Iceland in Headlines in the world

I knew Iceland only after I meet my wife ten years ago. Not surprisingly many people around the world have very little knowledge about Iceland. While I was in England few years ago many were very surprised when my wife is from Iceland. But this has been changed recently mainly from different way. First from banking crisis in late 2008 which had effected Iceland economy severely. Another one was decision taken by British prime minister Gordon Brown to apply terrorist law against Iceland due to Icelandic banking crisis. Secondly, Volcano eruption in Iceland recently which has effected entire European Airspace. Most of the major airport in Europe has been shut down due to this eruption.

I wonder the effect of two very big well known volcano "Hekla" and "Katla" start to erupt. Because of those two event Iceland became the center in world news. Banking crises (especially terrorist law against Iceland) made heading in the news perhaps not a good way however volcanic eruption has made Iceland focal news in world stage is somehow a good way - i guess. Now, probably people know where "Iceland" is located.

Airspace closed - due to Icelandic Volano

These are the countries who closed their airspaces due to volcano eruption in Iceland

Source:BBC

Belgium

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

Hungary (from 1700 GMT)

Latvia

Lithuania

Netherlands

Slovakia

Switzerland (from 2200 GMT)

Partial closures:

Austria (closures from 1600 GMT)

France (northern airspace)

Germany (most airports closed)

Norway (limited flights in north)

Poland (most airports closed)

Republic of Ireland (most airspace opened Friday)

Sweden (northern airspace opened Friday)

UK (near-total closure)

Volcano Erupted - Iceland

When the first volcano erupted in Iceland recently I was in Nepal and did not hear much about it. Since the eruption there has been regular tremor around the volcanic areas. Yesterday another volcano erupted in a massive scale which has disturbed not only local inhabitants but also almost all European countries. Many of the major city´s airport has been closed. One of the very busy airport in London Heathrow has now completely shut down due to safety concern for until tomorrow.

I am also planning to go to the volcanic site to witnessed the eruption this week if weather permits. And, we live in capital city - Reykjavik, we are safe from this eruption.

City of schools, hospitas and banking

I was in Nepal recently for two months. I witnessed massive change in capital city. There are obvioubsly some very good developments eg. telecommunication. This is indeed I felt milestone for Nepal. Every signle individual have a mobile phone and interstingly very cheap when making calls. You can find people carrying GSM (mobile phone) from city to himalays and can communicate. This was not possible 5-6 years ago - Thanks to public and private sector.

I am not sure if this is development or not. But there are mushrooms of colleges, schools accross the big cities like kathmandu, biratnagar and so on. In kathmandu you can see either college or school in almost in every cornors. Similarly, finance companies, banks and lending instituion has also increased. I wonder if this is the development of the country or something is not right. A country which as a 29million population with only 48% literacty rate perhaps go up by 100% if the schools and colleges are spreading all over the country.

Nepal is still regarded as a one of the poorest country in the world where mushrooms of financial institutions makes me feel bad when village kids could not afford to eat and go to school for very basic education. My sincere hope such institution will also focus on some philanthropy.

Snow in London

Last week I was in London. To be honest it was terrible weather. London has not seen snow like this for years - they said in 20 years. It was about 15 cm snow in inner London. I was stuck for two days in hotel due to no trains, buses, tube and even the shops, restaurant were completely closed. Tempreature went on -7 to -10, yes! certainly was very cold. TVs broadingcasting this as a breaking news for almost whole day.

In Iceland, snowing with such inches is very normal in Icelandic daily life. Snow remover, salting are in place when there are snow - So, it is very common here but not yet heard as a "Breaking News". There will be a breaking news if 10-15 inches snow - I assume.

Power is what some really really wants !!

Davið Oddson is a very popular figure in Icelandic politics. Many suspected soon after his retirement from the politics be became focal point of politics in authorities and influenced surroundings. People are also very angry towards his decision recently, especially when Iceland´s three major banks collapsed late in 2008. After stepped down from the prime minister he became country´s head (governor) of national bank of Iceland. Many Icelanders wonders why he hasn´t resigned in principal after countries three largest bank collapsed.

Some even quoted "This is what happens when politicians turns into economist. His passion perhaps " Hungry for Powers" turned into economist"


Personally I don´t blame whole financial crisis to him but yes I must agree with his some of the major decision he had made. Nothing much to say but one can think that due to inappropriate decision Icelandic economy went years back and surely this will take years to rebuild.

Whatever has had happened over the months, most importantly of Icelandic political and financial activities, country has lost it´s "trust" in international open market - I assume. I truly hope everyone will come together and recover the Icelandic economy rather fighting for position / power etc etc.

Back to post

I have been very quite due to busy, lazy etc etc. Now again I am back to blog stuff. First of all Happy New Year to you all. Despite financial turbulence around the world I wish for good health and all the best to all. Year 2009 ahead seems very scary particularly financial sector around the world.

Lets hope 2009 will be a trouble free year.

Anil