Iceland is famous for its volcanic eruptions and exotic natural wonders. But it's also known for its crony capitalism, and this week's leak of Prime Minister Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson's secret share sale raised a fresh wave of rage against the country's banking system.
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Iceland has an extraordinary history. When I visited Iceland for the very first time a year back, I was instantly fascinated. I was surprised to find that Iceland is very much a small world in microcosm. And that ownership conflicts are just as common in smaller countries as large ones.
The nation's vibrant financial sector was founded on a speculative bubble that collapsed when the global economy crashed 2008 It's an example of what's often called "crony capitalism," where banks reward people with high salaries and power with unsustainable levels of debt.
In Iceland, the banks piled up billions of dollars in loans to shady entrepreneurs who took advantage of the country's small but powerful government. A rash of fraud and illegal transactions led to the collapse of all three of its biggest banks, Glitnir, Kaupthing, and Landsbankinn.
But as the country tries to recover, many of its citizens still blame its financial leaders for what happened. Over the years, more 20 bankers who mismanaged money and committed fraud have been sent to jail. However, the country's lauded justice system has been criticized because it is slow to prosecute.
Some bankers accused of being involved in the crime even sued their former bosses, accusing that they had ignored their legal obligations. Some bankers have taken their case to the European Court of Human Rights claiming they were unfairly treated and tried.
All of these bankers received lengthy sentences after being convicted by the courts in 2008. Some have even been expelled.
They tried to recoup all this money from foreign investors and other investors who invested in the market.
They were the banks who created a bubble in Iceland that caused a banking crisis around the world when it burst. Icelandic banks were hailed before the crash as symbols of their country's budding economy, but now they are being held accountable for their actions.
Almost all of the bankers are innocent, but their actions were reckless. They were taking on debt that they knew they could not afford to repay, and in some cases, they made bets they couldn't afford to lose.
Some of them were also scheming to create a new currency, which would be even more unsustainable. The currency of the country is extremely weak.
A new currency, which is more stable and less volatile than the old one, was introduced in 2011. This has helped to reduce the pressure on bankers. But it's not known how long the situation will continue.
FAQ
What are the darkest secrets of Hollywood?
Hollywood is full secret societies. There are many secret societies in Hollywood. Some are cult-like, where members adhere to strict rules and rituals. Others are clubs for people who share similar interests.
There are also other, more evil organizations that control large parts of the industry. These include the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America), the organization that sets film ratings and RIAA(Recording Industry Association of America), the company that sets music licensing fees.
Numerous unions or guilds also represent producers, writers, actors, etc. Most major movie studios and television networks are owned by large corporations which own these various organizations.
It doesn't really matter how secretive an organization may appear, there is always someone who knows exactly what they do. We shouldn't fear these people.
Instead, we should embrace and celebrate them. Because they provide us with information that helps us make better decisions.
They can tell us which movies and songs are likely to be successful, as well as what books and novels will be most popular.
They are, in short, what help us choose what we will watch, read and listen too.
We can trust them and can disregard their advice if it is not in line with our preferences.
They are more powerful than ever because we chose to ignore them. They are the supreme arbiters of taste.
They can be ignored if you don’t like what they have to say.
So now let's look at some of the lesser-known but still very real Hollywood secret societies.
You'll see why they are so important.
What are 5 interesting facts about the liver?
The liver is responsible for breaking down toxins and storing vitamins and minerals. It regulates blood pressure and maintains a stable body temperature.
Are you familiar with the expressions, "I feel sluggish today", or "my head feels heavy"? These symptoms may indicate problems with the liver.
Some common signs include dark urine, yellowing skin, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach cramps, jaundice (yellow coloration), and itching. But these aren't the only warning signs. You should immediately consult your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
The liver is an important organ. It is responsible for detoxification as well digestion, metabolism and immunity.
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The average adult liver weights about 1,400g.
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At birth, the liver of a baby can be half as big as an adult's. By age three, it is about four times larger than that of an infant.
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The liver is located just below the rib cage on the left side of the abdomen.
