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Norway Princess Märtha Louise and Shaman Tie the Knot Amid Controversy

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Norway

The scenic town of Ålesund in western Norway has become the center of royal celebrations as festivities commence for the wedding of Princess Märtha Louise and her American partner, Durek Verrett, a self-styled shaman.

The event, marked by a blend of traditional and unconventional elements, has drawn significant attention both in Norway and internationally.

A Prelude to the Big Day

The celebrations began on Thursday with a “meet and greet” event at a historic hotel in Ålesund, where hundreds of guests gathered to honorthe couple.

Among the attendees were members of the Swedish royal family, social media influencers, and US reality star and model Cynthia Bailey. The guest list reflects the couple’s diverse and modern approach to life, blending royal traditions with a contemporary twist.

On Friday, the festivities continued with a sea voyage to the picturesque town of Geiranger, nestled on the shores of a fjord recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Guests were treated to a light lunch on the boat, with the majestic mountains and cascading waterfalls providing a breathtaking backdrop to the journey.

The royal couple’s decision to incorporate Norway’s natural beauty into their wedding celebrations highlights their deep connection to the country and its heritage.

The couple is set to exchange vows in a private ceremony on Saturday, keeping the proceedings intimate and exclusive.

Norwegian media reports indicate that guests have been requested to refrain from using mobile phones or cameras during the celebrations and are asked not to post anything on social media.

This decision underscores the couple’s desire for privacy, despite the public interest in their union.

Princess Märtha Louise, 52, and Durek Verrett, 49, have been together since 2019, when the princess announced their relationship via Instagram. Since then, their romance has been under intense scrutiny, both in Norway and abroad.

Märtha Louise, a former equestrian and the eldest of Norwegian King Harald’s two children, has long been a controversial figure in her homeland due to her involvement in alternative treatments and spiritual practices.

Verrett, who describes himself as a sixth-generation shaman, has also faced criticism for his unconventional beliefs and practices. Despite the controversy, the couple has remained steadfast in their commitment to each other and their shared spiritual journey.

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Navigating Tradition and Modernity

The royal wedding will follow a more traditional format, with Parish Priest Margit Lovise Holte officiating the ceremony according to the Norwegian Church’s wedding liturgy.

This nod to tradition contrasts with the couple’s more unconventional beliefs, demonstrating their respect for the royal customs while also staying true to themselves.

In recent years, Princess Märtha Louise has faced criticism from the Norwegian public and media, particularly concerning her use of her royal title in commercial endeavors.

In 2022, the Norwegian palace announced that Märtha Louise would relinquish her patronage role to avoid any misunderstandings regarding her and Verrett’s activities.

Although she retains her title, she no longer uses it for commercial purposes, reflecting a compromise between her royal duties and personal life.

A Controversial Partnership

Despite King Harald’s public support for the couple, acknowledging that he and Verrett “laughed a lot” together, many Norwegians remain skeptical of the shaman.

Royal correspondent Kristi Marie Skrede noted that many in Norway are critical of Verrett’s role as a shaman and his public statements. The cultural differences and Verrett’s unconventional views have led to a mixed reception from the Norwegian public.

Adding to the controversy, the couple’s decision to sign exclusive media deals with Hello! magazine and Netflix has upset many locals. The Norwegian media’s exclusion from covering the wedding has been a sore point, with Skrede pointing out that the public will only see the event if they purchase the magazine or watch the documentary.

As Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett embark on this new chapter in their lives, their wedding serves as a testament to the evolving nature of royal traditions in the modern world.

While they have faced criticism and controversy, the couple’s love and commitment to each other remain at the forefront of this weekend’s celebrations.

With the world watching, Märtha Louise and Verrett’s union symbolizes a unique blend of tradition, modernity, and spiritual belief.

As they continue their journey together, the couple is poised to navigate the challenges that come with being in the public eye while staying true to themselves and their shared values.

Source: BBC

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Putin Expands Military After West Approves Long Range Missile Strikes

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Putin increases army size for third time since 2022
Putin has expanded the army's ranks since sending his military into Ukraine in February 2022 - Reuters Image

President Vladimir Putin expanded the regular size of the Russian army by 180,000 troops to 1.5 million active troops on Monday, citing NATO claims that Ukraine can use its long-range missiles to strike deep within Russia.

President Putin ordered that the overall number of the armed forces be boosted to 2.38 million individuals, with 1.5 million active military members.

According to data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a renowned US military think tank, such an increase in military personnel would propel Russia over the United States and India in terms of active combat soldiers.

The move, the third time Putin has increased the army’s size since sending troops into Ukraine in February 2022, comes as Russian soldiers press forward in eastern Ukraine on parts of a massive 1,000-kilometer (627-mile) frontline and attempt to expel Ukrainian forces from Russia’s Kursk area.

The action comes after outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he welcomed negotiations on Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles to strike within Russian territory, but that any decision on the matter would be made by individual countries.

 

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to speak in Washington, D.C. – Reuters Image

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been lobbying with friends for months to allow Ukraine to launch Western missiles, including long-range US ATACMS and British Storm Shadows, deep into Russia, limiting Moscow’s ability to conduct attacks.

Last week, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden discussed whether to authorise Kyiv to employ the long-range missiles against Russian targets in Washington. There was no announcement about the decision.

