News from Iceland
Iceland Welcomes Summer With 16.6°C in Reykjavík
State must boost revenue to avoid cuts, says BSRB
Sonja Ýr Þorbergsdóttir, chair of BSRB (the Federation of State and Municipal Employees), says the union opposes the government’s current financial strategy and demands more commitment to public sector development.
“The core point we highlight in our comments is that the situation facing the current government is one where the treasury has been running a deficit continuously since 2019 because taxes were cut and not replaced […] more
State beats baron in Westfjords water fight
Felix Von-Longo Liebenstein, an Italian baron, had claimed ownership of water rights at Engjanes, a deserted farm in the Strandir region, after purchasing the property in 2006.
However, the District Court has now rejected this, siding with the state.
In 2009, Liebenstein sold a research permit in the Eyvindarfjarðará river, which runs through Engjanes, to Vesturverk, a company majority-owned by HS […] more
Warm start to summer: Temperatures reach 16.6°C
The first day of summer brought unseasonably warm weather to much of the country, with temperatures climbing as high as 16.6°C.
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“A wonderful summer gift”: New Infant Care Unit to open in Seltjarnarnes
Sigurgeirsson in an interview with mbl.is. The initiative, aimed at strengthening the town's childcare services, was chosen as a more suitable option than expanding existing daycare facilities.
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RÚV English Radio - AUÐSKILIÐ - MORE LOTTO NUMBERS, in simple Icelandic
Bjarni joins Darren again to read a news story in simple Icelandic.
We look at changes to the Icelandic lottery.
As ever, you can practice your Icelandic by following along with the text here.
RÚV English Radio is heard freely around the world and in Iceland, and covers everything Icelandic, in […] more
The First Day of Summer – a unique celebration in the Icelandic calendar
Although the holiday often falls during chilly April weather, for Icelanders it symbolises the beginning of the warmer half of the year – a time of growth, light, and outdoor activity.
When is the First Day of Summer celebrated?
According to tradition, the holiday is observed on the first Thursday after April 18, it falls therefore between April 19 and April 25. This custom is based on the old Icelandic […] more
Starbucks to open its first cafés in Reykjavík in May
The first café will be located on Laugavegur, while the second one will also be situated in the city centre. These will be the first Starbucks locations in Iceland. The company currently operates in about 80 countries and runs over 40,000 outlets worldwide.
The brand is well known to many Icelanders, who have long wondered whether Starbucks would enter the local market. However, Starbucks coffee has been available in Icelandic stores for […] more