EU

On 29 August, a majority of Icelanders rejected the reopening of EU accession talks, which have been stalled since 2013. The advisory referendum result means no new negotiations with Brussels, preserving Iceland’s current EEA benefits while maintaining control over its fishing waters.

The new academic year in France commenced on Tuesday, introducing significant measures including a mobile phone ban in schools and a revised bullying questionnaire incorporating sexual violence queries. Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced around 10 million pupils will participate, with findings expected to highlight serious issues in child safety.

Germany’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service has recovered a Soviet Second World War M1943 infantry gun from the Neisse River near Forst. Excavation work near the Polish border uncovered the well-preserved weapon, now set for disposal at the KMBD’s facility in Kummersdorf.

The European Commission has introduced five large-scale defence projects aimed at enhancing member states’ capabilities, particularly on the eastern flank. With a budget of €325 million, the projects focus on drones, maritime defence, air power, and missile defence, involving 18 member states and Ukraine in four initiatives.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda announced that top political leaders have agreed to amend the constitution, removing Article 137, which bans nuclear weapon deployment. Nauseda cited outdated geopolitical conditions, noting the presence of Russian nuclear capabilities in nearby Kaliningrad and Belarus as a pressing concern.

Spain has seen nearly 1.2 million undocumented migrants apply for legal status under a recent initiative launched by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The scheme, open since April, contrasts sharply with measures taken across Europe amid increasing far-right pressures. Of the applications, 67% are from Latin America.

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