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

Academic rising star Zhu Zijie has returned to China to join Fudan University as a Xianghui Young Scholar and associate professor at the Xianghui Academy. Photo: Handout

Science

‘To do something nobody’s done’: physicist Zhu Zijie leaves Europe for China

Rising star scientist returns to China to undertake cutting-edge research in the field of cold atoms.

30 Mar 2026 - 6:18PMvideocam

Germany

Hundreds flee as fire rips through German nightclub

30 Mar 2026 - 1:08AM

Science

Cambridge top architect Francois Penz relocates to China from UK

28 Mar 2026 - 6:11PMvideocam

Electric & new energy vehicles

Pain at the pump fuels EV rush in China, driving a timely boost for carmakers

Brent crude above US$110 is pushing mainland buyers away from petrol cars, lifting China’s EV makers despite fading subsidies.

27 Mar 2026 - 9:00PM

The oil price surge could offer timely relief for EV makers, which have been grappling with softer demand following the rollback of subsidies. Photo: Xinhua

Crime

French court sentences Islamic scholar to 18 years in prison for rape

Tariq Ramadan, currently in Switzerland, was found guilty of raping three women in a Paris trial.

26 Mar 2026 - 11:34AM

Cathay Pacific

Cathay’s European flights could offset Middle East losses, experts say

Hong Kong flag carrier’s decision to extend flight suspensions due to war may have only limited financial impact on overall passenger operations, they say.

25 Mar 2026 - 9:55AM

France

France raids bank in probe of diplomat over Epstein links

Investigations follow revelations published in the Epstein files by the US Justice Department.

25 Mar 2026 - 9:51AM

French investigators have raided the offices of Swiss bank Edmond de Rothschild. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | Hong Kong developer banks on arts and finance synergy in West Kowloon cultural hub

Sun Hung Kai Properties pushes its ‘Central 2.0’ vision in West Kowloon, linking arts, culture and wealth management despite market headwinds.

23 Mar 2026 - 8:34AM

Made in China 2025

Global drug giants double down on China amid push for self-reliant supply chains

Multinationals are building self-reliant supply chains in China to insulate local markets from potential trade disruptions, say analysts.

20 Mar 2026 - 2:30PM

Ukraine war

Kremlin says Ukraine peace talks on ‘situational pause’ amid Iran war

The Kremlin confirms halt as Russian newspaper claims the Middle East crisis could force Ukraine towards territorial compromise.

19 Mar 2026 - 6:20PM

A man walks past portraits of Russian soldiers in a St Petersburg street exhibition. Photo: AP

China trade

Papers please: China raises pressure on Panama with ship inspection wave

Intensified inspections for Panama-flagged vessels – among the world’s most common registrations – retaliation for canal port seizure, source says.

16 Mar 2026 - 7:30PMvideocam

Containers sit at the Balboa terminal, formerly run by CK Hutchison’s Panama Ports, after the Panama government ordered the occupation of the port following a court ruling that the concession was unconstitutional. Photo: AP

United States

Trump’s ‘racist hate speech’ fuelling rights violations in US, UN panel says

UN watchdog is ‘deeply disturbed’ by dehumanising language and condemns the use of lethal force in recent immigration and protest crackdowns.

12 Mar 2026 - 2:45PM

United States

US launches trade probe into China and EU in bid to revive Trump tariffs

The Section 301 investigations could lead to another set of import taxes to replace those struck down by the Supreme Court.

12 Mar 2026 - 7:46AM

Crime

Deadly Swiss bus fire started by ‘disturbed’ man who set himself alight

The blaze, which broke out on the bus in the main street of the small town of Kerzers, killed six and left five injured.

11 Mar 2026 - 10:02PM

Fire investigators examine the charred bus. Photo: Kontonspolizei Freiburg via EPA

China-Africa relations

Why China and South Africa have a US$17 billion gap on trade data

Statistical discrepancy reflects different reporting practices and ‘opaque’ global commodity chains, according to observers.

10 Mar 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

China’s data shows US$30.58 billion of imports from South Africa last year, but South African data suggests US$13.5 billion of goods were shipped. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong economy

As Iran war closes Middle East skies, how high can Cathay Pacific fares fly?

