Latest society & culture news and updates from Iceland in English.
Drífa Snædal has rejoined Iceland's Left-Green Movement after leaving in 2017 over coalition disputes. Her return aims to support a candidate in Reykjavik's city council elections, highlighting ongoing tensions between environmental priorities and political compromise. This move could shape green policies in the capital and influence broader Nordic cooperation.
Múlaþing, Iceland, faces nearly 50 public submissions critiquing its draft 2045 master plan. Key issues include road changes, wind energy limits, and helicopter flight policies. The municipality must now navigate this feedback to finalize a blueprint for the region's future.
Kvika Bank pays a major fine for failing to report tens of thousands of transactions to Icelandic regulators. The breach lasted over a year, creating a blind spot for market surveillance. This enforcement action underscores the non-negotiable nature of financial transparency in Iceland's post-crisis landscape.
Iceland's municipal election candidates can earn from 350,000 to over 3 million ISK monthly, with Reykjavik councilors leading in pay. Salary disparities across the capital area raise transparency questions ahead of spring votes. Understanding these figures is key for voters assessing political accountability.
Unprecedented erosion has stripped over 100 meters of sand from Iceland's famous Reynisfjara beach, exposing basalt columns to the sea. Locals describe shock as infrastructure risks rise. Experts are uncertain if the sand will fully return.
A magnitude 3.4 earthquake struck near Eldey island today, the largest in a swarm of dozens of tremors on the Reykjanes Ridge. The Icelandic Met Office says such activity is common in the area and intensity is now decreasing.
A man was stabbed outside a Reykjavík bar, capping a violent night with 89 police calls. Officers are searching for the suspect as the city grapples with an unusual spike in disturbances. The incidents challenge Iceland's reputation as one of the world's safest countries.
Reykjavik police dealt with a series of minor public order incidents across the capital region, from shoplifting to public intoxication. The logs reveal the routine, service-oriented work behind Iceland's famed safety record. These everyday calls form the baseline of social order.
Iceland's capital gets 100 new automated medication dispensers while East Iceland makes do with just 10, a quarter of its need. This disparity highlights deep-seated issues in rural healthcare access and elderly care equity across the country.
Survivors of abuse at Iceland's Bakkakot foster farm met the Prime Minister, demanding urgent reform of the child protection system. They revealed better oversight exists for animal feed than for children in care. Their case forces a national reckoning.
All Reykjavik preschool directors warn of a staffing exodus due to Iceland's new 36-hour work week, creating a crisis in childcare. A political solution is promised for February, but will it come in time?
A 10-minute bus delay has cut Fjarðabyggð off from daily travel to Akureyri. The local council is demanding immediate fixes from national transport authorities. This issue highlights broader failures in Iceland's rural public transport and environmental goals.
Iceland's Central Bank directly warns labor unions that pursuing inflation-triggered wage hikes will force immediate interest rate increases. This sets up a high-stakes confrontation ahead of critical August inflation data.
Iceland's copyright groups will charge steam baths for playing music during sessions, calling it a core service, not background noise. Bath operators now face a new fee that could impact pricing for popular guided 'gusa' experiences. The move highlights the value of music in Iceland's wellness tourism.
MP Jón Gnarr mixed serious critique with comedy to highlight the Althing's outdated technology, emphasizing accessibility issues. His speech, echoing a character he once played, got laughs but also a serious response from the Speaker. The incident pushes Iceland's parliament to confront modernization needs for its democratic tools.
A new Gallup poll shows Iceland's political party support remains stable, with the Social Democratic Alliance leading at 31%. The minimal changes suggest public confidence in the government's performance, particularly on environmental policies. What does this mean for Iceland's future elections and Nordic cooperation?
Björg Magnúsdóttir wins the Viðreisn party primary to lead its Reykjavík election list. Defeated candidate Aðalsteinn Leifsson calls the contest "a Viðreisn of honor," highlighting internal party democracy as the focus shifts to the municipal campaign.
Icelandic swimming champion and political figure Anton Sveinn McKee intervened in a midnight assault in Garðabær, leading to one arrest. The incident highlights rare violent crime in Iceland and raises questions about public safety and political activism. Read more on the implications for Reykjavik and Nordic communities.
For the first time since a volcanic evacuation in 2023, residents of Grindavík are gathering in their hometown for a traditional feast. The sold-out event marks a powerful moment of community resilience amid ongoing geological uncertainty on Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula.
Parents in Selfoss, Iceland, rally with 133 signatures for a Hjallastefna primary school in Árborg, highlighting demand for educational choice. The petition targets local authorities, seeking to extend the alternative method from preschool to primary levels. This move could influence broader trends in Icelandic and Nordic education.
Breki Atlason joins the Centre Party's Reykjavik ticket, targeting the city's housing shortage as his central campaign issue. The candidate brings youth movement experience to the municipal race, aiming to attract young voters. His entry tests the party's ability to translate its regional focus to urban challenges.
Iceland's PM proposes a bill to formalize her role in appointing the presidential secretary, calling it a clarification. Former President Grímsson condemns it as an attack on the office's independence. Historical data now going to a parliamentary committee may decide the outcome.
Iceland cuts its backlog of EU directives but sees a worrying surge in unimplemented regulations, with over half stuck in financial services. This paradox reveals strain in Reykjavik's legal machinery. Will this regulatory lag threaten Iceland's standing in the European single market?
A British man paid for his Icelandair flight twice after a passport validity rule denied him boarding. The Consumer Association calls the rule 'incomprehensible,' while the airline defends it as standard. Learn how to avoid this costly travel mistake.