Capital city politics, business, culture, and local events from Reykjavik
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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 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?
Iceland's Reykjavik region faces its lowest snowfall in 70 years, shutting down key ski resorts like Bláfjöllum. Resort managers describe a futile battle against rain despite snowmaking efforts. This environmental shift poses economic and cultural threats to Iceland's winter identity.
The iconic Culiacan restaurant chain has been liquidated, leaving 119 million ISK in debts unpaid. Its closure after 21 years highlights the intense pressures on Reykjavik's dining scene. What does this mean for the future of Iceland's restaurant industry?
Reykjavik police managed a wide array of seven major calls in one night, from a 'crazed' man to extreme speeding. The incidents highlight the broad pressures on law enforcement in Iceland's growing capital. Can general-duties policing keep pace with Reykjavik's urban evolution?
Over 200 earthquakes have shaken the Lambafell area west of Þrengslir, with the largest measuring 3.1 magnitude. The Icelandic Met Office is monitoring the swarm closely, stating such activity is common and no volcanic unrest is currently detected. Tremors were felt across the Reykjavik capital region.
Icelandic police arrested two people and seized nearly 300 cannabis plants in an industrial building in Þorlákshöfn. The bust highlights ongoing drug enforcement efforts outside Reykjavik and the strict legal framework Iceland maintains.
Reykjavik Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir keeps her party and the city in suspense, refusing to say if she'll accept second place on the Social Democratic Alliance ticket after a bruising primary loss. The party's nomination committee is waiting for her answer as election planning stalls. Her decision will reshape the political landscape in Iceland's capital.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Iceland's coalition government faces sharp criticism for splitting elderly care duties between two ministers. Opposition leader Ólafur Adolfsson accused People's Party chair Inga Sæland of prioritizing photo ops over policy. The Althing debate highlights tensions over aging population services in Reykjavik.
Iceland faces significant cooling with winds up to 15 m/s and widespread rain, impacting regions from Reykjavik to the Eastfjords. Political discussions in the Althing tie the weather to climate policy, while industries like geothermal energy and fishing adjust operations. Nordic cooperation on environmental monitoring plays a key role in response strategies.
Iceland's weather splits sharply this weekend: snow and sleet for the north, sun and dryness for Reykjavik and the southwest. A major shift to warmer, wetter conditions is expected by Sunday. Stay updated on road conditions and regional forecasts.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.