The Nordic Times

Polaris of Enlightenment

The Nordic Times

Polaris of Enlightenment

The Nordic Times

The Nordic Times

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This article was published 2 years ago

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/iceland/new-national-stadium-planned-in-iceland/

Iceland

New national stadium planned in Iceland

Published March 16, 2024 – By Editorial staff
The stadium is expected to cost around 15 billion Icelandic kroner (around €100 million).
1 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Iceland is planning to build a new national stadium with a capacity of 8600 spectators. The goal is to host the Men's Handball World Championship in 2029 or 2031.

The stadium is expected to open to the public in 2027 or 2028, but it is not yet clear what it will look like. Therefore, an open competition for the design and construction of the building has been organized. The design competition is open to teams consisting of an architect, an engineer, and contractors. Qualified teams will also receive funding to prepare a design proposal and tender in accordance with cost projections, reports Icelandic Review.

The building, which will be located in Laugardalur in Reykjavík, is estimated to cost about 15 billion Icelandic kronur, or about €100 million. It will be owned 55% by the Icelandic government and 45% by the City of Reykjavík.

Together with Denmark and Norway, Iceland has applied to host the men's handball world championship in 2029 or 2031, which would be held at the new stadium.

There are also plans to build a football stadium and an athletics stadium, but the focus will be on the national stadium as it will be easier to complete and will also benefit youth sports and local sports clubs.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/iceland/icelands-public-broadcaster-wants-to-ban-israel-from-eurovision/

Iceland

Iceland’s public broadcaster wants to ban Israel from Eurovision

The genocide in Gaza

Published today 4:01 pm – By Editorial staff
Israeli singer Eden Golan represented the Jewish state of Israel at Eurovision 2024. Here she participates in the Celebrate Israel Parade 2024.
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The Icelandic public broadcaster RÚV wants Israel excluded from the Eurovision Song Contest next year. Board chairman Stefán Jón Hafstein confirms that a majority of the board today voted to urge the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to exclude Israel from the competition in spring 2026.

The resolution was adopted with five votes out of nine at RÚV's board meeting late in the afternoon.

— What happens next is that the EBU holds its annual meeting on December 4-5. My understanding is that this issue of Israel's participation and the rules around the competition will be discussed on December 4, and our resolution will have been presented before the meeting. It will therefore be completely open on the table, says Hafstein.

There is uncertainty about several countries' participation in next year's competition. Spain, Ireland and Slovenia have all declared themselves opposed to Israeli participation due to the country's military actions in Gaza.

When asked how many countries he believes will take the same position, he says he doesn't know.

— I don't know what the situation looks like right now. This discussion has been going on for quite a long time, so we'll simply have to see at the meeting since everyone has been waiting for it, he says.

Iceland's participation not decided

Whether Iceland itself will participate if Israel is not excluded has not yet been decided. That question will be addressed at a special board meeting after the EBU's meeting.

— That will be handled at a special board meeting after the EBU meeting. No decision on that was made at today's meeting, he says.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/iceland/mosquitoes-discovered-in-iceland-for-the-first-time/

Iceland

Mosquitoes discovered in Iceland for the first time

Published October 22, 2025 – By Editorial staff
The cold-hardy species Culiseta annulata has been found on Icelandic soil.
1 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Three mosquitoes were found during October, confirms the Icelandic Institute of Natural History. This is the first time mosquitoes have been discovered in Iceland.

It was in the municipality of Kjós that Björn Hjaltason discovered the first mosquito on October 16, which he wrote about in the Facebook group Skordýr á Íslandi (Insects in Iceland). It was a "strange fly" on a wine trap, which is a wine-soaked strip he used to attract insects.

— I immediately suspected what it might be and quickly collected the fly. It was a female, he told Icelandic national broadcaster RUV.

Later, Hjaltason found two more, all of which he subsequently sent to the Institute of Natural History for analysis, which confirmed Björn's suspicion – the flies were indeed mosquitoes.

Cold-tolerant species

Matthías Alfreðsson, entomologist at the Icelandic Institute of Natural History, believes the findings are significant and thinks the mosquitoes have come to Iceland to stay. Researchers have previously predicted that mosquitoes would eventually reach Iceland, especially considering that midges made it there and established themselves as recently as 2015.

— This is the first time a mosquito has been found on Icelandic soil, he says.

The mosquito species discovered is Culiseta annulata, which is known to be very cold-tolerant and is normally found in countries including Sweden.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/iceland/icelands-prime-minister-no-own-army-in-my-lifetime/

Iceland

Iceland’s prime minister: “No own army in my lifetime”

Published October 19, 2025 – By Editorial staff
Kristrún Frostadóttir and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
2 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir rejects the idea of an Icelandic defense force and instead wants the country to continue relying on the US-led military alliance NATO through increased financial contributions and infrastructure support.

At the eleventh edition of the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavík, Iceland, Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir was asked whether Iceland is considering building its own military force. Her answer was clear: No.

— In all honesty, and I can't speak for the entire Icelandic people, I think everyone is happy with the current state of affairs in terms of our presence and security. And so is the government, she responded.

Frostadóttir emphasized that Iceland can play a more significant role by increasing financial support to NATO, investing in infrastructure, and continuing to function as a host nation for allied forces, primarily from the United States.

— Personally, I think we can do more with funding, whether it's NATO funding, other infrastructure or whatever, and by strengthening our position as a strategically important location and as a host nation, she said.

Although discussions about an Icelandic army do occur, such plans are not on the government's agenda. The prime minister was clear in her assessment of the future.

— But I don't think we'll see an Icelandic army in my lifetime, Frostadóttir concluded.

American military presence since World War II

Iceland's military dependence on foreign forces has deep historical roots. The US Navy and Air Force base at Keflavík, Naval Air Station Keflavík (NASKEF), was built during World War II and remained operational until September 2006.

Since the closure of NASKEF, Keflavík Airport has continued to function as a transit point and base for NATO, albeit with reduced facilities. The military zones at the airport remain operational and are managed by the Icelandic Coast Guard on behalf of the US-led military alliance.

Iceland's continued absence of its own defense force means the country remains entirely dependent on NATO and primarily American forces for its military protection, a situation the prime minister clearly signals will persist.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/iceland/majority-in-iceland-wants-to-separate-church-and-state/

Iceland

Majority in Iceland wants to separate church and state

Published October 18, 2025 – By Editorial staff
Church in Hof, Iceland.
1 minute read
Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Just over half of Icelanders support a separation of church and state, according to a new survey from polling institute Prósent. Support is strongest in the capital region and among young voters.

In Iceland, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland (Þjóðkirkjan) is a state church and holds a special status under the country's constitution. Approximately 58.6 percent of Icelanders belong to this church.

In the survey, which included 2,000 Icelanders, 52 percent stated they support a separation between church and state, while 21 percent oppose it. An additional 27 percent indicated they are neither for nor against, reports RUV, Iceland's national broadcaster.

In the Reykjavik capital region, 58 percent support separation, compared to 39 percent in rural areas. Among the youngest respondents, support reaches 71 percent, while opinions in the oldest age group are evenly divided.

Editorial staff
editorial@nordictimes.com