Reykjavik

a sign outside of a clinic welcomes asylum seekers in various languages

Iceland fast-tracks Ukrainian refugees to residency, employment

About 5,000 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Iceland since the start of the war, and continue to do so at a rate of about 200 arrivals per month. The government gives them nearly instant resident status, on humanitarian grounds. It has also created a website in Ukrainian to help them navigate the bureaucracy and culture.

Iceland fast-tracks Ukrainian refugees to residency, employment
Glaciologists say that between 1995 and 2010 Iceland’s glaciers lost about a meter of vertical thickness per year. The the “Blue Blob” appeared, halving that loss.

‘Blue Blob’ slows glacial melt in Iceland as temperatures rise across the globe

‘Blue Blob’ slows glacial melt in Iceland as temperatures rise across the globe
The harbor of Nuuk, Greenland's capital.

China's Arctic ambitions have revived US interest in the region

China's Arctic ambitions have revived US interest in the region
Building

In Iceland, turning CO2 into rock could be a big breakthrough for carbon capture

In Iceland, turning CO2 into rock could be a big breakthrough for carbon capture
A young Syrian girl is wrapped with a thermal blanket following a rescue operation on the island of Lesbos, in Greece.

Icelanders say they want to house Syrian refugees — but in Greece the government and residents are overwhelmed

Icelanders say they want to house Syrian refugees — but in Greece the government and residents are overwhelmed
Sverrir Ibrahim Agnarsson, chairman of the Muslim Association of Iceland, inside the group's makeshift mosque in Reykjavik.

Could Charlie Hebdo happen in Reykjavik? How Iceland’s Muslims try to convince people it won't

The Muslim population of Iceland, made up of immigrants, foreign students and a few homegrown converts, is small but growing. And the community may soon be getting its first custom-built mosque with land donated by the city of Reykjavik, but not without objections from a vocal minority.

Could Charlie Hebdo happen in Reykjavik? How Iceland’s Muslims try to convince people it won't
Boy jumps into public pool in Auxerre.

No Speedo? Then don't try to go swimming in France — seriously

Public pool rules in France say your swimsuit can't be something you could be found wearing outside the pool. That means no trunks, Bermuda shorts, T-shirts or anything that is not strictly meant for swimming. But bust out all the Speedos you want.

No Speedo? Then don't try to go swimming in France — seriously
Mountain view in Iceland

Take a drive across Iceland, in music and photos

When Tamar Charney went to Iceland, she thought she had the perfect playlist for her trip. But when her rental car didn't have a jack for her MP3 photo, she had a problem. Fortunately, a local band came to the rescue.

Take a drive across Iceland, in music and photos
Reykjavik mayor Jón Gnarr decked out as Obi-Wan Kenobi at a political event in Reykjavik, Iceland.

No longer mayor of Reykjavik, Jón Gnarr can restart his career as a comedian. Not that he ever stopped

The man Lady Gaga called the "mayor of Iceland" is obsessed with language: the language of professional politicians, the language of satire and the restrictive rules in Iceland that prevent him from officially changing his name.

No longer mayor of Reykjavik, Jón Gnarr can restart his career as a comedian. Not that he ever stopped
The World

He's a chart-topper in Iceland. But now with an English-language album out, new audiences are taking notice

Asgeir Trausti is a popular singer-songwriter in his home country, Iceland. And now, he hopes to do the same with his first English-only album and tour of the US. One of the biggest crowds he'll be playing for will be at Bonneroo.

He's a chart-topper in Iceland. But now with an English-language album out, new audiences are taking notice
Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan (R) stands with former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev (L) during Gorbachev's arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington, December 8, 1987.

Suzanne Massie taught President Ronald Reagan this important Russian phrase: 'Trust, but verify'

In 1984, Russian historian Suzanne Massie got a call she'll never forget. President Ronald Reagan invited her to the White House to brief him on Russian history and culture. Little did she know that this would be the beginning of many years of advising the president.

Suzanne Massie taught President Ronald Reagan this important Russian phrase: 'Trust, but verify'

Dennis Rodman brings his brand of basketball diplomacy back to North Korea

Dennis Rodman's controversial relationship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un turned another page this week. The former NBA star was in North Korea this week to select and train a North Korean basketball team that will take part in an exhibition game in honor of Kim's birthday. Plus Egyptian activists are thrown in jail and elves — yes, elves — halt a highway project in Iceland, in today's Global Scan.

Dennis Rodman brings his brand of basketball diplomacy back to North Korea
An Icelandic police officer stands guard at a peaceful protest near Iceland's Parliament house in Reykjavik

Iceland grieves after police shoot and kill a man for the first time in its history

Iceland made history this week, but not in a good way. For the first time since the nation became an independent republic, armed police shot and killed a man, startling a population accustomed to peace.

Iceland grieves after police shoot and kill a man for the first time in its history

Former leader of Iceland put on trial for economic crisis

Geir Haarde is thought to be the first world leader to be put on trial for his role in his country's 2008 economic crisis. The trial of the former Iceland prime minister started on Monday.

Former leader of Iceland put on trial for economic crisis

Iceland's Former Prime Minister on Trial over Economic Meltdown

Iceland's former prime minister, Geir Haarde, went on trial Monday. He's accused of failing to protect his country's economy from the global economic meltdown of 2008. The World's Gerry Hadden has the latest on the story.

Iceland's Former Prime Minister on Trial over Economic Meltdown