Latest society & culture news and updates from Iceland in English.
Reports of elder abuse in Iceland more than doubled last year, with 22 seniors over 71 seeking help. Most cases involve abuse by adult children, including financial control and psychological violence. Support services are adapting to help victims who often fear official reports.
Reykjavik Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir apologized after denying she sent a private message calling her opponent 'a famous man with no experience'. The gaffe highlights the risks of digital communication in Iceland's election campaigns. Experts warn candidates to treat every message as public in today's political landscape.
A blocking high-pressure system north of Iceland is funneling severe southerly winds towards the South Coast, with gusts up to 20 m/s. The rest of the country faces a mixed bag of sleet, frost, and dry spells, highlighting Iceland's volatile autumn weather. Are communities prepared for the sharp regional divide?
A parking dispute between two Reykjavik businesses has led to accusations of attempted assault and legal threats. Owners are trading insults and preparing for court, highlighting urban tensions in Iceland's capital. The feud underscores broader challenges with parking and neighbor relations in growing commercial areas.
Reykjavik Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir admits to sending a controversial voter appeal calling her opponent 'a famous man with no experience.' Her confession comes days before a critical party primary. The scandal tests trust in Iceland's local political campaigns.
A severe parking shortage in Reykjavik's Breiðholt district has escalated into threats of violence. Residents report being intimidated when asking others to leave spots near their homes, with one man told he would be taken to a 'carphouse'. The conflict highlights growing urban pressures in Iceland's older suburbs.
Iceland's Reykjavik mayor candidate Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir denies remembering a message that mocked her opponent as a 'famous man with no experience' in a party primary. The scandal raises questions about political ethics ahead of a critical vote this Saturday.
Joe Boxer closes its 20-year-old Kringlan store, blaming unpaid insurance claims from a 2024 fire. It's the third store to leave the mall since the blaze. The owner will now focus on online sales and the Scandinavian market.
Over half the homes for sale in Iceland's capital region are now new builds, a level not seen in eight years. This surge reflects a construction boom meeting slowed sales, with record inventory times in suburbs like Álftanes. The trend sparks environmental and political debates in Reykjavik and beyond.
Progressive Party councilor Magnea Gná Jóhannsdóttir bids for the #2 spot on Reykjavík's municipal election list, pushing a platform focused on youth services and neighborhood infrastructure. Her fate will be decided by a party vote on February 7th.
Iceland's 27th business satisfaction index results are being announced live from Reykjavik today. The survey covers 14 industries, with key focus on fishing and geothermal sectors amid environmental debates. Watch how the scores influence political and economic trends in Iceland and the Nordic region.
Social Democratic Party candidates Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir and Pétur Marteinsson disagree on whether the sitting mayor is a career politician, but both pledge unity for Reykjavík's spring elections. Their respectful primary campaign highlights internal dynamics ahead of a crucial vote.
Reykjavik's coalition pledges 2.4 billion ISK to social housing, but a minority councilor cries foul, alleging a key report was ignored. Mayor Heiða must now mediate the deal's future.
Residents in Egilsstaðir push for action on fall risks at Eyvindará river. Múlaþing municipality launches a safety review after years of concerns. The outcome will impact local recreation and community safety in East Iceland.
Iceland's Centre Party has surged to over 22% in polls, just 5 points behind the leading Social Democrats. Vice-chairman Snorra Másson says the rise reflects a public call for changed politics, with implications for environmental and regional policies. This shift could redefine Iceland's approach to geothermal energy and fishing management.
Sverrir Bergmann resigns from Reykjanesbær council, citing a conflict with his new airport development job. The Social Democratic Alliance politician says he must ensure 'equal treatment' between two municipalities. He will not run in the upcoming local elections but remains an alternate MP.
Reykjavik's emergency room faced its busiest day on record as black ice injured 80 people. Medical staff described a constant stream of patients with fractures and head injuries, calling the situation unprecedented. The crisis highlights the severe public safety challenge of winter ice in Iceland's capital.
A geology student's detailed mapping of Reykjanes Peninsula groundwater won Iceland's top student innovation award. The project provides crucial data for managing water resources in the volatile volcanic region. The award highlights the growing value of applied environmental science.
Threats and violent assaults against Icelandic police have more than doubled in a decade, with a 67% spike in threats last year. The police union is demanding harsher sentences to protect officers. This crisis challenges Iceland's community policing model and public safety infrastructure.
Iceland's public sector plans a 221 billion króna infrastructure spree in 2026, a 53% jump led by energy and hospital projects. This massive investment will test economic capacity and ignite environmental debates. The scale of spending sets up a major political reckoning over national priorities.
Iceland faces a high probability of a new volcanic eruption near the Svartsengi power plant within weeks, with 20 million cubic meters of magma now accumulated. The Reykjanes Peninsula remains on alert as constant seismic activity continues. Could this become the new normal for the region?
Sandra Sigurðardóttir enters Iceland's Althing, replacing Guðbrandur Einarsson who resigned over a 2012 scandal. The change reduces the Independence Party to a single seat in the South Constituency. The transition tests political stability and accountability.
Iceland's Infrastructure Minister faces accusations of granting himself a 'hunting license' after overhauling the national transport plan. The opposition condemns the move to delay one Eastfjords tunnel for another, arguing it breaks from past government agreements without proper consultation.
A severe solar storm has painted Iceland's sky with rare red auroras. The S4-level event, the strongest since 2003, also carries risks for satellites, communications, and power grids. Scientists are monitoring the storm's potential impacts on critical infrastructure.