News from Iceland

mbl.is, 05 January 2026 6:00 PM
“Difficult to succeed after Alex Ferguson”

Pétur Hafliði Marteinsson, a former professional footballer, marketing director, and entrepreneur, says he no longer has any interests in the housing development projects in Skerjafjörður as he runs for the position of lead candidate of the Social Democratic Alliance in Reykjavík in the party's upcoming primary.

“In 2018 I took part in a competition for affordable housing. There was a small group of us competing and we won. That gave us the opportunity to choose one of seven or eight plots in Reykjavík, and we chose Skerjafjörður because planning there was the most advanced and the process was expected to move relatively quickly.” more

Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV), 05 January 2026 4:30 PM
RÚV English Radio - THE WEEK IN ICELAND: GREENLAND, ALCOHOL, PETROL, ARCHITECTURE, ÁRAMÓTASKAUPIÐ

Darren is joined by his RÚV colleague Birta Björnsdóttir.

RÚV English Radio is heard around the world and in Iceland, celebrating Icelandic culture, art, music, language, and more.

Let us know where you're listening - in Iceland, or around the world - we'd love to give you a mention! Email english@ruv.is

Iceland Review, 05 January 2026 4:08 PM
Reykjavík Officials Prepare to Open Free City Ski Slope

Reykjavík’s municipal ski slope at Ártúnsbrekka is expected to open later this week, following renewed snowmaking efforts after a challenging start to winter conditions. Vísir reports that snow production began last Friday, and city officials say preparations are progressing well. According to Nils Óskar Nilsson, project manager of Reykjavík’s Department of Culture and Sports, the aim is […] more

mbl.is, 05 January 2026 4:00 PM
Intervention in Greenland would mark a fundamental shift in NATO

There was broad consensus among members who attended a meeting of Alþingi’s Foreign Affairs Committee this morning regarding the situation that has arisen in international affairs following the events of the weekend. more

Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV), 05 January 2026 3:26 PM
Per-km charge favours drivers of larger cars

The introduction of the kilometre charge brings savings for owners of large cars with higher fuel consumption, while at the same time increasing costs for users of small, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

According to ASÍ (Alþýðusamband Íslands - Icelandic Confederation of Labour), the new system primarily affects people on lower incomes and runs counter to the state’s other goals.

Benefits for large […] more

Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV),       05 January 2026 3:09 PM
Electricity 'should come from power plants, not diesel generators'

Homes began to cool and telecommunications went down for a time when Tálknafjörður was without electricity for thirteen hours on New Year’s Day. Residents are exhausted by the unreliable power supply.
On 11 December there was a five-hour power outage. Gunnþórunn Bender, chair of the municipal council in Vesturbyggð, points out that there was also power fluctuation that day. “It was coming on and going off all day, and we know how […] more

Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV),       05 January 2026 2:32 PM
Bolungarvík invites culture and tourism grant bids

Menningar- og ferðamálaráð Bolungarvíkurkaupstaðar (Cultural and Tourism Council of the Municipality of Bolungarvík) has opened applications for grants, to strengthen culture and tourism in Bolungarvík.
The council say they'll examine how a proposed project or activity enriches cultural life in the town and wider municipality, and how funds would be used in that context, as well as how likely it is that the project will be carried […] more

Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV),       05 January 2026 11:36 AM
PM declares support for Greenland

Iceland's Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir commented on the situation in Greenland, Iceland's near neighbour, on social media yesterday evening.
“Greenland is part of the Danish Realm,” Kristrún wrote, adding,
Nothing about Greenland without Greenland. Iceland stands firmly with its friends.
Kristrún did not mention the US or Donald Trump, US president, […] more