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- Switzerland plans military drone battalion by 2028 amid rearmament trend
- US Postal Service implements mail-in ballot restrictions ahead of elections
- Partial lunar eclipse to be visible across central and eastern Canada
- Trump signs executive order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America
- Last photograph of British tour group missing after crossing into Nepal
- Eastern Flank commissioners urge eu to enhance security against Russia
- Bearspaw feeder main replacement nearing completion on schedule and budget
- Three Secret Service officials placed on leave during misconduct investigation
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Switzerland plans military drone battalion by 2028 amid rearmament trend
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Switzerland plans military drone battalion by 2028 amid rearmament trend
Drone Battalion
Switzerland will deploy its own military drone battalion for reconnaissance, operations, and defence starting in 2028, according to the defence ministry.
Switzerland will deploy its own military drone battalion for reconnaissance, operations, and defence starting in 2028, according to the defence ministry.
Strategic Priority
Drone technology, emphasised as a strategic priority, underpins Switzerland’s evolving military framework, reflecting a broader European rearmament initiative and addressing increasing surveillance demands.
Drone technology, emphasised as a strategic priority, underpins Switzerland’s evolving military framework, reflecting a broader European rearmament initiative and addressing increasing surveillance demands.
Official Statement
“From 2028, the army will deploy its own drone battalion for reconnaissance, operations and defence,” said the defence ministry in a recent announcement.
“From 2028, the army will deploy its own drone battalion for reconnaissance, operations and defence,” said the defence ministry in a recent announcement.
Switzerland intends to build military drone battalion by 2028, defence ministry says
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Switzerland announced its intention to build a military drone battalion on Thursday, amid a rearmament trend across Europe.
“From 2028, the army will deploy its own drone battalion for reconnaissance, operations and defence,” the defence ministry said in a statement.
The battalion will be backed up by a specialised recruitment and training programme.
The ministry outlined plans for a civilian-military centre for drones and robotics, consisting of a tech hub and a military command.
“New solutions are to be jointly developed, tested and quickly made usable for military use,” it said.
The defence ministry said drones, counter-drone defence and robotics were now a “strategic priority” for the landlocked Alpine country.
In recent years, drones have become increasingly prevalent in conflicts, used for surveillance and intelligence-gathering as well as for targeting enemy positions and conducting strikes, often with the help of artificial intelligence.
The Swiss defence ministry noted that it has seen an increase in the number of drone flights spotted over military and critical infrastructure.
The country’s first system for drone defence has already been introduced.
Switzerland’s long-standing position has been one of well-armed neutrality and the European country has mandatory conscription for men.
Swiss neutrality traces its roots back to 1516 and has been internationally recognised since 1815.
Additional sources • AFP
US Postal Service implements mail-in ballot restrictions ahead of elections
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Get you up to speed: US Postal Service says mail-in ballot restrictions now in effect
New restrictions on mail-in ballot handling by the United States Postal Service are now in effect, following a ruling from the US Supreme Court that supported changes backed by President Donald Trump. The new measures require the agency to create lists of eligible voters and only deliver ballots to those on the lists, amidst ongoing legal challenges from 24 states asserting the regulations are unconstitutional.
The US Postal Service’s new mail-in ballot procedures will utilise state-provided lists to ensure ballots are only sent to eligible voters. Meanwhile, a group of 24 states has initiated a legal challenge in Massachusetts, asserting that the new mail voting requirements are unconstitutional and could cause significant harm ahead of the November 3 elections.
The US Postal Service announced that new restrictions on mail-in ballots are now in effect, aligning with a recent US Supreme Court ruling that favoured changes proposed by President Trump. In response, 24 states have filed a federal challenge in Massachusetts, claiming the measures could inflict “significant, imminent, and irreparable harm” on the electoral process ahead of the midterm elections on November 3.
What remains unclear — The outcome of the fresh legal challenges to the mail-in ballot changes remains undetermined.
US Postal Service implements mail-in ballot restrictions ahead of elections
News|US Midterm Elections 2026US Postal Service says mail-in ballot restrictions now in effect
The US Supreme Court ruled in favor of changes backed by President Donald Trump, but new challenges have been filed.
Published On 27 Aug 202627 Aug 2026
Published On 27 Aug 202627 Aug 2026New restrictions on how the United States Postal Service will handle mail-in ballots are now in effect, even as challenges in court to the measures touted by US President Donald Trump continue.
The Postal Service announcement on Thursday comes as states are preparing to send out millions of ballots to voters through the mail ahead of US midterm elections scheduled across the US on November 3.
