EU Vote, Suppression Therapy, Food Prices, Oil Prices

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Iceland Roundup
The Reykjavík Grapevine's Iceland Roundup brings you the top news with a healthy dash of local views. In this episode, Grapevine publisher Jón Trausti Sigurðarson is joined by Heimildin journalist Aðalsteinn Kjartansson, and Grapevine friend and contributor Sindri Eldon to roundup the stories making headlines in recent weeks. On the docket this week are: 
Icelanders To Vote On EU
The government announced last week that a referendum asking whether or not Iceland should  continue negotiations with the EU about what terms Iceland could join the union on. The referendum will take place on August 29th.
Fish Washes Ashore In South Iceland, Locals Eat It
The strange occurrence of perfectly edible fish washing ashore in the small fishing village of Stokkseyri made the news this weekend. Reasons are unclear, but getting fish into the pots of the locals, usually requires more work.
Standardized School Tests Back After A 5 Year Absence 
Elementary schools in Iceland held the first standardized tests since 2021, last week.
The Chancellor Of the Catholic Church In Iceland’s Great PR
 RÚV reported that the Catholic Church in Iceland was providing suppression therapy, which is illegal in Iceland. The Chancellor of the Icelandic congregation said, when queried on the subject that: “We must preach what the church preaches. It is that simple. [..]Whether it is legal or illegal, I know about these laws [..] Parliament does not  dictates to me what I should say. I should say what the church tells me and what Jesus Christ proclaims." So much for secularism.
Price Of Food Has Risen Faster Than Salaries
The price of food in Iceland has risen by 7,8% since the last collective bargaining agreement was signed in March 2024 according to The Icelandic Confederation of Labour (ASÍ), and by 10% according to Statistics Iceland. ASÍ’s main economist, Ágúst Arnórsson, told visir.is that the price hikes could void the 2024 collective bargaining agreement.
Middle East War — Oil Prices To Go Up In Iceland
And adding fuel to the fire that is currently the high inflation in Iceland are expected price raises on gasoline.

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The Reykjavík Grapevine is an alternative monthly magazine published in Iceland since 2003. We bringing you the news and views on Icelandic culture and society, sprinkled with music coverage, travel content, restaurant reviews and more. More on https://www.grapevine.is
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