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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.

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

Salman Ahmad is a seasoned freelance writer who contributes insightful articles to VORNews. With years of experience in journalism, he possesses a knack for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with readers. Salman's writing style strikes a balance between depth and accessibility, allowing him to tackle complex topics while maintaining clarity.

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Do Microplastics in the Atmosphere Endanger Your Fertility?

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HealthDay

(VOR News) – It is quite possible that the presence of small microplastic particles in the air may be a contributing factor to a wide variety of health problems, including malignancies of the lungs and colon.

This is something that needs additional research to be determined. There is one more item to take into consideration, and that is the potential that this is the exact circumstance.

A recent study found that tires and debris that are decomposing shed minute fragments of plastic that go airborne, so creating a form of air pollution that is not particularly widely known. This type of pollution is caused by the degradation of plastic. An example of this type of pollution is that which is discharged into the atmosphere.

The industry refers to microplastic as “air pollution.”

According to the findings of a researcher named Tracey Woodruff, who is a professor of obstetrics, gynaecology, and reproductive sciences at the University of California, San Francisco, “These microplastics are basically particulate matter from air pollution,” and it is common knowledge that this particular type of air pollution is particularly hazardous.

The researchers who supplied background notes stated that the size of microplastics is less than 5 millimetres, which is smaller than a grain of rice.

This information was provided, according to researchers. These details were supplied by the researchers who conducted the study. These particulars were provided by researchers who were responsible for carrying out the study.

The amount of plastic that is created on a yearly basis by enterprises all over the world is roughly 460 million tonnes, as indicated by the data that were provided by academics all over the world. The forecasts indicate that by the year 2050, this quantity is anticipated to have increased to 1.1 billion tonnes.

Driving is a substantial contributor to the amount of plastic that is floating around in the atmosphere, according to the conclusions of the experts who conducted the study about the phenomenon. When tires are worn down to the point where they scrape against the surface of the road, they allow microplastics to be released into the environment.

As a result of the tires wearing down, this occurs. This impact is brought about as a consequence of the inevitable amount of wear and tear that tires are subjected to.

A study that was published on December 18 in the journal Environmental Science & Technology was the result of researchers conducting an examination of data collected from over 3,000 previous investigations.

The paper was published as a consequence of this procedure. The review was constructed with the help of this analysis that was carried out.

Microplastic used this analysis to put together the review.

A number of diseases, such as cancer, lung problems, and infertility, may be influenced by the presence of microplastics in the air, according to the data, which led to the conclusion that this may be the case.

Despite the fact that the vast majority of the studies that were incorporated into the study were carried out on animals, the researchers claimed that it is very certainly plausible that the findings can also be applied to people. The fact that the majority of investigations were conducted on animals does not change the reality that this is the case.

“We urge regulatory agencies and policy leaders to consider the growing evidence of health harms from microplastics, including colon and lung cancer,” stated Nicholas Chartres, the principal investigator and senior research fellow at the University of Sydney.

The organisation reported this comment. The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) issued a press release on behalf of the organisation that contained this statement. The news release was disseminated to the public. We are convinced that state officials will act quickly to make sure that no leaks of this kind occur, which is of the highest importance.

SOURCE: USN

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Russian Oil Ships In The Kerch Strait Are Undergoing Rescue Operations.

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AP

(VOR News) – Following Sunday’s powerful storm, a Russian oil tanker carrying hundreds of tonnes of oil products ultimately broke apart, causing an oil spill into the Kerch Strait below. Additionally, Russian officials reported that the damage was causing problems for another vessel.

Sunday, Russian authorities announced an emergency rescue operation.

According to the Russian state news agency TASS, which claimed the Emergency Situations Ministry as its source, the Volgoneft-212 tanker, carrying fuel oil and carrying thirteen crew members, ran aground and suffered damage to its bow. A shipment of fuel oil was being transported by the tanker.

Authorities have told the public that the damage was brought on by the extreme weather conditions that are currently occurring.

A second tanker, the Volgoneft-239, was damaged during the storm and is currently stranded in the same area with 14 crew members on board, according to the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The tanker was discovered abandoned and alone in the same spot.

Additional tankers also suffered damage. The 132-meter-long cruiser, which was constructed in 1973, hangs the Russian flag around its neck.

