Here is a roundup of the day’s top stories from Iceland on Sunday, June 28, 2026.

Weather: Stormy Skies and a Brief Respite

Iceland is experiencing a weekend of strong winds and wet weather. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, the most intense conditions were forecast overnight and into Sunday morning. While the south-west is expected to see a temporary break in rainfall during the afternoon, northern and eastern parts of the country will remain mostly dry for much of the day, with temperatures reaching up to 17°C. The wind is expected to ease around midday on Sunday.

Society & Safety: A Busy Night for Police

The Metropolitan Police had a busy night, responding to 76 incidents across the capital region.

• Assault at a Swimming Pool: A man was reported to have attacked a group of boys at a swimming pool in central Reykjavík on Saturday evening. The incident occurred after the boys collided with the man and his young son at the end of a water slide.
• Other Incidents: Police also dealt with reports of a break-in at a school, three separate accidents involving small vehicles where all drivers are suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, and a case of suspected fraud where tourists were unable to access a rental property.

Culture & Arts: National Opera Appoints Six Singers

In a significant step for the country’s cultural scene, Iceland’s newly established National Opera has appointed six singers ahead of its first full season. The appointments include sopranos, a mezzo-soprano, a tenor, a baritone, and a bass. Four of the singers will begin their roles in September and will perform at the company’s opening event in Akureyri on 18 October. All six are scheduled to appear in the National Opera’s production of Verdi’s Falstaff, which is set to premiere in March 2027.

Sports: A Big Day for Football

Today is a major day for football in Iceland. The Bestu deild karla (Icelandic men’s top division) is in action. Additionally, the group stage of the World Cup came to a close last night, with the final standings now set. In other football news, a match is scheduled today between Keflavík and KR Reykjavík.

Politics & Economy: Reykjavík Mayor Announces Cuts

Reykjavík’s Mayor, Hildur Björnsdóttir, has announced further cuts to the city’s budget. The news comes as the city government continues to navigate its financial situation.

EU Membership: Poll Shows Slim Majority in Favour

A recent Gallup poll has found that 52% of Icelanders believe they would vote in favour of reopening EU accession negotiations if the vote were held today. The survey highlights significant differences in opinion along political lines.

Maritime News: Coast Guard Orders Position Reports from Paul Watson

The Icelandic Coast Guard has ordered the crew of the vessel Paul Watson to provide their position every hour. This comes after the ship failed to transmit its automatic position via AIS, which is required under international law. The Coast Guard has stated that while Iceland’s exclusive economic zone is an international area with freedom of navigation, it will intervene when there is a risk to life or safety at sea.

Other News in Brief

• Earthquakes: Two minor earthquakes were recorded this morning. A magnitude 0.8 quake struck 10.2 km ESE of Eiríksjökull at 4:53 am, and a magnitude 2.3 quake was recorded 14.1 km SSE of Húsafell at 5:22 am.
• Tourism: Tourism operators in Húsavík report that smaller towns in Northeast Iceland are receiving fewer cruise ship visitors and blame the government’s accommodation tax.
• Horse Show: Preparations are underway for the upcoming Landsmót (National Horse Show), which is expected to attract up to eight thousand visitors next weekend.