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Watch an audio slideshow of how traditional Icelandic rhubarb stew is made. Rhubarb is one of the few vegetables that grows effortlessly in Iceland and for that reason it used to be a highly-valued addition to the traditional diet of fish and lamb.
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Journalist Richard Barley asks in today’s Wall Street Journal: Who has had the better crisis: Ireland or Iceland?
According to Barley, many would say Iceland, which Friday won a Fitch upgrade that restored it fully to investment-grade status; that puts it a step ahead of Ireland, which still has a “junk” rating from Moody's.
In the short-term, this verdict is probably right. But in the longer-term, Ireland’s Euro membership may bring benefits,” he concluded.
In 2008, the banks and financial systems were too big in both countries, and collapsed. Building a new financial system in both island states has cost taxpayers 45 percent of GNP in Iceland and 40 percent in Ireland.
Last year Iceland’s economy grew by three percent but Ireland by only one percent. But in the long term, Richard Barley believes the prospects for Ireland are better, because of one thing: the Euro.
PS
One of the last tasks of Steingrímur J. Sigfússon while in office as minister of industries and innovation was to issue a regulation on Monday extending the reserve for whales in Faxaflói bay, off Reykjavík in Southwest Iceland. The regulation took affect at midnight.
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The Identification Committee of the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police yesterday completed its investigation of human remains found by travelers on the beach Kaldbaksvík in Strandir, the eastern West Fjords, on Saturday.
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The government of Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir will formally step down after a state council meeting with President of Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson at his residence Bessastaðir at 11 am today. At 3 pm, the new government of Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson will attend a state council meeting and afterwards formally take power.
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Air traffic was grounded at Keflavík International Airport for up to two hours this morning due to a failure in the flight data system. Due to the delay, many passengers missed their connecting flights.
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The 2013 April-May issue of Iceland Review & Atlantica has been released. Packed with informative and entertaining stories, highlights include an interview with outgoing Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir and the people who know her best, a photo essay of ice caves in Europe’s largest glacier and a colorful feature on life in the West Fjords.
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REVIEWS
Interwined at the Einar Jónsson Museum is a group exhibition by the first Master students (Class of 2014) from the Iceland Academy of the Arts. The site-specific 21st century artworks delightfully freshen up the interior in the home and studio of the famous 20th century Icelandic sculptor.
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Artist couple Nína Ivanova and Ómar Smári Kristinsson explain why they decided to settle in the West Fjords’ capital.
Reykjavík Queer Choir’s annual spring concert takes place on Friday, May 24.
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