By Brian Mallon:

At their core Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit are fighters. Unlike some former wrestlers or ju-jitsu aces looking for a medium to compete as professional athletes, both these fearsome scrappers fight because it’s in their blood. The fact that they are facing mirror images of each other merely adds to the intrigue of this unpredictable bout. With both being high octane strikers, boasting slick ground games and exceptional cardio few observers are predicting a winner in UFC 143’s main event.

As if meeting inside the octagon for a potential twenty five minute war isn’t enough to fully occupy their minds, the shadow of GSP looms large for both men. Both have been slated to lock horns with the UFC’s most high profile star in recent months and they do battle next weekend knowing that whilst a belt is on the line it will only be when they share the octagon with Canada’s favourite son that they can truly claim to be world champion at 170lbs.

Come fight time Diaz will seek to use his slightly superior boxing ability to keep Condit guessing. Condit will look to prove that he will not wilt under the striking onslaught that has simply ground down the Stockton native’s most recent opponents. Whilst Condit has high profile victories over Rory MacDonald and Dan Hardy on an already glittering CV, I believe Diaz’ superior stand-up may be the telling factor in what will be an all out war. I expect Diaz to emerge victorious after four gruelling rounds of hectic action.

For analysis of last weekend’s pivotal Chicago fight card check out my review piece in The Independent

This column is brought to you by the author’s personal sponsor, Quality Fridge Filters Global

Jóhann Straumfjord Sigurdson and David Collette, whose ancestral grandmother was Guðríður Þorbjarnardóttir, the mother of Snorri, the first European child born in North America, will sail from Canada to Iceland along a route that was old before Christopher Columbus was born.

“We’ve named the expedition Fara Heim”, said Jóhann Sigurdson. “In Old Norse, “að fara heim” means “to go home”. We are searching for Norse presence in the Arctic between Hudson Bay and west of Greenland to investigate how far West the Vikings explored”. The team will use non-damaging modern techniques to collect data and do no harm to artefacts or locations found. All information and any discoveries will be digitally recorded and shared with government agencies for formal archaeological investigation.

The expedition will work closely with the Inuit people and Nordic countries as Fara Heim is a story of many Arctic cultures. “We have begun reaching out to everyone we can in the North to ask for local knowledge and stories. Incredible things have been found, like the Viking settlement in Newfoundland, by just asking. We plan to make the Fara Heim website the nexus for information on Viking exploration in North America”, said Collette.

The modern Vikings will voyage via the far travelled “Glory of the Sea”, a purpose-built aluminium polar expedition sailing boat. “Glory” has been to both Poles, circumnavigated the globe twice and travelled the Northwest Passage in 2011. “The deck of a small sailing vessel is the perfect platform to see the Arctic as the Vikings saw it. “Glory” will get us to locations that aren’t normally visited”, said Sigurdson.

Fara Heim’s advisory board includes Captain Norm Baker, the First Mate and Navigator for several of Thor Heyerdahl’s expeditions and a current Director of the Explorers Club, Guy Maddin, film Director and Producer, and Charles Hedrich, global explorer and founder of “Respectons La Terre” a European organisation dedicated to exploration with an environmental focus. Key archaeologists and historians are joining the board to develop the field data collection protocols, aid in historical research and ensure all field investigations maintain the integrity of the site for further field work.

The team and sailing boat will be based on Lake Winnipeg for the summer of 2012 for crew training and boat preparation and depart from Churchill in May 2013. To support the non-profit Fara Heim organisation corporate sponsorships are being developed. “Travel with a purpose” opportunities for individuals to participate on the journey are available in both 2012 and 2013.

Join in the adventure by visiting http://www.faraheim.com.
“Like” the project on Facebook at http://www.facebook/faraheim

By Brian Mallon

The UFC has this week announced that they are coming to Sweden and that a local rising star will headline the country’s first such event. Alexander Gustafsson will star in the 14th April Ericsson Globe arena fighting extravaganza in Stockholm. The 24 year-old from Arboga will be tasked with defeating highly ranked light heavyweight contender Rogerio “Lil Nog” Nogueira in a bout that could put him in the upper echelons of the light heavyweight division. The 1.95m Gustafsson defeated respected veteran Vladimir Matyushenko in his last outing at UFC141 in December and looks set for a long career, if he can continue his momentum.

MMA in Scandinavia in general, and Sweden in particular, is booming. With a young, media-savvy fan base this vibrant sport has captured the imagination of the region’s many fight fans. With this high profile event on the horizon and Gustafsson’s career progressing at such a pivotal time, he could be best positioned to spearhead the promotions entry into the waiting Scandinavian market.

