First Take

Switzerland are preparing to take on Slovenia in a football qualifier, with bookmakers and tipsters backing the Swiss to win and keep first place in their group. Preview coverage focuses on Switzerland's strong form and their chances of extending their lead at the top of the standings, while Slovenia look to spoil the favourites' run.

Maria De Filippi's long-running talent show Amici is returning for its 26th edition. Il Mattino reports the start date of the show and the date of the first studio recording have been officially confirmed. Fans in Italy are now looking ahead to the new season, with the announcement sparking interest in which young performers will take part and how the format will evolve this year.

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal concerning a legal ruling involving Our Lady of Lourdes Church's outdoor shrine. The case centers on a lower court's decision about the shrine, and the justices' decision to take up the matter will determine whether the ruling stands. Further details about the dispute and the parties involved were not provided.

Spain are preparing to take on the Czech Republic, with Mundo Deportivo reporting two players set to make their debuts and further rotation in the starting eleven. Interest in the fixture is high across Spain, Mexico, the United States and the United Kingdom, where it is trending on search charts. Fans are discussing the lineup changes and which newcomers will get their first cap.

Italian broadcaster Rai is promoting the upcoming season of Ballando con le Stelle, with host Milly Carlucci fronting a press conference and a first taste of what viewers will see on the dance floor. Coverage from RaiNews, Rai.it and Vanity Fair Italia highlights the show's 2026 novelties, including Paolo Belli's limited on-screen role, D'Urso joining the jury, and Fialdini and Ventura taking on special roles.

The Vuelta Ciclista a Lanzarote has begun, with live coverage of stage 1 running from Club La Santa to Puerto del Carmen. Cycling fans in Spain are following the race online, with the Canary Island stage race drawing attention at the start of its edition. The opening stage takes riders across Lanzarote's roads in what is one of Spain's notable early-season cycling events.

A mother of three has described leaving her husband and children for the first time to attend a work conference, then adding two extra days of solo travel at the end of the trip. Writing for Business Insider, she reflects on the experience of being away from her family and taking time for herself. The account has struck a chord with readers weighing guilt, independence and the value of time alone for parents.

Sudo is a dedicated music player designed around the act of listening to music, rather than playlists, recommendations or social features. The project is drawing attention among technology enthusiasts, with discussion focused on whether a stripped-down, focused player can stand out in a streaming market dominated by recommendation-driven apps.

Car Wash Simulator is now available on PC in Early Access, and MyGamer has published a review of the game. The title adds to the popular genre of job and lifestyle simulators, where players take on everyday work tasks. Coverage so far is limited, with the review being one of the main early write-ups on the game's Early Access state.

An Italian commentator reflects on Pope Francis being the first pontiff in history to take the name Francis, inspired by St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Italy. The reflection ties the Pope's name to a 1989 film by director Liliana Cavani about the saint, one of three works she devoted to Francis of Assisi, and describes the saint as beloved but little followed by Italians today.

Stephen A. Smith has responded on ESPN's First Take to LeBron James expressing a desire to play for the New York Knicks. The exchange has drawn heavy attention from basketball fans, with debate focusing on what the Knicks' pursuit of James would mean for the team and the NBA landscape.

The first reviews of “Digger,” a film dated for 2026, are starting to surface online, with critics offering their takes on the picture ahead of its release. Details of the plot, cast and reception remain limited so far, but early review coverage suggests the title is drawing attention from film watchers tracking the upcoming slate.

Cleveland State University's men's tennis team completed the first day of competition at the Penn State Invitational. The Vikings are taking part in the multi-day collegiate tournament hosted by Penn State, facing opponents from other programs. Details of individual match results and player performances were not available, but the team continued its fall season schedule at the event.

A first unboxing and hands-on look at Xiaomi's 18 Fold smartphone is drawing major attention, racking up hundreds of thousands of likes within hours of publication. The reviewer's take: Apple's iPhone lineup has little to fear from the new foldable, at least for now. Tech fans are debating the device's design, fold quality and whether it can genuinely challenge Samsung and Apple in the premium segment.

Searches around the word 'manifestação' have risen in Brazil, pointing to public interest in demonstrations taking place in the country. The available context offers few specifics, though a related item about voting reminds readers that elderly people and other priority voters are entitled to vote first in Brazilian elections, suggesting an electoral period backdrop.

The first round of the women's doubles draw at the WTA tournament in Beijing features Tang and Xu taking on Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani. The match kicks off both pairs' campaigns at the China Open, with Dabrowski and Stefani the more established duo on tour. Fans are following the draw as the Beijing hard-court swing gets underway.