Volcanic Eyjafjallajokull, in Southern Iceland, is reported to be erupting. According to the police in Selfoss, evacuation from adjacent farms has commenced. The Icelandic Meteorological Office has received reports of volcanic blaze in the glacier but no major earthquake activities Continue Reading

Andaman Camp and Cruise, a family-run travel agency which has been organizing tours in south Thailand for over five years, is now offering tours to the emerald green waters of the Hong Lagoon. The Hong Lagoon is one of the most striking landmarks in the Krabi area of south Thailand. The lagoon is surrounded by tall cliffs and can only be reached through a narrow gap of water. The region is also host to a number of spectacular sandy beaches and some of the most remarkable seascapes in the world. Travellers can enjoy swimming, kayaking, snorkelling and diving in the cascading fresh water pools of the lagoon, which is located on Hong Island in the Than Bokoranee National Park. Its beaches are ideal for picnic lunches, nature walks or just soaking up the atmosphere. There’s also the chance to meet Peter, a giant monitor lizard who is king of the island. Continue Reading

Ovre Pasvik National Park in Norway, Vatsari Wilderness Area in Finland and Pasvik Zapovednik Nature Reserve in Russia are all part of the same wilderness region – an oasis of rivers, plants and animals far north of the Arctic Circle. Now the three parks are working on conservation cooperation and even plan to construct footpaths crossing the borders of the three countries, according to SikuNews. Park managers intend to develop nature tourism in the unique environment where Asian, European and Arctic species meet. The Pasvik region is the extreme cold tolerance limit of many of the species that live there. Part of the multinational project will involve strengthening research into the unique ecosystem.

Sven Goral Eriksson was named the new national coach of the Mexican football (soccer) team on Tuesday. The 60-year-old Swede has landed a two year contract with the North American giant and will be looking forward to a fresh start on a new continent. Eriksson was hailed as the saviour of the English national team during his five years in charge, but left under a cloud as fans became frustrated with his cool attitude in the face of bad results. With hindsight, many now believe he was one of England’s greatest coaches of modern times. Similarly, after only one season in charge of Manchester City, he has left by mutual consent. During his short time with the club, he has done much to revive and stimulate its ailing ways. His departure from Manchester City is largely due to the club’s management, as he remained popular with the players and secured the team a UEFA Cup position for next season. Eriksson’s immediate aim now is to make sure Mexico qualify for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

Sweden’s interesting naming laws have come into the spotlight again, as the country’s tax bureau has decreed that a five-month-old Stockholm girl is not allowed to retain her name: Elvis. The Metro newspaper states that Elvis’s parents wanted a name for their daughter that was both pleasant sounding and gender-neutral. Neither parent is a fan of Elvis Presley, nor owns any of his music. The Swedish tax authorities disagree, however: “It is the National Tax Board's view that Elvis is a first name of a masculine type and as such may, in light of standard practice, be considered clearly inappropriate as a first name for a woman." The parents plan to appeal the decision, and will no doubt be heartened that little baby Metallica was allowed to keep her name on appeal last year. Either way, they intend to continue calling Elvis Elvis whatever the outcome.

40,000 honey bees on their way from Norway to an Icelandic bee farm have been delayed at the Icelandic port of Seydisfjordur. The bees had already come ashore from the Norraena ferry when it was discovered they did not have the correct documentation to prove they are free from disease. If the documentation cannot be provided, the bees may be deported back to Norway.

A dentist in the Skane region of southern Sweden has been carrying out her delicate job despite being an Alzheimer’s disease sufferer for many years. Authorities had previously thought that the dentist had given up her practice, which she runs from home, but it has come to light that she has not. The Local reports that the dentist frequently forgets patients’ details and gets lost at home. Her condition has worsened since this decade. The Health and Welfare Board are currently trying to have the dentist’s licence revoked. The dentist says she welcomes this news, as she is no longer capable of requesting the licence be revoked herself.

It has come to light that Norway has been playing a pivotal role in attempts to bridge the gap between China and Tibet. Several top level officials from Norway have been conducting secret talks with the Chinese and the Tibetan government in exile, led by the Dalai Lama. The talks have reportedly been kept secret at the request of China, which has publically taken a hard stance against the region it believes to be an integral part of its territory. The report in the VG newspaper cites American sources who have also been active in the talks. The Americans have reportedly praised Norway’s “wisdom” and “creativity” during the crucial stages of the talks.

Denmark’s finance minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, has lashed out at senior bankers in his country for their negative attitude towards Denmark joining the euro single European currency. Rasmussen’s comments come on the same day that Slovakia was confirmed as the 16th country to enter the currency on 1st January 2009. Danish citizens have twice voted to keep the country out of the Eurozone, but the currency rate and the central bank’s base rate are tied to those of the euro and the European Central Bank. Several prominent bankers have said that even this is a step too far and that Denmark would do best totally outside the European monetary framework. Rasmussen describes these comments as “dangerous”. “If you begin to send signals that Denmark could consider altering is fixed exchange rate policy, you are also sending signals to international currency markets that our monetary policy isn't unconditionally tied to the European Central Bank's, and that could lead to turbulence in the markets,” he said.

Geysir, the long-dormant geyser from which all others get their name, has come back to life following last week’s major earthquake in southern Iceland. The regular eruptions of the nearby Strokkur geyser are also reported to be much more powerful than usual. It is not known how long the effect will last, but the changes are proving popular with visitors to the area – already Iceland’s most famous tourist attraction.