Zurich in headlines: Beazley, the insurer, gets bought for £8bn; local details spell out a financial pivot for the Swiss city. Biog: Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city, capital of Canton Zurich, major financial hub.
Zurich Insurance has finalized its $8.1 billion takeover of Beazley, a UK-based specialist insurer. The deal expands Zurich’s presence in high-growth sectors like cyber and marine insurance, with Beazley's exposure to the Middle East conflict deemed limited. The acquisition aims to create a global leader in specialty insurance.
The annual Ig Nobel Prize ceremony, traditionally held in Boston, will be hosted in Zurich this year due to safety concerns and visa issues affecting international travel to the US. The event will alternate between Zurich and other European cities every other year, with no immediate plans to return to the US.
A young cyclist died after crashing during a race in Zurich, with her body undiscovered for over an hour. Meanwhile, two athletes suffered injuries in separate races, with one forced to withdraw after a severe fall. These incidents highlight safety concerns in competitive sports.
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will not participate in the 2026 Masters due to personal and health issues. Woods is seeking treatment after a DUI arrest, while Mickelson is attending to a family health matter. Their absences mark the first time since 1994 neither will compete.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed he will seek re-election next year as the 76th FIFA Congress has settled on a path that could extend his tenure amid broader tensions around governance, visas and diplomacy at the Vancouver gathering.
The Hague hosts BlowUp Jubilee, a monthlong open‑air art festival featuring 24 inflatable works, including a 7‑meter pan near the Mauritshuis. The event returns with previous installations and new pieces as part of a broader celebration around the Binnenhof renovations.