It’s been an eventful week in Iceland, with nature, infrastructure, healthcare, and sport all making headlines.
From unusually early signs of mushroom season to major developments in public health and education, here’s a look at the week’s most important stories.
Society & Services 
Starbucks has opened its first store in Iceland / Credit: Unspash. CC.
In Reykjavík, Starbucks opened its first Iceland location on Laugavegur, a notable arrival in the capital’s café culture. The global brand’s entrance into the Icelandic market has generated significant local interest.
Meanwhile, a report from the National Audit Office revealed that Landspítali hospital is struggling with severe staff shortages, with hundreds of critical roles—including paramedics, nurses, and doctors—left vacant. In the education sector, a city official raised concerns about mounting strain on Iceland’s schools, citing increased demands on teachers and a growing need for resources.
Nature & Culture 
Bíó Paradís / Credit: Svanhildur Sif Halldórsdóttir.
Unseasonably warm weather has led to an early start to mushroom season, with pine and larch mushrooms already appearing in forests around the country. Mycologists say the season is running nearly three weeks ahead of schedule.
In the arts, the Icelandic Film Centre introduced a new promotional grant to help local filmmakers market their work to domestic audiences—part of a broader push to support Icelandic cinema at home.
Infrastructure & Travel
Planned upgrades to the country’s main highway system continue, with the Ring Road set to be shortened by 12km in the south. The new route is expected to be completed by 2026 and will improve both travel time and safety.
Sport
It was a tough start for Iceland at Euro 2025, as the women’s national football team fell to Finland in their opening match. The result adds pressure ahead of their next group-stage fixture.