The footage posted by state media showed the 136-meter Volgoneft-212 tanker, which was cut in two with its bow underwater, and waves crashing over its deck. At least one person lost his life as a result of this tragedy. This led to the opening of two distinct criminal investigations by the Russian authorities to look into potential violations of certain safety regulations.

Having flown the Russian flag since 1969, the yacht was finished.

Rosmorrechflot, the Russian government agency in charge of water transportation, reported a petroleum product spill.

It is believed that the cargo capacity of each tanker is around 4,200 tonnes of oil products.

The magnitude of the leak and the cause of the substantial damage one of the tankers received were not specified in the official remarks. This is in accordance with the official remarks.

Several news sites cited Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying that President Vladimir Putin directed the formation of a working committee to handle the rescue effort and lessen the effects of the oil disaster.

Peskov recommended that the government appoint the working committee’s members. This comment was made public right after Putin met with the ministries responsible for ecology and disaster management.

The Russian government has said that it will be sending more than fifty individuals and pieces of equipment to the area in response to the current crisis. Mi-8 helicopters and rescue tugboats are examples of these people and tools.

The news that experts are presently investigating the damage at the event site was announced by Svetlana Radionova, who is in charge of Rosprirodnadzor, Russia’s natural resources regulating entity.

Kommersant reports that Volgoneft-212 used 4,300 tonnes of fuel oil.

The footage, which showed a partially submerged ship and murky water on rough seas, was posted to Telegram without the owner’s consent.

The warships were located in the Kerch Strait, which separates Crimea from the Russian mainland, when the distress signals were sent out.

The Kerch Strait is a crucial international marine passage that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov, allowing for easier traffic between the two bodies of water. It also acts as a border between Russia and the Crimean Peninsula, which is under Russian occupation. The Kerch Strait is located in the centre of the two nations.

The peninsula has remained a major source of contention between the two national governments ever since Russia annexed it from Ukraine in 2014. Russia was the one who seized the peninsula. Ukraine brought legal action against Russia before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016.

Specifically, the lawsuit claimed that Russia intended to illegally take over a location. The argument was supported by evidence pertaining to Russia’s conduct in the region. In 2021, the Russian Federation closed the strait for several consecutive months

SOURCE: VN

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Japan List Cannabis as Narcotic Criminalizes Recreational Use

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Japan started criminalizing the use of cannabis and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

TOKYO – Japan updated its cannabis and narcotics control legislation on Thursday, criminalizing cannabis (Marijuana) use and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), imposing a maximum seven-year prison sentence.

While the possession, transmission, and cultivation of cannabis and THC were already prohibited in Japan, the new rules will classify them as narcotics and criminalize their use as well, with a prison sentence of up to seven years for violations.

The amended regulations also legalize medical items containing cannabis-derived compounds that are beneficial and safe.

In 2019, 1.8 percent of the Japanese population had used cannabis at least once, making it the country’s second most popular illicit substance behind methamphetamine.

In 2023, a record 6,703 people were probed in cannabis-related criminal cases in Japan, topping methamphetamine cases for the first time, according to the Health, Labour, and Welfare Ministry. Seventy percent of instances involved people under the age of thirty.

A nationwide poll performed the same year by the ministry’s research group estimated that approximately 200,000 people had consumed marijuana within the previous year.

Japan previously did not penalize cannabis usage, apparently taking into account farmers who may have accidentally ingested the drug while producing cannabis plants for use in hemp products.

The amendments will also lift a restriction on cannabis-derived medicines, putting them under a licensing system similar to other drugs used for pain relief and other purposes.

Drugs derived from cannabis plants were only allowed in clinical studies in Japan, but patient groups have been advocating for access to cannabis-derived cannabidiol treatments already licensed in Europe and the United States for illnesses like severe epilepsy.

Cannabis cultivation dates back to the Jōmon period of Japanese prehistory, roughly six to ten thousand years ago (source: Wikipedia).

Cannabis hemp, as one of Japan’s first cultivated plants, provided an essential supply of plant fibre for clothing, cordage, and Shinto ritual goods, among other uses.

For much of Japanese history, hemp was common for fabric and food before cotton emerged as the country’s dominant fibre crop during industrialization during the Meiji period.

Following the end of World War II and the occupation of Japan, the Cannabis Control Law prohibited cannabis possession and manufacturing.

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