S&P does not change Iceland's Credit Rating after Icesave Referendum

The credit rating agency Standard and Poor's has decided not to change Iceland's credit rating. "In our view, the referendum outcome does not constitute an outright repudiation of Iceland's international obligations," S&P said in a statement.

The referendum's outcome "merely reflects overwhelming popular discontent with the financial conditions of a bilateral loan offered by the British and the Dutch to finance their claim," it added.

Police in Iceland Protest Delay of Wage Contracts
Police officers in Iceland gathered outside the facilities of the State Mediator yesterday to show unity with their negotiators at the meeting that was about to begin in the wage dispute between the Police Federation of Iceland and the state.

Former Health Minister to Rejoin Iceland’s Cabinet?
There are rumors circling that Ögmundur Jónasson, an MP for the Left-Greens, who resigned from his post as minister of health last year due to a disagreement with the government leaders on Icesave, might rejoin the cabinet.

More Tremors Below South Iceland Volcano
The seismic activity in the area around Eyjafjallajökull glacier in south Iceland, which covers an active volcano, increased again last night with a series of smaller earthquakes measured between 3:40 and 5:20 am. The largest quake was 2.6 on the Richter scale.

Icesave Talks: No Meetings Scheduled
No negotiation meetings are scheduled with the UK and the Netherlands on the Icesave loan terms this week, according to chairman of the Independence Party Bjarni Benediktsson. However, the Icelandic committee is reviewing certain legal issues.

Air Traffic Controllers on Strike in Iceland
A four-hour strike by air traffic controllers in Iceland began today at 7 am, which is causing delay to all scheduled flights to and from the country, as well as domestic flights. Five airplanes were supposed to depart from Keflavík International Airport between 7 and 11 am.

North Iceland Best in the World for Whale Watching
The village of Húsavík in northeast Iceland is among the world’s ten best whale watching locations, according to Victoria Harwood, a journalist at the Daily Telegraph. The newspaper published the list in its travel supplement on Monday.

Iceland’s Sportacus Gives Apple to Michelle Obama
Sportacus, the protagonist of the acclaimed Icelandic children’s series LazyTown who is portrayed by its creator Magnús Scheving, gave an apple to US First Lady Michelle Obama in Washington DC on Friday and played soccer with her.

European Enlargement Commissioner: Give Iceland a Break
European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule, who recently replaced Olli Rehn, encouraged British and Dutch authorities not to stand in the way of Iceland’s EU membership talks at a meeting with the EU’s Foreign Affairs Committee in Strasbourg yesterday.

Increased Seismic Activity Near South Iceland Volcano
After decreasing seismic trends in the past days, earthquakes are growing in strength and number in the area around Eyjafjallajökull glacier, which covers an active volcano, in south Iceland.