“The government subsequently received such relief from those injunctions, meaning the injunctions no longer preclude the implementation of the Rule for November 3, 2026 or any earlier federal election,” the independent federal agency said.
The new procedures mean the agency would compile lists of eligible voters using input from US states and only deliver ballots to individuals who are on those lists.
On Monday, the US Supreme Court cleared the way for the new measures by ruling in favour of the Trump administration. Other court challenges to the rules continue, however, including a fresh case filed in a federal court in the US state of Massachusetts on Wednesday by 24 states. State attorneys-general argue the measures are unconstitutional and would also inflict “significant, imminent, and irreparable harm” on states by imposing “new and burdensome mail voting requirements” just before the November elections.
Voting by mail has long been a favourite target for Trump, who has claimed that it breeds fraud despite strong evidence to the contrary and his own use of the voting method. President Trump has claimed states have not done an adequate job in verifying who sends in mail-in ballots, and that those registered to vote meet requirements like being US citizens.
In March, Trump signed an executive order calling on his administration to create lists of eligible voters and the Postal Service to deliver mail-in ballots only to those on those lists.
The Postal Service had come up with regulations on how it would handle mail-in ballots based on that directive, but put its implementation on hold as Democratic officials in dozens of states, along with voting rights advocacy groups, lodged legal challenges in federal courts.
Monday’s Supreme Court case, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, ruled in the Trump administration’s favor in one of those key challenges: Officials from dozens of states had sued to block the presidential order, arguing that the US Constitution gives states and Congress the power to run elections and that Trump’s changes could lead to chaos and partisan abuse.
The Trump administration then appealed to the Supreme Court on procedural grounds in late July after a judge ruled in the officials’ favour for the midterms, arguing that the states sued too soon. The court did not decide on the constitutionality of the order.
Voting by mail has become increasingly popular with voters of both Republican and Democratic parties, accounting for about 30 percent of ballots cast during the 2024 presidential election, according to federal data. Despite claims by Trump about problems with mail-in voting, experts have found it to be secure. A 2025 Brookings Institution study found only about four cases of fraud out of every 10 million mail ballots cast.
Partial lunar eclipse to be visible across central and eastern Canada
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Get you up to speed: Partial lunar eclipse will be visible across parts of Canadian skies soon
A lunar eclipse is expected to peak around 10:10 p.m. mountain time and 12:10 a.m. eastern standard time. The event will be most visible in the central and eastern parts of Canada.
The eclipse will be most prominently observed in the central and eastern regions of Canada, with its peak occurring at 10:10 p.m. mountain time and 12:10 a.m. eastern standard time. Officials have indicated that optimal viewing conditions may vary depending on local weather patterns.
Officials in Canada are preparing for the lunar eclipse, which is expected to peak around 10:10 p.m. mountain time and 12:10 a.m. eastern standard time, with special viewing events planned in major cities. Local astronomers are advising the public to use proper viewing techniques to enhance their experience.
What remains unclear — It is unknown how weather conditions may affect visibility of the eclipse across Canada.
Partial lunar eclipse to be visible across central and eastern Canada
The eclipse is set to peak around 10:10 p.m. mountain time and 12:10 a.m. eastern standard time and is expected to be most visible in both the central and eastern parts of Canada.
Trump signs executive order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America
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Get you up to speed: Trump signs executive order to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America”
President Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America” during an announcement in the Oval Office. The order directs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to update the Geographic Names Information System to reflect the name change, effective immediately.
The order mandates that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum update the Geographic Names Information System to reflect the change from Lake Ontario to Lake America. As tensions rise in the ongoing trade dispute, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that Canada will impose matching tariffs on U.S. goods starting September 8.
President Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America,” citing trade grievances with Canada. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada would implement matching tariffs of up to 50% on U.S. goods starting September 8.
What remains unclear — Canada has not publicly responded to President Trump’s executive order to rename Lake Ontario.
Trump signs executive order to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America
Washington — President Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America,” making good on a threat he made on social media earlier this week.
“We’re going to be changing the name of Lake Ontario, effective immediately, to Lake America,” the president said before he signed the order.
On Truth Social, the president said this week that the U.S. was giving “serious consideration” to changing the name and posted a map that crossed out the label “Lake Ontario.” He also said the U.S. doesn’t expect to be “doing much business with Ontario any longer.” The announcement in the Oval Office Thursday is the president’s latest move amid his trade war with Canada.
The order directs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to update the Geographic Names Information System to reflect the name change. The GNIS works with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to standardize geographic names for federal use. The president can’t force other countries or international bodies to call it “Lake America,” but he can require the federal government to do so.
Mr. Trump was asked what message he’s sending to Canada with this executive order.
