Iceland's volcanic eruptions are renowned, as well as its exotic nature. Iceland is known for its cronyism and shady dealings.
What happened to Iceland, jailed Icelandic bankers, Fallout 4, biggest secret
A year ago, I travelled to Iceland for the first time and grew immediately fascinated by the country's extraordinary story. I discovered that, despite Iceland's small size, the country is a world in miniature, with conflicts of ownership just as common as those in larger countries.
The nation's financial sector thrived on a bubble which burst after the 2008 global recession. It's a classic example of what is called "crony capitalism," in which banks reward people who have high salaries and power by putting them into unsustainable debt.
Iceland's banks made billions of dollar loans to corrupt entrepreneurs that took advantage of the powerful but small government. The collapse of Iceland's three biggest banks was caused by a rash of frauds and illegal transactions.
Many citizens blame the financial leaders of the country for what happened, even as they try to recover. Since then, more than twenty bankers have been imprisoned for fraud and mishandling of money. The country's justice, which was hailed by many as the best in the world, has come under fire for its slow prosecution.
Some bankers accused of being involved in the crime even sued their former bosses, accusing that they had ignored their legal obligations. Others have gone to the European Court of Human Rights, claiming that they were unfairly tried and treated.
All of these bankers received lengthy sentences after being convicted by the courts in 2008. Many of them have also been expulsed from the country. Others have fled overseas.
They then attempted to recover the money, including from many foreigners.
These were the banks that created a huge bubble in Iceland, and then when it burst it caused a worldwide banking crisis. Some of the Icelandic bankers were praised as symbols of the country's budding economic prowess before the crash, but now the country's citizens are frustrated that they're being held to account for their actions in the wake of the crisis.
Most bankers were innocent, but they acted recklessly. They took on debts they knew they would not be able to pay back, and they even made some bets which they could not afford.
Some were planning to create a brand new currency that would be even less sustainable. It is a huge problem for the nation, because its currency has been very weak.
In the end a much more stable currency that has decreased the pressure of the bankers was introduced. But it is unclear how long that will last.
FAQ
What dark secrets can Hollywood keep from you?
Hollywood is full secret societies. Some are cult-like groups where members follow strict rules and rituals, while others are simply clubs for those who share common interests.
But there are also more nefarious organizations that control much of the industry. There are companies like the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America), who sets film ratings and the RIAA, which sets music licensing fees.
Numerous unions or guilds also represent producers, writers, actors, etc. The majority of major television networks and movie studios are owned by large corporations.
The fact is that regardless of how secretive any group may be, someone somewhere knows exactly who they are. We shouldn't fear these people.
Instead, we should embrace these facts. Because they can help us make better decisions.
These people tell us what movies and songs will succeed, and which books will sell best.
They help us make decisions about what we will buy, watch, listen to, or read.
We can trust their advice and we can ignore it if it contradicts our values.
And because we've chosen to ignore them, they become even more powerful. They become the ultimate arbiters of taste.
And if you don't like what they say, you're free to ignore them.
Now let's take a look at some lesser-known yet very real Hollywood secret society.
And see why they're so important.
Which is the most mysterious spot on Earth?
Antarctica is one of the most mysterious places on Earth.
What is it that makes this place so interesting? Because it is unlike any other spot on Earth.
It is remote and difficult to reach. There is much more to this place than meets the eyes.
These wild animals are also found in this natural wonder.
Let's now see how this amazing destination came to be so well-known for its mystery.
Antarctica: The South Pole
Antarctica is not known by anyone. Others believe it means "land with ice". Others believe it comes out of 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 believe that the name is a combination of the Greek words anti and tropos which mean against and turn. This would mean that the land was turned away by the sun.
Whatever the reason, Antarctica has always held a special fascination for people.
It is the highest, coldest, windiest, dryest, and most populated continent. Because it is too frigid, there are no trees, animals, or plants.
Yet, the frozen desert is alive with life.
It houses approximately 90% of all Earth's living organisms. There are about 50% of the world's animal, plant and plant species.
What makes Antarctica so special? Here, water freezes in ice rather that vaporizing into the atmosphere.
This results in large masses of ice floating above the ground.
These glaciers cover more than 80% of the continent. They are growing in size every year.
Since 1960, the Antarctic ice sheets has grown 60ft.
The sea level will rise up to 200 feet if melting continues. This could lead to massive flooding across the globe.
However, not all scientists believe this to be bad news. Some scientists claim that global warming could be good for us. According to scientists, global warming could be good for us because the melting of the ice sheets will accelerate, which can lead to floods that release toxic chemicals into our soil and bodies.