In other UFC news the promotion’s highly anticipated “UFC on Fox” card is fast approaching. If you asked a selection of industry observers and UFC fans who the most explosive and talented current UFC fighter never to hold championship gold is… the name Melvin Guillard would feature prominently.

“The Young Assassin” has exhibited enormous potential and athletic prowess in his surge through the UFC’s shark infested lightweight waters. Something in Guillard’s tool belt is missing, however but it is not of a physical nature. Of the many assets needed to be victorious in any sport, mental toughness and poise under pressure are often labelled as the innate intangibles that an athlete must display in the white heat of battle. This is where the 28 year-old New Orleans native has been found distinctly lacking. Guillard is sometimes overly confident, bordering on contemptuous towards his Octagon opponents when fight time arrives. Prior to UFC136 in Houston, talk within the MMA world was not if Guillard would be champion but rather a question of when. After a mere 47 seconds of a fight he was predicted to dominate, Guillard was again left wondering where it all went wrong. The brief bout was a microcosm of a career which has proven electrifying and frustrating in equal measure.

Next Saturday night the likeable knock-out artist will be well served not to take his opponent, fellow 70kg contender Jim Miller for granted. Miller is as tough as they come and with an unrivalled work ethic and cardio to burn he may well hold the mental kryptonite to the Greg Jackson student’s title aspirations once again.

UFC on Fox can be viewed on ESPNUK on Saturday 21st January

This article written by Irish sports journalist Brian Mallon

The Icelandic Sound Poetry Choir was established in 2003. It performs two to three times per year, and the choir has performed various works by Icelandic and foreign composers like Magnús Pálsson, Philip Corner, Eric Andersen, Kristinn G. Harðarson, Rúrí, Harpa Björnsdóttir, Ásta Ólafsdóttir, Eiríksína Ásgrímsdóttir, Áka Ásgeirsson, Magnea Ásmundsdóttir, Þorkell Atlason and Magnús Jensson.

The choir performed at the PPF Polipoetryfestival in Reykjavík 2006, it has performed twice at the Reykjavík Arts Festival and twice at the Sequences Art Festival.

Conductors have been from the beginning Snorri Sigfús Birgisson and Hörður Bragason. Hörður is now the main conductor.

The following works will be performed on Friday:

“Ekið úr bænum“ (for 4 voices).
By Kristinn G. Harðarson. Conductor Snorri Sigfús Birgisson. Premièred by the choir at the festival “Orðið tónlist” in Reykjavík Art Museum in 2005.

“Á strönd og sjó” (for 10 voices and a video).
By Kristinn G. Harðarson. Conductor Snorri Sigfús Birgisson. Premièred by the choir at the Living Art Museum in 2004.

“Samhverfun”
By Guðmundur Vignir Karlsson and Sigtryggur Baldursson, who also conducts.

Free admission.

Skúlagata 28, 101 Reykjavík.

The Icelandic Foreign Minister presented to Dr. Malki a diplomatic note stating that as resolved with the Parliamentary Resolution of 29 November 2011 the Government of Iceland has, as of 15 December 2011, recognised Palestine as an independent and sovereign state within the pre-1967 Six Day War borders.
At the press conference the Icelandic Foreign Minister said that with this recognition the Government of Iceland follows through on its previous pledges of support for the Palestinian struggle for independence. The minister thanked Alþingi, the Icelandic Parliament, for the broad support it showed the Palestinian cause and said it was important that the Parliamentary Resolution was passed unopposed. He said the recognition of Palestine was a matter of justice and reiterated Icelandic support for Palestinian membership of the United Nations.

Dr. Malki said the relationship between Iceland and Palestine is unique and conveyed to the Government of Iceland, Parliament and the Icelandic people the deep appreciation of his president and of the Palestinian people. He said Iceland’s decision was important as Palestine is now recognised for the first time by a Western and Northern European country. Dr. Malki said he expects this to have an influence on other states to follow in Iceland’s footsteps, which in turn would have positive implications on the peace and security of the region as a whole.

He added that 130 states now recognise Palestine which encourages them to move forward in building an independent and democratic state. Dr. Malki said the timing of the Parliamentary decision on November 29, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, was a meaningful gesture that would remain firmly in the memory of his people.

(Icelandic government press release – Photos Copyright: © Ragnar Th./Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland)

At the meeting the ministers discussed relations between Iceland and Palestine and ways to restart the Middle East peace process. The ministers also discussed the Palestinian bid to join the United Nations and Iceland’s support for the UN membership of Palestine.

Dr. Malki’s visit to Iceland began today and on 15th December the ministers will hold a joint press conference in the Culture House at 10.30 where Iceland’s formal recognition of the independence and sovereignty of Palestine will be announced as well as the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two states. Later in the day Foreign Minister Malki will give a public lecture at 14.45 in the Nordic House hosted by the Institute of International Affairs at the University of Iceland.

