POST 2023

November 30, 2023 Making Space
Scene: A grey, Icelandic country road on a grey, Icelandic day. A middle-aged, bearded farmer drives a middle-aged, dusty jeep…
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November 30, 2023 Fiddling with Perfection
It was half past four on a Sunday afternoon inside the Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre in Reykjavík.Three-hundred-and-sixty chairs,…
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November 30, 2023 Collective Agreement Negotiations Suspended
The labour movement cannot drive down inflation alone, the chairman of Iceland’s largest labour union told Vísir. He says wage…
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November 30, 2023 Electricity Shortage “Unacceptable” Says Environment Minister
Icelandic fish processing plants will need to power their operations with oil and diesel generators for the third winter in…
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November 30, 2023 Icelandic Language Strengthened in “Landmark” Initiative
The Icelandic government has announced what it is calling a “landmark” initiative to strengthen the Icelandic language. The initiative includes…
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November 30, 2023 Boom Town
The drive into Vík í Mýrdal from the west is one of my favourite stretches of the Ring Road. Just…
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November 30, 2023 What’s the situation on the Reykjanes peninsula? Is there going to be another eruption?
It has been a time of upheaval for the Southwest Iceland town of Grindavík (pop. 3,600), which was evacuated on…
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November 29, 2023 Iceland Sees Surge in Approved Short-Term Apartment Rentals
Nearly 3,400 apartments in Iceland are now approved for short-term rentals, double the number at its peak in the years…
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November 29, 2023 Vocabulary of Icelandic Youth on the Decline
According to the Head of Assessments at the Directorate of Education, declining reading interest and English language dominance have contributed…
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November 29, 2023 Hellisheiði Closed Temporarily Today Due to Roadwork
A section of Iceland’s Ring Road over the Hellisheiði mountain pass will be closed today for roadwork. Traffic will be…
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November 28, 2023 In Pursuit of Ptarmigan
It’s 6:00 AM and the obsidian darkness lingers outside my windshield. I arrive in the Kársnes neighbourhood of Kópavogur, park…
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November 28, 2023 In Focus: The 2023 Women’s Strike
On October 24, 2023, thousands of people swarmed Arnarhóll hill in downtown Reykjavík, holding protesting signs, babies, and each other’s…
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November 28, 2023 The Night Before Admittance
Ármann Jakobsson is an Icelandic author and academic who has written about paranormal activity, class distinction, the brutality of romantic…
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November 28, 2023 Icelandic Horses Could Help Save their Faroese Cousins
The Faroe Islands’ unique horses are at risk of dying out. Their advocates are considering using Icelandic mares as surrogates…
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November 28, 2023 Drinking Water Pipe to Westman Islands Damaged Beyond Repair
The pipe that transports drinking water to the Westman Islands has been damaged beyond repair. While the pipe is still…
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November 28, 2023 Out of Harm’s Way
I’ve been a photographer and photojournalist for 33 years. It’s an incredible job and I think I’m good at it.…
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November 28, 2023 The Christmas Craftsman
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, families and friends in Iceland come together to make the traditional fried and…
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November 28, 2023 Skeletons in the Closet
Saturday, May 18, 1946 was a pleasant spring morning in Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen. The war, with all its horror, had…
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November 28, 2023 Chances of Eruption in Grindavík Diminishing
The most likely location of an eruption on Reykjanes is now considered to be north of Grindavík and east of…
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November 28, 2023 From the Inside Out
As Anne Carson stepped on stage to accept the International Vigdís Prize, awarded annually since 2020 for outstanding contributions to…
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November 27, 2023 Hussein’s Stay in Iceland Extended, Family to be Deported Tomorrow
Following a decision from the European Court of Human Rights, the ban on deporting Iraqi asylum seeker Hussein Hussein has…
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November 24, 2023 Months Before Grindavík Residents Can Return Home
It will be months before all residents of the Southwest Iceland town of Grindavík can return home. Iceland’s government held…
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November 24, 2023 Deep North Episode 53: Reykjanes Update
For this special episode, we break down the latest developments and give an overview of the situation on the Reykjanes…
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November 23, 2023 “Give Icelandic a Chance” Wins Language Prize
The language programme "Give Icelandic a Chance" has been awarded the European Language Label, an award that encourages new initiatives…
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November 22, 2023 Central Bank Keeps Interest Rates Steady Amid Geological Unrest
The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Iceland has decided to keep the bank’s interest rates steady at…
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November 22, 2023 Journalists Criticise Grindavík Access Restrictions
The restricted access for journalists to the town of Grindavík is undermining the media’s role in reporting and accountability, two…
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November 22, 2023 Icelandair Sees Booking Decline Amid Reykjanes Unrest
The ongoing geological unrest on the Reykjanes peninsula has led to a significant slowdown in inbound tourist bookings with Icelandair.…
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November 21, 2023 Hazard Area Around Grindavík Expanded
The Icelandic Met Office updated its map of the hazard area around Grindavík yesterday, November 20. The updated map was…
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November 21, 2023 Barrier Construction Temporarily Halted Due to Poor Weather
Construction of protective barriers in the Reykjanes peninsula has been temporarily halted due to the Icelandic Meteorological Office's difficulty in…
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November 20, 2023 Does Iceland have many foreign residents? What are the wages and working conditions like for foreign workers?
Yes, Iceland has a significant number of foreign residents. The latest figures from Statistics Iceland show that immigrants comprise around…
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November 20, 2023 School Plan for Grindavík Children Announced
An information meeting held today, November 20, by the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management laid out current plans…
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November 20, 2023 MET Office: Likelihood of Volcanic Eruption Remains “High”
The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management will hold a press conference at 11 AM to address the ongoing…
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November 17, 2023 Iceland Deports 180 Venezuelans
The Icelandic authorities deported 180 Venezuelans earlier this week who had come to the country seeking asylum. They received a…
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November 17, 2023 Authors Boycott Iceland Noir Over Clinton’s Involvement
Approximately 60 authors will be boycotting the Iceland Noir literary festival over guest of honour Hillary Clinton, citing her stance…
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November 17, 2023 Minister to Introduce Relief Bill for Grindavík Workers
A bill for temporary support for wage earners in Grindavík will be presented by Iceland's Minister of Social Affairs and…
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November 17, 2023 Deep North Episode 52: The Awful Icelandic Language
We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming for this different and fun archival piece for the annual Icelandic Language Day. In…
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November 16, 2023 Icelandic Musicians Perform for Palestine
Páll Óskar, JFDR, Úlfur Úlfur, and Cyber will be performing at a solidarity and fundraising concert for Palestine in Reykjavík’s…
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November 15, 2023 RÚV Apologises for Misconduct of Photographer in Grindavík
Yesterday, a Grindavík resident shared footage of a RÚV photographer trying to enter her evacuated home, sparking disapproval on social…
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November 15, 2023 What’s happening with animals in Grindavík?
When the residents of Grindavík were evacuated on the night of November 10, they were instructed to only bring the…
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November 15, 2023 Hundreds of Minor Earthquakes Registered Since Midnight
Around 500 earthquakes, most of which were relatively minor, have been registered near Mount Hagafell on the Reykjanes peninsula since…
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November 14, 2023 Blue Lagoon to Remain Closed Until November 30
The Blue Lagoon, along with its associated facilities, has extended its closure until November 30 due to ongoing geological unrest…
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November 14, 2023 60 Years Since Start of Surtsey Eruption
Today marks exactly 60 years since the start of the eruption that formed Surtsey island, off Iceland’s south coast. The…
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November 14, 2023 Construction of Reykjanes Lava Barriers Begins
The construction of lava barriers around Svartsengi Power Plant and the Blue Lagoon has begun. The barriers are meant to…
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November 14, 2023 Edda Centre for Icelandic Studies Wins Design Award
The University of Iceland’s new Centre for Icelandic Studies, called Edda, has won the 2023 Icelandic Design Award in the…
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November 13, 2023 Iceland’s Parliament Proposes Tax to Fund Lava Barriers
Iceland’s Parliament held its first reading of a bill that proposes an additional 0.08% property tax to fund the building…
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November 13, 2023 Police Oversees Partial Entry of Additional Grindavík Residents
The Chief of Police in Suðurnes has authorised restricted access for residents and businesses to a specific part of Grindavík.…
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November 13, 2023 Will the situation on the Reykjanes peninsula affect the capital area?
Many travellers to Iceland have asked about the potential impact that a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula might have…
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November 13, 2023 Grindavík Homecoming Unlikely in the Near Term
The town of Grindavík has suffered significant earthquake damage, impacting homes and infrastructure. The Head of the Department of Civil…
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November 11, 2023 Government Emergency Response Plan Activated
The government and tourism industry have activated a contingency plan in response to recent earthquakes on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Emergency…
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November 11, 2023 Emergency Phase Declared and Grindavík Evacuated
The town of Grindavík on the Reykjanes peninsula has been succesfully evacuated amid concerns that the intrusion of magma, believed…
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November 10, 2023 Protest, Parliamentary Resolution Call for Immediate Gaza Ceasefire
Demonstrators gathered in front of the U.S. Embassy in Reykjavík to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. A few hours…
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November 10, 2023 Laufey Collaborates with Norah Jones on Two Christmas Duets
Icelandic singer Laufey released two Christmas songs at midnight in collaboration with Norah Jones. Laufey, a long-time admirer of Jones,…
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November 10, 2023 Government Awaits Proposal for Protective Barriers in Reykjanes
During an informal session of Parliament yesterday, the Chairman of the Centre party inquired as to the government's progress on…
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November 10, 2023 Deep North Episode 51: Western Promise
While most people today are very much aware of Europe’s exploration and colony building in what was optimistically called the…
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November 9, 2023 Icelandic Doctors and Nurses Sign Ceasefire Petitions
Over 400 Icelandic doctors have signed a petition calling on the Icelandic government to denounce Israel for its attacks on…
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November 9, 2023 Moon and Venus Meet in Iceland’s Morning Sky
This morning, November 9, locals and travellers looking up from Iceland saw an unusually beautiful sight: Venus and the Moon,…
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November 9, 2023 Blue Lagoon Closed Due to Earthquakes and Eruption Threat
The Blue Lagoon, a popular bathing spot on Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula, has been closed to visitors from today until November…
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November 8, 2023 Continued Seismic Activity on Reykjanes Peninsula
Two earthquakes, one of magnitude 3.4 and another of 3.0, rattled the Reykjanes Peninsula last night, amidst a series of…
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November 8, 2023 Mystery of the Langjökull “Polar Bear” Likely Solved
The suspected polar bear tracks on Langjökull glacier, which prompted an investigation by the Icelandic Coast Guard, have been attributed…
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November 8, 2023 Culling, Delousing of Farmed Salmon Ongoing in Westfjords
Sea lice infestations are prompting ongoing culling of farmed salmon in Tálknafjörður, though outbreaks have proven less severe in nearby…
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November 7, 2023 Iceland’s First Cacao Fruit Made Into Chocolate
The first cacao fruit ever grown in Iceland was harvested and made into a chocolate bar recently, RÚV programme Landinn…
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November 7, 2023 Disappointed in Icelandic Government’s Response to Gaza
Locals in Iceland have held regular protests outside the Icelandic government’s cabinet meetings since the most recent conflict between Israel…
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November 7, 2023 Suspend Blue Lagoon Transport Due to Threat of Eruption
Reykjavík Excursions has suspended all transport services to the Blue Lagoon due to the risk of an eruption near the…
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November 6, 2023 Information Meeting Held on Potential Eruption
A Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management press conference was held today at 15:00 to report on the current…
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November 6, 2023 Support for Labelling Farmed Salmon
The Consumers' Association of Iceland (Neytendasamtökin) has recently expressed interest in labelling salmon raised in sea pens, following a similar…
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November 6, 2023 Reykjanes Earthquakes Continue as Concern for Area Grows
Conditions have remained unchanged on the Reykjanes peninsula, where recent seismic activity has raised concerns over a new eruption and…
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November 3, 2023 Deep North Episode 50: Give Icelandic a Chance
As the tourism industry increasingly introduces English as a public language in Iceland, one programme in the Westfjords is trying…
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November 3, 2023 Iceland’s Foreign Minister Contradicts Israel’s Statement
Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Bjarni Benediktsson refused to call the Israeli Defense Forces’ operation on the refugee camp Jabalia…
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November 3, 2023 Rán Flygenring’s Eruption Book Wins Nordic Council Prize
Icelandic author and illustrator Rán Flygenring has won the 2023 Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize for her…
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November 3, 2023 M4.2 Earthquake Near Blue Lagoon
A 4.2 magnitude earthquake shook Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula last night, originating just west of the Blue Lagoon. Magma is collecting…
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November 2, 2023 2023 Iceland Airwaves Music Festival Kicks Off
The official programme of the Iceland Airwaves music festival begins today in Reykjavík. The year’s festival features a lineup…
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November 2, 2023 Sea Lice Outbreak Claims At Least 1 Million Salmon in Tálknafjörður
An unprecedented outbreak of sea lice in Tálknafjörður has led to the loss, or the need to dispose of, at…
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November 2, 2023 PM: Communication Failure Hampered Gaza Truce Resolution
The Icelandic government has faced criticism for abstaining from a UN vote on a truce in Gaza due to a…
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November 1, 2023 Captain Commends Team’s Effort in 0-2 Loss to Germany
Captain Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir expressed pride in the Women's National Football team's performance, despite a 2-0 loss to Germany. The…
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November 1, 2023 Siglunes Sheep’s Solo Journey Ends with Surprise Lamb
A sheep from Siglunes in North Iceland evaded herders and later navigated a perilous ten-kilometre journey home. Initially presumed sterile,…
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November 1, 2023 Over 300 Tremors Recorded in Reykjanes Since Midnight
Over 300 tremors have been recorded on the Reykjanes peninsula since midnight, RÚV reports. Despite there being no signs of…
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November 1, 2023 Hafnarfjörður Mourns Loss of 8-Year Old Boy in Traffic Accident
An eight-year-old boy was fatally struck by a cement truck in Hafnarfjörður on Monday. A prayer service was organised by…
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October 31, 2023 Four Icelandic Nominees for Nordic Council Literary Prizes
Four Icelandic authors have been nominated for Nordic Council Prizes in literature this year. Arndís Þórarinsdóttir, Guðni Elísson, Ragnar Helgi…
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October 30, 2023 New Magma Intrusion Below Reykjanes Peninsula
Magma is collecting some 4 km [2.5 mi] below the surface of the Reykjanes peninsula, not far from where three…
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October 30, 2023 Iceland Abstains from UN Gaza Vote, Causing Tension
Iceland abstained from voting on a ceasefire in Gaza at an emergency meeting of the United Nations General Assembly last…
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October 30, 2023 Land Rising Faster on Reykjanes than Before Past Eruptions
The land on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula has risen some 3 cm [1.2 in] since October 27, indicating an eruption might…
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October 27, 2023 From the Archive: The Awful Icelandic Language
From the archive: This article was published in Iceland Review magazine in 1973. Archival content is presented in unaltered form…
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October 27, 2023 In Focus: Bjarni Benediktsson
A snap press conference On Monday, October 10, Finance Minister Bjarni Benediktsson called a snap press conference. The call came on…
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October 27, 2023 Working Group in Response to Young Farmers’ Distress Call
The Association of Young Farmers has demanded immediate government action to prevent a crisis within the field. In response, Minister…
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October 27, 2023 Iceland’s President Comes to Aid of Fallen Senior at Ikea
President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson promptly assisted an elderly man who fell at Ikea, a moment captured in a photo by…
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October 27, 2023 Deep North Episode 49: Women Look to the Future
It's not an exaggeration to call the most recent Women's Strike historic. With some 70-100,000 women participating, including Prime Minister…
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October 27, 2023 New Book Exposes YMCA Founder’s Dark Past
A new book authored by historian Guðmundur Magnússon alleges that Reverend Friðrik Friðriksson, founder of YMCA/YWCA Iceland, made sexual advances…
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October 26, 2023 Expert Proposes Ban on Hunting Puffins
The South Iceland Nature Research Centre proposes a full ban on puffing hunting in Iceland in a new report. Iceland’s…
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October 26, 2023 More Measures Against Human Trafficking Needed in Iceland
Icelandic authorities should take more steps to tackle human trafficking according to a new report. These measures include improving the…
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October 25, 2023 I’m looking for an old football programme from Iceland. Where can I look?
We admit we're a little out of our depth with this one as the original question specifically referred to a…
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October 25, 2023 New Marine Research Vessel Honours Þórunn Þórðardóttir
A new marine research vessel Þórunn Þórðardóttir, expected to enhance Iceland's marine research capabilities, will be launched on December 15…
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October 25, 2023 Women’s Strike Drew Close to a Quarter of Iceland’s Population
Yesterday, a protest inspired by the 1975 Icelandic women's strike took place in downtown Reykjavík. An officer with the Capital…
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October 25, 2023 Considerable Seismic Activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula
Starting around midnight today, the Reykjanes Peninsula has experienced considerable seismic activity. The strongest earthquake was measured at a magnitude…
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October 25, 2023 Court of Appeals Reverses Dismissal in Domestic Terror Case
The Court of Appeals (i.e. Landsréttur) has invalidated the decision of the Reykjavik District Court to dismiss the indictment in…
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October 24, 2023 Tens of Thousands Participate in Women’s Strike
The Women's Strike taking place today across Iceland is seeing widespread participation. Exact numbers are not yet known, but forecasts…
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October 24, 2023 New Finance Minister Þórdís Kolbrún Moves Forward with Íslandsbanki Sale
Minister of Finance Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir has recently expressed support for the continued sale of state-owned Íslandsbanki shares. RÚV…
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October 23, 2023 Four Manuscripts, Forgotten for a Century, Resurface at National Library of Iceland
Four manuscripts have recently been discovered in the National and University Library of Iceland. They are believed to have sat…
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October 23, 2023 Are there communities for expats in Iceland?
