An Icelandic student who worked on a factory farm for chickens reported conditions that she described as “disgusting” and cruel. Margrét Gunnarsdóttir, in a letter she wrote to Vísir, described her time working on a factory farm for chickens in Iceland one…

The city of Reykjavík has published some helpful tips and data points about the last day of the year. In a statement on the city’s website, they point out that igniting fireworks creates a lot of litter. City residents are encouraged to…

The chairperson of the Icelandic Veterinary Association (DÍ) has some advice on how to make New Year’s Eve more comfortable for your pets. RÚV reports that it is common for people to give their pets some kind of tranquiliser, and then leave…

One of the organisers of last summer’s Keflavík Music Festival says he and his partner lost about 30 million ISK planning the ill-fated event. In a lengthy statement posted on Facebook, festival organiser Ólafur Geir Jónsson put the main problem down to…

A union leader says that the new collective bargaining agreement is “degrading” for low-wage earners, adding that management is “laughing at” working people. DV reports that Arnar Hjaltalín, the chairperson of the union Drífandi, has been highly critical of the contract, which…

Rabbit meat raised domestically could be on the shelves in Iceland as early as next autumn. RÚV reports that Birgit Kositzke, who has been raising rabbits in Hvammstangi for a few years now, was recently granted permission by the Icelandic Food and…

There is an increased risk of avalanches in some parts of Iceland, and many roads are dangerously icy. Travellers are advised to exercise caution. Civil Protection in Iceland announced today that there is a high risk of avalances in the northern parts…

It is legal to purchase and ignite fireworks in Iceland, and an insurance company is offering tips on how to use and dispose of them safely. VIS Insurance Ltd. says that while accidents related to fireworks have reduced, and fireworks themselves are…

Icelandic adventurer Vilborg Arna Gissurardóttir spent Christmas Eve on Mount Vinson, Antarctica’s tallest peak, as a part of her plan to climb the tallest mountain of each continent. DV reports that Vilborg reached the top of Mt. Vinson along with actress Halla…

Waste management company Sorpa advises Icelanders that much of their wrapping paper from Christmas should not be put in recycling, as much of it cannot be processed. With Christmas come and gone, many households undoubtedly have a lot of wrapping paper to…

A work group for the Ministry of Education is exploring the logistics of making play schools in Iceland open to younger children, to bridge the gap between the end of parental leave and the start of school. Vísir reports that a parliamentary…

Soon Iceland’s parliament will have a new addition to its security team: a metal detector. Parliamentary security guards are not armed, although security cameras are prevalent in the building and an alarm system is in place. However, shortly before last Christmas, a…

The recent unveiling of the much-anticipated household debt relief package appears to have had little effect on levels of government support, a new Capacent Gallup poll shows. According to the results, support for the ruling coalition of the Progressives and the Independence…

While a new collective bargaining agreement between many of Iceland’s labour unions and management was signed yesterday, many other unions believe the agreement does not do enough for Iceland’s workforce. Vísir reports that yesterday, officials from the Confederation of Icelandic Labour Unions…

The city of Reykjavík has approved an agreement to take on 50 asylum seekers next year. Reykjavík mayor Jón Gnarr today signed the agreement with Directorate of Immigration director Kristín Völundardóttir, acting on behalf of the Ministry of the Interior. It will…

While Icelanders of all economic classes love the smoked lamb meat equally, the same cannot be said for all political parties. A new survey from Market and Media Research shows that 71% of all Icelanders plan to eat hangikjöt – smoked lamb…

Reykjavík City Council approved an ambitious plan for the area south of the domestic airport, but the parliamentary Budget Committee might not grant them the right to develop. Vísir reports that city hall approved a measure that would develop a whole new…

The spokesperson of the European Commission has issued a statement to the press clarifying that the cessation of Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) funding in no way means that the European Union has ended accession talks with Iceland. RÚV reports that Pia…