“No message,” he said, but added, “As you know, Canada has been ripping us off for a long time on trade, very, very sadly. Even the military. You know, we defend Canada for nothing.”
Canada has yet to respond to the executive order.
The name “Ontario” has Indigenous roots. The word comes from the Iroquoian word “oniatarí:io,” meaning “lake of shining waters,” according to the Center for Great Lakes Literacy.
On Saturday, 50% tariffs on some Canadian imports like wine and dairy kicked in, and on Monday, the president announced 50% tariffs on all Canadian steel and automotive imports starting in January.
In response, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that starting Sept. 8, Canada will begin imposing matching tariffs of up to 50% on billions of dollars of U.S. goods.
Mr. Trump also sought to change North America’s highest mountain peak, Denali in Alaska, back to Mount McKinley. Although the federal government can’t force other countries or private businesses to recognize the GNIS, when Mr. Trump sought to change the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” some private entities adopted the new name.
Still, the White House punished the Associated Press after it declined to use “Gulf of America,” restricting its reporters’ access to White House and presidential spaces available to other news outlets.
On Thursday, Mr. Trump threatened to rename an ocean, too.
“Now all we need is an ocean,” he said. “So maybe we’ll have to change the name of the Atlantic and—or— the Pacific.”
Last photograph of British tour group missing after crossing into Nepal
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Get you up to speed: First picture of British tour group who crossed Nepal border and haven’t been heard from since | News World
At least 33 British tourists are unaccounted for following flash floods triggered by a glacier collapse along the Bhote Koshi river in Nepal, where 350 people have died. The group was making a pilgrimage to the sacred alpine lake of Gosainkunda when they lost contact with their families after crossing the border.
The Nepal Centre for Disaster Management reported that only helicopters can access the disaster site due to extensive damage to infrastructure, including destroyed bridges and nearly 25 miles of damaged roads. Rescue teams, supported by the international Hare Krishna community, are coordinating efforts to locate the missing group, which includes 33 British nationals and multiple South Africans and Irish citizens.
The spiritual community of ISKCON Nepal has issued an urgent appeal for assistance to locate a group of 17 missing pilgrims, primarily from the UK, Ireland, and South Africa, amidst concerns for their safety due to severed communication. Rescue efforts face significant challenges, as Nepalese officials report extensive infrastructure damage, with only helicopters able to access the disaster area for search operations.
What remains unclear — The exact whereabouts and condition of the group of 17 international devotees following their crossing into Nepal are still unknown.
Last photograph of British tour group missing after crossing into Nepal
The group crossed the border in Nepal but have not been heard from since (Picture: Supplied)
Pictured smiling and laughing in front of their bus this is the last known picture of a group of British, Irish and South African worshippers before they crossed into Nepal and disaster struck.
At least 33 British tourists aren’t accounted for, and 350 people have been killed after a glacier collapse set off flash floods along the Bhote Koshi river. More bodies are being pulled from the deluge by the hour.
Two teenagers, a 13-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy still missing as the total number of missing people in Nepal rose from 403 to 826.
Sarisha Pillay, sister-in-law of South African couple Vivagnathan and Janet Pillay, told WTX they were desperate for any information on their group heading to the sacred alpine lake of Gosainkunda.
She said: ‘Their children are worried sick here in South Africa. We all are. They have four daughters. They were a part of the Alpine Eco Trek & Expedition group.
‘According to their daughters they passed the border post at 8.30am. We are desperately trying to get some clarity with regards to where they were last seen.’
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Vivagnathan and Janet Pillay still haven’t got in touch with family (Picture: Supplied)
Names of the missing from Hare Krishna pilgrimage
Anitha Devi Maharaj
Surendranath Maharaj
Kavita Haldia
Pavan Haldia
Nabhi Nandan Das
Sunanda Manirajan
Hema Sunil Amin
Janet Pillay
Vivagnathan Pillay
Surabhi Manmath Padhy
Santosh Sahu
Syna Kumari Sahu
Spandan Sahu
Hemangini Patel
Bipin Patel
Mala Patel
Veena Bhaskaran
Hare Krishna group Dandavats announced they were still trying to trace the group.
They said: ‘The spiritual community of ISKCON Nepal has issued an urgent public and official appeal after losing contact with a group of 17 international devotees currently on a pilgrimage trip to the sacred alpine lake of Gosainkunda.
‘The missing pilgrims originate from three countries: the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Ireland.
‘Due to the remote mountain terrain and a lack of cellular connectivity in the region, all direct communication with the group has been severed, raising deep concern among family members, local authorities, and the global Hare Krishna community.’