First, a word of advice: for those considering moving to Iceland, or for those who already live here, there's much…
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October 23, 2023 Healthcare and Education Services Especially Impacted by Women’s Strike
The Women's Strike scheduled for tomorrow, October 24, is expected to have a significant impact on services offered throughout Iceland.…
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October 23, 2023 Icelandic Tourist Board Report: Second-Busiest Summer on Record
A recent report by the Icelandic Tourist Board shows summer 2023 to have been another record year for travel to…
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October 20, 2023 No Restrictions Imposed on This Season’s Ptarmigan Hunt
The ptarmigan hunting season starts today and continues until November 21. Hunting is permitted every day except Wednesdays and Thursdays,…
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October 20, 2023 PM Jakobsdóttir Receives 2,000 Signatures on Israeli Actions
Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir received 2,000 signatures urging Icelandic authorities to condemn Israeli military actions in Palestine, RÚV reports. While…
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October 20, 2023 Deep North Episode 48: Rosé and 10k
For Iceland Review writer Ragnar Tómas, the summer was one of debauchery. Join him as he seeks self improvement at…
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October 19, 2023 Iceland’s Surfers Fight to Save the Wave
Iceland’s surfers have started a petition to stop a harbour expansion that would destroy the country’s most popular and consistent…
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October 19, 2023 Regulation Changes Needed to Ensure Safe Housing
Iceland’s housing problem gets worse with each passing year, President of The Icelandic Confederation of Labour (ASÍ) Finnbjörn A. Hermannsson…
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October 19, 2023 Woman Who Set IKEA Christmas Goat on Fire Regrets Nothing
“I maybe wouldn’t do it again. But I wouldn’t take it back either,” the woman who set the infamous IKEA…
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October 18, 2023 Prosecutor Concerned by Rising Violence in Sexual Offences
The Deputy District Prosecutor is concerned by rising instances of severe violence in sexual encounters leading to prosecution. Recent court…
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October 18, 2023 Parliament Approves ISK 2.2 Billion for Aquaculture Oversight
Parliament has approved ISK 2.2 billion [$15.9 / €15 billion] in additional funding for aquaculture oversight, following concerns raised by…
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October 18, 2023 12-Year-Old Girl Suffers Injuries Following Drain-Cleaner Attack
A twelve-year-old girl suffered severe facial injuries following an attack by a peer with powdered drain cleaner, RÚV reports. The…
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October 17, 2023 Three New Rescue Ships for ICE-SAR
Three new rescue ships have been added to Iceland’s Search and Rescue organisation ICE-SAR’s fleet recently, including the Jóhannes Briem.…
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October 17, 2023 Drinking Water Contaminated in Borgarfjörður Eystri
Residents of Borgarfjörður Eystri, Northeast Iceland, have had to boil their drinking water for two weeks due to the discovery…
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October 17, 2023 One Dead Following Reykjavík Fire
Three people were transported to hospital for emergency care after a fire broke out in an industrial building in Reykjavík…
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October 16, 2023 Tour Operator Arctic Adventures Buys Kerið Crater
Arctic Adventures has acquired all shares of Kerfélagið, the main asset of which is Kerið in Grímsnes, a popular tourist…
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October 16, 2023 Iceland to Strengthen Support for UN Aid in Gaza
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it will contribute 70 million ISK [$504,000; €477,000] to the United Nations…
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October 16, 2023 Icelandair Resumes Service Between Keflavík and Akureyri in Trial
Icelandair has resumed service between Akureyri and Keflavík International Airport. The connection was last offered in 2019, and since then,…
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October 16, 2023 Bjarni and Þórdís Swap in Ministerial Reshuffle
Changes to the government were announced on Saturday, October 14. Former Finance Minister Bjarni Benediktsson is now Foreign Minister and…
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October 13, 2023 Record Number of Travellers Denied Entry at Keflavík Airport
Keflavík Airport has registered a record 258 denials of entry this year, mostly in association with suspected criminal activity. The…
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October 13, 2023 Fatal Buggy Accident in Skógaheiði Under Investigation
A fatal buggy accident occurred on Skógaheiði in South Iceland yesterday. An elderly man died, and the incident is under…
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October 13, 2023 Deep North Episode 47: Mycological Magic
On a grey afternoon in late August, a small crowd has gathered near the old hydroelectric power station in Elliðaárdalur,…
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October 13, 2023 Governing Parties to Meet at Þingvellir Today
The coalition parties will be meeting today at Þingvellir to discuss the upcoming legislative session. Following Bjarni Benediktsson's resignation as…
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October 13, 2023 Gylfi Sigurðsson Likely to Return to International Football Tonight
Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson is set to play his first international match in three years. In an interview with Vísir, the…
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October 12, 2023 Bjarni Benediktsson Sits for Last Parliamentary Session as Finance Minister
A session of Alþingi convened today at 10:30 to direct questions at the outgoing Minister of Finance, Bjarni Benediktsson, regarding…
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October 12, 2023 President of Iceland Participates in Coast Guard Helicopter Exercise
The Coast Guard helicopter TF-GRO was called out yesterday, October 11, to remove two tires that had washed up on…
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October 12, 2023 Hellisheiði Closed After First Snowfall of the Year
After the first snowfall of the year, Hellisheiði, the section of road connecting the capital region to the South Coast,…
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October 11, 2023 Working Group Assessing Feasibility of Westman Islands Tunnel
A working group, appointed by Minister of Infrastructure Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, has been tasked with assessing the feasibility of a…
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October 11, 2023 Opposition Leaders Question Government Mandate
In an interview with RÚV yesterday, the leaders of the opposition reacted to Finance Minister Bjarni Benediktsson's decision to resign.…
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October 11, 2023 September Sees Slight Uptick in Unemployment Rate
Iceland's unemployment rate rose from 2.9% in August to 3% in September, according to a new report from the Directorate…
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October 11, 2023 New Ministerial Role for Bjarni a Possibility, According to PM
Yesterday, Bjarni Benediktsson announced his resignation from his ministerial post following a formal opinion by the Parliamentary Ombudsman regarding the…
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October 10, 2023 Orange Weather Warning For Much of Iceland
Today, there is an orange warning in effect due to a severe storm from the north and heavy precipitation in…
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October 10, 2023 Minister of Finance, Bjarni Benediktsson, Resigns from Office
Now-former Minister of Finance, Bjarni Benediktsson, has resigned from office following critique of his role in the March 2022 sale…
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October 10, 2023 Welfare Committee Rejects Request for PM to Appear
The majority of the Welfare Committee has rejected the request for the Prime Minister to be summoned before the committee…
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October 9, 2023 Imagine Peace Tower Illuminated Tonight, No Ferries to Viðey
Due to inclement weather, there will be no ferry service tonight to Viðey island for the annual lighting of the…
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October 9, 2023 Iceland Travellers in Israel Brought Safely to Jordan
A group of some hundred Icelandic travellers has safely arrived in Jordan after a two-hour bus journey from Jerusalem, RÚV…
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October 9, 2023 Expanded MAST Capabilities for Aquaculture Monitoring
MAST, the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority, is set to receive its own vessels and increased manpower to better oversee…
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October 9, 2023 Minister Booed During Fish Farming Protest Last Saturday
A protest against open-sea aquaculture drew a significant crowd at Austurvöllur Square in Reykjavík on Saturday. Minister of Environment, Energy,…
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October 6, 2023 Finance Minister Proposes Charge on Clean-Energy Vehicles
The Finance Minister has proposed a six-krona per-kilometre charge on electric and hydrogen vehicles for the upcoming year. A similar…
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October 6, 2023 MET Office Forecasts Frost in Most Parts of the Country Tonight
The Icelandic MET Office forecasts frost in most of the country from Friday evening to early Saturday. Sunday should see…
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October 6, 2023 Deep North Episode 46: Breaking the Peace
In the summer of 1430, Jón Gerreksson was ordained as the revered Bishop of Skálholt. Three years later, he was…
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October 6, 2023 District Prosecutor Appeals Dismissal of Domestic Terror Case
The District Prosecutor has appealed the Reykjavik District Court's dismissal of the so-called domestic terrorism case to the National Court,…
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October 6, 2023 Björk Enlists Rosalía in Campaign Against Fish Farming in Iceland
Björk and Rosalía are releasing a song to protest against Icelandic aquaculture, coinciding with a related public demonstration on October…
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October 5, 2023 From the Archive: Women Look to the Future
On October 24, 1975, women across Iceland went on strike to demonstrate the importance of their labour, both professional and…
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October 5, 2023 Rare Bird Flu Detected in Eagle and Eider Duck
A white-tailed eagle and an eider duck found dead in Iceland in September both tested positive for a severe strain…
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October 5, 2023 Stricter Policy for Fish Farms Following Escapes
Minister of Fisheries Svandís Svavarsdóttir presented the draft of a new legal framework for fish farming in Iceland yesterday. The…
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October 4, 2023 Gylfi Sigurðsson Returns to National Football Team
Åge Hareide has announced the squad for Iceland's upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches, with Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson returning after…
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October 4, 2023 Central Bank Breaks Rate Hike Streak Amid Economic Slowdown
The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Iceland has halted a trend of interest rate hikes by maintaining…
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October 4, 2023 Women, Non-Binary Persons, to Go on Full-Day Strike in October
Iceland's BSRB federation and 31 associations are organising a strike on October 24 to address gender-based violence and the undervaluing…
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October 4, 2023 Man Found Dead in East Reykjavík Believed to Have Been Murdered
A man found unconscious in East Reykjavík last weekend, and later declared dead at the hospital, is now believed to…
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October 3, 2023 Parking Fees Rise in Downtown Reykjavík
Higher parking fees took effect in central Reykjavík this month and have been criticised by some politicians and locals. The…
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October 3, 2023 New Group to Fight for Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights
A new organised interest group for sexual assault survivors was established in Iceland yesterday, RÚV reports. The group will fight…
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October 3, 2023 Support for Social Democratic Alliance Passes 30%
The Social Democratic Alliance enjoys by far the most support of any party in Iceland according to the latest poll…
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October 2, 2023 Icelanders Want Their Bones Back
Skulls found to be missing from a graveyard in Haffarðarey in West Iceland have turned up in Harvard's Peabody Museum…
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October 2, 2023 Prosecution Seeks 8 Year Sentence in Bankastræti Case
Morgunblaðið reports that the prosecution in the Bankastræti Club case is seeking a minimum sentence of 8 years in prison…
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October 2, 2023 German Expedition Vehicle Causes Damage to Nature Area
A recent YouTube video, published by the German tourist Peter Ruppert, has drawn considerable critique and commentary in Iceland. Ruppert,…
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September 29, 2023 Conditions in the Cleaning Sector Unacceptable, Survey Finds
Living conditions for those in the cleaning sector are unacceptable, according to a new report from Varða, the Labour Research…
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September 29, 2023 Why are there no trees in Iceland?
The short answer: sheep. According to the earliest records of the settlement of Iceland, the island was forested everywhere between…
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September 29, 2023 Health Minister Pushes for Swift Regulations of Cosmetic Fillers
The Minister of Health, Willum Þór Þórsson, is pushing for regulations on the use of fillers in Iceland following concerns…
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September 29, 2023 No Leads on Assault of Reykjavík Conference Attendee
An attendee of the National Queer Organisation of Iceland (Samtökin '78) conference was taken to the emergency department after being…
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September 29, 2023 Record Population Growth Last Year – 400,000 Milestone in Sight
Iceland's population rose by 11,500 in 2022, potentially reaching 400,000 this year, according to a report from the Housing and…
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September 29, 2023 Deep North Episode 45: Borrowed Crime
On May 26, 1982, sisters Yvette and Marie Luce Bahuaud arrived in Iceland from France. On August 15, after nearly…
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September 28, 2023 Keeping the Balance
Next year, Parity (est. 2017) is scheduled to release the adventure game Island of Winds. Loosely based on the so-called…
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September 28, 2023 Heart to Heart
Every now and then, when I turn on the radio and tune into the National Broadcasting Service in the morning,…
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September 28, 2023 Authorities Dispute Over Asylum Seekers in Iceland
Asylum seekers in Iceland continue to be caught in the middle of a dispute between the Icelandic state and municipalities…
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September 28, 2023 Island in the Making
A wave crashes over us as we cling to the small rubber boat for dear life. I congratulate myself for…
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September 28, 2023 Foreign Citizens in Iceland Face More Difficulties Finding Jobs
Foreign citizens make up nearly 50% of those currently unemployed in Iceland, while they only make up 15-20% of the…
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September 28, 2023 Iceland Symphony Orchestra Strike Narrowly Avoided
The Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the state have settled their wage dispute. Agreements were signed at the state mediator’s office yesterday…
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September 27, 2023 Breaking the Peace
By the 15th century, in the chaotic and violent times of Joan of Arc, the Hundred Years’ War and the…
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September 27, 2023 Women’s Football Team Suffers Heavy Defeat Against Germany
The Icelandic women's national football team suffered a significant 4-0 defeat against Germany in the UEFA Nations League yesterday, with…
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September 27, 2023 Mycological Magic
On a grey afternoon in late August, a small crowd has gathered near the old hydroelectric power station in Elliðaárdalur,…
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September 27, 2023 Welfare Committee Chair Calls for Regulation of Cosmetic Fillers
The Chairperson of the Parliament's Welfare Committee has formally inquired with Health Minister, Willum Þór Þórsson, about his plans to…
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September 27, 2023 Inflation Erodes Real Value of Apartments in Capital Region
The housing market experienced a decline in transactions in July, with a notable drop in new apartments entering the market…
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September 27, 2023 “We Must Adapt” – Authors of Iceland’s New Climate Report
Altered weather patterns, increased landslides, and heightened flood risks are among the challenges Icelanders will face in the coming years,…
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September 26, 2023 Words With Friends
On a late-August Wednesday in Reykjavík, it’s bright and still, but there’s a noticeable fall chill in the air. As…
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September 26, 2023 Samherji Sells to Síldarvinnslan
Seafood company Síldarvinnslan has bought a 50% share in the seafood sales company Ice Fresh Seafood for ISK 4.7 billion…
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September 26, 2023 Bankastræti Hearing Begins in Banquet Hall
A hearing involving 25 defendants, most in their twenties, began yesterday in Reykjavík, though not in a traditional courtroom. As…
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September 26, 2023 Icelanders Travelled Less this Summer
Locals in Iceland travelled less this summer than in recent years, both domestically and abroad. During the summer of 2022,…
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September 25, 2023 A Wealth of Water
Close your eyes and picture Iceland. What comes to mind? A powerful waterfall streaming down a cliffside? Bluish icebergs floating…
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September 25, 2023 Brim buys 10.83% of Iceland Seafood International
Icelandic seafood company Brim has bought a 10.83% share in Iceland Seafood International (ISI), RÚV reports. The purchase entails the…
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September 25, 2023 Give Icelandic a Chance
As ever more tourists stroll around downtown Reykjavík, a debate has intensified within Icelandic society about the changes they bring…
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September 25, 2023 New Prison to Replace Litla-Hraun
A new prison will be built to replace the largest prison in Iceland, Litla-Hraun, RÚV reports. Construction of the new…
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September 25, 2023 Woman Detained in Connection With Man’s Death in Reykjavík
A woman in her thirties has been placed in custody after a man was discovered deceased in an apartment building…
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September 22, 2023 Trial in Ólafsfjörður Murder Case Scheduled for Next Week
A man accused of homicide in Ólafsfjörður last year is said to have stabbed the deceased twice in the left…
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September 22, 2023 Grounded Research Vessel in Westfjords Successfully Refloated
A research vessel that ran aground in Tálknafjörður at around 10 PM last night has been refloated. An investigation into…
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September 22, 2023 Deep North Episode 44: Working it Out
A few years ago, Iceland instituted a four-day work week. It’s gone off without a hitch and everyone’s been happier…
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September 21, 2023 Rosé and 10K (at the Reykjavík Marathon)
It was a season of debauchery. A season of cocktail-filled nights and subpar parenting.A season of good-natured rationalisation.“The good thing about…
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September 21, 2023 Mud, Sweat, and Gears
The motorsport Formula Offroad began in Iceland in the 1960s. The history of the sport is traced to rescue teams,…
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September 21, 2023 In Focus: Cruise Ships
Small town Iceland isn’t what it used to be. During the peak summer season, some of Iceland’s coastal communities are…
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September 20, 2023 Is Iceland Spar your national crystal? Is it a popular product in Icelandic gift shops?
Iceland has no official “national crystal,” but if such a title were ever bestowed, Iceland spar would likely be a…
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September 20, 2023 Minister Denies University’s Appeal for Registration Fee Hike
The Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation in Iceland, Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir, has denied a request from the country’s…
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September 20, 2023 Icelandic Whaling CEO Defends Suspended Vessel
In a recent interview with RÚV, Kristján Loftsson, CEO of Iceland’s only whaling company, defended a recent incident that led…
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September 20, 2023 Siglufjörður Resident Loses Home to Severe Storm
A severe storm hit the town of Siglufjörður in North Iceland on Monday night, leading to the complete destruction of…
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September 20, 2023 Experts Alarmed by Surge in Daily Drinking Rates
According to a physician at the National Centre of Addiction Medicine (SÁÁ), the surge in online alcohol sales poses a…
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September 18, 2023 Further Aquaculture Permits Put on Hold
RÚV reports that further aquaculture permits have been suspended by the government, citing the recent growth of the industry and…
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September 15, 2023 University of Iceland Fined Over Surveillance Practices
The Icelandic Data Protection Authority fined the University of Iceland ISK 1.5 million ($11,000/€10,000) for failing to comply with legal…
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September 15, 2023 Attic Skull Sparks Ashtray Theory
The human skull fragments discovered last week in the Minister’s residence are believed to belong to a female individual, based…
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September 15, 2023 Deep North Episode 43: To Catch an Oystercatcher
Under the regular ascent and descent of Keflavík jet traffic, out past the old American radar stations, at the northwestern…
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September 15, 2023 Footballer, Sports Commentator Bjarni Felixson Passes Away
Veteran sports journalist and former Icelandic national footballer Bjarni Felixson passed away at the age of 86 yesterday, RÚV reports.…
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September 15, 2023 Fatal Collision in Downtown Reykjavík Under Investigation
A man in his thirties was killed in a Reykjavík traffic accident involving a delivery van and a telescopic handler,…
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September 14, 2023 Whaling Vessel Suspended for Violating Welfare Protocols
The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) has temporarily suspended the operations of whaling vessel Hvalur 8 for violating animal…
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September 13, 2023 New National Indoor Sports Stadium to Be Ready in Late 2026
The completion date for the new national indoor sports stadium is projected for late 2026 or early 2027, according to…
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September 13, 2023 President Cites Sagas, Pop Song in Opening Parliamentary Speech
Icelandic President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson discussed the country’s evolving diversity and proposed constitutional changes regarding the Icelandic language at Parliament’s…
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September 13, 2023 Accounts Shed New Detail on Bankastræti Club Attack
Five defendants in the high-profile Bankastræti Club attack in Reykjavík have submitted varying accounts to the District Court, ranging from…
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September 13, 2023 Minister Advocates for Fiscal Restraint in Iceland’s New Budget
In a budget briefing yesterday, the Finance Minister highlighted increased government earnings while advocating for fiscal restraint to counter inflation.…
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September 12, 2023 Laufey Sets New Jazz Standard on Spotify
Icelandic musician Laufey's album Bewitched broke Spotify's jazz streaming record with 5.7 million day-one streams, RÚV reports. The standout track…
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September 12, 2023 Human Skull Unearthed in Minister’s Residence
Human skull fragments were found in the attic of the Prime Minister's Residence on Tjarnargata during ongoing renovations, Mbl.is reports.…
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September 12, 2023 National Gallery Probes Suspected Art Forgeries
About a dozen works of art by famous artists are being examined by the National Gallery of Iceland due to…
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September 12, 2023 Survey Finds Iceland Priciest for Shoppers
According to a recent price survey by the Confederation of Icelandic Labour (ASÍ), Iceland is the most expensive supermarket chain…
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September 11, 2023 Icelandair Launches New Training Programme
Icelandair has announced the launch of a new training programme, set to begin this winter. The programme will partner together…
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September 11, 2023 Significant Damage After Residential Fire
Significant damage occurred after a fire broke out in a multi-family house in Akureyri, RÚV reports. A fire began in…
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September 11, 2023 Divers Assess Damage to Cargo Ship
Divers are on their way to a German cargo ship currently that was damaged yesterday, Vísir reports. Environmental concerns surround…
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September 11, 2023 Long Lines at Keflavík International Due to Temporary Staff Shortage
Unusually long lines have formed at Keflavík International Airport today, Vísir reports. Lines are stated to stretch throughout the airport,…
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September 8, 2023 Record-Breaking Gonorrhoea Rates Spark Concern
According to the Directorate of Health, 213 individuals have been diagnosed with gonorrhoea in the first eight months of 2023,…
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September 8, 2023 ASÍ Specialist Challenges Hagar CEO on Iceland’s Food Prices
Auður Alfa Ólafsdóttir, a specialist with the Icelandic Confederation of Labour (ASÍ), refutes Hagar CEO Finnur Oddsson’s claim that food…
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September 8, 2023 Deep North Episode 42: Sea Change
We consider three different perspectives on whaling in Iceland, from the science, ethics, and labour of this controversial industry. Note…
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September 8, 2023 Football Captain Raises Pitch Concerns with Prime Minister
At a press conference yesterday, Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson – captain of Iceland’s men’s national football team – told reporters that…
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September 8, 2023 Reykjavík City Council Approves Sale of Iconic Perlan
The Reykjavík City Council has authorised the sale of the landmark Perlan building and two adjacent water tanks in Öskjuhlíð,…
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September 7, 2023 In Focus: Asylum Seeker Evictions
New legislation on immigration passed in Iceland’s Parliament last spring states that asylum seekers whose asylum applications have received a…
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September 7, 2023 Elísabet Street Coming to West Reykjavík
A new street under construction in Vesturbær, the westernmost neighbourhood of Reykjavík, will be named after writer Elísabet Jökulsdóttir, mbl.is…
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September 7, 2023 Airbnbs in Iceland Used for Sex Work
Airbnb operators in Iceland have on occasion requested police assistance due to suspicion that their properties are being used for…
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September 6, 2023 Less Participation in Childhood Vaccinations in Iceland
Participation in childhood vaccinations in Iceland has not recovered since the downturn that occurred during the pandemic, RÚV reports. There…
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September 6, 2023 Whaling Season Begins in Iceland, Charges Pressed Against Activists
Iceland’s only active whaling company Hvalur hf. is set to begin the whaling season today, Vísir reports. Iceland’s Minister of…
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September 5, 2023 Attorney Seeks Second Dismissal in Domestic Terrorism Case
During a preliminary hearing yesterday, the defence attorney of one of the defendants in a domestic terrorism case challenged the…
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September 5, 2023 15% of 10th-Grade Girls Have Been Raped By Peers, Study Finds
A new study presented at the Children’s Prosperity Congress reveals alarming rates of sexual harassment and violence among Icelandic youth,…
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September 5, 2023 Activists Descend from Whaling Ships, Engines Turn Over
Two activists who had perched atop the masts of whaling boats in Reykjavík Harbor for over 24 hours descended from…
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September 5, 2023 Woman Dies After Vopnafjörður Cliff Fall
A woman fell to her death in Vopnafjörður yesterday, Vísir reports. An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Community deeply…
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September 4, 2023 How can I see the northern lights?
