*the rising cost of living and the war and Ukraine seemed to be the initial factors for Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir's center-left coalition government to plan a vote on joining the EU.
But Trump's threats against Greenland have made many in Iceland keener for an earlier vote on this issue.
"Iceland seeks vote in August on whether to restart EU membership talks"
US President Donald Trump threats to take over neighbouring Greenland now appears to be the main factor* driving the renewed desire to consider joining the EU.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/e...
"North Korea thrash Bangladesh in Women's Asian Cup warning"
Unlike the men's team, North Korea's women’s team is historically stronger and more active internationally.
www.france24.com/en/live-news...
"Germany: Fuel prices spike amid Iran conflict"
Prices at the pumps for petroleum and diesel have risen by around one-fifth in a matter of days in Germany. Oil production and shipments have been severely disrupted by the fighting in Iran and the wider Middle East.
www.dw.com/en/germany-f...
"Pakistan thwarts JPMorgan’s efforts to buy historic New York hotel"
JPMorgan wished to buy Manhattan's Roosevelt Hotel, however the Trump administration stepped with U.S. Special Envoy and real estate developer Steve Witkoff backing Pakistan's retention of the property.
www.ft.com/content/31b2...
"Influencers in Dubai warned they face prison for posting material about the conflict with Iran"
Dubai was happy for influencers to post glitzy and upbeat content especially as this often came with gushing praise.
But they take a dim view of more gritty content.
www.standard.co.uk/news/world/d...
Girl hurt in 'sickening' hate crime attack by teens
The police in Bristol believe it may be related to the "school war" trend, in which viral posts encourage violence between schools separated into 'red' and 'blue' groups.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"More than 160,000 Afghans without food as Pakistan clashes force aid agencies to stop work"
UN aid agency says Afghan families continue to face ‘emergency levels’ of hunger
The US-Israeli war against neighbouring Iran is set to make matters worse.
www.independent.co.uk/asia/south-a...
Private Eye nails it once again - their 2016 cartoon told you exactly who Trump was.
"Mine collapse in eastern Congo leaves 200 dead"
The mine collapse happened in an area under the control of the M23 rebels who have been known for forcing extraction of coltan in unsafe conditions.
The rebels deny the death toll.
www.france24.com/en/mine-coll...
Reading between the lines, Starmer's main focus is the"hundreds of thousands of Britons still stuck in the region."
Starmer referred to the evacuations as "a huge undertaking. It is one of the biggest operations of its kind."
"Many times bigger than the evacuation from Afghanistan."
"Hundreds of people continue to evacuate via Azerbaijan amid Iran war"
Azerbaijan’s foreign minister says he held a phone call with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas to discuss evacuation efforts of European nationals trapped in Iran amid US and Israeli attacks.
www.euronews.com/2026/03/05/h...
I think Labour would be polling much better if they had recognised the damage Brexit was doing in 2024 when they got elected and were open and honest about it in terms of how it's affecting the UK economy.
It's essentially slowly destroying the Labour government like the Tories before them.
"Reverse exodus: Syria opens crossings for return of thousands fleeing strikes on Lebanon"
The border crossings with Lebanon have witnessed an unprecedented reverse exodus, with tens of thousands of Syrians returning to their country to escape the Israeli military
www.euronews.com/2026/03/04/r...
It seems to me like a deliberate pushing of boundaries and military combat practice when the ultimate aim is to seize Greenland in the future.
"US sub sinks Iranian warship in Indian Ocean"
This seems to be an illegal strike since the ship was in international waters, the strike wasn't in response to an armed attack and it was not authorised by the UN Security Council.
The attack breached the UN Charter.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
There does seem to be some sort of right-wing bias at the BBC, not just Badenoch but in general there has been soft treatment and amplification of right-wing views over the last decade at least.
bsky.app/profile/imra...
*Nepal is small compared to other countries but still ranks at 93rd out of 193 countries in terms of total area. The media doesn't really refer to Belgium as a small European country despite it being 5 times smaller than Nepal. Nepal is also larger than Portugal, Iceland, Austria, and Switzerland.
"Gen Z toppled a government in Nepal – now they want control"
I find it interesting that Channel 4 refers to Nepal as a "small Himalayan country" when the country is about 11% larger than England.*
Now Bhutan is definitely a small Himalayan country.
www.channel4.com/news/gen-z-t...
In the full exchange Badenoch urged the UK to launch offensive action against Iran, despite her saying nobody wants the conflict to escalate. On this occasion, Starmer is right to be hesitant - the USA is already at war with Iran - there is no need for the UK to step in even for retaliatory reasons
"Starmer defends Iran response as Badenoch calls for more action"
While the Conservatives were eager for Britain to join Trump, Starmer said he was not prepared for the UK to join a war without "a lawful basis and a viable, thought-through plan".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"One in five Reform members want non-white British citizens to be removed from UK, poll finds"
Reform members are generally ‘more pessimistic, angry and extreme than the British public’, according to the study’s author
What a surprise this is 🙃
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...
Carney says he supports Iran strikes 'with regret'
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for parties involved in the war in Iran to de-escalate hostilities quickly - and said while he supports the strikes, it is a position he takes "with regret".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Nice to see the person overseeing the lastest war in the Middle East has a solid grasp of reality
Rachel Reeves finally mentions Brexit being bad during her Spring Statement.
Possibly, due to Labour's declining popularity and recent by-election loss, has made Reevee feel able to say something like this.
Whereas previously, Labour seemed keen not to offend Brexit voters.
wait what? Reform is misogynistic AND racist? Who would have thought it.
"South Sudan risks return to full-blown civil war as violence escalates"
On Sunday, at least 169 people were killed after armed youth from Mayom county in the north raided a village in neighbouring Abiemnom county near the (North) Sudan border.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...
Unpopularity of Iran war 'almost unprecedented' this early on, expert says
Professor Stephen Zunes at the University of San Francisco notes it is remarkable "that at the very beginning of the war there's overwhelming opposition" to it across the political spectrum.
www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/...
"Britain halts student visas for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan"
"I am taking the unprecedented decision to refuse visas for those nationals seeking to exploit our generosity" said Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood in a statement.
www.france24.com/en/europe/20...
