Tag: and
Eerie life in tiny glacial town where it’s ‘illegal to DIE’, every local is forced to carry guns and pet cats are banned
THIS tiny town is home to one of the world’s best preserved natural areas – featuring breath-taking ice caves, glaciers, and diverse wildlife.
But, the town is also home to a set of stringent and strange laws.
Longyearbyern is one of the world’s best preserved natural areas[/caption]
There are more polar bears than humans on the island[/caption]
This is Longyearbyen, the glacial town on the island of Svalbard where polar bears, reindeer, caribou and birds have thrived.
One of the town’s residents, Cecilia Blomdahl says that: “The nature here is so overwhelmingly beautiful that it’s also terrifying at times.
“But it’s not only the nature that makes this place incredible it’s also the people.
“Since basically nobody’s born here on Svalbard, it means that everyone who lives here has made the choice to do.
“That means that you have a village full of pretty like-minded people with a passion for where they live.”
As a result, the islanders have adopted some seemingly strange regulations to protect their wildlife.
Due to the variety of birds on the island, including the likes of puffins and Arctic terns, no cats are allowed to enter.
Another law says that islanders must carry a gun with them at all times.
This 2012 law was enacted to ensure that anyone who was travelling outside of the main settlements could protect themselves from possible polar bear attacks.
The number of polar bears on the island is estimated to be over 3,000, compared to a seemingly meagre number of 2,500 humans – but attacks have been rare.
Only five such incidents have been reported on the island in the last few decades.
The law specifies that it is prohibited to use a weapon within the settlements, however. Many of the island’s public places have clearly marked signs reading “no firearms permitted”.
Legend also says that it is illegal to die in this tiny town.
However, the law actually only prohibits the burying of bodies in the town – as the freezing conditions will never allow for decomposition.
There is a cemetery on the island, but it stopped accepting new bodies in 1950s.
Legend has it that a handful of Norwegian miners were buried there in 1918 before their bodies were dug up 70 years later.
They are understood to be so well preserved that their systems still contained traces of a flu virus that killed them.
And on February 9, the Norwegian Government announced that they would be tightening their already strict regulations on the island.
“We are now tightening the environmental regulations in Svalbard to strengthen the protection of flora and fauna,” said the Minister of Climate and Environment, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen.
The new laws prohibit the use of unmanned drones, the use of snowmobiles on sea ice, and sea motor traffic must stay at least 150m away from walruses.
Some 60 per cent of the island is covered by glaciers, and visitors to the area have also been warned against breaking ice.
Local resident Blomdahl added that: “Living on Svalbard isn’t the easiest task, but it is very rewarding.”
Longyearbyern was first settled in 1906, and is one of the few places left in the world that you can move to without a visa.
Even though Svalbard has been owned by Norway since 1920, residents don’t need a visa from the EU – which is great news for Brits.
The island has a number of stringent laws hoping to protect its animal population[/caption]
The northern settlement is one of the best places to see the northern lights[/caption]
Living in the tiny glacier town is a peaceful life[/caption]
Local resident says that life on the island is very rewarding[/caption]
King Charles and Sarah Ferguson ‘are supporting each other through cancer & are exchanging heartfelt letters’
KING Charles and Sarah Ferguson have been supporting each other through their cancer battles, sources claim.
The Monarch, 75, and the Duchess of York, 64, have both been hit by shock diagnoses within a few months of each other.
The Duchess of York has been supporting King Charles, sources claim[/caption]
The King and Fergie both received their cancer diagnosis’ within months of each other[/caption]
Charles and his sister-in-law have shared heartfelt letters[/caption]
Buckingham Palace announced on Monday the King had received the news after a “separate issue of concern was noted” during his corrective prostate surgery.
And in January, Sarah Ferguson was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer – but remains “in good spirits”.
Fergie and Charles are understood to be sharing heartfelt letters with each other amid this turbulent time, the Mirror reports.
A source said: “The King and Sarah are incredibly fond of one another and now they have bonded over their respective cancer diagnosis with an exchange of letters.”
They added how “wicked” cancer is and how invaluable “support from loved ones and the extended cancer community” is.
The King was admitted to The London Clinic on January 26 to undergo the operation and his stay was extended by 24 hours.
In their statement a Palace spokesman stated: “Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.”
His Majesty is undergoing a schedule of regular treatments and “remains wholly positive”.
‘Keep fighting on’
Fergie spoke at a cancer charity fundraiser this week, the Cancer Alliance of Help and Hope in Palm Beach, Florida, and expressed solidarity with the King, telling him to “keep fighting on”.
Inside Charles’ 18-month reign before cancer shock
September 8 2022 – The world was left in mourning after Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully at Balmoral Castle on September 8, 2022.
September 19 2022 – The stoic King led his family, marching behind the Queen’s coffin from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey, at her funeral.
January 2023 – The Monarch deals with the fall out following Prince Harry’s bombshell memoir Spare – in which the Duke blasted the Royal Family.
April 2023 – Harry has a “heart-to-heart” talk with his dad before agreeing to come to the Coronation in London
May 6 2023 – Charles is crowned King at his Coronation at Westminster Abbey.
September 2023 – Harry rejects an offer to spend the anniversary of the Queen’s death at Balmoral with his father.
November 2023 – The King celebrates his 75th birthday with a gathering of close family and friends at Clarence House.
