The controlling parties in Iceland,the Left Green Movement and the Social Democratic Alliance,are putting to a vote at the Icelandic parliement,to join the Europian Union.
And people where today at the parliement protesting,and shouting at parliement building.
Not everybody is for the Europian Union.
Part of the Left Green Movement is not for it ,and now there are a lot of discussion in parliement.
Some in the oppositon parties are for joining the EU .
The vote will probably be tomorrow at 12:00 .
Some members of parliement came outside ,to talk to protesters
One of the protester who was shouting at the parliement building,using words ,like - Treason ,traitors and such - was asked by the parliement guard to go farther away from the building,wish he refused.
Protest in Iceland against EU membership
Hotel burns to the ground at Thingvellir in Iceland
The Hotel at Thingvellir ,the most sacred part of Iceland ,burned to the ground yesterday.
It was an old building ,made of timber.
Firefighters fought the fire ,but could not stop it.
The Icelandic Coast Guard helicopter came with firefighters from Reykjavik,to assist the local firefighter crew.
Here you can see a video from the fire ---- VIDEO
Civil war in Iceland ??
Bjorgulfur Gudmundsson and his son ,Bjorgulfur Thor Bjorgulfsson,have asked that half of their debts to Kaupthing Bank ,be written off and they do not have to pay half.
That would mean ,that they would not have to pay ,3 billion kronas.
Bjorgulfur Thor Bjorgulfsson is estimated to own now - 170 billion kronas.
In the meantime ,familys are offered ,getting their lones, on longer time period.
Representives of people and familys in debt in Iceland ,say ,that if they dont pay all their debt,then every promice from the goverment to the public,is void.
One ,represting Icelands stock holders,mr: Vilhjálmur Bjarnason, said ,that if they do not pay all
of their debts,that would mean a civil war in Iceland .
Since the banking crises started here in Iceland ,last october ,2008 - about 1000 Icelandic citizens have moved to Norway.
Photos : Top - Bjorgulfur Thor Bjorgulfsson
bottom : Vilhjalmur Bjarnarsson
Strange loans in Iceland
Still,there are information coming here in Iceland.
Employees at the top at Kaupthing Bank,got special loans ,to buy stock in the bank.
And the Kaupthing board of directors,decided ,that they would not have to pay fot the loan they got.
One of the employees ,was Kristjan Arason,husband to the vice chairman of the Independence party.
She ,Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir ,was last year ,the education minister in the ICelandic goverment.
Kristjan had a 890 millon krona loan ,a so called " bubble loan " ( kúlulán) .
Wich means that the sequrity on that loan to buy stock,is the stock itself.
23 employees of kaupthing ,got special service from the board of the Bank.
And do not have to pay the loan they got.
Meanwhile public is going bankrupt,and many moving from Iceland.
Many have to go to the family help service,once a week,to get food for their familys.
More corruption surfacing in Iceland ?
At Kaupthing Bank ,a loanbook from the bank,that one of the newspapers here in has ICeland has,shows ,that 22 of the senior employees,got loans to buy stock in the bank,in the amount of 23 billion kronas.
And at a bank board meeting ,it was decided that personal sequrities for these loans,should be dropped,and they should not have to pay the loans they got to buy the stock.
Those who got the loans ,are no longer working at the bank.
One of the loantakers,his wife was the education minister in the ICelandic goverment ,when the banking crisis hit last october ( 2008 )
To pay these debts,and the Icesave account in Europe - the ICelandic parliement is about to put into law,that Iceland will pay that debt.
And that means raising taxes on the public in Iceland.
Income tax,gas tax and so on.
New Icelandic Coast Guard airplane DASH 8q 300
Today , a new Icelandic Coast Guard plane landed for the first time in Iceland.
This is a DASH 8 q 300 - type,and with all the neccesary equipment that a coast guard plane should have.
Two coast guard helicopter came in formation with the new plane.
Then after landing there where speaches at Icelandic Coast GUard HQ.
Before this,the coast used for the last 32 years, a Fokker 27 .
So it was about time to get a new plane for the Icelandic coast guard.
