RSS Parrot

City seeks specialist to reduce sickness absence rate

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/07/city_seeks_specialist_to_reduce_sickness_absence_ra/

Published: January 7, 2026 15:00

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

U.S. has seized the oil tanker

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/07/u_s_has_seized_the_oil_tanker/

Published: January 7, 2026 14:10

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.

Icelandic Coast Guard monitoring movements of oil tanker

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/07/icelandic_coast_guard_monitoring_movements_of_oil_t/

Published: January 7, 2026 13:00

The Icelandic Coast Guard is monitoring the movements of an oil tanker that entered Iceland’s southeastern exclusive economic zone shortly after 4 a.m. last night.

Yellow weather warnings issued for northeasterly blizzard conditions

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/07/yellow_weather_warnings_issued_for_northeasterly_bl/

Published: January 7, 2026 11:16

The Icelandic Meteorological Office has issued a yellow weather warning for South Iceland and Southeast Iceland due to northeasterly blizzard conditions.

Fewer bonfires: Costs run into tens of millions

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/06/fewer_bonfires_costs_run_into_tens_of_millions/

Published: January 6, 2026 17:30

Environmental and safety concerns are the main reasons why New Year’s and Twelfth Night bonfires have been reduced in number and are now being phased out in many places. Rising costs for firewood and waste disposal have also played a role.

Accident under investigation: Difficult conditions at the scene

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/06/accident_under_investigation_difficult_conditions_a/

Published: January 6, 2026 15:24

The circumstances surrounding the traffic accident that occurred on Suðurlandsvegur yesterday morning are under investigation by the capital area police.

Police seize two firearms last night: Suspects under 20

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/06/police_seize_two_firearms_last_night_suspects_under/

Published: January 6, 2026 13:02

Police in the capital area called in the National Police Commissioner’s Special Forces to assist with a police operation at a residential property in the Rimahverfi neighborhood last night. The Special Forces’ involvement has now concluded, but police are…

“Difficult to succeed after Alex Ferguson”

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/05/difficult_to_succeed_after_alex_ferguson/

Published: January 5, 2026 18:00

“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…

Intervention in Greenland would mark a fundamental shift in NATO

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/05/intervention_in_greenland_would_mark_a_fundamental_/

Published: January 5, 2026 16:00

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.

Margrét Löf appeals to the Court of Appeal

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/05/margret_lof_appeals_to_the_court_of_appeal/

Published: January 5, 2026 13:33

Margrét Halla Hansdóttir Löf has appealed the 16-year prison sentence she received at the Reykjanes District Court on December 16.

Suðurlandsvegur has been reopened

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/05/sudurlandsvegur_has_been_reopened/

Published: January 5, 2026 10:44

Suðurlandsvegur has now been fully reopened and emergency responders have concluded their work at the scene. A traffic accident occurred on the road earlier this morning, and it was closed for a period as a result.

Kerecis assists victims of the fire

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/04/kerecis_assists_victims_of_the_fire/

Published: January 4, 2026 16:00

The Icelandic health-tech company Kerecis will increase production to assist victims who suffered severe burns in a major fire in Switzerland in recent days.

Independence Party surges to 35.5% support in Reykjavík poll

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/04/independence_party_surges_to_35_5_prosent_support_i/

Published: January 4, 2026 13:47

The Independence Party is polling at 35.5% support in Reykjavík in a Gallup survey, equivalent to nine seats on the city council. The party gains 2.2 percentage points compared with the previous poll and has not measured this high in the capital since the…

Bergmann: Regime change by force has never worked

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/03/bergmann_regime_change_by_force_has_never_worked/

Published: January 3, 2026 20:00

The fact that the United States has carried out attacks on Venezuela and overthrown President Nicolás Maduro by military force is no guarantee of better governance in the country.

Icelandic man dies in Ukraine

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/03/icelandic_man_dies_in_ukraine/

Published: January 3, 2026 19:00

It has been confirmed that an Icelandic man recently died in Ukraine after having joined the Ukrainian armed forces. The case was first reported by DV.

New water slide closed after a series of accidents

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/03/new_water_slide_closed_after_a_series_of_accidents/

Published: January 3, 2026 14:00

A newly installed water slide at the swimming pool in Þorlákshöfn has been temporarily closed following several accidents.

Colorful costumes at the Nauthólsvík New Year’s swim

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/02/colorful_costumes_at_the_nautholsvik_new_year_s_swi/

Published: January 2, 2026 14:00

A colorful group made its way to Nauthólsvík yesterday as the annual New Year’s swim took place in the sea there.

Significant drop in fuel prices

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/02/significant_drop_in_fuel_prices/

Published: January 2, 2026 12:00

The introduction of the new kilometre-based road charge at the turn of the year was accompanied by the abolition of the fuel tax. As a result, fuel companies have significantly lowered their prices.

Finding our Home Port: President urges unity in times of change

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/02/finding_our_home_port_president_urges_unity_in_time/

Published: January 2, 2026 10:00

In her New Year’s address to the nation, President HallaTómasdóttir reflected on the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and the well-being of children and young people, recalled the hardships Icelanders have faced in recent years, and emphasized…

Laufey and Bragi Valdimar among recipients of the Order of the Falcon

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/01/laufey_and_bragi_valdimar_among_recipients_of_the_o/

Published: January 1, 2026 19:30

President of Iceland Halla Tómasdóttir conferred the Order of the Falcon on 14 Icelanders at a formal ceremony held at Bessastaðir today, in keeping with the tradition on New Year’s Day.

Six babies born since midnight

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/01/six_babies_born_since_midnight/

Published: January 1, 2026 16:01

The first baby of 2026 was born just 24 minutes after the New Year began, according to information from the maternity ward at Landspítali.

Happy New Year 2026!

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2026/01/01/happy_new_year_2026/

Published: January 1, 2026 00:08

Iceland Monitor wishes everyone a happy and prosperous New Year and extends its sincere thanks to readers for their support and companionship throughout the year now past.

Fourteen to receive the Order of the Falcon

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2025/12/31/fourteen_to_receive_the_order_of_the_falcon/

Published: December 31, 2025 20:15

Halla Tómasdóttir, President of Iceland, will confer the Order of the Falcon on fourteen Icelanders on New Year’s Day.

“Our responsibility is not to waver or back down”

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2025/12/31/our_responsibility_is_not_to_waver_or_back_down/

Published: December 31, 2025 18:59

The Prime Minister says it is the government’s responsibility not to bend or retreat from its decisions, even when they provoke strong reactions and opposition.

Road closures in Reykjavik today

https://www.mbl.is/english/news/2025/12/31/road_closures_in_reykjavik_today/

Published: December 31, 2025 11:25

The annual New Year’s Eve Run will take place today at noon, resulting in road closures. Traffic will also be restricted in the Skólavörðuholt area later this evening.