Author: Emma Ledbetter - The Reykjavik Grapevine

Whaling Season Begins Today

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Ships from Hvalur hf., Iceland’s only fin whaling company, are set to depart from Reykjavík Harbour today, marking the start…

Most Voters Support Iceland’s NATO Membership, Survey Finds

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The majority of voters across all parties are in favor of Iceland staying in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, reports…

Health Centers Host Open House For Fourth COVID Vaccine

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Many people have requesting the fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine, so health centers are hosting an open house for the…

Guðrún Aspelund Hired As Chief Epidemiologist

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Guðrún Aspelund will take over as chief epidemiologist when Þórólfur Guðnason retires September 1, the Directorate of Health announced today….

COVID Cases Increasing In Iceland Despite Widespread Immunity

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The number of COVID-19 cases in Iceland is increasing, with around 200 people testing positive each day. But the true…

Hospitalisation For Psychosis Increases With Number Of ADHD Stimulant Prescriptions

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An increasing number of people are going to psychiatric wards for symptoms of psychosis after being prescribed stimulant ADHD medication,…

Iceland’s Post Office Aims To ‘Go Green’ By 2025

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Iceland’s Post Office Pósturinn is collaborating with the company VETNIS to investigate using hydrogen for trucks on longer routes where…

Parliament Adjourned Until September

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Last night at 1:30 am, Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir postponed Parliament meetings until September, reports Vísir. Members of Parliament settled…

Parliament Approves Resolution To Allow More People To Donate Blood

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Parliament approved a resolution earlier this week to allow blood donations from gay men, who have previously been forbidden from…

Long Summer Holiday, Short Work Week Increase Inflation, Says Trade Minister

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The International Institute for Management Development puts Iceland in the 16th spot on a worldwide competitiveness ranking—below Denmark at first,…

Ministry Of Health Wants To Obtain 80 Doses Of Vaccine For Monkeypox

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The Ministry of Health is attempting to obtain 80 doses of a vaccine that could help protect at-risk individuals from…

Almost Magnitude Four Earthquake Felt Near Grindavík

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A 3.9-magnitude earthquake rocked the Reykjanes peninsula about 3km northwest of Grindavík last night, reports the Icelandic Meteorological Office. The…

Another Tourist Dies At Reynisfjara, Prompting Calls For Closure

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Officials are considering closing Reynisfjara after a tourist was swept out to sea and died there on Friday. The man…

Rent Prices Rose Over 100% In Last Decade

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Real estate and rental prices have risen disproportionately more in Iceland than in the rest of Europe in the last…

Third Person Diagnosed With Monkeypox Over Weekend

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A third person in Iceland was diagnosed with monkeypox on Saturday, reports the Directorate of Health. The individual is a…

First Monkeypox Cases Diagnosed In Iceland

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Two men who recently travelled to Europe are the first people in Iceland to be diagnosed with monkeypox. Neither individual…

Special Committee Recommends Investigation Into Treatment Of People With Disabilities

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A special committee reporting to Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir intends to investigate the treatment of adults with developmental disabilities or…

People Ingest Five Grams Of Plastic Each Week, Study Finds

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A study found that people ingest five grams of small plastic particles a week, which is about the size of…

Blood Bank Situation Is ‘Grave’

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With the number of blood donations decreasing in recent years, the Icelandic Blood Bank’s stocks are now below safety limits…

Female Managers Must Prove Themselves In Workplace, Survey Finds

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A recent survey found LGBTQ+ employees receive less support and access to company executives and more often experience difficult communication…

Food Basket Increased Nearly 17% In Last Seven Months

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The Icelandic Confederation of Labour (ASÍ) “shopping basket” increased in all eight supermarkets surveyed in the last seven months, with…

New Center For Ukrainian Refugees Opens In Aflagrandi

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About 300 people gathered in a new center for Ukrainian refugees that opened in Aflagrandi yesterday, reports Vísir. The center…

Three-Magnitude Earthquake Reported Near Fagradalsfjall

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Seismic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula continues after last year’s eruption, with a magnitude three earthquake reported early this morning…

Officials Predict Severe Shortage Of Psychiatrists In Iceland’s Future

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As a small country, fluctuations in the number of people graduating with psychiatry degrees are expected, but the current shortage…