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Icelanders Narrowly Oppose Talks on EU Membership

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A new poll shows Icelanders narrowly divided over whether the country should reopen negotiations with the European Union. The August 24-27 survey of 4,583 people found 51.6% opposed talks on EU membership, while 48.4% supported them.

Iceland ended its previous EU accession talks in 2013 after a Eurosceptic government came to power. However, rising living costs and the war in Ukraine have renewed public interest in reconsidering membership, with the government describing the issue as a “now or never” moment.

EU membership would give Iceland a direct role in European decision-making and access to the bloc’s customs union, while also providing the option of adopting the euro. The latest polling highlights how closely divided voters remain ahead of the referendum.

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UN Refugee Agency Plans 2027 Budget and Staff Cuts

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The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, is planning to reduce its 2027 budget by 16% to $7.14 billion and lower its budgeted workforce by around 3,500 posts, according to documents reviewed by Reuters. The cuts come as the agency faces continued financial pressure from declining foreign aid contributions.

UNHCR said the scale of the planned workforce reduction does not necessarily represent actual job losses, as many positions listed in previous budgets were never filled. The agency said it would focus its limited resources on emergency refugee assistance, protection, voluntary returns and helping displaced people become more self-reliant.

The reductions come as global displacement is expected to reach a record 131.2 million people in 2027, according to UNHCR projections. Budgets are expected to fall across all regions, with the Americas facing the largest reduction. The agency’s preliminary 2027 budget is expected to be considered for approval in October.

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Sweden to Deploy Gripen Jets and Warships to Finland

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Sweden will deploy Gripen fighter jets and a corvette warship to help monitor and protect Finnish territory until at least the end of 2026, Finland’s Defence Forces said on Friday. The deployment comes as security concerns rise along NATO’s northern borders with Russia.

Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson said Finland had requested stronger air-defence support because of the deteriorating security situation. Sweden may also provide vessels equipped with drone-fighting capabilities and ground-based anti-drone systems, while its forces could assist Finland in responding to violations of Finnish territory if necessary.

Sweden and Finland, which are both among NATO’s newest members, have close defence ties. Finland shares a 1,340-km border with Russia, while recent drone incidents across the Baltic region have increased concerns about the Ukraine war spilling over into neighbouring NATO countries. Separately, Swedish defence company Saab secured a 1.2 billion crown ($126 million) order from Finland for RBS 70 NG portable air-defence systems.

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Norway’s King Harald V Dies at 89 After 35 Years on the Throne

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Norway’s King Harald V has died aged 89 after being treated for a rare blood condition. He passed away peacefully at 06:35 local time on Friday at the national hospital in Oslo. The royal flag was lowered to half-mast as the country entered a period of mourning. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, 53, has succeeded him as king.

Harald, who became king in 1991, was widely regarded as a popular and modernising monarch. He broke royal tradition by marrying commoner Sonja Haraldsen in 1968 and became known for his emotional, down-to-earth approach. He also played a unifying role following the 2011 Oslo and Utøya attacks and publicly supported diversity, including different religions, ethnicities and sexual orientations.

His final years were marked by declining health and challenges within the royal family, including controversies surrounding his daughter-in-law Mette-Marit and her son Marius Borg Høiby. Despite these difficulties, Harald remained personally popular among Norwegians, with royal observers describing him as the “People’s king.” He is survived by Queen Sonja, their children and six grandchildren.

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King Harald’s Condition Turns Critical

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Norwegians have gathered outside the Royal Palace in Oslo to lay flowers and express their support for King Harald V after the Norwegian royal household said his condition had become “extremely serious.” The 89-year-old monarch has been receiving treatment at Oslo University Hospital for haemolytic anaemia, a rare blood disorder, and has been in hospital for 10 days.

Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon and other members of the royal family cancelled their engagements to remain at the king’s bedside. Crown Prince Haakon, 53, who is next in line to the throne, has been serving as regent while his father is on leave. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also cancelled a planned trip to Germany, saying the entire nation was sending warm thoughts to the king and his family.

King Harald, who has been on the throne since 1991, is Europe’s oldest head of state and has faced several health problems in recent years. He received a pacemaker in 2024 after falling ill during a holiday in Malaysia. The royal family has also faced other challenges this year, including Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s lung transplant and the conviction of her son Marius Borg Høiby.

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Two Frankfurt Airport Workers Die of Malaria in Rare Outbreak

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Two workers at Frankfurt Airport in Germany have died from malaria following a rare outbreak that has infected six employees, according to local public health officials. Authorities believe malaria-carrying mosquitoes may have arrived at the airport aboard a plane, with the outbreak first detected in July.

