Category: News - Iceland Monitor

Sheep brought indoors due to severe weather

yesterday, 17:00 GMT “It’s a hassle having to keep the sheep inside, but that’s how it has to be until conditions improve,” says Benedikt Arnbjörnsson, a farmer at Bergsstaðir in South Þingeyjarsýsla, in an interview with mbl.is.

Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir and Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir disagreed on the importance of participating in the statement.

“Why is the Icelandic Government choosing to remain silent?”

yesterday A heated exchange unfolded in Alþingi yesterday as Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir, chairwoman of the Independence Party parliamentary group, challenged Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir on Iceland’s position regarding a recent joint statement on immigration by several European leaders.

Visibility at Mt Þverárfjall is at its worst.

June begins with wintry weather

yesterday After an unusually warm May, June has taken a sharp turn, bringing winter-like conditions to much of Iceland. Snow, strong winds, and poor visibility have prompted weather warnings across the country, and authorities are urging caution — especially for those traveling through mountainous areas.

Oscar’s deportation postponed amid sensitive circumstances

two days ago The Icelandic Immigration Service has decided to postpone the deportation of Oscar Anders Florez Bocanegra due to new information highlighting the sensitive and difficult circumstances surrounding his case. The decision was made over the weekend after authorities received details that significantly influenced their judgment.

There has been a significant increase in liquid cocaine seized at the airport. There have been cases of it being smuggled internally.

Record drug seizures at Keflavik Airport

2 Jun Just five months into the year, 2025 is already shaping up to be a record-breaking year for drug seizures at Keflavík Airport, with authorities reporting unprecedented amounts of cocaine, cannabis, and OxyContin intercepted at the border.

Kjartan Friðrik Adolfsson with a copy of the first issue of Morgunblaðið, which was printed in 1913.

Rare find: First issue of Morgunblaðið from 1913 discovered in excellent condition

1 Jun While sorting through his late father’s belongings, Kjartan Friðrik Adólfsson, chief accountant at the Grindavík town office, made an extraordinary discovery: a copy of the very first issue of Morgunblaðið, dated November 2, 1913. Now 112 years old, the newspaper is surprisingly well preserved.

The children enjoyed looking at the airplanes.

Photos: Fun for all ages at the Reykjavík air show

1 Jun The Icelandic Aviation Association’s annual air show took place at Reykjavík Airport yesterday, drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd.

Over 25 national accommodation associations across Europe are now jointly filing a class action lawsuit against Booking.com.

Hotels encouraged to join Booking.com lawsuit

31 May The Icelandic Tourism Association is encouraging Icelandic hotels to participate in a class action lawsuit against the booking site Booking.com. This is stated in a statement from the association.

The search resumed yesterday, and the man was found in the sea shortly afterwards.

Man believed to have been found in Örfirisey sea search

31 May A man found dead in the sea off Örfirisey yesterday afternoon is believed to be the same individual who had been the subject of an extensive search since Thursday.

“We in the opposition have been asking for months where this extra fishing authorization will come from, but the Minister has continually avoided giving a clear answer,” says Bergþór Ólason, parliamentary group leader for the Centre Party.

“This is completely ridiculous”: Opposition criticizes coastal fishing bill

30 May Bergþór Ólason, parliamentary group leader for the Centre Party, has strongly criticized the Minister of Industry’s newly proposed bill that would guarantee a 48-day coastal fishing season this summer, calling the proposal “completely ridiculous” and accusing the government of avoiding scrutiny.

Minister submits bill to guarantee 48-day coastal fishing season

30 May Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, Minister of Industry, has submitted a bill that would allow coastal fishing to continue for a full 48 days this summer, even if the total allowable catch is exceeded. The proposal is a departure from current legal obligations and responds to political pressure from the People's Party, which emphasized the 48-day season during the last parliamentary elections.

Search for swimmer at Fiskislóð resumes at noon

30 May The search for a man believed to have entered the sea at Fiskislóð in Reykjavík is set to resume at noon today, following its suspension at 10 p.m. last night.

Baldur Ólafsson, chief of police in the capital area.

Search continues off Fiskislóð: Situation to be reassessed later this evening

29 May Rescue teams have yet to find any sign of the man reported in distress in the sea off Fiskislóð. The search, which has now lasted over three hours, began after eyewitnesses alerted authorities just before 5 p.m.

There is a high level of response in the area.

Divers and helicopter dispatched for swimmer in distress

29 May Divers from the National Police Commissioner’s special unit were recently dispatched following a request from police in the capital area.

Icelandic sailor Viktor Örn Ingvarsson says the voyage aboard the schooner Danmark has been exceptionally educational.

Life aboard the Danmark isn’t for everyone

29 May The historic Danish sailing ship Danmark is currently docked at Ægisgarður in Reykjavík Harbour. Nearly 100 years old, the ship has a storied past and now serves as a maritime training vessel for young sailors. Among them is 21-year-old Viktor Örn Ingvarsson.