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Mladic Funeral Draws Thousands, Reigniting Balkan War Memories

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Thousands gathered in Belgrade on Monday for the funeral of former Bosnian Serb General Ratko Mladic, who died last week while serving a life sentence for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Mourners carried Serbian flags and images of Mladic as his coffin was taken through the streets before he was buried at a nearby cemetery.

The funeral was among Serbia’s largest public burials since the fall of communism in 1990, highlighting the continued support Mladic receives from some Serbs despite his convictions. He was found guilty by a United Nations tribunal for his role in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, in which about 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were killed, as well as for crimes committed during the siege of Sarajevo.

The event also renewed tensions between Serbia and Bosnia and drew criticism from the European Union, which condemned the glorification of convicted war criminals. Bosnia’s Foreign Minister said the country would withdraw most staff from its embassy in Belgrade in protest, while the funeral reopened painful memories for many victims and survivors of the 1990s Balkan wars.

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EU’s Kallas Calls Leipzig Attack State-Sponsored Terrorism

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European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has described the attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany as bearing the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism. Speaking ahead of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Ireland, Kallas said Europe must coordinate its response as Russia’s attacks and alleged hybrid activities continue to escalate.

Germany has said Russia was responsible for the attempted drone attack last month. EU foreign ministers arriving for the talks called for stronger pressure on Moscow, with discussions focusing on additional sanctions targeting Russia’s military industry and individuals. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the EU would work on imposing further sanctions in the coming weeks.

The meeting also highlighted concerns over Ukraine’s air defence needs. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged European countries to provide additional interceptors to help protect Ukrainian airspace. Meanwhile, several EU nations renewed calls to reconsider the use of frozen Russian assets, with around €210 billion immobilised across the bloc following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

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France Introduces Fees Targeting Ultra-Fast Fashion

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France has introduced new fees on ultra-fast fashion products, with charges potentially reaching nearly €20 per item by 2030. The measure, which came into effect on Tuesday, follows legislation passed in June targeting major e-commerce platforms such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress, which French officials have criticised for encouraging high-volume consumption of inexpensive clothing.

The fees will vary depending on the type of garment and its environmental impact. In 2026, charges range from €0.50 for underwear and €2 for T-shirts to €9 for jeans and €12 for jackets. The levy could rise to €19.50 per item by 2030, although it will remain capped at 50% of the product’s pre-tax price. Retailers such as H&M and Zara are not currently covered by the measure.

French officials say the policy aims to address the environmental and economic impact of ultra-fast fashion. However, China’s commerce ministry has criticised the legislation as discriminatory and potentially inconsistent with World Trade Organization rules. Shein has warned that the fees could hurt French consumers’ purchasing power, while Temu has argued that, as a marketplace rather than a manufacturer, it should not be classified as a fast-fashion company.

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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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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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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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Italy’s Fragmented Space Industry Faces Pressure to Consolidate Amid European Defence Push

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As Europe accelerates efforts to strengthen its strategic autonomy in defence and critical technologies, Italy’s space industry is facing mounting pressure to scale up. Historically defined by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with niche engineering expertise, the sector is struggling to meet evolving customer demands. Major defence buyers like Leonardo, alongside commercial clients, are increasingly favoring larger suppliers that can offer vertical integration, broad production capacity, and end-to-end industrial solutions rather than standalone components or engineering know-how.

The push for scale is driven by the growing importance of dual-use (civilian and military) technologies, competition from heavily capitalized global players like SpaceX, and broader geopolitical shifts. However, Italian executives point to limited access to private capital and fragmented European funding as significant barriers to growth. To overcome these hurdles, public and private initiatives are stepping in—such as a joint financing program by Intesa Sanpaolo, the European Investment Bank, and the European Space Agency aimed at providing up to €300 million to space SMEs, as well as an estimated €7.8 billion in total national sector investments expected by 2028.

To build competitiveness quickly without sacrificing specialized innovation, leading Italian space firms are turning to mergers and acquisitions. Companies like Officina Stellare and D-Orbit are actively acquiring complementary tech and production specialists to expand their capabilities and secure larger government and defence contracts. Industry leaders emphasize that the key challenge moving forward is securing the necessary scale and capital before foreign competitors outpace or acquire them.

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EU Hopes Iceland Vote Could Boost Enlargement Support

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Iceland will hold a referendum on August 29 on whether to restart negotiations to join the European Union, a move EU officials believe could strengthen public support for further enlargement. Iceland already has access to the EU single market through the European Economic Area, and diplomats say its potential return to membership talks could improve the bloc’s image among sceptical voters.

A Gallup poll shows Icelanders evenly split, with 46% supporting and 46% opposing a restart of negotiations, while 8% remain undecided. EU diplomats see Iceland, a wealthy country with a population of around 400,000, as a relatively easy candidate to integrate and believe its possible accession could help build momentum for countries such as Montenegro, Albania, Moldova and Ukraine.

If talks resume, fisheries are expected to be the most difficult issue because of the sector’s importance to Iceland’s economy and national identity. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said negotiations could take one to two years, with membership ultimately requiring a second referendum in Iceland and approval from all 27 EU member states.

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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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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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