This week in Iceland
Iceland's news this week was largely focused on intense domestic sports competitions, with numerous headlines detailing decisive playoff games and finals in both men's and women's basketball and handball, featuring teams like Njarðvík, Valur, and FH. In national news, Icelandair's CEO expressed hopes to avert flight cancellations amid ongoing labor negotiations, while reports highlighted significant construction delays, averaging seven years, for traffic infrastructure projects in the capital region.
About Iceland
Iceland, a captivating island nation in the North Atlantic, is renowned for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, vast glaciers, and abundant geothermal activity, offering a unique blend of natural wonders. Despite its small population, the country maintains a vibrant and independent media market, consistently ranking among the top globally for press freedom. This strong commitment to open information ensures a diverse and critical news environment, reflecting the nation's democratic values.
Visiting Iceland
Media landscape
Iceland boasts a highly free and independent media environment, characterized by a small but diverse market. The press plays a crucial role in public discourse, with both traditional and digital outlets providing comprehensive coverage.
For a comprehensive understanding, consult both Icelandic-language news for local depth and English-language publications like The Reykjavík Grapevine for cultural and political insights.
Sources we track 1
Robots Now Mowing Reykjavik's Parks
- Automated lawnmowers are now being used for public grounds maintenance in Reykjavik, Iceland. - The robotic mowers, a collaboration between Reykjavik City and Gardathjonusta Sigurjons, operate auton…
Icelandic Lawyer Accused of Embezzling Over $90,000 from Estate
- Lawyer Guðrún Björg Birgisdóttir has been reported to the prosecutor for alleged embezzlement from an estate she managed. - She is accused of transferring over 12.5 million Icelandic króna to her pe…
Reykjavik government to focus on essentials, plans daily flag-raising at City Hall
- Reykjavik's new city government plans to end what it calls "nonsense" in the city's administration and focus on essential matters. - Mayor Hildur Björnsdóttir stated the new majority aims to change …
Andoni Iraola wants five new players for Liverpool
- Andoni Iraola is set to take over as Liverpool manager and has identified five transfer targets. - The Spanish coach reportedly wants to sign forwards Yan Diomande, Bradley Barcola, and Jarrod Bowen…
Lilja Björg appointed municipal manager of Dalabyggð
- Lilja Björg Ágústsdóttir has been appointed the new municipal manager of Dalabyggð. - Ágústsdóttir, a lawyer and teacher originally from the region, brings extensive experience in municipal administ…
Ferries Baldur and Herjólfur to jointly serve Westman Islands during repairs
- The ferries Baldur and Herjólfur will both operate routes to and from Vestmannaeyjar starting June 8. - This arrangement is temporary while one of Herjólfur's engines undergoes repairs. - The ferry …
WMO warns of potentially powerful El Niño this year
- The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has issued a warning about the onset of an El Niño event, predicting it could have particularly significant impacts this year. - El Niño is an annual weat…
Ljósið secures new contract, focusing on rehabilitation
- Ljósið has signed a new agreement with the Ministry of Health and the Social Security of Iceland. - The contract is worth over 487 million Icelandic króna annually, ensuring free rehabilitation serv…
Marco Silva departs Fulham after five years, reportedly to manage Benfica
- Portuguese football manager Marco Silva has left his position at English club Fulham after five years. - Silva is reportedly taking over as manager of Benfica in his home country. - Under his leader…
Pundit Questions Andoni Iraola's Appointment as Premier League Manager
- Former footballer Jamie Carragher questions the appointment of Andoni Iraola as the new manager for an English Premier League club. - Carragher expressed his doubts about Iraola's suitability for th…
Jimmy Kimmel hints at ending his talk show
- Jimmy Kimmel, host of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!', has hinted at ending his long-running talk show. - He expressed disappointment over the cancellation of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert', seeing it as…
Iceland Signs New Four-Year Rehabilitation Contract with Ljósið for Cancer Patients
- Iceland's Ministry of Health has signed a new four-year contract with Ljósið, a rehabilitation center for cancer patients. - The agreement, with a maximum annual value of approximately 487 million I…
Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi Dine Together in Tokyo
- Actors Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi were recently spotted on a dinner date in Tokyo, Japan. - This outing follows a vacation the couple took to Hawaii a few weeks prior. - Neither Jenner nor Elor…
Seismic Activity Decreases on Iceland's Mosfellsheiði Plateau After Over 1,100 Quakes
- Seismic activity on the Mosfellsheiði plateau, west of Húsmúli, has decreased significantly, with over 1,100 earthquakes recorded since Sunday. - The largest earthquake in the recent swarm measured …
Nine dead, dozens injured in large-scale Russian attacks across Ukraine
- Russia launched large-scale missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, killing nine people and injuring dozens. - Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported four deaths and at least 58 injuries in the capi…
Charged over Järfälla killings
- A man in his 30s has been charged with the murders of two men in a car in Kallhäll, Sweden, last August. - The prosecution alleges the killings were carried out by criminal gangs. - Evidence include…
Icelandic police continue custody in shooting investigation
- A man in his 40s is in continued custody following a shooting incident in Kópavogur, Iceland. - A man in his 50s with a gunshot wound sought help at a bakery and was hospitalized but is not in life-…
AI firm Anthropic files for IPO, surpasses OpenAI in valuation
- AI company Anthropic has filed a confidential application for an initial public offering (IPO), aiming to list on the stock market. - This move positions Anthropic ahead of its main competitor, Open…
New Danish government formed after coalition talks
- Denmark's Social Democrats, led by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, have reached an agreement with the Socialist People's Party, Moderaterna, and the Radical Left to form a new government. - The fo…
Sigmundur Davíð Introduces New Family Member
- Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, leader of the Center Party, shared a personal update on Facebook about his family's new puppy. - He described a pleasant evening with his daughter, where they decided t…
Salmon sightings increase as Iceland's fishing season approaches
- Anglers are reporting sightings of salmon in several Icelandic rivers as the season begins. - Norðurá river has seen a significant number of salmon, with some anglers observing up to thirteen fish i…
Valur vs. Víkingur R.: Reykjavík derby underway in Bestu deild karla
- Valur and Víkingur R. are competing in a Reykjavík derby match as part of the 9th round of the Bestu deild karla football league. - Víkingur R. currently leads the league standings with 25 points, w…
Talks held over weekend in Icelandair pilot dispute
- Talks are ongoing between Icelandair and the Union of Icelandic Commercial Pilots, but no new meeting has been scheduled. - The state mediator is facilitating discussions via phone to find a resolut…
Tech Giants Criticized for Intrusive Practices; Vivaldi Launches Awareness Campaign
- Jón von Tetzchner, founder of Vivaldi Technologies, criticizes major tech companies for intrusive data collection practices. - Vivaldi, in partnership with Proton, launched the
Colombia election: Petro's experiment faces a right-wing challenge
- Colombia's first leftist president, Gustavo Petro, promised deep transformations but delivered a mixed record over four years. - Voters will choose between continuing Petro's line or a right-wing sh…
Linda Dröfn Gunnarsdóttir named Woman of the Year 2025
- Linda Dröfn Gunnarsdóttir, director of Kvennaathvarfið (Women's Shelter), was named Woman of the Year 2025 by the Federation of Women in Reykjavík. - The award ceremony took place on the federation'…
Cod war's end: 50 years since Iceland secured its fishing zone
- Fifty years ago, on June 1, 1976, an agreement was signed in Oslo, ending the cod war between Iceland and Britain. - The agreement formally recognized Iceland's 200-mile fishing zone, preventing Bri…
Laufey Named Performer of the Year at Iceland's Sögur Awards
- Singer Laufey was named Performer of the Year at the Sögur awards, an event celebrating children's culture. - The awards ceremony, held in Reykjavik, recognized various achievements in children's me…
Pilots showcase skills at Iceland's annual air show
- Iceland's Aviation Association held its annual air show at Reykjavík Airport. - The event featured skilled aerobatic pilots and a special guest, Canadian champion Luke Penner. - Displays included th…
Hantavirus-infected cruise ship Hondius set to sail again