Cathay fares to Hong Kong surge 93 per cent on average for Saturday departures compared with typical prices over past 12 months.

9 Mar 2026 - 8:15PM

US, Israel war on Iran

US seen as likely responsible for Iran school strike that killed scores

A girls’ school in Minab, in southern Iran, was hit on Saturday during the first day of US and Israeli attacks on the country.

6 Mar 2026 - 3:32PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong unveils incentives to attract gold refiners and boost global hub plan

Targeted measures, tax incentives and cross-border partnerships aim to bolster city’s role as a global gold trading and refining hub.

5 Mar 2026 - 10:00AM

With new incentives and a 2,000‑tonne storage target, Hong Kong is positioning itself as a trusted global vault and bullion trading centre. Photo: Edmond So

Timepieces

5 watch moments in February 2026: the Baftas, Jungkook’s new role and more

Breitling partners with Aston Martin, Louis Vuitton collaborates with De Bethune, and Swiss jump-hour watch brand Niton is revived.

2 Mar 2026 - 4:47PM

United States

Opinion | Trump’s State of the Union report underlines shift to ‘world minus one’

In his address to Congress, Trump emphasised that America ‘is back’. However, the US’ financial position tells a different story, one with global implications.

27 Feb 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

US-China relations

Is this maritime court case a model of China’s anti-sanctions law in action?

Sanctioned Chinese company takes on Swiss firm in ‘landmark’ action against foreign ‘bullying’ and ‘long-arm jurisdiction’.

27 Feb 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

China’s Supreme People’s Court says a Nanjing Maritime Court case is a milestone in China’s legal response to foreign “bullying” and “long-arm jurisdiction”. Photo: Google

China stock market

China stocks shield investors from AI turbulence ahead of key meeting

Investors are turning to Chinese equities as they trim exposure to AI trades in the US, betting that policy support could underpin gains.

27 Feb 2026 - 3:45PM

A Chinese trader looks at an electronic trading board at the Shanghai stock exchange. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

US and Iran wrap up talks without a deal as war risks persist

Oman’s mediator cites ‘significant progress’ in Geneva, but a massive US naval build-up keeps the Middle East on edge.

27 Feb 2026 - 4:24PM

United States

Macroscope | Normalisation of Trump’s chaos can only go so far

Markets assuming Trump will chicken out and downplaying risks contribute to the normalisation of the US president’s chaotic behaviour.

26 Feb 2026 - 7:45PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Zelensky speaks with Trump, says Russia talks should lead to leaders’ meeting

The leader says Russian claims that Kyiv was trying to obtain nuclear arms were an attempt to exert political pressure on Ukraine.

26 Feb 2026 - 5:51AM

The call between Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and US President Donald Trump took place on the eve of a US-Ukraine meeting on postwar reconstruction. File photos: AFP

Middle East

Iran dismisses ‘big lies’ after Trump lays out case for possible attack

US president accused Iran of restarting its nuclear programme, while working to build missiles that soon would be capable of reaching the US.

25 Feb 2026 - 6:08PM

Iranian missiles on display in Tehran earlier this month. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

Ukraine war

Where Ukraine and Russia stand as war enters fifth year

Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II shows no signs of stopping any time soon.

24 Feb 2026 - 3:19PM

Hong Kong economy

Panama’s port takeover ‘culmination of a campaign’ against CK Hutchison

Company says officials entered terminals ‘without invitation’, told staff concession had ended and ordered immediate halt to operations.

25 Feb 2026 - 1:18AM

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Switzerland

‘To do something nobody’s done’: physicist Zhu Zijie leaves Europe for China

Rising star scientist returns to China to undertake cutting-edge research in the field of cold atoms.

Hundreds flee as fire rips through German nightclub

Cambridge top architect Francois Penz relocates to China from UK

Pain at the pump fuels EV rush in China, driving a timely boost for carmakers

Brent crude above US$110 is pushing mainland buyers away from petrol cars, lifting China’s EV makers despite fading subsidies.

French court sentences Islamic scholar to 18 years in prison for rape

Tariq Ramadan, currently in Switzerland, was found guilty of raping three women in a Paris trial.

