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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

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Photo: SOPA Images via Zuma Press Wire / dpa

US-Iran tensions

Iran’s top diplomat to attend ‘indirect’ talks with US in Geneva: state news

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation left for the Swiss city on Sunday for a second round of nuclear negotiations with the US.

5 hours agovideocam

Ukraine war

Russia seized 12 eastern Ukraine villages so far in February: army chief

15 Feb 2026 - 5:55PMvideocam

Malaysia

Malaysia seeks to seize Saudi prince’s overseas assets worth US$115 million

15 Feb 2026 - 3:44PM

Middle East

US-Iran talks to be held in Geneva next week, hosted by Oman

The son of Iran’s last shah called for US action, as Trump sends a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East.

15 Feb 2026 - 6:22AM

Demonstrators raise their hands as Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, delivers a speech in Munich, Germany, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

2026 Olympic Winter Games

Meet Alex Hall, Team USA freestyle skier at the 2026 Winter Olympics

The Switzerland-raised gold medallist, who’s in a long-term relationship with a fellow skier, says he’s prioritising fun over defending his title.

11 Feb 2026 - 6:00PM

Donald Trump

Leaders invited to Trump’s Board of Peace meeting in US. Who’s going?

Argentina’s Javier Milei and Hungary’s Viktor Orban confirm attendance after invitations go out.

9 Feb 2026 - 11:57AM

France

Memorial for Swiss bar fire victims goes up in flames, damaging tributes

Candles likely sparked blaze at the Crans-Montana site for 41 victims. Families express dismay as a condolence book was saved, other items lost.

8 Feb 2026 - 9:10PMvideocam

Mourners place messages, candles, and flowers at a memorial outside Le Constellation bar during a national day of mourning in Crans-Montana, Switzerland on January 9. Photo: AFP

Fame and celebrity

Who is Spain’s Minions figure skater, Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté?

Sabeté is bringing his Minions routine to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics – he’s also known for skating to ‘Stayin’ Alive’ by the Bee Gees.

7 Feb 2026 - 6:00PM

Canada

‘Devil’s in the details’: why Asia may not sign up to Canada’s alliance call

While Canadian PM Mark Carney’s vision appeals to many, analysts say a lack of detail and divergent interests make a unified front unlikely.

5 Feb 2026 - 6:06PMvideocam

Malaysia

Malaysian waters see return of oil transfer by ‘dark fleet’ of tankers

A crackdown against two vessels off Penang was the first disruption of such a ship-to-ship oil transfer in the state for over 10 years.

4 Feb 2026 - 7:48PMvideocam

A transfer of oil between MT Nora ship (left) and Rcelebra ship (right) off Penang last month. Photo: Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency

Timepieces

5 hottest watch moments in January – from the Golden Globes to Omega news

LVMH Watch Week showed off Louis Vuitton and Bulgari timepieces, while Jennifer Lawrence and Timothée Chalamet shone at the Golden Globes.

31 Jan 2026 - 2:00PM

From left: Bulgari Tubogas Manchette unveiled at LVMH Watch Week 2026; Michael B. Jordan sports vintage Patek Philippe at the Golden Globes; MB&F presents the LM Sequential Flyback Evo in Titanium. Photos: Handout; AP

Education in Hong Kong

Letters | PhD fellowship scheme holds a key to Hong Kong’s education hub dream

Readers discuss the experience of international PhD students in Hong Kong, hospital fees, and Mark Carney’s Davos speech.

30 Jan 2026 - 11:30AM

US-China relations

Opinion | How the world can design a new trade architecture

Even as the US overhauls world trade norms, China’s quiet but influential role in redefining globalisation is impossible to ignore.

30 Jan 2026 - 7:49AM

Food and Drinks

How to cook Michelin-star-worthy food at home? 2 top chefs share tips

Marco Campanella of 2-Michelin-star La Brezza and Green Star winner Piero Roncoroni advise on everything from picking produce to plating.

28 Jan 2026 - 1:01PM

Up-and-coming Swiss chefs Marco Campanella and Piero Roncoroni say slow roasting, braising and gentle sautéing are the best way to bring out the flavours of ingredients. Photo: Shutterstock

Canada

Carney rolls eyes at Bessent, tells Trump he meant what he said at Davos

The PM denies walking back his remarks and says his country plans to diversify away from the US with a dozen new trade deals.

