Iceland eyes EU talks restart as referendum on membership looms in August; small Nordic island nation on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Europe-linked.
Iceland's cabinet has approved a plan for a referendum on resuming EU accession talks, set for August 29. The move follows increased geopolitical tensions, economic pressures, and threats from the US regarding Greenland. The vote requires parliamentary approval and marks a shift in Iceland's long-standing cautious approach to EU membership.
Britain, Ukraine, and the Netherlands are working on a new security cooperation mechanism set for 2027, aimed at boosting defense investment and demand for military technology. Leaders also discuss joint drone production and increased NATO cooperation amid ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions.
A yellow weather warning is in effect for northern and western Scotland, with gusts up to 80 mph expected. Winds will spread across the UK on Thursday, followed by a drop in temperatures and wintry weather, including snow on higher ground.
Today marks the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring at 10:46 a.m. EDT, signaling the start of Aries season and the end of Mercury retrograde in Pisces. Meanwhile, a nearly complete solar eclipse will be visible across parts of Europe and Greenland on August 12, offering a rare astronomical spectacle.
The 2026 World Happiness Report reveals a significant decline in life satisfaction among under-25s in Western countries, especially in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, linked to heavy social media use. Finland remains the happiest nation for the ninth year, while Costa Rica rises to fourth place. The report highlights social media's harmful effects on youth mental health, particularly among teenage girls.
The World Meteorological Organization and European agencies have released their 2025 State of the Climate findings saying at least 95% of Europe has recorded above-average annual temperatures, marine heatwaves and more than 1 million hectares burned by wildfires; glaciers and snow cover have lost mass and the Greenland ice sheet has contributed to sea level rise.
Bulgaria has won the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna with Dara's 'Bangaranga' on 17 May; Israel's Noam Bettan has finished second with 'Michelle', taking 343 points to Bulgaria's 516. The final has followed weeks of protests, five broadcaster boycotts and tightened voting rules after concerns about disproportionate promotion.
A U.S. team led by Sergio Gor has tested a home-built Alta X Gen 2 drone to ferry oxygen, ladders and gear to Camp I on Everest, but Nepal’s Home Affairs Ministry has refused a flight permit over drone procedures and security concerns. The test, which aimed to compare with DJI FlyCart technology used by Nepal’s AirLift Technology, has not proceeded.
Eurovision 2026 sees five countries withdrawing over Gaza conflict; 35 countries remain. Eurovision chief Martin Green aspires to pathway back for missing broadcasters while concerns about voting integrity and media freedom surface. Ireland plans to air a Father Ted episode during final; the Netherlands and Iceland continue to screen without participating.