It’s not so very long ago, when Iceland was in turmoil, that the champions of official Ireland protested their outrage at a simple little joke that highlighted our squandered independence.

Iceland’s former prime minister has rejected charges he failed to protect his country’s economy from financial shocks as the first world leader to go on criminal trial over the 2008 financial crisis.

Iceland’s former prime minister, the first world leader charged over the 2008 financial crisis that left nations on the edge of fiscal disaster, goes on trial today.

A court has dismissed two of six charges against former Icelandic Prime Minister Geir Haarde, who is accused of failing to prevent the 2008 financial crisis in the nation.

Iceland's former prime minister Geir Haarde has became the first political leader to be tried over the global financial crisis.

Iceland’s former prime minister, Geir Haarde, has demanded that a special court dismiss charges that he was negligent before and during the collapse of the nation’s banks.

Iceland’s coalition government collapsed today leaving the country reeling in the wake of the financial crisis that wrecked its economy.

Iceland’s coalition government collapsed today amid a deepening financial crisis.

Iceland’s government could be ousted from power this weekend, becoming Europe’s first to fall as a direct result of the global financial crisis.

Iceland became the first government to fall from the global economic crisis today when under-siege prime minister Geir Haarde declared a general election.

Iceland’s prime minister offered government guarantees on Icesave savings deposits in Iceland and Holland of nearly €20,500 on each account.

Crisis-hit Iceland raised its key interest rate by a huge six percent to a record 18% today.

Iceland’s central bank today raised its key interest rate by a massive 6% to 18%.

Iceland’s prime minister sought to draw a line under the bitter spat with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown tonight by insisting they were now working together to deal with the banking crisis.

The financial crisis engulfing Iceland showed no sign of easing today.

Iceland nationalised its second-largest bank today under new emergency legislation as it moved to get a grip on the escalating economic crisis.

Russia today pledged a €4bn loan to bolster Iceland’s foreign exchange reserves.

Shares fell around the world again today as one country battled for economic survival.

Iceland’s banks face a battle for survival today, after the country’s government introduced emergency legislation giving it sweeping new powers over the collapsing financial sector.

The prime minister of Iceland is to pay an official visit to Ireland next week.