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Icelanders will elect a new parliament Saturday after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and call early elections. This is Iceland’s sixth general election since the 2008 financial crisis devastated the economy of the North Atlantic island nation and ushered in a new era of political instability. Opinion polls suggest the country may be in for another upheaval, with support for the three governing parties plunging. Benediktsson, who was named prime minister in April following the resignation of his predecessor, struggled to hold together the unlikely coalition of his conservative Independence Party with the centrist Progressive Party and the Left-Green Movement. Iceland, a nation of about 400,000 people, is proud of its democratic traditions, describing itself as arguably the world’s oldest parliamentary democracy. The island’s parliament, the Althingi, was founded in 930 by the Norsemen who settled the country. Here’s what to look for in the contest. How does the election work? Voters will choose 63 members of the Althingi in an election that will allocate seats both by regional constituencies and proportional representation. Parties need at least 5% of the vote to win seats in parliament. Eight parties were represented in the outgoing parliament, and 10 parties are contesting this election. Turnout is traditionally high by international standards, with 80% of registered voters casting ballots in the 2021 parliamentary election. Why now? A windswept island near the Arctic Circle, Iceland normally holds elections during the warmer months of the year. But on Oct. 13 Benediktsson decided his coalition couldn’t last any longer, and he asked President Halla Tómasdóttir to dissolve the Althingi. "The weakness of this society is that we have no very strong party and we have no very strong leader of any party,’" said Vilhjálmur Bjarnson, a former member of parliament. "We have no charming person with a vision ... That is very difficult for us." Why is Iceland's politics so fractured? The splintering of Iceland's political landscape came after the 2008 financial crisis, which prompted years of economic upheaval after its debt-swollen banks collapsed. The crisis led to anger and distrust of the parties that had traditionally traded power back and forth, and prompted the creation of new parties ranging from the environment focused Left-Green Alliance to the Pirate Party, which advocates direct democracy and individual freedoms. "This is one of the consequences of the economic crash," said Eva H. Önnudóttir, a professor of political science at the University of Iceland. "It’s just the changed landscape. Parties, especially the old parties, have maybe kind of been hoping that we would go back to how things were before, but that’s not going to happen." What are the issues? Like many Western countries, Iceland has been buffeted by the rising cost of living and immigration pressures. Inflation peaked at an annual rate of 10.2% in February 2023, fueled by the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While inflation slowed to 5.1% in October, that is still high compared with neighboring countries. The U.S. inflation rate stood at 2.6% last month, while the European Union’s rate was 2.3%. Iceland is also struggling to accommodate a rising number of asylum-seekers, creating tensions within the small, traditionally homogenous country. The number of immigrants seeking protection in Iceland jumped to more than 4,000 in each of the past three years, compared with a previous average of less than 1,000. What about the volcano? Repeated eruptions of a volcano in the southwestern part of the country have displaced thousands of people and strained public finances. One year after the first eruption forced the evacuation of the town of Grindavik, many residents still don’t have secure housing, leading to complaints that the government has been slow to respond. But it also added to a shortage of affordable housing exacerbated by Iceland’s tourism boom. Young people are struggling to get a foot on the housing ladder at a time when short-term vacation rentals have reduced the housing stock available for locals, Önnudóttir said. "The housing issue is becoming a big issue in Iceland," she said.
Off the field, Silva was known for his humility, work ethic, and dedication to his craft. He led by example, putting in extra hours on the training ground to improve his game and help mentor younger players in the squad. His professionalism and passion for the sport were evident in every match he played, inspiring those around him to strive for excellence.Data Center Market Set to Reach USD 607.8 Billion Globally by 2032, Driven by Digital Transformation and Technological Advancements | Credence Research Inc.
The village where the female master's graduate has been living is a quiet, picturesque settlement, far removed from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Its pristine natural beauty, coupled with the simple way of life cherished by its inhabitants, creates a tranquil atmosphere that seems to be frozen in time. However, beneath this tranquil facade lies a tale shrouded in ambiguity and intrigue."Sonic the Hedgehog 3" promises to deliver a thrilling and action-packed gaming experience, filled with all the high-speed antics and colorful worlds that fans have come to love. With new levels, enemies, and challenges to overcome, players can look forward to an adventure unlike any other.