28 Jan 2026 - 4:05AMvideocam

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on January 20. Photo: Reuters

Diplomacy

Opinion | Canada’s Carney charts a ‘third path’ for middle powers

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has offered a principled and pragmatic agenda for nations navigating a new era of great power rivalry.

27 Jan 2026 - 5:30AM

Canada

Carney links Trump’s 100% tariff threat to North America trade deal review

Canada’s prime minister calls Donald Trump a ‘strong negotiator’ ahead of high-stakes USMCA talks.

27 Jan 2026 - 12:39PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s foreign, mainland Chinese firms hit record high as gold deal hailed

John Lee highlights ‘unprecedented achievements’, unveils landmark pact to develop gold trading ecosystem, including clearing platform with Shanghai.

27 Jan 2026 - 12:44AM

Hong Kong and Shanghai sign a cooperation agreement to establish a gold trading ecosystem. Photo: Eugene Lee

Ukraine war

US-brokered Ukraine peace talks end with no deal, as Russian strikes continue

More talks are expected, however, with a US official saying ‘I don’t think we’re so far away’ from a Putin-Zelensky meeting.

25 Jan 2026 - 4:31AM

United States

‘Devour them alive’: Trump menaces Canada with 100% tariffs over a China deal

The US president derides Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as ‘governor’, says China will ‘eat Canada alive’; expert says ‘irony is dead’.

25 Jan 2026 - 8:13AM

United States

Macroscope | Distracted at Davos, leaders are ignoring one critical issue

More attention needs to be paid to the state of US and global finances.

24 Jan 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump (right) greets leaders as he arrives for a Board of Peace charter announcement at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 22. Photo: AP

Ukraine war

Russia and Ukraine sit for tense talks on thorny territorial issue

The Abu Dhabi negotiations are the first trilateral meetings involving Ukrainian and Russian envoys and US mediators since the war began.

24 Jan 2026 - 6:02AM

The emblem of the United Arab Emirates is seen on the fence of the Qasr al-Watan presidential palace in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Photo: AFP

World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

As Trump shakes world order, Western countries recalibrate approach to China

At Davos, world leaders take veiled swipes at the US, while China frames itself as defender of the post-war system, analysts say.

23 Jan 2026 - 11:00PM

Donald Trump

‘Never been more relevant’: did Trump make Davos great again?

The Trump administration brought its ‘America First’ agenda to Davos, challenging the summit’s status quo while drawing record crowds of elites.

23 Jan 2026 - 8:42PMvideocam

Canada

Trump withdraws invitation to Canada’s Carney to join his Board of Peace

The American president made the announcement in a brief post on his online platform Truth Social, without giving a reason.

23 Jan 2026 - 1:21PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump has withdrawn an invitation to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to join his controversial Board of Peace. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

Putin meets US envoys for midnight talks as Ukraine hinges on key issue

US, Ukrainian and Russian negotiators to meet in UAE for security talks as territory remains a sticking point.

23 Jan 2026 - 8:08PM

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin with Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and Josh Gruenbaum. Photo: Sputnik via Reuters

World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

Newsom, on world stage in Davos, accuses Trump of trying to suppress dissent

After being barred from a Davos event, California’s governor blasts the Trump administration for its ‘authoritarian tendencies’.

23 Jan 2026 - 4:01PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump blames table and aspirin after new bruise on hand

Fresh marks on the US president’s left hand during his ‘Board of Peace’ signing spark renewed speculation about his health.

23 Jan 2026 - 1:30PM

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Switzerland

Iran’s top diplomat to attend ‘indirect’ talks with US in Geneva: state news

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation left for the Swiss city on Sunday for a second round of nuclear negotiations with the US.

Russia seized 12 eastern Ukraine villages so far in February: army chief

Malaysia seeks to seize Saudi prince’s overseas assets worth US$115 million

US-Iran talks to be held in Geneva next week, hosted by Oman

The son of Iran’s last shah called for US action, as Trump sends a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East.

Meet Alex Hall, Team USA freestyle skier at the 2026 Winter Olympics

The Switzerland-raised gold medallist, who’s in a long-term relationship with a fellow skier, says he’s prioritising fun over defending his title.

