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Meloni Nears Italy’s Stability Record, But 2027 Election Could Disrupt It

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to lead Italy’s longest-lasting government since World War Two, surpassing a record previously held by Silvio Berlusconi. Her government has benefited from political stability and improved investor confidence, particularly through tighter control of Italy’s public finances.

However, analysts warn that the stability may not last beyond the 2027 parliamentary elections. While Meloni’s government has strengthened employment and reduced irregular migration, critics say it has made limited progress on deeper reforms to public administration, healthcare and education. A failed judicial reform referendum and strained relations with U.S. President Donald Trump have also weakened her political standing.

The rise of a new far-right party led by former general Roberto Vannacci is adding further uncertainty. Recent polling suggests Meloni’s conservative coalition could struggle to reach the 42% threshold linked to proposed electoral reforms, while Vannacci’s support has risen to around 8%. Analysts say Italy could once again face a fragmented parliament and unstable coalition politics after the election.

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Italy’s Population Set to Shrink by 4 Million by 2050

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Italy’s population is projected to fall by almost 4 million by 2050, raising concerns over the country’s economy and welfare system as its population continues to age. The national statistics agency ISTAT said the population could decline from 58.9 million in early 2025 to around 55 million by 2050, before falling further to 45.8 million by 2080.

Italy’s declining birth rate is a major factor behind the demographic trend. Births fell to about 355,000 in 2025, the lowest level since the country’s unification in 1861. ISTAT expects annual births to remain broadly stable until 2030 before declining to around 335,000 by 2050, while annual deaths could peak at 869,000 in 2058.

The ageing population is expected to put increasing pressure on Italy’s workforce, pensions and welfare services. The share of people aged 65 and above is projected to rise from 24.7% in 2025 to 34.5% in 2050, while the working-age population could fall from 63.4% to 55.3%. Southern Italy is expected to experience the sharpest decline, with its population forecast to fall from 19.7 million to 16.7 million by 2050.

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German Union Warns of Major Resistance to Volkswagen Restructuring

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Germany’s largest union, IG Metall, has warned of strong opposition if Volkswagen attempts to revise a restructuring agreement reached less than two years ago. Union leader Thorsten Groeger said workers across Volkswagen’s sites would resist any move to reopen the deal, as the automaker considers major changes including plant closures, business carve-outs and up to 50,000 additional job cuts.

Volkswagen’s supervisory board is scheduled to meet on Friday to vote on three competing restructuring proposals. The decision could intensify the dispute between management and workers and potentially lead to an extraordinary shareholder meeting. The latest restructuring push comes as Volkswagen faces pressure from tariffs, growing competition from Asian automakers and weakness in the Chinese market.

Volkswagen finance chief Arno Antlitz said the company would do everything possible to protect jobs but warned that there are currently no viable production plans for plants in Hanover, Emden, Neckarsulm and Zwickau. He said maintaining current production levels without reducing excess capacity could leave Volkswagen with a permanent cost disadvantage of around €1.5 billion ($1.74 billion) annually.

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Search Continues for 18 Passengers After Ferry Capsizes Off Northern Cyprus

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Rescuers are continuing the search for 18 passengers more than 24 hours after a ferry capsized off the coast of northern Cyprus. The vessel was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members when it began taking on water shortly after leaving Kyrenia for Tasucu in Turkey. Authorities have confirmed eight deaths, while 19 people are receiving treatment in hospitals.

The ferry has since completely sunk to a depth of 514 metres (1,686ft), with debris scattered across the sea. Search teams are working to locate the missing passengers and recover the vessel’s black box to determine the cause of the accident. Local officials said the boat was struck by two waves after its journey had earlier been delayed because of poor weather.

The captain, seven crew members and another man have been arrested, while warrants have been issued for seven more people. Northern Cyprus has declared three days of national mourning following the tragedy. Families of missing passengers continue to gather at Kyrenia port as rescue operations remain underway.

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Germany Finalising Response to Suspected Leipzig Drone Attack

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday that Germany is finalising its response to the suspected drone attack near Leipzig/Halle airport earlier this month. He said the government was coordinating its actions with European Union and NATO partners, with an announcement expected in the coming days.

The incident took place on August 4, when a drone carrying explosives was discovered near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft used to transport military supplies. Germany has not officially identified those responsible, although Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the incident as a potential “hybrid attack scenario” and raised the possibility of foreign involvement.

German media have reported that Berlin could publicly blame Russia and introduce sanctions in coordination with EU partners. Merz did not comment on the suspected perpetrator but said Germany’s response had been agreed in principle and that its European and NATO allies would be involved in the final decision.

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Dutch Health Institute Issues Red Alert Over Trump-Shaped Ecstasy Pills

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A Dutch health institute has issued a red alert over ecstasy pills shaped like US President Donald Trump after several tablets were submitted to testing centres in August. The Trimbos Institute said the pills contained a very high amount of PMMA, a substance that can cause potentially fatal overheating, and warned people not to take them.

PMMA is chemically similar to MDMA, the active ingredient in ecstasy, but its effects can take longer to appear and may lack the typical stimulating sensation associated with MDMA. The delay can increase the risk of overdose, with users potentially experiencing nausea, a rapid heart rate and convulsions hours after taking the drug. No deaths or serious illnesses linked to the pills have been reported so far.

The pills feature an image of Trump on one side, while the other is marked with “Trump” and “NL”. Although ecstasy is illegal in the Netherlands, it remains a popular recreational drug. The Trump-shaped design is also not new: German police seized around 5,000 similarly shaped ecstasy tablets in 2017.

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Iceland Votes on EU Membership Talks

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Icelanders voted on Saturday in a closely contested referendum on whether to reopen negotiations to join the European Union. The vote has divided the country, with polls showing supporters and opponents of renewed talks almost evenly matched. Key issues include the cost of living, high interest rates, national sovereignty and control over fishing waters.

Supporters argue that closer ties with the EU could strengthen Iceland’s economy, potentially ease borrowing costs and provide greater security amid geopolitical tensions. Opponents say EU membership could weaken Iceland’s independence and threaten its control over its valuable fishing industry.

A “yes” vote would only restart negotiations with Brussels, not guarantee EU membership. Iceland would hold a second referendum on any eventual accession agreement. Polling stations close at 2200 GMT, with results expected in the early hours of Sunday. Reuters reports that negotiations could begin by the end of 2026 and take 18 to 24 months.

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Forced Contraception in Greenland Violated Women’s Rights, Experts Say

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A forced contraception programme carried out in Greenland mainly during the 1960s and 1970s violated women’s human rights but did not meet the legal definition of genocide, according to two expert reports released on Friday. More than 4,000 Greenlandic women and girls, some as young as 12, were given intrauterine devices or contraceptive injections between 1966 and 1991, often without their knowledge or consent.

The reports found that administering contraception without valid consent violated women’s rights to private and family life and, in some cases, subjected them to degrading treatment. While one report found no evidence that authorities or healthcare professionals intended to destroy Greenland’s population, another said Denmark may have breached the UN Genocide Convention by failing to act after becoming aware of the serious risk posed by the programme. The experts said proving genocide would require establishing specific intent to destroy a protected group.

The findings have renewed calls for accountability and reconciliation between Greenland and Denmark. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen proposed a reconciliation commission, while Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the two countries must confront the painful parts of their shared history. Denmark has also passed a compensation law providing 300,000 Danish crowns to each affected woman. Survivors have described lasting physical and emotional consequences, including infertility and other serious health complications.

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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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