Category: National
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Multiple University Mergers Explored in Icelandic
Informal discussions regarding a potential merger between the University of Akureyri and the University of Bifröst have been initiated, according to reports on RÚV’s website. The respective rectors, Margrét Jónsdóttir Njarðvík of Bifröst and Elín Díanna Gunnarsdóttir of Akureyri, engaged in talks this morning. Both expressed a willingness to explore the feasibility and potential benefits…
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Deutsche Welle Under Fire for Irresponsible Coverage of Puffin Consumption
German media outlet Deutsche Welle has come under heavy criticism after airing a video segment featuring one of its presenters indulging in puffin meat at a restaurant in Reykjavík. The incident has ignited a firestorm of outrage and has led to the removal of the videos from the channel’s social media platforms. The controversial footage…
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Iceland Gears Up for Söngvakeppnin 2023: Who Will Represent the Country at Eurovision?
The excitement is palpable as Iceland gears up for the second semi-final of Söngvakeppnin this weekend. Söngvakeppnin is the Icelandic selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest, and the winner will represent Iceland at the global stage in Italy later this year. The popular music event has been a staple in Iceland since the 1980s…
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New Direct Flights from Akureyri Airport to Six Exciting Destinations in 2023
Akureyri Airport has announced that it will offer direct flights to six new destinations starting in 2023, making it the largest selection of destinations available for direct flights from the airport. In addition, travel agencies are offering package tours to some of these destinations. Niceair, Condor, and Edelweiss are the airlines that will offer flights…
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Prime minister quoted author Andri Snær in her address at COP26
Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir emphasized the importance of integrating the fight for equality and climate change when she addressed the COP26 climate conference earlier today. She also spoke about the importance of responding to the climate habit we face, but was also hopeful, referring to the words of Andri Snær Magnason, writer and environmentalist, when…
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Stunning Northern Lights this weekend
“The weekend was extremely good, the best so far”, Baldvin Júlíusson at Kynnisferðir told RUV. His company took more than a thousand people on northern lights excursions this weekend. Astronomer Sævar Helgi Bragason says that due to a strong solar flare that occurred last week, the aurora activity was unusually strong this weekend. “A solar…
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Reykjavík’s main Shopping Street like a ghost town
Numerous buildings or spaces that used to house stores on Reykjavík’s main Shopping Street Laugavegur have been deserted, Iceland Monitor reports. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of stores have closed, either temporarily or permanently. Iceland Monitor reports that when photographer Kristinn Magnússon walked down Laugavegur last week, from Hlemmur square to…
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Students of Secondary Schools and Universities required to wear masks
As a result of a surge in number of new covid-19 cases in Iceland, the use of masks is now required in all secondary schools and both of the universities in the capital area, Iceland Monitor reports. For the same reason, the closure of all bars and night clubs in the capital area, which came…
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Six municipalities receive government support after collapse in tourism
Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, Minister of Transport and Local Government, yesterday presented the government’splan of ISK 150 million in funding for six municipalities due to the collapse of tourism following Covid-19. Skútustaðahreppur, home of popular tourist destination Lake Mývatn, receives 32 million króna. The lake is only a 45 minute drive from Húsvík. The municipalities of…
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New rules on entry into Iceland come into effect on midnight tonight
New rules on entry into Iceland come into effecto on midnight. The Directorate of Health published new quarantine instructions for visitors coming to Iceland last week. Starting on August 19, all arriving passengers will have to be tested for COVID-19 at the border, go into quarantine for 4-5 days and then get tested again, “regardless…