Posts Tagged ‘Consequences’
Sunday, April 18th, 2010
The practice of honour crimes is said to be becoming more widespread in the south west of Finland, where the country’s largest immigrant population has settled.
Immigrant women in the southwest Uusimaa district, west of Helsinki, have recently come under the scrutiny of the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, with the local chapter receiving information onrelating to around 100 alleged honour crimes in the past three years.
This number is stillcontinuing to grow according to the League, and while there are no concrete statistics on honour crimes, there are concerns that the reported incidents are merely a fraction of the true number. Most of the instances where the League is contacted related to schooling and child welfare, according to YLE.
“Many people find it difficult to speak about this issue with their clients. Hopefully this will provide guidance on what to ask, how to discuss the matter, and what kinds of consequences there might be,” said the League’s project manager, Marjo van Dijke. She expressed hopes that a new information pack made available online will help address the emerging trend.
The League’s website also contains advice for local Finns on immigrant beliefs, as many young friends of immigrant girls find difficulty understanding some of the apparent lack of freedom given to them. Finnish men are also being targeted by the web campaign, as many are seen to have an interest in immigrant women but a lack of understanding of how and why honour crimes occur.
Honour crimes generally involve physical violence or dress code restrictions, in addition to rules about relationships and even hobbies. The practice exists not only in some immigrant groups but also often extends into multi-cultural families.
Tags: Apparent Lack, Child Welfare, Consequences, Dress Code, Finns, Fraction, Helsinki, Honour Crimes, Immigrant Groups, Immigrant Population, Immigrant Women, Information Pack, Instances, Physical Violence, Scrutiny, Southwest, True Number, Uusimaa, Web Campaign, Young Girls
Posted in Iceland | No Comments »
Friday, April 16th, 2010
Glaciologist Helgi Björnsson is concerned that the current volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull glacier could cause the neighboring volcano Katla to erupt as well, which could have much more serious consequences.
Tags: Consequences, Glacier, Katla, Volcanic Eruption, Volcano
Posted in Iceland | No Comments »
Saturday, April 3rd, 2010
The eruption in Fimmvörduháls seems to be stable. The dreaded Katla, a much bigger and more dangerous volcano, shows no signs of waking up. A Katla eruption would start major floods on the southern coast and might put many farms and the village of Vík in danger. A Katla eruption could also have very serious consequences for flight routes across the Atlantic.
Tags: Consequences, Dangerous Volcano, Flight Routes, Floods, Katla, Outburst, Signs, Volcanic Outburst
Posted in Iceland | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
It is self explanatory that there is not much sympathy worldwide for a country which first behaved irresponsibly and then tried to export its problems to other countries.
Like other countries which have run their economies into the ground – including Greece as a good example - Iceland must take responsibility for itself. So even if the Icelanders voted no and every last one of them had banged pots and pans in the streets of Reykjavik, the global community has to remain steadfast. If the Icelanders can not agree with the Dutch and the British about payment terms, then they naturally can not expect further loans from either the IMF, the Nordic countries or progression in the EU talks.
It must be noted for fairness sakes that the Icelanders have underlined that their position is not one of not paying, but about the details. And Netherlands and the UK have listened. When Iceland voted no anyhow, the two countries had already offered a better deal, which the Icelandic leadership had already rejected as not good enough. It does not bear witness of either humility or sense of reality.
From Denmark’s Berlingske Tidende (in Danish)
Berlingske noting that Icelanders seem to lack the understanding that actions have consequences.
Related posts:
- What Have You Done?
- It Came To The Point Where I Saw No Sense In Continuing To Pay
- A Farewell Letter – I am escaping to a different reality that is more FAIR to me
Tags: Berlingske Tidende, Consequences, Danish, Denmark, Different Reality, Fairness, Farewell Letter, Global Community, Greece, Humility, Imf, Netherlands, Nordic Countries, Pots And Pans, Pots Pans, Reykjavik, Sakes, Sense Of Reality, Sympathy, Witness
Posted in Iceland, Market | No Comments »
Friday, February 26th, 2010
I for one am not going to participate in this distortion of democracy which has brought us a national referendum on IceSave.
Of course I would say no to paying for the insane way Landsbankinn went about its business. Today, Halldor J. Kristjansson, one of their CEO’s is on record saying that there were meetings in February 2008 between the banks and the government about an impending collapse, yet they continued on to open the IceSave accounts in the Netherlands two months later.
But in a discussion dominated by the frantics, Bryndis Hlodversdottir, law professor at Bifrost University has come up with the most rational input regarding the referendum so far. In order for it to be democratic the following has to apply:
1) The question has to be clear and answerable with a yes or a no
2) All relevant information must be openly available for the public to be able to form an opinion.
3) The consequences must be clear.
None of these parameters are met with this ridiculous referendum. So for the first time since I was old enough to vote I will stay away from the voting booth. This farce served up by a lame-duck president and a Progressive Party pressure group called InDefence has nothing to do with democracy and I want nothing to do with it.
