News from Iceland
Missing man believed to have been found near Örfirisey
The man, who was reported missing in the waters off Örfirisey yesterday, was discovered today around 3 p.m. He showed no signs of life. Police stated earlier that they believe they know the identity of the man.
A large-scale search was launched yesterday afternoon following reports of a person in the sea.
Authorities met this morning to assess the situation and decided to expand the search area later in the […] more
Isavia ANS dismisses five air traffic controllers for falsifying work hours
Icelandic airspace covers about 5.5 million square kilometres, making it one of the largest air traffic control areas in the world. On average, around 540 aircraft pass through Icelandic airspace daily.
Isavia ANS, a subsidiary of Isavia, manages air traffic control over Iceland and the North Atlantic. It employs about 100 air traffic controllers (the entire Isavia group employs around 300).
Recently, five […] more
Temporary closure of silicon plant in Húsavík – 80 jobs lost
The company, which operates a silicon smelter in Bakki near Húsavík, announced the decision to suspend operations temporarily from July 2025. In a company statement, it was confirmed that 80 workers would be laid off due to the shutdown.
According to PCC, the decision stems from challenges in the global silicon market, particularly the influx of cheap imports—mostly from China—and broader disruptions caused by trade wars. The statement […] more
“This is completely ridiculous”: Opposition criticizes coastal fishing bill
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.
more
UK Foreign Secretary Makes First Visit to Iceland in 20 Years
Minister submits bill to guarantee 48-day coastal fishing season
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.
more
Icelanders to drill for geothermal energy in Tenerife
The project is managed by Reykjavík Geothermal, working in cooperation with local authorities and energy companies. Drilling operations are set to begin this autumn, with boreholes reaching depths between 2,500 and 3,000 meters.
The survey sites are located in the western and southern parts of the island. The goal of the project is to confirm the existence of conditions suitable for producing energy that is clean, stable, local, and […] more
President of Iceland meets with the Emperor of Japan
During her stay in Tokyo, the president met with Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace. According to the presidential office, their discussions focused on relations between Iceland and Japan, efforts toward equality, and the use of renewable energy sources by both countries.
Halla also met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Their talks included exploring opportunities to strengthen trade cooperation between the two nations.
more