Applications for admission to Icelandic University of Arts have nearly doubled since last year; in February the university announced the abolition of tuition fees as independent universities would receive full state funding if they eliminated tuition

The entire parking lot of the renown thermal pool Blue Lagoon is now under lava, except for a few street lamps at the far end; the lava continues to flow along the defense wall west of the Blue Lagoon and alternative accesses will have to be assessed

Two female citizens were recently diagnosed with AIDS after months of illness, despite numerous visits to health services where no one thought to test them for HIV before the virus led to AIDS

Local goat breeders are trying to pursue the same selective breeding that is saving Icelandic sheep from scrapie, but without success; only about 2.000 Icelandic goats, vulnerable to the disease, are left