Hello and welcome back to RVK Newscast! Today, editor-in-chief Valur Grettisson is reporting on (and in) stormy conditions in Iceland, which has seen roads closed, flights cancelled, and a whole sports centre blown away. There’s also an update on the Icelandic response to Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine. Read on for more info!
A red weather warning was issued for southwest Iceland yesterday, and the subsequent storm has caused multiple issues across the whole country. All flights to Keflavík, Iceland’s international airport, were cancelled or delayed today, and many roads were also closed, including the main route south from Reykjavík. Power outages were reported across the country, and 28 residents in Patreksfjörður had to be evacuated from their houses due to avalanche risk. Read our reporting on the storm here.
There has been widespread condemnation within the Icelandic parliament of Russia’s escalating military presence near the border with Ukraine. The Icelandic Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir, has criticised Russia’s recognition of Donetsk & Luhansk as, “A clear violation of international law & Ukraine‘s territorial integrity.” Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Iceland’s Prime Minister, and the Mayor of Reykjavík, Dagur B. Eggertsson, have both tweeted their support of Ukraine and expressed concern regarding the potential impact of Russia’s actions.
Additional video credit: Lilja Rannveig Sigurgeirsdóttir, MP for The Progressive Party (Framsóknarflokkurinn), and Haraldur from Activity Iceland.
Icelanders face months of long, dark nights during the winter but have learned to embrace the colder months and make them cosy. Celebrate winter like an Icelander with Grapevine’s Box of Winter Darkness, full of goodies to keep your spirits up until the spring.
The Newscast is made possible with the help of our friends at Einstök Beer.
Join our YouTube channel to get access to perks!
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!