In the midst of this harrowing ordeal, acts of kindness and solidarity emerged among the stranded seniors, as they banded together to support one another and make the best of a dire situation. From sharing whatever snacks they had to offering words of comfort and encouragement, the resilience and camaraderie displayed by these individuals were a testament to the human spirit in the face of adversity.In the face of various challenges and uncertainties both domestically and internationally, the CPC Central Political Bureau's decision to pursue more proactive macroeconomic policies is a strategic move to bolster economic growth and address key issues affecting the Chinese economy. By focusing on boosting domestic demand, the Chinese government aims to stimulate consumption, investment, and overall economic activity to ensure a stable and robust economic foundation.
UCF coach Gus Malzahn reportedly resigning to take Florida State OC jobCBA: Shandong High-Speed Men's Basketball Team Loses to Jilin 91-97, Ending Six-Game Winning Streak
No. 21 Creighton's Steven Ashworth doubtful for Players Era Festival opener against Aztecs( ) has long symbolized the artificial intelligence revolution. And after a string of record highs and yet another , holds its spot on the list of top growth stocks. The AI-chip maker ties ( ) for supremacy in terms of market capitalization weighting on the Nasdaq, with the tech titans accounting for . Yet, increased volatility and a recent pullback below its may have some investors wondering if Nvidia is becoming the poster child of the . Nvidia Stock Faces This Symptom Of Success After briefly hitting another record high on Thursday after reporting earnings the day before, Nvidia stock retreated below its 21-day line. Its has slipped, but remains within striking distance of its 52-week high. Nvidia's earnings and sales growth has been remarkable — including over the last three quarters. And analysts forecast 127% per-share earnings growth for the current fiscal year. But the stock has already made a huge move since bottoming out in October of 2022. Its breakout in October of this year was from a . Such formations entail more risk than first- and second-stage bases. As is typical for later-stage patterns, Nvidia stock has become more volatile. Within its current fourth-stage base, weekly price swings have become wider, with multiple drops below the . Nvidia currently stands above that benchmark, but may soon put it to the test. Nvidia Stock: It's Not All Or Nothing With powerful growth and an established spot among the , Nvidia certainly has the potential to keep climbing. But investors should note the recent volatility and selling pressure in its late-stage pattern, particularly for anyone who initiated a position from its latest breakout past a 140.76 buy point. Investors in that situation do not have a profit cushion to safeguard them if Nvidia stock encounters an extended pullback. Those who invested earlier and are sitting on large gains should continue to monitor rules for both and . One such guideline is . Getting into and out of stocks helps reduce risk and maximize profits. So as Nvidia stock drops below its buy point but so far holds above its 50-day moving average, investors should consider their own position, as well as their long- and short-term objectives.
Overall, the Barrage Paradise 2.0 Game Festival featured a diverse array of exceptional games that showcased the creativity and talent of indie developers. Each of the aforementioned titles offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience that is sure to appeal to a wide range of players. Whether you're a fan of RPGs, puzzle-adventure games, action titles, strategy games, or whimsical adventures, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this year's festival. Be sure to check out these must-play masterpieces and immerse yourself in the fantastic worlds they have to offer.
The growing popularity of online shopping festivals like "Double 12" underscores the increasing consumer confidence in e-commerce platforms, as more and more shoppers turn to online channels to fulfill their shopping needs. The convenience, variety, and competitive pricing offered by these platforms have made online shopping a preferred choice for consumers, especially during major shopping events like "Double 12."On the other hand, some players have expressed frustration with the inability to defend themselves against the attacking dogs in the game. They argue that it breaks immersion and realism, as in real-life situations, individuals have the right to defend themselves against animals that pose a threat to their safety. This limitation on player agency can also be seen as a form of censorship, restricting players' freedom to make choices in-game based on their own moral compass.
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