Preparations for next month's total solar eclipse in West Iceland have been underway for nearly three years, according to Sigríður Ó. Kristjánsdóttir, managing director of the Westfjords Regional Development Office, commonly known as Sirrý. Now, she says, much depends on the weather forecast.

Many people are expected to travel to North and East Iceland this weekend, where the forecast calls for sunny weather and temperatures of up to 27°C (81°F).

American singer-songwriter Jewel recently visited Iceland and thoroughly enjoyed traveling around the country, even though the weather was less than ideal during her stay.

Many residents of the Capital Region have recently noticed advertisements at bus shelters bearing the message: "Operation 86: Stop Whaling."

Isavia's plans to build a 200- to 400-room hotel at Keflavík International Airport do not align well with the future vision for tourism on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

Several of Iceland's salmon rivers have been producing particularly strong catches in recent days. Among the standout rivers are the Þverá/Kjarrá system in Borgarfjörður, the Jökla River in East Iceland, and the Haffjarðará River in Hnappadalur.

If the forecast holds, East Iceland is set to enjoy hot temperatures and sunshine next weekend.

Last Saturday, the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph published an article about whaling in Iceland. The story included interviews with Kristján Loftsson, CEO of Hvalur hf., Haraldur Ólafsson, chairman of Heimssýn, and a person identified only as "a spokesperson for the Icelandic government."

"In reality, it's nothing short of vandalism," says Birna Mjöll Atladóttir, owner of Hotel Breiðavík near Látrabjarg in Iceland's Westfjords, after three large tour groups canceled more than 75 room bookings for the days surrounding next month's total solar eclipse.

Kristín Auður Kelddal Elíasdóttir says it is important to preserve Iceland's centuries-old stonewalling techniques because they safeguard both the country's cultural heritage and history.

A large emergency response was launched shortly before 8 p.m. this evening after a concrete mixer truck drove off a bridge over the Þjórsá River near the Sultartangi hydroelectric power station and plunged into the river.

Icelandair carried 545,000 passengers in June, a 1% decrease compared with the same month last year. Despite the slight decline, the number of passengers traveling to and from Iceland increased, according to a statement from the airline.

"Inspection reports are public documents, and anyone may request access to them under Iceland's Information Act. That means we are not permitted to withhold them. Requests for these documents were made, and we released them on that legal basis."

Two endurance athletes ran and hiked a total of 100 kilometers (62 miles) on Mount Esja yesterday, completing 15 ascents and descents of the mountain.

The Goslok Festival, one of two annual town festivals held in Vestmannaeyjar each summer, reaches its peak today.

Nestled among the majestic mountains surrounding Ísafjörður, American-born Catherine Chambers has found her place in the world. She lives there with her husband, Dan Govoni, and their two daughters, Friðrika and Lóa, both of whom were given Icelandic names, having been born and raised in Iceland.

Warm and sunny weather is forecast across much of Iceland this weekend, with Reykjavík expected to enjoy temperatures of up to 18°C (64°F) and clear skies, according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office.

The chief physician at Vogur Addiction Treatment Center says large drug seizures have not historically had a noticeable impact on the supply of illegal drugs in Iceland.

A Ferris wheel has been erected at Miðbakki by Reykjavík Harbor for the third consecutive summer.

Ómar Örn Bjarnþórsson, defense counsel for Ming Ting Mancel, has asked the court to acquit her of all charges brought by the prosecution. He also requested that all legal costs be paid by the state.

The Capital Area Police received specific intelligence that led investigators to uncover plans to smuggle what became the largest single cocaine shipment ever seized in Iceland, 106 kilograms.

Environment, Energy and Climate Minister Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson formally approved the expansion of the Grótta Nature Reserve earlier today in the presence of representatives from the Municipality of Seltjarnarnes and the Icelandic Institute of Natural History, which collaborated on the project.

There is growing frustration among Grindavík residents over the continued ban on permanent residency in properties owned by the state-owned real estate company Þórkatla, which is set to remain in effect after September 1.

Two French tourists who were caught driving off-road on the Emstruleið route and near Katla just over a week ago now appear to have reached the Ísafjörður area, judging by photos and discussions posted in the Facebook group Bakland ferðaþjónustunnar, a site relating to tourism in Iceland.

The Bandero, the vessel operated by anti-whaling activist Paul Watson, plans to target the fuel company that supplies Icelandic whaling company Hvalur hf.

The Súlur rescue team, currently on highland patrol in Landmannalaugar, was called out on Saturday after a hiker fell on the trail between Landmannalaugar and Hrafntinnusker.

The Icelandic Coast Guard patrol vessel Þór caught up with the Bandero, the vessel operated by anti-whaling activist Paul Watson, west of Iceland yesterday evening. The Coast Guard vessel is now in the vicinity of the ship and is shadowing it.

"They were wonderful guests, and they climbed the cliffs of Drangey Island as if it were nothing," says Viggó Jónsson, known as the "Lord of Drangey," in Skagafjörður.

The fissure that runs through Grindavík, known as Stamphólsgjá, at one point split the town in two. The fissure has now been partially filled.

Bruna Ludmila, the girlfriend of Kaleo frontman Jökull Júlíusson, has shared an emotional tribute following the band's concert at Þingvellir on Saturday.

“I first saw this just two days ago on the Bakland ferðaþjónusta Facebook page. A tour guide had posted that he had noticed some rocks he didn't recognize,” says Þórir Níels Kjartansson, former managing director of the well-known Víkurprjón knitwear company in Vík í Mýrdal. Now retired, he enjoys observing changes in the local landscape, including at Reynisfjara Black Beach, which is the subject of this story.

Ivanka Trump, daughter of U.S. President Donald Trump, is visiting Iceland with her husband, Jared Kushner.

The Hvammstangi International Puppetry Festival (HIP Fest) starts today for this weekend in Hvammstangi, Northwest Iceland, bringing together puppeteers, theatre makers and performing artists from Iceland, Spain, Italy, Canada and Ukraine.

Rescue teams were called out and dispatched to Baldvinsskáli mountain hut on Fimmvörðuháls this afternoon.