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Why Should You Vote? Find Out Tomorrow!
As a foreigner in Iceland, you might be aware that you can vote in municipal elections, even if you’re not a citizen–provided you’ve had legal residence in your town or village for at least three years before election day (or immediately, if…
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Fugitive Found, Police Will Review Tactics, Parliament Seeks Answers
Gabríel Douane Boama, a fugitive who slipped out of police custody at Reykjavík District Court last Tuesday and has been on the run since, was found and arrested last night, RÚV reports. Five others were also arrested in connection with the case.…
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Tonight! A VR Performance At The National Theatre
If you’re bored on this “first day of summer” because so much stuff is closed and you’re looking for something to do, considering the following: [su_pullquote]Are you going to Iceland in the near future? Check out all the trips you can order…
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Police Accused Of Racial Profiling In Search For Fugitive
The Reykjavík area police have been strongly criticised for deploying their special forces squad to stop a bus suspected to be transporting a wanted man. The National Commissioner of the Police has since issued a statement expressing regret for the treatment an…
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Tomorrow Is “The First Day Of Summer” In Iceland
Tomorrow marks the first Thursday after April 18th. While to anyone else in the world, this fact means nothing, in Iceland it can only mean one thing: the First Day of “Summer”. [su_pullquote]Are you going to Iceland in the near future? Check…
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Regulations Relaxed For Foreigners Voting In Municipal Elections
While you still have to be a citizen to vote in parliamentary elections, the rules on foreigners voting in municipal elections have been relaxed somewhat–and some foreigners are luckier than others. [su_pullquote]Are you going to Iceland in the near future? Check out…
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Íslandsbanki Sale: Pressure On Finance Minister To Resign
Minister of Finance Bjarni Benediktsson is now facing increased calls for his resignation in the wake of the sale of shares in Íslandsbanki, which the government admitted yesterday has been deeply flawed. [su_pullquote]Are you going to Iceland in the near future? Check…
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Íslandsbanki Sale “Did Not Meet Expectations” Of Government, ISFI To Be Shut Down
A statement from the government has been released regarding the sale of the 22.5% share in Íslandsbanki, wherein they say amongst other things that they will call upon Parliament to dissolve Icelandic State Financial Investments (ISFI). The government believes the sale has…
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About A 50/50 Chance Of A New Eruption–Or Eruptions
Þorvaldur Þórðarson, a professor of volcanology and petrology at the University of Iceland, contends that there is now about a 50/50 chance that there will be renewed volcanic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula this year, RÚV reports. He also believes that it…
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Union Shop Stewards: Mass Firing “Wrong, Unwise, And Completely Unnecessary”
Following last Wednesday’s news that Efling director Sólveig Anna Jónsdóttir announced that the union’s board reached an agreement with the shop stewards that, amongst other things, extended the termination period for the mass firing at Efling and would allow employees to look…
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Horror-Scopes: Easter Edition
This month’s horoscope has an Easter theme. If you’re not familiar with this holiday, it’s when the Easter Bunny was crucified and sealed in a giant egg for three days before emerging again to ascend to the North Pole. It’s true. Look…
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Agreement Reached With Shop Stewards Regarding Mass Firing At Labour Union
Sólveig Anna Jónsdóttir, the president of the labour union Efling, announced that the union’s board has reached an agreement with the union’s shop stewards regarding the mass firing of every employee at the union offices. [su_pullquote]What are the Icelandic classics that just…
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Mass Firing At Labour Union On First Day Of New Board In Office
The new directorship board of Efling put forward, and passed, a measure on their first working day to fire everyone working at the labour union, Vísir reports. [su_pullquote]What are the Icelandic classics that just stay on the market despite the ever changing…
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Minister Charged With Breaking Parliamentary Code Of Conduct
Infrastructure Minister Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson has had charges filed against him for violation of the Code of Conduct for Members Of Parliament, RÚV reports. [su_pullquote]Not in Iceland for a while but still want to read our new issue? Get it sent from…
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Farmers Association Head Accepts Minister’s Apology, But The Matter Isn’t Over, Lawyer Says
Following a racist remark made by Infrastructure Minister Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson at a conference of the Icelandic Farmers’ Association (BÍ) on March 31st, wherein he referred to BÍ director Vigdís Häsler, a woman of colour, as “this black one” that he did…
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Two Seriously Injured, One Dead In Avalanche Yesterday
Three men were struck by an avalanche in Svarfaðardal, near Dalvík, last evening, Vísir reports. [su_pullquote]Not in Iceland for a while but still want to read our new issue? Get it sent from the Grapevine Store, and you’ll get the previous issue…
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Finance Minister’s Father Amongst Buyers Of Shares Of Íslandsbanki
Yesterday, the Ministry of Finance made public the list of 209 investors who purchased a combined total of a 22.5% share in Íslandsbanki, a bank which has been owned by the Icelandic State Treasury following the 2008 financial crash. [su_pullquote]Not in Iceland…
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Foreign Minister Not Ruling Out Expelling Russian Ambassador; 26 Municipalities Ready To Receive Ukrainian Refugees
Following the horrifying details of the massacre of civilians in Bucha, Ukraine by Russian forces last week, many countries are already in talks about levying stricter sanctions against Russia. [su_pullquote]Not in Iceland for a while but still want to read our new…
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Infrastructure Minister Makes Racist Remark; Denials, Apologies And Calls For Resignation Follow
An ugly remark made by Minister of Infrastructure Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson at a conference of the Icelandic Farmers’ Association (BÍ) last Thursday has caused a political scandal, and more importantly, a reminder that racism is still alive and well in Iceland. [su_pullquote]Not…
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Ukrainian Refugees Moved Due To Children Terrified Of Airplanes Flying Nearby
As Iceland continues to accept refugees from Ukraine, logistical changes have had to be met for various reasons. RÚV reports that dozens of refugees have had to be moved from housing in Ásbrú in Keflavík due to its proximity to airplanes taking…
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Capital Area Bus Reducing Service To Save Costs
Strætó, the company which runs bus service for the greater Reykjavík area, has announced that they will be reducing service on several routes due to financial losses during the coronavirus pandemic. The Icelandic version of the announcement goes into greater detail, saying…
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Those Who Left And Those Who Stayed, Part 2: Choosing The Less Worst Thing
On the morning of February 24th, the world woke to the news that after weeks of sabre rattling, Russia had invaded Ukraine. Since then, some four million people have fled the country, while others have opted to stay—to fight, to volunteer assistance,…
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A Big Night For The Icelandic Music Awards
It was a night of thrills and pageantry last night at Harpa Concert Hall, as the Icelandic Music awards were held and broadcast live by RÚV. [su_pullquote]The Icelandic Easter Box! How about it? Easter is drawing closer! The beautiful celebration of resurrection…
