Tag: Fréttablaðið
The newspaper Fréttablaðið has been closed
Fréttablaðið, the first free newspaper in Iceland, has been discontinued. All broadcasts on Hringbraut TV station will also end. About 100 people were made redundant in what the editor of Fréttablaðið called “a shock to democracy in Iceland”. In a morning press release, Torg (which runs Fréttablaðið, Hringbraut and DV) announced that the decision had […]
Access to the Skessuhorn mountain will not be restricted despite its sale
A spokesperson for the Canadian couple who purchased the Horn property in Skorradalur, West Iceland, told Fréttablaðið that access to the Skessuhorn mountain, which is located on the estate, will not be restricted. Anyone who wants to hike there can still do so. Earlier this week, Fréttablaðið reported that a Canadian businessman (who reportedly made […]
It is very difficult to buy the first apartment
According to a new survey by Prósent, Icelanders are almost unanimous that it is difficult to enter the real estate market. The vast majority, 93 percent, believe that it is difficult for first-time buyers to buy a flat. Of these, 71 percent find it very difficult. That’s according to a new survey by Prósent for […]
Ban on work for Efling members: “Absolute emergency measure”
The board of the Confederation of Workers (SA) approved the proposal for companies and enterprises that belong to it to ban Efling members from working. If it is accepted, none of the employees employed on the basis of the Efling and SA payroll agreements may work and receive remuneration at that time. Voting on the […]
Six percent of state-owned premises are unoccupied
The state has approximately 550,000 square meters of premises, of which 30,000, or six percent, are unused. These premises are either empty or in the process of development or transformation. Information about this is provided by Fréttablaðið and refers to the responses of the Icelandic real estate administration – Ríkiseignar. The newspaper claims to have […]
Samherji pleads guilty to the offence, although the Namibia investigation is still ongoing
The District Attorney’s Office dropped criminal charges against Samherji but did not complete its investigation into the case in Namibia. In an interview with the portal Fréttablaðið, District Attorney Ólafur Þór Hauksson confirms that the tax issues have been transferred to the tax office. According to the agreement with the tax office, Samherji is to […]
The president of the Reykjavík City Council calls for action
“We can no longer bury our heads in the sand. The ideal solution is to commission the construction of the train to Keflavík if the project proves to be viable, but it is up to the state to decide,” said Þórdís Lóa Þórhallsdóttir, head of Reykjavík City Council in an interview with Fréttablaðið. The opportunity […]
December is a record winter
In Viðidalur in Reykjavík, thermometers showed a temperature of -23 degrees today. This is the lowest temperature recorded in the area of the capital since 1918, when the area was hit by a particularly harsh winter. In a statement to Fréttablaðið Sigurður Þór Guðjónsson, a climate historian, wrote: “The occurrence of such low temperatures in […]
Significant increase in rents for rentals at Alma
The rental company, which made a profit of 12 billion last year, gave no explanation for the 30 percent increase in rental prices. The finance minister says the increases are indefensible. Alma is a rental company that owns and operates over a thousand apartments across the country. Fréttablaðið journalists spoke on Tuesday with a disabled […]
The Environment Agency proposes to charge for studded tires
The Icelandic Environment Agency is currently working on updating its air quality plan. Among the changes was a proposal that local authorities should be authorized to charge for the use of studded tires. The portal Fréttablaðið was the first to inform about it. Traffic regulations will have to be changed if this proposal is to […]
There is a shortage of places in kindergartens
In Reykjavik, 618 children aged 12 months and over are waiting for a place in kindergarten. Nearly one hundred seats are useless due to mold and kindergartens are unable to fill more seats. Fréttablaðið informs that the number of children on the waiting list has increased by 162 since September 1. Until the end of […]
Icelanders are drinking more and more
According to the latest research by Fréttablaðið, alcohol consumption in Iceland has increased from three to six liters per person over the age of 15. Icelanders drink more than before, but as a rule – less “at a time”. Alcohol consumption in adolescents has decreased, but one in three children in the 9th grade has […]
Angler electrocuted
This morning a man was electrocuted when he drove his fishing rod into a high-voltage line in the Eystri-Rangá River. “The man caught his fishing line on high voltage lines along the river in many places,” confirmed Gunnar Guðjónsson, who supervises fishing in Eystri-Rangá, in an interview with Fréttablaðið. She says she has no recollection […]
Summer is coming!
