Iceland

A narrow referendum defeat has kept Iceland outside the European Union, with voters prioritising control over fisheries and sovereignty despite arguments that membership could strengthen economic and security cooperation during growing geopolitical uncertainty across Europe and renewed debate over membership

Icelandic voters have rejected restarting European Union membership negotiations, ending the government's attempt to revive talks suspended since 2013. The result highlights enduring concerns about fishing rights, sovereignty and national identity, despite increasing security pressures surrounding the Arctic region

Iceland has withdrawn from Eurovision 2026, citing deep public and institutional divisions over Israel’s participation. The move aligns the country with four other European broadcasters calling for stronger ethical standards in the contest

The decision has sparked criticism from animal rights and environmental organisations, which have condemned the move as detrimental to animal welfare and ecological sustainability

The eruption site is a few kilometres northeast of Grindavik, a 3,800-person seaside town 50 kilometres southwest of Reykjavik, Iceland's capital. Grindavik's residents were ordered to vacate their houses

Throughout the night, lava surged mainly southward and southeastward at a steady pace of approximately 1 kilometre per hour, inching perilously closer to the ocean