Reykjavik-based correspondent covering Icelandic politics, environment, and Nordic affairs
A Reykjavik man faces 12 rape charges for abusing his stepdaughter, years after avoiding prison for similar crimes against the girl's mother. This case highlights critical issues in Iceland's justice system and child protection efforts.
A man is recovering after a serious assault in Reykjavik's Höfði district. Two suspects are in custody as police investigate potential connections. The case highlights concerns over violent crime in Icelandic urban areas.
An Icelandic psychiatrist warns patients using AI for self-diagnosis are demanding specific drugs, reshaping doctor visits. He stresses the dangerous gap between AI information and medical knowledge, calling for a national reckoning.
Origo, a key Icelandic IT firm, promotes Árni Geir Valgeirsson from software division head to CEO. Outgoing CEO Ari Daníelsson becomes board chairman, maintaining oversight within the company's holding structure. This internal succession highlights stability in Iceland's vital tech sector.
Iceland's government admits it vastly underestimated how much new car taxes would fuel inflation. Finance Minister Daði Már Kristófersson confirms a bank forecast of a 0.7% spike, far above the official 0.1% prediction. The miscalculation hits households and challenges Iceland's green policy goals.
Emergency calls to Iceland's East Fjords fire brigade jumped over 80% in ten years, with 91% for medical transport. The chief warns this is a national crisis, driven by an aging population and tourism. Can Iceland's rural emergency services keep up?
Icelandic police say they understand the events leading to a Portuguese man's death in Kópavogur, but the Greek suspect is now free as his detention expired. The case awaits crucial forensic evidence. Will prosecutors seek his re-arrest?
Iceland's 'Chess Scandal' saw 5kg of amphetamines sent to the national chess federation, leading to raids and arrests. The case was further shrouded by the paralyzing fall of a key figure's ex-wife in Spain—an accident never explained. Years later, this bizarre blend of drugs, sport, and tragedy remains unresolved.
Iceland's elite police unit is conducting a major operation in the town of Selfoss. Authorities confirm the action but are withholding details, citing an ongoing situation. The rare deployment has heightened tensions in the South Iceland community.
A worker has died in a workplace accident in south Iceland's Rangárþingi municipality. The fatality ignites a national debate on safety enforcement in Iceland's regions and foundational industries. Can Iceland's political system deliver the resources needed to prevent the next tragedy?
An Icelandic police officer hailed for his work with vulnerable youth reveals a major clash with the Red Cross. He says their needle exchange program served children he was trying to save, exposing a deep national conflict between protection and harm reduction. Can Iceland find a balance?
Iceland's cabinet reshuffles after a minister resigns for health reasons. Two new faces join PM Kristrún Forstadóttir's government, testing coalition stability. The changes impact key policies from education to housing in Reykjavik.
Iceland's new Nature Conservation Agency defies expectations with award-winning visitor centers in its first year. The agency now manages 130 protected sites, aiming to balance tourism access with preservation. Can this new model protect fragile ecosystems from growing pressures?
Iceland's new Education Minister Inga Sæland calls for an end to inclusive schooling, labeling it 'a thing of the past.' She advocates for separate education for non-Icelandic speaking children, citing Finland's model. This stance challenges a core Nordic social policy and ignites a major national debate.
A sudden severe weather warning forces the imminent closure of Iceland's Ring Road in the southeast. Gale-force winds threaten to isolate communities and disrupt the vital tourism corridor. Authorities warn the road could shut with very little notice.
Three men suspected of arson in their own Reykjavik home have been released pending further investigation. The Breiðholt district fire highlights urban pressures in Iceland's tight housing market. Police warn the complex probe will take time.
Þykkvabær, Iceland honors potato farmer Jóhanna Lilja as its 2025 Samborgari (Fellow Citizen), celebrating grassroots community contribution. The award highlights the essential, often unseen work that sustains rural Nordic life.
Iceland appoints Finnur Bjarnason as its first National Opera Director. His five-year mandate begins in January, tasked with building the new state institution from the ground up. The move centralizes opera funding and aligns Iceland with its Nordic neighbors.
A severe storm with winds up to 23m/s is set to hit Iceland's eastern regions, threatening blizzards and transport chaos. The event tests national infrastructure and highlights Iceland's ongoing battle with North Atlantic weather extremes. Read the full analysis of the political and environmental implications.
Reykjavik police arrested three suspects after a house fire in Breiðholt. A separate apartment blaze in Háaleitishverfi sent two to hospital, as emergency services reported a night of 'significant strain.'
The 2007 Austurstræti fire was a defining disaster for Reykjavik, destroying a key part of its historic heart. It sparked debates on preservation, safety, and urban identity that reshaped the city's approach to its old town. Seventeen years on, the lessons from the ashes continue to influence Iceland's capital.
A significant earthquake swarm shook Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula, with the largest tremor reaching 3.7 magnitude. Experts confirm no signs of volcanic eruption, but the event highlights the persistent seismic reality of the region. The article explores the geological causes, monitoring efforts, and what it means for Icelandic preparedness.
Iceland's Westman Islands host a massive troll parade this weekend, blending folklore with community celebration. President Halla Tómasdóttir joins the unique Þrettándinn festival, highlighting its national cultural significance. The event offers a model for sustainable, joyful tradition in the Nordic region.
Iceland's immigration authorities have stalled on reviewing 24 Venezuelan asylum cases, leaving applicants in limbo. The delay highlights systemic challenges and sparks political debate in Reykjavik. Explore the data and Nordic context behind this humanitarian standstill.