The Swiss Confederation at a glance
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said Britain must take a "clear-eyed" look at its long-term relationship with the EU and has set a UK-EU summit for 20 November to push deals on food and drink, youth mobility and emissions trading. He has kept Labour's 2024 manifesto red lines for now but has opened the door to broader options, including rejoining the EU in future campaigns.
The government has given English regional mayors the power to charge an overnight visitor levy as a percentage of accommodation costs with no statutory upper limit. Industry groups and major hotel chains have warned the uncapped power will raise prices, reduce demand and cost jobs; mayors say revenue will fund local services and infrastructure from 2028.
Marlen Reusser has retained the women's world time‑trial title in Montreal, winning in 50:24.44 and beating Britain’s Zoe Backstedt by 40 seconds. Germany’s Franziska Koch has taken bronze. Backstedt, 21, has stepped up from under‑23 competition and finished strongly on a longer, windy technical course.
Leading AI executives and regulators have debated whether to slow development after incidents involving autonomous agents. Anthropic and OpenAI have called for coordinated standards and independent testing, while Meta and Nvidia argue industry incentives and liability will enforce safety. U.S. political leaders have pushed back against formal global controls, complicating plans for international oversight.
Britain seeks closer access to European markets as the EU pushes the Industrial Accelerator Act to curb China’s role in Europe’s supply chains. Britain warns against new barriers while exploring a reset with Brussels.
Henry Pollock has agreed a multi-year contract with Northampton Saints, extending his stay at the club beyond 2027. Eddie Hearn has described the deal as generous but not reaching his target, and Pollock remains open to offers. The agreement solidifies Pollock’s commitment amid ongoing negotiations and media scrutiny.
The Bank of Japan has raised rates to 1.25%, joining the US Federal Reserve and the ECB in tightening monetary policy as inflation pressures persist. Meanwhile, UK and other market signals show mixed responses, with the BoJ’s move sending Yen and global markets in flux.
Russian presidential decrees have placed the Russian operations of several Western retailers and food companies under temporary administration, transferring control to newly registered or Kremlin‑linked firms. The moves follow earlier 2023 seizures and are taking place as Moscow and Berlin exchange diplomatic and security accusations, putting German firms such as Metro and Globus at risk.
Granit Xhaka has withdrawn from Switzerland’s Nations League squad as prosecutors review a possible criminal case over a vaccination certificate obtained during the Covid pandemic. Embolo is also unavailable as the Swiss focus on upcoming matches against North Macedonia, Scotland, and Slovenia.
A wave of doping cases has affected athletes across multiple sports this week, with legal actions and disciplinary rulings shaping careers and competition. The stories highlight how authorities are tightening rules and how athletes respond to allegations and sanctions.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has publicly backed an external, independent review of FIFA’s governance for major initiatives and proposes a structured consultation with confederations and member associations. The move follows backlash over the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise and amid calls for leadership changes as Infantino seeks re-election.
Prime Minister has signalled a potential trial to allow fans to drink in view of the pitch at football grounds in England and Wales, a move critics describe as outdated. Officials say a full consultation is likely before any changes are made, with supporters and clubs weighing the implications for safety and revenue.
Ed Sheeran has faced cancellations and protests after his promoter removed Macklemore from the US tour following the rapper's onstage "Free Palestine" remarks. Four supporting acts have quit, ticket sales have softened, and pro-Palestinian demonstrators have gathered outside his Philadelphia show as Sheeran has defended his decision to remain apolitical.
Voters have rejected a plan to enshrine a narrowly defined, “perpetual and armed” neutrality in the Swiss constitution, defeating the far-right SVP-backed initiative. Projections show a majority backed preserving flexible neutrality, allowing sanctions and NATO cooperation as needed. Outcome preserves government discretion amid evolving European security pressures.
Scotland’s new head coach has overseen a goalless draw with Slovenia in Ljubljana in his first match in charge. Billy Gilmour returns from injury to drive the midfield; Oli McBurnie and Robbie Ure debut while Stephen Welsh occupies a new left-back/centre-back role. Scotland improve after a half-time reshuffle but fail to convert chances, leaving the Nation League opener with a point.
Swiss voters have rejected a proposal to enshrine a strictly defined, armed neutrality in the constitution, with final results showing about 70% opposing the measure. The government and major parties had warned this would curb flexibility in applying neutrality amid sanctions regimes and NATO ties.
Scotland midfielder has confirmed he remains with Bologna after transfer talk linked him to Rangers. He says the future is uncertain but his current contract runs to 2028 with an option. He has maintained focus on Bologna this season.
UEFA has launched a coordinated push for a challenger to Gianni Infantino, while a growing coalition of European associations withdraws support amid governance concerns. The aim is to secure a credible candidate by the November deadline for entry, with the March election in Rabat now in focus.
UN agencies warn that hunger and displacement are intensifying in Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen as conflicts, climate shocks, and funding shortfalls undermine relief efforts. In Baidoa and Mogadishu, thousands face famine-like conditions while aid delivery shrinks, pushing millions toward crisis levels ahead of the El Niño season.
The UK-France migrant returns deal is no longer processing new cases, but deportation flights will continue for those already detained. Crossings have fallen to five-year lows this year amid tougher policing and surveillance, with 19,135 people having crossed the Channel in 2026. Several deaths at sea highlight ongoing risks.
Dame Esther Rantzen has died at 86 after a long illness, her family has announced. The broadcaster fronted That’s Life! for 21 years, founded Childline in 1986 and the Silver Line in 2012, and later campaigned publicly for legal change on assisted dying after a stage-four lung cancer diagnosis in 2023.
Scotland Under-21s have defeated Azerbaijan 5-2 in a high‑tempo, attacking display as they bid to mirror the senior side’s style. Despite the victory, a Czechia win earlier in the day means qualification for the playoff is no longer possible. Curtis supplied four assists while Barney Stewart scored twice, with Wilson, Fletcher and Wales also on target.
Swiss glacier monitoring has found glaciers have lost about 5.5% of their volume in the first eight months of 2026 and roughly 19–20% of ice since 2021. Scientists report unprecedented thinning, internal collapse and the disappearance of small glaciers after a winter with little snow and a record-hot, dry summer.
In a 3-0 win over Mexico, the U.S. under Mauricio Pochettino has solidified its resurgence after the World Cup, with Julian Hall and Cavan Sullivan making history as the youngest goalscorers in U.S. men’s national team history. Malik Tillman adds a late strike as the side cements back-to-back victories.
Gina Saarberg has won the Golden Spurtle at the World Porridge Making Championship in Carrbridge, using the same Dutch-championship-winning recipe of organic pinhead oats, water and salt. Rob Reid takes the speciality prize with a cannoli-porridge creation. Thirty competitors from 14 countries competed in the event.
Scotland has claimed victory in North Macedonia, with Kieron Bowie scoring at seven minutes and John McGinn converting a late penalty after a VAR review. The win secures four points from three Nations League matches under Pocognoli, while Scott McKenna is sent off late. Scotland are top in B1 ahead of Slovenia visit.
The EU has established the European Union Support Mission in Lebanon (EUSM Lebanon) to train and advise Lebanon’s armed forces and internal security services as UNIFIL prepares to wind down. The mission includes military and civilian components, aims to bolster border and internal security, and will support Hezbollah-disarmament and the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1701. Washington’s stance and potential new monitoring structures are being debated as regional security remains volatile.