(Press release from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs)

(From a City of Reykjavík press release) Christmas Creatures of Reykjavík is a special project designed for the City of Reykjavík by Hafsteinn Júlíusson. The aim of the project is to create an inspiring experience in the city during the Christmas season through promoting Icelandic folklore and connecting locals and visitors in Reykjavík through stories and conversations.

Icelandic folklore tells about many Christmas creatures, amongst them the thirteen Christmas Lads, sons of ogres Grýla and Leppalúði, and the Christmas cat. They live in the mountains but come to town during Advent and perform all sorts of mischief.

Seven Christmas creatures will be located around Reykjavik city centre and in Laugardalur Valley for the next few weeks. Each Christmas creature has its dedicated area and appears in the form of images projected onto different buildings in the city. Grýla, the ogress and mother of the Christmas Lads, will for example make herself comfortable on a rooftop at Bankastræti 11 in the city centre. Each creature is accompanied by a sign explaining its characteristics. Digital snow will also be projected onto buildings in the city, for example the Dómkirkjan cathedral at Austurvöllur square.

Attractions in Laugardalur Valley will also offer a cosy atmosphere in the run up to Christmas with decorations, music, refreshments and events according to the season, including a special exhibition and happenings related to the Christmas cat in the Reykjavík Family Park and Zoo.

Enthusiastic locals and visitors can take part in the “Hunt for the Christmas Creatures” competition by locating all of these strange beings around town and answering relevant questions about them on a special Christmas map for a chance to win a prize.

More information at VisitReykjavik.is

The Government of Iceland welcomes this crucial stepping stone towards stable economic recovery.

As regards the Icesave-dispute, the ruling of the Supreme Court is in full accordance with the expectations of the Government as it now seems certain that all depositor claims towards the estate of Landsbanki will eventually be fully covered. The ruling eliminates uncertainty regarding distributions from the estate, which has been in an orderly winding-up process in accordance with Icelandic and European legal requirements. According to the Winding-up Board of Landsbanki, disbursements are expected to commence within weeks.

(This article is a press release from the Icelandic Prime Minister’s office. It appears unedited and in whole.)

On this special occasion, we celebrate the rich history of cultural and personal ties between our peoples, as well as the cooperation and mutual support that are the foundation of our relationship. We share a commitment to individual freedom, human rights, and democracy, and we are working together on a wide range of issues, from enhancing peace and stability in Afghanistan — to harnessing new green energy sources — to ensuring peaceful cooperation in the Arctic.

As you celebrate this special day, know that the United States is a friend and partner. I send my best wishes to the people of Iceland and reaffirm our commitment to strengthening and deepening our ties in the years to come.

(Press release from the Icelandic government):

Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, Minister of the Interior Ögmundur Jónasson, and National Police Commissioner Haraldur Jóhannessen travelled around the area of South Iceland that has been hardest hit by falling ash since the Grímsvötn volcano began to erupt on Saturday evening. The impact of the eruption is largely limited to a small area of Iceland. Elsewhere, daily life has continued as usual.

The Prime Minister expressed her admiration for the 1,000 South Iceland residents affected by the volcano, citing their optimism and perseverance, and thanked civil defence and volunteer rescue squad personnel for a well-organised and well-executed effort. On Friday the authorities plan to appraise the damage sustained by farmers and tourism operators in South Iceland. “Iceland has been struck by a natural disaster, and the Government is already preparing a number of measures to assist residents, clean up the areas affected by volcanic ash, and return farming and other economic pursuits to normal,” said the Prime Minister at the conclusion of her visit.

(IceNews note: this paragraph appears to already be outdated. See newer news articles on this site) According to geoscientists, the Grímsvötn eruption is diminishing day by day. It is a phreatic eruption that generates large amounts of ash. The ice surrounding the eruption vent melts, and the water in the Grímsvötn lake pulverises the volcanic debris, creating the ash. Every second, about 100 tonnes of volcanic debris is expelled from the volcano, as opposed to 10-20,000 tonnes per second on Sunday, at the peak of the eruption. The plume of ash is now 3-5 km high, down from 8-10 km at this time yesterday and 15-20 km at the height of the eruption. The ash cloud is not expected to extend beyond Iceland in the days to come; therefore, it can be assumed that the ash in the upper atmosphere that is currently disturbing air traffic will disperse or precipitate out and fall to Earth soon.

Air traffic to and from Iceland resumed yesterday and today, and all foreign travellers who were unable to leave the country have now returned home. In the early phase of the eruption, every possible effort was made to ensure travellers’ safety and well-being, and no accidents or mishaps have been reported. The tourism authorities are of the opinion that this year’s tourist season will be as strong as previously projected and that Iceland can expect a record number of travellers to the country during the year.