By looking up, of course! Technically, you can see the northern lights anywhere in Iceland, as long as the sky…
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September 4, 2023 New Housing Report Shows Increase in New Apartments
The latest report on housing shows that the number of new apartments has increased significantly this year, and there is…
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September 4, 2023 New Centre for Icelandic Studies, Edda, Gets Bad Reception
Edda, the recently completed Centre for Icelandic Studies, gets no mobile phone reception is several spots throughout the building due…
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September 4, 2023 Activists Climb Masts of Hvalur Vessels
Early this morning, two activists climbed into the masts of Hvalur 8 and Hvalur 9 to oppose the lifting of…
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September 1, 2023 Deep North Episode 41: Jón the India-Traveller
On a bright May morning in 1679, an 85-year-old widower passed away in his sleep after a long illness. He…
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September 1, 2023 14 Pilots Exit Play for Icelandair Amid Global Talent Scramble
Fourteen pilots from budget airline Play have resigned to join competitor Icelandair amid a global pilot shortage and rising wages.…
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September 1, 2023 Swiss Traveler Says Final Goodbye to Beloved Icelandic Haven
After nine summers of retreats to Þingvallavatn Lake, Swiss psychiatrist Anne Glantz has decided to end her annual visits. Glantz,…
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September 1, 2023 True North Demands Injunction Against Whaling Company
True North, an Icelandic film and TV production company, has filed for an injunction against Hvalur hf, Iceland’s sole fin…
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September 1, 2023 Samskip Fined ISK 4.2 Billion for Violating Competition Laws
The Competition Authority of Iceland has imposed an ISK 4.2 billion ($32 million / €30 million) fine on shipping company…
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August 31, 2023 Whaling Ban Lifted in Iceland
The hunting of fin whales will be permitted in Iceland once more, though with stricter requirements and increased supervision, according…
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August 31, 2023 Iceland’s Emissions from International Transport Up 95% in 2022
Iceland’s direct emissions of greenhouse gases remained unchanged between 2021 and 2022. Emissions from industry grew by 2% while emissions…
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August 31, 2023 Farmed Salmon Caught in Rivers Across Northwest Iceland
Escaped farmed salmon may be swimming in at least eight salmon fishing rivers in Northwest Iceland and the Westfjords. Farmed…
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August 30, 2023 Record Attendance Expected at This Year’s Reykjavík Bear Festival
The annual Reykjavík Bear Festival, hosted in association with the National Queer Organisation, has sold out, doubling last year’s ticket…
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August 30, 2023 Minister’s 30-Point Plan for Fisheries Stirs Controversy
The Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries has unveiled a comprehensive report proposing thirty key legislative changes for Iceland's fishing…
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August 30, 2023 First “Autumn Storm of the Year” to Make Landfall This Weekend
A meteorologist with the Icelandic MET Office has warned of an upcoming storm that is unusually early for the season.…
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August 30, 2023 Gylfi Sigurðsson to Join Danish Football Club Lyngby
Footballer Gylfi Sigurðsson will undergo a medical examination at the Danish football club Lyngby today and subsequently sign a one-year…
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August 29, 2023 Luxury Hotel’s Impact on Protected Valley Raises Concerns
The company building a luxury hotel and baths in the protected Þjórsárdalur valley has yet to negotiate payments for water…
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August 29, 2023 Glacial Outburst Flood Has Begun in Skaftá River
A glacial outburst flood has begun in Skaftá river in South Iceland, the Icelandic Met Office reports. The water level…
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August 28, 2023 Government Unveils ISK 17 Billion Cost-Saving Strategy
State-run institutions are poised to streamline operations through staff reductions and various optimizations, aiming to save approximately ISK 17 billion…
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August 28, 2023 Costco Fined ISK 20 Million for Gross Negligence Over Oil Spill
Costco has been fined ISK 20 million ($152,000 / €141,000) after 111,000 litres of diesel leaked into Hafnarfjörður’s sewage system.…
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August 28, 2023 Rainbow Flag Defaced on Reykjavík’s Skólavörðustígur
In an act of vandalism, the rainbow flag adorning the Skólavörðustígur street in Reykjavík was defaced with white paint early…
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August 28, 2023 Special Forces Respond to Knife Incident at Nightclub
Special forces were twice deployed in the capital region Saturday night: first for a man with a replica gun, and…
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August 25, 2023 Four years in the making, “Venus” by Bríet and Ásgeir Released
Musicians Bríet and Ásgeir Trausti released the song Venus this morning. In an interview this morning, Ásgeir Trausti stated that…
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August 25, 2023 Kitten Found Safe Amid Fire Ruins in Hafnarfjörður
A young kitten named Koddi was discovered on Wednesday atop the fire-damaged industrial building in Hafnarfjörður where a blaze erupted…
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August 25, 2023 Minister Questions Rising Prices Amid Strengthening Króna
The Minister of Culture and Business Affairs is seeking clarification from major grocery chains on why the prices of perishable…
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August 25, 2023 Initiative to Regulate School Phone Usage Announced
Iceland’s Minister of Education and Children has announced a nationwide initiative to create guidelines for smartphone usage in primary schools.…
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August 25, 2023 Deep North Episode 40: Live, Laugh, Lava
For the third year in a row, there’s a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula, only a stone’s throw away…
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August 24, 2023 Humpack Salmon Spreads in Iceland, Threatening Local Fish
Humpack salmon, also known as pink salmon, is spreading in Icelandic rivers and threatening local fish species. Anglers caught dozens…
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August 24, 2023 Municipalities in Iceland Raise School Lunch Fees
School lunches and after-school activities will cost parents in Iceland more this year than last, RÚV reports. The country’s eight…
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August 24, 2023 No Changes in Geothermal Activity at Askja Volcano
There are no changes to geothermal activity at Askja volcano, according to preliminary results from a recent research trip conducted…
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August 23, 2023 Central Bank Announces 14th Consecutive Rate Hike
The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Iceland announced this morning that it would be raising the policy…
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August 22, 2023 Long-Detained Suspect in Selfoss Murder Case Claims Innocence
A man suspected of murdering a woman in Selfoss this spring denies having strangled her, RÚV reports. His attorney believes…
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August 22, 2023 Police Officers Seek Anonymity Amid Rising Threats
Officers of the law are advocating for increased anonymity in police reports due to rising threats, with incidents like car…
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August 22, 2023 Driving Mum Nominated for Nordic Council Film Prize
The film Driving Mum has been nominated for this year’s Nordic Council Film Prize. The winner of the prize will…
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August 22, 2023 Íslandsbanki Loses Large Customers Following Scandal
VR Union, the Icelandic Confederation of Labour (ASÍ), and the Consumers’ Association of Iceland have all discontinued their business with…
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August 22, 2023 Justice Minister Proposes Detention Centres for Asylum Seekers
Asylum seekers in Iceland whose applications have been rejected will be placed in detention centres if Justice Minister Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir’s…
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August 22, 2023 Whaling Has Little Economic Impact on Iceland
Whaling in Iceland has little direct impact on the Icelandic economy. Whaling has not turned a profit in recent years…
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August 21, 2023 Municipalities Insist State is Responsible for Asylum Seekers
It is up to state authorities to find a solution for the group of asylum seekers who have been stripped…
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August 21, 2023 Isavia Demands Felling of 2,900 Trees in Öskjuhlíð
The operator of Reykjavík Domestic Airport, Isavia, has requested that 2,900 trees in Öskjuhlíð forest be felled immediately, or 1,200…
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August 21, 2023 Fire in Hafnarfjörður Industrial Building Used for Housing
Seventeen people were registered as residents of an industrial building in Hafnarfjörður in the Reykjavík capital area that was heavily…
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August 18, 2023 Tour Operator Calls for Increased Safety Near Askja Volcano
The owner of a tourism company in the Mývatn region in North Iceland told RÚV yesterday that he was worried…
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August 18, 2023 Deep North Episode 39: In the Ranger’s Realm
What does a ranger do, exactly? According to the tan and charmingly scruffy specimen sitting opposite me at a cafe…
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August 18, 2023 A Hurricane Called “English” Is Sweeping Across Iceland – Bubbi
In an op-ed in Morgunblaðið yesterday, musician Bubbi Morthens criticised the government, the tourism industry, and restaurateurs for pandering to…
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August 18, 2023 No Hot Water in Hafnarfjörður, Parts of Garðabær, Monday to Wednesday
Due to the connection of new heating mains, there will be no hot water in all of Hafnarfjörður and parts…
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August 18, 2023 Large Turnout Expected for Reykjavík’s Annual Culture Night
Reykjavík’s annual Culture Night will be held this Saturday, August 19. Organisers expect a large turnout, and attendees are encouraged…
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August 17, 2023 Rise in COVID-19 Cases in Iceland
Confirmed COVID-19 infections have been increasing in Iceland over the past four weeks, Chief Epidemiologist Guðrún Aspelund told RÚV. “We’re…
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August 17, 2023 Thousands of Cigarette Stubs Wash Up on East Iceland Beach
A resident of Eskifjörður, East Iceland was shocked to see thousands of cigarette stubs washed up on the shore of…
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August 17, 2023 Asylum Seekers on the Streets Due to New Law
Over 10 asylum seekers who have been evicted from state housing are living on the streets, RÚV reports. Some have…
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August 16, 2023 Unusually Dry Summer in West and Southeast Iceland
Rivers and streams have been shrinking and even drying up entirely following several weeks with little to no rainfall in…
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August 16, 2023 Icelandic Government to Stop Funding Icelandic Opera Company
The Icelandic government is planning to establish a national opera company to start operations in 2025 and will consequently stop…
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August 16, 2023 Askja Slowly Preparing for Eruption
The land at Askja has risen 70 cm over the past two years, indicating that some 20 million cubic metres…
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August 15, 2023 Record Ring Road Traffic
The latest numbers from the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration show that July 2023 was a record-breaking month. According to…
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August 15, 2023 Debate Whether State or Municipalities Responsible for Rejected Applications
A deadlock has arisen in the cases of a group of applicants for international protection under the new immigration laws.…
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August 14, 2023 Public Transport Woes Over Pride Weekend
Overfilled buses led to some inconvenience this past weekend as Reykjavík celebrated its annual Pride Parade, reports Vísir. With downtown…
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August 14, 2023 Warm and Sunny in the Capital Area
It's been a warm and sunny weekend, and today will continue the trend in the capital area, with a high…
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August 11, 2023 Ísafjörður to Introduce Environmental Rating System for Cruise Ships
The town of Ísafjörður has announced its intention to introduce an environmental rating system for cruise ships next year, reports…
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August 11, 2023 Deep North Episode 38: Unearthed
After the death of Þorlákur Þórhallsson, Bishop of Skálholt, in 1193, stories of miracles that occurred in his diocese were…
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August 10, 2023 Hellisheiði Reopened After Bus Caught Fire
A tour bus caught fire on its way down the Hellisheiði pass around 21:00 last night. Vísir reports. Reports indicate…
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August 10, 2023 Home Goods Store Rúmfatalagerinn Changes Name to JYSK
Rúmfatalagerinn, the Icelandic franchise of the Danish home goods store JYSK, will be changing its name. The store, whose name…
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August 9, 2023 Live, Laugh, Lava
For the third year in a row, there’s a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula, only a stone’s throw away…
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August 9, 2023 All Hands Still on Deck at Hvalur
Despite the temporary whaling ban, Hvalur hf., the only company to whale in Iceland, has not let any of its…
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August 8, 2023 Eruption at Litli-Hrútur Over
The volcanic eruption at Litli-Hrútur was determined to be at an end over the holiday weekend. Morgunblaðið reports. The eruption…
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August 8, 2023 Borrowed Crime
The sensationalisation of tragedy In 2018, the New York Times published an essay by 17-year-old Rachel Chestnut, one of the…
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August 4, 2023 Deep North Episode 37: Ocean of Fire
The 1783 eruption of Laki didn't just have a devastating effect on Iceland; it had global consequences. But in the…
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August 3, 2023 Sea Change
Last spring, journalists and activists gathered in a quiet fjord an hour’s drive north of Reykjavík. There was a small…
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August 3, 2023 Mugi-zen
It’s the first day of July and when the photographer picks me up, it’s pouring rain. Summer has yet to…
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August 3, 2023 Turf and Rescue
Austur-Meðalholt Hannes Lárusson grew up in a cluster of turf houses on the farmstead Austur-Meðalholt in Southwest Iceland. His ancestors…
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August 2, 2023 Two Helicopters Land in Restricted Area at Eruption
Last night, two helicopters landed inside the restricted area around the Litli-Hrútur eruption on Reykjanes, report Reykjanes police. This wasn't…
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August 2, 2023 To Catch an Oystercatcher
Under the regular ascent and descent of Keflavík jet traffic, out past the old American radar stations, at the northwestern…
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August 2, 2023 The Ocean of Fire
In highly uncertain times, when hunger, illness, injury and death can strike at any moment, it is a very human…
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July 31, 2023 Making Merry
In centuries gone by, people would gather at one farm and whoever owned instruments would play them. There was no…
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July 31, 2023 Why Can’t We Fly?
As we walked home, I felt like the night had created this stillness just for us. For us and no…
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July 31, 2023 Working It Out
A few years ago, Iceland instituted a four-day work week. It’s gone off without a hitch and everyone’s been happier…
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July 31, 2023 In Focus: Municipal Development
This summer, a new luxury hotel in Iceland opened for travellers. In addition to providing “deluxe rooms and luxury suites…
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July 31, 2023 Another Record-Breaking June for Icelandic Tourism
The latest numbers from Statistics Iceland show that June 2023 saw some 1,176,600 overnight stays in Iceland. This is a…
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July 31, 2023 Proposal to Ban Sale of Greylag Geese
The Ministry for the Environment, Energy, and Climate has published a draft amendment regarding bird hunting and the utilization of…
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July 31, 2023 Litli-Hrútur Produced 30-50% Less Lava
Last week, the Litli-Hrútur eruption produced around 30-50% less lava than the previous week. If this trend continues, the end…
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July 27, 2023 Deep North Episode 36: Open Books
Iceland’s Medieval manuscripts, dating back to the 12th century, are often cited as the country’s most valuable cultural heritage. For…
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July 27, 2023 More Facilities Needed as More Visit Landmannalaugar
Increasing numbers of visitors have put a significant strain on the facilities at Landmannalaugar, reports RÚV. Landmannalaugar, a popular highland…
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July 27, 2023 PLAY Adds Frankfurt Connection
Icelandic budget airliner PLAY is opening a new connection to Frankfurt, Germany. The first PLAY flight to Frankfurt will be…
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July 27, 2023 Icelandic Roads Least Lethal Worldwide
German car subscription service, FINN, has recently rated Iceland the number 1 nation "where you are least likely to die…
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July 26, 2023 Firefighting Efforts Continue at Reykjanes Eruption
Authorities announced today that the Meradalaleið (Hiking Trail E) would be closed so that firefighting teams could transport equipment. The…
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July 26, 2023 Large Fire in Reykjanesbær
A fire broke out in an industrial building at the corner of Víkurbraut and Hrannargata in Reykjanesbær today. Vísir states…
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July 25, 2023 “Legal Uncertainty” Concerning Bishop’s Reappointment
Ragnhildur Ásgeirsdóttir, Executive Director of the Bishopric appointed her superior, Bishop Agnes M. Sigurðardóttir, to serve as a bishop temporarily…
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July 25, 2023 Reykjavík Bins Overflow
The implementation of a new recycling system in Reykjavík seems to be going through some hiccoughs, with some bins throughout…
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July 24, 2023 Where does the trash go in Iceland?
With plentiful geothermal and hydroelectric energy, Iceland has earned an international reputation as a leader in environmentalism. The whole story…
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July 24, 2023 What’s the status of the Ísafjörður cruise ship terminal?
In 2022, Ísafjörður, a town with a population of around 2,700, received some 86,000 passengers from cruise ships alone and…
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July 24, 2023 Eruption Site Closed After 6:00 PM
Local authorities have announced that hiking trails to the Litli-Hrútur eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula will close at 6:00 PM…
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July 24, 2023 Poor Breeding Season After Cold Spring
With the breeding season for many migratory birds in Iceland coming to a close, experts say that conditions have been…
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July 21, 2023 Annual Inflation Rate Now at 7.6%
The latest numbers released today by Statistics Iceland indicate that the annual inflation rate now rests at 7.6%. The government…
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July 21, 2023 Deep North Episode 35: Of Ashes and Evergreens
Icelandic forestry is no longer the oxymoron it once was, but as it grows in importance as well as size,…
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July 21, 2023 A Second House at Stöng Found in Archaeological Dig
A second house has been unearthed at the Stöng archaeological site, Morgunblaðið reports. Stöng, located in Þjórsárdalur valley in South…
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July 20, 2023 Eruption Site Open and Wildfires Quelled
The eruption site on Reykjanes is open to visitors today and firefighters have managed to subdue the wildfires that have…
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July 19, 2023 Plans to 3D-Scan Historical Sculpture
Experts are planning to attempt to recreate Saltfiskstöflun, "Stacking Saltfish," by Sigurjón Ólafsson. RÚV reports. Sigurjón Ólafsson, born 1908, was…
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July 19, 2023 Man Pronounced Dead After Collapsing at Eruption Site
Reykjanes police announced that a man in his fifties collapsed yesterday, July 18, at the eruption site. After being evacuated…
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July 19, 2023 Largest Moss Fires On Record
Since the beginning of the Litli-Hrútur eruption on July 10, some 250 hectares [617 acres] of moss have burned. The…
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July 18, 2023 Fatal Fire May Lead to Amendments on Housing Regulations
The Minister of Infrastructure has drafted an amendment to fire safety regulations in Iceland. The changes are meant to ensure…
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July 18, 2023 2-3 Times More Powerful than 2021 Eruption
The ongoing eruption on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula is about 2-3 times more powerful than the 2021 eruption at the same…
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July 18, 2023 How do I access the 2023 Reykjanes eruption?
An eruption began on the Reykjanes peninsula at 4:40 PM on July 10, 2023. It is the third eruption in…
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July 18, 2023 What do we know about the 2023 Reykjanes eruption?
