Iceland Review

Flood Damages Iceland’s Ring Road

Wed, 14 May 2008 11:49:40 GMT

A lake on Biskupsháls in Mývatnsöraefi wilderness near Grímsstadir in northeast Iceland flooded last night, tearing a 200-meter-long hole in the Ring Road, which encircles the island. The flood flipped a 40-ton truck on its side although the driver escaped unharmed.

Dealerships in Iceland to Return New Cars

Wed, 14 May 2008 11:47:47 GMT

The main dealerships in Iceland are trying to send new cars that were imported back to their suppliers in Europe and Asia in light of decreasing domestic car sales. Auto dealer Ingvar Helgason is waiting for a reply on how many cars can be sent back.

Open Competition on Reykjavík Harbor

Wed, 14 May 2008 11:46:10 GMT

The board of Faxaflóahafnir, Associated Icelandic Ports, accepted a proposal on an open competition for the best ideas at a meeting yesterday on how to organize Reykjavík harbor between Ingólfsgardur to Örfirisey.

Icelandic “Law & Order” in the Pipeline

Wed, 14 May 2008 11:44:11 GMT

A new Icelandic television show about the daily life of lawyers and their work called Réttur (“Court”) is in the pipeline. The show’s creator is Sigurjón Kjartansson, a well-known Icelandic comedian, writer and producer.

Closing of West Fjords Retirement Home Canceled

Wed, 14 May 2008 11:42:42 GMT

Residents of the retirement community Tjörn in Thingeyri in the West Fjords were notified yesterday that the retirement ward of Tjörn will not close for the summer as earlier planned and they will not have to move to Ísafjördur for four weeks.

Convicted Sex Violator Attacked Outside His Home

Wed, 14 May 2008 11:39:45 GMT

Gudmundur Jónsson, who was sentenced to three years in prison on Friday for sexual violations against four women who were under his care at the religious treatment home Byrgid, was attacked outside his home in rural south Iceland on Monday.

US Consumers Sue Iceland’s Actavis

Tue, 13 May 2008 12:13:51 GMT

A group of US consumers have filed a lawsuit against Icelandic pharmaceutical company Actavis in the US, claiming they suffered damage from heart medicine Digitek, which Actavis recalled in April after quality control.

Iceland’s Eco-Friendly Goal Not Achieved in 2008

Tue, 13 May 2008 12:10:21 GMT

The Icelandic government announced in March 2007 that by the end of 2008, ten percent of state-run vehicles would be powered by eco-friendly fuel. Currently only 1.5 percent of vehicles operated by the government fulfill these requirements so it is highly unlikely that the goal will be reached in time.

Prisoners in Iceland Attend Cooking Course

Tue, 13 May 2008 12:02:59 GMT

Icelandic master chef Úlfar Finnbjörnsson recently held a cooking course for detainees in the rehabilitation ward of Iceland’s maximum security prison Litla-Hraun. The prisoners in that ward are responsible for cooking their own food.

Iceland and Britain Increase Defense Cooperation

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:59:33 GMT

Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir signed an agreement on defense cooperation between Iceland and Britain with the British Minister of State for Europe Jim Murphy in the UK yesterday.

Poland to Open Embassy in Iceland

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:54:51 GMT

The Polish state is planning to open an embassy in Iceland in the near future, as confirmed by Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, although she would not say when exactly the embassy will open.

Oil Leaks from Vessel at Reykjavík Harbor

Tue, 13 May 2008 11:48:36 GMT

Oil leaked from the vessel Medemborg yesterday morning, which is anchored at the pier Vogabakki in Holtagardar, Reykjavík. Firefighters were called to the scene to clean the ocean and prevent further leakage.

Today is the Second Day of Whitsun

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:00:00 GMT

Today is the Second Day of Whitsun, or Pentecost, a Christian holiday and a bank holiday in Iceland. Some people may go to church while others use the day for outdoor activities with their friends and families.

Carnegie Art Awards Exhibit Opens in Iceland

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:00:00 GMT

An exhibition related to the 2008 Carnegie Art Awards, one of the largest art awards in the world, opens in the Kópavogur Art Museum in Iceland’s capital region on May 17 and will be open to the public between May 18 and August 10.

"Mugiboogie" Launches in London

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:00:00 GMT

Icelandic singer-songwriter Örn Elías Gudmundsson, a.k.a. Mugison, will officially launch his new album Mugiboogie in Britain on May 22. Since the album’s release in Iceland last year, Mugiboogie has sold in more than 10,000 copies.

Icelandic Photographer Earns Three Awards in Paris

Sun, 11 May 2008 11:00:00 GMT

Ellert Grétarsson, a photographer for Víkurfréttir, a local newspaper and news website for the Sudurnes region in southwest Iceland, received three awards last week in the international PX3 photography competition in Paris (Prix De La Photographie Paris).

More North Gallery Opens in Tribeca, New York

Sun, 11 May 2008 11:00:00 GMT

More North, a major new gallery space in Tribeca, New York, opened on Thursday. The inaugural exhibition features the “haunting landscapes” of critically-acclaimed Icelandic artist Georg Gudni, running from May 10 to July 12.

Air Iceland Flights to Westman Islands Popular

Sun, 11 May 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The number of passengers flying with domestic airline Air Iceland between the Westman Islands off Iceland’s southern coast and the mainland increased by 27 percent in the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same period last year.

PM Presents Iceland, the Web Country

Sat, 10 May 2008 11:00:00 GMT

Iceland’s government issued a new policy on information technology this week, presented during a conference on the Day of Information Technology on May 7. The policy is entitled “Iceland, the Web Country” and is aimed at developing electronic administration.

Offbeat Icelandic Documentary Screened in New York

Sat, 10 May 2008 11:00:00 GMT

The documentary Steypa (“Concrete”), which explores the vibrant art scene in Iceland, will be screened on May 22 at the Scandinavia House in New York in conjunction with the exhibition “From Another Shore: Recent Icelandic Art.”