In an interview with Fréttablaðið, meteorologist Sigurður Þ. Ragnarsson announced the late arrival of Icelandic summer. According to Sigurður, good weather is expected in the coming days in Iceland, which can last up to several weeks. “Summer is finally here,” said Sigurður Þ. Ragnarsson, better known as Storm Siggi, stated in yesterday’s interview with Fréttablaðið; […]
Lack of supervision over the payment of parking fees in Hverir
Parking fees have recently been introduced at one of Iceland’s most famous gems, the Hverir geothermal field east of Námaskard. The new and much larger plan was fenced and there were signs informing about the obligation to pay with QR codes. Fees are paid electronically. Provided that tourists follow the instructions. A journalist from Fréttablaðið […]
Foreign tourists should pay for sightseeing
Most Icelanders want foreign tourists to be charged for accessing Icelandic attractions. At the same time, most are against forcing Icelanders to pay for such access. Such results were brought by a public opinion poll conducted by Fréttablaðið. Seventy-two percent of respondents are in favor of introducing charges for foreign tourists, while only thirty percent […]
Optimistic attitude of the owners of tourist companies
A new opinion poll shows that those running a travel company seem to be optimistic about the coming year. Representatives of the companies say that Iceland’s position as a destination will either strengthen or remain at the same level. The results of the survey, which was carried out at the end of last year, by […]
Mess with the passing of Pap tests results in less participation
The participation of women in cervical screening last year was lower than in previous years due to the relocation of activities related to them from the Cancer Society (Krabbameinsfélagið) to health centers and the resulting difficulties, according to Ágúst Inga Ágústsson, chief physician at Screening Coordination Center, when asked by Fréttablaðið. […] The article Clutter […]
The Icelandic Meteorological Institute announces the formal end of the eruption
Today it is 10 months since the eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano and three months since the last lava flow, and as Fréttablaðið reports, the Icelandic Meteorological Institute announces the formal end of the eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula. At the end of November, the national police commissioner, in consultation with the Reykjanes police commissioner, […]
This is the second information leak from the Labor Office this year
The Office for Personal Data Protection received a complaint regarding the lack of security of personal data processing by the Labor Office. This is the second such case this year. Fréttablaðið reported today, but email addresses of English-speaking clients of the institution leaked in October regarding mental health issues. Personal data was also handled carelessly […]
Explosive device found at Mánatún in Reykjavik
According to Fréttablaðið, the object found in the garbage can on Mánatún Street in Reykjavik is, according to Fréttablaðið, a kind of explosive device. Fréttablaðið journalists note that the residence of the US ambassador to Iceland is in the neighboring house. Yesterday in the early morning in Mánatún a special unit of the police commissioner […]
Accused of setting his own restaurant on fire
A man in his 50s was charged with setting fire to his restaurant in Keflavík last year and then attempting to extort his insurance company for damages. This is reported by the daily Fréttablaðið. The man was accused of starting a fire at two locations inside the Kebab House restaurant in Reykjanesbær in June 2020. […]
The case with the use of weapons was discontinued
The Icelandic District Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the case of a former police officer who was in custody earlier this year. He was suspected of firing a gun at a car belonging to the Mayor of Reykjavik in January and earlier at the Samfylkingin offices. The decision to discontinue a case is based on the provisions […]
The composition of the new government may be announced after the weekend
Talks between the leaders of the three ruling parties will continue over the weekend, and a new government may be formed next week. According to Bjarni Benediktsson, chairman of the Independence Party, it will be possible to form a government next week if the weekend is put to good use in the negotiations. “We have […]
19 people sought help in relation to sexual violence
This year, nineteen people have sought help in the emergency department for victims of sexual violence due to gang rape. Thirteen people applied in 2020, and six in 2019, according to today’s edition of Fréttablaðið. This is a terrifying development, according to Hrönn Stefánsdóttir, nurse and manager in the emergency department. He gives the example […]
The millionth test against coronavirus
