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Police Warns Against Pickpockets In Reykjavík
The Capital Area Police implores the public to be on the lookout for pickpockets, who are reportedly operating in the downtown area. According to RÚV, theft from pockets, bags, and backpacks has been reported in the vicinity of Hallgrímskirkja. In a police…
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Government Announces Changes To Fishing Fees
On March 25, Minister of Industries and Liberal MP Hanna Katrín Friðriksson and Finance Minister Daði Már Kristófersson announced changes to the current fishing fees, RÚV reports. In a press meeting, the ministers claimed that last year’s fishing fees accrued ten billion…
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The Icelandic Film School Declares Bankruptcy
On March 24, the dean of the Icelandic Film School Hlín Jóhannesdóttir sent an e-mail to its staff and students declaring the institution would be declaring bankruptcy, reports RÚV. In the letter, Hlín apologised for late payments and claimed that the school…
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Guðmundur Ingi Kristinsson New Minister For Children
During a cabinet meeting between the Icelandic government and President Halla Tómasdóttir on Sunday, March 23, former minister for children and education Ásthildur Lóa Þórsdóttir formally resigned. On March 20, news broke that Ásthildur had pursued a romantic relationship with a minor…
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Special Police Unit Criticised For Not Following Protocol
A report has been released on the conduct of National Police Commissioner’s Special Unit when, in 2023, armed policemen searching for a perpetrator suspected of a violent offence entered a private home of people with no connection to the case. As RÚV…
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Third Of Icelandic Young Adults Use Nicotine Pouches
According to a recent report published by the Nordic Welfare Centre, 33% of Icelandic adults aged 18-24 years old use nicotine pouches, Vísir reports. The rate of use is the highest in Iceland compared to other Nordic nations. The report utilises data collected…
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Reykjavík Zoo’s Seal Pool To Be Upgraded
The Reykjavik Family Park and Zoo’s seal aquarium is set to be upgraded in order to comply with animal protection standards, RÚV reports. The recent Reykjavík City Council Convention stipulates that the aquarium should be extended and deepened, with a new animal…
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Financing Started For Sundabraut Highway Project
As reported by RÚV, the government has appointed a task force to prepare financing for the Sundabraut highway project. The program has been in the works for years and is set to be the single largest undertaking in Iceland’s transportation network. According…
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Short-Term Rentals To Be Limited To Legal Residence
On March 13, the government published a drafted bill to limit short-term rentals exclusively to individuals’ legal residences. With the bill, the government aims to better ensure equilibrium in the housing market and that apartments will be used as people’s homes, as…
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Man Dies Following Group Assault, Eight Arrested
On March 11, the police arrested eight people suspected of killing a man. The victim, who was in his 60s, was discovered in Reykjavík’s Grafarvogur neighbourhood and transported to hospital, where he subsequently died, Vísir reports. On the evening of March 10,…
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Foreign Ministry’s Name Possibly To Change
The Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs could soon be titled the Foreign and Defence Ministry following new government policy, RÚV reports. On March 11, Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir presented a new policy for Iceland’s national security and defences, to be motioned…
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Mayor Of Reykjavík Still Employed As Chair Of Local Authorities Association
The new Mayor of Reykjavík, Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir, is still employed as the chairperson of the Icelandic Association of Local Authorities (SÍS). According to Vísir, she has not decided whether she’ll continue her role alongside her duties as mayor. Heiða’s high salary…
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Three Traffic Deaths In Four Days
Three people died in car accidents in four days, RÚV reports, after a man in his 70s passed away in Berufjörður, East Iceland, on March 9. The man was found dead at the scene. Two helicopters were dispatched to transport three…
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City Of Reykjavík Instructed To Rename Streets
Örnefnanefnd (the Committee for Toponyms) has instructed the City of Reykjavík to rename the streets Bjargargata and Bjarkargata, RÚV reports. The committee reasoned that the street names are too similar and could cause confusion. Örnefnanefnd is an administrative committee which operates within…
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Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir New Independence Party Leader
Former minister of judicial affairs Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir is the new leader of the Independence Party (Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn). She was elected during the party’s 45th national convention which took place between February 28-March 2. Along with Guðrún, party MP Jens Garðar Helgason was voted…
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Icelandair To Cancel Ísafjörður Flight Route
Airline company Icelandair plans to cancel its flight routes to Ísafjörður. The changes are said to be implemented in the summer of 2026. Company CEO Bogi Nils Bogason spoke with RÚV on March 3, arguing that the decision was made due to…
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Iceland Revenue And Customs Authority Warns Against Phishing Scam
Iceland Revenue and Customs warns the public about internet scams — phishing — in its name. The institution posted the public announcement on their website. People have received fraudulent emails from the impersonator since January. The practice aims to manipulate the…
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One Arrested In Iceland Following Large-Scale Hit Against Child Sexual Exploitation
On February 28, Europol published an announcement outlining the result of Operation Cumberland — a global operation which supported authorities in 19 countries in a large-scale hit against child sexual exploitation. 25 arrests were made worldwide, with suspects engaging in the distribution…
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Government Pledges Increased Financial Support To Ukraine
The Icelandic government has agreed to increase support to Ukraine by 2.1 billion ISK (14.4 million EUR) to aid in its war effort against Russia, Vísir reports. Prime Minister of Iceland and Social Democratic Alliance MP Kristrún Frostadóttir announced the additional spending…
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Production Of Drivers’ Licenses Begins After Delays
The wait is soon over for thousands of applicants for Icelandic drivers’ licences, as the production of new licenses has resumed after months of delays, RÚV reports. Approximately 13.000 licences had been left unprocessed, with some waiting since August, 2024. According to…
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Increased Trust In National Church
A recent survey by Gallup shows approval ratings increasing among the Icelandic public towards the National Church, RÚV reports. The institution increased its public trust by 16% since 2024, culminating in 43%. Its ratings have never been higher in 16 years. Guðrún…
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Tour Bus Crashed On Höfði Grounds
On February 20, a tour bus operated by ME travel was driven onto Höfði grounds in Reykjavík, Vísir reports. The bus damaged the grass lawn. The company’s owner has promised to repay for the damages. According to Vísir, the driver initially planned…
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Denim-clad Jón Gnarr Denied Access To Alþingi
Liberal Reform Party (Viðreisn) MP and former mayor of Reykjavík Jón Gnarr reported on social media that he was denied entry to Alþingi. According to Jón, 58, he was entering parliament when a person tried denying him access, citing Alþingi’s dress code.…