Latest News from Iceland — Translated to English
Startup Iceland News brings together Iceland’s top stories — automatically translated into English. Get real-time updates on business, innovation, travel, and society from trusted Icelandic sources.
Top stories in Iceland
Logi presents action plan on media issues today
Logi Einarsson, Minister of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education, will hold a press conference on the government's action plan on media issues at 2 p.m.…
Four people want to become National Police Commissioner
A total of four applications were received for the position of National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police, which was advertised on December 3. The…
Heavy workload in the emergency room at SAk and people directed to healthcare
The emergency department at Akureyri Hospital has been under a lot of pressure recently due to flu, norovirus and other communicable diseases. The management…
Icelanders were involved in a serious car accident in South Africa
Icelanders were involved in a serious car accident in South Africa. The matter is being handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Civil Service. This is…
Cod stock not decreasing since 2020
The cod stock index is decreasing this year after little change in the previous three years. An announcement on the Marine Research Institute's website states…
Sports shaped the working methods that deliver results in business
Hotel operations and homes have a clear vision: to offer durable, high-quality and environmentally friendly products for homes and businesses, but the store has a particularly good selection of products for accommodations.
Specific levies over 21 billion ISK
Last year, Icelandic financial institutions paid over 21 billion ISK in specific taxes and fees that other businesses in this country do not pay. The amount has never previously exceeded 20 billion ISK.
The Icelandic krona is an obstacle
Over 60% believed that the Icelandic currency had a very or somewhat negative impact on the company's operations.
Siminn acquires Opin Kerfi and the Icelandic Security Centre
Síminn has signed agreements to purchase all shares in Opnir Kerfi hf. and the Icelandic Security Centre.
Members of Parliament exchanged warm words
Despite some nervousness in the final minutes, agreements on the handling of matters in the Althingi were reached, so that the budget and its main appendices were processed as necessary and the parliament was adjourned for dinner yesterday.
Cautious optimism about EU loans to Ukraine
The European Union's controversial giant loan to Ukraine is being discussed in Brussels tonight. The loan is based on frozen Russian funds and would finance Ukraine's defense for the next two years. Reporter Björn Malmquist is at the meeting and says it is completely uncertain whether the loan will be approved, but there is cautious optimism about it. He says that most of the countries in the European Union are interested in the loan, but that the Belgians are hesitant because the banking institution that holds most of the funds is in Brussels. They want guarantees from other EU countries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was at the meeting for several hours tonight
1,000 billion at stake for Venezuela
The US government has largely blocked Venezuela's oil exports, saying President Maduro is receiving a portion of the oil sales into his own bank accounts.
Bans and lawsuits cast a shadow over talks
The ban on the operations of Russian fishing giants and the lawsuit filed by one of them against the Norwegian state are casting a shadow over negotiations on fishing in the Barents Sea.
The brewery changes its name
The board of directors of Ölgerðin has decided to begin preparations for a change in the group's structure. This is stated in an announcement to the Stock Exchange.
Jón Ingi new CEO of PwC in Iceland
Jón Ingi Ingibergsson has been appointed as the new CEO of PwC in Iceland.
atNorth wins environmental award for data center in Akureyri
Data center company atNorth has received the Data Center Dynamics (DCD) environmental award for the innovative and responsible design of the ICE03 data center in Akureyri.
Registration is of great importance
The listing of the merged company Arctic Adventures and Kynnisferðir (Icelandia) on the Iceland Stock Exchange is a major part of the management's vision for the future. Icelandia CEO Björn Ragnarson says that the listing of the company could have a very positive impact on the market.
Iceland ratifies the Convention on the Protection of Publishers
The BBNJ Convention is the first legally binding regulatory framework for the protection of biological diversity in the high seas.
Bank of England cuts interest rates
The Bank of England cut its key interest rate to 3.75 percent today after inflation in the UK eased more quickly than expected. At the same time, the economy has been weakening.
The Centre Party’s election campaign cost 140 million
The election campaign of the Middle Party for the last general election cost the party approximately 141 million kronor. This is stated in the newly published annual accounts of the Middle Party, which have been approved by the National Audit Office. The party's expenses for the elections are specifically accounted for in the accounts. The party lost more than 133 million kronor and the election campaign is the biggest expense. The party's operations are otherwise good.
Coke Zero took a big hit this year
Christmas is a time that has been associated with beverage giant Coca-Cola for decades, particularly because of the company's close relationship with Santa Claus himself, the red-clad, white-bearded one, whom the company uses in its marketing materials.
Wishes the government would leave the islanders in peace
"We are a strong community here in the Islands, working hard, creating enormous value and tax revenue for society and we intend to continue to do so. Leave us alone," says Arnar Hjaltalín, chairman of the Drífand union in the Vestmannaeyjar Islands, in an interview with Morgunblaðið, when asked for his reaction to the recent agreement made by Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir on mackerel fishing.
Tractors return to the European Quarter in Brussels
Loud horns from large tractors disturbed the sleep of residents in many parts of Brussels last night. They were blared to draw attention to the protests by farmers who have flocked to the city in connection with the European Union summit currently taking place in the European district of Brussels. Around ten thousand protesters are expected to demonstrate their opposition to a free trade agreement that the European Union has concluded with the South American countries of MERCOSUR. After more than two decades of negotiations, the agreement is almost complete. However, agricultural stakeholders fear the import of
Tested in harsh conditions
Dirk Adelmann, CEO of the car manufacturer Smart in Europe, visited the Askja car dealership last week, and Adelmann is the most senior person to have come there from the dealership's supplier.
Huge loan for Ukraine agreed at EU summit
A long and tense meeting of EU leaders is expected in Brussels today; a meeting that could last until the evening and even into tomorrow. The big task ahead of the meeting is to reach an agreement on how the European Union will deliver on its pledge of tens of billions of euros in financial support for Ukraine. "I think we have reached an agreement," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told reporters as he arrived at the meeting this morning, and he is one of the leaders who supports plans to use frozen Russian central bank funds to secure loans to Ukraine. "In my
Alvotech is still seeking funding
Alvotech has completed a private placement of convertible bonds worth USD 108 million to a group of international investors. The funding is part of the company's plan to invest USD 250 million in the development of new…
Controversy over Landsbanki’s variable interest rates
The interest rate on the loan, which is under one of Landsbanki's cases, decreased steadily by 2% over the loan term, until the loan was paid off.
Better loan terms after the Central Bank lowered the policy rate
Better interest rates have been available on the loan market for real estate purchases than before after the Central Bank lowered its policy rate last month. This is stated in a new monthly report by the Housing and Public Works Authority. Developers have offered a financing option to respond to the poor sales of new apartments. It is a demand stimulant, say the report authors, but has not been used much so far. "The main difference between the financing option and equity loans is the usage fees on the investment fund's share, but with the changed arrangement they will be collected monthly." The report states that real estate
“Will not accept such a reduction”
A reduction in ferry operating subsidies from 1.7 billion ISK to 1.4 billion could affect Herjólfr's services. Vestmannaeyjar Port receives less than other ports. This is what Vestmannaeyjar Town says in a criticism of a proposal for a new transportation plan.