Iceland Roundup: Coast Guard Drunk, Drugs On Boats, State And Church, Defence & Julian Assange

The Reykjavík Grapevine’s Iceland Roundup brings you the top news with a healthy dash of local views. In this episode, Grapevine publisher Jón Trausti Sigurðarson is joined by Heimildin editor Aðalsteinn Kjartansson and Grapevine friend and...

Iceland And Germany Strengthen Defence Cooperation

Germany’s Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius, met with Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir at the Icelandic government offices today, reports RÚV. Boris is scheduled to visit the security area at Keflavík Airport before leaving the country. A...

EBU adds 2026, 2030 FIFA World Cup coverage for Azerbaijan, Iceland, Malta

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the wide-ranging alliance of the continent’s public service broadcasters, has expanded its coverage rights for the 2026 and 2030 editions of the elite FIFA World Cup soccer tournament. This latest agreement...

Singapore minister attends Arctic Circle Assembly in Iceland

ShareSharePin ItShare Singapore’s MOS Gan Siow Huang attended the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavík. Photo: Instagram. Singapore’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and for Trade and Industry Gan Siow Huang visited Reykjavík from 15–18...

Germany, Iceland agree to strengthen military cooperation

Germany and Iceland have agreed to strengthen their military cooperation amid growing Russian threats. A memorandum of understanding signed in Reykjavik focuses on maritime logistics, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said during a meeting...

Iceland No Longer Immune to Foreign Subversion, Warns Media Chief

Iceland is now as vulnerable to foreign disinformation campaigns as its Nordic neighbours, according to Elfa Ýr Gylfadóttir, executive director of the Icelandic Media Commission. Speaking to Samfélagið radio show on RÚV, Elfa said that coordinated...

Is Canada doing enough to tackle political violence?

Wednesday marks the 11th anniversary of the Parliament Hill shooting, when an Islamist-inspired extremist, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, stormed Canada’s War Memorial and Parliament Hill, killing one soldier and injuring three other people. The shooting —...

Iceland to Strengthen Arctic Role Without Militarisation, PM Says

Prime Minister Kristrún Mjöll Frostadóttir says Iceland must take greater responsibility for its place in the Arctic while rejecting any notion of building a national military. Speaking at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavík, Frostadóttir said...

11 years after the Parliament Hill shooting, is Canada doing enough to tackle political violence?

Wednesday marks the 11th anniversary of the Parliament Hill shooting, when an Islamist-inspired extremist, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, stormed Canada’s War Memorial and Parliament Hill, killing one soldier and injuring three other people. The shooting —...

This is what happened when thousands of women refused to work in Iceland 50 years ago

The protests calls for an end to unequal pay and gender-based violence (Picture: Snorri Zóphóníasson) It was eerily quiet on the suburban streets of Iceland on October 24, 2023. Schools weren’t open, swimming pools closed and several banks shut...

Iceland Earns Top Marks for Equality in Global Wedding Study

Iceland has been named the world’s second-safest country for LGBTQ+ destination weddings, according to a new study by Destify, which analysed global data on LGBTQ+ rights, laws and safety. The study ranked Iceland just behind Spain, awarding it a...

German Defense Minister Pushes Draft as Warning to Moscow

Germany is considering bringing back a military draft, a move Defense Minister Boris Pistorius says could act as a deterrent to Russia amid rising security concerns in Europe. “If we once again draft all men of a given year and collect data on...

Global Leaders' Meeting on Women keeps discussion of gender equality strong, says Icelandic minister

"It's very important for countries to work together. The Global Leaders' Meeting on Women is crucial to keeping the discussion and agenda of gender equality strong," Thorbjorg Sigridur Gunnlaugsdottir, Icelandic Minister of Justice, told Xinhua in...

Iceland lifts the lid on superhot geothermal energy at the Arctic Circle assembly

By Elías Thorsson October 18, 2025 77 Iceland’s Minister of the Environment, Energy and Climate, Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson speaking at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Iceland. (Arctic Circle) “The same spirit that once sent humanity to the Moon must...

Iceland, to Prof. Paolo Gargiulo the decoration of OSI Knight

At the University of Reykjavík - in the presence of the Undersecretary of State for Defense, Sen.Isabella Rauti - the Ambassador of Italy to Norway and Iceland, Stefano Nicoletti, remitted to Prof. Paolo Gargiulo, Full Professor and Director of...

France held by Iceland and lose perfect record in qualifying for World Cup

France missed a chance to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup on Monday after being held to 2-2 at Iceland. The result in Reykjavik halted France's perfect start in European qualifying after three straight victories. The two-time world champion...

Icelandair expands Southern Europe network with new Faro route

Icelandair has announced the addition of Faro, Portugal, to its route network, marking the airline’s first scheduled flights to the Algarve region, famous for its beaches, golf courses, and cultural attractions. Flights between Reykjavík and Faro...

Pacts with UK, EFTA to bring in $100bn investments: Piyush Goyal

Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Sunday listed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which has now come into force, and his meeting with UK Prime Minister...

Military aid to Ukraine fell by 43% this summer – media

The Kiel Institute for the World Economy reported on Tuesday that military aid to Ukraine decreased by 43% in July and August compared to the first half of the year, Reuters said. "According to the institute, most military support now flows...

Icelandic president: Iceland will continue to embrace China

Icelandic President Halla Tomasdottir is visiting China from Oct 12-18. She welcomed the China-Iceland joint statement, issued on Oct 14, which aims to deepen collaboration on geothermal energy and the green transition. Tomasdottir said Iceland...