Others cautioned that this theory sounds too science fiction.
These are five interesting facts about livers
The liver is responsible for breaking down toxins and storing vitamins and minerals. It helps to regulate blood pressure and keep our bodies temperature stable.
What number of times have you heard someone say that they feel sluggish or heavy? These symptoms could be signs of liver problems.
Other symptoms include itching, yellowing of the skin, heavy urine, yellowing of the skin, fatigue and nausea. These are not all the warning signs. You should immediately consult your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
The liver is an essential organ. It is vital for detoxification, metabolism, immunity, reproduction, and digestion.
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The average adult human liver weighs approximately 1,400 grams.
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At birth, a baby's liver is half the size of an adult. It can grow to four times the size of an infant's liver by the age 3.
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The liver is located on the left side, just below your rib cage.
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The liver has 16 main lobes, with many smaller lobules within the lobes.
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About 10 million red blood cells are found in the liver.
What is the most interesting fact about the human body?
Two eyes, two ears, 2 nostrils, 4 limbs, 1 nose, 1 penis and one mouth are all there. You're correct, there are more than 50 parts in our bodies. But, one thing is missing. A heart.
A heart is a pump, which circulates blood throughout our bodies. The blood flows through the veins and arteries to carry oxygen and nutrients to the cells.
Each minute, the heart pumps approximately 5 liters. This is equivalent to a person drinking 2-3 cups coffee daily.
Blood flows throughout the heart 24 hours per day, 365 Days a Year. While you are sleeping, your heart beats about 100 times per second.
Color of your skin is a good indicator of whether someone is healthy. If you examine the skin closely, you will see tiny blood vessels called capillaries. These small vessels carry blood from the large blood vessel in the skin back towards the heart. The skin becomes blue-colored or purple when blood flow is restricted.
Red blood cells are missing in people with sickle-cell disease. Their blood becomes extremely sticky and hardened, which can lead to very serious illnesses.
To stop bleeding from a cut, you can apply a bandage to the wound. Blood must continue to flow to allow the wounds to heal properly. To do this, doctors will insert a needle through your skin into the vein adjacent to the injury. This allows blood to drain from the area.
Doctors may also insert catheters (catheters), in an artery to treat a blood clot. This keeps the patient alive till the blood clot dissolves naturally.
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)
- 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)
- You spend about 10% of your time awake blinking (romper.com)
- In one 2014 study published in the Archives of Medical Science that sought to study the prevalence of these mites, research showed that 41% of the people had them hanging out in their eyelashes. (romper.com)
- In fact, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, you make 15 to 30 gallons of tears each year, which is insane when you think about it. (romper.com)
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How To
What is the scariest movie?
You're likely to get 10 different answers if you ask people about the most frightening movies.
Some people love horror films. Others enjoy sci-fi flicks. And then some prefer comedies.
No matter what you like, we all have seen some truly scary movies.
These are ten of most terrifying scary movies ever made, including the classic Halloween and the modern Paranormal Activity.
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"CabinFever" - "CabinFever" is considered to be one of scariest zombie movies. This movie depicts a virus which causes people to become zombies.
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"Thir13en Ghosts” - Based on the true tale of Jack the Ripper the "Thirteen Ghosts", features a group teenaged victims of ghost possession.
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"Pulse", the thriller that tells of a man caught in his apartment during a violent criminal spree, is called "Pulse". He must use only the items from his house to fight off his attackers.
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"The Descent" - One of the first found footage horror movies, "The Descent" follows a group of strangers venturing underground for an adventure. But things quickly go horribly sour once they arrive.
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"Get Out" - Jordan Peele is known for making one of the most frightening horror films ever made in 2017. "Get Out" depicts a young black photographer visiting his white girlfriend's family for the holidays. He discovers dark secrets when he arrives.
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"Paranormal Activity" (2007) - "Paranormal Activity" was one of the very first found footage movies. It featured a new twist on ghost stories, starring Katie Featherston.
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"Audition" - In Japan, "audition" means to stand before an audience and be judged. Kiyoko is high school student and waits to learn if she will become a popstar.
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"Saw" Series - After years of making low budget horrors, James Wan grew tired of coming up with ways to shock audiences. Jigsaw was created by Wan, who decided to take a break.
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"Tales From the Crypt". "Tales From the Crypt," is becoming more and more disturbing with each passing year. Hollywood has produced many sequels to the horror-stricken crypt keeper over the years.
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"Carrie," 1976. "Carrie", 1976. Telekinesis was introduced to viewers by Carrie. Carrie White can just think about objects and move them.