- The cruise ship MV Hondius, previously carrying passengers infected with hantavirus, has received clearance to sail again. - The ship underwent thorough disinfection and cleaning in Rotterdam. - Whi…
Three killed in road accident in Norway
- Three people died in a head-on collision between a car and a truck on national road 3 near Kvikne, Norway. - The victims were occupants of the car, which had foreign license plates. - Authorities ar…
David Szalay wonders whether AI could write hockey smut
- Hungarian-British author David Szalay discussed his Booker Prize-winning novel "Flesh" and the challenges of articulating the "unsayable." - Szalay shared his thoughts on Australian literature, reco…
Iceland sets minimum daylight standards for new buildings
- Iceland is implementing new building regulations to ensure minimum daylight levels in new constructions, effective May 1 for new zoning plans and August 1, 2027, for all building permits. - The regu…
Casemiro frustrated by Neymar questions ahead of World Cup
- Brazil midfielder Casemiro expressed frustration with repeated questions about teammate Neymar ahead of the World Cup. - Casemiro stated that Neymar is as important to the squad as any other player.…
Keflavík Airport warns of delays due to 'minimum manning' at border control
- Icelandair passengers at Keflavík Airport were notified of potential delays due to "minimum manning" at border control. - The alert advised passengers to arrive early for border checks following che…
Overcrowded Trains Lead to Fainting Incidents on Norway's Vestfold Line
- Passengers on Norway's Vestfoldbanen train line are experiencing severe overcrowding and lack of oxygen due to a shortage of carriages. - The regional governor of Vestfold has criticized the Ministe…
Important questions remain unanswered
- Iceland's parliament passed a resolution for a referendum on European Union membership with 34 votes in favor. - Opposition lawmakers highlighted inconsistencies in messages from Prime Minister Kris…
Icelandic Teacher Argues Inclusive Education Policy Is Unworkable
- An Icelandic teacher argues that the current implementation of inclusive education in Iceland is unworkable and detrimental. - Davíð Már Sigurðsson states that teachers cannot effectively cater to u…
Student Convicted of Terror Plot Can Continue Chemistry Studies, Swedish Court Rules
- A Swedish court ruled that the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) cannot expel a student convicted of planning a terrorist attack. - The 24-year-old student, who received an eight-year sentence in …
Expert criticizes Icelandic committee chair over EU membership discussion
- Hjörtur J. Guðmundsson, a historian and international relations expert, criticized the chairman of Iceland's parliamentary foreign affairs committee, Pawel Bartoszek. - Guðmundsson stated Bartoszek …
Rare 13th-century artifact found in Árbær
- A rare 13th-century stone cross was discovered in Árbær, Iceland, during archaeological research. - The find suggests human settlement in the area predates written records from the mid-15th century.…
Demolition and Construction in Vogabyggð, Reykjavik
- Construction continues in Reykjavik's Vogabyggð district, with new apartment buildings replacing industrial sites. - City planning has approved merging two plots to build a 112-unit apartment comple…
Referendum on EU talks is not about informing the public, says party leader
- Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, leader of the Progressive Party, criticizes the upcoming referendum on EU accession talks, stating it's not about informing the public but about granting authority for …
From Vesturbæ to Holland
- Basketball player Hanna Þráinsdóttir has joined Dutch club Leiden. - The 28-year-old previously played for KR in Iceland, helping them reach fourth place in the league. - Þráinsdóttir averaged 12 po…
Veitur Halts Drilling in Skammadal Amid Environmental Concerns
- Veitur has halted drilling operations in Skammadal to implement further mitigation measures for the local ecosystem. - Independent experts will assess the impact of past drilling on the river and it…
15 students feared dead in Kenyan school fire
- At least 15 students are feared dead following a fire at a girls' boarding school in Kenya's Nakuru County. - The blaze erupted around 1:00 AM local time at Utumishi Girls Academy. - Emergency servi…
Icelandic lawmakers to access classified EU documents
- Lawmakers not on the Foreign Affairs Committee will be granted access to classified documents regarding potential EU membership negotiations. - The request for access was made by the leader of the S…
New Evidence to be Presented to Police in Óshlíð Case
