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Swiss Government Urges Parliament to Reject Initiative Opposing EU Deal

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The Swiss government on Thursday urged parliament to reject an initiative that seeks to block a new agreement with the European Union, describing it as a threat to legal and economic stability. The deal, agreed in December 2024, would represent the biggest overhaul of Switzerland’s bilateral economic relations with the EU in a generation.

Known as the “Kompass-Initiative,” the proposal is backed by the billionaire founders of Swiss asset manager and private equity firm Partners Group. It seeks to expand the use of compulsory referendums for international treaties, requiring approval from both Swiss voters and a majority of the country’s 26 cantons.

The government warned that the initiative could create legal uncertainty and disrupt Switzerland’s established democratic system. It also opposes provisions in the EU-Swiss agreement allowing Switzerland to align certain laws with future EU legislation while maintaining constitutional safeguards. The initiative is expected to go to a referendum after gathering sufficient signatures, though no date has been set.

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Blast at Rotterdam Port Energy Facility Kills One

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A blast at a petroleum-products storage facility in the Netherlands’ Rotterdam port killed one person and injured several others on Thursday, local officials said. The explosion occurred at around 11:30 a.m. local time, with the cause still under investigation.

Energy commodities trader Gunvor said the incident happened during maintenance work on a storage tank and that it was cooperating with authorities. Police said there was no immediate indication of sabotage, while investigators continued to examine all possible scenarios.

The blast did not affect Shell’s operations or the port’s LNG terminals. ExxonMobil temporarily shut all units at its 191,000-barrel-per-day Rotterdam refinery following a separate power outage. Rotterdam Port said there was no connection between the explosion and the power disruption.

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Italy’s Meloni Faces Growing Challenge From Young Voters Ahead of Election

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is facing growing dissatisfaction among young voters ahead of Italy’s national election next year. Polling agency Youtrend says only 25% of voters under 35 approve of her government, compared with 35% among the wider population. Analysts say younger Italians are increasingly leaning toward centre-left parties, with Meloni’s ruling coalition receiving less than 30% support among under-35s, compared with nearly 50% for the opposition bloc.

Analysts point to limited economic reforms and weak opportunities for young Italians as key reasons for the government’s declining support. Italy has the lowest employment rate for people aged 15 to 24 in the euro zone and invests relatively little in education. Many young Italians also leave the country in search of better-paying jobs abroad. At the same time, Meloni’s law-and-order policies targeting protests, cannabis, squatting and juvenile crime have generated opposition among sections of the younger population.

Meloni also faces competition from the far-right National Future movement led by former army general Roberto Vannacci, which is polling at around 7% and has attracted some young anti-immigration voters. Youth turnout could become especially important in the 2027 election, as young Italians have traditionally been less likely to vote. Their increased participation in a March justice referendum, where 67% of under-35s voted and 60% rejected the reform backed by Meloni, showed their potential influence.

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Mount Etna Ash Cloud Disrupts Flights to Malta

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An ash cloud from Sicily’s Mount Etna volcano drifted over Malta on Tuesday, forcing airlines to cancel flights during the peak summer tourism season. Malta International Airport said volcanic ash over the islands had caused significant disruption to air travel.

By mid-afternoon, 19 flights had been cancelled, while several others faced major delays. Passengers travelling through Malta were advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

Mount Etna, located about 220 km north of Malta, is one of Europe’s most active volcanoes and resumed eruptive activity last week. The eruption also disrupted operations at Sicily’s Catania airport, where the suspension of arrivals and departures was extended until Wednesday morning.

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France Bans Unsolicited Telemarketing Calls

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France has introduced a nationwide ban on unsolicited telemarketing calls, a move consumer advocates have described as a major victory for privacy. Businesses across all sectors can no longer make marketing calls without prior consent, except when contacting customers about an existing contract.

Consumer group Que Choisir Ensemble welcomed the change, saying people should have the right to peace and privacy without being treated as potential customers in their homes. A 2025 parliamentary report found that 97% of French people are annoyed by telemarketing calls, while 72% said they received such calls on their mobile phones at least once a week.

The restrictions have drawn criticism from business groups and raised concerns in Morocco, whose call-centre industry depends heavily on French clients. One Moroccan government minister estimated the changes could threaten up to 50,000 jobs. France now joins countries including Germany, Austria and Italy in imposing significant restrictions on unsolicited marketing calls.

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Europe’s Hot Summer Hits Austrian Farms, Drives Cattle to Early Slaughter

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Austria’s agriculture sector is struggling under an unusually hot and dry European summer, with prolonged heat and a lack of rainfall damaging crops and leaving cattle farmers short of water and grass. Farmers in northern Austria say the sustained temperatures are unprecedented, forcing some cattle to be brought down from Alpine pastures earlier than usual.

