Author: Andie Sophia Fontaine
Puffingate: Much Ado About Nothing, Probably
The director of one of Iceland’s major hunting organisations says recent reports of British hunters bagging hundreds of puffins is…
Poll: Most Icelanders Against Selling Off Public Ownership Of Banks
The results of a new poll from Zenter show that most Icelanders want the government to maintain or increase its…
Iceland Life: Animal News Edition Ft. Blue Whales! Dogs! Seals!
Good news for seal enthusiasts: the harbour seal population in East Iceland is on the rise. The largest colony can…
Ask An Expert: Why Are There No Reindeer In Western Iceland?
You probably know that reindeer are not native to Iceland; they were actually brought to the country in the 18th…
Mystery Solved: Icelandic Horses Probably Ate Cannabis
What was thought to be a rare nerve condition in some Icelandic horses has turned out to be the effects…
New Research: Surtsey Island Is Blossoming With Life
Research on Iceland’s youngest island, Surtsey, shows it has been bursting with new life of all kinds, from plants to…
Poll: Conservatives Dip Below 20%; Pirates And Centre Party Nearly Tied For Second
A new poll from Market and Media Research shows a major upset in the works in terms of levels of…
Just Sayings: “Enginn Verður Óbarinn Biskup”
One expression you are likely to hear in Iceland is “Enginn verður óbarinn biskup,” which literally means “no one will…
Iceland’s Highland Rescuers Particularly Busy This Summer
Volunteers from 30 different rescue squads have been on watch across Iceland’s Highlands, as an early start to the summer…
Lightning Warning For South And West Iceland
Thunder and lightning are both predicted to be likely this afternoon in both the south and west today, RÚV reports….
‘Chernobyl’ Composer Hildur Guðnadóttir Lands Emmy Nomination
The mind behind the haunting score for the HBO hit miniseries Chernobyl has secured an Emmy nomination for her work….
Iceland And The Philippines In Diplomatic Row: “Sons Of Whores”, Says Duterte
Shortly after Iceland initiated a UN resolution condemning Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s violent “war on drugs,” Duterte hit back with…
Iconic Airplane Wreck In South Iceland Riddled With Graffiti, Polish Media Reports
One of Iceland’s eeriest landmarks—the wreck of a Douglas DC3 in South Iceland—has prompted outrage in Polish media, but locals…
Icelandic Epidemiologist Wants Condoms In Primary Schools
The country’s high incidence of syphilis—the highest per capita in Europe— as well as a high incidence of chlamydia has…
Tourists To Iceland In Second Quarter Of This Year Down By 20% From Last Year
New data from Statistics Iceland shows that visitors to this country have declined, with Airbnb hardest hit, though with little…
American Investors Buying Up WOW Air Assets
American investors have paid top dollar for several WOW Air assets, indicating a possible comeback for the bankrupt airline, Fréttablaðið…
E. Coli Outbreak Raises Worries About Infection Spreading Further
Sixteen children have been diagnosed with the bacterial infection, and concerns have been raised that tourists may spread it further,…
Small Business Owner Facing Deportation, In Part For Not Being European
The co-owner of a boutique featured in the Grapevine is now looking at being deported, in part for being from…
US Vice President Mike Pence Wants To Visit Iceland
America’s VP Mike Pence is likely to visit Iceland in early September, according to unnamed sources within the Icelandic government,…
Are You Ready For WAB Air?
From the ashes of WOW Air, a new budget airline hopes to rise—with a little help from overseas investment, who…
Vatnajökull National Park Is Now UNESCO World Heritage Site
Vatnajökull National Park, the scene of nearly every fun thing to do in Iceland, is now a UNESCO World Heritage…
Songs Of The Dammed: Reprise
Árneshreppur (pop. 53), a village on the northern shore of the Westfjords, has for the past year now been a…
Island Life: Coastguard Drone, Snæfellsnes Awarded, New Selfoss Bridge
Residents of the northeast town of Egilsstaðir have had a few reservations about the new Coast Guard surveillance drone which…
Upside-Down Rakes And White Sheep: A Sampling Of Icelandic Weather Superstitions
It’s long been established that if there’s one sure-fire way to start a conversation in Iceland, all you need do…
What Are Icelanders Talking About?: Whales, Sugar And A Naval Base
Oh whale The lack of any real market for whale meat has prompted Iceland’s whalers to forego the hunt this…