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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

Vacheron Constantin’s Explore All Ways Possible Exhibition at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum. Photo: Handout

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

14 Jul 2026 - 5:00PM

Richard Mille

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

17 Jul 2026 - 10:50AM

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

Ships identified by the Philippine Coast Guard as Chinese research vessels are seen at Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on June 15. Photo: AFP

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

US-China relations

Renewed US-China AI dialogue serves US security interests: former officials

Ex-officials say AI safety talks offer Washington valuable insight into Beijing’s advances, risks and vulnerabilities.

11 Jul 2026 - 6:41AMvideocam

Hong Kong courts

Friend sues ex-plastic surgeon for HK$12m over loans tied to manslaughter case

Franklin Li received money through 14 bank transfers between May 2023 and August 2024 to fund legal defence team, retiree says in writ.

10 Jul 2026 - 7:43PM

A High Court jury last year found Franklin Li (right) unfit to stand trial due to advanced dementia. Photo: Edmond So

Gold in Hong Kong

China gold ETFs see record US$2.91 billion outflow in June as risk appetite returns

Global gold market trading volumes averaged a record US$488 billion per day during the first half of the year.

8 Jul 2026 - 8:07PM

Crime

Norway police says 28 arrested in international child porn operation

The men, aged 22 to 54, had been arrested in Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany.

8 Jul 2026 - 7:15PM

Singapore

Singapore is world’s most expensive city for luxury spending for fourth year

Zurich, Monaco, Hong Kong and London rounded out the top five in Swiss wealth manager Julius Baer Group’s Lifestyle Index.

7 Jul 2026 - 11:19AM

A small motor boat passes by luxury waterfront condominiums in Singapore’s Sentosa Cove. Photo: Getty Images

Style Edit

Style Edit: Omega watch elegance for your summer wardrobe

These Aqua Terra and Constellation models capture sunny elegance with smaller, more jewellery-like cases and striking colours.

7 Jul 2026 - 10:00AM

Omega Constellation 2025 watch in 25mm. Photo: Handout

Style Edit

Style Edit: H. Moser & Cie adds Streamliner Pump and Two Hands models

The new Streamliner Pump reinvents the 1989 Reebok Pump trainer, while this Two Hands is the most minimal execution of the watch since its launch.

7 Jul 2026 - 10:00AM

Banking & finance

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

Net fund inflows soared nearly 200 per cent, supported by a tech-led stock rally and a 30 per cent rise in capital allocated to the mainland.

2 Jul 2026 - 5:29PM

Religion

Vatican excommunicates 6 bishops from rebel Catholic group

Holy See responds aggressively to a traditionalist society that consecrated bishops without the pope’s consent.

2 Jul 2026 - 4:03PM

Newly consecrated bishops pray at the end of their consecration ceremony in Switzerland on Wednesday. Photo: AP

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

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