Click on the photos - and the will get bigger 
Economic Crisis free time in Iceland
Yesterday night ,i went for a drive to enjoy a beautiful sunset here in Reykjavik.
It was at around 23:00 hours last night.
Great to go out ,enjoy the weather and beautiful sunset.
And get all the economic ,banking,and political crisis out of your head for a short while.
It is nice to get away from the media for a short time.
Hope you like the photos .
And click on them ,and they will get larger.
Corruption and protest in Iceland june 26 2009
The Icelandic goverment is planning to raise taxes more in the months to come .
Gas ,tobacco,VAT and more taxes are to be raised.
Protest is planned today in Reykjavik.
The investigation into the banking crisis is not doing anything.
People talk about that the Icelandic community is to small and everybody to connected,that there should be a foreign investigation into the banking crisis.
Today the protest is about the Icesave account in Europe .
The goverment is about to put to parliement a law,that sais that the ICelandic govermnt will pay it all.
That is in the ammount of 650 billions kronas.
And some say - why should the public pay,for the wrongdoings of private bankers.
Here below are a few photos i took last night of the sunset at 23:00 hours .
Click on the photos ,and the will be larger.
Protest in ICeland june 20th 2009 - video
Today there was a protest meeting in Reykjavik.
People where protesting,that the parliement is going to accept the debt about the ICelave accounts.
One of the Banks that collapsed last year,had started an invesment scheme in Europe,with the name - Icesave.
And when the banks collapsed,they owed about 650 billion kronas.
The exchange rate is now - 1 dollar = 129 kronas .
And to pay that - the goverment must raise taxes,save in the welfare system,pay less pension to the old people and more.
People are angry ,that why should the public pay ,for what the viking bankers and politicians did .
Some firecrackers where shot during the protest today.
But it was ,of course,very peaceful.
Protest will be next saturday again - and mabey in the middle of the week - when the Icesave accounts are being discussed at parliement in Reykjavik - Iceland.
Then parliement can hear what the public is saying outside.
Protest in Iceland - Icesave - june 20 2009
Today there was a protest meeting in Reykjavik.
People where protesting,that the parliement is going to accept the debt about the ICelave accounts.
One of the Banks that collapsed last year,had started an invesment scheme in Europe,with the name - Icesave.
And when the banks collapsed,they owed about 650 billion kronas.
The exchange rate is now - 1 dollar = 129 kronas .
And to pay that - the goverment must raise taxes,save in the welfare system,pay less pension to the old people and more.
People are angry ,that why should the public pay ,for what the viking bankers and politicians did .
Some firecrackers where shot during the protest today.
But it was ,of course,very peaceful.
Protest will be next saturday again - and mabey in the middle of the week - when the Icesave accounts are being discussed at parliement in Reykjavik - Iceland.
Then parliement can hear what the public is saying outside.
Man destroyes his house in Iceland
A man ,who has lost his house to a bank in ICeland ,got angry.
He had built a house in 2003.
He had loans from a bank in ICeland .
It was the foreign kind.
And when the banking crisis started last October,the loans got bigger ,and he could not pay.
He tried to negociate with the bank,but the bank said no.
So this week ,he rented an escovator ,and destroyed the house.
Here is a video of it ,when he destroyed the house.
This is a video on Youtube.
Protest planned today in Iceland
Protests are planned today .
Yesterdays protest got 8 protesters arrested.
And tomorrow ,the 17th of june,is the Icelandic National holiday.
Then there will lots of festivities in Reykjavik and politicians making speaches.
Here is a video i took yesterday,when the Police arrested protesters in Reykjavik.
Protest in Iceland - 8 arrested june 15 2009
Today there was the dayli protest against the discussion on parliement about the Icesave saving accounts in Europe.
The goverment is about to put inot law,that the goverment will pay the debt,that the Banks made.
That means ,in the amount of 650 billion kronas.
People belive that ,if it will be payed by the goverment ,then taxes will have to rise,and the welfare system in Iceland will go down.
The protest started peacefully,but then a few protesters sat down on the street in front of the parliement .
