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The Reykjavík Grapevine's Iceland Roundup brings you the top news with a healthy dash of local views. In this episode, Grapevine publisher Jón Trausti Sigurðarson is joined by Heimildin journalist Aðalsteinn Kjartansson, and Grapevine friend and contributor Sindri Eldon to roundup the stories making headlines in recent weeks. On the docket this week is:


[00:06:17] Icelandair Flights Cancelled, Then Resumed, Due To A Strike


At 00:01 on Wednesday, 23 September, the Icelandic Aircraft Mechanics Association (FVFÍ) began a strike, which disrupted Icelandair’s flight schedule significantly, affecting 26 flights and 5,500 passengers.


During the morning of the same day Eyjólfur Ármannsson, Minister of Infastructure announced that “The government passed a bill at its meeting this morning to postpone the strike. I will submit a bill later today,”


As noted in the Icelandic Stock Exchange, at 11:08 the Icelandic Aircraft Mechanics Association (FVFÍ) ended their strike. Icelandair flights are expected to resume. 


[00:16:18] Unemployment At 6,8%


According To Statistics Iceland unemployment in Iceland was measured at 6,8% in August with an estimate of 15.900 people unemployed, an increase of 0,2% from the previous month of July. Unemployment was measured at 7% last November, and at 7,3% last January.  Covid unemployment aside, which peaked at 9,1% in April 2021, the recent unemployment rates are the highest in Iceland for more than a decade. 


[00:32:00] Social Democratic Party Remains Most Popular


The Social Democratic Party, whose chair Kristrún Frostadóttir leads the current coalition majority in Iceland’s Parlieman, gained 1,3% in popularity since last surveyed in a recent poll by Maskína, with 27,5%.. The poll was conducted before and after the defeat of the government in a referendum on restarting negotiations with the EU, held in late August. 


[00:39:48] Up To 20 People Arrested By Police Yesterday


The Icelandic Police announced today that it had arrested up to 20 persons as a part of an investigation they were conducting. One of the arrested Atli Freyr Fjölnisson, currently in custody in relation to drug trafficking charges. Also arrested was an employee of local car dealership BL and an employee of a fast food restaurant. Reasons for the investigation and the arrests have not been given by the police.


[00:27:31] Newly Built Apartments Not Selling


According to a recent report from the Icelandic housing, construction and planning authority, almost 1,900 ready apartments have not been sold in Iceland. Three years ago, such apartments numbered at just over 200. The unsold apartments within the Capital Area number at least 375, 213 of which are located in Hafnarfjörður. The numbers do tell a story of a housing market in crisis, as prices have soared, interest rates are at 8,0% and number of sales and purchases of apartments are at an all time low.







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The Reykjavík Grapevine is an alternative monthly magazine published in Iceland since 2003. We bringing you the news and views on Icelandic culture and society, sprinkled with music coverage, travel content, restaurant reviews and more. More on https://www.grapevine.is
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