Yesterday, the millionth sample used for screening to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus infections was supported in the country. It was a sample of the million since the Icelandic epidemic started. The head of the capital’s healthcare facility says he also expects an additional million samples to be taken before the outbreak ends. – ADVERTISEMENT – “With […]
Mass violations of tax law
Airbnb has provided the Icelandic tax inspector with data that has raised suspicions of massive tax violations by Icelanders in connection with the use of a website that brokers accommodation to tourists. The case is described today by Fréttablaðið, where it is stated that the gravity of the infringements depends, inter alia, on the amounts […]
800 people employed at Icelandair
Icelandair has hired or reinstated approximately 800 people in recent months as the number of flights increased and in preparation for increased activity this summer. This is reported by Elísabet Helgadóttir, Managing Director of Icelandair Group’s Human Resources Department, in an interview published in Markaðinn, a supplement to Fréttablaðið. When asked what types of vacancies […]
Immigration office condemned for withdrawing support for asylum seekers
As Fréttablaðið reports, the Church of Iceland issued a resolution condemning the immigration office for withdrawing housing and food assistance for asylum seekers who are to be deported. Aid was taken from 14 men, most of them Palestinian, after they refused to undergo the COVID-19 tests as a condition for their deportation to Greece. Hundreds […]
It promises to be the busiest weekend of the year
It is estimated that 17 passenger planes will arrive at Keflavík International Airport this Saturday and Sunday. It will be the busiest weekend in Iceland this year so far. Arrivals will be able to test the Icelandic health authorities’ ability to analyze PCR tests, which could translate into a longer quarantine period for arriving passengers. […]
The hottest place in Iceland
A quarter of Iceland’s population has already gone to replace a volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula, reports the local newspaper Fréttablaðið. The volcano erupted a month ago and since then interest in it has been growing and the number of visitors to this place has been growing. According to research, more people have recently […]
They remove slot machines from their stores
Olís, Snælandsvídeó, Núpalind and Skálinn in Þorlákshöfn have stopped using slot machines in their stores. The reason for this decision is that store reps say it is their social responsibility. Two weeks ago, a lawyer from the Gambling Addiction Association (SÁS) sent a letter to the University Lottery stating that using slot machines with any […]
The National Court rejects the epidemiologist’s complaint
The National Court rejected the epidemiologist’s complaint regarding the forced stay of residents in the so-called quarantine hotel. This means that the epidemiologist’s decision to quarantine hotels has been revoked. The epidemiologist is currently working on a memorandum on how to carry out epidemic controls at the border. The newspaper Fréttablaðið was the first to […]
Iceland tops the global gender equality ranking
The World Economic Forum has ranked Iceland as the world’s best performer in terms of gender equality. The Global Gender Gap Report 2021 is the fifteenth annual publication of an ongoing study that reflects economic participation, educational opportunities, political empowerment and women’s health. Iceland ranks just ahead of Finland, Norway, New Zealand and Sweden, with […]
From Iceland – Addiction to gambling addiction believes that the activities of the University of Iceland lottery are illegal
A lawyer from the Association of Gambling Addicts (SÁS) considers the activities of the University of Iceland Lottery (HHÍ) illegal and punishable, Fréttablaðið reports. This was stated in the lawyer’s letter sent to the University Lottery on March 8. The letter states that although the operation of an arcade is punishable by law in this […]
From Iceland – Authorities appeal volcano safety awareness
Yesterday, the Icelandic authorities encouraged visitors to visit eruption site in Geldingadalur to be more aware of safety. The local police reminded guests to show up with cramps to walk on icy trails and said Gunnar Schram, chief Indicator that they were seeing a lot of walking-related injuries such as twists, sprains and minor inches. […]
From Iceland – Landspítali is currently working in a crisis phase due to COVID restrictions
Landspítali’s operations will move to crisis levels in response to COVID restrictions set at midnight, Fréttablaðið reports. In the next few days, it will be possible to start vaccinating employees with the Pfizer vaccine; this will mean that more than 90% of hospital staff will be vaccinated. This was decided at a meeting of the […]
From Iceland – Increased interest in Iceland following the decision to allow vaccinated tourists outside Schengen
Daði Guðjónsson, director of the consumer market at Business Iceland (Íslandsstofa), has stated this in an interview with Fréttablaðið that he believes that the decision to allow vaccinated tourists outside the Schengen area will arouse enormous interest in the interests of visitors to the country. Daði says that “At least we found more support and […]
