Iceland welcomed the concept of ​​a four-day working week, and as a result the country’s economy is booming– CNN reported.

This decision helps Iceland get ahead of other countries since the shorter working week didn’t end in a lack of staff’ wages. Over 50% of the country’s workforce accepted the offer of shorter working hours in 2020-2022. However, two think tanks – the UK Autonomy Institute and the Icelandic Association for Sustainable Development and Democracy (Alda) – said the figure was higher than 2024. “This study shows a real success story: shorter working hours have become common in Iceland… and the economy is strong in many respects,” Alda researcher Gudmundur D. Haraldsson said in a statement.

In 2023, Iceland showed faster economic growth in comparison with most European countries – growth of 5% – a huge increase in comparison with 2% in 2006-2015. The unemployment rate was also among the many lowest in Europe, showing a “strong indicator of economic vitality.” The IMF’s World Economic Outlook report shows that the rate of interest stays stable at 3.4%, just over half the typical for advanced European economies. Interest rates are expected to rise to three.8% in 2024 and 2025.

Years earlier, between 2015 and 2019, two large studies were conducted by which public sector staff worked 35-36 hours a week without taking a pay cut. With 2,500 participants, representing over 1% of the country’s working population on the time, most had previously worked 40 hours a week. The goal was to take care of or increase productivity while improving work-life balance.

The data showed that productivity remained the identical or increased in most work environments, while worker well-being increased “dramatically” on several measures starting from stress and burnout to health and work-life balance.

According to Live Now Fox, researchers analyzed the outcomes of a labor market survey conducted by the Institute for Social Science Research on the University of Iceland within the hope of gaining insight into work patterns, the work environment and the explanation why people leave paid work. It found that 62% of people that worked short-time between 2022 and 2024 were more satisfied with their working hours, while only 4% of staff were more dissatisfied.

78% of respondents stated general satisfaction with the presented working time.

As a results of the trial, Icelandic trade unions negotiated reduced working hours for tens of hundreds of their members across the country.

The U.S. Department of State issued a “Level 3” travel advisory for Egypt on Tuesday due to the increased risk of terrorism that has hit the country.

The advisory warns tourists from the US (*3*)traveler to Egypt due to terrorism, in addition to the U.S. Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. and Egyptian residents who’re arrested or detained within the country. U.S. travelers have been specifically advised to avoid traveling to the northern and central Sinai Peninsula and the Western Desert due to the risk of terrorism, and to avoid traveling to Egyptian border areas because they’re energetic military zones.

“The U.S. Embassy may be limited in its ability to provide consular services to U.S.-Egyptian dual citizens,” he said. advisory reads. “Egyptian law recognizes dual citizens as Egyptian citizens.”

The advisory cited how “extremists continue to express interest in planning attacks in Egypt on religious sites, government institutions and diplomatic missions.”

Tourist areas are typically most vulnerable to terrorist attacks because terrorists goal steadily visited places resembling transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, Western businesses, restaurants, resorts, and native government facilities.

“Although Egyptian authorities largely exercise effective security oversight, terrorists may attack with little or no warning and target specific targets,” the advisory reads. “Local law prohibits protesting and demonstrating without permission. The presence of anti-government protests nearby may attract the attention of Egyptian police and security forces. U.S. citizens were detained for participating in protests and posting on social media content perceived as critical of Egypt or its allies.”

Egypt is one of a very powerful attractions in Africa destinationsknown for the pyramids of Giza, one of the seven wonders of the traditional world. Visitors are also drawn to ancient monuments situated within the fertile Nile Valley, resembling the Great Sphinx, the hieroglyphic temple of Karnak in Luxor, and the tombs of the Valley of the Kings. In the capital, Cairo, you can find Ottoman monuments resembling the Muhammad Ali Mosque and the Egyptian Museum, which houses a powerful collection of antiquities.

For those continuing with travel plans to Egypt, the Department of State has issued a listing of precautions to take:

• Visit the DOS website regarding travel to high-risk areas.
• Keep your travel documents up to date and simply accessible.
• Make contingency plans for leaving the country that is not going to depend upon U.S. government assistance.
• Please check local regulations and conditions before traveling.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Be vigilant in places frequented by Westerners.
• Get comprehensive medical insurance that covers medical evacuation.
• Enroll within the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and help locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter.
• Review the homeland security report for Egypt.
• Visit the CDC website for the most recent travel health information related to your trip.
• Prepare a contingency plan in case of emergencies. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.