EU Accession Talks: Iceland’s foreign minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir warned the EU to be “careful” about proposals to delay full voting rights for new members, saying a probation-style approach would make membership less attractive; Iceland is set to hold a referendum on 29 August on whether to restart EU accession negotiations. Pharma & Rare Disease: Neuren Pharmaceuticals got a major boost after the EU’s CHMP adopted a positive opinion recommending marketing authorisation for Daybu (trofinetide) for Rett syndrome, moving the decision to the European Commission; if approved, it would be the first EU treatment for the condition’s neurobehavioral symptoms and could unlock major sales milestones for Neuren and partner Acadia. Business & Investment: Amaroq Ltd says drilling has started at the Ilua Rare Earth Project in South Greenland, targeting a pegmatite-hosted rare earth prospect with prior surface sampling reporting up to 2.3% TREO (about 27% heavy REEs), as it begins its 2026 exploration campaign. Youth Gambling: A University of Iceland survey finds around 40% of upper secondary students in Iceland gambled in the past year, with researchers calling for stronger prevention efforts, linking risk to loneliness and poorer mental wellbeing. Local Tech in Agriculture: A golf course in Þorlákshöfn is using a fertiliser-spreading drone as a cheaper alternative to specialised vehicles, also supporting land restoration where machinery can’t reach. Whaling Watch: Iceland has resumed commercial whaling after a two-year pause, with reports of two fin whales killed in the early days of the hunt, drawing criticism from conservation groups.