Author: Andie Sophia Fontaine - The Reykjavik Grapevine

About 13% Of Westfjords Residents Are Immigrants

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The percentage of residents of foreign origin in the Westfjords is nearly double the national average, although most immigrants live…

Icelandic Astronomers Elated Over Comet Landing

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Astronomers and astronomy buffs around the world celebrated the landing of Philae on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, and Iceland was no exception….

Room For Improvement In Wiretapping

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The system for archiving wiretaps could stand a number of changes, a prosecutor told a conference of law students today….

The Trees Are Coming Down On Laugavegur

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Many merchants on Reykjavík’s main shopping street are distressed over a recent decision to cut down many of the trees…

Satanic Energy “Too Good For Progressives”, Say Satanists

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Some of Iceland’s pro-Satan faction have taken exception with artist Snorri Ásmundsson’s assertion that “Satanic energy” surrounds the Progressives, contending…

Interior Minister Assistant Confesses Leaking Tony Omos Memo

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Interior Minister assistant Gísli Freyr Valdórsson has confessed to leaking the memo on Tony Omos to select members of the…

What About The Renters?

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A city councilperson has pointed out that the government’s giant debt relief package is aimed at homeowners – not renters,…

Cinnamon Whisky Recalled

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A whisky intended only for American palates has been recalled by its Icelandic importer, as it contains more propy­lene glycol…

Greenpeace Criticises Icelandic Fishing Company

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A new report from Greenpeace accuses Samherji of engaging in environmentally damaging and possibly illegal fishing practices. Samherji’s director denies…

News In Brief: November

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Icelanders have once again grown fed up with their elected representatives, staging a massive protest demonstration in front of Alþingi…

High Levels Of Sulphur Dioxide In Capital Area

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SO2 from the Holuhraun eruption has enveloped southwest Iceland again, at levels high enough at times to warrant staying indoors….

Bus Company Forced To Sell Mercedes Jeep

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Mass transit company Strætó will have to sell the Mercedes jeep that was originally bought for managing director Reynir Jónsson….

Support For Government Gets Even Lower

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A new poll from Market and Media Research (MMR) shows support for the ruling coalition now at about 33% –…

Business Owners: Alcohol Bill Does Not Go Far Enough

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The Icelandic Federation of Trade (FA) is unhappy with the bill to allow the sale of alcohol in stores –…

Protesters File For Damages Against State

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Ten protesters are filing for damages against the Icelandic state for actions police took against them at the Gálgahraun lava…

Prime Minister Surprised By Cleaning Staff Firings

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Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson says he was surprised by news that Government Offices had fired 18 professional cleaners, saying…

Residents File Written Complaint Against Planned Home For Disabled

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A group of Icelanders living near the proposed site of a home for the disabled have filed a formal complaint…

May Stop Free Plots For Religious Groups

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The Interior Minister has said that it is possible her ministry will examine whether or not to continue to give…

There Was No UFO Over Reyðarfjörður – VIDEO

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Those following the movements of extraterrestrial beings can breathe a little easier today, as it was confirmed that there was…

New Round Of Legalised Names!

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The Name Committee has approved a new batch of names that Icelanders can now legally give their children. Vísir reports…

Police Insist They Do Not Keep Records Of Political Opinions

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Despite evidence to the contrary, the Commissioner of the Capital Area Police says the police do not keep a record…

Sulphur Dioxide Cloud Over Reykjavík

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Sulphur dioxide levels in the capital area were so high today that a cloud of the volcanic gas could be…

Iceland May Return The Guns To Norway

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The Director of the Icelandic Coast Guard says it is possible Iceland will return machine guns to Norway, if it…

Government Fires Cleaning Staff To Save Money

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In an effort to save revenue, the Government Offices of Iceland fired 18 cleaning workers, all of them low wage-earning…

Gnarr May Be Considering Presidential Bid

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In light of a new poll showing public support of the idea, former Reykjavík mayor Jón Gnarr may consider running…