An eruption began on the Reykjanes peninsula at 4:40 PM on July 10, 2023. It is the third eruption in…
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July 17, 2023 Litli-Hrútur Eruption Site Reopens
After closures due to air quality and wildfires, the Reykjanes eruption site at Litli-Hrútur has been reopened by authorities. Firefighting…
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July 17, 2023 New Tourism Campaign Prompts Criticism
A new collaborative project aimed at promoting tourism in Iceland, called "Good Hosts," has drawn vocal criticism from Efling union…
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July 17, 2023 Passenger Boat Stranded at Hornstrandir
A passenger boat en route from Bolungarvík to Hornstrandir stranded in the late afternoon, yesterday, July 16. RÚV reports. Hornstrandir…
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July 17, 2023 Reykjanes Eruption Site Remains Closed
The Reykjanes eruption site remains closed today, July 17, following a meeting of The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency…
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July 14, 2023 Firefighters Fought Wildfires Near Eruption Site Until 2 AM
Firefighters worked until 2 AM extinguishing wildfires that have arisen as a result of the eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula.…
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July 14, 2023 Teen Dies in Þrengslavegur Car Crash
An 18-year-old motorist has died after an accident on Þrengslavegur in South Iceland yesterday morning. Vehicle veered off the road…
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July 14, 2023 8.9% Increase in Foreign Nationals Living in Iceland
70,307 foreign nationals were registered as residents in Iceland as of July 1, which is an increase of 5,722 persons…
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July 14, 2023 Pussy Riot Performs at LungA Art Festival in Seyðisfjörður
The protest and performance art group Pussy Riot took the stage at the LungA art festival in Seyðisfjörður last night,…
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July 13, 2023 Over 30 Norovirus Cases at Reykjavík Burger Chain
Health authorities in Reykjavík have received at least 15 reports of illness connected to two locations of the Reykjavík burger…
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July 13, 2023 Eruption Site Closed Due to Gas and Wildfire Pollution
The Suðurnes Chief of Police has decided to close the active eruption site on Reykjanes due to dangerous pollution levels…
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July 12, 2023 Minister’s Temporary Whaling Ban Could Be Extended
Minister Svandís Svavarsdóttir’s temporary ban on whaling may be extended, Mbl.is reports. A ministry-organised working group is assessing the compliance…
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July 12, 2023 Saving Trapped Hikers at Eruption Site “a Near Impossibility”
A public relations Officer with the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue has told Mbl.is that rescue workers had to…
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July 12, 2023 Suspect in Laugavegur Stabbing Still at Large
The man responsible for a stabbing on Laugavegur early last week remains at large. A detective with Iceland’s Central Investigative…
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July 12, 2023 Favourable Conditions for Viewing Litli-Hrútur Eruption
A meteorologist with the Icelandic MET Office predicts favourable weather conditions today, with a stiff breeze and clear skies promising…
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July 11, 2023 Deep North Episode 34: Where There’s Fire
In this special edition of Deep North, we revisit our 2022 piece on the Fagradalsfjall eruption. Read the original here.…
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July 11, 2023 Police Drop Blood Mare Investigation
Icelandic police have dropped the investigation into the treatment of mares during blood extraction, Bændablaðið reports. The ill-treatment of mares…
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July 11, 2023 A Small Eruption That May Last Long
The eruption that began on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula yesterday has already decreased in intensity. This is the third eruption on…
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July 10, 2023 Eruption Begun on Reykjanes Peninsula
A volcanic eruption began on the Reykjanes peninsula today at 4:40 PM. Smoke is rising from the slopes of Litli…
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July 10, 2023 Extensive Hybridization Between Farmed and Wild Fish Stocks
A recent report from the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute indicates that hybridization between local fish stocks and farmed fish…
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July 10, 2023 Icelandair Must Reimburse Passenger for Legroom
In a June decision by the Norwegian Transportation Authority, Icelandair is obligated to reimburse a passenger for legroom that he…
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July 10, 2023 M5.2 Earthquake Rocks Capital Area
An M5.2 earthquake was recorded at 10:23 pm last night, July 9. It was the largest earthquake yet since seismic…
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July 10, 2023 Three Dead in East Iceland Plane Crash
Three died last night, July 9, in a plane crash southwest of Egilsstaðir. First responders in East Iceland were called…
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July 7, 2023 Coastal Fishermen Disappointed, Angry with Minister’s Decision
Coastal fishermen are disappointed with the decision of the Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries not to increase this year’s…
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July 7, 2023 Shallower Quakes, Seismic Activity Similar to 2022 Eruption
New data shows that magma has accumulated at less than one kilometre below the surface in the area between the…
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July 7, 2023 Deep North Episode 33: Give a Man a Fish
It’s just after six in the morning and Guðmundur Geirdal is pouring his first cup of coffee. It’s spring, so…
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July 7, 2023 Icelandair’s Airbus Order Largest Transaction in Airline’s History
Icelandair has signed an agreement with Airbus for the purchase of 13 A321XLR aircraft with purchase rights for additional 12…
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July 6, 2023 Lindarhvoll Report Published
The 2018 report prepared by the state auditor, Sigurður Þórðarson, on the Lindarhvoll case has been published on the Pirate…
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July 6, 2023 Icelandair June Flights Up 20% From Last Year
Icelandair saw 519,000 passengers in June of 2023. This figure represents a 20% increase over June of last year, when…
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July 6, 2023 Fagradalsfjall Update: Quakes Continue, Eruption Likely
Note that this is a developing situation. Visitors and residents alike are advised to avoid the active area. Since significant…
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July 6, 2023 Reindeer Season to Continue as Normal
Despite recommendations by the Animal Welfare Advisory Board to delay the 2023 reindeer hunting season, Vísir reports that the season…
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July 5, 2023 Vesturport to Produce TV Show on President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir
The government has approved an ISK 5 million [$36,000 / €34,000] grant for the production of a TV show revolving…
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July 5, 2023 Suspect in Laugavegur Stabbing Remains at Large
The suspect behind a Laugavegur stabbing on Monday night remains at large. The victim of the attack sustained serious injuries,…
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July 5, 2023 Tourists Escape from Burning Bus Near Lake Þingvallavatn
A bus carrying 25 tourists caught fire near Lake Þingvallavatn yesterday. A firefighter told RÚV that the bus was almost…
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July 5, 2023 Over 1,200 Earthquakes in Reykjanes, Eruption “a Possibility”
Over 1,200 earthquakes have been recorded at Fagradalsfjall on the Reykjanes peninsula since 10 PM yesterday. Scientists from the Icelandic…
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July 4, 2023 Support for Government Never Lower
Iceland’s current government has never had less support among the public since it took office in November 2021, according to…
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July 4, 2023 Tjarnarbíó Theatre Will Not Have to Close This Fall
Reykjavík’s leading independent theatre space Tjarnarbíó will remain open this fall thanks to the promise of additional funding from the…
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July 4, 2023 Magma Likely Collecting Under Reykjanes Again
Increasing uplift (land rise) has been measured on the Reykjanes peninsula since the beginning of April, a sign that magma…
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July 3, 2023 Icelanders Get Angry Over “Grandparent”
The National Queer Organisation of Iceland (Samtökin ’78) is asking the public to help it coin new Icelandic words to…
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July 3, 2023 Third Executive to Leave Íslandsbanki Since Last Week
Atli Rafn Björnsson, director of business consulting at Íslandsbanki bank has left his position at the bank, RÚV reports. He…
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July 3, 2023 Gas Pollution and Water Level Rise Near Mýrdalsjökull Glacier
Hot water is flowing out from the geothermal system underneath Mýrdalsjökull glacier in South Iceland and conductivity remains high. Activity…
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July 3, 2023 Iceland’s Popularity Grows – Among Walruses
No fewer than four walruses have wandered over to Iceland so far this year. Walruses are not native to the…
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July 1, 2023 Gylfi Sigurðsson Will Not Sue for Damages, Attorney Says
Footballer Gylfi Sigurðsson has decided not to sue for damages against the British authorities in connection with a prolonged criminal…
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June 30, 2023 Árni Magnússon Institute Receives ISK 200 Million Grant
The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies has received a grant of ISK 200 million [$1.5 million / €1.3 million]…
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June 30, 2023 Deep North Episode 32: Pooling Together
We take a look at Iceland's pool culture and discuss filmmaker Jón Karl Helgason's recent documentary Sundlaugasögur (Swimming Pool Stories).…
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June 30, 2023 4.4 Magnitude Earthquake in Mýrdalsjökull Glacier Last Night
A swarm of earthquakes struck South Iceland’s Mýrdalsjökull glacier last night. No evidence of volcanic activity has been found, a…
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June 30, 2023 New Íslandsbanki CEO Aims to Restore Trust: “Challenging Times”
The new CEO of Íslandsbanki, Jón Guðni Ómarsson, has stated that his priority is to restore trust in the bank.…
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June 29, 2023 House Destroyed in Fire Caused by Electric Scooter
A house in eastern Reykjavík was completed destroyed in a fire caused by an electric scooter that was being charged,…
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June 29, 2023 More Housing for Sale and Slower Turnover Rate
The number of apartments and houses for sale in Iceland continues to grow, particularly due to a longer turnover rate…
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June 29, 2023 Coastal Fishermen Face Shortest Season Ever if Quota is Not Increased
Iceland’s Association of Small Boat Owners (Landssamband smábátaeiganda) has sent a formal request to the Minister of Fisheries calling on…
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June 28, 2023 Halli Aims to “Ramp Up” Europe – Beginning in Paris
Entrepreneur Haraldur Ingi Þorleifsson plans to build wheelchair ramps across Europe – beginning in Paris. According to a Tweet yesterday,…
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June 28, 2023 Annual Inflation Rate Dips Below 9% for the First Time in 12 Months
The annual inflation rate currently sits at 8.9%, marking the first time that it falls below 9% in 12 months,…
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June 28, 2023 Whaling Suspension Inauspicious for Coalition Partnership
In a panel discussion on Vísir yesterday, Finance Minister Bjarni Benediktsson stated that the temporary ban on whaling was inauspicious…
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June 28, 2023 Birna Einarsdóttir, CEO of Íslandsbanki, Resigns
In a press release sent to the media last night, Birna Einarsdóttir announced her decision to step down as the…
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June 27, 2023 One in Four Preschool Children Has Foreign Background
Of the nearly 20,000 children attending preschools in Iceland, 26% have a foreign background. This includes children who were born…
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June 27, 2023 Man Recovering After Stabbing in Downtown Reykjavík
A man in his twenties was stabbed with a knife in downtown Reykjavík yesterday evening behind a building on Austurvöllur…
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June 26, 2023 Combustible Waste to Be Sent to Sweden
The management of SORPA has entered into negotiations with Stena Recycling AB regarding the reception of combustible waste from the…
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June 26, 2023 Nordic and Canadian Delegates Meet in Westman Islands
Prime Ministers and delegates of the Nordic countries and Canada arrived in Vestmannaeyjar yesterday, June 25. The annual summer meeting…
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June 26, 2023 Agreement Reached Between Central Bank and Íslandsbanki
In a statement published this morning by the Central Bank of Iceland, an agreement has been reached to conclude the…
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June 23, 2023 Íslandsbanki to Pay ISK 1.2 Billion in Fines
Íslandsbanki has admitted to not fully adhering to proper and sound business practices and procedures in securities trading due to…
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June 23, 2023 Full House for Meeting on Whaling Decision
Members of the Independence Party and the Progressive Party demanded at a town hall meeting in Akranes last night, June…
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June 23, 2023 Reykjavík City Pond to Get Four More Islands
The Reykjavik City Planning and Environmental Council introduced proposed changes to the Reykjavík City Pond (Tjörnin) yesterday, June 22, which…
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June 22, 2023 Bus Ticket Prices Rise in July
Strætó public bus service is raising single fares by 3.6% and the price of passes by 3.3% as of July…
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June 22, 2023 Sea Ice Unusually Close to North Iceland Coast
The Coast Guard flight yesterday discovered plenty of sea ice unusually close to Iceland’s northern coastline, which could pose a…
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June 22, 2023 Protest Job Loss Due to Whaling Ban
Local councils in West Iceland are urging the Minister of Fisheries to lift the ban on whaling implemented just one…
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June 22, 2023 Deep North Episode 31: Wrecked
Djúpalónssandur is a popular black sand beach on the Snæfellsnes peninsula of West Iceland. But where today tourists snap pictures…
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June 21, 2023 Iceland Must Tackle Inflation and Make the Most of Immigration
Iceland’s economy is currently one of the fastest growing in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Foreign tourism…
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June 20, 2023 Strætó Bus Service Transitions Fully to KLAPP App
Strætó, the Reykjavík capital area public bus service, will close its old app on July 1 and fully transition to…
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June 20, 2023 No Whaling This Summer: Minister Halts Fin Whale Hunting
Svandís Svavarsdóttir, the Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries, has decided to temporarily halt the hunting of fin whales until…
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June 20, 2023 Homicide Rate in Iceland Not Increasing, Criminologist Explains
Despite the number of homicide cases exceeding the annual average over the past four years, the murder rate in Iceland…
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June 20, 2023 Cristiano Ronaldo: “Iceland Have a Very Good Team”
The men’s national football team of Portugal trained at the Laugardalsvöllur stadium last night, in preparation for tonight’s game against…
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June 19, 2023 Björk Awarded Honorary Degree by Iceland University of the Arts
Icelandic artist Björk was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Iceland University of the Arts during a graduation ceremony at…
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June 19, 2023 New Daycare Providers to Receive ISK 1 Million in Start-Up Funding
Reykjavík’s City Council recently passed a proposal stipulating that new daycare providers receive a startup grant of ISK 1 million…
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June 19, 2023 Gerður
Sunna Dís Másdóttir is a member of the Impostor Poets, a women’s poetry collective, with whom she has published the…
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June 19, 2023 Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir Succeeds Jón Gunnarsson as Justice Minister
Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir officially succeeded Jón Gunnarsson as Minister of Justice at a state council meeting this morning. At a press…
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June 19, 2023 Co-Tenant Arrested in Hafnarfjörður Murder Case
The man found dead in an industrial area in Hafnarfjörður on Saturday morning is believed to have died from stab…
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June 16, 2023 How long does it take to walk around Iceland?
The first thing we have to say: don't plan on doing this! Iceland has plenty of beautiful hiking areas, and…
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June 16, 2023 Temporary Licence for Hvalur Whaling Company Extended
On Wednesday, the West Iceland Healthcare Committee (i.e. Heilbrigðisnefnd Vesturlands) agreed to renew the temporary operating licence of the whaling…
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June 16, 2023 Board of Appeal Revokes Permit for Hvammsvirkjun Hydropower Plant
The Environmental and Natural Resources Board of Appeal has revoked the permit of the Hvammsvirkjun hydropower plant, RÚV reports. Landsvirkjun,…
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June 16, 2023 Íslandsbanki: Inflation to Dip Below 8% By Year’s End
Iceland’s three big commercial banks predict inflation to subside over the coming months, RÚV reports. Íslandsbanki predicts that the annual…
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June 16, 2023 Deep North Episode 30: Sparsity Blues
It’s Saturday night – and it’s feckin’ freezing. Seven below. Even inside the Egilshöll stadium, my fingers feel like popsicles.…
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June 16, 2023 Helicopter, Drones Searched for 9-Year-Old Boy – Later Found Sound Asleep in Friend’s Bed
An extensive search was carried out on the night before Thursday for a nine-year-old boy who was believed to have…
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June 15, 2023 2023 May Be a Record Year for the Icelandic Tourism Industry
The CEO of the Icelandic Travel Industry Association says 2023 could be a bigger year for tourism than the record…
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June 15, 2023 Stone Carved With Viking Ship May Be Oldest Picture Ever Found in Iceland
Archaeologists in Iceland have found a sandstone carved with a Viking ship that may be the oldest picture ever found…
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June 15, 2023 Delay Issuing Permit for Hydropower Plant
A local council in South Iceland has postponed issuing a permit for the construction of a large hydropower plant on…
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June 14, 2023 Tjarnarbíó Theatre to “Shut Up Shop” Without Increased Funding
In an interview with Vísir yesterday, Sara Martí Guðmundsdóttir, Director of the Tjarnarbíó theatre in downtown Reykjavík, stated that despite…
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June 14, 2023 “Icelandic as a Second Language” University’s Most Popular Subject
The University of Iceland received nearly 9,500 applications for undergraduate and graduate programmes for the 2023-24 school year. This is…
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June 14, 2023 Transport Plan: Single-Lane Bridges to Be Eliminated
At a press conference yesterday, the Minister of Infrastructure unveiled his new transport plan. The plan aims to eliminate single-lane…
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June 14, 2023 Iceland’s President Seeks Owner of Lost Keys on Facebook Group
The president of Iceland found a set of keys while jogging yesterday and posted a message on a local Facebook…
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June 13, 2023 Bitcoin Mining a Growing “Waste of Energy” in Iceland
Neither Icelandic authorities nor data centres in Iceland will reveal how much energy is used to mine Bitcoin or other…
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June 13, 2023 Russian Foreign Ministry Responds to Iceland’s Embassy Closure
Iceland’s decision to suspend operations in its Moscow embassy “destroys” the countries’ bilateral operations, Russia’s Foreign Ministry has stated according…
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June 13, 2023 Blue Lagoon Restaurant Awarded Michelin Star
Moss, the restaurant at Iceland’s popular attraction the Blue Lagoon, was awarded a Michelin star in Turku, Finland yesterday. The…
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June 13, 2023 Ambiguity on If, When, and How Ministers Will Be Shuffled
When Icleand’s current government took power in November 2021, Minister of Finance Bjarni Benediktsson stated that Guðrún Hafsteinsdóttir would take…
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June 12, 2023 Progress Made on New Þorskafjörður Bridge
Significant progress has been made on the new Þorskafjörður bridge since construction began on the project some two years ago.…
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June 12, 2023 American Investor Pays ISK 27 Million for Replica Chessboard
American investor and chess player Noah Siegel paid some ISK 27 million [$195,000; €181,000] for a chessboard he believed to…
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June 12, 2023 Wear a Costume, Get Free Entrance to Heritage Museum on June 17
Residents and tourists alike will be able to get free entrance to the Árbær Open Air Heritage Museum on June…
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June 12, 2023 First Cocoa Bean Grown in Iceland
The first cocoa beans ever grown in Iceland were recently harvested at the Gardening School of Reykir, making the dream…
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June 9, 2023 Request Explanation of Weapons Purchased for Council of Europe Summit
The institute responsible for overseeing state purchases in Iceland wants the Police Commissioner to tally and justify the purchase of…
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June 9, 2023 More Cod, Haddock, and Herring in 2023-2024 Fishing Season
Iceland’s Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (MFRI) has released advice on fishing opportunities for over 20 fish and invertebrate stocks…
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June 9, 2023 Iceland to Close Embassy in Moscow
The embassy of Iceland in Moscow will be shut down on August 1, according to a press release from Iceland’s…
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June 9, 2023 Don’t Feed Birds Bread in Summer, Says City of Reykjavík
Giving bread to ducklings on Reykjavík Pond could turn them into seagulls’ dinner, according to a notice from the City…
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June 9, 2023 Deep North Episode 29: Home Cook
The ferry ride is only about half an hour on most days and is generally a perfectly pleasant experience. Even…
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June 8, 2023 Insecticide – With a Buzz
According to data from the Directorate of Health, 34.2% of Icelanders between the ages of 18 and 69 smoked cigarettes…
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June 8, 2023 Rainbow on Skólavörðurstígur to Be Made Permanent
The popular rainbow on Skólavörðustígur street in central Reykjavík, a symbol of the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights, will now become…
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June 8, 2023 Website for Comparing Grocery Prices Launches in Iceland
A new website where consumers can compare the prices of food items in three major grocery chains in Iceland has…
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June 8, 2023 A Matter of State
It’s a cold spring day in Reykjavík and winds buffet optimistic tourists in flip-flops. Above, the sky hangs low, an…
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June 8, 2023 Icelandic State Must Pay Compensation for Misallocating Quota
The Icelandic state must compensate seafood companies Vinnslustöðin and Huginn due to the misallocation of mackerel quota from 2011 to…
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June 7, 2023 Give a Man a Fish
It’s just after six in the morning and Guðmundur Geirdal is pouring his first cup of coffee. It’s spring, so…
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June 7, 2023 Walrus Follows Man to Work in Iceland
An employee of Iceland’s Marine and Freshwater Research Institute had an unusual commute to work this morning. Jón Sólmundsson was…
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June 7, 2023 Pooling Together
The ideal Icelandic hot tub, which takes the shape of a circle, finds its prototype in Reykholt, West Iceland. It’s…
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June 7, 2023 Parents to Association of Local Authorities: “Negotiate Now”
Parents affected by the ongoing BSRB strikes organised a protest at the headquarters of the Icelandic Association of Local Authorities…
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June 7, 2023 Parliamentary Resolution on the Icelandic Language Introduced
The Icelandic government has published a parliamentary resolution, consisting of 18 actions formulated by five ministries, to protect and bolster…
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June 7, 2023 Open Books
The Arnamagnæan Manuscript Collection, located at two institutions in Iceland and Denmark, is on UNESCO’s Memory of the World register. It…
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June 7, 2023 Lone Hiker Rescued Near Þakgil, South Iceland
Emergency responders received a distress call from a trapped tourist who had deviated from the trail near Þakgil, South Iceland.…
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June 7, 2023 Milk Cartons to Be Recycled in Sweden
After an investigative report revealed that recyclable milk cartons from Iceland were being shipped to a cement factory in Europe…
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June 6, 2023 Of Ashes and Evergreens
We come to the windswept, barren highland for solitude. To be alone, away from it all. The immense openness of…
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June 6, 2023 Hareide Makes Seven Changes to Men’s National Football Squad
Åge Hareide, head coach of the men’s national football team, has announced his squad for the upcoming matches in the…
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June 6, 2023 What kind of radio stations are there in Iceland?
We might get most of our talk shows and music through podcasts and streaming services these days, but for foreign…
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June 6, 2023 Talks Remain at a Standstill Following Today’s Meeting
The meeting of the negotiation committees of BSRB and the Icelandic Association of Local Authorities (SÍS) at the state mediator’s…
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June 6, 2023 Government Measures to Counter Inflation Introduced
In a press conference yesterday, the government introduced its strategy to address inflation. The proposed plan involves a combination of…
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June 6, 2023 Háskólabíó Theatre Shuttered After 60 Years of Operations
The more than 60-year history of film screenings in Háskólabíó, i.e. the University Movie Theatre, will end at the end…
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June 5, 2023 More than 4,000 Apartments Needed to Meet Housing Demand
According to the latest report of the Confederation of Icelandic Industries, it is expected that in the next three years,…
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June 5, 2023 With Rising Life Expectancy, Pension Benefits Lowered by 10%
As of July 1st, the Pension Fund for Icelandic State Employees (LSR) will lower its benefits by approximately 10%. In…
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June 5, 2023 36 Pools Closed Due to Strikes
Pools across Iceland are being forced to close in the wake of strikes by BSRB. On May 15, BSRB, Iceland’s…
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June 5, 2023 Milk Cartons Sent Abroad for Incineration, Not Recycled Domestically
Under a new recycling law introduced last year, Icelanders are now required to sort recyclables into more bins than before,…
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June 2, 2023 The Garden Past the Monsters
Rain and birdsong, friends’ voices chatting and laughing, woodwinds, breathy strings, muted piano, the strumming of an acoustic guitar. That’s…
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June 2, 2023 Emmsjé Gauti Releases 2023 National Festival Song
Icelandic musician Emmsjé Gauti was recruited to compose the official song for this year’s National Festival, held annually in the…
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June 2, 2023 Opioid Crisis: Over 1,730 Doses of Naloxone Distributed
A procedural change to the delivery of naloxone, a medication used to reverse or reduce the effects of opioids, has…
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June 2, 2023 In Focus: Police Powers
Regularly ranked as one of the most peaceful places in the world, Reykjavík visitors were greeted by rather unusual sights…
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June 2, 2023 EFTA Surveillance Authority to Investigate Whaling in Iceland
The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) – which monitors compliance with European Economic Area rules in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway –…
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June 2, 2023 New Car Sales Rise Despite High Interest Rates, Inflation
The sale of new cars rose during the month of May when compared to sales during the same month last…
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June 2, 2023 Deep North Episode 28: A Matter of State
It’s a cold spring day in Reykjavík and winds buffet hopeful tourists in flip-flops. Above, the sky hangs low, an…
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June 1, 2023 Real Estate Value Rises 11.7% in Iceland
The total valuation of all real estate in Iceland has risen by 11.7% year-on-year, according to next year’s real estate…
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June 1, 2023 Glódís Perla Among Top 10 Footballers in Europe
Icelander Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir has been ranked the tenth-best footballer in Europe by football news outlet goal.com. The ranking described…
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June 1, 2023 On the Edge of Glory
By the start of Iceland’s latest basketball season, the northerners of Tindastóll, from Sauðárkrókur (pop. 2,612), had made it to…
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June 1, 2023 Widespread Bird Deaths in West and South Iceland
Locals have reported dead puffins and kittiwakes in the dozens and even hundreds in recent weeks, RÚV reports. Such deaths…
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May 31, 2023 Björk to Participate in Anti-Whaling Protest This Saturday
Icelandic musician Björk will participate in an anti-whaling protest in Reykjavík on Saturday, June 3. The organisers of the event…
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May 31, 2023 Sun While It Lasted: May Among “Gloomiest” Months on Record
This year’s month of May is in contention to break a more than 70-year-old record for the fewest hours of…
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May 31, 2023 “Vulgar, Galvanised Monstrosity” Vexes Breiðholt Residents
The residents of Breiðholt are unhappy with a steel staircase that has been erected between the upper and lower area…
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May 31, 2023 Majority of Surveyed Advertisers Want RÚV to Stay on Ad Market
A recent study conducted by the Bifröst University examined the attitudes of large advertisers towards RÚV’s presence in the advertising…
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May 30, 2023 Cabinet to Receive 6% Raise Amid Inflation and Interest Hikes
Iceland’s government ministers and top officials are set to receive a 6-6.3% raise from July 1, RÚV reports. Union leaders…
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May 30, 2023 Preschool Staff on Strike in 11 Municipalities
Staff at 60 preschools in 11 municipalities went on strike today as negotiations between BSRB, the Federation of Public Worker…
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May 30, 2023 Kerlingarfjöll Construction Project One of Largest Ever in Highlands
The tourist facilities at Kerlingarfjöll in Iceland’s Highland are receiving an overhaul these days to the tune of ISK 2-3…
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May 26, 2023 Strikes Likely to Force Closure of Swimming Pools This Weekend
Strikes by members of the BSRB union who are employed by swimming pools will most likely force the closure of…
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May 26, 2023 Uncertainty Regarding Winter Mooring of Whaling Ships
Reykjavík’s City Council recently agreed to entrust the board of Associated Icelandic Ports (AIP) to find another place for the…
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May 26, 2023 Yellow Weather Alerts in Most of Iceland Tonight and Tomorrow
Yellow weather alerts will be in place in North Iceland, East Iceland, Southeast Iceland, and the Central Highlands tonight and…
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May 26, 2023 Deep North Episode 27: Man of the People
Gísli Einarsson must rank as one of Iceland’s most prolific television producers. When afforded the opportunity of stepping behind the…
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May 26, 2023 Amendment Aims to Increase Reporting on Domestic Abuse
Health Minister Willum Þórs Þórsson’s bill to amend the Healthcare Practitioners Act has been approved by Parliament. The amendment clarifies…
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May 25, 2023 easyJet to Fly Direct to Akureyri this Winter
One of Europe’s largest airlines, easyJet, will operate direct flights between Akureyri, North Iceland and London, from October 31 of…
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May 25, 2023 Iceland’s President and First Lady to Visit Canada
Iceland’s President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson and First Lady Eliza Reid will be on an official visit to Canada May 29…
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May 25, 2023 Why is Iceland called Iceland?
