This article is brought to you in partnership with Hringfarinn.In the world of extraordinary journeys, some are measured not only by distance, but by the depth of their purpose.The story of Hringfarinn, the Icelandic word for “the ring traveler,” is one such tale—a personal odyssey turned philanthropic movement, led by the indomitable Kristján Gíslason.What began as a solo motorcycle trip around the world evolved into a cultural and humanitarian legacy that continues to inspire people across borders. A Dream Ignited Late in Life Kristjan photographed people across the world. / Credit: Hringfarinn Kristján Gíslason was 58 when he set out to……
Author: Iceland Review
Monday marks 25 years since a powerful earthquake struck South Iceland, shaking the region on the country’s National Day. The initial quake occurred at 3:40 p.m. on 17 June 2000, registering 6.5 on the Richter scale. It was followed four days later, on the night of 21 June, by a second tremor measuring 6.6. Both quakes struck the South Iceland Seismic Zone (SISZ), a known fault system running east-west through the southern lowlands. Although the size of the earthquake surprised many residents, geophysicists had long warned of seismic activity in the area. One of them, Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson, a professor……
Police have taken a statement from the French woman suspected of murdering her husband and adult daughter at the Edition Hotel in central Reykjavík. The woman, who sustained injuries and was taken to hospital, is currently in police custody. Her condition was reported as stable on last night, though police have not provided an update since. Investigation Progressing “Reasonably well” The victims—a man in his 60s and his daughter in her 30s—were found in a hotel room. The woman in custody is believed to be the wife and mother of the deceased. The family had been travelling together. Ævar Pálmi……
Three Icelandic citizens currently in Israel have been in contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including one tourist, according to a response from the ministry to a query from mbl.is. The ministry confirmed that these individuals reached out to its Citizen Services division. It added that most Icelanders based in Israel are long-term residents and are therefore familiar with the local situation. Keeping check In light of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a public notice on Friday urging all Icelanders in both countries to notify family members of their whereabouts. They are……
Two foreign tourists were found dead at the Reykjavík Edition Hotel in the city centre early this morning. A third tourist, also a foreign national, was discovered injured at the scene and has been taken to hospital for treatment. The Reykjavík Metropolitan Police received a report of the incident at 7:14am. Officers arrived at the hotel shortly afterwards. A police statement confirms that the case is in its early stages and many details remain unclear. No further information can be provided at this time. Hotel Floor Closed, Emergency Response Deployed According to the Reykjavík Metropolitan Fire Department, four ambulances and……
Graduation ceremonies are currently taking place at Laugardalshöll, where nearly 2,800 students from the University of Iceland are being honoured. The occasion also marks the final commencement overseen by Rector Jón Atli Benediktsson, who is stepping down after a decade of leadership. Since taking office ten years ago, Benediktsson has awarded degrees to more than 31,000 students. He is delivering farewell speeches at both of today’s ceremonies, closing a significant chapter in the university’s recent history. Morning and Afternoon Ceremonies The morning ceremony, which began at 10:00, celebrates graduates from the Schools of Social Sciences, Health Sciences, and Humanities. A……
Grab your sunhats, everyone! According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, we’re in store for a lovely summer’s day across the country. Today, people across much of Iceland can expect a northerly wind ranging from 3 to 10 metres per second. Granted, it’s not such good news for everyone—the East will be cloudy in some areas, and a few unlucky spots may see rain this evening. However, temperatures will generally range from 10 to 20°C, with the south and west enjoying the warmest conditions. In the east, temperatures will vary between 6 and 12°C—not too bad, considering the depths of winter……
Kvika Banki has turned down proposals from both Arion Bank and Íslandsbanki to begin formal merger negotiations, stating that the offers do not reflect the bank’s true value. In a statement released today, Kvika confirmed that its board of directors had reviewed submissions from the two banks, received on 27 and 28 May. After careful evaluation, the board concluded that the proposed terms did not align with Kvika’s valuation, and therefore there was no basis to proceed with talks at this time. “After careful consideration, the board of directors of Kvika believes that neither proposal reflects the true value of……
The only MRI scanner at Landspítali Hospital’s Hringbraut site has been taken out of service following an unusual accident involving cleaning equipment. According to a hospital spokesperson, a member of the cleaning staff mistakenly entered the MRI suite with mechanical scrubbing equipment. Due to the MRI machine’s extremely powerful magnetic field—estimated to be 300 to 600 times stronger than that of a standard fridge magnet—the equipment was pulled towards the scanner and is now firmly attached to its exterior. It remains unclear how long the machine will be out of use. The hospital is currently assessing the situation, and efforts……