star Eason Chan snaps up US$23m home as celebrities flock to luxury property

Agent listings show that the property, in Shouson Hill, has four rooms and a garden, with a saleable area of 2,801 sq ft.

19 Jun 2026 - 5:00PM

US-Iran tensions

US-Iran talks in Switzerland delayed, White House says Vance still ready to go

Announcement follows reports Tehran has suspended its delegation’s departure because of attacks on southern Lebanon.

19 Jun 2026 - 9:54PMvideocam

US Vice President J.D. Vance has postponed plans to travel to Switzerland for talks with Iran. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump lashes out at ‘fools’ who criticise his new Iran peace accord

Those who claim he has not been tough enough on Iran are ‘either jealous, bad people, or stupid’, the US president says.

18 Jun 2026 - 8:34PM

US President Donald Trump (left) shows his signed peace deal with Iran while France’s President Emmanuel Macron applauds on Wednesday. Photo: X/ EmmanuelMacron via AFP

China's economic recovery

Mainland China climbs 4 spots in global competitiveness ranking

China ranked 12th on the list, despite a decline in economic performance, weak domestic demand and concern over foreign market access.

18 Jun 2026 - 5:54PMvideocam

Banking & finance

Global investors still in China’s orbit despite SpaceX IPO: HKEX chief

HKEX chief Bonnie Chan says global investors remain focused on China’s innovation story.

18 Jun 2026 - 8:14AM

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