Immigration Directorate Disregards About One-Fourth Of Applications
Just under one-fourth of the asylum applications the Directorate of Immigration receives are not taken into consideration. RÚV reports that, according to data from the Directorate
Syrian Refugees Arrive Tomorrow
The first round of refugees from Syria will arrive in Iceland tomorrow, and preparations for their arrival are complete. MBL reports that these refugees, originally from Syria but
Mysterious “Bomb” Found To Be Harmless Airplane Part
A device found on Eldey island that was thought to be a bomb from WW2 has been revealed to be something else entirely. The tale begins in early 2013, Vísir […]
Literature Comprises 1.5% Of Iceland’s GDP
The literary arts are a big enough deal in Iceland to have contributed significantly to the country’s economy. Icelanders do love their books, but writing is not just an art;
Sky News
The view from our place, right now. Sometimes Monday mornings are merciful.
Iceland’s Immigrants The Most Employed In The World
Immigrant participation in the workforce is highest of all in Iceland, topping other countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). According to th
For The Love Of Music: Vaginaboys Made 2015’s Best Song, But How?
The biggest music story to come out of Iceland in 2015 was arguably Vaginaboys, the anonymous, maybe-or-maybe-not-a-supergroup, masked electro-pop-R&B crusaders who released an
Iceland Has A Low Rate of C-Sections
Across the developing world the rate of c-sections is on the rise, reports the OECD. In Iceland however, the rate remains very low. In the OECD countries, the c-section rate [&hell
Police Get Break In Swastika-Emblazoned Drugs Case
Months after first appearing, police stumbled into a new lead in the case of the dangerous swastika-stamped tablets that have put people in the hospital. According to a statement f
Lutheran Minister Questions Poll’s Results
A minister has put forward that it is a false dilemma to choose between the Big Bang or God creating the universe. Rev. Þórhallur Heimisson said in a sermon he […]
Frontier Photography: Ásgeir Pétursson’s Amazing Greenland Pictures
Ásgeir Pétursson is a 23-year-old photographer who’s just opened an exhibition at Reykjavík’s Greenland Centre, at the top of Laugavegur. He first went to Greenland in Janua
Writers, Readers, Drinkers & Dilettantes: Call For Submissions
Listastofan, a newly opened arts collective and gallery in Vesturbær (see page 13), already has a lot going on, with weekly drawing sessions (featuring live models!), knitting nig
Man Arrested For Calling Emergency Services Over 50 Times
Police had their hands full last night, mostly for break-ins, although one man was arrested for calling emergency services far too many times. RÚV reports that police visited the
Many Drugs Found In Reykjavík Sewers
Cocaine, marijuana and amphetamines are amongst the numerous drugs that can be found in the sewer water under Reykjavík. The results were a part of doctorate research conducted by
Happening Today: Melancolia Perpetualis
Beloved Icelandic composer Haukur Tómasson has written a piece made specifically with bass singer Kristinn Sigmundsson in mind. The collection consists of ten songs inspired by th
A Space Of Colour: Tonik Ensemble On Making The Album Of 2015
Sometimes, “dance music” goes beyond its implied mission of moving people’s feet, and moves them in other ways, too. Grapevine’s album of the year 2015—Tonik Ensemble’s
Fun With Icelandic Names! – Ragnar Egilsson Explains Words!
Most Icelandic names have some cool, ancient symbolism. My name, Ragnar, means something like “Soldier of God” (no biggie). The name has some female variants and one of them, R
Jón Gnarr Will Not Run For President
Former Reykjavík mayor and author Jón Gnarr announced today that he will not run for President of Iceland. Just moments ago, on television station Stöð 2’s Ísland í dag
Parliamentary Ombudsman Gives Immigration Directorate More Time
The Directorate of Immigration now has until February 1 to respond to official inquiries about their handling of an asylum seeker case. RÚV reports that the Directorate, which was
Iceland Said To Be “Powerful Drug Trafficker” In Paraguay
An Icelander has been described by police in Paraguay to be a powerful drug trafficker. RÚV reports that news of Guðmundur Spartakus first came to national attention when Paragua
Iceland’s Only Rabbit Farm Needs Your Help
Approaching the large red-roofed sheep shed at Syðri-Kárastaðir, a farm just north of the village Hvammstangi in the northwest of Iceland, there’s no indication that it’s an