A popular story about the settlement of Iceland goes like this: to attract settlers to their new colony in Greenland,…
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May 24, 2023 Union Leaders Express Alarm at Central Bank’s Interest-Rate Hike
The Central Bank’s decision this morning to raise key interest rates by 1.25% has sparked a strong response from union…
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May 24, 2023 Snorri Steinn Reportedly Hired as Coach of National Handball Team
Snorri Steinn Guðjónsson has reportedly reach an agreement with the Icelandic Handball Association (HSÍ) to become the head coach of…
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May 24, 2023 Police to Keep Firearms from Council of Europe Summit
Minister of Justice Jón Gunnarsson has stated that the firearms bought for the Council of Europe Summit last week will…
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May 24, 2023 Central Bank Raises Key Interest Rates by 1.25%
The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Iceland raised the policy rate this morning by 1.25%. This is…
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May 23, 2023 Elfa Rún Kristinsdóttir and Sigur Rós Nominated for 2023 Nordic Council Music Prize
Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós and violinist Elfa Rút Kristinsdóttir are among the 13 artists, groups, and ensembles nominated for…
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May 23, 2023 Yellow Weather Warning for Much of Nation
Yellow weather warnings are in effect for all of Iceland except the East Fjords today and tomorrow, May 23-24. Residents…
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May 23, 2023 “No Legislative Means” to Stop Whaling this Summer
Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries Svandís Svavarsdóttir stated in a meeting with a parliamentary committee this morning that she…
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May 23, 2023 Residential Survey on Downtown Selfoss
Last week, the Árborg Municipal Council approved a public consultation regarding a proposed change to the zoning plan in downtown…
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May 22, 2023 Excavation Underway at the Árbær Open Air Museum
Archaeological excavations are currently underway at the Árbær Open Air Museum in Reykjavík. As noted in a press release, the…
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May 22, 2023 Further Strike Action by BSRB Members Begins Today
Further strike action by members of BSRB began today. A week has passed since preschool and primary school workers went…
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May 22, 2023 Record Number of Reports to Child Protection Services
The first three months of the year have seen a record number of reports to Reykjavík Child Protection Services (CPS).…
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May 22, 2023 Puffin Population Declining More Rapidly than Previously Believed
The Icelandic puffin population has shrunk by 70% in the last thirty years. The Managing Director of the Icelandic Travel…
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May 19, 2023 Wages Have Risen too Sharply, Finance Minister Observes
Bjarni Benediktsson, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, believes there are indications that many Icelandic companies are struggling to…
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May 19, 2023 Tindastóll Wins Its First Ever Men’s Basketball Championship
Tindastóll celebrated a historic victory yesterday as they secured their first-ever men’s basketball championship. In a nail-biting showdown during game…
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May 19, 2023 Deep North Episode 26: To the Manor Born
The observant visitor to Reykjavík may be justified in raising their eyebrows at Barónstígur (Baron's Way), a street in downtown…
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May 19, 2023 Icelandic Film Industry Sees 80% Growth in Ten Years
The operating revenue of the Icelandic film industry has grown by 80% over the past ten years. “A giant leap…
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May 19, 2023 Icelandair Begins Scheduled Flights to Detroit
Yesterday, Icelandair inaugurated its scheduled flight service to Detroit, Michigan. The airline plans to offer seasonal service to Detroit four…
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May 17, 2023 Ukrainian War-Damages Registry Approved at Reykjavík Summit
During the Reykjavík Summit of the Council of Europe this morning, European leaders signed an agreement to establish a “Register…
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May 17, 2023 Zelenskyy to European Council: “Is There Anything We Can’t Do?”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, delivered a remote address at the Reykjavík Summit of the European Council yesterday. After…
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May 17, 2023 “Godfather of Icelandic Opera,” Garðar Cortes, Passes Away
Garðar Cortes, sometimes referred to as “the godfather of Icelandic opera,” passed away Sunday at the age of 82. Among…
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May 16, 2023 Iceland’s Free Emissions Allowances Extended Until 2026
At a press conference yesterday, PM Katrín Jakobsdóttir and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced that…
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May 16, 2023 Obstructing Media Coverage of Deportation Was “Misunderstanding”
Minister of Justice Jón Gunnarsson says that the most likely explanation for Keflavík Airport staff obstructing journalists during a deportation…
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May 16, 2023 Cyberattacks on Icelandic State Institutions
Update: Pro-Russian hacker group NoName057 has claimed responsibility for the cyberattacks on Icelandic sites. The website of Iceland’s Parliament, Alþingi,…
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May 16, 2023 Bat Found in Kópavogur
A bat was found in Kópavogur, in the Reykjavík capital area, last week, RÚV reports. It was quite weak when…
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May 15, 2023 1,000 BSRB Members on Strike in Preschools, Primary Schools
BSRB has begun its strike actions today as part of its ongoing negotiations with the Icelandic Association of Local Authorities…
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May 15, 2023 Iceland Donates Field Hospital to Ukraine
Representatives in Alþingi have proposed a resolution to authorise the Foreign Minister to secure the purchase of a mobile emergency…
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May 15, 2023 High Demand for Chicks
The demand for chicks is especially high at the moment, reports Vísir. The high demand has led to some business…
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May 15, 2023 City Planners Let Parks Grow Wild
Plans to reduce maintenance of certain green areas have proven successful, reports the City of Reykjavík. Þórólfur Jónsson, the director…
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May 12, 2023 BSRB Strike Action to Begin Monday
Strikes by members of the BSRB union are set to begin on Monday. A meeting between BSRB representatives and the…
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May 12, 2023 Farmers Benefit from a Record Increase in Wool Prices
The board of Ístex has decided to raise the price at which it purchases wool from farmers by an average…
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May 12, 2023 People with Disabilities Spend Years on Waiting Lists for Housing
Individuals with disabilities are often stuck on waiting lists for housing from municipalities for years on end, with little or…
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May 12, 2023 Power Outage: Diljá Not Among Finalists at 2023 Eurovision
The second qualifying round of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest took place in Liverpool yesterday. Diljá Pétursdóttir, Iceland’s representative at…
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May 12, 2023 Deep North Episode 25: Good Breeding
This April, sheep at Bergsstaðir farm in Northwest Iceland were diagnosed with the fatal degenerative disease known as scrapie. In…
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May 11, 2023 First Comprehensive Music Policy Approved by Alþingi
Alþingi has approved the Ministry of Culture and Trade's bill on music, the first comprehensive policy on the matter in…
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May 11, 2023 Swedish Real Estate Company, Heimstaden, to Sell 1,700 Properties
Swedish Real Estate Company, Heimstaden, is set to sell 1,700 properties as it prepares to exit the Icelandic market. RÚV…
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May 11, 2023 Delays to and from Keflavík Airport Next Week
Travellers are recommended to expect delays to and from Keflavík Airport next week due to the Council of Europe Summit…
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May 11, 2023 Where can I find antiques and collectables from Iceland?
From old books to chess memorabilia, stamps, art, and more, there are plenty of interesting things from Iceland to be…
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May 10, 2023 deCODE genetics to Join Efforts to Eradicate Scrapie
The biopharmaceutical company that helped Iceland process COVID tests throughout the pandemic is now set to join another important project:…
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May 10, 2023 Avian Flu Diagnosed, Risk of Poultry Infection “Considerable”
A case of the avian flu has been diagnosed in a mallard discovered in Garðabær. The risk of infection from…
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May 10, 2023 Two Members of Pussy Riot to Receive Icelandic Citizenship
Maria Alyokhina and Lucy Shtein, members of the performance and activist group Pussy Riot, are among the 18 individuals that…
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May 9, 2023 Where is Iceland?
Iceland is a North Atlantic island nation located between Greenland and Norway. The country is situated at the juncture of…
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May 9, 2023 Dairy Price Hikes Spark Discussion on Industry Structure
The price of dairy products has risen 16% over the past year, well above inflation rates. At the same time,…
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May 9, 2023 Whaling Crew Sues Over Video Recordings
Two crew members on a whaling ship operated by Iceland’s only active whaling company have sued the Icelandic Food and…
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May 9, 2023 Whaling Licence Cannot Be Withdrawn, Says Minister
Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries Svandís Svavarsdóttir told RÚV it’s not possible to halt whaling this season, despite a…
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May 8, 2023 Minister of Justice Calls for Increased Funding to Prison System
Minister of Justice, Jón Gunnarsson, has stated the need for further public funding of the prison system. Vísir reports. According…
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May 8, 2023 Whaling Not in Line with Animal Welfare, Report Finds
The much-awaited report on the 2022 fin whale season has been released by The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST).…
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May 8, 2023 Outlook Improves for Guðmundur Felix
Following four surgeries in the past week, Guðmundur Felix's infections show signs of lessening. The operations seem to be cause…
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May 8, 2023 Most Fishing Permits for Summer Sold Out
Fishing permits for the majority of Iceland's salmon rivers have already been sold out, according to Jón Helgi Björnsson, chairperson…
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May 5, 2023 Bombay Bicycle Club, 30 Other Acts, Added to Airwaves Lineup
Over fifty artists have been announced for this year’s Iceland Airwaves music festival. Among the bands that will be performing…
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May 5, 2023 All Quiet on the Katla Glacier Following Yesterday’s Quakes
No significant earthquakes were registered in the vicinity of the Katla caldera last night. A natural hazards expert at the…
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May 5, 2023 Suspect Detained in Connection With Selfoss Death Released
The police in South Iceland have released one of the two men arrested in connection with the death of a…
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May 5, 2023 Deep North Episode 24: Velvet Terrorism
Visiting the exhibition Velvet Terrorism: Pussy Riot’s Russia, you enter a dark room. You are pleasantly greeted by a man…
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May 5, 2023 Björk Announces Cancellation of Reykjavík Concert Series
Björk’s advertised concert series in Reykjavík in June has been cancelled due to production problems. All concertgoers will have their…
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May 4, 2023 April Warmer and Sunnier than Average in Iceland
Last month was the seventh-warmest April on record in Reykjavík, according to the latest figures from the Icelandic Met Office.…
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May 4, 2023 Three Earthquakes Over M4 at Katla Volcano
The aviation colour code above Katla volcano in South Iceland has been raised to yellow following an earthquake swarm at…
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May 4, 2023 What is Iceland doing about blood farms?
Since the 1980s, Icelandic horse farmers have been extracting the hormone Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (eCG) from their pregnant mares to…
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May 4, 2023 Sale of Green Energy Credits from Iceland Suspended
AIB, the European company responsible for an energy certification system for power companies in the region, has suspended the sale…
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May 3, 2023 Hafnarfjörður Fire: Police Still Searching for Four Youths
The police in Hafnarfjörður are still looking for four youths in connection with the fire in Hafnarfjörður on Monday, RÚV…
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May 3, 2023 Minister of Justice: Iceland Not Exempt from Russian Espionage
The Minister of Justice says there is “no reason to believe that the Russians, and other dictatorial nations, are not…
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May 3, 2023 From the Archive: The Ancient Art of Glíma
From the archive: In this 1999 article from Iceland Review, Jón Ívarson delves into the history of Icelandic wrestling. Note…
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May 3, 2023 Increased Support for Vulnerable Youth on the Labour Market
The Minister of Social Affairs and the Labour Market has signed a declaration of intent for increased individualised support for…
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May 3, 2023 Zelenskyy to Meet with Nordic Leaders in Helsinki
Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy will be present at a one-day Nordic Summit in Helsinki today. During the summit, Zelenskyy will…
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May 2, 2023 Venezuelan Asylum Seekers Challenge Directorate of Immigration Rulings
Some 2,000 people from Venezuela have applied for asylum in Iceland since the beginning of last year. Last summer,…
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May 2, 2023 Guðmundur Felix May Lose His Arms A Second Time
Guðmundur Felix, an Icelander famous for being the recipient of one of the world's first-ever double arm transplants, may be…
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May 2, 2023 Warehouse Fire in Hafnarfjörður
It took firefighters around six hours to put out a fire that started at a Hafnarfjörður warehouse last night in…
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May 2, 2023 In Focus: Opioid Crisis
In April of this year, National Broadcaster RÚV reported that social media had “been abuzz with rumours” concerning the inordinate…
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April 28, 2023 Governor Has Faith in the Banks’ Sense of “Social Responsibility”
A conversation has taken place between Iceland’s Central Bank and managers of the country’s commercial banks, the Governor of the…
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April 28, 2023 Men’s Handball Team Defeats Israel to Qualify for Euro 2024
The men’s national handball team defeated Israel in Tel Aviv yesterday. The victory means that Iceland has qualified for the…
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April 28, 2023 Two Men Detained Following Death of Young Woman in Selfoss
A woman in her twenties was found dead at a private residence in Selfoss yesterday. Two men, also in their…
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April 28, 2023 Deep North Episode 23: The Wonderer
Júníus Meyvant is always impersonating other people, and all the people he impersonates are always yelling. His father when he,…
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April 27, 2023 10,000 Tonnes of Cod to Coastal Fishing Pool
Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries Svandís Svavarsdóttir has signed a new regulation on coastal fishing allocating 10,000 tonnes of…
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April 27, 2023 Surprise “Spring Snow” in Reykjavík
Capital area residents in Iceland opened their eyes this morning to a blanket of white outside their window. Snow began…
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April 27, 2023 First US Navy Submarine Service Stop in Icelandic Waters
The American nuclear-powered submarine USS San Juan visited Iceland yesterday for a brief service stop in the waters outside of…
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April 27, 2023 Icelandic Fish Beer a Hit at Seafood Expo Global
A beer made with Icelandic capelin roe, or masago, was a hit at the Seafood Expo Global conference that took…
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April 26, 2023 Gylfi Sigurðsson “Welcome to Train” at Old Stomping Ground
Footballer Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson is “welcome to train” at his old stomping ground at the football club FH, the club’s…
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April 26, 2023 Increased Financial Incentive for Voluntary Repatriation
The Ministry of Justice has submitted a draft amendment to the regulation concerning financial assistance for the voluntary repatriation of…
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April 26, 2023 2023 Could See a Record Number of Addiction-Related Deaths
The Medical Director of SÁÁ (National Centre of Addiction Medicine) fears that 2023 could see a record number of addiction-related…
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April 26, 2023 What is Iceland’s target for biofuels as a share of motor fuels by 2030?
A key aspect of Iceland's energy transition is exploring the uses of renewable energy in transportation. As can be seen…
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April 25, 2023 Confesses to Killing in Manslaughter Case
A girl who was released from custody last night in connection with the death of a 27-year-old man filmed the…
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April 25, 2023 Armed Plain-Clothes Police and Snipers in Reykjavík for Council of Europe Summit
The Council of Europe summit that will be held in Reykjavík, Iceland next month will not only bring European officials…
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April 25, 2023 Justice Minister Promises Additional Tightening of Asylum Seeker Regulations
Iceland’s Minister of Justice Jón Gunnarsson has proposed changes to regulations governing asylum seekers in Iceland that will be made…
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April 25, 2023 Man Dies in Ship Fire
A 49-year-old man died in a fire on a ship in Njarðvík harbour, in Southwest Iceland, last night. Vísir reports…
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April 24, 2023 Underage Manslaughter Suspects in Custody at Youth Rehab Centre
The three underage suspects in a manslaughter case that occurred last week are in custody at the youth rehab centre…
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April 24, 2023 Manslaughter Case Raises Concerns Among Immigrant Community
Experts in multiculturalism and members of Iceland’s largest immigrant community fear the implications of a case involving the stabbing and…
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April 24, 2023 Stranded Ship Will Be Towed to Hólmavík
The cargo ship Wilson Skaw, which stranded in Húnaflói Bay on April 18, will be towed to Hólmavík for temporary…
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April 24, 2023 12,000 Guests Visit New Centre for Icelandic Studies
The inauguration of the University of Iceland’s new Centre for Icelandic Studies last Thursday proved to be well-attended, with 12,000…
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April 21, 2023 Stranded Cargo Ship Refloated
The cargo ship Wilson Skaw was refloated around 9:00 this morning. The 113m-long cargo ship ran aground on April 19…
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April 21, 2023 Russian Trawler Suspected of Espionage
At least one of the 50 Russian ships suspected of conducting espionage in the legal waters of the Nordic countries…
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April 21, 2023 Icelandic Caviar to Hit Markets in Two Months
Icelandic caviar will be making its first entry into the market in two months. The caviar, produced by the Ólafsfjörður-based…
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April 21, 2023 Four Arrested Following Manslaughter in Hafnarfjörður
Four people, three of them under 18, are being detained by capital area police in connection to the death of…
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April 21, 2023 Deep North Episode 22: Full Circle
On January 1, 2023, a new set of laws regulating waste management and recycling came into effect. The regulations, called…
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April 19, 2023 Amendment Not Sufficient to Encourage Tuna Fishing
Efforts to encourage Icelandic fisheries to make use of Atlantic bluefin tuna catch quotas allotted to Iceland have yet to…
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April 19, 2023 Cargo Ship Stranded Off North Iceland
Cargo ship Wilson Skaw, 4000 tonnes and 113 m long, was stranded on Ennishöfði in Húnaflói Bay yesterday. The ship…
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April 18, 2023 Iceland Authorises US Submarines in Coastal Waters
US Navy nuclear-powered submarines will be allowed to stop close to Iceland and the first one is expected soon. Iceland’s…
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April 18, 2023 Primacy of EEA Rules Does Not Include Transfer of Legislative Power, Foreign Minister States
Minister Of Foreign Affairs Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir has presented a bill to Parliament ensuring the primacy of EEA rules…
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April 18, 2023 Einar Is Iceland’s New Glíma King Despite Injuries
Einar Eyþórsson became Iceland’s glíma king for the first time this weekend despite having injured his foot before the last…
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April 17, 2023 New Coach Speaks Out on the Case of Gylfi Þór
Åge Hareide, the newly appointed coach of the Icelandic men's national football team, has commented on the situation involving Gylfi…
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April 17, 2023 Åge Hareide New Head Coach of the Men’s National Football Team
Norwegian coach Åge Hareide has taken over as the head coach of the men’s national football team. Two weeks have…
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April 17, 2023 Changes to Payment Processing Over the Weekend Led to Overcharges
Updates to digital payment systems caused confusion over the weekend, when some consumers in Iceland were charged excessive amounts for…
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April 17, 2023 What’s in a Name: Forestry and Soil Conservation Agencies Debate New Title
The Environment and Transport Committee of Iceland's parliament has received a proposal for a new law on forestry and land…
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April 14, 2023 Net Profit
In 2021, when a lower capelin quota was issued in Iceland than had been anticipated, Landsbankinn bank lowered its GDP…
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April 14, 2023 Full Circle
Despite Iceland’s image as a leader in green technologies, per capita household waste has been steadily trending upwards in the…
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April 14, 2023 To the Manor Born
The story of the Baronof HvítárvellirA bright, mild, late-summer Sunday greeted the festive locals in the Borgarfjörður region of western…
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April 14, 2023 What is Iceland’s Energy Mix?
Of all stationary energy produced in Iceland, some 70% is hydroelectric and 30% is geothermal, with a negligible but growing…
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April 14, 2023 How did Barónstígur get its name? Was there ever nobility in Iceland?