That was not acceptable by the police,and the protesters did not obey the police,so 8 where arrested.
Corruption and more protests planned in Reykjavik
Now it is under investigation ,some loans that Landsbankis CEO made to themselfes.
They had private pensions funds,and made loans to themselfes.
And today ,there is a planned protest meeting at 14:00 hours in front of the Icelandic Parliement building.
And it looks like that nobody will be held responsable.
The Attorney General of Iceland is connected to the banking crisis.
Eva Joly ,wants that mr Sigurdsson ,the attourney general,step down ,because of family connections , his son ,mr. Sigurdur Valtysson ,is CEO of a investment company ,wich used to a majority holder of Kaupthing,one of the banks that is under investigation.
Attorney General Valtýr Sigurdsson has announced that he will not step down and is not planning to resign from his post.
Longest day approaches Iceland and Vikings arrive in Iceland
So far ,the weather hs been great in Reykjavik - calm,warm and sunny.
And lots of activities ,boats sailing around Reykjavik harbour,dayli protests in downtown Reykjavik,and now there is a Viking Festivla in Hafnarfjord.
Hafnarfjordur is a town just sout of Reykjavik.
And now - Vikings have attacked the town ,and will be there for a week.
This is an annual event ,every year in june .
There are battles ,kidnappings,and people can walk around the Vikings,and talk to them.
They are from Europe and some are from North America.
Here are a few photos of boats ,and just click on the photos,and you can see them larger.
Also is a video from the Viking Festival last year - and i will add new video soon ,from the festival this year.
Boats and protest in Reykjavik june 12 2009
Today was a great day in Reykajvik - Boats of every size in Reykjavik harbour .
Resque boat in training ,sailboat and a speed boat and of course a bigger boat ( Cruise liner from Japan )
And of course ,peaceful protest in front of the ICelandic parliement building.
So peaceful that tourists from Japan cruise boat where there,and people just kissing in front of the building.
And the weather great ,as always ( well sort of ) and no police around .
If that isnt a peaceful protest ,well,then i dont know what a peaceful protest should look like !
Friendly protest in Reykjavik Iceland today - june 11 2009
Today three groups protested together in Reykjavik.
Home alliance ,protesting how the banking crisis is hurting the publics home - Loans increasing and all.
Students in university- the student loans are going down - because of the crisis.
And A group protesting that the goverment is going to pay the Icesave loans in europe - wich will probably mean - more taxes on the public in ICeland
But the protest was very peaceful - and they put tents in front of the parliement building - ( they had permission frome Reykjavik city )
And protesters shared coffie with the poloce and it was all very peaceful and friendly.
Iceland news - protest today june 10th 2009
Great weather in Reykjavik today - calm ,sunny and warm
So lots of people having fun downtown Reykjavik.
Some where joking in munks outfits,otheres where just walking around and having fun,and of course ,the daily protest in front of the parliement building.
They where not many today - but they made some noise.
Eva Joly ,the goverment advisor on the banking collapse ,is not happy with the investigation.
She wants that the goverment put more money into the investigation,and that the State Prosecutor,step aside.
The state prosecutor ,mr. Valtýr Sigurðsson is to connected to the crisis.
Mr Valtýrs son mr. Sigurdur Valtæysson ,is one of the CEO of one of the companys named - Exista.
Iceland protest june 9 - 2009 - video
Here is a video from the protest yesterday.
There you can see some of the memeberes of parliement ,looking through the window at the protest.
Foreing trourists came to watch - and it was free !
Protest in Iceland june 9 2009 - photos
Today there was another protest in downtown Reykjavik - Iceland.
Not as many as yesterday ,but they who cam ,made a lot of noise.
Some members of parliement came out of the parliement building,and talked to some of the protesters.
I took a few photos today.
Whale boat sets for the sea in Iceland june 2009
Whaling seson is begining in Iceland.
And yesterday ,one of the big whaling ships went for a test sail,before it goes to hunt whales.
Here you can see Hvalur 9 ( whale 9 ) go out of Reykjavik harbour yesterday,just after noon.