From Iceland – A politician in Reykjavík finds a buried gun
A minister in the Seltjarnarnes area in Reykjavík recently found a pistol buried in the foundations of his house – which led to armed Icelandic special forces visiting. Guðmundur Ari Sigurjónsson found the weapon as he was working on several projects with his property, according to Fréttablaðið. When he stopped working for coffee, Guðmundur called […]
From Iceland – Plans to improve access to natural pearls in East Iceland
The mayor of Múlaþing, Björn Ingimarsson, has been advised to talk to Vegagerðin, the national road construction company, to improve access to the natural pearls of East Iceland, Fréttablaðið reports. The idea is that by improving the roads in the area, the so-called “Diamond Road” (not to be confused with the current Diamond Circle) can […]
From Iceland – Húsavík nominated for an Oscar
The song ‘Húsavík’ from the film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is nominated for the award in the category of best original song. Residents of Húsavík are excited for their small town to regain world attention after it was seen in the film. The residents of Húsavík have fought hard for the […]
From Iceland – Carcasses of humpback whales were seen near Garðskagavitur
The carcass of a dead humpback whale has floated around the sea near Garðskagavitur lighthouse and attracted the attention of many locals, Fréttablaðið reports. No decisions have been made on what to do with the whale. Gísli A. Víkingsson, a marine biologist at the Marine Research Institute, has stated in an interview with the news […]
From Iceland – Plans to improve access to natural tourist destinations
Þórdís KR Gylfadóttir, Minister of Tourism, and Guðmundur I. Guðbrandsson, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, announced that work will begin on improving the infrastructure of various natural gems in Iceland. Fréttablaðið reports. A total of ISK 764 million has been allocated from the national plan for infrastructure development and ISK 807 million from […]
From Iceland – Houses in Flateyri at risk of avalanches receive protection
Construction is underway to strengthen houses in Flateyri that are at risk of avalanches, Fréttablaðið reports. The local government of Ísafjörður launched this action plan in January and it is expected that all the houses that are in danger will be strengthened during the summer. Protection from mother nature Among other things, bulletproof glass will […]
The number of passengers decreases, but freight remains stable
Icelandair has reported that international passenger traffic in February 2021 was only 2% of that in the same period last year. About 5,000 passengers flew internationally last month, according to Fréttablaðið. Tourists were mostly flying to or from Iceland, although the airline maintained services connecting Europe with North America via Keflavík. Icelandair’s passenger capacity has […]
From Iceland – Janssen’s vaccine is expected to be licensed this week
Rúna Hauksdóttir Hvannberg, director of the Icelandic Medicines Agency, says she is preparing for the Janssen vaccine to receive a conditional marketing authorization in Europe this week. When talking to Fréttablaðið, Rúna says that the expert committee of the European Medicines Agency, CHMA, is now meeting to discuss the distribution of the Janssen vaccine against […]
From Iceland – Three Spaniards charged with importing drugs into Iceland
Three Spaniards, two women and one man, have been charged with importing five thousand e-tablets, five kilos of hashish, one hundred pieces of LSD and 250 grams of methamphetamine, Fréttablaðið reports. One woman smuggled methamphetamine inside a sanitary napkin in her underwear. Should know better Alleged violations were committed in December last year. The man […]
From Iceland – Three accused of importing drugs to Iceland
Three men, two women and one man, have been charged with importing five thousand e-tablets, five kilos of hashish, one hundred pieces of LSD and 250 grams of methamphetamine from Spain. Fréttablaðið reports. One woman smuggled methamphetamine inside a sanitary napkin in her underwear. Should know better Alleged violations were committed in December last year. […]
From Iceland – Gender divisions in the economy are still strong
Almost twice as many women in Iceland work in fields that require education or expertise than men, Fréttablaðið reports. This is almost 67% of women in the labor market, compared to 39% of men. This was stated in a new report from Eurostat, the EU’s statistical institute. The proportions are much lower in the continent […]
From Iceland – Icelandic Islanders are happier than those who live in Reykjavík
A new report shows that the inhabitants of Vestmannaeyjar are the happiest in the country according to the population survey of the areas, Fréttablaðið reports. The results show that the residents of Reykjanesbær and the capital area were the unhappiest of all Icelandic people. A total of 10,000 people took part in the survey. The […]
