EU Referendum Watch: Iceland will hold a “Brexit-style” vote on August 29 on whether to restart EU membership talks, with critics warning it’s the “worst business idea” and opponents pushing a “Keep In Control” message. Whaling Returns: Iceland’s commercial whaling has resumed after a two-year pause, with the vessel Hvalur 9 harpooning two fin whales; the government is also preparing a bill that could ban whaling in the future as protests continue. Public Safety & Justice: Parliament approved a new legal framework for court-ordered security measures outside prison, creating a secure facility for up to 16 high-risk individuals. Health Insurance Rules: New legislation will shorten the waiting period for public health insurance for non-EEA residents (six months to three) and end automatic coverage for healthcare costs incurred outside the EEA from next year. Crime Update: Police are investigating a suspected donation scam using card payments that allegedly charged victims far more than they expected. Environment & Transport: South Iceland police are probing reports of illegal off-road driving linked to French-registered Land Rovers that may have damaged fragile highland areas; meanwhile, a fatal crash east of Vík is under investigation and a magnitude 3.1 quake was recorded on the Reykjanes Ridge. Business & Housing: An Icelandic startup, Fjöldakaup, launches a group-buying model to negotiate discounts on new homes. Aviation: Akasa Air took delivery of its 39th Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, with the delivery route including Reykjavik. Culture & Sports: Icelandic chess grandmaster Vignir Vatnar Stefánsson won ISK 250,000 at the Green Diamond Invitational.