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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

French citizen Laurent Vinatier sits in a cage prior to a court session in Moscow in October 2024. Photo: AP

Russia

‘Ball in French court’: Russia makes ‘proposal’ over jailed NGO researcher

Laurent Vinatier is in prison in Russia and facing more spying allegations, but Moscow says it has reached out to Paris.

25 Dec 2025 - 11:37PMvideocam

Malaysia

With 1MDB verdict due, will Malaysia’s Najib have to ‘prepare for the worst’?

25 Dec 2025 - 7:15PM

Indonesia

Seeking climate justice: Indonesian fishermen’s case against Holcim to proceed

25 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM

Timepieces

9 top moments in watches in 2025: Trump tariffs, Urban Jürgensen and more

Taylor Swift announced her engagement wearing a Cartier Santos Demoiselle, while Aaron Taylor-Johnson was named Omega’s new brand ambassador.

24 Dec 2025 - 2:00PM

From left: Watches and Wonders; GPHG caps off the year by announcing winning watches in Geneva; Urban Jürgensen was relaunched. Photo: Handout

European Union

Trump tariffs push Swiss pharma CEO to urge price alignment with US

Switzerland and the United States are locked in negotiations on the details of a deal slashing a whopping 39 per cent levy to 15 per cent.

21 Dec 2025 - 10:20PM

Art

Want to watch Tolkien illustrator John Howe as he works? Now you can

At Howe’s ‘Tower of Fantasy’ studio in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, visitors can watch him as he creates and view hundreds of his illustrations.

17 Dec 2025 - 9:15PM

Style Edit

Style Edit: Audemars Piguet’s innovation at Dubai Watch Week

The luxury Swiss horology brand has been creating coveted perpetual calendars since 1948 – and just launched a new technology.

16 Dec 2025 - 10:00AM

Audemars Piguet’s showing at Dubai Watch Week. Photo: Handout

Science

How China pulled off a critical mineral tech revolution in just 10 months

‘Unique’ Chinese efficiency turns European firm’s vision into reality by building the world’s first large-scale silica-removal technology.

10 Dec 2025 - 6:09AM

Omega

Omega unveils fourth generation of the Planet Ocean in Chongqing, China

First released as part of Seamaster, the Planet Ocean is one of the most famous diving watches – actors Wei Daxun, Song Weilong and Gulf Kanawut attended the recent launch.

22 Dec 2025 - 12:20PM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel cleared to stay in Eurovision as several countries boycott contest

The walkouts came after the general assembly of the European Broadcasting Union met to discuss concerns about Israel’s participation.

5 Dec 2025 - 2:21PM

A person waves Israel’s national flag while watching Israeli singer Yuval Raphael perform at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest. Photo: AFP

Israel-Gaza war

Israel receives body from Hamas, says Rafah crossing could soon open

The handover of the final two deceased hostages is an important condition of the first part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan.

4 Dec 2025 - 3:56AM

Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants wait for Red Cross members to receive a body before it is handed over to Israel in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Asean

Thailand, Cambodia clash at UN mine ban talks as ‘fragile’ border truce teeters

Analysts warn relations are in a ‘fragile place’ as the neighbours trade barbs and leverage international law at a UN meeting in Geneva.

3 Dec 2025 - 5:07PMvideocam

Timepieces

Why irregular watch designs are more than mere novelties

Blackpink’s Jisoo and Timothée Chalamet are fans of the Cartier Crash, while Hamilton’s Ventura has shown up on Elvis Presley’s wrist and in the Men in Black movies.

3 Dec 2025 - 6:00AM

South China Sea

Senior Chinese diplomat takes swipe at US over deep-sea mining strategy

‘The oceans are not calm,’ vice-minister warns in comments aimed at Trump executive order pushing American exploitation of seabed minerals.

