TOPIC

/ location

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

Thailand

Wall and words: Thailand and Cambodia fight for the world’s ear over border row

While Cambodia takes its border grievances to Trump’s Board of Peace, Thailand rejects its ‘false’ claims and threatens a border wall.

19 Feb 2026 - 4:16PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Ukraine war talks in Geneva wrap up in 2 hours with no sign of breakthrough

18 Feb 2026 - 7:45PMvideocam

Iran

Speaking Trump’s language: Iran frames nuclear deal as ‘trillion-dollar’ US win

18 Feb 2026 - 1:17PMvideocam

Jewellery

The story behind colourful Swiss jewellery brand Aglagla

Blending creativity with sustainability, the company offers sparkling pieces handcrafted from vintage glass beads from Paris.

18 Feb 2026 - 6:00AM

Aglagla’s Lyla Marsol and Anouck Mutsaerts are quite the dynamic duo. Photo: Handout

Ukraine war

Ukraine and Russia meet in Geneva as Trump piles new pressure on Kyiv

Zelensky urged allies to press Russia for a ‘real and just’ ⁠peace deal via tougher sanctions and weapons supplies to his country.

18 Feb 2026 - 2:30AM

Iran

Iran fires missiles, Khamenei threatens to sink US warship amid nuclear talks

As the talks began, local media announced that Iran had fired live missiles towards the Strait of Hormuz.

17 Feb 2026 - 10:54PMvideocam

Cambodia

Battered Cambodia seeks economic reset after Thailand border war

Shuttered borders have choked trade and sent migrant workers home, forcing Phnom Penh to seek new partners and markets.

17 Feb 2026 - 3:23PMvideocam

Cambodian migrant workers cross from Thailand into Cambodia at the Ban Laem checkpoint in Chanthaburi on July 28, 2025. At least 20,000 people were estimated to be returning to Cambodia amid fighting along the Thai–Cambodian border around that time despite reported peace talks. Photo: dpa

United States

Trump predicts Iran nuclear deal, warns of ‘consequences’ ahead of talks

After a summer of military strikes and stalled diplomacy, indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran are set to resume on Tuesday.

17 Feb 2026 - 9:27AMvideocam

Britain

Trump slams clean energy deal between California and the UK, calls Newsom a ‘loser’

The agreement pledged cooperation on technologies such as offshore wind. Trump said it was ‘inappropriate’ for the UK to ‌deal with Newsom.

17 Feb 2026 - 1:57AM

Mainland China

UBS China venture faces wrath of silver investors after valuation change

More than 200,000 people file complaints as UBS SDIC’s attempted remedy for sudden change of fund’s price benchmark falls flat with some.

16 Feb 2026 - 4:01PM

Silver bars weighing 500 grams are displayed at the Austrian Gold and Silver Refinery in Vienna on February 3, 2026. Photo: AFP

Banking & finance

Hong Kong banks lure wealthy clients with gold, mahjong sets, fireworks

HSBC, Hang Seng Bank, Standard Chartered, Citibank and DBS offer the metal to select clients while it hovers near a record high.

16 Feb 2026 - 1:03PM

A limited-edition mahjong set is among the incentives HSBC is offering. Photo: Handout

US-Iran tensions

Iran’s foreign minister in Geneva for second round of talks with US

Talks will centre on Iran’s controversial nuclear programme, as the US deploys a second aircraft carrier to the region.

16 Feb 2026 - 2:42PM

Ukraine war

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

Valery Gerasimov’s words to Moscow’s forces fighting in Ukraine came days before US-mediated talks on ending almost four years of war.

15 Feb 2026 - 5:55PMvideocam

Malaysia

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

The 1MDB funds are held in several Swiss bank accounts belonging to Turki Abdullah Al Saud.

15 Feb 2026 - 3:44PM

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s office in Putrajaya. Photo: Shutterstock

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

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Switzerland

Wall and words: Thailand and Cambodia fight for the world’s ear over border row

While Cambodia takes its border grievances to Trump’s Board of Peace, Thailand rejects its ‘false’ claims and threatens a border wall.

Ukraine war talks in Geneva wrap up in 2 hours with no sign of breakthrough

Speaking Trump’s language: Iran frames nuclear deal as ‘trillion-dollar’ US win

The story behind colourful Swiss jewellery brand Aglagla

Blending creativity with sustainability, the company offers sparkling pieces handcrafted from vintage glass beads from Paris.

Ukraine and Russia meet in Geneva as Trump piles new pressure on Kyiv

Zelensky urged allies to press Russia for a ‘real and just’ ⁠peace deal via tougher sanctions and weapons supplies to his country.

Iran fires missiles, Khamenei threatens to sink US warship amid nuclear talks

As the talks began, local media announced that Iran had fired live missiles towards the Strait of Hormuz.

Battered Cambodia seeks economic reset after Thailand border war

Shuttered borders have choked trade and sent migrant workers home, forcing Phnom Penh to seek new partners and markets.

Trump predicts Iran nuclear deal, warns of ‘consequences’ ahead of talks

After a summer of military strikes and stalled diplomacy, indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran are set to resume on Tuesday.

Trump slams clean energy deal between California and the UK, calls Newsom a ‘loser’

The agreement pledged cooperation on technologies such as offshore wind. Trump said it was ‘inappropriate’ for the UK to ‌deal with Newsom.

UBS China venture faces wrath of silver investors after valuation change

More than 200,000 people file complaints as UBS SDIC’s attempted remedy for sudden change of fund’s price benchmark falls flat with some.

Hong Kong banks lure wealthy clients with gold, mahjong sets, fireworks

HSBC, Hang Seng Bank, Standard Chartered, Citibank and DBS offer the metal to select clients while it hovers near a record high.

Iran’s foreign minister in Geneva for second round of talks with US

Talks will centre on Iran’s controversial nuclear programme, as the US deploys a second aircraft carrier to the region.

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

Valery Gerasimov’s words to Moscow’s forces fighting in Ukraine came days before US-mediated talks on ending almost four years of war.

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

The 1MDB funds are held in several Swiss bank accounts belonging to Turki Abdullah Al Saud.

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.

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

Opinion | How the world can design a new trade architecture