Before Iceland lost its independence to Norway in the 13th century, the Icelandic Commonwealth (as the stateless society in Iceland…
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April 14, 2023 The Quiet Game
FICTION The Quiet Game by Halla Þórlaug Óskarsdóttir I have twice been asked to stop screaming, both times in a…
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April 14, 2023 Charges Dropped Against Footballer Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson
Icelandic footballer Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson will not be charged with a criminal offence and has been cleared of all charges,…
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April 14, 2023 Body Discovered Near Borgarnes, Investigation Underway
A body was discovered on a beach not far from the town of Borgarnes, in West Iceland, yesterday, Vísir reports.…
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April 14, 2023 Global Price Reductions Must Be Passed on to Icelandic Consumers
The Minister of Culture and Business Affairs has encouraged Icelandic petrol companies to do their part in the effort to…
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April 14, 2023 Deep North Episode 21: A New Leash on Life
We're on our way to meet a national pageant winner, who after a thorough examination by a qualified judge was…
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April 13, 2023 Child Support Collection Centre Fined for Gendered Pay Discrimination
The Child Support Collection Centre, a public agency responsible for collecting child support payments from parents, has been under scrutiny…
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April 13, 2023 What are the top university programmes in Iceland?
Iceland is home to several major universities, but the two largest are the University of Iceland, a publicly funded research…
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April 13, 2023 Full Haus
There are many theories as to what fosters creativity and innovation in society: education, inspiration, even suffering. Yet from SoHo…
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April 13, 2023 Icelandic Man Arrested in Brazil in Large Drug Bust
Vísir reports that a man has been arrested in Brazil by the Brazilian authorities in a joint operation with the…
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April 13, 2023 Power Outage in Downtown Reykjavík
Parts of downtown Reykjavík were without power this morning due to a high-voltage failure. According to utility company Veitur, work…
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April 12, 2023 Júníus Meyvant – The Wonderer
Júníus Meyvant is always impersonating other people, and all the people he impersonates are always yelling. His father when he, Júníus,…
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April 12, 2023 Sounding Smart
SOUNDING SMART What if artificial intelligence isn’t the death of human creativity but a tool to take it even further?…
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April 12, 2023 Pedro: In Private
“Congratulations on receiving the Icelandic Literary Award! That must have been fun?” “Is this question a part of the interview?”…
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April 12, 2023 From the Archive: The First Day of Summer
From the archive: In this 1972 article from Iceland Review magazine, Folklorist Árni Björnsson delves into the superstitions surrounding the…
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April 12, 2023 “Good Spring Weather” Ahead Following Historically Cold March
According to long-term forecasts, this April could be one of the warmest on record. A meteorologist has told Vísir that…
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April 12, 2023 Collectors Critical of Proposed Amendment to Weapons Act
A new bill sponsored by the Minister of Justice has been criticised by firearms collectors, RÚV reports. The bill –…
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April 12, 2023 Velvet Terrorism
“Resistance is always a choice. And there are always new moments for resistance. It’s not just in the prisons, it’s in everyday…
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April 12, 2023 “The Blue Lagoon Does Not Damage Hair,” Spokesperson Says
Responding to an inquiry from Vísir, a spokesperson for the Blue Lagoon has stated that a soak in the lagoon…
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April 12, 2023 Man Drowns Following Accident at Westman Islands Harbour
The driver of the vehicle that went into the harbour in Westman Islands yesterday evening has been pronounced dead, RÚV…
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April 11, 2023 Environment Agency: Unnecessary to Close Popular Reykjadalur Hiking Trail
The hiking trail in Reykjadalur has become treacherous due to heavy foot traffic, according to local authorities. RÚV reports. The…
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April 11, 2023 With Growing Debts, Árborg Municipality Nears Bankruptcy
The municipality of Árborg in South Iceland is facing financial difficulties due to inflation and a decline in real estate…
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April 11, 2023 First Puffins of the Year Sighted in Grímsey
The first puffins of the year were sighted over Easter, on April 9, on Grímsey. Grímsey, an island off the…
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April 11, 2023 New Security Measures for Upcoming Council of Europe Summit
National Police Commissioner Sigríður Björk Guðjónsdóttir discussed what Reykjavík residents could expect in terms of security measures for the upcoming…
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April 7, 2023 Deep North Episode 20: Born and Bread
Like language and music, flatbread is a near-universal feature of cultures throughout the world. And for a cuisine such as…
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April 5, 2023 Cost of Milk and Dairy Products Increases
The Agricultural Pricing Committee has decided to increase the minimum price that milk can be bought from dairy farmers, alongside…
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April 5, 2023 Heavy Sentences Handed Down in Iceland’s Biggest Cocaine Bust
The four defendants apprehended following Iceland’s biggest cocaine bust received heavy sentences this morning, Mbl.is reports. Only one of the…
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April 5, 2023 Indexed Loans Dominate Mortgage Market
As the payment burden of non-indexed loans continues to rise, households are increasingly moving towards indexed loans. Despite rising interest…
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April 4, 2023 Scrapie Diagnosed in Northwest Iceland
The degenerative and fatal disease scrapie has been diagnosed in sheep at Bergsstaðir farm in Northwest Iceland, in the Húnavatnssýsla…
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April 4, 2023 I’d like to learn more about the settlement of Iceland and the Viking Age. What are some good resources?
Around 870, farmers, warriors, and merchants from Norway and the North Atlantic began coming in earnest to the island to…
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April 4, 2023 Organic Waste Collection to Begin in Reykjavík Area in May
Residents of the Reykjavík capital area will be able to separate their organic waste for the first time starting next…
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April 4, 2023 Power Player
One of Diljá’s favourite Eurovision Song Contest performances ever is fellow-Icelander Yohanna’s song, Is It True, from 2009. Yohanna’s performance,…
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April 4, 2023 Icelandic Police Investigating Possible Child Abduction on Ship
A 15-year-old girl was found on board the fishing ship Grímsnes GK-555 in the company of a 24-year-old man, RÚV…
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April 3, 2023 New Law on Taxis Takes Effect
The much-protested law on taxis came into effect this April 1, leaving many taxi drivers uneasy about their future as…
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April 3, 2023 German Airline Condor Cancels Egilsstaðir and Akureyri Connections
German airliner, Condor, has cancelled its intended connections to Akureyri and Egilsstaðir, which were announced last summer. Vísir reports. When…
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April 3, 2023 Þröstur Leó Gunnarsson Wins Best Actor in BIF & ST Awards
Icelandic actor Þröstur Leó Gunnarsson has won best lead actor in the 2023 Bari International Film & TV Festival (BIF…
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April 3, 2023 Aid Station Opens in Neskaupstaður Following Avalanches
An aid station will be opening today, April 3, for the residents of Neskaupstaður and surrounding settlements that have been…
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March 31, 2023 Fréttablaðið, Iceland’s First Freely Distributed Newspaper, Shuttered
The publication of Fréttablaðið, the first newspaper to be distributed for free in Iceland, has ceased. All broadcasts on the…
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March 31, 2023 Record Number of Overnight Stays in Iceland in February
A record number of overnight stays were registered in Iceland in February or 575,300. This is a 45% increase from…
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March 31, 2023 Partial Easing of Evacuation Orders in East Fjords Announced
About 800 people have had to leave their homes due to the risk of avalanches in East Iceland. After reevaluating…
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March 31, 2023 National Football Team Parts Ways with Head Coach Arnar Þór
The board of the Football Association of Iceland (KSÍ) has fired the head coach of the men’s national football team,…
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March 31, 2023 Deep North Episode 19: Nothing to Speak Of
With a growing economy, Iceland is home to more foreign-born residents than ever. And although Icelandic is often described as…
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March 30, 2023 Evacuations in Three Additional East Fjords Towns
The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management has issued evacuation orders for parts of Eskifjörður, Stöðvarfjörður, and Fáskrúðsfjörður, three…
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March 30, 2023 Motion of No Confidence Against Justice Minister Voted Down
A motion of no confidence submitted against Justice Minister Jón Gunnarsson was voted down in Alþingi, Iceland’s Parliament, today. MPs…
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March 30, 2023 East Iceland Residents Warned of Heavy Rain and Runoff
Residents of East Iceland are encouraged to clear their rain gutters in preparation for heavy rain and rising temperatures today.…
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March 30, 2023 From the Archive: The Changing Face of Iceland
From the archive: In this 1971 article from Iceland Review, Haraldur Sigurðsson delves into the history of Icelandic cartography. Note…
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March 29, 2023 Small Avalanche Falls in Neskaupstaður
Another avalanche fell above the town of Neskaupstaður in East Iceland shortly after noon today, Mbl.is reports. The avalanche, which…
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March 29, 2023 Record Participation in Reykjavík Open Chess Tournament
Record-breaking participation is expected at this afternoon’s Reykjavík chess tournament, reflecting a global surge in chess interest, Vísir reports. Icelandic…
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March 29, 2023 Minister Admits “Citing Rumours” Before Parliament Was Wrong
In a speech before Parliament yesterday, the Minister of Justice questioned whether an unnamed MP had accepted “special tokens of…
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March 29, 2023 Inflation Dips Below 10%, Finance Minister Cautiously Optimistic
Despite the consumer price index increasing by 0.59% month-on-month, the annual inflation rate has decreased to 9.8% (down from 10.2%…
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March 28, 2023 Activists Preparing to Intercept Icelandic Whaling Ships
A group of activists led by Paul Watson, co-founder of Greenpeace, are preparing a ship in Hull, England, for the…
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March 28, 2023 Risk of Overdose Rises Following Closure of Iceland’s Only Safe Injection Site
Iceland’s only safe injection site, a temporary project operated by the Icelandic Red Cross, shuttered on March 6. A Red…
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March 28, 2023 New Westfjords Ferry Expected this Autumn
Regular malfunctions that have plagued the ferry Baldur, which connects West Iceland and the Westfjords, may soon be a thing…
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March 28, 2023 Risk of Further Avalanches in East Fjords
Evacuation orders for areas of Neskaupstaður, Seyðisfjörður, and Eskiförður, all located in Iceland’s East Fjords, will remain in effect until…
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March 27, 2023 In Focus: Iceland’s Ferries
This spring, the ferry Sæfari will be out of commission for maintenance, in drydock from at least March 20 until…
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March 27, 2023 Vínbúðin Could Open on Sundays
State liquor store Vínbúðin could be open on Sundays, with a proposal to expand the opening hours of the alcohol…
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March 27, 2023 Laugavegur Pedestrian Zone to be Better Marked
The intersection of Laugavegur and Frakkastígur, where Laugavegur turns into a pedestrian zone, will be better marked in the coming…
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March 27, 2023 New National Park Centre Opened at Hellissandur
The Environment Agency of Iceland and Snæfellsjökull National Park have opened a new visitor centre by Hellissandur. Hellissandur is a…
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March 27, 2023 Golden Plover, Symbol of Springtime, Arrives in Iceland
The Golden Plover, a traditional symbol of springtime, has arrived in Iceland. In a statement to Morgunblaðið, ornitholgist Jóhann Óli…
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March 27, 2023 Three Avalanches in Neskaupstaður
Three avalanches struck Neskaupstaður, a town in the Eastfjords, in the night and early morning of March 26-27. Morgunblaðið reports.…
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March 24, 2023 Does Iceland Have a National Library?
Yes, it does, but it's more properly known as the National and University Library of Iceland. It's by the far…
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March 24, 2023 Vital to Prevent Travellers from Hiking Near Glymur in Winter
The Director General of the Icelandic Tourist Board has stated that more needs to be done to prevent tourists from…
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March 24, 2023 Growing Violence in Downtown Reykjavík a Cause for Concern
In an interview with the Kastljós news programme yesterday, an assistant chief superintendent with the capital area police expressed growing…
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March 24, 2023 ASÍ Concerned Over Rising Debt Service Burden of Households
An economist with the Icelandic Confederation of Labour (ASÍ) has expressed worry over the housing market’s “weak support system” and…
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March 24, 2023 Deep North Episode 18: A Diamond in the Rough
In the fall of 1813, a young, shy Danish man disembarked from a cargo sailing ship in Reykjavík harbour. His…
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March 24, 2023 Men’s National Football Team Endures Heavy Loss in Bosnia
The Icelandic men's national football team lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their first match in the UEFA Euro 2024…
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March 23, 2023 State to Subsidise Rental EVs with ISK 1 Billion
In further efforts to meet its commitments to reduce CO2 emissions, the state will support car rental companies this year…
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March 23, 2023 Tourist Falls to Her Death at Glymur
A foreign tourist fell to her death yesterday morning, March 22, at Glymur, a popular waterfall and hiking area in…
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March 22, 2023 500 Travellers Trapped in Seyðisfjörður for Two Days
Some 500 passengers are stuck in Seyðisfjörður for the second day in a row. RÚV reports. Seyðisfjörður is a small…
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March 22, 2023 Proposal to Amend Surveillance Law Causes Tension Between Pirates and Socialists
A proposal to change surveillance laws has been the occasion for some skirmishes between the Pirate and Socialist parties in…
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March 22, 2023 500 Children on Waitlist for Preschool in Reykjavík
Árelía Eydís Guðmundsdóttir, director of the Council for Education and Recreation for Reykjavík City, has stated in a recent interview…
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March 22, 2023 Central Bank Raises Interest Rate 1%, Now at 7.5%
The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Iceland has raised interest rates a further 1%. This is the…
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March 21, 2023 From the Archive: President Vigdís
From the archive: This article was published in Iceland Review magazine in 1982. Archival content may not necessarily reflect the…
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March 21, 2023 Iceland’s Swimming Pools and Laufabrauð Proposed as Intangible Cultural Heritage
Minister of Culture Lilja Dögg Alfreðsdóttir wants Iceland’s government to nominate the country’s swimming pool culture and laufabrauð (a traditional…
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March 21, 2023 Propose Abolishing Iceland’s Housewife Holiday Funds
Three Independence Party MPs have put forth a bill to abolish women’s right to so-called “housewife holiday funds” in Iceland,…
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March 20, 2023 Majority of Dogs in Reykjavík Unregistered
Animal Services of Reykjavík report of the estimated 10,000 dogs in the city, only 2,500 owners pay the legal registration…
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March 20, 2023 New Centre for Icelandic Studies to Acquire Manuscripts on Long-Term Loan
The Danish government has agreed to the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies' request to loan Icelandic manuscripts on a…
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March 20, 2023 New Fees at Jökulsárlón Could Generate Up To ISK 40 Million
Park rangers for Vatnajökull have stated that the necessary infrastructure will soon be in place to introduce fees at Jökulsárlón,…
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March 20, 2023 Blackport Garners Recognition at 2023 Edda Awards
The Edda Awards, the annual awards for Icelandic film and television, were held last night, March 19. By far the…
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March 17, 2023 Access to Mt. Skessuhorn Not to Be Restricted, Despite Sale
A spokesperson for the Canadian couple who purchased the property Horn in Skorradalur, West Iceland, has told Fréttablaðið that access…
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March 17, 2023 Difficult for First-Time Buyers to Enter Housing Market
According to a real-estate developer in the capital area, the process of selling apartments has lengthened considerably as compared to…
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March 17, 2023 PM: Weapons Amendment Required Greater Consultation
Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir has stated that despite the Parliamentary Commissioner (i.e. Ombudsman) concluding that the Minister of Justice had…
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March 17, 2023 Deep North Episode 17: Making it Work
In 2022, a report found that women-led teams accounted for 1.1 % of companies that received funding from venture capital…
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March 17, 2023 Substitute MP Quits Left-Greens After Immigration Bill Passes
After the Minister of Justice’s immigration bill was approved Wednesday, substitute MP and former executive director of the Left-Green Movement, Daníel…
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March 16, 2023 Minister Sidestepped Procedure in Arming Police
Iceland’s Minister of Justice Jón Gunnarsson should have consulted the cabinet on the decision to arm police with stun guns,…
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March 16, 2023 Highly-Criticised Immigration Bill Passed in Iceland
Iceland’s Parliament, Alþingi, passed a highly controversial immigration bill last night, bringing a contentious five-year process to a close, RÚV…
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March 15, 2023 Central Bank Raises Capital Buffers to Enhance Resilience
Iceland’s Central Bank published its semi-annual Financial Stability report today. As noted in the report, the Financial Stability Committee has…
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March 15, 2023 Dazzling Northern Lights to Be Visible in Iceland Tonight
Clear weather conditions and solar wind are expected to make for bright and powerful northern lights tonight, Mbl.is reports. When…
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March 15, 2023 GPT-4 to Aid in the Preservation of the Icelandic Language
As noted in an article published yesterday, Iceland has partnered with OpenAI (the company that developed ChatGPT) to use its…
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March 15, 2023 Does Reykjavík Have Heated Sidewalks?
When the city of Saskatoon wanted to invest in heated sidewalks in 2013, the CBC wrote: "Imagine a city with…
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March 15, 2023 Dubliner Gunman Arrested, to Be Held in Custody Until Friday
The man suspected of having fired a gun inside the pub The Dubliner in downtown Reykjavík last weekend will be…
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March 14, 2023 PM Katrín Jakobsdóttir to Meet Zelenskyy Today
Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Prime Minister of Iceland, is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials today, March…
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March 14, 2023 Newly Discovered Cave in North Iceland Closed
A newly discovered cave near Mývatn, a lake in North Iceland, has been closed by the Environment Agency of Iceland.…
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March 14, 2023 New Tracking Data Provides Insight into Behaviour of Juvenile Eagles
The juvenile eagle, Lambi, has gone on quite the journey since he left home in November of 2022. Since juvenile…
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March 14, 2023 Nine Days of Cold Spell, With No End in Sight
The capital area has seen below-zero temperatures uninterrupted since March 6. Today, March 14, marks the ninth straight day of…
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March 14, 2023 Poor Cyber Security in Iceland Leaves Infrastructure at Risk
Iceland is lagging when it comes to knowledge and education on cyber security, which could put the country at risk…
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March 13, 2023 Record Sales at Icelandic Publishers’ Book Fair
A total of 97,829 books were sold at the Icelandic Publishers’ Association book fair in Reykjavík, which ended yesterday, RÚV…
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March 13, 2023 Icelandic Lamb Receives Protected Designation of Origin Within EU
The European Commission approved the first ever Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) from Iceland today for Icelandic lamb (ice. Íslenskt…
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March 13, 2023 Iceland’s Prime Minister Travelling to Ukraine
Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir and Foreign Minister Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir are on their way to Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital…
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March 13, 2023 Speaker’s Committee Must Publish Contested Report
A report related to the sale of public assets that has been shrouded in secrecy will now likely be made…
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March 13, 2023 Man Fires Shot in Downtown Reykjavík Bar
No one was seriously injured when a shot was fired in a downtown Reykjavík bar yesterday evening. The Reykjavík Capital…
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March 10, 2023 Iceland’s Last Dedicated Video-Rental Store Closes
At the end of the month, Iceland's last dedicated video-rental store*, Aðalvideoleigan in downtown Reykjavík, will close. The owner of…
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March 10, 2023 When Do Puffins Arrive in Iceland?
The Atlantic puffin (in Icelandic, lundi), is something of a national symbol, with many tourists and Icelanders alike flocking to…
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March 10, 2023 137,000 Foreign Passengers Departed Iceland in February
Approximately 137,000 foreign passengers departed from Iceland via Keflavík Airport in February. This is nearly as many foreign passengers who…
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March 10, 2023 Organised Crime, Sexual Offences Priority in New Action Plan
Extensive changes will be made to the handling of sexual offences and organised crime in Iceland, according to a new…
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March 10, 2023 Deep North Episode 16: What a Riot
On March 30, 1949, a large crowd convened behind a school in central Reykjavík. They were protesting the government’s decision…
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March 10, 2023 Chinese Tourists to Return After Resumption of Group Tours
The Chinese government has decided to allow the sale of cross-border group tours to an additional 40 countries, including Iceland,…
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March 9, 2023 Icelandic Opera’s “Madama Butterfly” Reinforces Racist Stereotypes, Critics Say
The Icelandic Opera’s ongoing production of Madama Butterfly is reinforcing harmful stereotypes of Asian people, local critics say. The opera,…
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March 9, 2023 Iceland: Internal Documents May Shed Light on Sale of Public Assets
Lindarhvoll, a company founded to handle public assets following the banking collapse, must hand over a 37-page internal report on…
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March 9, 2023 Record Population Increase in Iceland
Iceland’s population increased by 3.1% between January 2022 and January 2023: the largest increase since 1734 or as far back…
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March 9, 2023 Iceland to Relax Work Permit Regulations for Foreigners
Iceland’s government will make sweeping changes to its work permit system for foreigners from outside the European Economic Area. The…
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March 8, 2023 Efling and SA Negotiations Over: “No Choice But to Accept”
Fréttablaðið reports that Efling chairperson Sólveig Anna Jónsdóttir has accepted the most recent mediation proposal. Voting closed today, March 8,…
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March 8, 2023 Elon Musk Walks Back Comments About Halli After Twitter Exchange
Elon Musk has walked back some of his comments regarding Haraldur Þorleifsson, better known as Halli, after a contentious exchange…
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March 8, 2023 Vote on New Mediating Proposal Closing, Results Expected Soon
A vote on the temporarily-appointed state mediator’s new proposal will end at 10 AM today. The results of the vote…
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March 8, 2023 National Pact Required to Fight Ongoing Inflation
The Governor of the Central Bank has stated that a national pact may be needed in order to overcome persistent…
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March 8, 2023 Cold Spell Likely to Persist Well Into the Weekend, Next Week
Following a weekend of relatively warm weather, temperatures in Iceland plummeted below 0°C on Monday. Meteorologist Einar Sveinbjörnsson informed Vísir…
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March 7, 2023 Polish Studies Minor Established at University of Iceland
The University of Iceland is inaugurating a new program this fall: a minor in Polish Studies. RÚV reports that the…
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March 7, 2023 Never More International Flights Direct to Icelandic Countryside
Residents of Iceland who live outside the capital area normally need to travel to Keflavík to go abroad, adding an…
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March 7, 2023 Opposition MPs Demand Access to Banking Collapse Related Report
Iceland’s Parliament has voted against permitting MPs to put forth questions about Lindarhvoll, a company founded by the Finance Ministry…
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March 7, 2023 Elon Musk and Halli Spar Over Termination at Twitter
Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, entered into a fiery Twitter debate with Icelandic entrepreneur and philanthropist Haraldur Þorleifsson, who…
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March 7, 2023 What’s the Status of the Efling Negotiations?