Cathay’s European flights could offset Middle East losses, experts say

Hong Kong flag carrier’s decision to extend flight suspensions due to war may have only limited financial impact on overall passenger operations, they say.

France raids bank in probe of diplomat over Epstein links

Investigations follow revelations published in the Epstein files by the US Justice Department.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Hong Kong developer banks on arts and finance synergy in West Kowloon cultural hub

Sun Hung Kai Properties pushes its ‘Central 2.0’ vision in West Kowloon, linking arts, culture and wealth management despite market headwinds.

Global drug giants double down on China amid push for self-reliant supply chains

Multinationals are building self-reliant supply chains in China to insulate local markets from potential trade disruptions, say analysts.

Kremlin says Ukraine peace talks on ‘situational pause’ amid Iran war

The Kremlin confirms halt as Russian newspaper claims the Middle East crisis could force Ukraine towards territorial compromise.

Papers please: China raises pressure on Panama with ship inspection wave

Intensified inspections for Panama-flagged vessels – among the world’s most common registrations – retaliation for canal port seizure, source says.

Trump’s ‘racist hate speech’ fuelling rights violations in US, UN panel says

UN watchdog is ‘deeply disturbed’ by dehumanising language and condemns the use of lethal force in recent immigration and protest crackdowns.

US launches trade probe into China and EU in bid to revive Trump tariffs

The Section 301 investigations could lead to another set of import taxes to replace those struck down by the Supreme Court.

Deadly Swiss bus fire started by ‘disturbed’ man who set himself alight

The blaze, which broke out on the bus in the main street of the small town of Kerzers, killed six and left five injured.

Why China and South Africa have a US$17 billion gap on trade data

Statistical discrepancy reflects different reporting practices and ‘opaque’ global commodity chains, according to observers.

As Iran war closes Middle East skies, how high can Cathay Pacific fares fly?

Cathay fares to Hong Kong surge 93 per cent on average for Saturday departures compared with typical prices over past 12 months.

US seen as likely responsible for Iran school strike that killed scores

A girls’ school in Minab, in southern Iran, was hit on Saturday during the first day of US and Israeli attacks on the country.

Hong Kong unveils incentives to attract gold refiners and boost global hub plan

Targeted measures, tax incentives and cross-border partnerships aim to bolster city’s role as a global gold trading and refining hub.

5 watch moments in February 2026: the Baftas, Jungkook’s new role and more

Breitling partners with Aston Martin, Louis Vuitton collaborates with De Bethune, and Swiss jump-hour watch brand Niton is revived.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Trump’s State of the Union report underlines shift to ‘world minus one’

In his address to Congress, Trump emphasised that America ‘is back’. However, the US’ financial position tells a different story, one with global implications.

Is this maritime court case a model of China’s anti-sanctions law in action?

Sanctioned Chinese company takes on Swiss firm in ‘landmark’ action against foreign ‘bullying’ and ‘long-arm jurisdiction’.

China stocks shield investors from AI turbulence ahead of key meeting

Investors are turning to Chinese equities as they trim exposure to AI trades in the US, betting that policy support could underpin gains.

US and Iran wrap up talks without a deal as war risks persist

Oman’s mediator cites ‘significant progress’ in Geneva, but a massive US naval build-up keeps the Middle East on edge.

Macroscope | Normalisation of Trump’s chaos can only go so far

Markets assuming Trump will chicken out and downplaying risks contribute to the normalisation of the US president’s chaotic behaviour.

Zelensky speaks with Trump, says Russia talks should lead to leaders’ meeting

The leader says Russian claims that Kyiv was trying to obtain nuclear arms were an attempt to exert political pressure on Ukraine.

Iran dismisses ‘big lies’ after Trump lays out case for possible attack

US president accused Iran of restarting its nuclear programme, while working to build missiles that soon would be capable of reaching the US.

Where Ukraine and Russia stand as war enters fifth year

Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II shows no signs of stopping any time soon.

Panama’s port takeover ‘culmination of a campaign’ against CK Hutchison

Company says officials entered terminals ‘without invitation’, told staff concession had ended and ordered immediate halt to operations.

Exclusive | Hong Kong developer banks on arts and finance synergy in West Kowloon cultural hub

Opinion | Trump’s State of the Union report underlines shift to ‘world minus one’