Iceland has been highlighted as the safest destination for solo travelers in a recent Daily Motivation News article. Known for its stunning natural beauty—waterfalls, hot springs, and vast, rugged landscapes—the country also boasts a reputation for exceptional peace and safety.

A low-pressure system east of Iceland left colder air in its wake overnight in the northeast and east, but conditions are changing.

A magnitude 3.1 earthquake was recorded at 9:36 AM this morning, approximately 3.2 kilometers north-northeast of Herðubreið, according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office.

District Prosecutor Ólafur Þór Hauksson says he sees no reason to resign following revelations of extensive data theft from the now-defunct Office of the Special Prosecutor, which he once led. He maintains that all investigative methods, including wiretapping, were legally authorized and backed by court orders.

“My wife and I are in sync — and we fish well,” says Ómar Marísson, a fisherman from Ólafsvík. Marísson operates the coastal fishing boat Rakel SH 700, and on board with him is his wife, Ingibjörg Steinþórsdóttir. The couple has been fishing together for years and knows the rhythm of the sea — and each other — well.

Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir says U.S. President Donald Trump responded positively during a joint call with leaders of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), emphasizing unity on security and defense issues amid ongoing tensions with Russia.

Sections of road in the Westfjords remain without mobile or internet connection, raising serious safety concerns—particularly for foreign tourists unfamiliar with the region. In some cases, travelers have had to rely on nearby residents for assistance after accidents or breakdowns in remote areas where they were unable to call for help.

Residents of the farms Syðri- and Ytri-Húsabakki remain stranded after flooding from Héraðsvötn and Húseyjarkvísl rivers rendered the road to the farms impassable last night.

Drivers are advised to exercise caution as weather conditions are set to deteriorate significantly late tonight, bringing snow, sleet, and icy patches to mountain roads across the country.

Minister of Justice Þorbjörg Sigríður Gunnlaugsdóttir condemned what she called a “betrayal of the system” during an emergency question session in Alþingi, following shocking revelations of a major breach involving the theft and sale of sensitive police data.

“Iceland was once seen as a remote island in the North Atlantic. But today, both geographically and politically, it sits at a crossroads — between the United States, Russia, and China,” said Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir at a joint press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Tuesday.

Icelandair carried 381,000 passengers in April, a 24% increase compared to the same month last year, according to a statement from the airline. Of these, 47% were connecting passengers, while 19% were traveling to Iceland and another 19% departing from the country.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office reports that land inflation at Svartsengi is ongoing, though the pace has slowed in recent weeks.

Three people were transported to the hospital this afternoon following a two-car collision on Reykjanesbraut near Smáralind. All were conscious at the time of transport, according to Guðmundur Hreinsson, Chief of the Fire Department in the capital area.

Minister of Industry Hanna Katrín Friðriksson presented a revised bill yesterday proposing a significant increase in fishing fees, a move that could double the current charges for the fisheries sector. The bill introduces a new method for calculating the value of marine products, which would serve as the basis for determining fees.

Kári Stefánsson, one of the world’s most prominent geneticists and founder of deCode Genetics, says he was not surprised by his sudden dismissal from the company he led for nearly three decades. Speaking to mbl.is, Stefánsson described the abrupt end to his role as a natural result of differing scientific priorities between himself and Amgen, deCode’s parent company.

President of Iceland Halla Tómasdóttir will begin a three-day state visit to Sweden tomorrow, accompanied by her husband Björn Skúlason.

The results of Icelandic and mathematics tests administered to 7th-grade students at Breiðholtsskóli have raised serious concerns about educational standards and student well-being in Reykjavík’s primary schools.

Icelandic actor Ingvar E. Sigurðsson has been awarded Best Actor at the Brussels Short Film Festival (BSFF) for his performance in O (Hringur), directed by Rúnar Rúnarsson and produced by Heather Millard.

Pedro Pascal, the Chilean-American actor and global TV star, is currently in Iceland.

Cannabis is now the first drug many Icelandic teens try—often before alcohol, according to Rúna Ágústsdóttir, a veteran alcohol and drug counselor at Foreldrahús, a support center for families dealing with substance use.

Nearly 260 newly built apartments on densification plots across Reykjavík remain unsold, with only around 40 units sold since the beginning of the year, according to recent data.

The man suspected of holding a tourist hostage on Hverfisgata had been repeatedly flagged as a danger following his release from prison in mid-September last year. He has multiple prior convictions, including for rape and unlawful deprivation of liberty, and served his entire sentence in prison—not released on parole due to concerns about his mental health and behavior.

A man was arrested on Hverfisgata yesterday morning following reports that he was armed and holding a tourist hostage in a downtown apartment.

Kári Stefánsson, founder and long-time CEO of DeCode Genetics, has officially stepped down from his leadership role at the company he established nearly three decades ago. The announcement marks the end of an era for one of Iceland’s most influential scientific figures.

Minister of Industry and Trade Hanna Katrín Friðriksson has submitted a revised bill to the Althingi proposing an increase in fishing fees. The bill has undergone several changes following a period of public consultation, in response to criticism from municipalities and small-scale fishing operators.

Reykjavík’s city center will host a range of celebrations today, May 1st, in honor of International Workers’ Day, with events scheduled from 12:00 to 15:30. As part of the festivities, several streets will be closed temporarily to accommodate parades and gatherings, including the traditional workers’ march.

Tourists visiting Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavík are now being met with warnings about pickpockets, following a recent increase in thefts inside the church. Churchwarden Grétar Einarsson confirmed that signs have been placed at the entrance after at least three incidents were reported to police in recent days.

A traffic warden with the Reykjavík Metropolitan Police has been relieved of duty after evidence emerged suggesting he engaged in espionage for payment while on the job. The state prosecutor is investigating the case, which dates back to 2012.

Icelandic bicycle manufacturer Lauf Cycles has closed a financing round worth nearly 500 million Icelandic krónur, marking a major milestone for the fast-growing company.

A major NATO submarine search exercise, Dynamic Mongoose, began off the coast of Iceland today and will continue for the next two weeks. Iceland serves as the host nation, and the Icelandic Coast Guard emphasizes the importance of participating in such operations.

Volcanologist Þorvaldur Þórðarson believes the events at the Sundhnúkagígar crater row may be fading away.

Icelandic national team players Iðunn Helgadóttir and Guðrún Fanney Briem were crowned Nordic chess champions yesterday, following standout performances at the Nordic Girls Championship held over the weekend in Fredericia, Denmark. Their impressive ambition and preparation drew considerable attention throughout the tournament.

A magnitude 3.5 earthquake struck Bárðarbunga shortly after noon today, according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office. Earthquakes of this size are considered common in the area.

One of the oldest known photographs from Iceland—a rare 19th-century image of Reykjavík harbor—has been lost while in the care of the Stockholms Auktionsverk auction house, shortly after being sold to the highest bidder.