Update: As of March 8, negotiations between Efling and SA have been concluded. Read more about the contract here. Strikes,…
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March 7, 2023 Proposed Lockout Legal, Labour Court Rules
The Icelandic Confederation of Enterprise (SA) had the legal right to call a lockout of Efling Union workers in the…
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March 6, 2023 Bjartur, 19 Years Old, to Play Football in US on Scholarship
19 year old Bjartur Eldur Þórsson is heading to the United States on a full sports scholarship. And according to…
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March 6, 2023 Diljá Chosen to Represent Iceland in Eurovision
Diljá will be the next representative of Iceland in Eurovision 2023. She was selected in the song contest Söngvakeppnin on…
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March 6, 2023 Iceland to Buy Emission Allowances to Meet Kyoto Commitments
The Ministry of Environment, Energy, and Climate has decided to buy emission allowances from other nations in order to meet…
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March 6, 2023 Working Group Established to Assess Future of Digital Archives
Following the decision to closure Reykjavík's Municipal Archive, the Icelandic Society of Historians has called upon university professors, history teachers,…
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March 3, 2023 COVID-19 the Likeliest Explanation for Excess Mortality in 2022
Chief Epidemiologist Guðrún Aspelund believes that COVID-19 is the only possible explanation for excess mortality in Iceland last year, RÚV…
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March 3, 2023 More Unhoused People Spending Majority of Year in Shelters
The number of unhoused individuals dwelling in emergency shelters has increased. These individuals are also dwelling in shelters for longer…
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March 3, 2023 Eruption at Mt. Askja Likely “Sooner Rather than Later”
Ármann Höskuldsson, a volcanologist and geochemist at the University of Iceland’s Institute of Earth Sciences, told Fréttablaðið on Wednesday that…
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March 3, 2023 Deep North Episode 15: Of Mountains and Men
A look into the world of strongmen and powerlifting in Iceland. Called aflraunir in Icelandic, the competition involves a potpourri…
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March 3, 2023 Reykjavík Municipal Archives to Be Closed Down
Yesterday, the City Council of Reykjavík approved the mayor’s proposal to close down the Reykjavík Municipal Archives. The operations of…
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March 2, 2023 Icelandic Bar Association Concerned About Increased Police Surveillance Powers
A new bill that would increase Icelandic police’s powers to monitor people who are not suspected of crimes is concerning…
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March 2, 2023 Submarine Cable Between Iceland and Ireland Begins Operation
Better telecommunications security and speedier cloud services are two of the benefits of a new submarine cable connecting Iceland and…
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March 2, 2023 Grímsey Ferry Out of Service for 6-8 Weeks
The ferry that connects the 53 residents of Grímsey island to the mainland of Iceland will be out of commission…
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March 2, 2023 New App for Learning Icelandic Vocabulary
Academics and students at the University of Iceland have created a new mobile and computer app that uses flashcards to…
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March 1, 2023 In Focus: Cultural Appropriation at the Icelandic Opera
On March 3, the Icelandic Opera premiered its production of Madama Butterfly, authored by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini and first…
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March 1, 2023 Voting on New Mediating Proposal “the Right Decision”
Sólveig Anna Jónsdóttir, Chair of the Efling union, believes that putting the state mediator’s new proposal to a vote was…
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March 1, 2023 Powerlifter Elsa Pálsdóttir Sets Three World Records in Budapest
Icelandic powerlifter Elsa Pálsdóttir set three world records at the European Masters Classic Powerlifting Championships in Budapest, Hungary, yesterday. Elsa,…
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March 1, 2023 Vote on New Proposal Approved, Strikes and Lockout Postponed
Temporarily-appointed state mediator Ástráður Haraldsson called a press conference at 10 AM this morning. He told reporters that representatives from…
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March 1, 2023 Clock Winding Down on New Mediating Proposal
The clock is winding down for temporarily-appointed state mediator Ástráður Haraldsson; with a 20,000-worker lockout set to begin on Monday,…
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February 28, 2023 Icelandic Birch Forests Threatened by Imported Pests
Experts at the Icelandic Forest Service say unclear timber import regulations threaten local birch forests. Imported timber, especially timber that…
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February 28, 2023 Closure of Post Offices Continues Across Iceland
Two post offices in Iceland will be closed and mail handling services in six countryside areas will be discontinued in…
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February 28, 2023 Reykjavík Public Buses See Increase in Ridership
The Reykjavík capital area public bus service Strætó has seen an increase in ridership in the past several months. The…
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February 28, 2023 Why do Icelandic students still learn Danish?
The fact that Icelandic students still learn Danish in school is tied up with the long history of Icelandic-Danish relations.…
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February 27, 2023 Lockout Postponed, State Mediator Invited to Meeting Tonight
The planned lockout by the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise (SA) against Efling trade union has been postponed for at least…
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February 27, 2023 Eurovision Finalists Selected for Next Round
Iceland is one step closer to selecting its contestant for this year's Eurovision song contest, with five Icelandic artists selected…
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February 27, 2023 Inflation Rate Now 10%, Up 1.39% From January
Inflation rates in Iceland continue to rise, with the latest figures from Statistics Iceland indicating that inflation now rests at…
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February 27, 2023 Halli Laid Off from Twitter
Icelandic entrepreneur Haraldur Þorleifsson, known most often as Halli, was one among many to be let go from the American…
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February 26, 2023 Median Age in Iceland Lower Than Anywhere in European Union
According to new data published by Eurostat last week, the median age of the European Union population was 44.4 years…
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February 26, 2023 High Winds Thwart Hopes on Major Ski Weekend
North Iceland is entering its peak ski season, but the weather is not cooperating. Mbl.is reports that the Hlíðarfjall ski…
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February 25, 2023 Construction Begins on Country’s Largest Land-Based Aquaculture Facility
Construction has begun on what will become the largest land-based aquaculture facility in Iceland, Vísir reports. The company, Landseldi ehf.…
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February 25, 2023 Thor the Walrus Takes a Break in Breiðdalsvík
Though no strangers to welcoming visitors to their picturesque hamlet, the residents of the East Iceland village of Breiðdalsvík received…
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February 24, 2023 One Year On: 800 Ukrainians Granted Work Permits in Iceland
Over 800 Ukrainian refugees have received work permits in Iceland since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began last year, an…
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February 24, 2023 Diesel Supplies to Run Dry Soon
Due to an ongoing strike among oil truck drivers, petrol supplies are quickly depleting at Reykjavík stations, and representatives of…
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February 24, 2023 Deep North Episode 14: Man of the Year
Haraldur Þorleifsson, known more often as Halli, is famous for something most of us do every year: paying our taxes.…
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February 24, 2023 Dazed Woman in Nauthólsvík Linked to Submerged Vehicle
Yesterday morning, the police received a tip about a woman wandering the Nauthólsvík geothermal beach in Reykjavík. A few hours…
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February 23, 2023 Lack of Funding to Maintain Westfjords Roads
Many roads in the Westfjords and West Iceland have become dangerous due to lack of maintenance, according to representatives of…
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February 23, 2023 Two Injured in Tálknafjörður Fire
Two people have been transported to hospital with minor burns due to a fire at a fish fry farm in…
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February 23, 2023 Not Paying Workers During Lockout is Sólveig’s Decision, Efling Vice-Chair Says
There are no regulations that prevent Efling Union from paying workers during the lockout set to begin on March 2,…
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February 23, 2023 Lockout Affecting 20,000 Workers in Iceland Approved
Members of the Icelandic Confederation of Enterprise (SA) have approved a lockout of some 20,000 workers set to begin on…
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February 23, 2023 If you could only visit one black sand beach which one would you choose?
The classic answer is certainly Reynisfjara, a black sand beach on the South Coast of Iceland. Its location off of…
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February 23, 2023 Which languages are required to work as a nurse in Iceland?
For some years now, there has been a shortage in healthcare professionals in Iceland. In fact, despite the relatively high…
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February 22, 2023 Öskudagur Festivities Persevere on a Cold Spring Day
Öskudagur, or Ash Wednesday, is an important holiday in Iceland. Like many holidays, it originated in the Catholic Church, but…
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February 22, 2023 Coach Guðmundur Guðmundsson Steps Down from National Team
Guðmundur Guðmundsson and the Icelandic Handball Federation (HSÍ) have agreed upon the former’s resignation as head coach of the men's…
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February 22, 2023 Housing Prices in the Capital Area Continue to Fall
The house price index in the capital area fell by 0.5% month-on-month in January. In the last three months, the…
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February 22, 2023 Four Hotels Shuttered as Wage Negotiations Drag On
As the ongoing wage dispute between the Efling union and the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise (SA) drags on, managers decided…
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February 22, 2023 Labour Minister to Disputing Parties: “You Must Try Harder”
The labour legislation needs to be revised in light of the current wage dispute between the Efling union and the…
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February 21, 2023 M4.9 Earthquake in Bárðarbunga Caldera Caused by Magma Intrusion
A strong earthquake occurred this morning in Bárðarbungacaldera located on the Vatnajökull glacier. The earthquake measured M4.9 and was felt…
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February 21, 2023 Three Deaths in Swimming Pools in Three Months
A woman in her late forties died in Lágafellslaug swimming pool in the town of Mosfellsbær yesterday, RÚV reports. It…
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February 21, 2023 Night Bus Service Returns to Reykjavík
The City of Reykjavík has signed an agreement with Strætó public bus service to begin operating night buses within the…
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February 21, 2023 Efling Union Would Not Pay Workers in Potential Lockout
The Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise (SA) is currently voting on a lockout that would affect 20,000 Efling employees. Locked-out workers…
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February 21, 2023 Why are the prices so high in Iceland?
Iceland is relatively expensive compared to many other countries but on the other hand, the average salary is higher than…
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February 20, 2023 Swedish Academy’s Nordic 2023 Prize Awarded to Icelandic Writer Sjón
The Swedish Academy's 2023 Nordic Prize is awarded to Icelandic author Sjón for his significant contributions to Nordic literature. The…
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February 20, 2023 Busy Weekend for ICE-SAR on Hellisheiði Pass
ICE-SAR was busy until late into the evening on Hellisheiði pass this past Sunday. Severe weather left several people trapped…
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February 20, 2023 Confederation of Enterprise to Vote on Lockout Against Efling
The board of SA, the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise, has agreed to present a vote to its member companies to…
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February 19, 2023 Mayor Proposes Closing Reykjavík Municipal Archive for Budgetary Reasons
Reykjavík Mayor Dagur B. Eggertsson has proposed that the Reykjavík Municipal Archive be shut down for budgetary reasons, RÚV reports.…
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February 19, 2023 Urban Design Contest Envisions a Carbon-Neutral, Car-Free Future
The City of Reykjavík has launched an open design competition to “create a dense, mixed, diverse, and carbon-neutral new urban…
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February 18, 2023 Banks Raise Interest on Non-Indexed Loans
All three of Iceland’s commercial banks announced that they would be raising interest rates on Friday. RÚV reports that Arion…
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February 18, 2023 President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson Makes Surprise Appearance at NBA Game
Icelandic President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson surprised fans at an NBA basketball game on Wednesday when he was spotted sitting in…
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February 17, 2023 Five Transported to ER Following Fire in Vatnagarðar, Reykjavík
Five people were taken to the emergency room after a fire broke out in a halfway house in Vatnagarðar, Reykjavík.…
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February 17, 2023 Deep North Episode 13: Cream of the Crop
Row after row of steep but flat-topped mountains, interspersed with deep fjords. There’s barely enough land in between to make…
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February 17, 2023 Ice Melting Atop Askja Volcano – Near-Future Eruption Unlikely
Scientists flew a Coast Guard plane over the Askja volcano yesterday, RÚV reports. Since last year, there have been frequent…
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February 17, 2023 Efling Suspends Strikes, Talks to Resume at 10 AM
Efling’s negotiating committee has postponed all strikes until Sunday. The Director of SA's Labour Market Division says no victory has…
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February 16, 2023 No Postponement of Strikes Without Meaningful Offer
Representatives of the Efling union and the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise (SA) attended a meeting with temporarily appointed state mediator…
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February 16, 2023 Sizeable Reduction in the Number of Open Sexual Assault Cases
The number of open sexual offence cases within the sexual offence department of the Capital Area Police and the prosecutor’s…
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February 16, 2023 Labour Talks: Yesterday’s Long Meeting Inconclusive, Mediator Reticent
At 9 AM yesterday morning, the negotiating committees of the Efling union and the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise (SA) attended…
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February 15, 2023 New Parliamentary Bill to Restrict the Speed of Electric Scooters
The Minister of Infrastructure has proposed a bill to amend the Traffic Law. Among other things, the bill includes changes…
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February 15, 2023 ISK 130 Million in Grants to Strengthen Rural Settlements
The Minister of Infrastructure has allocated a total of ISK 130 million ($910,000 / €848,000) in grants to twelve projects…
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February 15, 2023 25 Indicted in Bankastræti Club Knife Attack, Youngest 19
Most of the 25 defendants in the Bankastræti Club case are in their twenties. The oldest is in his forties,…
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February 15, 2023 Temporarily Appointed State Mediator to Meet with Efling, SA Today
If a strike among oil and truck drivers, set to begin at noon today, becomes a reality, fuel could run…
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February 14, 2023 Efling Members to Vote on a Near 1700-Person Strike Thursday
Last Sunday, Efling’s negotiating committee unanimously approved three additional strike actions, Vísir reports. If these actions are approved by union…
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February 14, 2023 Court of Appeal Overturns Verdict, Mediator Steps Aside
The Court of Appeal (Landsréttur) has ruled that the Efling union does not need to hand over its membership registry…
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February 13, 2023 Two Hospitalised After Gas-Station Explosion in Reykjavík
Capital region firefighters were dispatched following an explosion at an Olís gas station in Reykjavík shortly before 2:30 PM today.…
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February 13, 2023 Inbreeding Could Pose Threat to White-Tailed Eagle
The Icelandic white-tailed eagle could be threatened by genetic homogeneity and inbreeding, a new article in the journal Molecular Ecology…
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February 13, 2023 More Icelanders in Favour of EU Membership Than Against
More people are in favour of Iceland joining the European Union than opposed, according to a new survey conducted by…
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February 13, 2023 Record Number of Icelanders Travelled Abroad in January
The number of Icelanders who departed from Keflavík Airport in January was 41,500. Never before have so many Icelanders flown…
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February 13, 2023 Efling Strikes: Gas Stations Could Run Dry as Early as Thursday
The CEO of Skeljungur says that gas stations could run out of gas as early as Thursday if oil truck…
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February 12, 2023 Icelanders Flock to Tenerife to Find Sunshine, More Icelanders
It has been a particularly punishing winter in Iceland this year, but many locals have avoided the blizzards and gales…
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February 12, 2023 Red Cross Names Fifteen-Year-Old ‘First Aid Person of the Year’
Fifteen-year-old Arnór Ingi Davíðsson was named the Red Cross’ 2023 ‘First Aid Person of the Year’ in recognition for his…
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February 11, 2023 Earthquake Swarm on Reykjanes Ridge
Around 70 earthquakes were measured along the Reykjanes Ridge between 6:45 pm and 11:30 pm on Friday night. RÚV reports…
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February 10, 2023 Deep North Episode 12: Public Transport Funding
With ambitious climate goals, rising oil prices, and an energy transition underway, many Icelandic politicians want to de-centre the private…
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February 10, 2023 2023 Reindeer Hunting Quota Released
Iceland’s reindeer hunting quota for 2023 will be up to 901 reindeer: 475 cows and 426 bulls. This number is…
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February 10, 2023 The Dip
FICTION the dip by Örvar Smárason When my fingers started falling off, it became harder and harder to put my…
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February 10, 2023 Orange Weather Warning for North Iceland and Westfjords
The Icelandic Met Office has upgraded its weather warning for North Iceland and the Westfjords tomorrow from yellow to orange.…
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February 10, 2023 Increased Geothermal Activity at Askja
Satellite images taken two days ago indicate increased geothermal activity at the bottom of Lake Askja, part of the Askja…
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February 10, 2023 Frost
Individually, snowflakes are fragile, easily broken, dissolving into droplets of water at the mere touch of a finger or a…
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February 10, 2023 Fishing Industry Parties Sign 10-Year Collective Agreement
Four seafood industry unions signed a 10-year collective agreement with Fisheries Iceland (Samtök fyrirtækja í sjávarútvegi, or SFS) last night.…
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February 9, 2023 Borgarlína Budget Balloons, But the Real Figure is Disputed
New information on Borgarlína reveals that the project, which is due to begin "visible construction" this year, is over budget…
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February 9, 2023 State Mediator to Drop Enforcement Request Against Efling
State Mediator Aðalsteinn Leifsson has withdrawn his enforcement request to the sheriff's office, following a meeting with Efling legal team.…
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February 9, 2023 Pirate Filibuster of Controversial Immigration Bill Ends
Pirate Party MPs have ceased their filibuster of Jón Gunnarsson's controversial immigration bill. After an agreement to shelve further discussion…
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February 9, 2023 Biologists Ask Icelanders to Return Little Auks to Sea
The winter storms that have swept the nation in the past week have also had an effect on wildlife, reports…
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February 9, 2023 Sparsity Blues
“A brutal ballet of flesh and bone” It’s Saturday night – and it’s feckin’ freezing. Seven below.Even inside the Egilshöll stadium,…
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February 8, 2023 Police Intervenes in Efling Strike Outside Fosshótel
The police were called to the Fosshótel hotel in Reykjavík today. Representatives of the hotel accused Efling’s strike guards of…
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February 8, 2023 Making It Work
The uphill battle for equality in the workplace and technology’s latest solutions It’s been 43 years since Lilly Tomlin, Jane…
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February 8, 2023 Tall Tales and Treacherous Waters
The 17th-century voyage of Jón the India Traveller Christian IV was King of Denmark and Norway from the age of 11…
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February 8, 2023 Central Bank Raises Key Interest Rates by 0.5%
The Monetary Policy Committee of Iceland’s Central Bank has announced that it will be raising key interest rates by 0.5%,…
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February 8, 2023 Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for 3D-Printed Gun Shooting
A twenty-year-old man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for attempted murder with a 3D-printed weapon, Vísir reports.…
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February 8, 2023 Man of the Year
This is Haraldur Þorleifsson. In 2021 he sold his company, Ueno, to Twitter. During the sale process, he was advised how to…
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February 8, 2023 Majority of Hotel Staff, Drivers Vote in Favour of Strike Action
Hotel staff and drivers have accepted two sets of strike actions, as proposed by the Efling union, with over 80%…
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February 7, 2023 Born and Bread
On visits to my grandfather’s farm, I would often follow him around, helping him with the farmyard tasks. In the…
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February 7, 2023 Does Iceland Still Whale?
