Whaling Restart: Iceland killed two fin whales off the coast overnight, ending a two-year pause and marking the first commercial catches since 2023; a protester was removed from a Reykjavik port mast before the hunt resumed, while animal rights groups called the deaths “devastating” and the government says a bill to ban whaling is planned for autumn. Energy Tech: Syntholene says it has finished construction of a geothermal-integrated SOEC hydrogen facility in Húsavík about six months early and under budget, moving into effects testing with results targeted for late 2026. Education Policy: Iceland’s Alþingi approved full tuition fees for most non-EEA students from 2027–28, with exemptions for the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Switzerland, and universities now expected to set fee levels based on education costs. Payments & Compliance: Google expanded its Financial Services Verification to 24 additional EEA markets including Iceland, aiming to curb unauthorized financial ads. Local Governance: A Maskína survey finds nearly half of Reykjavík residents have high expectations for the new governing coalition, with satisfaction currently outpacing dissatisfaction. Transport & Business: Akasa Air took delivery of its 39th aircraft, with a delivery route that included a stop in Reykjavik. Geothermal Cooperation: Colombia and Iceland signed a geothermal energy cooperation deal to speed up knowledge exchange and joint projects for clean power.