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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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Australia Launches Manhunt for Man Who Poured Scolding Coffee on Baby

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Baby Australia

Police in Australia have launched an international manhunt to find a man they believe fled the country after dumping hot coffee on a newborn in Brisbane. The random attack stunned the nation, left the nine-month-old infant with “serious burns” on his face and arms.

Queensland Police have issued an arrest warrant for a 33-year-old man wanted for causing grievous bodily injury, a charge that carries a maximum life sentence.

However, on Monday, they stated that their prime suspect flew out of Sydney Airport after the crime and only 12 hours before they could establish his identification.

According to Queensland Police the infant was having a picnic with his family in a suburban park when a “strange man” came up and emptied a flask of scolding hot coffee on him before fleeing on foot. An off-duty nurse who witnessed the horrific incident quickly poured cold water on the infants burns, before rushing the boy to the local hospital.

 

The baby boy sustained severe injuries that required multiple surgeries, and his parents believe he will need to recuperate for years.

Australia Launches Manhunt

The Suspect in known to police- ABC News Image

Detective Inspector Paul Dalton of the Queensland Police told media that the motive for the horrific crime is still unknown, adding that the case was one of the “most complex and frustrating” he has ever led.

He stated that police knew where the suspect had fled and his name, but that revealing the information at this time could compromise their investigation. The individual is a itinerant worker who has travelled to Australia several times since 2019, with addresses in both New South Wales and Victoria.

According to Pol Inspector Dalton the suspect was aware of “police methodologies” and had been “conducting counter-surveillance activities” to avoid detection. The Queensland Police is working with Australian Federal Police and Interpol to bring the man to justice.

On Monday, the baby’s parents informed the ABC News media that they were “devastated” to learn that the suspect had fled the country, but also relieved that he had.

“It sounds like they were very, very close to catching him, and this obviously means that we’re going to have to wait who knows how long to get justice for our son,” his mother said The young baby is “in good spirits,” according to his father, but he may yet require additional skin graft surgeries.

An internet fundraising website for the infant boy has raised over AUD$150,000 for the little boy.

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Fugitive Philippines Mayor Alice Guo Captured in Indonesia

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Fugitive former Philippines mayor Alice Guo arrested in Indonesia - Facebook Image
Fugitive former Philippines mayor Alice Guo arrested in Indonesia - Facebook Image

Alice Guo, a former mayor from the Philippine who is thought to have ties to Chinese crime groups, was caught in Indonesia.

The Philippine Senate wants Guo, who is also Chinese and goes by the name Guo Hua Ping, because she refused to go to a congressional investigation into her alleged crime ties, according to the Ministry of Justice.

She has denied the claims, saying that she is a natural-born Filipino citizen and that the charges are “malicious.”

Police in Indonesia have confirmed that Ms. Guo is currently in their custody, according to a statement from the Justice Department.

Guo was caught in Tangerang City in Jakarta at 11:58 p.m. on Tuesday. He used to be the mayor of Bamban town, which is about 100 km (62 miles) north of Manila. Asian media shared a video on X that showed police agents leading her up a white-walled staircase.

Alice Guo arrested in Indonesia, faces deportation to Philippines

In the Philippines, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and other law enforcement agencies charged Guo and 35 others with money laundering multiple times with the Department of Justice last month.

The AMLC says that Guo and her crime partners laundered more than 100 million pesos ($1.8 million) in stolen money.

Lawyer Stephen David, who is officially Guo’s lawyer, did not reply right away to a request for comment from the Reuters news agency.

Al Jazeera news said that Justice Secretary Boying Remulla said in a statement, “The arrest of Alice Guo is a testament to the tireless efforts of our law enforcement agencies and the strength of international cooperation in bringing fugitives to justice.”

People removed Guo from her job as mayor, and she left the country in July, using her Philippine visa to go to Malaysia, then Singapore, and finally Indonesia.

In May, two months after police raided a casino in Bamban town and found scams being run from a building on land partly owned by the mayor, the Senate began an investigation into her activities.

Public outrage followed the finding, and later, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. banned online gaming companies because he thought they had ties to organised crime.

Marcos also said she would go after those who “helped her escape.”

The government thinks that several hundred illegal online gambling businesses may be running scam sites right in front of them.

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Divers Discover Lost RMS Titanic Bronze Statue After 112 Years

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Divers Discover Lost Titanic Bronze Statue After 112 Years
The discovery of the statue of Diana was an exciting moment - Image RMS Titanic Inc

A bronze statue from the Titanic, long considered to be gone forever, was unearthed during a recent trip by the corporation that owns salvage rights to the wreck site.

The journey to the desolate North Atlantic Ocean, where the Titanic sank, coincided with the US Coast Guard’s inquiry into the Titan, a submersible owned by another business, which imploded in June 2023.

The Titan submarine catastrophe killed all five persons on board, including RMS Titanic’s director of underwater research, Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

RMS Titanic Inc. described the results of this summer’s voyage as a “bittersweet mix of preservation and loss.”

The finding of the statue “Diana of Versailles,” which had been missing since 1986, was a major highlight. The firm has now provided a clear and updated image of the statue.

Part of the railing has fallen from the bow of the wreck of the Titanic - RMS Titanic

Part of the railing has fallen from the bow of the wreck of the Titanic where statue located

However, RMS Titanic reported that a major piece of the railing surrounding the ship’s bow’s forecastle deck had fallen. According to the company, the railing remained in place until 2022.

“Discovering the Diana statue was a thrilling time. However, the loss of the famous Bow railing and other degradation evidence has only increased our dedication to conserving Titanic’s heritage,” said Tomasina Ray, RMS Titanic’s director of collections.

The group spent 20 days at the location before returning to Providence, Rhode Island, on August 9. They took more than two million high-resolution photos of the wreck. The team also employed modern technology to properly map the crash and its debris field, which will help them better comprehend the site.

Meanwhile, a public hearing on the Coast Guard’s probe into the Titan submarine accident will take place later in September.

Nargeolet’s family has launched a wrongful death case against OceanGate, the Titan submarine’s operator, which has since ceased operations.

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