Related posts:
- Failing Democracy Again: This Time With A National Referendum
- An MP Answers Why She’ll Vote Yes on IceSave
- The National Referendum: Not About IceSave
Tags: Banks, Bifrost, Business Today, Ceo, Consequences, Democracy, Farce, Frantics, Icesave, Impending Collapse, Lame Duck President, Law Professor, Mp, National Referendum, Netherlands, Parameters, Pressure Group, Progressive Party, Vote, Voting Booth
Posted in Iceland, Market | No Comments »
Sunday, February 14th, 2010
Exchange rate indexation of loans is illegal in Iceland and this also applies to domestic loans, according to a new court ruling that could have major consequences.
Exchange rate indexation of loans means that the total amount owed in Icelandic kronur varies according to its exchange rate against the currencies in which the loan was issued. Such loans were aggressively promoted by the Icelandic banks in previous years and have now left many diligent car and home owners with bigger debts than the original amount – despite paying their bills every month.
Now the Reykjavik District Court has ruled that such loans are illegal – a ruling which directly contradicts a ruling in the same court in December, RUV reported.
According to the legal precedent, courts may now start ordering that exchange rate indexed loans be turned into regular inflation indexed loans denominated in Icelandic kronur.
The whole issue rests on a slight loophole, as exchange rate indexation is indeed illegal; but it is not illegal to lend in foreign currencies and then secure repayments in those currencies or in Icelandic kronur. But it is illegal to lend in Icelandic kronur and secure repayments pegged to the exchange rate of foreign currencies.
Customers taking out ‘foreign currency loans’ in Icelandic banks to buy homes and cars in Iceland were given their money in Icelandic kronur. The court has now ruled that this was illegal.
Tags: Banks, Cars, Consequences, Currency Loans, Debts, Exchange Rate, Favour, Foreign Currencies, Foreign Currency, Foreign Exchange, Iceland, Indexation, Kronur, Legal Precedent, Loophole, Money, Previous Years, Repayments, Reykjavik, Ruv
Posted in Iceland | No Comments »
Thursday, February 11th, 2010
One of the fundamental concepts in insurance is that of moral hazard. Whenever a party is insulated from the adverse consequences of his actions, he will tend to engage in more risky behavior than he would do otherwise.
Tags: Consequences, Fundamental Concepts, Iceland, Insurance, Iris, Moral Hazard, Risky Behavior
Posted in Iceland | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
The political farce continues. The president of Iceland has just put his own personal gain above the interest of his nation.
He has asked for a national referendum on the IceSave bill.
What is the nation going to vote on? To pay or not to pay?
If I were asked if I preferred to pay my debt or not then of course I would say no. But what are the consequences?
What does this mean for the government?
Is Olafur Ragnar Grimsson now an Independence Party hero?
What does this mean for the rebuilding of Iceland? What is the reaction from the IMF (which he apparently did not consult beforehand) or the UK and Netherlands?
And then he doesn’t have the courtesy to answer the nation’s questions completely.
First word that comes to mind is demagoguery.
More later.
Related posts:
- National Referendum: Icelandic Reaction
- Iceland’s new PM asks central bank governors to resign
- IceSave Referendum: Foreign Press Reaction
Tags: Central Bank Governors, Consequences, Demagoguery, Farce, First Word, Hero, Imf, Independence Party, National Referendum, Netherlands, Personal Gain, President Of Iceland, Ragnar
Posted in Iceland, Market | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
President of Iceland, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, has announced his intention to reject the new Icesave Bill which was passed by parliament just before the New Year. It is his intention to send the law to a national referendum as soon as possible.
Under Icelandic law, the President’s decision means that the law will go into force as the government planned; but crucially that it will be withdrawn again in the event of the Icelandic public voting ‘no’, whenever the referendum goes ahead.
The only other time the Icelandic President has chosen not to sign a bill into law, the government then decided to withdraw it altogether instead of sending to a national vote. The cabinet is meeting at the moment to discuss the implications of the President’s decision and what to do next.
It was widely thought that Grimsson would accept the law and political commentators remain split on what the actual consequences will be now that he has decided the opposite.
An end to IMF cooperation with Iceland, an end to the EFTA agreement, the break up of the government and even trade sanctions are among possible consequences; but there could equally be no serious consequences.
A response is expected from British and Dutch authorities, probably later today.
Tags: Break, Consequences, Cooperation, Dutch Authorities, Icesave, Imf, Intention, National Referendum, National Vote, New Year, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, Parliament, Political Commentators, President Of Iceland, President President, Ragnar, Trade Sanctions
Posted in Iceland | No Comments »
Saturday, January 2nd, 2010
He has to approve the IceSave bill.
It is easy to justify it. Vigdis Finnbogadottir made a tough decision seventeen years ago when she went against her own conviction and her own political interest and approved the EES agreement. She justified it by saying that she had made the decision for future generations, not herself.
Olafur Ragnar only has to put aside his own political interests for the interests of the nation and approve the bill.
Even if hundreds of people who don’t want to take responsibility for what happened in Iceland in the last few years have camped outside his door this morning.
