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EFTA Files Six Cases Against Iceland
The European Free Trade Association Surveillance Authority (ESA) has decided to file six cases against Iceland in EFTA court, for “the failure to implement a number of EEA acts.” A statement from ESA president Oda Helen Sletnes prefaced the announcement, saying, “We…
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Police Want To Keep Arresting Asylum Seekers
Police in Suðurnes object to a proposed change to Icelandic immigration law which would, if passed, follow international law and cease arresting asylum seekers who arrive in Iceland with false passports. The bill, submitted by the Left-Greens, proposes a number of changes…
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An Open Letter To Minister Of The Interior Hanna Birna Kristjánsdóttir
Like many members of the press, I have been following and reporting on the case of Tony Omos, an asylum seeker from Nigeria who was, today, put on a plane for Switzerland, from where he will most likely be on his way…
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Palestinian Poet To Get Icelandic Citizenship
Mazen Maarouf is one of 19 people who have been selected to be awarded Icelandic citizenship by the Parliamentary General Committee this year. Earlier today, the committee chose 19 people to be granted citizenship of the 56 people who applied for it…
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Asylum Seeker Deported Without Warning
Nigerian asylum seeker Tony Omos was put on a plane for Switzerland early this morning, despite his lawyer being told that this would not happen until the end of the week. DV reports that Tony was taken from the Hegningarhús jail in…
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President Claims Foreign Credit Agencies Misinformed Him Pre-Crash
In a new interview with Foreign Policy magazine, Icelandic president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson claimed his pre-crash belief in the success of Iceland’s banks was due in part to foreign credit agencies giving them a “clean bill of health” at the time. However,…
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Interior Minister Harshly Criticised In Parliament, Asylum Seeker Will Be Deported
Left-Green chairperson Katrín Jakobsdóttir questioned Minister of the Interior Hanna Birna Kristjánsdóttir as to how an unofficial ministry document on an asylum seeker ended up leaked to the press, saying that the matter “harms public trust in institutions that we have to…
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Moody’s Approves Of PM’s Debt Relief Package
Credit rating agency Moody’s believes that Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson’s debt relief package will actually have a positive effect on the Housing Financing Fund (HFF) – directly contradicting the International Monetary Fund on the same subject. RÚV reports that Moody’s does…
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National Broadcasting Director Resigns
Director of the National Broadcasting Service (RÚV) Páll Magnússon has resigned from his position today, saying that he does not believe he is trusted enough with the position any longer. In a letter to his now-former employees, RÚV reports, Páll said that…
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White Christmas Predicted This Year
Norwegian meteorologists predict that there will be snow for Christmas – not only for Reykjavík, but the whole country. According to the latest forecasts from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, winds should be light on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, although temperatures could…
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Asylum Seekers Arriving In Iceland Often Jailed
Statistics from prison officials show that refugees who arrive in Iceland are often charged with carrying false and forged passports and jailed – despite this being a violation of international law. DV reports that, according to data from prison officials, some 166…
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Pirates To Run In City Elections
localized unit of the Pirate Party was established in Reykjavík yesterday, with the intention of running for municipal elections next spring. Vísir reports that Halldór Auðar Svansson was elected chairperson of the party, with Hildur Sif Thorarensen, Þórlaug Ágústsdóttir, Jóhann Haukur Gunnarsson…
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Reykjavík One Of World’s Ten Most Christmasy Cities
CNN has confirmed for the rest of the world what Icelanders have known all along: Reykjavík is one of the best places to be at Christmastime. In an article appearing in today’s CNN Travel, ten cities are mentioned as great destination for…
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Student Council Chair Objects To New “Tax On Students”
The chairperson of the Student Council of the University of Iceland has harshly criticised the government for a 25% increase in registration fees, when the university will not be receiving most of this money. Vísir reports that registration fees for the university…
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PM Criticises IMF’s Criticism Of Debt Relief Package
Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson has dismissed concerns from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that his debt relief package could stress the economy, saying that the IMF does not have a good track record “in many, if not most, countries”. Vísir reports…
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Icelandic Ambassador To Vatican Discusses Sexual Abuse Case With Officials
Iceland’s new ambassador to the Vatican discussed the infamous Landakotsskóli case with officials in Rome. Vísir reports that Martin Eyjólfsson is Iceland’s new ambassador to the Vatican, and met the Pope as a part of his new appointment. Martin told reporters that…
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Foreign Minister Fights For EU Funds He Never Wanted
Icelandic Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson is asking the EU to continue Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) funding to Iceland – despite disbanding Iceland’s EU accession negotiation committee, and being on record as against IPA funding. Vísir reports that the Ministry of…
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IMF: Debt Relief Package Could Stress Economy
The International Monetary Fund’s mission chief to Iceland contends that the Prime Minister’s debt relief package is “ill-advised”. Bloomberg reports that Daria Zakharova, the IMF mission chief in Iceland, is worried Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson’s proposal could put greater stress on…
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Four Kaupthing Executives Sentenced To Prison
In a landmark ruling, Reykjavík District Court sentenced four former executives of Kaupthing Bank to between 3 and 5 1/2 years in prison for financial crimes dating back to 2008. Vísir reports that former Kaupthing director Hreiðar Már Sigurðsson received the heaviest…
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Iceland Cuts Development Aid
Iceland’s new budget proposal includes cutting back some 400 million ISK in foreign aid, but the country has received more aid than it has given. RÚV reports that the ruling coalition of the Progressives and Independence Party, as a part of their…
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What Do Icelanders Die From?
In a new article from an Icelandic health care professional, it has come to light that about half of Icelanders die from preventable, lifestyle-related illnesses. Kjarninn reports that Guðmundur Löve, the managing director of The Icelandic Association of Tuberculosis and Chest Patients…
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High Levels Of Fluoride Still Around Aluminium Plant
Reyðarfjörður is still not rid of fluoride – much of it in grass that animals eat – being emitted from a nearby aluminium smelter. RÚV reports that continuing research around the Alcoa smelter has shown that there are still high levels of…
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Believes Alcohol Bill Is Illegal
The Society of Business Owners (FA) believes part of a new alcohol bill might itself be illegal. Vísir reports that there is currently in parliament a bill from the ruling coalition that would make certain changes to existing alcohol laws. Amongst them…
