When The Sun Stops Shining
Iceland is not the best place in the world to visit during the winter. Especially if you crave long, sunny days with still winds and a nice crisp, dry cold. […]
European Investment Bank to Put Millions In Geothermal Energy
The European Investment Bank (EIB) says they intend to invest 170 million euros in Orkuveita Reykjavikur (Reykjavik Energy) for the expansion of its geothermal power capacity. In a
Icelandic Youth Council With Open Meeting Today
The Icelandic Youth Council (IYC) will hold an open meeting today, whereby young people can express their wishes to and ask questions of the Minister of Education and other politic
Controversial Ex-Mayor to Run Again
Former mayor of Kópavogur Gunnar I. Birgisson told reporters that he plans to run again in next spring’s municipal elections. Vísir reports that Birgisson, who stepped down
Stuff We Like!
Alright. We gotta admit. We’re feeling a little Christmassy (that a real word?) already, even though the holidays are still a month to come. Maybe it’s the fact that we
I’m No Expert #1
Apparently there are no mandatory rock show-like delays at a classical lunch hour concert, so luckily I arrived just in time. Pianist and curator Nína Margrét Grímsdóttir took
Iceland’s Greatest Spy: The Real James Bond
You’ve seen him in the movies. Most famously, he has been played by Sean Connery, Roger Moore and lately Daniel Craig. There he appears as Bond, James Bond. He appears […]
Why I Don’t Want to Grow Up
To celebrate my 33rd birthday, I went to see the GI Joe movie. What’s wrong with this sentence? Sure, the movie was crap, but I knew that going in. Still, […]
Icelandic Taxes Still Lower Than Other Nordic Countries
Despite a growing public outcry over a proposed raise in taxes that the government plans to put into action, Iceland still has the lowest tax rates of any of the […]
Gender Quota Law Works
Leftist-Green Reykjavík city councilperson Sóley Tómasdóttir told reporters that Norway’s gender quota laws for places of employment has worked, and should be adopted her
Redheads Fear for Personal Safety
As Facebook page calling for “Kick-A-Ginger Day” went up, many redheaded Icelanders feared for their physical safety. Icelandic language specialist Esther Ösp Gunnarsd
Which Party Is Most In Touch With the People?
Vísir reports that CLARA, a start-up company developing software, used a program to compare the wishes and themes brought up at the National Assembly with the speeches made by mem
Young Leftist-Greens “Disappointed” In Government’s Refugee Practices
A statement from the Young Leftist-Greens (UVG) expressed “great disappointment” in the government’s treatment of asylum seekers in Iceland. Specifically, UVG cal
230 Immigrants Will Take Language Test for Citizenship
230 immigrants will take an Icelandic language test next month, as part of the process of applying for citizenship, Vísir reports. The tests are given twice a year, in June [&hell
Yoko’s Tower of Power
I like Yoko Ono. In fact, I like Yoko Ono far more than I’ve ever liked John Lennon. I once worked in a museum and watched Ono’s “Cut Piece” almost […]
Brilliant Hike on Sólheimajökull
“For how many gin and tonics could you get ice from this glacier?” asks one co-traveller as our group of hikers makes its way towards Sólheimajökull, an outlet glacier in [&h
Artist Vs. Artist
Egill Sæbjörnsson and Davíð Örn Halldórsson are both prominent young artists that have been raising eyebrows all over for a while now. With good reason, too, as their art is,
DeCODE Sold to American Company
Icelandic genetic research company deCODE, once a symbol of Iceland’s ingenuity and cutting edge, has been sold to an American company as operating costs outgrew profits. Acc
Iceland Becomes More Corrupt
According to yet another survey from Transparency International (TI), Iceland is now tied for 8th place with Australia and Canada in the category of least corrupt countries, down f
Fewer Icelanders Smoking
Fewer Icelanders smoke now than did 20 years ago. According to The Public Health Institute of Iceland, 30% of the nation smoked in 1989. Today, that figure is closer to […]
Björk & Sjón Collaborate On Song For Upcoming Moomin Flick
Björk and frequent collaborator Sjón are to contribute an exclusive new song to the upcoming Moomin troll film “Moomins and the Comet Chase,” which will be released t