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Iceland

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Iceland. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Reykjavik

Head of State

President Halla Tómasdóttir

Head of Government

Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson

The moon passes in front of the sun as it sets during a partial solar eclipse in Saint Petersburg on August 12, 2026. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)

Spain

Video | Rare solar eclipse wows millions across Europe

The eclipse travelled through parts of Greenland and Iceland, before arcing across the Atlantic Ocean towards northern Spain.

13 Aug 2026 - 1:01PM

Spain

Solar eclipse turns day to night in Spain, wows crowds across Europe

13 Aug 2026 - 2:28PMvideocam

Travel

6 ‘glowcation’ destinations for your next beauty and wellness fix

10 Aug 2026 - 12:45PM

Malaysia

Mark Wahlberg savours Penang’s charm as Malaysians floored by star’s humility

The actor’s Penang visit for ‘The Big Fix’ filming also showcased Malaysia’s appeal for global productions.

14 Jul 2026 - 11:43AMvideocam

Actor Mark Wahlberg at a local food stall in Penang, Malaysia. Photo: Threads/qistinaazmii

Animals

Iceland resumes whale hunt amid protest

It is one of the only three countries – alongside Japan and Norway – that still openly permit whaling.

21 Jun 2026 - 12:31AMvideocam

Music

Bulgaria’s Dara wins Eurovision contest, beating out Israel for top spot

The usually good-natured competition has faced a boycott by five countries over the Gaza conflict.

17 May 2026 - 8:59AM

Art

5 exhibitions across the globe celebrating women who shaped art and culture

From Björk’s grief-tinged ‘Echolalia’ to Marina Abramović making history in Venice, these shows shine a light on women who shaped contemporary culture.

9 May 2026 - 8:00AM

Museums around the world are spotlighting women who – like Frida Kahlo – have influenced contemporary culture. Photo: Nickolas Muray Collection of Mexican Art

Icons and Influencers

Style according to … J.J. Martin, founder of Milan-based La DoubleJ

The high-vibration, maximalist designer on channelled wisdom, goddess energy, and building a colourful life with intention.

2 May 2026 - 7:00AM

Arctic

Exclusive | Trump’s claim of Chinese, Russian ships near Greenland ‘not supported by facts’

Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, the ex-president of Iceland, also says it’s ‘important not to use scaremongering to justify major policy changes’.

18 Feb 2026 - 6:01PMvideocam

Trending in China

Chinese woman, 30, earning US$140,000 a month running marketing firm retires

Deng says she has had strong business instinct from young age; opened store selling educational products after university graduation.

13 Feb 2026 - 2:08PM

A 30-year-old woman from China, earning over 1 million yuan a month and leading a company in the performance marketing sector, has made headlines by announcing her retirement. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

Nato

Nato launches Arctic Sentry mission to ease Greenland tensions with Trump

The mission brings efforts by various alliance members under a single command, as Russia and China take a greater interest in the region.

12 Feb 2026 - 12:44AM

A P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft stands on the grounds of the Nordholz naval air base in January. Nato is increasing its presence in the Arctic and the surrounding area. Photo: dpa

Canada

Canada and France open Greenland consulates to show support amid Trump threats

The US president insists that Washington must control the strategic Arctic island but has backed off threats to seize it for now.

7 Feb 2026 - 5:22AMvideocam

Donald Trump

White House responds after Trump repeatedly refers to Greenland as ‘Iceland’

White House denies Arctic territories mix-up after the US president’s freewheeling speech in Davos.

22 Jan 2026 - 10:03AMvideocam

Trending in China

China woman shares civil service life in Iceland, admires culture that respects choices

Family jokes that she travelled to other side of world to work in ‘neighbourhood committee’ – lowest tier of China’s governmental structure.