The shortage of pasture is also raising costs for farmers, who may have to rely on stored hay or purchase additional feed meant for winter. Some farmers are responding by sending cattle to slaughter earlier than planned, while waiting lists at slaughterhouses are already growing. Conditions vary across different Alpine areas, with some pastures having already been cleared of cattle.

Crops have also suffered heavily, with Austria’s national food production body forecasting a 19% decline in the grain harvest this year. Corn has been particularly affected by the lack of water, while heat has damaged tomato crops in greenhouses around Linz. Farmers report that many tomatoes have stopped developing or developed dry, discoloured patches, although some crops, including carrots, have benefited from the unusually warm conditions.

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Rhine Water Levels Hit Record Lows, Disrupting Cargo Shipping

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The Rhine River in Germany has fallen to record-low levels amid a prolonged heatwave and scarce rainfall, disrupting one of Europe’s most important commercial waterways. At the Kaub chokepoint near Koblenz, navigable water depth dropped to just 15 cm on Tuesday, below the previous record low of 25 cm recorded in 2018.

The extremely shallow conditions have forced many cargo operators to halt sailings on southern sections of the river. Vessels that continue operating can carry only around 20% of their normal loads, forcing freight to be spread across multiple ships and significantly increasing transportation costs. Some cargo is also being shifted to road transport.

The disruption could have wider consequences for Germany’s economy, as the Rhine carries major volumes of grains, minerals, coal and refined oil products. Analysts warn that prolonged record-low water levels could weigh on economic growth just as Germany’s economy is showing early signs of recovery. Northern sections of the river remain navigable, but continued dry weather could worsen the situation.

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Swiss Government Rejects Stricter Neutrality Ahead of Referendum

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Switzerland’s government has rejected a proposal to introduce a stricter definition of neutrality into the country’s constitution ahead of a nationwide referendum on September 27. The initiative seeks to make Swiss neutrality permanent and armed, while preventing the country from joining military alliances.

Supporters, backed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, argue that Switzerland’s neutrality has been weakened by its decision to impose sanctions on Russia following the invasion of Ukraine and by closer cooperation with NATO on areas including military training. They also want Switzerland barred from taking part in conflicts between third countries or imposing sanctions on warring nations unless authorised by the United Nations.

Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis defended the government’s position, saying Switzerland remains neutral and does not need a more restrictive definition. He warned that the proposed constitutional changes could limit the country’s ability to cooperate with foreign partners during emerging security threats. A June Tamedia poll showed 34% support for the initiative, compared with 54% opposed.

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Meta and TikTok Agree to Fact-Check Content After Deadly Ceuta Border Rush

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Meta and TikTok have agreed to work with fact-checkers to address misleading content about migration routes into Spain following a deadly rush at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The agreement was announced by EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen, who said the move aims to prevent criminal networks from using false information to encourage migrants to attempt dangerous crossings.

More than 70,000 people reportedly rushed toward Ceuta from Morocco on July 30, with nearly 100 people reported dead. Viral videos on social media were among the content that helped fuel the rush. Under the new crisis mechanism, Meta and TikTok will cooperate with fact-checkers and take action against content linked to people smuggling.

European Commission officials and Europol are monitoring the situation closely and holding daily discussions with the platforms. The EU said the companies can voluntarily block or reduce the visibility of harmful content, while the Commission does not directly order them to remove posts. Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s two enclaves in North Africa, remain key routes for migrants seeking to enter Europe.

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New Train Service Reconnects Finland and Sweden After Decades

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A new passenger train service has restored a rail connection between Finland and Sweden for the first time in nearly 40 years. The twice-daily service runs between Finland’s coastal city of Oulu and Haparanda in Sweden, with the inaugural train crossing the Torne River on Monday. The arrival in Haparanda was welcomed by crowds waving Finnish and Swedish flags.

The route was suspended in the late 1980s and early 1990s because of low passenger numbers and differences in railway track widths. Finland uses a wider track gauge, inherited from its history as part of the Russian Empire, while most of Europe uses a narrower standard gauge. The new journey takes around 100 minutes, although passengers heading further into Sweden must change trains at Haparanda.

The restored connection could strengthen rail travel across northern Europe and make longer journeys more accessible. It also opens the possibility of travelling by train for around 5,000km from Portugal’s Algarve region to Finland’s northernmost railway station at Kolari. A rail journey between Helsinki and Stockholm could also now be completed in about 24 hours, highlighting renewed interest in cross-border rail travel.

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