From Iceland – One third of earthquakes in the last 30 years have occurred in the last 12 months
In the last 30 years, 66,348 earthquakes have shaken the Reykjanes peninsula. 23,210 of these earthquakes have occurred in the last 12 months, Fréttablaðið reports. Bæring Gunnar Steinþórsson, computer scientist, has spent a lot of his free time working on a project that shows the graphical representation of earthquakes. His interest began in 2014 when […]
From Iceland – Icelandair flies to Antarctica today
A flight from Icelandair went to Antarctica yesterday evening and was picked up by 30 Norwegian scientists who have worked there in recent months. The plane will stop at Cape Town in South Africa and will make its way to the South Pole from there. Upon returning home, it will return as it came but […]
From Iceland – Rescue team to get rid of the financing of fireworks
Published February 22, 2021 The Icelandic government is exploring better ways to finance Slysavarnafélagið LandsbjörgThe Icelandic Search and Rescue Association – which at present relies almost entirely on charity work and the sale of fireworks. According to Fréttablaðið, Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir, Minister of Justice, appoints a working group aimed at reducing the association’s confidence in […]
From Iceland – More arrests in Reykjavík during filming
Published February 18, 2021 Following attacks and arrests in the capital area this week, seven people are now in police custody due to a shooting attack on a person in Reykjavík last Saturday. The next day, a man in his forties was arrested and remanded in custody until Friday. On Monday, three more people were […]
From Iceland – The first shopping program that understands Icelandic
The first shopping program to understand Icelandic was released to the public today. Aha.is developed the app that allows users to tell their phone what food they need and it will monitor what needs to be bought for the next shopping trip. You can also search for a product by asking the application. The program […]
From Iceland – The Central Bank warns against the use of cryptocurrencies
The Icelandic Central Bank has warned against the use of cryptocurrencies, RÚV reports, due to lack of regulatory protection. The Bank has no real control over the production of cryptocurrencies in the country and very little control over how they are traded. This is despite an estimated 8% of the world’s supply of leading cryptocurrencies. […]
From Iceland – Geysir’s staff who have yet to hear from the owner about the future of the company
After being laid off last week, Geysir’s employees still have to hear about their future at the company or whether they will receive any unemployment benefits. This was announced by Fréttablaðið, who spoke to an employee this morning about the situation they have been left with. One week ago, all employees received a message from […]
From Iceland – Increase in sales of Corona beer last year
Published February 4, 2021 Last year, there has been a 12% increase in sales of the Corona beer brand, despite a general shortage of the product. Halldór Ægir Halldórsson is the brand manager at Vinnes, Corona beer’s agent in Iceland. He said Fréttablaðið “We saw a huge increase in sales of the Corona last year. […]
Former policeman suspected of shooting at the Mayor of Reykjavik’s car
A former police officer is suspected of shooting at the car of Reykjavik’s mayor, Dagur B. Eggertsson, and at the windows of the Social Democratic Alliance offices. The man is currently in police custody. Mayor of Reykjavik Dagur B. Eggertsson According to Fréttablaðið, in 2003 a man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for […]
Young Conservatives propose street cleaning, parking discounts to reduce air pollution
As the Reykjavík City Council continues to wrestle with a proposal to ban studded tires in the city, the idea is still controversial. Fréttablaðið reports that Young Conservatives in Reykjavík, Heimdallur, have submitted several compromise proposals to reduce air pollution. Studded tires are a popular accessory in Iceland. While certainly understandable in rural areas, where […]
From Iceland – A former police officer is suspected of having shot the mayor’s car
A former police officer has now become the main suspect in firing a firearm at the mayor’s car in Reykjavík. According to sources at Fréttablaðið, the man in question is called Hallur Gunnar Erlingsson. The man is said to be in his mid-sixties and is considered dangerous. Hallur was previously a police officer. But in […]
From Iceland – Human trafficking laws can get longer protection for workers, forced smugglers
The Minister of Justice, Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir, has submitted a bill to the Althingi proposing changes to the human trafficking part of the Penal Code. Fréttablaðið reports, which would extend protection for human trafficking survivors. “The discussion about human trafficking is mostly about sex work,” said Áslaug. “But human trafficking is linked to various organized […]
From Iceland – 23 people were compensated for the protesters’ report
