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Road From Keflavík Airport Temporarily Closed, Long Detour Will Be Opened
Reykjanesbraut–the highway between Keflavík International Airport and the greater Reykjavík area–will be closed from 20:00 this evening until 20:00 tomorrow, Vísir reports. Traffic will flow as usually from Reykjavík to the airport, but those traveling from the airport during this time will…
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Report On Bank Sale Finds Numerous Errors, Finance Minister Back In Spotlight
The Icelandic National Audit Office (INAO) has just released their report on the sale of a 22.5% share of Íslandsbanki last spring that even the government has characterised as deeply flawed. The report states that numerous mistakes were made in the sale…
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Transparency International & IPPR Issue Scathing Statement On Fishrot Scandal
Three years since news first broke that Icelandic fishing company Samherji was bribing Namibian officials in order to get lucrative fishing rights, not a single Icelander has been brought to justice for their part in the crime. Last Friday, Transparency International in…
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As Foreign Population Grows, So Does Demand For Icelandic Classes
Foreign nationals in Icelandic have grown by 160% since 2010, RÚV reports, and now comprise some 15% of the total population. Alongside this, the demand for Icelandic classes also grows, but the supply side of the issue cannot keep up. Gígja Svavarsdóttir,…
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Broad Political Support For Legalising Psychedelic Mushrooms For Medical Purposes
A new parliamentary proposal, with the support of MPs from every party in Parliament except for the Left-Greens, calls for the legalisation of psychedelic mushrooms. For the unfamiliar, a parliamentary proposal is not a bill; it is instead a statement of purpose…
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All That Glitters Is Girl: Brynhildur Karlsdóttir Of Kvikindi Promises Fun
Brynhildur Karlsdóttir has had a lot going on in the Icelandic music scene. She has been a founding member and the lead singer of the punk band Hórmónar since 2016, who quickly became legends of the genre. A 2019 graduate of the…
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MP Speaks Mistruths About Asylum Seekers, Deportee Might Return To Iceland
Some more developments have arisen in the wake of a mass deportation of people seeking international protection in Iceland, which has prompted strong public condemnation. As reported, all of these people were rounded up by police under cover of night and have…
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PHOTOS: Icelanders Protest Against Deportations
Hundreds of Icelanders gathered in front of Parliament yesterday to protest against the deportation of over a dozen people seeking international protection, including a family of five and a man who must use a wheelchair, all from Iraq. As reported, all of…
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Drawing Voices In The Air: Hekla Magnúsdóttir On Her New Album, The Theremin, And The Future
Hekla Magnúsdóttir welcomes us into her charming home in Reykjavík, where we are immediately greeted by an adorable (albeit bitey) kitten named Vindur. She apologises for the kitten’s impropriety, but we hardly notice the dashing and lunging of the little beast, as…
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Government Would Fall If Elections Were Held Today
A new poll from Þjóðarpúls Gallup shows that the parties in the ruling coalition–the Left-Greens, the Independence Party and the Progressive Party–would only win about 47% of the vote if elections were held today, RÚV reports. [su_pullquote]It’s only one week until Iceland…
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Asylum Seekers Rounded Up, Arrested En Masse, And Deported To Greece
A group of asylum seekers from Iraq and Palestine were arrested en masse, three of them placed in custody at Hólmsheiði prison, and then were taken by bus with a heavy police presence to Keflavík International Airport to be deported to Greece.…
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Whaling “A Part Of Our Past Rather Than Our Future” Says Fisheries Minister
Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture Svandís Svavarsdóttir spoke with National Geographic in a lengthy feature article about whaling in Iceland, wherein she expressed serious doubts that the practice will continue for much longer. [su_pullquote]It’s only one week until Iceland Airwaves returns to…
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Father Of National Police Commissioner Reportedly Sold Illegal Firearms
Guðjón Valdimarsson, the father of National Commissioner of the Police Sigríður Björk Guðjónsdóttir, is reported to have made and sold illegal firearms in Iceland, RÚV reports. [su_pullquote]It’s only one week until Iceland Airwaves returns to Reykjavík! Get prepared by pre-ordering our Airwaves…
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Icelandic Sheep Farmers Using GPS And Drones For Yearly Roundup
It’s that time of year again: the yearly sheep roundup, where sheep farmers and other locals all over Iceland head out into the wilderness to bring home the sheep they let wander the countryside all summer long. [su_pullquote]It’s only one week until…
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Cats Getting Trapped In Mink Traps All Over Iceland
A housecat who went missing was recently found dead in a mink trap placed in the small boats harbour in Reykjavík, RÚV reports. Amazingly, such traps are perfectly legal within city limits. [su_pullquote]Iceland Airwaves returns to Reykjavík! Get prepared by pre-ordering our…
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Pile Of Junked Cars Catch Fire In Akranes
At about half past two in the afternoon yesterday, pretty much anyone outside near Akranes or even in the greater capital area noticed a large plume of black smoke rising just went of Akrafjall. [su_pullquote]It’s only one week until Iceland Airwaves returns…
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174 COVID Deaths In First Seven Months Of 2022
174 people in Iceland have died due to complications from the coronavirus in the first seven month of 2022, RÚV reports, due primarily due to two factors: the spread of the Omnicron variant and the relaxation of pandemic restrictions. [su_pullquote]It’s only one…
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The Bookmobile Is Probably Drawing To A Close
After over 50 years of service, the Bookmobile “The Chief” is probably drawing to an end, MBL reports. [su_pullquote]We have opened the Christmas Vault: get your gifts here! Icelandic Yule Lads, the Christmas cat, Icelandic Christmas candy and more. As always, join…
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Government Did Not Supply Needed Funds For Strætó, Board Member Says
The ongoing woes of capital area bus service Strætó can be attributed in part to the national government not standing by their promise to provide financial assistance to the company during the height of the COVID pandemic, Strætó vice chair and Pirate…
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Neglected Horses Put Down, Others Returned To Owner
13 horses had to be put down yesterday due to extreme neglect, RÚV reports, but other horses under the same owner were returned to them. [su_pullquote]Get the new Reykjavík Grapevine issue with Björk on the cover! We got the privilege of interviewing…
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Investigations Conclude In Largest Cocaine Case In Icelandic History
Police have concluded their investigations in what has turned out to be the largest cocaine case in Icelandic history, RÚV reports. [su_pullquote]Get the new Reykjavík Grapevine issue with Björk on the cover! We got the privilege of interviewing Björk on her new…
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Night Bus Closure Discussed In Parliament: “Matter Of Equality And Security”
Yesterday’s announcement from capital area bus service company Strætó that they were ceasing all operations of the night bus has spurred a heated public discussion, not least of all within the halls of Parliament. [su_pullquote]Get the new Reykjavík Grapevine issue with Björk…
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Foreign Committee Vice Chair Intends To Explore Options In Gylfi Þór Case
Njáll Trausti Friðbertsson, the vice chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, intends to discuss the case of Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson within the committee, he revealed on an episode of radio show Bítið this morning. [su_pullquote]Get the new Reykjavík Grapevine issue with Björk…
