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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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Sheik Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al-Thani of Qatar, his relative Sheik Sultan and British lawyer Simon Soutall all refused to bear witness in a case concerning Al-Thani’s acquisition of more than five percent of shares in Icelandic Kaupþing Bank shortly before it collapsed in autumn 2008, as stated at the hearing at Reykjavík District Court today.
The headquarters of the now defunct bank Kaupþing. Photo copyright Icelandic Photo Agency.
Al-Thani’s defense lawyers demand that the principal proceedings be postponed. However, the judge concluded that the schedule for the principal proceedings to begin on April 11 should remain unchanged, ruv.is reports.
New evidence was submitted at the court this morning, including transcripts of telephone conversations of Kaupthing’s employees in Luxembourg and the settlement agreement of Kaupþing’s winding-up committee with Al-Thani.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor issued a charge on February 17, 2012, against Ólafur Ólafsson, who was among largest shareholders in Kaupþing at the time, the bank’s former CEO Hreiðar Már Sigurðsson, former chair Sigurður Einarsson and former head of Kaupþing in Luxembourg, Magnús Guðmundsson, because of the acquisition.
Special Prosecutor Ólafur Þór Hauksson reasons that the dealings with Al-Thani were staged to maintain the price of shares in the bank and promote a false image of its condition. The acquisition is considered part of an extensive conspiracy of market abuse.
Related:
20.11.2012 | Charges Against Former Kaupþing CEO Dropped
10.10.2012 | Kaupþing Former CEO Strikes Back in Al-Thani Case
ESA
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
The 11th Reykjavík Shorts & Docs. Catch it while it lasts!
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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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