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Former Justice Minister Made Little of Plight of Foreign Women in Iceland
Yet another revelation from the recent Wikileaks infodump of diplomatic cables: former Minister of Justice Björn Bjarnason was considered to not take cases of human trafficking and spousal abuse towards foreign women seriously. Vísir reports that one of the cables from 2006…
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Was Offered Sex Services at Goldfinger
One of the revelations to come forward in the Wikileaks infodump was that an undercover investigator from the US embassy was offered sex services at former strip club Goldfinger, and that it was suspected that some women who worked there were being…
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Says Justice Minister “Stupid and Careless”
Kári Stefánsson, the director of DeCode, called remarks made by the minister of justice regarding Chinese industrial spies “stupid and careless”. A portion of the Wikileaks infodump reports suspicions that Chinese are using industrial espionage in Iceland, in the medical field in…
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Icelanders Fourth Most Overweight People in Europe
Icelanders are fourth on a list of countries struggling with being overweight, according to a new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). According to the report, the British are the heaviest Europeans, followed by the Irish and then…
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Icelandic Company Assisting WikiLeaks
An Icelandic company has stepped in to assist WikiLeaks financially, by offering a way for people to donate to the website via proxy. WikiLeaks editor-in-chief, co-founder and spokesman Julian Assange (above)- who was today arrested in London- has faced numerous financial difficulties…
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Former Finance Minister Says He Bears No Responsibility for Bank Collapse
Former Minister of Finance Árni Mathiesen claims he bears no responsibility for the bank collapse of 2008, even though he served in his position from 2005 through the crash. Árni was last fall named by a special committee as an individual who…
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Lawyer Speaks on Sex Abuse Charges Against Pastor
Lawyer Brynjar Níelsson was sought for advice by Gunnar Þorsteinsson, a Pentecostalist pastor who faces multiple charges of sexual assault. Today, Brynjar spoke to reporters about his thoughts on the case. As has been reported, six women in all have levied allegations…
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Clean Fuel Production Plant Coming to Iceland
Carbon Recycling International (CRI) and Icelandic construction company ÍAV signed a contract for construction of the first plant for production of renewable fuel from CO2 emissions. A press release from CRI says in part that construction work on the plant on an…
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Few Surprises in Wikileaks Infodump
There are almost no surprises about US/Iceland relations in the latest Wikileaks infodump of diplomatic cables, although some stories are indeed revealing. As has been reported, Wikileaks has released thousands of diplomatic cables – frank exchanges between diplomats around the world –…
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15% of Women in Violent Relationship
A new report indicates that up to 15% of women in Iceland could be currently in an abusive relationship. Erla Kolbrún Svavarsdóttir, a professor of the nursing department at the University of Iceland, is also the editor of a new book entitled…
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Foreign Minister Without Comment for President
While the president has been busy expressing his opinions on the European Union to members of the foreign press, the Minister of Foreign Affairs told reporters he has no response to this, even if it seems the president is speaking on behalf…
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Tasers Coming to Iceland?
The debate over whether or not Icelandic police should have tasers is apparently far from over, as the state police force is once again calling for their use, albeit on an experimental level. About one year ago, Social Democrat MP encouraged then…
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Government Announces Plan to Help Families in Financial Trouble
The prime minister’s office has announced a three-pronged plan to help alleviate the suffering of families struggling with household debt. Fréttablaðið reports that plan focuses specifically on the requirements for assistance thusly: First of all, the requirements to qualify for financial help…
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Salmonella Outbreak in Chickens Causes Upset in Government
A detected outbreak of salmonella among some brands of Icelandic chicken has cost Icelandic poultry farmers millions, and caused the government to review its tariffs on imported fowl. 49 separate incidences of salmonella in the birds themselves have caused recalls and disposed…
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Support for Government Increases Slightly, Support for Opposition and Ministers Drops
While support for the ruling coalition of the Social Democrats and Leftist-Greens raised slightly, nearly two-thirds of the country remain unsatisfied with the government. Satisfaction with individual ministers, and even members of the opposition, has also been on the wane. According to…
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US Secretary of State Remarks on Wikileaks
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gave a press conference last Monday on her country’s reaction to the latest Wikileak infodump, this one pertaining to thousands of diplomatic cables. Below is a full version of her statement, followed by questions and…
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Creative Arts Produce Thousands of Jobs
A newly-released government study shows that the creative arts have produced thousands of jobs in Iceland, generating millions in revenue each year. The study is the joint effort of five different ministries, as well as specialist Colin Mercer, researcher Tómas Young, and…
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Smelter Report “Confirms” Assessment from Saving Iceland
A recent report from the Icelandic National Planning Agency on the negative effects that a proposed aluminium smelter would have on the north “confirms” the criticisms of Saving Iceland, a statement from the group reads in part. As reported last week on…
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Meet the Constitutional Assembly
As reported yesterday, the constitutional assembly election results have come in. But who are these people who plan to re-write Iceland’s constitution? The Grapevine provides a closer look. The following is a list of assembly members, and translated snippets of their platforms:…
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Aldrei Fór Ég Suður in Danger?
The popular north Icelandic music festival is facing organisation troubles that could spell its demise. Vísir reports that there might not even be a festival this Easter. Ísafjörður native, musician and festival organizer Mugison told reporters, “There’s a lot of exhaustion in…
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Constitutional Assembly Elected
The final results of the constitutional assembly – an unaffiliated group of citizens all campaigning to re-write Iceland’s constitution – are in. Out of just over 500 possible candidates from around the country, 25 were chosen by a record-low 37% of all…
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Iceland Competing in Elephant Polo Tournament
The 29th World Elephant Polo Championship is already underway in the small Nepalese village of Maghauli, and Icelandic players are among those taking part. Numerous south Asian news sources are reporting that eight teams from Iceland, UK, Scotland, UAE, Switzerland, Afghanistan and…
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Icelanders Mostly Positive About Wikileaks
The majority of Icelanders have a decidedly positive attitude about Wikileaks, even in light of a recent diplomatic cable dump that might prove embarrassing for the country. As has been reported, Wikileaks has released thousands of diplomatic cables – frank exchanges between…