Protest in Iceland june 2 2009 - videos
Today - protest was held today in Reykjavik.
People where protesting the goverment for accepting to pay up the Icesave accounts in europe -
Here are a few videos i took today.
Protest in Reykjavik june 8 2009
Today there was a protest in Reykjavik - Iceland.
The Icelandic goverment just decided to pay the Icelave debt in Europe.
That is around 650 billion kronas.
People are angry,because that means that the public must pay - rise in taxes and such.
They are arguing - why should the public pay for what the bankers did .
The protest was peaceful ,but lot of noise was made.
Motorbykes ( three ) stopped in front ,and made a lot of noise ,until the Police asked them to go.
Here are a few photos and i will add videos later.
People angry at having to pay debts
Protest is planned today in Reykjavik.
People are going to protest ,that the goverment has agreed to pay the Icesave fiasco ,in England and Holland.
And that will hurt the goverments budget for many years.
The interests involved are about 5 % and the total sum is around 650 billion krona.
Icelandic goverment must also save billions ,to get loans from the International Moneytery fund.
And people are angry ,that why should the public pay ,for Bankers fiasco ?
And taxes are being raised,on gas,tobacco,alchoaland automobiles.
Looks like that the old saying is true.
If the bank is doing good ,the stockholders get rich, - but if the Banks is doing bad - then the public pays.
And here below are photos from the festivals last weekend .
Festival in Iceland - celebrating the fisherman
Now is the fishermans weekend in Iceland .
Every fishing boat ,has to be in harbour,and that is the LAW.
That is so that all fishermen can take part of the fishermans day .
It is held anually every year.
It is a festival to celebrate the the man behind the fishing in Iceland.
Fishing is quite important to Icelands economics.
In every harbour in Iceland tomorrow there will be festivals ,singing and people playing games ,all about the sea.
And today it started in Reykjavik,and you can see sailboats ,and also weird fish shown to the public,and the children dont like all the fish that was dispalyed there.
And it was not bad that the weather was on our side ---
Dalai Lama in Iceland today - photos and video
His Holiness the Dalai Lama,is in Reykjavik Iceland for a few days.
Icelandic officials will not alk to him.
But a few ministers attended today at the church, to see His Holiness.
The Bishop of the Icelandic state church,invited him and other representive og religius groups in Iceland,to church.
There they talked about peace in our world.
Many attended to the church,and not all could get in ,even though this is the largest church in Iceland.
They all made short speaches in the church.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet,visiting Iceland
His Holiness the Dalai Lama ,came to Iceland last night.
His Holiness will be in Iceland for a few days.
Today ,His Holiness and the Icelandic Bishop of the state church,will be together at Hallgrimskirkja ( kirkja = church ) for peace.
His Holiness will give a public talk on the topic on Values, Attitude and Happiness at the Laugardalsholl Sporting Arena on june 2.
Icelandic officials will not meet His Holiness .
Is Iceland sinking ?
Things are still getting bad here in Iceland.
As always,and i htink that is universal,political people,never stand by the campain promises.
They are just helping the banks and big companys.
But the public,is going down,debts increasing,value of home going down,and on average,one family per day is moving to other countries.
The Goverment is not saving in the public sector,but they a inreasing taxes on the public.
Like they say,If the Banks are doing well,the stockholders get more money - But if the Banks are not doing well,then the public pays.
It is a win win situation for those in power.
And the corruption is doing well in Iceland these days
More earthquakes in Iceland - update may 30 2009
More earthquakes have been today in the south west part of Iceland.
One about 4,5 on the richter scale at 14:30 local time ( gmt ) .
And another just past five aclock today .
Both where at the same location as the one last night,wich was 4,9 on the richter scale.
No damage has been reported .
Earthquake in Iceland - update
A earthquake was in Iceland this evening.
it was located just southwest of the capital ,Reykjavik.
The earthquake was 4,5 on the Richter scale.
It occured at 21:33 ,local time ( gmt )
According to the local news ,there are many aftershocks.
The earthquake was felt in the Reykjavik.
No damages have been reported .
Færslur