- Relatives of a man who died in 1973 are presenting new evidence to police, seeking a renewed investigation into his death. - The man, Kristinn Hauks Jóhannesson, was found dead near the Óshlíð road …
Iceland's National Library replaces librarians with security guards amid budget cuts
- Iceland's National Library will replace librarians with security guards for evening and weekend shifts on the third and fourth floors. - The change is attributed to government-mandated budget cuts a…
Reykjavik Left Party Leader Criticizes New Coalition's Agenda
- Sanna Magdalena Mörtudóttir, leader of the Left party in Reykjavik, criticizes the new majority coalition's focus. - She expresses concern that the new coalition's agenda does not address housing co…
Banks demanded to reverse interest rate hikes
- Icelandic trade unions are demanding that commercial banks retract recent interest rate hikes, citing the banks' significant profits. - Unions argue that banks, which reported nearly 100 billion Ice…
Transportation pact main sticking point for Reykjavik council
- The new majority in Reykjavik's city council has agreed to revise the transportation agreement and initiate discussions with the government and neighboring municipalities. - Key issues included the …
Rural dream near city: New neighborhood offers country living close to amenities
- A new residential area called Tjarnabyggð is being developed near Selfoss, Iceland, offering a rural lifestyle with urban proximity. - The development by brothers Haraldur and Benedikt Ólafsson aims…
Icelandic Parliament Debates EU Referendum Amidst Opposition
- Iceland's parliament is debating a referendum on EU membership talks, with a deadline of August 29 for the vote to proceed. - Sigríður Á. Andersen of the Progress Party expressed dissatisfaction, ci…
Icelandic Teacher Charged with Smearing Feces Amid Stalking Allegations
- A primary school teacher in Reykjanesbær, Iceland, faces charges for allegedly smearing feces on a door and car. - The alleged acts were committed at the homes of individuals accusing Iris Helga Jón…
Artist Þórunn Elísabet Sveinsdóttir receives Iceland's top performing arts honor
- Þórunn Elísabet Sveinsdóttir received the Icelandic Performing Arts Association's honorary award for 2026. - Sveinsdóttir, a visual artist, costume, and set designer, expressed surprise at the recog…
Former hospitality students celebrate 55 years since graduation
- A group of former hotel and restaurant school graduates from 1971 recently reunited in Iceland to reminisce and discuss industry changes. - Ten of the original 29 graduates attended the gathering, m…
Eighth win in a row for the champions
- Víkingur secured their eighth consecutive win in the Besta deild karla, defeating Stjarnan 3-1. - The victory maintains Víkingur's three-point lead at the top of the league standings. - Stjarnan has…
US attacks missile sites in Iran despite ceasefire, says it acted to defend troops
- US forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran targeting missile sites and boats attempting to lay mines. - The attacks occurred as Iranian negotiators arrived in Doha for talks aimed at …
Vintage Tractors and Classic Cars Shine at Iceland's Tractor Day
- The Ferguson Club held its annual Tractor Day event at Blikastöðum in Mosfellsbær, Iceland, showcasing vintage tractors and classic cars. - Around twenty tractors, primarily Ferguson models, were di…
Rwanda's first women's drumming group educates next generation
- Ingoma Nshya, Rwanda's first women's drumming group, was founded 22 years ago by Odile Gakire Katese to encourage women's participation in arts where they were excluded. - The group faced significan…
Iceland's Settlement Centre celebrates 20 years, boosting local tourism
- The Settlement Centre in Borgarnes, Iceland, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. - Opened in 2006 by Sigríður Margrét and Kjartan Ragnarsson, the center focuses on Iceland's settlement history and …
UK breaks 80-year-old heat record as temperatures soar
- An 80-year-old heat record was broken across the UK as temperatures soared, with London reaching 34.8 degrees Celsius. - The high temperatures are unusual for May, with the current heatwave comparab…
Russia Urges US Diplomats to Leave Kyiv After Weekend Strikes
- Russia's Foreign Minister urged the U.S. to move its embassy staff out of Kyiv following weekend missile and drone attacks. - Moscow claimed its Oreshnik hypersonic missile was used in the strikes, …
Europe Shatters May Temperature Records Amid Intense Heatwave
- Record-breaking heatwaves are sweeping across Europe, with temperatures reaching 33.5°C (92.3°F) in Heathrow, UK. - Temperatures are expected to climb higher, potentially reaching 35°C (95°F) in the…