23 people received damages due to the 2014 police report on some of the people who protested against the government following the financial collapse in the autumn of 2008, Fréttablaðið reports. The damages awarded by the Icelandic government amounted to a total of ISK 7.46 million and an additional ISK 1,925,100 in legal costs. Individual […]
From Iceland – Distrust of the Icelandic Minister of Finance due to the sale of Íslandsbanki
Icelanders have little faith in their country’s Minister of Finance and Economy to handle the sale of the state-owned bank Íslandsbanki, survey has revealed. The survey company Market and Media Research interviewed 915 Icelanders last week and the results were announced by Fréttablaðið yesterday. 63% of Icelanders surveyed indicated that they did not trust themselves […]
From Iceland – Reykjavík trying to ban studded tires
The Reykjavík City Council has repeatedly tried to ban the use of studded tires within city limits, without success, Fréttablaðið reports. To do so, the city needs the approval of the national government but has not yet received it. This is very often the case when the city wants to set or set laws or […]
The government wants to sell 25% of the state-owned stake in Íslandsbanki
However, in the long run, the government intends to sell most or all of the bank’s state-owned shares. The reduction of state ownership in financial institutions has been the goal of Iceland’s financial policy in recent years and is part of the current coalition’s government agreement. photo: Fréttablaðið According to Iceland Review, Finance Minister Bjarni […]
From Iceland – Iceland to receive an additional 80,000 vaccine doses from Pfizer
Iceland receives an additional 80,000 vaccine doses from Pfizer, RÚV reports. This was stated in an announcement from the Ministry of Health yesterday. The European Commission previously agreed to buy 200 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, but has now agreed on an additional contract guaranteeing an additional 100 million doses. This means that Iceland, […]
More Seyðisfjörður returns, a man arrested for a “threatening” prime minister appears
Anywhere from 80 to 100 people will be allowed to return to Seyðisfjörður, RÚV reports, where an additional small area in the village has been cleared of the risk of further landslides. The news comes as about 305 people are allowed to return, just days after a landslide destroyed 14 homes in the Northeast. However, […]
From Iceland – Rangá To offer free menstrual products on Scottish days
Published December 16, 2020 The store Rangá will make menstrual products free of charge in the Scottish days, Fréttablaðið reports. This decision is a reference to a bill passed by the Scottish Parliament last month, which stipulates that the state must provide free hygiene products to those who need them. Rangá says that he believes […]
From Iceland – WOMEN urge the city of Reykjavík to take the allegations of family help seriously
RÚV reports that the Association of Women of Foreign Descent in Iceland (WOMEN) has encouraged the City of Reykjavík to take recent allegations against Icelandic Family Aid (Family Aid) seriously in allocating financial grants to aid organizations in the coming year. Statement WOMEN was published in response to the recent allegations of racial discrimination by […]
They want the city to check the Fjölskylduhjálp
The Association of Foreign Women (WOMEN) calls on the city of Reykjavík to conduct a transparent investigation into the activities of the charity Fjölskylduhjálp. Fjölskylduhjálp Íslands / photo by Rósa Braga If it is found that people are discriminated against by an organization on the basis of their origin, women urge the city to stop […]
From Iceland – Iceland’s energy consumption per capita in Europe
Published December 11, 2020 Household energy consumption in Iceland was the highest per capita in Europe in 2017, Fréttablaðið reported this morning. This is stated in figures published only by Statistics Iceland. 2017 is the latest year in which data from all European countries are available. In terms of energy used exclusively for domestic use, […]
From Iceland – Cluster Coronavirus infection is found in asylum seekers
Eight of the new coronavirus cases found yesterday have been traced to a cluster infection within a shelter for asylum seekers in Hafnarfjörður, Fréttablaðið reports. The first infection was diagnosed on Tuesday and the second was found on Wednesday. In light of this, it was decided to take samples from everyone and an additional six […]
From Iceland – Tarot tires of Icelandic father and daughter won an Oscar for witches
Fréttablaðið have reported that Haukur Halldórsson and Gunnhildur Hauksdóttir have been awarded two CARTA awards from the International Tarot Foundation: Best Artistic Achievement and Judge’s Choice for Oracle Deck. This award (which Gunnhildur proposes to be “some kind of Oscar for witches”) is for a prop tire, Yggdrasil, which the duo made together. This was […]
From Iceland – The Coast Guard’s mechanic rejects proposal; The Minister of Justice wants to ban the strike