17 Jan 2026 - 4:00PM

A 47-year-old Beijing woman shares her life as a civil servant in Iceland after studying there. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote/QQ.com

China’s private sector

BeOne Medicines names R&D chief Wang Lai as president amid global expansion

BeOne generated global revenue of about US$3.8 billion last year, driven by its flagship products Brukinsa and Tevimbra.

24 Dec 2025 - 5:44PM

BeOne’s manufacturing facility in Guangzhou. Photo: Handout

Animals

Mosquitoes discovered in Iceland for the first time

The island nation, along with Antarctica, has long been one of the few places on Earth free from the bloodsucking insects.

22 Oct 2025 - 1:07PMvideocam

Tourism

‘Unreal’: spend a night in a glass igloo atop an Arctic cruise ship at sea

Cantilevered over the ship’s edge, the National Geographic Endurance’s glass igloos let passengers enjoy an incredible night amid the fjords.

14 Oct 2025 - 10:15AM

Germany

Germany slams Israel boycott, Eurovision ‘brings nations together’

Spain and others will boycott the world’s largest live televised music event in May if Israel participates over the ongoing assault on Gaza.

20 Sep 2025 - 7:26PM

Space

‘Blood moon’ rises during total lunar eclipse

People in Asia, including India and China, were best placed to see Sunday’s total eclipse, which was also visible in western Australia.

8 Sep 2025 - 1:17PMvideocam

Celebrity children

Who is Björk’s daughter Ísadóra Bjarkardóttir Barney, aka Doa?

The 22-year-old just walked the runway for Cecilie Bahnsen at Copenhagen Fashion Week – she’s also an actress in The Northman, and a musician.

11 Aug 2025 - 6:00PM

Volcanoes

New volcanic eruption jolts Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula

Iceland volcano erupts for the 12th time since 2021, as lava bursts from a fissure following a series of earthquakes.

16 Jul 2025 - 4:27PM

Lava and smoke erupting from a volcano near Grindavik on the Icelandic peninsula of Reykjanes. Photo: Public Defence Department of the State Police via AFP

Tourism

Want a special way to mark World Oceans Day? Try these luxury experiences

Adventure awaits the outgoing traveller on these 5 luxury holiday ideas that showcase the best of ocean exploration.

8 Jun 2025 - 8:30AM

A Zodiac takes tourists up close to a glacier on the Antarctic Peninsula, in the Southern Ocean. Photo: Shutterstock

Natural disasters

Volcano erupts in Iceland again, triggering evacuations

Lava flow threatens the already severely damaged fishing town of Grindavík.

2 Apr 2025 - 5:13PM

The Philippines

From tropics to tundra: why Filipinos are flocking to Iceland

More than 2,600 Filipinos live in Iceland, a nation of just 393,000, drawn by better pay and a new start in a land of ice – and opportunity.

24 Jul 2026 - 8:47PM

Hong Kong transport

Cathay apologises over 54-hour delay to flight going from Toronto to Hong Kong

Flight was diverted to Iceland so passenger could receive urgent medical help, and returned to Toronto due to crew flying hour limits.

3 Jan 2025 - 11:31PM

Cathay said it had arranged hotel accommodation, meals and transport for the passengers in Toronto who were affected by the delay. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

SCMP Highlights

Recap | Seventh eruption in a year for Iceland volcano – stunning pictures

Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula volcano erupts again, with lava flowing towards the famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, a major tourist attraction.

9 Dec 2024 - 10:12AM

A new volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula. Photo: AP

Fame and celebrity

Where is the Icelandic ‘Queen of Experimental Pop’ Björk in 2024?

‘Queen of Experimental Pop’ Björk has 11 studio albums and countless tours under her belt – so what has she been up to in recent years?

29 Nov 2024 - 7:00PMvideocam

Business of climate change

Swiss unicorn makes green investment pitch to Hong Kong investors

Climeworks, the builder of the world’s largest carbon capture plant, is seeking investors for ambitious multibillion-dollar ventures.

13 Jan 2025 - 3:29PM

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