First Student Completes Advanced Piano Exam at Icelandic Music School
- Sóley Sif Jónsdóttir made history by becoming the first student to complete advanced piano studies at the Austur-Húnvetninga Music School. - She comes from a musical family, with her mother as the s…
Crack in Toxic Tank May Ease Pressure, California Evacuations Continue
- Authorities discovered a crack in a damaged toxic chemical tank, potentially relieving pressure and reducing explosion risk. - Approximately 40,000 residents were evacuated from Garden Grove, Califo…
Two-year-old boy missing in Sweden, extensive search underway
- A large-scale search is underway in Nyåker, Sweden, for a two-year-old boy who disappeared this morning. - Police are utilizing search dogs, a helicopter, and drones, expanding the search area as th…
Hotels must adapt to AI search trends
- 37% of travelers now use AI travel sites to plan and book trips, according to a Boston Consulting Group study. - Hotels must adapt to be visible to AI models, which process natural language queries …
Around 200 earthquakes measured in swarm on Reykjanes Ridge
- Around 200 earthquakes have been measured in a seismic swarm on the Reykjanes Ridge, which began about 24 hours ago. - The largest quake in the swarm measured 3.5 magnitude early this morning, and w…
Hope that Lebanon will be part of the agreement
- Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem expressed hope for a ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States that would include Lebanon. - Qassem stated that if an agreement is reached, it would encompa…
Tottenham survives relegation scare with crucial win over Everton
- Tottenham secured a 1-0 victory against Everton, ensuring their place in the Premier League next season. - Joao Palhinha scored the lone goal for Tottenham in the first half. - The win placed Totten…
French couple detained in Portugal over child abandonment
- Portuguese authorities have arrested a French woman and her partner, detaining them on suspicion of abandoning her two young sons, aged four and five, by the roadside. - The children were found cryi…
California Declares State of Emergency Over Leaking Toxic Tank
- California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Garden Grove due to a leaking toxic chemical tank. - Over 40,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate as the tank containing meth…
Icelandic Watercolor Artists Expand Internationally
- Icelandic watercolor artists are experiencing a growing international presence, with increased collaboration beyond traditional Nordic partnerships. - The establishment of the Watercolor Society of …
Major accident feared if tank with toxins explodes
- Firefighters in California are racing to cool a tank containing 26,000 liters of methyl methacrylate, a flammable liquid used in plastic production. - Over 40,000 residents in the Garden Grove area …
Trump says U.S., Iran closer to deal, warns of 'hard blow' if talks fail
- U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States and Iran are moving closer to an agreement to end the conflict in the Middle East. - Trump warned of severe consequences if an agreement is …
Icelandair cancels six flights due to unprecedented crew shortages amid negotiations
- Icelandair has canceled six flights today due to crew shortages, a situation the CEO described as unprecedented. - Four of the cancellations were specifically attributed to the inability to staff cr…
Traffic Limited Due to Maintenance on Jökulsá á Fjöllum Bridge
- Maintenance work on the bridge over Jökulsá á Fjöllum near Grímsstaðir will begin on May 26 and last until June 16. - The bridge will be closed during working hours (8:00 AM to 7:00 PM) on weekdays,…
Icelandic politicians' social media antics reviewed
- Icelandic politicians' social media activity is humorously reviewed in the "Spursmálum" segment. - The review covers reactions to local elections, including wins and losses for prominent figures. - …
Nurse Recounts TB Battle, Criticizes Conditions at Iceland's National Hospital
- An Icelandic nurse, Atli Dagur Sigurðsson, has completed a 120-day treatment for latent tuberculosis contracted at his workplace, the Landspítali hospital's emergency department. - Sigurðsson descri…
Significant Disparities in Graduation Rates Linked to Primary Schools in Iceland
- A new report reveals significant disparities in the rate at which students graduate from upper secondary school within three years, depending on their previous primary school. - The report, commissi…
Divers' Equipment Questioned After Fatal Maldives Cave Dive
