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Switzerland

May

Avalanche destroys alpine village of Blatten

Dramatic glacier collapse buries Swiss alpine village

At least one person is missing after Blatten village in southern Switzerland was buried beneath tonnes of debris from the Birch Glacier.

Singapore is an affluent city.

‘Rich and naive’: Why Singapore is engulfed in scams

City-state residents who spend a lot of time online and are naturally compliant with authority are especially vulnerable.

Swatch owns 16 watch brands including Omega, Longines and Tissot.

Inside the faltering Swatch watch empire

Maverick CEO Nick Hayek has overseen a decade of decline at the watchmaker. Can he see off a threat to his grip on the group?

Carne asada taco (grilled steak with citrus-habanero sauce and avo mojo) at Casa Merida.
For Good Food, Oct 26, 2021
Pic credit: Trent van der Jagt

The ‘Taco’ trade, and whether to take a bite or resist

The market is applying the rule that “Trump Always Chickens Out”, particularly over his beloved tariffs, and that risky assets rise in response.

Winner of the Eurovision Song Contest JJ from Austria holds up the trophy he won with the song “Wasted Love”.

Austria wins Eurovision crown with pop-opera song ‘Wasted Love’

The win was Austria’s third in the competition, following Conchita’s success and Udo Juergens’ victory in 1966.

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US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, left, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

US and China agree to slash tariffs

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US would cut existing tariffs to 30 per cent for 90 days while China will lower duties on US goods to 10 per cent.

The delegation from Australia’s Go-Jo during the opening ceremony of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland.

Eurovision fans find Swiss franc’s latest surge hits a sour note

With the Swiss franc’s gains over the years, prices on the ground in Basel potentially make it one of the most expensive destinations in the event’s history.

Top US and China delegations are meeting to try and de-escalate the trade war.

‘No quick cosmetic fix’ for China at US trade talks

China is looking for substantive progress at the negotiations in Geneva, contradicting Donald Trump’s claims of a “total reset” in trade relations.

President Donald Trump.

Trump claims ‘total reset’ after US-China trade talks

Trump said “GREAT PROGRESS MADE” after the first day of US and China trade talks in Geneva, but details remain scarce amid deep distrust and record-high tariffs.

Vineyards in Mendoza province, Argentina. Javier Milei’s deregulation has revived interest in copper mining in the Andean foothills.

Malbec country turns back to mining

Mendoza, a province best known for its Malbec, could open a new mine in a nationwide rush for the red metal under President Javier Milei.

“Never say never”: During a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House, Donald Trump insisted Canadians might one day want to become part of the United States.

Labor still hopes for tariff relief despite Trump’s tough talk

Donald Trump says the US doesn’t have to sign deals to end its global trade war.

US President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

US-China talks seek to save face, and their economies

Tariff negotiations between the two superpowers this weekend offer the prospect of retreat from a full-on trade war. But will the market’s sense of relief prove premature?

An index of the 10 most recent vintages of five top Bordeaux producers compiled by wine exchange Liv-ex has declined almost 27 per cent in sterling terms in the two years to March.

‘Worst market in 20 years’. Bordeaux wine producers slash prices

Heavy rain and flagging investor interest have made this year’s so-called en primeur campaign a tough one for the French region’s producers.

April

Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia poses with her super shoe after setting a new women’s only world record time and winning the women’s race at the London Marathon,

World record tumbles in London Marathon thanks to ‘super shoe’

The $900 Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo shoes that Tigst Assefa brought to world fame in Berlin 18 months ago have struck again.

(L-R) Chefs Andreas Caminada, Clare Smyth, Anne-Sophie Pic, Eneko Atxa, and Yannick Alléno attend Hublot Big Bang Night at Geneva Arena on April 02, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Inside the Big Bang watch party in Geneva

There’s supposedly an industry downturn and tariffs could worsen it. But head-turning new timepieces from Rolex and Grand Seiko were among the surprises.

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March

Bill Thomas was given a one-year extension to his leadership term to see through a strategy of investment and integration that runs to September 2026.

KPMG to merge dozens of partnerships in overhaul of global structure

The effort to more closely integrate the businesses amounts to one of the biggest restructures of a big four network in years.

November 2024

Campaigners in Parliament Square in favour of the proposed bill to legalise assisted dying in London.

UK votes to proceed with historic bill legalise assisted dying

The landmark bill has passed the first stage of Parliament - but will be subject to further discussion and amendments before it can come into law.

This Swiss Alps hotel is so luxurious, you needn’t leave. But you will

At its door, The Chedi has a ski hill for winter visitors, and some of the world’s twistiest, most challenging roads for cyclists and car enthusiasts.

October 2024

Ukrainian servicemen fire towards Russian positions in Kherson region at the weekend.

Ukraine and Russia in talks about halting strikes on energy plants

An agreement would mark the most significant de-escalation of the war since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.

The Geneva skyline with the Jet d’Eau fountain in the centre.

A tour of the weird places the global elite hide wealth

A new book explores the ‘special zones’ created to bring in money and industry.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/switzerland-fp2