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Switzerland

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
Mourners lay flowers and candles on January 2 near Le Constellation bar, where a New Year’s fire broke out in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Photo: AFP

Swiss bar in deadly blaze missed five years of safety checks

After admitting a lack of safety checks, Crans-Montana mayor says ‘we are profoundly sorry’ as prosecutors open criminal probe into bar’s managers.

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Italy

Swiss grieve as all 40 bar fire victims identified - many of them under 18

‘Someone made a mistake’: Swiss bar managers face negligence probe after fire

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Africa

Owner of Swiss bar where New Year fire killed 40 insists safety norms followed

‘Everything was done according to the regulations,’ Jacques Moretti, a Frenchman who manages the Le Constellation bar, told local media.

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People light candles near the sealed Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland on Friday where a devastating fire left 40 dead and dozens injured during the New Year celebrations. Photo; AP
Italy

Champagne sparklers blamed for Swiss inferno that killed 40 people

Witnesses saw a candle in a bottle ignite the ceiling at Le Constellation bar. Officials say the flashover trapped revellers in the basement.

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Italy

Swiss investigators rush to identify victims of New Year’s fire

Swiss officials say it may take days to identify victims of the Le Constellation fire, as many young revellers suffered severe burns.

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Video | Vigil held for victims of Switzerland’s deadliest fire

Hundreds attended a vigil a day after a blaze at a packed bar in the town of Crans-Montana, one of Switzerland’s deadliest fires.

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The Philippines

Explainer | Swiss bar inferno joins long list of world’s worst club fires

A look at some of the worst fires in bars, nightclubs and music venues in past decades, where celebrations turned to tragedy in seconds.

Dozens dead, 115 hurt in Swiss bar fire during New Year’s celebration

It is not yet clear what started the blaze at the Crans-Montana resort, a popular international ski and golf destination.

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Middle East

‘Hell to pay’: Trump warns Hamas and Iran after talks with Netanyahu

Trump presses for Hamas disarmament in Gaza, warns Iran of further US action if it reconstitutes nuclear programme.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. Photo: Reuters
Russia

‘Ball in French court’: Russia makes ‘proposal’ over jailed NGO researcher

Laurent Vinatier is in prison in Russia and facing more spying allegations, but Moscow says it has reached out to Paris.

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French citizen Laurent Vinatier sits in a cage prior to a court session in Moscow in October 2024. Photo: AP
Malaysia

With 1MDB verdict due, will Malaysia’s Najib have to ‘prepare for the worst’?

The High Court will rule on abuse of power and money laundering charges, with Najib facing the prospect of lengthy prison terms if found guilty.

Indonesia

Seeking climate justice: Indonesian fishermen’s case against Holcim to proceed

The lawsuit states that Holcim has ‘significantly contributed to climate change with its massive CO2 emissions’.

Timepieces

9 top moments in watches in 2025: Trump tariffs, Urban Jürgensen and more

Taylor Swift announced her engagement wearing a Cartier Santos Demoiselle, while Aaron Taylor-Johnson was named Omega’s new brand ambassador.

From left: Watches and Wonders; GPHG caps off the year by announcing winning watches in Geneva; Urban Jürgensen was relaunched. Photo: Handout
European Union

Trump tariffs push Swiss pharma CEO to urge price alignment with US

Switzerland and the United States are locked in negotiations on the details of a deal slashing a whopping 39 per cent levy to 15 per cent.

A 3D-printed miniature model of U.S. President Donald Trump, the Switzerland flag and the word ‘Tariffs’ in this illustration from July 23. Photo: Reuters
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.

Style Edit

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

The luxury Swiss horology brand has been creating coveted perpetual calendars since 1948 – and just launched a new technology.

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Science

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

‘Unique’ Chinese efficiency turns European firm’s vision into reality by building the world’s first large-scale silica-removal technology.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
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.

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.

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.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants wait for Red Cross members to receive a body before it is handed over to Israel in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
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.

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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.

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.

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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.

Ludwig Minelli in 2012. Photo: AFP
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.

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.

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.

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