Even if more than 50.000 people, including children under the legal age have signed a petition asking him not to.
Because if he doesn’t then the consequences will only be beneficial to himself.
He will appease a lot of his critics. But leave the only semi-functional government available hanging, causing an almighty storm in Icelandic politics and delaying the assistance of foreign nations.
He has got to approve the bill. If he doesn’t, Iceland will be dragged even further down the drain. Which has been the objective of the Independence Party and Progressive Party since they found themselves in opposition.
Nobody wants to pay Iceland. But nobody wants to pay higher taxes either, and nobody wants less government service or worse education, or worse health care, or more expensive necessities or ridiculously expensive foreign trade.
But that is what those two parties have left us with, and the rebuilding cannot be delayed until it is convenient for their own political gain.
Hopefully the man in Bessastadir understands that.
Related posts:
- Progressives tighten their golden grip
- Priorities Of Icelandic Politicians
- The Filibuster Calendar
Tags: Consequences, Conviction, Filibuster, Future Generations, Government Education, Government Service, Health Care, Independence Party, Necessities, Objective, Opposition, Petition, Political Gain, Political Interest, Political Interests, Politicians, Priorities, Progressive Party, Progressives, Seventeen Years
Posted in Iceland, Market | No Comments »
Sunday, September 6th, 2009
The collapse of the Icelandic economy has some consequences and lessons for New Zealand.
Tags: Brian Gaynor, Collapse, Consequences, Economy, Iceland, New Zealand
Posted in Iceland | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009
StatoilHydro, the gas and oil giant, has found itself in trouble with the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority over excessive CO2 emissions from its Molkoya gas plant along the coast of the Barents Sea. The Authority has ordered StatoilHydro to take care of this violation or face consequences.
The oil and gas company has been dealing with major technical problems at their Molkoya plant which has created a massive increase in CO2 emissions, according to Skunews. During the last six months of production, the plant has emitted 1.6 million tons of greenhouse gases amounting to more than two per cent of Norway’s total emissions.
Now the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority wants the oil and gas company to reduce the emissions and present an assessment report by early August. To help fix the problem, StatoilHydro will increase its staff at the Molkoya plant and look into innovative CO2 capture and storage.
Since the Molkoya plant opened in August 2007 it has been forced to close several times due to technical problems and upgrades. The highly excessive CO2 emissions this year are a particularly sensitive issue right now as Norway’s officials are under heavy pressure to cut the nation’s emissions. The present government wants to reduce its annual emissions by 30 per cent before 2020 to the past levels in 1990.
See more at SikuNews.
Tags: 6 Million, Assessment Report, Barents Sea, Co2 Emissions, Consequences, Early August, Greenhouse Gases, Massive Increase, Norway, Norwegian Pollution Control, Oil And Gas, Oil And Gas Company, Oil Giant, Present Government, Sensitive Issue, Several Times, Six Months, Storage
Posted in Iceland | No Comments »
Friday, April 17th, 2009
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs, in consultancy with other ministries and financial institutions, has sent a letter to the European Commission, commenting on the global economic collapse and proposing necessary actions to stem its consequences.
Tags: Consequences, Consultancy, European Commission, Financial Institutions, Foreign Affairs, Global Economic Collapse, Iceland, Necessary Actions
Posted in Iceland | No Comments »
Saturday, April 4th, 2009
The Treasure Committe of the House of Commons has published a report examining the consequences of the failure of the Icelandic banks in October 2008. The report is the first in a series on the Banking Crisis.
Tags: Banking Crisis, Banks, Committe, Consequences, Failure, House Of Commons, Treasure House, Uk Treasury
Posted in Iceland | No Comments »
Friday, March 13th, 2009
The economic collapse in Iceland has had various consequences, among them that Reykjavík is now considered one of the least expensive cities in western Europe, that is, for everyone except Icelanders.
Tags: Capitals, Consequences, Economic Collapse, Iceland, Least Expensive Cities, Western Europe
Posted in Iceland | No Comments »
Icesave agreement rejected by Icelandic president
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010Under Icelandic law, the President’s decision means that the law will go into force as the government planned; but crucially that it will be withdrawn again in the event of the Icelandic public voting ‘no’, whenever the referendum goes ahead.
The only other time the Icelandic President has chosen not to sign a bill into law, the government then decided to withdraw it altogether instead of sending to a national vote. The cabinet is meeting at the moment to discuss the implications of the President’s decision and what to do next.
It was widely thought that Grimsson would accept the law and political commentators remain split on what the actual consequences will be now that he has decided the opposite.
An end to IMF cooperation with Iceland, an end to the EFTA agreement, the break up of the government and even trade sanctions are among possible consequences; but there could equally be no serious consequences.
A response is expected from British and Dutch authorities, probably later today.
Tags: Break, Consequences, Cooperation, Dutch Authorities, Icesave, Imf, Intention, National Referendum, National Vote, New Year, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, Parliament, Political Commentators, President Of Iceland, President President, Ragnar, Trade Sanctions
Posted in Iceland | No Comments »