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There are 16 major liver lobes. However there are many smaller, more intimate lobules.
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The liver is home to approximately 10 million red blood cell units.
What is the most mysterious area on earth?
Antarctica is home to the most mysterious and remote place on Earth.
Why do we find this place so intriguing? Because it is unlike anything else on Earth.
It is very remote and isolated. This site has more to it than meets your eye.
This natural wonder is also home to some of the strangest wildlife species.
Let's now see how this amazing destination came to be so well-known for its mystery.
Antarctica, The South Pole
Antarctica's name is a mystery. Some believe it means "land of ice." Some believe it means "land of ice". Others believe it is Greek mythology.
Antarktis in ancient Greece was the name given the island where Zeus' twin brother brothers were born. According to some legends, one of these twins was born in winter. This is why the word "antarctic" was chosen.
Others think the name came from the Greek words anti, meaning against, and tropos meaning turn. This would translate to land that is turned away from the sun.
No matter the reason, Antarctica is a place that has always fascinated people.
It is the driest, windiest of all continents. Because it is too frigid, there are no trees, animals, or plants.
This frozen wasteland is still alive.
About 90 percent of all living things on Earth live here. Here are approximately 50% of all the animal and plant species in the world.
What is the secret to Antarctica's unique environment? Here, water freezes and becomes ice instead of evaporated into the air.
This causes large amounts of ice to float above ground.
These floating glaciers make up 80%. They continue to grow in size each year.
The Antarctic Ice Sheet has grown 60 feet in the past 60 years.
If the melting continues, sea level could rise up to 200ft. This could lead to widespread flooding.
This is not necessarily bad news. Some scientists suggest that global warming could actually be good for us. They believe that global warming will lead to melting ice sheets faster and floods that can flush toxic chemicals out of our soils and bodies.
Others cautioned that this theory sounds too science fiction.
Do you wonder how much trash is produced each day across the globe?
The United Nations states that an average person produces more than 2.5 pounds of waste per day. That's over 25 billion pounds of garbage each year!
The majority of this garbage ends up in incinerators or landfills. But what happens when the dumpsters become full? All that trash ends up being shipped out of country. It then gets dumped in foreign countries, polluting their ecosystems. However, now we know where all that trash goes. Mike Sexton is his full name. He runs Waste Watchers, a company that monitors the movements of trucks carrying trash all across North America. He then reports back about what happens next.
Sexton claims he is very satisfied with his job. CNN asked Sexton if he thought it was a lot of fun. "We see these big trucks coming through town, so we'll keep following them. "Sexton started following truck driver almost 20 years back.
He stated, "I just fell in Love with It."
His favorite story is about a driver that pulled into an abandoned gas station just outside Los Angeles. Sexton recalls, "The guy was searching for somewhere to put his loads." "He drove down the street and saw this building. So he backed up and went inside. "There were two huge roll-off containers there filled with stuff. The guy took everything out and started filling up the truck again. He then looked around and decided to load everything. There were old tires and rags, furniture pieces, mattresses, mattresses and boxes. "It was just total chaos. It had been cleaned up before he arrived. There was no trash."
So why did this happen? It's because this area used to be a recycle center. People would drive from all over the country to recycle their trash. Sexton said that people would bring their household items to the building and then leave empty containers behind.
This can happen hundreds of times a week. This can happen hundreds of times a week.Eventually, the truck becomes so overloaded with junk that it stops running. The owner eventually abandons the vehicle.
But, this isn't the only problem that our planet is facing.
Many of these tiny plastic pieces end up in landfills and incinerators. Others get washed into rivers or oceans.And when they reach the ocean, they often end up in the stomachs of fish.
Experts warn us that we may soon face an international food shortage if things don't change. Experts warn, "If you keep going like you're going," we could soon face a global food shortage. But most people don't seem to be worried, even though scientists are unanimous in warning us that the world is heading towards disaster.
