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Controversial Bill On Asylum Seekers Hits Parliamentary Floor
Minister of Justice Jón Gunnarsson has submitted a bill to Parliament that would make significant changes to the law regarding those seeking international protection in Iceland. This is the fourth attempt being made to pass this bill, which has received considerable pushback…
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Civil Protection Activates “Uncertainty” Level Due To Earthquakes
The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management (Almannavarnir) has announced the activation of the “uncertainty” level due to the recent spate of earthquakes in the Reykjanes peninsula. The uncertainty level indicates a time of instability; that conditions do not yet warrant…
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Reykjavík Elections: Big Changes, Uncertain Future
The results of municipal elections across Iceland last Saturday showed significant gains for the Progressive Party in many municipalities, and Reykjavík was amongst them. As such, the majority coalition in Reykjavík City Council–led by the Social Democrats with the Pirate Party, the…
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Iceland Bounces Back From 14th To 9th On ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map
After sitting at 14th for two years running, Iceland has made some improvements to the rights of queer people in the country, taking them up to 9th place out of 49 countries surveyed by the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay,…
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Poll: Pirates May Double City Council Seats, Conservatives Halved
According to a poll conducted by Prósent for Fréttablaðið from May 5th through 9th, this Saturday’s municipal elections could show big changes happening in Reykjavík City Hall. [su_pullquote]It’s AMA (Ask Me Anything) time, this Friday, May 13th! You can get in on…
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Horror-Scopes: Which 2022 Eurovision Entry Are You?
The 2022 Eurovision finals will be held on May 14th. This also happens to be municipal election night in Iceland, but you likely either don’t know or don’t care enough about the individual candidates to know which one your sign represents. And…
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EVE Fanfest This Weekend
Whether you’re already a fan of the MMORPG EVE Online, are considering joining, or just enjoy the company of people who are really into geek culture, you may be pleased to hear that EVE Fanfest is kicking off this weekend. [su_pullquote]If you…
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Dire Need For Blood Donations, Gay And Bisexual Men Still Not Allowed To Donate
The Blood Bank is in dire need of blood donations, RÚV reports, especially those with the blood types O-, O+ and A+. [su_pullquote]If you appreciate our journalism, join our High Five Club. As well as helping us to keep the lights on,…
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“Cat Party” Polling High Enough To Win Seat On Akureyri Town Council
The University of Akureyri Research Centre (RHA) has released a new poll which asked Akureyri residents who they would vote for if municipal elections were held today. Some results were unsurprising, but one party stood out as doing exceptionally well: Kattaframboðið, or…
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Fourth Coronavirus Vaccine Shots May Be On The Horizon
Chief epidemiologist Þórólfur Guðnason believes people can continue to live publicly without masks through the summer, RÚV reports, but is also considering allowing folks to get a second booster shot, given the presence of a new Omicron variant. [su_pullquote]If you appreciate our…
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Independence Party Offers “Freedom Burgers”; Art School Says No Thanks
With municipal elections coming up on May 14th, the different parties in the running in Reykjavík are trying different strategies to attract votes. [su_pullquote]If you appreciate our journalism, join our High Five Club. As well as helping us to keep the lights…
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What Are Icelanders Talking About? Municipal Elections, Akureyri, And The Cat Ban
Municipal elections are coming up on May 14th, and for those of us in Reykjavík, recent polling has shown that the current majority—the Social Democrats, Pirates, Reform Party and Left-Greens—will likely continue to lead city council. If you want to go to…
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Character Shining Through: Seabear Returns
Seabear began as a solo project of Sindri Már Sigfússon—who you may also know as Sin Fang— in 2003. Since then, it has grown into a six-piece act involving musicians, each with projects of their own and each bringing something different to…
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Great Moments In Icelandic History: “Why is everyone feeding the bird of prey?”
Election night in Iceland, 2016. The nation is still smarting from the Panama Papers scandal that collapsed the government and prompted these elections. But as the results came in, it became clear that the Independence Party—despite several of its members, including current…
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Danish-Icelandic Company Releases New E-Bikes
If you’re in the market for an e-bike, the Danish-Icelandic company Hyggebikes is a new player on the scene, Viðskiptablaðið reports. [su_pullquote]If you appreciate our journalism, join our High Five Club. As well as helping us to keep the lights on, we’ve…
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Ancient Curse Directed At Controversial New Age Group; Not At Horse Farm
A bizarre story has unfolded in South Iceland over the weekend, involving an ancient medieval curse, a new age community, and a family caught in the middle. [su_pullquote]If you appreciate our journalism, join our High Five Club. As well as helping us…
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Most Icelanders Unhappy With Íslandsbanki Sale, Believe Law Was Broken
68% of those who participated in a new poll from Gallup on the subject of the controversial sale of 22.5% of Íslandsbanki believe the law was broken, RÚV reports. [su_pullquote]If you appreciate our journalism, join our High Five Club. As well as…
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Reykjavík Elections Poll: Independence Party Losses Are Progressive Party’s Gains
A new poll from Prósent shows some significant movement in party support from the 2018 city council elections in Reykjavík. [su_pullquote]If you appreciate our journalism, join our High Five Club. As well as helping us to keep the lights on, we’ve got…
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BREAKING: The Raven Eggs Have Hatched
Iceland’s favourite raven couple, Hrefna and Hrafn (whose names both mean “raven”, in the feminine and masculine form respectively), have even more good news to share with the country. [su_pullquote]If you appreciate our journalism, join our High Five Club. As well as…
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British Rocket Launch Being Delayed By Icelandic Government
Skyrora, a British space company based in Scotland, is all set to begin Europe’s biggest rocket launch, but they say they are being delayed by red tape from Icelandic authorities, City A.M. reports. [su_pullquote]If you appreciate our journalism, join our High Five…
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New Poll: Government Fallen, Large Swings In Party Support
A new poll conducted by Prósent for Fréttablaðið shows that if elections were held today, the current ruling coalition–led by the Left-Greens with the Independence Party and the Progressive Party–would not win enough seats to hold a majority. Some opposition parties have…
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Says “Blood Farms” Have Already Been Illegal For About The Past Two Years
So-called “blood farms”–wherein pregnant mares have their blood harvested for the purpose of extracting the hormone PMSG, which is in turn used to increase fertility in other livestock–have been operating illegally for about the past two years now, says Björn M. Sigurjónsson,…
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THIS JUST IN: Raven Has Laid Six Eggs, Livestream Active
If you’re out of ideas for what to watch on your favourite streaming sites, Iceland has you covered. [su_pullquote]If you appreciate our journalism, join our High Five Club. As well as helping us to keep the lights on, we’ve got discounts on…
