Sovereignty, farming and fishing: Iceland votes on its future with the EU

By: Miranda Bryant in Hvammur · Þorlákshöfn and Reykjavík

29 August 2026 at 09:00

Country holds a knife-edge referendum that cuts across political divides on taking step closer to Brussels after Trump threats towards Greenland

For a long time, the prospect of becoming the third generation to run his family farm was an exciting one, says Davíð Clausen Pétursson.

Icelandic farmers were starting to get higher prices for their meat and milk, debt was no longer an occupational prerequisite and innovation was on the rise.

‘Winter panic’: EU gas stores at their lowest level in 13 years

The Guardian

By: Jillian Ambrose

29 August 2026 at 08:00

As one of Europe’s biggest consumers of gas the UK may be particularly exposed to heightened price volatility

Europe is on course to enter the cooler months with gas stores at their lowest level in 13 years, which has triggered “winter panic” among energy traders, experts have warned.

The EU’s gas stocks were 63% full in the last week of August, well below the 80% average for late August over recent years and among the lowest levels ever recorded for this time of year.

‘Winter panic’: EU gas stores at their lowest level in 13 years

World news | The Guardian

By: Jillian Ambrose

29 August 2026 at 08:00

As one of Europe’s biggest consumers of gas the UK may be particularly exposed to heightened price volatility

Europe is on course to enter the cooler months with gas stores at their lowest level in 13 years, which has triggered “winter panic” among energy traders, experts have warned.

The EU’s gas stocks were 63% full in the last week of August, well below the 80% average for late August over recent years and among the lowest levels ever recorded for this time of year.

Icelanders Are Voting on E.U. Membership Talks. Here’s What to Know.

NYT > Top Stories

By: Amelia Nierenberg

29 August 2026 at 07:01

The Nordic nation is holding a referendum on Saturday on whether to start membership talks with the European Union. Voters are divided.

A rally opposing the resumption of talks to join the European Union in Reykjavik, Iceland, on Thursday. The banner reads “no” in Icelandic.

Why Iceland and Others Might Want In, Not Out, of the E.U. Club

NYT > Top Stories

By: Jeanna Smialek and Amelia Nierenberg

29 August 2026 at 07:01

A few years ago, some feared the European Union was going out of style. Now Iceland is mulling membership alongside a long list of candidates.

Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital. A vote on Saturday will determine whether the country restarts talks to join the European Union.

UK urged to ban imports of Brazilian meat over health concerns

The Guardian

By: Fiona Harvey Environment editor

28 August 2026 at 18:13

Brazil has failed to prove compliance with EU rules on use of antibiotics in cattle and poultry farming

The UK’s leading farming organisations and animal health experts have called for an urgent ban on imports of Brazilian meat, in light of concerns over the safety of imports.

The National Farmers’ Union in England and its sister organisations in the devolved administrations wrote to the government on Friday warning that public health was at risk.

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