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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

last updated:

29 November, 2024

Carine Maillard, director of Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Photo: Handout

Timepieces

Meet the woman behind ‘the Oscars of watchmaking’, Carine Maillard

She was originally more invested in the art world, having studied Chinese art and medicine, but working in museums led her to the world of watchmaking.

25 Dec 2024 - 8:00AM

New medical drugs

Novel drug awaits Hong Kong diabetics suffering from debilitating eye disease

16 Dec 2024 - 9:07AMvideocam

Racism and other prejudice

Switzerland seeks to ban Nazi symbols amid surge in antisemitism

14 Dec 2024 - 3:56AM

Ukraine war

Topless women protesting Ukraine war detained for vandalism near UN building

The women are with the group Femen, which is known for its provocative protests.

13 Dec 2024 - 8:37PM

Activists of the feminist group Femen protest to support Ukraine and to demand Russia’s expulsion from the UN, in front of the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva. Photo: AP

Art

‘It’s too much,’ say some visitors to Marina Abramovic retrospective

The exhibition in Zürich, which includes photos from the artist’s infamous Rhythm 0 performance, warns that it contains disturbing scenes.

12 Dec 2024 - 7:15PM

Food and Drinks

Japanese bento box meals going global, starting in Switzerland

Travellers using Zurich Central Station will get a chance to try ekiben, or bento box meals, as their Japanese makers eye global expansion.

12 Dec 2024 - 4:15PM

Auctions

Rare Roman coin sells for US$2.09 million at Geneva auction

Historic item was minted in 43-42 BC and features a portrait of Brutus, the assassin of Julius Caesar. It was originally priced at US$843,000.

10 Dec 2024 - 4:49AM

A rare Roman gold coin is displayed at the Numismatica Genevensis (NGSA) auction house in Geneva. Photo: AFP

Thailand

Swiss Air crew investigated for filming passengers’ ‘intimate acts’ on flight

A flight crew member recorded a video of the incident involving two passengers from a screen in the cockpit.

7 Dec 2024 - 11:38AM

Style Edit

Style Edit: Rolex’s equestrian connection with CHI Geneva

Witness the world’s best show jumpers compete at CHI Geneva, a tradition since 1926, with Rolex’s unwavering support.

6 Dec 2024 - 10:00AM

Science

China physics prodigy part of Swiss quantum team’s mechanical qubit breakthrough

PhD student Yang Yu, a graduate of USTC’s school for the gifted young, and his fellow researchers achieve the impossible.

4 Dec 2024 - 2:00PM

A bird’s-eye view of a section of the superconducting qubit developed by the researchers in Switzerland. Photo: ETH Zurich

Luxury brands

Swiss luxury watch brand Audemars Piguet makes timely entry in Macau

The watch maker is sprucing up its showroom in Hong Kong and opening more in Shanghai, Beijing and Taipei, CEO Ilaria Resta says.

2 Dec 2024 - 7:50PM

Swiss watch maker Audemars Piguet opened its first AP House in Macau in late November. It occupies two floors and covers an area of over 900 square metres, the largest in Asia. Photo: Instagram/iwatchome

Watch Edit

Watch Edit: Tudor adds a Formula One model to its long dive heritage

Metas-certified Black Bays add to the brand’s technical chops while the latest Pelagos maintains the proud lineage of models worn by the French Navy.

5 Dec 2024 - 11:10AM

Banking & finance

Singapore, Hong Kong among top picks in Asia for investment: HSBC

Singapore is the top destination for wealthy entrepreneurs to relocate, while Hong Kong fails to make the top 10.

25 Nov 2024 - 8:07PMvideocam

US-China relations

Opinion | China-West academic decoupling does the world no favours

Dismantling the bridges of scientific and academic cooperation built over decades is a choice the world cannot afford at this crucial moment.

15 Nov 2024 - 8:30PM

ETH Zurich, a leading university in Switzerland, is implementing a new screening policy for foreign students that could restrict entry for those from countries facing international sanctions. Photo: Shutterstock. Photo: Shutterstock

Science

Swiss university set to restrict applications from Chinese students

Top academic institute ETH Zurich has revealed a new screening policy which will limit students from countries including China.