Statistics
- "It is estimated that 75% of people have at least mild gum disease, with the most common symptoms being bleeding when brushing, bad breath, and dark and swollen gums," Dr. Ron Baise, a London-based dentist, tells Romper. (romper.com)
- In fact, nearly 24% of U.S. women are affected with one or more pelvic floor disorders, according to research funded by the National Institutes of Health. (romper.com)
- A 2012 paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reported that people blink about 15 to 20 times each minute, meaning, if you do the math, you spend about 10% of the time that you're awake blinking. (romper.com)
- According to a 2018 study published in Free Radical Biology & Medicine, this is because blood pressure is regulated by our innate circadian rhythm and internal clock. (romper.com)
- Your mouth makes a lot of saliva every day It might seem like way too much, but your salivary glands typically produce anywhere from 0.5 and 1.5 liters a day, according to a 2009 study published in the Journal of Medicine and Life. (romper.com)
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Secrets of United States that were made public
The United States can offer a land of opportunity in which anyone can find success. There are also secrets that have been hidden for many years that could transform how you live your life.
These secrets include:
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The US government holds more than 5 million secrets documents that have not been made public. These documents contain information concerning UFO sightings or alien life forms, human and animal cloning, and even assassinations of world leaders.
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President Harry Truman in 1947 ordered the establishment of the Central Intelligence Agency. This agency was created to assist the president in wartime decisions and protect America from foreign threats.
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The CIA used to use mind control experiments against American citizens without their permission. Project MKUltra is one of the most well-known examples.
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During World War II U.S. forces conducted numerous tests on civilians. Some of these tests included exposing soldiers to mustard gas or biological weapons.
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In 1992, the Pentagon admitted to conducting germ warfare testing on prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.
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The CIA secretly constructed prisons around the world where terror suspects are held and sent to countries like Thailand, Poland and Romania.
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The CIA has also funded death squads that kill political dissidents throughout Latin America.
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The US Air Force continues to engage in chemical warfare tests that violate multiple international treaties.
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The Department of Defense often violates its own rules concerning human experimentation using animals.
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While arresting protestors on coastal waterways, the Coast Guard has consistently violated federal legislation.
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The Transportation Security Administration, (TSA), performs illegal searches on ordinary passengers at airports all over the country.
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Through armed drones and "assassination groups", the CIA conducts targeted killings programs that are not on recognized battlefields.
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The Office of Public Affairs (OPA), oversees the CIA. Yet, the CIA's employees secretly create alternative media articles which are then distributed to intelligence agencies as well as defense contractors. OPA writers claim that the truth about UFOs, aliens, 9/11, climate change, and other sensitive subjects have been withheld by national security forces who fear public awareness.
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The US Air Force maintains files about nearly 7 million Americans it considers subversive.
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US Army used undercover agents provocateurs in order to organize violent protests, and race riots.
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The NSA collects credit cards records and phone logs, and shares these information with corporations in order to sell ads.
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Most people won’t know that the FBI has been stockpiling firearms and ammunition since the 1980s. The FBI has more than 10 million ammo, and over 1.5 billion rounds of ammunition!
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Homeland Security department built concentration camps that allow inmates to be detained, tortured and even killed. Members of Congress cannot visit these detention centres.
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The NSA is involved in domestic spying against journalists and activists. Their only crime is to criticize government officials or speak out against abuses.
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Massive computer surveillance is carried out by the NSA against innocent citizens. Many of these are not related to terrorism.
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The NSA has mass surveillance on cell phones and email accounts belonging to foreign leaders, celebrities and members of congress.
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The NSA monitors private persons and intercepts financial transactions.
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The NSA monitors all energy production facilities, and spying on stock markets and exchanges worldwide.
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The NSA hacks into computers networks and installs keystroke loggers without obtaining search warrants.
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To disable enemy communications systems, the NSA uses cyber warfare techniques.
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The NSA monitors social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
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To impersonate hackers, the NSA creates fake online identities and spreads propaganda.
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To obtain personal information, the NSA hacks into chat rooms and message boards.
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To manipulate forums and discussion groups online, the NSA creates fake persons.
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The NSA makes homeless people install spyware on smart phones.