Europe Today: Iceland says no to EU talks, Hoekstra warns on wildfires and China
Europe • Aug 31, 2026, 6:05 AM
2 min de lecture
On today's show:
Méabh Mc Mahon and Jorge Liboreiro break down why Iceland voted no to restart EU membership talks in this weekend's referendum.
Margrét Ágústa Sigurðardóttir, secretary general of the Icelandic Farmers' Association, and Dagur B. Eggertsson, MP and former Mayor of Reykjavík, react to the referendum results.
Interview: Wopke Hoekstra, EU Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, joins Euronews after a summer of wildfires and heatwaves across Europe, saying prevention needs more investment now, rather than paying the damage later.
Angela Skujins reports from Mons on a Canadian national of Chinese origin accused of spying at NATO while interning there. Details of the case remain tightly guarded, but serious questions are being raised over how an alleged spy gained access to one of the world's most important military alliances.
When and where to watch Europe Today?
You can join Euronews’ chief anchor Méabh Mc Mahon and our EU editor Maria Tadeo live on TV and Euronews' website as well as digital platforms (YouTube, Facebook, X, and Instagram) every weekday at 8 am Brussels time.
In just 20 minutes, our new format brings you the day's key events plus crucial analysis of all the stories shaping the EU and beyond. It's also available as a newsletter and podcast.
Today
French 2027 presidential election: Glucksmann enters the race
Europe • 3:02 PM
5 min
The 46-year-old former essayist, MEP and head of the centre-left party "Place Publique" used a prime-time interview on Sunday evening to announce his bid, joining an already crowded field of left-wing contenders.View on euronews
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Canada wants to get closer to the EU - but how far can it go without EU membership?
Europe • 2:13 PM
5 min
In the midst of a trade war with the US, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney will attend Ursula von der Leyen's State of the Union speech in Strasbourg on 16 September, with a summit between Ottawa and Brussels to follow. However, EU membership is not an
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Hungary says it has met all conditions to unlock full €10bn EU Recovery Fund
Europe • 2:10 PM
2 min
The release of post-pandemic recovery funds adds to Magyar's effort to draw a line under the Orbán era.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2026/08/31/hungary-says-it-has-met-all-conditions-to-unlock-f
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Romania will lose €770 million in EU funds over political deadlock
Europe • 1:16 PM
4 min
Romania's main political parties missed a deadline to agree on a reform of public-sector salaries, a key condition for receiving post-pandemic EU funding. The failure has triggered a blame game between pro-European forces in the country.<div class="small-
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Iceland’s 'no' vote deals a blow to Brussels’ security pitch to wealthy nations
Europe • 1:10 PM
6 min
Iceland rejected reopening EU membership, dealing a blow to Brussels' hope that security fears could draw wealthy neighbours closer to the bloc.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2026/08/31/icelands-
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Suspected Russian shadow fleet oil tanker boarded by EU forces in the Mediterranean
Europe • 1:10 PM
4 min
"Illegal oil sales from shadow fleet ships are a critical lifeline for Russia’s war in Ukraine, and we’ll continue to cut them off," Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, said.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.eur
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Israel signs €3 billion arms export deal with Greece, defence ministry says
Europe • 11:34 AM
6 min
In a statement, the Greek Defence Ministry said the multi-billion euro purchase was part of "the greatest reform of its armed forces in its history."<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2026/08/31/isra
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Russian strikes on warehouses leave Kyiv shops empty and destroy 12m school books ahead of new term
Europe • 11:12 AM
8 min
The Russian Defence Ministry said on Sunday it is preparing “massive strikes” on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2026/08/31/russian-strikes-on-warehouses-leave-kyiv
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Italy keeps Schengen suspension with Spain in place for further 15 days over Ceuta tensions
Europe • 10:14 AM
3 min
The Interior Ministry has announced a further 15-day suspension of Schengen with Madrid, after Matteo Piantedosi said the situation in Ceuta remains tense and "far from improved".<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://ww
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Spain's PM says Ceuta migrant surge inquiry ongoing, far-right behind 'fake' information
Europe • 9:38 AM
7 min
Last week, Spain asked the European Commission for the support from Frontex and Europol to assist with the screening of migrants who are staying irregularly in Ceuta, according to several Spanish media outlets.<div class="small-12 column text-center artic
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Rescuers continue search for missing after deadly north Cyprus ferry accident
Europe • 9:00 AM
5 min
Several survivors told local media they heard a blast shortly before the vessel rolled, with police detaining the captain and more than a dozen others.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2026/08/31/re
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Macron in Sweden to sign multi-billion euro frigate deal and strengthen strategic partnership
Europe • 8:46 AM
2 min
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected in Stockholm on Monday to finalise a multi-billion euro deal with his Swedish counterpart for four French frigates.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2026
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EU climate chief warns China dependence will make EU’s green transition more costly
Europe • 8:00 AM
3 min
Hoekstra warns China dependence will make the EU’s green transition more costly, saying there is “no alternative” to levelling the playing field.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2026/08/31/eu-clima
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Hoekstra: China isn't playing by the rules on trade
Europe • 6:58 AM
1 min
In an exclusive interview with Maria Tadeo, EU Climate chief said the EU has ‘no alternative’ to levelling playing field with Beijing<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2026/08/31/hoekstra-china-isnt-
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‘Europe’s climate and security challenges are inseparable,’ Hoekstra tells Euronews
Europe • 6:47 AM
5 min
In an exclusive Euronews interview, Hoekstra argues climate resilience, energy security, and geopolitical independence are now inseparable. EU gas storage remains below target as the Strait of Hormuz stays blocked.<div class="small-12 column text-center a
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A cold shower from the north as Iceland rejects EU membership talks
Europe • 6:32 AM
10 min
Good morning, readers. We’re back. Europe Today is live on your screens from 8.00 CEST every weekday — and back in your inboxes from 8.30. I’m Mared Gwyn, with you today and for the rest of the week.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"
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Europe Today: Iceland says no to EU talks, Hoekstra warns on wildfires and China
Europe • 6:05 AM
2 min
Iceland has voted "No" to resuming EU accession talks, shelving membership hopes for years. Europe Today breaks down the result with farming and pro-EU voices from Reykjavík, hears from Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, and reports from Mons on NATO's
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Rival leaders of divided Cyprus agree to meet weekly after UN chief's visit
Europe • 5:48 AM
4 min
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied the northern third of the island in response to an Athens-engineered Greek Cypriot coup seeking unification with Greece.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="
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EU expected to lobby member states to give Patriot interceptors to Ukraine
Europe • 12:20 AM
4 min
Ukraine is running out of Patriot interceptors to shoot down Russian missiles and other airborne threats. The EU executive is expected to put pressure on Mediterranean nations, like Greece and Spain, to give theirs up at a defence meeting on Tuesday.<div
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Which European countries are the most expensive?
Europe • 12:17 AM
3 min
Which countries are the most expensive and which are the least expensive?<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2019/06/24/which-european-countries-are-most-expensive?utm_source=test_mrss&utm_campaign=fe
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