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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

Illustrator John Howe poses at La Tour du Fantastique (“The Tower of Fantasy”), a new museum in Neuchâtel, western Switzerland, on December 9, 2025. The 68-year-old is famed for his interpretation of Tolkien’s literary work, which ultimately saw him serve as a concept artist on movie trilogies The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Photo: AFP

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

16 Dec 2025 - 10:00AM

Science

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

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.

9 Dec 2025 - 11:00AM

Omega has just revealed its fourth generation of the iconic Planet Ocean. Photo: Handout

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

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

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

A member of the Thailand Mine Action Centre shows a landmine during a media visit to the border province of Surin, Thailand, in August. Photo: Reuters

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

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

Footage released on Saturday shows smoke rising from a ship on fire in the Black Sea off the Turkish coast. Photo: Security Service of Ukraine via AFP

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

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

US President Donald Trump said he will hopefully meet with Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin when a deal is in the ‘final stages’. Photo: AFP

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

Servicemen of the 148th Separate Artillery Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine fire a Caesar howitzer at Russian troops near Pokrovsk in Donetsk on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

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

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

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

A view of the gold coins on display at the Musee Romain in Lausanne, Switzerland, on November 4. Photo: Keystone/AP

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

The Tudor Black Bay 68 timepiece is available in steel with a unidirectional black bezel and in either silver or blue dial configurations. Photo: Handout

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

United States

US and Switzerland say deal reached on trade and tariffs

The Swiss vowed to invest US$200 billion in the US, in exchange for Washington lowering the eye-watering 39 per cent duty imposed by Trump.

15 Nov 2025 - 5:51AM

Banking & finance

China’s market regulator appears in public after resignation report

The CSRC issued a statement and posted photos of Wu Qing in meetings hours after a report said he had sought to resign for health reasons.

14 Nov 2025 - 12:18AM

A photo issued by the China Securities Regulatory Commission shows chairman Wu Qing (centre) with officials from France and Brazil. Photo: Handout

Climate change

Letters | Leaders at Cop30 must act with conscience to prevent climate hell

Readers discuss our slow progress towards limiting global warming, China’s priorities in scientific research, and diversity in the Legislative Council.

13 Nov 2025 - 11:30AM

Security personnel clash with indigenous people and students as they storm the venue during the Cop30 UN Climate Change Conference in Belem, Para State, Brazil, on November 11. The clash underscored frustration among indigenous groups who demand forest protection. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong police

Man, 55, arrested over stealing credit cards on Bangkok to Hong Kong flight

Police take suspect into custody after two passengers discovered belongings stored in overhead compartment had gone missing.

12 Nov 2025 - 4:01PM

Trip Inspiration

6 up-and-coming ski resorts for your winter break on the slopes

From Japan to Morocco, these ski regions promise plenty of snow, wild beauty and fewer crowds.

11 Nov 2025 - 4:28PM

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Switzerland

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

US and Switzerland say deal reached on trade and tariffs

The Swiss vowed to invest US$200 billion in the US, in exchange for Washington lowering the eye-watering 39 per cent duty imposed by Trump.

China’s market regulator appears in public after resignation report

The CSRC issued a statement and posted photos of Wu Qing in meetings hours after a report said he had sought to resign for health reasons.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | Leaders at Cop30 must act with conscience to prevent climate hell

Readers discuss our slow progress towards limiting global warming, China’s priorities in scientific research, and diversity in the Legislative Council.

Man, 55, arrested over stealing credit cards on Bangkok to Hong Kong flight

Police take suspect into custody after two passengers discovered belongings stored in overhead compartment had gone missing.

6 up-and-coming ski resorts for your winter break on the slopes

From Japan to Morocco, these ski regions promise plenty of snow, wild beauty and fewer crowds.

Letters | Leaders at Cop30 must act with conscience to prevent climate hell