Leaders invited to Trump’s Board of Peace meeting in US. Who’s going?

Argentina’s Javier Milei and Hungary’s Viktor Orban confirm attendance after invitations go out.

Memorial for Swiss bar fire victims goes up in flames, damaging tributes

Candles likely sparked blaze at the Crans-Montana site for 41 victims. Families express dismay as a condolence book was saved, other items lost.

Who is Spain’s Minions figure skater, Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté?

Sabeté is bringing his Minions routine to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics – he’s also known for skating to ‘Stayin’ Alive’ by the Bee Gees.

‘Devil’s in the details’: why Asia may not sign up to Canada’s alliance call

While Canadian PM Mark Carney’s vision appeals to many, analysts say a lack of detail and divergent interests make a unified front unlikely.

Malaysian waters see return of oil transfer by ‘dark fleet’ of tankers

A crackdown against two vessels off Penang was the first disruption of such a ship-to-ship oil transfer in the state for over 10 years.

5 hottest watch moments in January – from the Golden Globes to Omega news

LVMH Watch Week showed off Louis Vuitton and Bulgari timepieces, while Jennifer Lawrence and Timothée Chalamet shone at the Golden Globes.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | PhD fellowship scheme holds a key to Hong Kong’s education hub dream

Readers discuss the experience of international PhD students in Hong Kong, hospital fees, and Mark Carney’s Davos speech.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | How the world can design a new trade architecture

Even as the US overhauls world trade norms, China’s quiet but influential role in redefining globalisation is impossible to ignore.

How to cook Michelin-star-worthy food at home? 2 top chefs share tips

Marco Campanella of 2-Michelin-star La Brezza and Green Star winner Piero Roncoroni advise on everything from picking produce to plating.

Carney rolls eyes at Bessent, tells Trump he meant what he said at Davos

The PM denies walking back his remarks and says his country plans to diversify away from the US with a dozen new trade deals.

Opinion | Canada’s Carney charts a ‘third path’ for middle powers

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has offered a principled and pragmatic agenda for nations navigating a new era of great power rivalry.

Carney links Trump’s 100% tariff threat to North America trade deal review

Canada’s prime minister calls Donald Trump a ‘strong negotiator’ ahead of high-stakes USMCA talks.

Hong Kong’s foreign, mainland Chinese firms hit record high as gold deal hailed

John Lee highlights ‘unprecedented achievements’, unveils landmark pact to develop gold trading ecosystem, including clearing platform with Shanghai.

US-brokered Ukraine peace talks end with no deal, as Russian strikes continue

More talks are expected, however, with a US official saying ‘I don’t think we’re so far away’ from a Putin-Zelensky meeting.

‘Devour them alive’: Trump menaces Canada with 100% tariffs over a China deal

The US president derides Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as ‘governor’, says China will ‘eat Canada alive’; expert says ‘irony is dead’.

Macroscope | Distracted at Davos, leaders are ignoring one critical issue

More attention needs to be paid to the state of US and global finances.

Russia and Ukraine sit for tense talks on thorny territorial issue

The Abu Dhabi negotiations are the first trilateral meetings involving Ukrainian and Russian envoys and US mediators since the war began.

As Trump shakes world order, Western countries recalibrate approach to China

At Davos, world leaders take veiled swipes at the US, while China frames itself as defender of the post-war system, analysts say.

‘Never been more relevant’: did Trump make Davos great again?

The Trump administration brought its ‘America First’ agenda to Davos, challenging the summit’s status quo while drawing record crowds of elites.

Trump withdraws invitation to Canada’s Carney to join his Board of Peace

The American president made the announcement in a brief post on his online platform Truth Social, without giving a reason.

Putin meets US envoys for midnight talks as Ukraine hinges on key issue

US, Ukrainian and Russian negotiators to meet in UAE for security talks as territory remains a sticking point.

Newsom, on world stage in Davos, accuses Trump of trying to suppress dissent

After being barred from a Davos event, California’s governor blasts the Trump administration for its ‘authoritarian tendencies’.

Trump blames table and aspirin after new bruise on hand

Fresh marks on the US president’s left hand during his ‘Board of Peace’ signing spark renewed speculation about his health.

Letters | PhD fellowship scheme holds a key to Hong Kong’s education hub dream

Opinion | How the world can design a new trade architecture