Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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 journalist Aðalsteinn Kjartansson, and Grapevine friend and contributor Sindri Eldon to roundup the stories making headlines in recent weeks. On the docket this week are:
Icelandic Made A Must For Hospital Staff
All staff at Landspítali are expected to be able to speak Icelandic according to the hospital’s newly approved language policy. These requirements will first be applied to nurses, nursing assistants, and medical residents. Better Icelandic proficiency means higher pay.
New Hospital Being Built, But Will There Be A Helipad?
The most expensive building in Iceland’s history, a new hospital in Reykjavík, will be opened in 2030 according to plans. However, issues remained unsolved regarding a helipad for said hospital. In an interview this weekend, minister of Health Alma Möller told RÚV that the plan is either to build a helipad on top of one of the buildings of the new hospital, or to acquire a plot of land near by the hospital, probably near the BSÍ Bus Terminal, for that purpose.
Two Tourists Rescued North Of Torfajökull
On Saturday night two tourists, driving god-knows-how north of Torfajökull in the Icelandic highlands, got their Suzuki Jimny stuck in the river Dalakvísl. The two SARS teams sent to rescue them took eight hours to do so.
40 Years Of TV News On Weekends Over
Sýn, which used to be known as Stöð 2 until recently, announced Friday, that the TV news on their station would be no more. The network, founded in 1986 as the first non-state owned TV station, has been facing financial troubles recently, as have many media companies. The announcement , that also brought with it news of layoffs, added to an ongoing discussion about the dire financial straits media companies in Iceland find themselves in.
Thanksgiving Is Becoming Popular In Iceland
RÚV reported that more turkey is being sold at this time of year than before and that celebrating Thanksgiving seems like it is becoming something Icelanders do, along with celebrating Halloween.
Dorrit Moussaief Mugged In London
Former First Lady of Iceland, Dorrit Moussaief, was, according to her own instagram #mugged in #London, this weekend, calling the incident, appropriately, a #crime.
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Support the Grapevine's reporting by becoming a member of our High Five Club: steadyhq.com/en/rvkgrapevine
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WHO ARE WE?
The Reykjavík Grapevine is an alternative monthly magazine, bringing you all the news and views on Icelandic society, music, travel, culture and more. Grapevine.is #rvkgrapevine
Join our YouTube channel for perks on perks: youtube.com/channel/UCXDn1ItTmeGarenRLOZus9Q/join
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 journalist Aðalsteinn Kjartansson, and Grapevine friend and contributor Sindri Eldon to roundup the stories making headlines in recent weeks. On the docket this week are:
Icelandic Made A Must For Hospital Staff
All staff at Landspítali are expected to be able to speak Icelandic according to the hospital’s newly approved language policy. These requirements will first be applied to nurses, nursing assistants, and medical residents. Better Icelandic proficiency means higher pay.
New Hospital Being Built, But Will There Be A Helipad?
The most expensive building in Iceland’s history, a new hospital in Reykjavík, will be opened in 2030 according to plans. However, issues remained unsolved regarding a helipad for said hospital. In an interview this weekend, minister of Health Alma Möller told RÚV that the plan is either to build a helipad on top of one of the buildings of the new hospital, or to acquire a plot of land near by the hospital, probably near the BSÍ Bus Terminal, for that purpose.
Two Tourists Rescued North Of Torfajökull
On Saturday night two tourists, driving god-knows-how north of Torfajökull in the Icelandic highlands, got their Suzuki Jimny stuck in the river Dalakvísl. The two SARS teams sent to rescue them took eight hours to do so.
40 Years Of TV News On Weekends Over
Sýn, which used to be known as Stöð 2 until recently, announced Friday, that the TV news on their station would be no more. The network, founded in 1986 as the first non-state owned TV station, has been facing financial troubles recently, as have many media companies. The announcement , that also brought with it news of layoffs, added to an ongoing discussion about the dire financial straits media companies in Iceland find themselves in.
Thanksgiving Is Becoming Popular In Iceland
RÚV reported that more turkey is being sold at this time of year than before and that celebrating Thanksgiving seems like it is becoming something Icelanders do, along with celebrating Halloween.
Dorrit Moussaief Mugged In London
Former First Lady of Iceland, Dorrit Moussaief, was, according to her own instagram #mugged in #London, this weekend, calling the incident, appropriately, a #crime.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHOW SUPPORT
Support the Grapevine's reporting by becoming a member of our High Five Club: steadyhq.com/en/rvkgrapevine
You can also support the Grapevine by shopping in our online store: https://shop.grapevine.is
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHO ARE WE?
The Reykjavík Grapevine is an alternative monthly magazine, bringing you all the news and views on Icelandic society, music, travel, culture and more. Grapevine.is #rvkgrapevine
Join our YouTube channel for perks on perks: youtube.com/channel/UCXDn1ItTmeGarenRLOZus9Q/join
