Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV),       07 January 2026 5:00 PM
RÚV English Radio - SPOUSES

In a building which is part stable, part recording studio, musician Joel Durksen has been assembling his new album, under the name Spouses.

Joel is also part of Saga Musica, a project featuring performances of stories from the Icelandic Sagas, set to music and words.

Darren met Joel again to hear more about more

Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV),       07 January 2026 3:44 PM
More went to a church at Christmas while fewer sent cards or had real trees, suggests survey

More people went to a church before or over Christmas than in recent years, suggests the new Þjóðarpúls Gallup. Well over twice as many respondents had artificial Christmas trees as real ones. Roughly the same proportion looked forward to Christmas as in recent years, and a similar proportion dreaded it.

Five percent of respondents said they dreaded last Christmas, 60% said they looked forward to it, while 18% said they somehow both […] more

Iceland Review,   07 January 2026 3:26 PM
Sanctioned Oil Tanker Comes Under US Control Near Iceland

A sanctioned oil tanker has been seized by the United States while operating in Iceland’s exclusive economic zone, following days of monitoring by the Icelandic Coast Guard. Mbl.is reports that the tanker, Marinera, formerly known as Bella 1, was taken under American control in the North Atlantic after entering Iceland’s southeastern exclusive economic zone. What’s the […] more

Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV),       07 January 2026 3:25 PM
Iceland's Coast Guard not involved in Marinera op

US European Command says M/V Bella 1, sailing now as Marinera, has been seized for violations of US sanctions.

Ásgeir Erlendsson of the Icelandic Coast Guard, says that the Marinera is certainly within Iceland's exclusive economic zone, but those are in international waters. Anyone can sail in the area the ship sailed through.

The Icelandic Coast Guard has therefore not taken any action beyond the usual […] more

Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV),       07 January 2026 3:10 PM
Fjarðabyggð simplifies access to museums

The Fjarðabyggð Cultural Office has introduced a new and simplified pricing structure for its museums, designed to make culture more accessible and affordable for residents and visitors alike.

The change is effective now and applies to all four of the municipality‘s museums: The Neskaupstaður House of Collections, the East Iceland Maritime Museum, the Icelandic […] more

mbl.is,   07 January 2026 3:00 PM
City seeks specialist to reduce sickness absence rate

The City of Reykjavík is seeking to hire a specialist to reduce sickness absence among its employees. more

mbl.is,   07 January 2026 2:10 PM
U.S. has seized the oil tanker

It appears that U.S. personnel have boarded the oil tanker Marinera, formerly known as Bella-1, and taken control of the vessel. A U.S. official confirmed this to CBS News in the United States, according to the BBC. more

Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV),       07 January 2026 2:07 PM
US says it has seized Russian flag tanker off Iceland

The United States has seized the oil tanker Marinera, which sails under a Russian flag.

This is asserted by US European Command on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Russia has sent its naval vessels, including one submarine, to escort the ship.

The United States has been pursuing the vessel for just over two […] more