A proposal from the state mediator was presented to the Coast Guard’s aircraft mechanics with the hope of ending the current strike, which began on 5 November. Fréttablaðið reports. On the other hand, Áslaug Arna Sigurbjörnsdóttir, the Minister of Justice, has just submitted a bill it would force this mechanic back to work. The negotiation […]
From Iceland – Funding will keep the women’s shelter open until spring
Funds have been secured to keep emergency shelters open to homeless women all winter. Fréttablaðið reports. The emergency shelter was opened in April to accommodate homeless women during the COVID-19 epidemic and was scheduled to close in September. However, the women who moved to the shelter issued a statement protesting its closure, and it was […]
Nature takes a break from tourists
Due to the epidemic and the suspension of tourism, the number of people visiting the most interesting places for tourists has drastically decreased. According to the latest figures published by Fréttablaðið, the number of visitors to Snæfellsjökull National Park in October fell by 90% between years. Saxhóll / photo: Iceland News / Tom S. Over […]
From Iceland – 90% reduction in visitors to the national park
Published November 23, 2020 Visitors to Snæfellsjökull National Park in October have decreased by 90% between years, Fréttablaðið reported yesterday. In the last month, an average of nine people have climbed up to the Saxhól crater in the national park every day. About 15% of the park’s visitors tend to climb Saxhóll. These figures have […]
From Iceland – There is no age limit on the “Morning After” pill
Pharmacies have refused any contraceptive pill for anyone under the age of eighteen, despite the fact that there is no age limit on the drug in Icelandic law. Fréttablaðið reports. Sólborg Guðbrandsdóttir, singer and fighter known for her Instagram page Idiots, claims to have received a large number of messages from young people who were […]
From Iceland – MP raises questions about CIA activities
According to a report in Fréttablaðið, It has recently been revealed that the Danish military’s intelligence service has given the CIA access to the country’s fiber optic network, which the United States uses to spy on Denmark and other countries. An informant in the Danish secret service revealed how the agency collaborated with the US […]
From Iceland – Bus passengers must wear masks despite antibodies
Published November 17, 2020 Strætó has confirmed that passengers will continue to be required to wear a mask on the company’s buses, regardless of whether they have a certificate proving that they have already had a Covid-19 or not. Fréttablaðið reported this morning. This follows a new regulation by the Minister of Health that will […]
Four out of ten Icelanders still believe in themselves
Published November 17, 2020 Maskin’s survey has revealed that four out of ten Icelanders consider themselves to believe in some religion, according to Fréttablaðið. It also showed that supporters of the People’s Party are more likely to be religious than supporters of other political parties. This means that there is little difference between the number […]
Mamma Air “Not a performance art of any kind”, the creator demands it
Oddur Eysteinn Friðriksson, the thinker behind Mom Air, sent Grapevine a statement this morning saying “Mom Air is not a performance art of any kind”. He also claimed that there was an “obvious difference” between the logo and color scheme of Mom Air and the discontinued WOW Air airlines, despite what a lawyer on behalf […]
From Iceland – New “Budget Airline” Probably performance art, attracts the attention of lawyers
Grapevine and other media received a press release yesterday announcing the creation of a new budget airline called Mamma Air. As you can see, the logo and color scheme of the airline are very similar to the logo and color scheme for WOW Air which is now discontinued. When we got the answers, the lawyer […]
From Iceland – Icelander arrested in Alicante
Published October 28, 2020 An Icelandic man was arrested in Spain yesterday and faces up to 12 years in prison in Denmark, but he has been charged with sexual offenses against his own daughter and custody of a child. Fréttablaðið reported last night. A press release Spanish police have confirmed that the man was arrested […]
From Iceland – The number of falcons in Iceland decreases
Published October 26, 2020 The falcon population in Iceland is probably the lowest in two to four years, says the Institute of Natural History in an article by Fréttablaðið. It is estimated that there are now three to four hundred pairs of falcons in Iceland and the bird is said to be “in some danger” […]
From Iceland – Influx of soldiers coming to Iceland
About 500 to 600 US and Canadian troops are expected to arrive in Iceland in the coming weeks due to COVID disease control regulations. Fréttablaðið reports. There are currently 250 members of the US Air Force in the country, who arrived in NATO in early October, and 300 members of the Canadian Air Force who […]
From Iceland – Earthquake to accompany bad weather, Hooray!