4 Nov 2024 - 10:00AMvideocam

Top university ETH Zurich is implementing a new screening policy that will restrict students from countries including China, Russia and Iran. Photo: Shutterstock

Business of climate change

Swiss unicorn makes green investment pitch to Hong Kong investors

Climeworks, the builder of the world’s largest carbon capture plant, is seeking investors for ambitious multibillion-dollar ventures.

4 Nov 2024 - 7:30AM

Water sports

Hong Kong surfing ban forces Olympics hopeful to join Swiss national team

Hong Kong has no surfing team, no facilities and a government ban on surfing at any public beaches.

31 Oct 2024 - 11:05AM

China-EU relations

Mainland China’s latest Taiwan military drills condemned by European Parliament

MEPs throw their support behind Taipei in landslide vote on motion accusing Beijing of ‘constant distortion’ of UN resolution.

25 Oct 2024 - 6:31PMvideocam

A screengrab taken from handout video footage released by mainland China’s People’s Liberation Army showing part of the military drills conducted around Taiwan on October 14. Photo: Eastern Theatre Command

Africa

Swiss tourist at Algeria cafe killed in knife attack in front of her children

The attacker’s motive was not known, but Swiss broadcaster said he had shouted ‘Allahu akbar’ and ‘Long live Palestine’ during the attack.

24 Oct 2024 - 7:24PM

Banking & finance

Multi-country digital currency platform is worth the effort: central bankers

‘We must reduce new cross-border payment frictions while removing existing ones,’ says PBOC deputy governor.

23 Oct 2024 - 6:15PM

IPO

CR Beverage rises in Hong Kong trading debut as IPOs return to city

Trading under the code 2460, CR Beverage closed the day 14.6 per cent higher at HK$16.62 from its IPO price of HK$14.50.

23 Oct 2024 - 4:33PM

Executives of China Resources Beverage (Holdings) Company at the bottler’s trading debut in Hong Kong on October 23, 2024: Wang Xiangming, chairman of the parent company China Resources Group (left), and Zhang Weitong, chairman of the bottler (right). Photo: Mia Castagnone

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Q&A | Why Jaeger-LeCoultre has debuted a scent collection by a self-taught perfumer

Consisting of 3 bold perfumes, the new collection is part of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Made of Makers portfolio, which sees the Swiss watch maison partnering with innovative creatives.

20 Oct 2024 - 12:00PM

Nicolas Bonneville is the perfumer behind Jaeger-LeCoultre’s new perfumes. Photos: Handout

Israel-Gaza war

Thousands march for Palestinians ahead of October 7 anniversary

Pro-Palestinian supporters gathered in cities in the UK, France, South Africa, Ireland and Switzerland to demand an end to Gaza conflict.

6 Oct 2024 - 1:28AMvideocam

Family offices

Hong Kong has to work harder to maintain family office hub status: official

Hong Kong is set to surpass Switzerland as the top cross-border wealth management hub by 2027-28, but must stay competitive, says Joseph Chan.

7 Oct 2024 - 2:06PM

Style Edit

Style Edit: Why Omega’s Seamaster Regatta is the ultimate watch for sailors

This is a watch primed for sea travel – from its striking analogue and digital displays, to its range of nautical features and Quick-Change rubber strap.

4 Oct 2024 - 10:00AM

The Omega 46.75mm Seamaster Regatta is a special release for the 37th edition of the America’s Cup. Photos: Handout

Indonesia

Brother of Indonesia’s Prabowo faces Swiss court order on account seizure

Authorities in Geneva say Hashim Djojohadikusumo and his wife Anie owed US$154 million in unpaid taxes when they lived in Switzerland.

2 Oct 2024 - 2:52PMvideocam

Arsari Group Chairman and CEO Hashim Djojohadikusumo, at Conrad Hotel in Admiralty. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Crime

Chinese national arrested after 3 children hurt in Switzerland stabbing attack

A five-year-old boy is in hospital with serious injuries and two other boys suffered moderate wounds during the incident at a Zurich daycare.

2 Oct 2024 - 10:39AM

Ukraine war

Ukraine ‘disappointed’ at Swiss support for China-Brazil peace plan

Switzerland took part in a meeting in New York last week, at which a six-point peace plan for Ukraine was proposed.

1 Oct 2024 - 11:12AM

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