Iceland does still practice whaling, though its days may be numbered. Due to low market demand, expanded supply from whaling…
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February 7, 2023 Icelandic Experts to Assist in Turkey Earthquake Response
The Icelandic Association for Search, Rescue, and Injury Prevention (ICE-SAR) will send a group of experts to Turkey to assist…
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February 7, 2023 Damning Report on Iceland’s Fish Farming Industry
The administration and supervision of open-net fish farming in Iceland are weak and fragmented, according to a newly-released report from…
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February 7, 2023 Food and Fun Festival Returns to Reykjavík
Fifteen Reykjavík restaurants will take part in the 20th edition of the Food and Fun Festival, which returns to the…
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February 6, 2023 District Court Will Not Charge Defendants in Terrorism Case
Ísidór Nathansson and Sindri Snær Birgisson will not be charged with planning a terrorist act, the District Court of Reykjavík…
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February 6, 2023 Union Strike Ruled Legal, but Efling Must Hand Over Member Registry
Two rulings were delivered today in the drawn-out and tense collective agreement negotiations between Iceland’s second-largest union and the Confederation…
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February 6, 2023 Floating Through Oblivion
OASIS The word oasis refers to a fertile area in the desert. The essential component of the concept is water,…
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February 6, 2023 Iceland Receives Unexpectedly High Proportion of Deaf Refugees
More than 500 refugees have come to Iceland since the beginning of this year, and an unexpectedly high proportion of…
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February 6, 2023 MENTAL NOTE
Unnsteinn’s insights from half a lifetime in the music industry. It’s the last night of the Iceland Airwaves festival. There…
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February 6, 2023 First-Time Buyers at Seven-Year Low
The number of first-time property buyers on Iceland’s housing market has dropped dramatically since the Central Bank of Iceland tightened…
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February 6, 2023 Orange Weather Alert Tomorrow Morning Across Iceland
Travellers across Iceland are asked to stay put tomorrow morning, as gale-force winds and blizzard conditions will hit nearly all…
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February 5, 2023 No Deadline for Decision on Whether Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson Will Be Prosecuted in UK
The Office of the Crown Prosecutor in the UK is currently reviewing evidence against Icelandic footballer Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson and…
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February 5, 2023 As Cemeteries Fill, Reykjavík Residents Choose Cremation
With few plots available in Fossvogskirkjugarður and Gufuneskirkjugarður, the two cemeteries in the capital still open to the recently departed,…
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February 4, 2023 ‘If we decided it was our goal to reduce food waste, we’d do it’
Food waste in Iceland is not only a climate problem, says Minister for the Environment Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson, it’s also…
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February 4, 2023 Anna Overtakes Guðrún as Most Common First Name for Women
Anna is now the most common first name for women in Iceland. The most common name for men is currently…
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February 3, 2023 In Focus: Hate Speech in Iceland
When an offensive effigy of Icelandic journalist, athlete, and influencer Edda Falak surfaced at a recent parade in the Westman…
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February 3, 2023 Closure of Reykjanesbraut Cost Icelandair ISK 1 Billion
The CEO of Icelandair has stated that the storm in December, and the subsequent closure of Reykjanesbraut, cost the company…
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February 3, 2023 Ministry Dismisses Efling’s Complaint Against State Mediator
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour has dismissed Efling’s administrative complaint against the State Mediator’s mediating proposal, RÚV reports.…
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February 3, 2023 Minister Unauthorised to Sell Surveillance Aircraft, MP Says
There is no authorisation in the state budget for the sale of TF-SIF, the Coast Guard’s surveillance aircraft, the Chair…
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February 3, 2023 Deep North Episode 11: One Night in Gufunes
It is honesty, full-throated and vulnerable, which elevates Birnir’s music above that of other contemporary rappers in Iceland. That and…
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February 2, 2023 Amnesty Report: Iceland “Vastly Overusing” Solitary Confinement
Iceland is “vastly overusing” solitary confinement in pre-trial detention a new report released by Amnesty International finds. The Director of…
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February 2, 2023 Budget Constraints Force Sale of Nation’s Only Surveillance Aircraft
The operation of the Coast Guard’s surveillance aircraft, TF-SIF, will be discontinued to meet budgetary constraints. The decision marks “a…
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February 2, 2023 Efling Chair Demands Meeting with Prime Minister
The Chair of the Efling Union has requested a meeting with the Prime Minister following the latter’s comments on the…
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February 2, 2023 Search for Modestas Antanavicius Remains “Ongoing”
The search for Modestas Antanavicius, who went missing on January 7, is still ongoing, Vísir reports. Search-and-rescue teams continue to…
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February 1, 2023 Yellow Weather Warning For Nearly Entire Nation Tomorrow
The Meteorological Office has announced a yellow alert for nearly the entire nation, beginning early tomorrow morning, February 2. Conditions…
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February 1, 2023 Reshuffling of Environmental Agencies Merges Ten into Three
Plans to reorganize ten agencies in environment, energy, and climate into three were announced today by the government. The plans…
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February 1, 2023 Association of Icelandic Journalists Resigns from the International Federation of Journalists
In a statement on their website today, the Association of Icelandic Journalists announced that they would be leaving the International…
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February 1, 2023 A Sticky Decision: Icelandic Competition Authority Debates Whether Guacamole a Sauce
Specialists at the Icelandic Competition Authority have been in debates over the nature of several popular condiments, and whether they…
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January 31, 2023 Iceland Maintains 14th Place on Annual Corruption Index
Iceland is in 14th place on Transparency International’s Annual Corruption Perceptions Index. The newly-released report measures corruption in 180 countries,…
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January 31, 2023 Iceland’s 2023 Eurovision Contenders Revealed
The ten songs that will compete to become Iceland’s 2023 Eurovision submission have been released by Iceland’s National Broadcaster RÚV.…
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January 31, 2023 Successful Response to Extreme Weather
None were injured in the winter storm that hit Iceland yesterday, and response efforts went smoothly, representatives of the Icelandic…
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January 31, 2023 Hotel Workers Vote in Favour of Strike
Efling Union members working at seven hotels in the capital area have voted in favour of a strike that will…
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January 30, 2023 With Strike Vote Nearing, Efling Refuses to Hand Over Membership Records
In light of Efling chairperson Sólveig Anna Jónsdóttir's rejection of state mediator Aðalsteinn Leifsson's proposal, Efling is now being asked…
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January 30, 2023 Inflation Rate Continues Climb, Now at 9.9%
The latest indicators from Statistics Iceland show a month-by-month increase in the Consumer Price Index of 0.85%. Inflation now rests…
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January 30, 2023 Weather Warnings Throughout Iceland Today
A state of uncertainty has been declared over the expected storms today, January 30. Yellow and Orange weather advisories are…
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January 29, 2023 Police Called Out to Investigate Sound of Resident Pounding Pork
In a weekend filled with the typical set-tos, scraps, and scrapes downtown, capital-area police got a call-out for the books…
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January 29, 2023 Students Express ‘Grave Concern’ Regarding Financial Situation at the University of Iceland
In the wake of reports that University of Iceland is facing a deficit of as much as ISK 1 Billion…
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January 29, 2023 Efling Chair Demands Labour Market MP Intercede, Withdraw State Mediator’s Proposal
Efling Chair Sólveig Anna Jónsdóttir is urging Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister of Social Affairs and the Labour Market, to intercede…
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January 28, 2023 Decisions on Wind Farms Should Rest with Local Authorities, Not Alþingi, Says Utility Federation
The decision as to whether wind farms should be erected in a given municipality should rest with local authorities—not Alþingi,…
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January 27, 2023 State Mediator Not Fearful of Losing Unions’ Trust
The state mediator does not fear that he has lost the trust of the unions, despite the reaction to his…
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January 27, 2023 49,000 Icelanders (13.2% of the population) Currently Live Abroad
According to new data from Registers Iceland, almost 49,000 Icelanders have a registered legal residence outside Iceland. Denmark, Sweden, and…
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January 27, 2023 Police Association Welcomes Authority to Employ Stun Guns
The Police Association of Iceland welcomes the Justice Minister’s decision to authorise the use of electroshock weapons. An article on…
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January 27, 2023 Deep North Episode 10: First Among Equals
Every weekday morning at the public pool in West Reykjavík (Vesturbæjarlaug), Halldór Bergmann – called Dóri – slips into his…
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January 27, 2023 State Mediator’s Proposal Meets With Criticism from Efling and SA
State mediator Aðalsteinn Leifsson presented his mediation proposal in the wage dispute between Efling and SA at a press conference…
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January 26, 2023 Greylag Geese Hunting Banned in Iceland
Since the start of this year, it has been illegal to hunt greylag geese in Iceland, RÚV reports. The change…
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January 26, 2023 A Challenge to Provide Equal Access to Education for Immigrants
There are 50 refugee children in Iceland that are not attending school as they are still waiting to receive school…
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January 26, 2023 Beloved Diego Reappears in Skeifan
Cat lovers far and wide rejoiced yesterday when Diego, one of Iceland’s most famous cats, returned to his regular haunt…
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January 25, 2023 Icelandic Animated Short Nominated for Oscar
Icelandic director Sara Gunnarsdóttir's animated short, "My Year of Dicks," was nominated for an Academy Award under the category Best…
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January 25, 2023 Controversial Immigration Bill Back on Parliamentary Agenda
After an agreement to shelve further discussion of Minister of Justice Jón Gunnarsson's immigration bill until after Christmas, parliament has…
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January 25, 2023 Pedro Gunnlaugur Garcia Gets the Icelandic Literary Prize
The Icelandic Literary Prize was awarded last night, January 24, at a ceremony in Bessastaðir. President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson awarded…
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January 24, 2023 No Agreement Between SA and Efling After Minute-Long Meeting
In a final push to avert a strike, the state mediator called a meeting between representatives from the Confederation of…
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January 24, 2023 Government Signs Agreement to Bolster Elite Sports in Iceland
This weekend, the government signed an agreement with the National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland (ÍSÍ) on the formulation…
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January 24, 2023 Sólveig Anna Confident That Strikes Will Be Approved
300 employees at Íslandshótel hotels are set to go on strike if action is approved by the Efling union. Efling’s…
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January 24, 2023 Body Discovered in Grafarvogur, Reykjavík Yesterday
The Capital Area Police was notified yesterday after a body was discovered in the Grafarvogur neighbourhood of Reykjavík. A detective…
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January 23, 2023 Celebrate 60 Years of Iceland Review
This year, Iceland Review magazine celebrates its 60th anniversary. The first event to mark the occasion is an exhibition in…
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January 23, 2023 Iceland Leaves 2023 Handball Championship with a Victory
The Iceland Men's National Handball team went out in style yesterday with a 41-37 victory over Brazil. Unfortunately, Iceland will…
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January 23, 2023 Fifty Years Since Westman Islands Heimaey Eruption
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the infamous 1973 Eldfell eruption. The eruption took place on Heimaey, the largest and…
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January 23, 2023 President Takes Part in Rescue Mission
President of Iceland Guðni Th. Jóhannesson was involved in a small adventure when his trip to the Westfjords took a…
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January 22, 2023 Flights Cancelled, Passengers Unable to Disembark Due to High Winds
Gale-force winds and heavy snowshowers caused considerable disruptions for travellers on Sunday, Mbl.is and RÚV report. While most international flights…
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January 22, 2023 Twenty Rescued from Ski Lift in High Winds
Twenty people were rescued from a chairlift at the Hlíðarfjall ski area outside Akureyri on Friday afternoon, RÚV reports. The…
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January 21, 2023 Akureyri Revokes Nighttime Ban on Free-Roaming Cats
A controversial law, which would have banned cat owners from allowing their feline friends from freely roaming the town of…
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January 21, 2023 Will This Be Iceland’s Year? Ten Songs Chosen as 2023’s Eurovision Contenders
Ten songs have been selected to take part in this year’s Söngvakeppnin, the three-part competition that will decide the act…
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January 20, 2023 Number of Icelandic Residents Nearing 400,000
The number of Icelandic residents increased by 2,570 in the fourth quarter of last year, Vísir reports. The increase means…
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January 20, 2023 Public Pools in Capital Area Set to Reopen at 3 PM
Following closures yesterday, public pools in the capital area are expected to open again at 3 PM today. A prolonged…
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January 20, 2023 Young Woman Died from Cold-Weather Exposure in December
A woman in her forties was found dead not far from her home near Esjumelur in Mosfellsbær on December 20,…
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January 20, 2023 Electroshock Weapons to Be Employed by Middle of the Year
The Minister of Justice hopes that the police will be able to put the first electroshock weapons to use this…
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January 20, 2023 Deep North Episode 9: The Right to Bear Arms
In 1998, Guðmundur Felix was working as an electronics engineer. One day in January, he set out to do some…
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January 20, 2023 Yellow Weather Alert Takes Effect for All of Iceland
A yellow weather alert took effect for most parts of the country early this morning. A quick thaw later in…
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January 19, 2023 Is there any evidence that Iceland had human habitation prior to the arrival of Europeans?
The conventional date given for the settlement of Iceland is 874, plus or minus a couple of years. In terms…
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January 19, 2023 How was Christmas celebrated throughout history in Iceland?
In response to a reader request, we present this article from the archives. Feasting Traditions at Christmastime Árni Björnsson (1980)…
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January 19, 2023 New Recommendations for Fishing Industry Reform
Working groups for "Our Resource," a policy proposal to reform the Icelandic fishing industry through increased transparency and oversight, have…
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January 19, 2023 Icelandic Handball Fans Banned from Using Drums
Supports of the Icelandic team at the 2023 World Men's Handball Championship in Sweden have been banned from using drums…
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January 19, 2023 Capital Area Pools Closed to Conserve Hot Water
Pools throughout the capital region will be closed today due to the cold spell affecting Iceland. Utility company Veitur will…
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January 18, 2023 Unusual Snow on Esja Slopes
Reykjavík residents and visitors may have noticed a distinctive stripe on Esja's slopes in the last few days. As can…
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January 18, 2023 Former National Team Captain Sara Björk Wins Maternity Rights Case
Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir, recently retired captain of the Women's National Football Team, has won her maternity case against former club…
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January 18, 2023 Síminn Retires Clock Service after 86 Years
Telecommunications company Síminn has decided to retire their clock service, where residents could call a number to know what time…
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January 18, 2023 Report Suggests Decreased Fine Collection Leads to Increase in Offenses
The Icelandic National Audit Office (INAO) recently published a report on the collection of court fines, stating that since 2014,…
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January 17, 2023 FÚSK Art Collective Looks for New Home
DIY art collective, FÚSK, is on the look for a new home. Gufunes, a former industrial area near the capital,…
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January 17, 2023 Nurse Charged with Manslaughter Pleads Not Guilty
A National Hospital nurse charged with manslaughter has pleaded not guilty in a recent hearing by the Reykjavík District Court.…
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January 17, 2023 Power Outage Leaves Keflavík International on Backup Power
A power outage left all of Suðurnes, the part of the Reykjanes peninsula outside the capital area, without power for…
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January 16, 2023 In Focus: Public Transport Funding
With ambitious climate goals, rising oil prices, and an energy transition underway, many Icelandic politicians want to de-centre the private…
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January 16, 2023 Samherji Tax Audit Concludes with Settlement
Samherji has reached an ISK 230 million ($1.6 million / €1.5 million) settlement with the Directorate of Tax Investigations in…
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January 16, 2023 Legislation Still Pending on the Taxation of Facebook and Google
Imposing a tax on ad revenue collected by foreign tech companies such as Facebook and Google is urgent, the Minister…
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January 16, 2023 Ice Jam in Ölfusá River Causes Concern for Local Utility Company
An ice jam has caused the Ölfusá river to spill over onto the road near Ósabotnar, where the boreholes of…
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January 15, 2023 Government to Establish Independent Human Rights Office
The Icelandic government hopes to soon establish an independent Human Rights Agency, a watchdog organization that will have the broad…
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January 15, 2023 New National Stadium to Cost ISK 14.2 Billion
It will cost an estimated ISK 14.2 billion [$99.8 million; €92.1 million] to build Iceland’s new national stadium, RÚV reports.…
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January 14, 2023 Hafnarfjörður to Pay Childcare Stipends to Parents, Increase Wages for Childminders
Parents of children a year and older in the town of Hafnarfjörður may now apply to receive a monthly childcare…
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January 14, 2023 Þorrablót Feasts Return After Two-Year Hiatus
After a two-year hiatus during COVID, 2023 marks the return of Þorrablót, a midwinter feast inspired by the food traditions…
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January 13, 2023 Captain Sara Björk Retires from Iceland’s National Team
Footballer Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir has decided to retire from the women’s national football team. Sara Björk, who’s served as captain…
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January 13, 2023 Can you see Greenland from Iceland?
A common myth you hear sometimes is that on a clear day, from some places in West Iceland, you can…
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January 13, 2023 Deep North Episode 8: Wage Negotiations
With the dust from this fall's leadership turmoil still unsettled, one-third of wage contracts need to be re-negotiated between their…
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January 13, 2023 Efling Union Prepares Strikes Amid Failed Negotiations
The Efling Union will present proposals for strike action shortly after the weekend, Vísir reports. If the measures are approved…
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January 13, 2023 Iceland Beats Portugal in Opening Game of World Championship
The men’s national handball team defeated Portugal in their opening game of the 2023 World Men’s Handball Championship. Left winger…
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January 12, 2023 Icelanders Can Now Access Important Passport Info Online
Icelanders are now able to access information about their passport, such as number, date of issue, date of expiration, name,…
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January 12, 2023 Energy Credit Market Means Only 13% of Icelandic Energy is Renewable in Origin
In figures recently released by the National Energy Authority on 2021 energy usage in Iceland, it has come to light…
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January 12, 2023 10-11 Sign Too Big, Rules City Planning Office
The City Planning Office of Reykjavík has ruled against the new sign at the 10-11 convenience store's location at Austurstræti…
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January 11, 2023 Google Forced to Remove Personal Information
Google was recently forced to de-index information about an Icelander following a ruling by the Icelandic Data Protection Authority. See…
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January 11, 2023 No Further Restrictions for Chinese Travellers
A recent memorandum by epidemiologist Guðrún Aspelund to Icelandic Minister of Health, Willum Þór Þórsson, has recommended against the introduction…
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January 11, 2023 Reykjanesbær to Accept 350 Refugees
Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister of Social Affairs and Labour Market, Kjartan Már Kjartansson, Mayor of Reykjanesbær, and Nichole Leigh Mosty,…
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January 10, 2023 Alcohol Consumption On the Rise Among Icelanders
The consumption of alcohol among Icelanders has increased significantly and cases of cirrhosis are on the rise, Dr. Valgerður Rúnarsdóttir,…
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January 10, 2023 ICU Beset by Strep Throat, Other Respiratory Infections
A wave of serious strep throat infections combined with other respiratory infections has brought the intensive care unit to a…
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January 10, 2023 FME Believes Íslandsbanki Broke the Law During March Sale
Íslandsbanki has started a conciliation process with the Central Bank’s Financial Supervisory Authority due to the bank’s possible violations of…
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January 9, 2023 Westman Islands Celebration Marred by Offensive Effigy
Icelandic journalist, podcaster, and athlete Edda Falak has spoken out against recent racist and misogynistic depictions of her at a…
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January 9, 2023 Efling Strike a Growing Possibility
Halldór Benjamín Þorbergsson, director of SA, the Confederation of Icelandic Employers, has expressed his pessimism at reaching a new contract…
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January 9, 2023 Pollution Report Brings Strætó Energy Transition into Question
Jóhannes Svavar Rúnarsson, managing director of Strætó, has recently spoken out in response to statements by the Minister of Environment,…
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January 8, 2023 A Fisherman by Any Other Name: Terminology in New Law Sparks Debate
A new law regarding ships’ crews that went into effect at the beginning of the month is sparking considerable debate…
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January 7, 2023 Swans Freeze to Ice During Cold Snap
Residents in Hafnarfjörður, a small town just outside the capital area, have rescued multiple swans that have frozen to the…
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January 7, 2023 Tesla Best-Selling Private Car in Iceland Last Year
Tesla electric cars were the best-selling passenger vehicle for individual consumers in 2022, RÚV reports. This is part of a…
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January 6, 2023 Why is the sand black in Iceland?
Black sand beaches have become one of the images most closely associated with Iceland, and for good reason. You may…
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January 6, 2023 Work Group to Submit Report on Reykjanesbraut Closure
A work group appointed by Minister Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson to review the closure of Reykjanesbraut in December is expected to…
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January 6, 2023 Court Rulings Shed New Light on Domestic Terror Plot Defendants
Two recently released verdicts from the Court of Appeal (Landsréttur) shed new light on the two defendants in the ongoing…
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January 6, 2023 Deep North Episode 7: Mad World
It's not easy being a teenager. Between social media, online bullying, school, lack of sleep, and other factors, it seems…
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January 6, 2023 Annual Limit on Capital-Area Pollution Already Exceeded
Pollution in the capital area has exceeded the health-protection limit 19 times so far this year, which is more than…
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January 5, 2023 BDSM Community Speaks Out Against Pornography Laws
A draft bill to amend the ban on pornography in Iceland has served as an occasion for the BDSM community…
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January 5, 2023 Suspicious Package Reported at US Embassy
A staff member of the US Embassy in Reykjavík was sent to the hospital yesterday for examination after handling a…
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January 5, 2023 Central Bank Working on Domestic Payment System
The Central Bank of Iceland is working to develop a domestic payment system for Iceland. As more and more transactions…
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January 4, 2023 More Support for Children’s Mental Health Services
In a recent government announcement, an agreement has been reached to increase mental health services for children. Ásmundur Einar Daðason,…
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January 4, 2023 Nine Flown to Reykjavík Following Accident
Following an accident on Suðurlandsvegur yesterday, January 3, nine individuals were flown to Reykjavík for medical care. The accident in…
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January 4, 2023 Possible Restrictions for Travelers from China
Epidemiologist Guðrún Aspelund says that border screenings are being considered for travelers from China, given the recent rise in infections…
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January 4, 2023 Engineer Wages Advertising War Against Aluminium Factories
Electrical engineer Reynir Þór Eyvindsson has bought advertising time for a period of some years on national broadcaster RÚV during…
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January 3, 2023 Bishop Agnes M. Sigurðardóttir To Step Down in 18 Months
In her New Year Sermon in the Reykjavík Cathedral, Bishop of Iceland Agnes M. Sigurðardóttir announced that she will step…
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January 3, 2023 Prime Minister’s Crime Thriller Number 1 Book in Iceland
According to bookseller Penninn Eymnundsson, Reykjavík: A Crime Thriller, was the best-selling book in Iceland in 2022. The book was…
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January 2, 2023 New Year, New Fees: Important Changes in 2023
With the new year, several new regulations, taxes, and fees are coming into effect. Here, we break down the most…
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January 2, 2023 “Like a Big Carnival:” First Child of the New Year
The first child of the new year was born some 21 minutes after midnight to Karlotta Guðjónsdóttir and partner Gunnar…
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January 2, 2023 14 Invested with the Order of the Falcon
President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson awarded 14 individuals with the Order of the Falcon at the presidential residence, Bessastaðir, this New…
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January 2, 2023 Haraldur Þorleifsson Sweeps Person of the Year Awards
Haraldur Þorleifsson, known as Halli, has garnered multiple Person of the Year Awards from various Icelandic media outlets, including from…
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Iceland Review – Culture, Community, Nature