According to reports, Starmer supports allowing Ukraine to employ long-range missiles, whilst Biden is concerned that allowing such strikes could lead to a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia.

However, some US officials are doubtful that enabling the use of such missiles would significantly improve Kyiv’s defence against Russian invaders.

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Trudeau has stressed that Ukraine should be allowed to launch strikes on targets deep into Russia – Getty Images

Analysts believe that if the West allows Ukraine to use its long-range missiles to hit Russia, Putin may retaliate by striking British military assets near Russia or, in the worst-case scenario, conducting a nuclear test to demonstrate intent.

Ulrich Kuehn, an armaments specialist at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy in Hamburg, said he did not rule out Putin sending a nuclear message, such as testing a nuclear bomb in an attempt to intimidate the West.

Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday that Ukraine should be permitted to strike within Russian territory, as his American and British counterparts met in Washington to consider lifting restrictions on long-range weapons provided to Kyiv.

Putin warned that permitting Ukraine to employ long-range weaponry provided by NATO would mean that NATO countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and European countries, were at war with Russia.

Many Canadians were upset by Trudeau’s statements, feeling that he and NATO were driving Canada closer to nuclear war with Russia.

Related News:

Putin Says US Long-Range Missiles Hitting Russia an Act of War

Putin Says US Long-Range Missiles Hitting Russia an Act of War

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Germany Begins Conducting Checks At All Its Land Borders

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germany

Köhl, Germany — Germany began random checks at its crossings with five Western European countries on Monday to combat irregular migration, adding to a system of mobile border controls that is already in place at four other frontiers.

The border checks with France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Denmark began before sunrise Monday and are expected to last six months. Germany has already conducted border inspections with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland since last year.

germany

Germany Begins Conducting Checks At All Its Land Borders

Germany, a member of the 27-member European Union, stated last week that it would expand border inspections to all nine of its land borders this week in an effort to combat irregular migration and crime in the wake of recent extremist attacks. Three people were killed in a knife assault in Solingen last month, which was blamed on a Syrian asylum seeker. The suspect claimed to be inspired by the Islamic State. In June, a knife attack linked to an Afghan immigrant killed a police officer and injured four other persons.

Border controls are putting European unity to the test, as some perceive them as a departure from the spirit of the EU’s Schengen free travel and commerce agreement. One of the most valued benefits of the EU is the ability for Europeans to freely travel across borders for jobs and pleasure.

Germany, the EU’s largest country, is positioned in the heart of Europe and shares borders with more countries than any other EU member. Some trade unions have expressed worry that the curbs may harm trade.

However, a return to a previous system with closed borders and mandated border inspections for all crossings seems unlikely.

Nonetheless, German police believe the expanded checks represent a significant challenge to them.

Andreas Rosskopf, the leader of Germany’s Federal Police Union, stated that everybody crossing the border into Germany should now expect to be inspected. However, he noted that due to the length of the country’s boundaries, authorities will not be able to stop and check every car.

He pointed out that Germany has 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) on its western border, in addition to the 2,400 kilometers (1,490 miles) along its eastern and southern borders, where inspections are already in place.

He stated in an interview with RBB24 Info radio that “given the length of the border, permanent and intensive checks are not possible.” According to him, “it remains to be seen how successful it will be in curbing migration and people smuggling.”

germany

Germany Begins Conducting Checks At All Its Land Borders

According to the EU, member states may temporarily restore controls at the EU’s so-called internal borders in the event of a major threat to internal security. However, it also states that border controls should be used as a last resort in extraordinary circumstances and must be time-restricted.

Such limitations are frequently imposed at large sporting events, such as the recent Olympic Games in Paris and the European Football Championship.

The unpopular coalition administration of Chancellor Olaf Scholz has tightened border controls to crack down on irregular immigration after the far right performed well in two recent state elections in eastern Germany. Another is coming next Sunday in Brandenburg, the state that surrounds Berlin.

SOURCE | AP

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A River Otter Attacks A Child At A Seattle-Area Marina

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otter

Bremerton, Washington – A river otter attacked a boy at a Seattle marina, dragging him from a dock and into the water before his mother rescued him, wildlife officials said.

The toddler was pulled underneath and resurfaced briefly during the encounter Thursday at 9:30 a.m. near the Bremerton Marina in Kitsap County, according to a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife press release.

otter

A River Otter Attacks A Child At A Seattle-Area Marina

The otter continued to attack and scratch as the mother dragged the child from the water. Wildlife officials say the animal chased them as they exited the dock. The child was treated in a hospital.

“We are grateful the victim only sustained minor injuries, due to the mother’s quick actions and the child’s resiliency,” Fish and Wildlife Sgt. Ken Balazs said. “We would also like to thank the Port of Bremerton for their quick coordination and communication to their marina tenants.”

Officers captured the otter and transported it to a disease diagnostic facility for testing, including rabies, according to the announcement. On Saturday, the government announced that illness testing results could be available as early as next Tuesday.

otter

A River Otter Attacks A Child At A Seattle-Area Marina

River otters are prevalent in Washington and can be found in both fresh and saltwater settings, officials added. They noted that encounters with people are rare, with only six occurring in the last decade. River otters can be territorial and, “like any wildlife, are inherently unpredictable,” experts stated.

SOURCE | AP

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