The affected workers were employed in different roles and areas of the airport. Mosquito traps have now been installed, and captured insects are being examined to determine their species and possible origin. Officials are also analysing blood samples to establish whether the infections were caused by a single mosquito or multiple mosquitoes.

Authorities stressed that the risk to the wider population remains very low, as malaria is not transmitted directly between people and requires mosquito transmission. Germany rarely sees locally acquired malaria, which is usually associated with travellers returning from malaria-endemic regions. Health officials warned that delayed diagnosis can increase the risk of severe illness, particularly when there is no recent travel history.

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Demolition of Tbilisi’s Modernist Arts Complex Sparks Public Outcry

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The planned demolition of Tbilisi’s iconic Rike Tubes arts complex has sparked criticism from residents and the Italian architects who designed the building. The Rike Park Music Theatre and Exhibition Hall was built between 2011 and 2012 under Georgia’s previous pro-Western government but was never fully completed or put into regular use.

The complex, known for its distinctive tubular design, has been a striking feature of Tbilisi’s historic skyline. While Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has described the building as unsuitable for the capital, some residents argue that demolition is a waste of public resources and that the site should instead be developed or repurposed. Demolition began in late July and is expected to finish by December 25.

Architects Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas, whose studio designed the structure, expressed disappointment over its destruction, saying they had received thousands of messages supporting the building. As demolition continues, tourists have also been visiting the site to photograph the distinctive structure before it disappears, adding to the debate over Tbilisi’s architectural heritage and future skyline.

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Teacher Calls Oscar-Winning Russian Filmmaker a ‘Traitor’

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Pavel Talankin, the Russian filmmaker behind the Oscar-winning documentary Mr. Nobody Against Putin, has been called a “traitor” by his former teacher. Nina Zabugornova, who taught Talankin as a child in the Chelyabinsk region, criticised his decision to leave Russia and make a documentary exposing how a Russian school promoted support for Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

The film is based on two years of footage secretly recorded by Talankin while working at a school in the Chelyabinsk region. It documents changes at the school following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, including history lessons and newly introduced patriotic activities that promoted pro-war messaging. Talankin fled Russia in 2024 and has said he wanted to show the world how children were being influenced by state propaganda.

Russia has banned the documentary and designated Talankin as a “foreign agent” in March. Speaking on Russian state television, Zabugornova said she had hoped to watch the film but viewed Talankin’s actions as a betrayal of his homeland. She also blamed herself, saying she wondered whether she had failed to provide him with the lessons that might have prevented what she described as his “betrayal.”

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Esther Gonzalez Faces Backlash After Joining Saudi Women’s Club

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Spain forward Esther Gonzalez has faced criticism after signing for Saudi Women’s Premier League club Al Qadsiah. The 33-year-old left NWSL champions Gotham FC in July after mutually terminating her contract, with the club saying she was stepping away temporarily for personal reasons. Al Qadsiah later announced her signing, prompting backlash from Gotham supporters and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The criticism comes amid concerns over Saudi Arabia’s laws, where same-sex relationships and sexual activity are illegal. Fans on social media have questioned Gonzalez’s decision and expressed concerns about her safety, while Gotham supporters have also criticised the circumstances surrounding her departure and the club’s loss of a potential transfer fee. Reports in Spanish media also claim Gonzalez removed photos featuring her wife and child from her social media accounts following the move.

Gonzalez is a 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup winner and was part of Spain’s squad that finished runners-up at Euro 2025. She previously enjoyed a successful spell with Gotham FC, winning two NWSL titles, the NWSL Challenge Cup and the Concacaf W Champions Cup. Her move follows similar controversy surrounding footballers who have transferred to Saudi Arabia, including former England midfielder Jordan Henderson.

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SoftBank Eyes Majority Stake in 1X at $6B Valuation

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SoftBank is in talks to acquire a majority stake in OpenAI-backed humanoid robot developer 1X Technologies, in a deal that could value the startup at around $6 billion, according to a report by The Information citing people familiar with the matter. The talks are ongoing, and terms could still change.

The potential investment would strengthen SoftBank’s growing focus on robotics and artificial intelligence. OpenAI invested in 1X in 2023 through its startup fund, alongside Tiger Global and Norway-based investors. OpenAI and 1X had also discussed the possibility of an acquisition last year.

The move follows SoftBank’s broader expansion into the robotics sector. Last year, the Japanese conglomerate agreed to acquire Swiss engineering group ABB’s robotics business for about $5.4 billion, highlighting its ambition to build a stronger position in the rapidly developing robotics industry.

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