EU Referendum Watch: Iceland votes Saturday on whether to resume EU accession talks, framed by PM Kristrún Frostadóttir as a “Yes” that’s about negotiating terms—not joining outright—while the fishing issue hangs over the process. Nordic Ripple Effects: A “Yes” could pressure Norway, since Iceland’s move would shrink the EEA club from three to two, leaving Norway as the only major single-market country outside EU decision-making. Geothermal Policy: A new EU-backed report says geothermal remains tiny in Europe (0.2% of electricity, 0.7% of heating), with the biggest barriers tied to permitting, subsurface data access, and weak district heating networks—plus a list of best practices to speed up rollout. Arctic Energy Security: Nordic energy leaders warn that rising demand and security risks since 2022 expose gaps between the region’s reputation and its preparedness, calling for tighter practical cooperation across Iceland and neighbors. High North Drills: NATO and partners keep training around Iceland and the GIUK gap under Northern Viking 26 and Arctic Sentry, with mine countermeasures and air-defense integration featuring in the focus. Local Safety & Climate Impacts: Hikers are warned that glacier retreat has made parts of Fimmvörðuháls more dangerous, with exposed gullies, crevasses, and unstable snow bridges. Aviation Business: Icelandair plans to buy a 49% stake in PLAY Europe’s Maltese AOC, aiming to boost flexibility at Keflavík, pending regulatory approval.