Published October 21, 2020 Depression is approaching Iceland from Newfoundland tomorrow, which means that wind and rain can be expected until Sunday, Fréttablaðið reported this morning. Those families who plan to travel around the country during a break from school may want to check out the company’s website Icelandic Meteorological Office, where more detailed information […]
From Iceland – The Prime Minister reveals plans to write a crime story
The Prime Minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, has revealed that she intends to stand out in the world of fiction, Fréttablaðið reports. In an interview with RÚV last week, Katrín and the best-selling author Ragnar Jónsson discussed the planned collaboration between those they first discussed together in January. Katrín told RÚV: “We have had one meeting about […]
From Iceland – Young people break into a swimming pool
Published October 9, 2020 A group of young people broke into a swimming pool in Reykjavík shortly before ten o’clock last night, Fréttablaðið enlightened this morning. Their cries could be heard outside the pool and they were reported to the police. When the police arrived at the scene, all but one of the group had […]
From Iceland – The Prime Minister offers concessions for the Icelandic Constitution
The Prime Minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, intends to present a bill this November which will make two changes to the Icelandic Constitution, Fréttablaðið reports. These changes are still not very clearly defined and do not represent everything that the Icelandic nation voted for in 2010, even if the number of Icelanders who want a new constitution […]
From Iceland – a refuge for victims of gender-based violence proposed in the south
Soroptimistaklúbbur Suðurlands wants to open a shelter for victims of gender-based violence in the area, Fréttablaðið reported this morning. The refuge would be called Sigurhæðir. The club is requesting help and funding from nearby municipalities and has already received positive feedback from some of them, for example Árborg, which will provide housing in Selfoss and […]
From Iceland – More restrictions on Coronavirus in the capital area
Even tougher restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus are being implemented in the capital today, Fréttablaðið and Indicator reported this morning. This includes closing hair salons, beauty salons and massage parlors and the mandatory use of masks in stores. Restaurants will remain open but will have to close at 9pm every night. The proximity […]
From Iceland – One meter for infection control
Published October 2, 2020 The team of Icelandic Epidemiologists reduces the proximity that requires contact with the quarantine from two meters to one meter, Fréttablaðið reported this morning. Until recently, individuals who had tested positive for coronary heart disease were required to make a list of all other individuals they had been closer than two […]
From Iceland – Growth in women’s unemployment
More women than men lose their jobs in Iceland, Fréttablaðið reported this morning. An expert from the Directorate of Labor predicts that general unemployment will peak at the end of this year. Women’s unemployment is now half a percent higher than men’s unemployment. This is based on the beginning of the pandemic when women’s unemployment […]
From Iceland – All crew members of Valdimar GK analyzed with COVID-19
All fourteen crew members in the liner Valdimar GK have been diagnosed with COVID-19. Jóhann K. Jóhannsson, communications director of the Civil Defense Department, confirmed the situation in a conversation with Fréttablaðið. The ship was landed in Njarðvík on Sunday morning after just over a day of fishing close to Hornafjörður. According to a report […]
From Iceland – Many gay teenagers are bullied at school
As reported Fréttablaðið this morning, the results of a survey that was to be presented today by the Gender Equality Committee of the School of Education at the University of Iceland showed that one third of young gay people experience insecurity at school. However, the lecturer is in quarantine and could not deliver the talk. […]
From Iceland – The Minister of Justice proposes a new bill on sexual immunity
A new bill presented by the Minister of Justice could mean up to four years in prison for anyone who distributes nudity or videos of others without permission, Fréttablaðið reports. The bill, written by Áslaug árna Sigurbjörnsdóttir, states that anyone who shares such material on a sexual basis can face up to four years in […]
From Iceland – Thousands of face masks donated to colleges and universities
The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture is collaborating with the Ministry of Health to ensure that colleges and universities have access to 20,000 to 25,000 face masks, Fréttablaðið reports. According to new guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, all students and staff of upper secondary schools and universities in the […]
