The country worst affected by the global financial crisis eight years ago has made a miraculous turnaround. Iceland saw an unexpected GDP surge of 4.2 percent in the first three months of the year. The growth is explained by a significant rise in tourism. Tourism has been steadily growing since the beginning of the decade, and is currently a larger source of revenue than exports of fish and aluminum.... 

Iceland’s parliament voted by a narrow margin Thursday to apply for membership in the European Union, moving to relinquish some of the recession-hit country’s cherished independence in the name of stability. In a fiercely debated motion, members of Iceland’s parliament, the Althingi, voted 33-28 to start membership talks with the EU. Two lawmakers abstained. Prime Minister Johanna...