The organisation requested swift assistance from government officials and rescue teams: ‘We humbly request the concerned authorities to kindly help locate and ensure their safety.’
Located within the Langtang National Park at a a height 14,100 feet, the Gosainkunda trekking route is renowned for its spiritual importance but poses significant logistical challenges, including unpredictable weather and isolated communication zones.
A man from Uckfield, East Sussex, said he is flying to Nepal at 8pm on Thursday to try to make contact with his wife, mother, brother and uncle who have been caught up in the flash flooding.
Speaking to the BBC, Pramod Poudel said: ‘There is no proper communication so I can’t communicate with them.
‘I guess there is no power so they can’t charge their phones – so be honest, it’s a very hard and difficult time at the moment.’
In an emotional interview, Mr Poudel added: ‘I have seen pictures of where my home town used to be… and there is nothing there now.
‘Where my family used to live – my mum, my dad, my wife, where everyone used to live – there’s nothing there.’
The president of the Nepal Centre for Disaster Management described the scene as being like a ‘tsunami from the sky’ and that villages have been ‘completely wiped out’.
Bishal Nath Upreti said the damage to the infrastructure has been so extensive only helicopters can be used to reach the site of the disaster.
Nepalese officials said bridges have been destroyed and nearly 25 miles of roads have been damaged, which has complicated search efforts.
A number of those missing had been making a pilgrimage to the sacred Hindu site of Mount Kailash, Nepalese tour operator The Trekkers’ Society said.
The operator said nine British nationals on one of its tours to the site were among those unaccounted for – four males, aged 14, 50, 50, and 54, and five females, aged 40, 46, 50, 50, and 53.
General manager Roshan Basnet told the Press Association: ‘When the flood happened, they were still at the Chinese immigration (at) the border. After the flood happened, we had no contact with our tour guide.’
This is a breaking news story… More to follow…
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Eastern Flank commissioners urge eu to enhance security against Russia
5:00 pm
Eastern Flank commissioners urge eu to enhance security against Russia
New Coordinator Proposed
The European Commissioners from Eastern Flank countries have urged for the establishment of a new high-level coordinator to address growing Russian threats to the Baltic states.
The European Commissioners from Eastern Flank countries have urged for the establishment of a new high-level coordinator to address growing Russian threats to the Baltic states.
regional security
European Commissioners propose a new high-level coordinator to enhance civil preparedness and critical infrastructure protection in the Baltic states, reflecting urgent security concerns.
European Commissioners propose a new high-level coordinator to enhance civil preparedness and critical infrastructure protection in the Baltic states, reflecting urgent security concerns.
Strong Urgency
“Mounting security challenges on the Eastern Flank are undermining the EU’s security as a whole,” stated EU Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in her recent plea for action.
“Mounting security challenges on the Eastern Flank are undermining the EU’s security as a whole,” stated EU Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in her recent plea for action.
Eastern Flank Commissioners urge von der Leyen to appoint special coordinator as Russian threat grows
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The European Commissioners from Eastern Flank countries have urged Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take urgent action over growing Russian threats to the Baltic states, including by creating a new high-level coordinator for the region.
The proposed coordinator would provide a single point of contact for affected countries, coordinate EU efforts across different policy areas and signal stronger backing for the region.
The call comes amid growing concern among Nordic and eastern European countries bordering Russia — the EU’s so-called Eastern Flank — that Moscow could escalate its war in Ukraine, with consequences for the wider region.
In late July, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, and Commissioners Valdis Dombrovskis, Andrius Kubilius and Piotr Serafin wrote to von der Leyen urging additional measures, warning that mounting security challenges on the Eastern Flank are undermining the EU’s security as a whole.
They called for faster action on preparedness, including the ability to respond to infrastructure disruptions, strengthen regional stockpiles and counter hybrid threats.
The proposed coordinator would work with NATO and national authorities to identify gaps in civil preparedness and the protection of critical infrastructure and communities, with EU funding used to address urgent needs.
The Commissioners also called for the College of Commissioners to meet in one of the Baltic states this autumn, arguing that a visit would give EU leaders first-hand insight into the deterioration of regional security, public safety and economic conditions.
Concerns have been heightened by CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s recent visit to the region. Some media reports linked the trip to a warning to Moscow against attacking a NATO member, although former Estonian president Toomas Hendrik Ilves dismissed that interpretation, saying Russia’s calculations in the region had not changed.
The Commissioners are also calling for the Eastern Flank Watch initiative, aimed at countering hybrid threats along the EU’s eastern border, to be accelerated and given additional funding, amid increasingly frequent airspace violations and drone incursions.
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