- A Finnish diver, Sami Paakkarinen, found the bodies of four Italian divers who died in a cave at a depth of 60 meters in the Maldives. - Paakkarinen stated that the equipment used by the Italian div…
Footage of flying strange objects released
- The U.S. Department of Defense has released footage from an F-16 fighter jet's targeting system showing the downing of an unidentified object over Lake Huron in February 2023. - This release is part…
Icelandic Court Upholds Trademark Violation Ruling, Awards Reduced Damages
- Iceland's Landsréttur court upheld a lower court's ruling regarding trademark infringement. - The court found that the use of the 'b5' brand name for a nightclub constituted a trademark violation. -…
Breiðablik 6 - 2 KR: Dominant Victory in Bestu deild
- Breiðablik defeated KR 6-2 in a Bestu deild karla football match. - Kristófer Ingi Kristinsson scored the sixth goal for Breiðablik in the 54th minute, assisted by Anton. - Anton contributed signifi…
Árni Magnússon Elected Chairman of University of Bifröst Board
- Árni Magnússon, former Minister of Social Affairs, has been elected chairman of the board of the University of Bifröst. - A new five-member board has taken office for a two-year term, comprising rep…
Eleven Students Receive 30 Million Króna in Scholarships from Leif Eiriksson Foundation
- The Leif Eiriksson Foundation awarded scholarships totaling 30 million Icelandic króna to eleven Icelandic and American university students for the 2026-2027 academic year. - The foundation, establi…
Young boys abandoned in Portugal
- Police in Portugal arrested a mother and stepfather after two young French boys were found abandoned and crying by the roadside. - The children, both under five years old, were discovered near Alcác…
Swedish Right-Wing Parties Push for Sunday Alcohol Sales at State Monopoly
- Right-wing political parties in Sweden are advocating for the state-run alcohol monopoly, Systembolaget, to be allowed to sell alcohol on Sundays. - Jimmie Åkesson of the Sweden Democrats argues it'…
'I'm not going to say it's a done deal' - Progress in Norðurþing coalition talks
- Negotiations are underway to form a seven-member majority coalition in Norðurþing municipality. - The coalition would include the Independence Party, Progressive Party, Social Democratic Alliance, a…
Tourist Numbers Decline in Japan Amidst Geopolitical Tensions
- The number of foreign tourists visiting Japan decreased in April, marking a decline after a record high in the previous month. - This decrease was partly attributed to a drop in Chinese tourists and…
Vörður Introduces Fertility Protection to Insurance Policies in Iceland
- Vörður, an Icelandic insurance company, has introduced fertility protection as a free addition to its standard disease insurance policies. - This new coverage aims to support individuals and couples…
Arsenal fans erupt in joy after first league title in 22 years
- Thousands of Arsenal fans celebrated outside the Emirates Stadium, marking the club's first league title in 22 years. - The team secured the title after finishing second for the past three seasons. …
Concern that the voice of the People's Party is not heard
- The People's Party (Flokkur fólksins) failed to secure a seat in the Reykjavik city council in the recent local elections, receiving 3.3% of the vote. - Party leader Guðmundur Ingi Þóroddsson expres…
Driver Jailed 13 Years for Smuggling 90kg Cocaine in Skims Truck
- A truck driver has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for smuggling 90 kilograms of cocaine. - The cocaine was hidden in a truck carrying underwear from Kim Kardashian's brand, Skims, and was valu…
Drivers Urged for Patience Amidst Suðurlandsbraut Construction Delays
- Major traffic delays are occurring on Suðurlandsbraut in Reykjavik due to ongoing construction to replace a heating pipeline. - The pipeline replacement is essential for safety and supply security, …
Hormuz Strait Shipments Increase Again
- Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz saw a slight increase last week after nearly stopping the week prior, with only 19 ships passing through. - This was the lowest number of ships since conflicts b…
Tindastóll - Grindavík, the score is 40:45
- Tindastóll and Grindavík are competing in the fourth game of the Icelandic men's basketball league finals. - Grindavík currently leads the series 2-1, needing one more win to secure the championship…
Tindastóll Hosts Grindavík in Crucial Basketball Finals Game
- Tindastóll will host Grindavík in the fourth game of the Icelandic men's basketball league finals. - Grindavík currently leads the series 2-1, with the first team to win three games securing the cha…