https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/iceland/fifth-of-icelandic-preschool-staff-are-foreign-born/

Iceland

Fifth of Icelandic preschool staff are foreign-born

Published 29 October 2024

– By Editorial Staff

Photo: iStock/PicturePartners

The number of preschool employees with foreign backgrounds in Iceland has significantly increased in recent years.

Between 2020 and 2023, the proportion of staff with immigrant backgrounds in Icelandic preschools grew from 15.5% to 21.6%, according to data from Statistics Iceland.

This marks the first time that specific data on preschool employees’ backgrounds has been published. Among educational staff members – those directly involved in the upbringing and education of preschool children—the figure for foreign-born employees reaches 23.3%. Managers, however, are not included in this data.

The percentage of immigrants working in other preschool roles, such as in food service and cleaning, was even higher, with 53% of employees in these areas having a foreign background.

When examining the educational qualifications of preschool staff, it was found that only 27.4% of all educational personnel held qualifications as certified preschool teachers. Additionally, 53.6% of staff members had education levels equivalent to secondary school or lower.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/iceland/more-volcanic-eruptions-in-iceland-as-tourists-defy-warnings/

Iceland

More volcanic eruptions in Iceland as tourists defy warnings

Published 22 November 2024

– By Editorial Staff

Montage. Photo: faksimil/RUV

During the night leading into Thursday, Iceland experienced yet another volcanic eruption. The lava flow reached a parking lot in an evacuated tourist area, and despite barriers, tourists made their way to the edge of the lava to take photos.

A year ago, the Reykjanes Peninsula was hit by an earthquake that triggered a volcanic eruption. Since then, several eruptions have occurred, resulting in widespread evacuations, especially from the town of Grindavík and the popular Blue Lagoon spa. Although no people have been injured, the material damage caused by the eruptions so far amounts to around €538 million.

A new eruption has now occurred in the area, the seventh this year. Again, tourists from the Blue Lagoon and the few remaining residents of Grindavík were evacuated in an operation described as successful. The lava flow is said to have crossed a road near the town, affecting both electricity and hot water supplies.

Going to the edge of the lava

The lava flow continued towards the Blue Lagoon and eventually reached the parking lot in the area. According to the Icelandic state broadcaster RUV, the lava also reached a service building adjacent to the parking lot.

Although the area was cordoned off and off-limits, it was reported yesterday that tourists had entered to see the lava. They are said to have walked close to the lava edge and are described as unaware of the risks they were exposing themselves to.

“Despite cordon signs, warnings from civil defense and the fact that lava is molten, liquid, superheated rock, a number of people have, remarkably, walked right up to the edge”, writes RUV.

Rescuers were immediately alerted and evacuated the tourists from the area without any injuries.

Experts express surprise at the outbreak, describing it as “unlikely” that another one would occur now. At the same time, some scientists believe that this could be the beginning of a new volcanic period on the peninsula, which could potentially last for decades.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/iceland/future-of-icelandic-town-uncertain-after-volcanic-eruptions/

Iceland

Future of Icelandic town uncertain after volcanic eruptions

Published 14 November 2024

– By Editorial Staff

Photo: Icelandic Coast Guard/FB

Only around 100 out of 1600 residents have so far chosen to return to their homes.

Following the volcanic eruptions, the Icelandic government estimates the damage to Grindavík at ISK 80 billion (€538 million). Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson says the future of the town is uncertain and that reconstruction will require patience.

It was about a year ago that earthquakes and threats of volcanic eruptions led to the evacuation of all residents of the town. In a short time, Grindavík was hit by hundreds of earthquakes and magma was found to be flowing in a 15-kilometer-long fissure 800 meters underground.

Shortly after the earthquakes, the first volcanic eruption occurred, and since then the area has experienced five more eruptions. Although protective walls were erected around the city, the lava still flowed in and set buildings on fire.

Billions of kroner in damages

A new report by Iceland’s Prime Minister, Bjarni Benediktsson, maps out the costs of the damage in Grindavík and possible future scenarios for the town, as reported by Iceland Review. The total expenditure and investment costs of the Icelandic state as a result of the outbreaks are estimated at ISK 80 billion, equivalent to about €538 million.

Most of the costs are linked to a public investment company that has been buying up homes from residents who want to sell after the outbreaks. Additional costs relate to the protective walls that were set up around the city.

While a large proportion of properties in Grindavík escaped serious damage, 63 buildings were damaged beyond repair. Most of the damage was caused by the earthquakes, not by the lava from the eruptions.

Residents have now been allowed to return to their homes, but although 1,600 people are registered in Grindavík, only around 100 appear to have returned.

The Prime Minister emphasizes that the rebuilding process requires patience, partly because it is still unclear whether the volcanic eruptions will continue. According to researchers from Uppsala University and elsewhere, there is a risk that the eruptions could continue for decades to come.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/iceland/iceland-and-greenland-join-forces-to-improve-arctic-air-connectivity/

Iceland

Iceland and Greenland join forces to improve Arctic air connectivity

Published 21 October 2024

– By Editorial Staff

Montage. Photo: Anne and David, Schniggendidler 2/CC BY-SA 4.0

Ilulissat, Greenland.

The airline Icelandair has signed a co-operation agreement with both Air Greenland and Atlantic Airways. The co-operation will help strengthen air connections in the Arctic.

It was during the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik last week that the Icelandic airline announced the signing of the agreement with the other airlines. Through the agreement, the airlines will be able to offer better connections between Greenland and the Faroe Islands, as well as to Europe and North America.

– This historic co-operation agreement is a milestone for Air Greenland. By co-operating with Icelandair and Atlantic Airways, we are improving air connections in the Nordic region and the Arctic. Together, we are creating new travel opportunities and strengthening the ties between our communities, from the Faroe Islands and Iceland to Greenland and on to Nunavut in northern Canada. This is an exciting chapter in our endeavour to connect the north of the world like never before,’ says Jacob Nitter Sørensen, CEO of Air Greenland, in a press release.

The new routes are planned to be fully integrated in the first quarter of 2025 for Icelandair and Atlantic Airways, and later in the year for Air Greenland.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/iceland/icelandic-government-resigns-new-elections-in-november/

Iceland

Icelandic government resigns – new elections in November

Published 14 October 2024

– By Editorial Staff

Montage. Photo: Lukasz Kobus/EU/CC BY 4.0, Chris robert/Unsplas

Bjarni Benediktsson has only led Iceland since April this year.

Yesterday, Iceland’s prime minister announced that the country’s government would resign and that new elections would be held as early as the end of November.

The main reason is said to be that the governing parties have had great difficulty agreeing on a number of issues, including migration and energy policy.

During the fall, difficulties in cooperation are said to have increased in the coalition government consisting of the Green Left, the liberal-conservative Independence Party and the social-liberal Progress Party.

According to the Icelandic media, representatives of both the Independence Party and the Progress Party have expressed dissatisfaction with several high-profile statements made by the leader of the Green Left, Svandis Svavarsdottir, without first consulting her government partners, and she is widely considered very difficult to work with.

Took office in April

– This is a decision I have taken after careful consideration, and I informed the chairpersons of the governing parties of this today, the prime minister said on Sunday.

Prime minister Bjarni Benediktsson has led the island nation since April this year, when his predecessor, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, resigned to run for president. He previously served as the country’s finance minister and foreign minister.

If the prime minister’s resignation is accepted by the president, it is proposed to hold new elections on November 30 to elect the 63 members of the country’s parliament – the Alltinget.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Polaris of Enlightenment

Polaris of Enlightenment