2 Dec 2025 - 2:20AMvideocam

An executive order signed by US President Donald Trump allows American private companies to pursue deep-sea mining in areas beyond US jurisdiction without prior approval from the United Nations. Photo: Xinhua

Human rights

Swiss right-to-die group founder dies by assisted suicide

Ludwig Minelli, who championed freedom of choice at the end of life, died days before his 93rd birthday.

1 Dec 2025 - 10:32AM

Ukraine war

Ukraine naval drones strike Russian oil tankers in Black Sea off Turkish coast

The Kairos and Virat are said to be part of the ‘shadow fleet’ that helps Moscow evade international sanctions.

30 Nov 2025 - 1:18AM

Bonds

Hong Kong dollar bonds to continue surge after record US$42 billion year

City’s deep, liquid market and low inflation attract issuers amid a structural shift away from the US dollar, analysts say.

28 Nov 2025 - 1:35PM

Donald Trump

Swiss probe Rolex gifts to Trump over bribery concerns after tariff deal

The US and Switzerland agreed to a trade deal to cut tariffs this month, but giving ‘undue advantage’ to foreign officials risks 5 years in prison.

27 Nov 2025 - 8:53PM

US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office last month. Photo: TNS

Ukraine war

Zelensky ready to advance US-backed Ukraine plan as Trump softens on deadline

US president backs away from his initial November 27 peace plan deadline as he dispatches aides to see Putin and the Ukrainians.

26 Nov 2025 - 12:13PM

Ukraine war

‘Issues remain’: US-Ukraine talks advance, but Europe cautious on Russia deal

Trump hails ‘big progress’ in talks, while Germany confirms US plan was modified with Nato and territorial demands removed.

25 Nov 2025 - 1:03AM

Ukraine war

US and Ukraine refine draft of peace plan under Trump deadline pressure

Talks on a 28-point proposal to end Russia’s war held in Geneva after Trump set a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to approve the plan.

24 Nov 2025 - 3:09PM

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine
Andriy Yermak and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio talk to the press in Geneva, Switzerland on Sunday. Photo: Keystone via AP

Ukraine war

Ukraine weighs dignity against US demands in Swiss peace talks to end Russia war

Trump’s controversial 28-point peace plan places territorial concessions and military limits on Kyiv, while also pledging never to join Nato.

22 Nov 2025 - 10:37PM

US President Donald Trump (right) meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the Nato Summit in the Hague in June. Photo: Ukraine Presidency/dpa

Crime

Swiss police hunt 2 men after gold heist at museum, in echoes of Louvre robbery

Police said the men had bought tickets and waited until near closing time to overpower the guard and flee with dozens of gold coins.

21 Nov 2025 - 11:39PM

Defence

Red Cross to cut 2,900 jobs, slash budget as donors shift focus towards defence

Failure to prevent conflict and provide humanitarian relief risks ‘a world of ever more and greater suffering’, president warns.

21 Nov 2025 - 9:05PM

Style Edit

Style Edit: Swatch revives iconic 80s designs with vibrant Neon collection

Discover bold retro-futuristic timepieces that put vivid and vibrant back in the vocab, then add a touch of modern technology magic.

20 Nov 2025 - 10:00AM

Style Edit

Style Edit: Omega’s Christmas drop spotlights Aqua Terra and Speedmaster

Omega unveils luxurious dials, innovative movements and celestial design cues on its must-see holiday pieces.

19 Nov 2025 - 12:56PM

Omega offers an incredible line-up of festive gifting ideas. Photo: Handout

Style Edit

Style Edit: Tudor’s lasting legacy with the Black Bay and Pelagos models

The new Black Bay 58 and 68, Black Bay Chrono and Pelagos Ultra models show the brand’s enduring commitment to its revered technical diving and driving collections.

25 Nov 2025 - 2:29PM

Family offices

Hong Kong’s allure for rich families rises amid mainland China’s EV, AI growth

More family offices in Asia, Europe and Middle East see city’s value as link to mainland investments, founder of Swiss firm Club Estate says.

16 Nov 2025 - 9:40AMvideocam

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