Capital city politics, business, culture, and local events from Reykjavik
Iceland's Social Democratic Alliance excluded Guðmundur Ingi Þóroddsson from their Reykjavik municipal election list after he threatened to join rival parties following his primary election defeat. The decision highlights how Iceland's small political landscape amplifies personal conflicts into party-defining moments.
A grass fire broke out near Framheimilið in Úlfarsárdal, Reykjavik, prompting a swift response from local firefighters. The blaze, located just below Framvöllur, was reportedly contained within an hour.
Helga Sigrún Sigurjónsdóttir was injured in Reykjavik after hitting an unlit e-scooter on a bike path. She avoided fractures but remains bedridden, highlighting safety issues with shared micromobility devices in public spaces.
Brikk Bakery has opened its fifth location—inside Zo-on, an outdoor gear store in Skeifan, Reykjavik. The move blends retail and café culture in a single stop.
Reykjavík faces elevated airborne dust levels with no dust suppressant available nationwide. Health officials advise sensitive individuals to stay indoors as pollution exceeds safety limits.
Vor til vinstri and Vinstri græn are forming a joint list for Reykjavik city council elections. The coalition is seeking diverse candidates who share their values of social and economic justice.
Reykjavík will pay for up to ten therapy sessions for people who lived at the Vöggustofa home between 1974 and 1979. A recent report found serious care deficiencies but couldn't legally confirm abuse.
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?
Sixty-three preschool directors across Reykjavik have issued a joint warning over worsening working conditions. They accuse city officials of ignoring long-known problems and delaying promised reforms.
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.