January 17 2024 – Buckingham Palace announces His Majesty will be undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Just hours previous it was also revealed Princess Kate had been admitted to hospital for a pre-planned abdominal surgery.
January 26 2024 – The King is admitted to The London Clinic – where Princess Kate was also staying.
January 29 2024 – Charles waves as he leaves the hospital following a three day stay and being given the all clear.
It is understood the Monarch will take a month to recover after the surgery as Queen Camilla stands in during public appearances.
February 5 2024 – Buckingham Palace announces a form of cancer was diagnosed during the King’s prostate op.
The statement confirms Charles has begun a schedule of regular treatments and “remains wholly positive”.
He will also be postponing front line duties on doctor’s advice but continue with his red boxes, weekly audiences with the Prime Minister, and monthly Privy Council meetings.
February 6 2024 – Prince Harry flies to the UK to be with his father as royal experts claim their four-year rift could be put aside.
The Duke of Sussex, who was informed of the news personally by the Monarch, was seen arriving into a private terminal at LAX in his black Range Rover
“I want to thank you all for your kindness in supporting my family members who are going through a hard time, and we wish everyone well, every family in the world, that has been diagnosed or who is going through a difficult time, we wish them well. And of course, my brother-in-law, we wish you well, keep fighting on,” she said.
The duchess was also told she had the disease just after Christmas when doctors found a suspicious looking mole.
Like Charles, Fergie was in hospital for a different reason – reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy – when the issue was detected.
At the time, the King reportedly wrote to her to express his support and best wishes.
‘Lucky to be alive’
The duchess was first diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram, The Sun exclusively revealed last year.
A source at the time said: “Most people usually associate breast cancer with a lump but that’s not always the case.
“A lump can be detected by the patient, but this was a ‘shadow’, which can go undetected as it’s a wider spread of cancerous cells.
“In Sarah’s case, a biopsy was taken from the shadowy area of tissue and a few days later the results came back to confirm the diagnosis — breast cancer.”
Following surgery, on June 23 2023, a source revealed Fergie was told the “prognosis is good” thanks to the “early detection”.
The Duchess returned home to recover after six days in the hospital following her successful procedure.
And, she told friends she felt “very lucky to be alive” after the gruelling eight-hour operation.
As a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women, the mum of two said of her diagnosis: “The drive from the Royal Free Hospital, I’ll never forget because, of course your mind goes into, ‘Oh my goodness, I’ve got to have a mastectomy’.
“And you look it up and it’s all so terrifying and this is what’s going to happen, and then [you think], ‘I’m not going to see my grandchildren grow up’.”
It was during reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy that doctors removed several moles during the Duchess’ surgery.
Test results came back just days before Christmas and Fergie was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma.
A malignant melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer.
The Duchess has urged everyone to check the size, shape, colour, texture and emergence of new moles to catch any potential skin cancer early.
STATE-OF-THE-ART TREATMENT
It is understood she is undergoing further investigations to ensure the melanoma has been caught in the early stages.
Fergie has since been recuperating at the high-tech MAYRLIFE Clinic in Altausee, Austria.
The state-of-the-art wellness centre has been visited by a host of celebrities including Rebel Wilson, Naomi Campbell and Karlie Kloss.
Situated in the breathtaking Alpine scenery, MAYRLIFE claims to help its clients “shed the burdens of the soul”, with a strict focus on health and wellbeing.
Since revealing the second cancer diagnosis, Fergie has thanked her well-wishers on Instagram and expressed her gratitude for the level of support.
In a statement she wrote: “I have been taking some time to myself as I have been diagnosed with malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer, my second cancer diagnosis within a year after I was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer and underwent a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
“It was thanks to the great vigilance of my dermatologist that the melanoma was detected when it was.
“Naturally another cancer diagnosis has been a shock but I’m in good spirits and grateful for the many messages of love and support.
“I believe my experience underlines the importance of checking the size, shape, colour and texture and emergence of new moles that can be a sign of melanoma and urge anyone who is reading this to be diligent.
“I am incredibly thankful to the medical teams that have supported me through both of these experiences with cancer and to the MAYRLIFE Clinic for taking gentle care of me in the past weeks, allowing me time for recuperation.
“I am resting with family at home now, feeling blessed to have their love and support.”
He’s doing extremely well under the circumstances.
He is very touched by all of the letters and messages the public have been sending from everywhere.”
Queen Camilla
It is understood her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are in close contact with the Duchess and others members of the royal family have been in contact.
A spokesman said: “Following her diagnosis with an early form of breast cancer this summer, Sarah, Duchess of York has now been diagnosed with malignant melanoma.
“Her dermatologist asked that several moles were removed and analysed at the same time as the Duchess was undergoing reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy, and one of these has been identified as cancerous.
“She is undergoing further investigations to ensure that this has been caught in the early stages.
“Clearly, another diagnosis so soon after treatment for breast cancer has been distressing but the Duchess remains in good spirits.
“The Duchess wants to thank the entire medical team which has supported her, particularly her dermatologist whose vigilance ensured the illness was detected when it was.
“She believes her experience underlines the importance of checking the size, shape, colour and texture and emergence of new moles that can be a sign of melanoma.”
PULLING TOGETHER
The Royal Family are uniting amid this difficult time, from King Charles’ cancer diagnosis to Princess Kate’s abdominal surgery.
King Charles will continue with his red boxes, weekly audiences with the Prime Minister, and monthly Privy Council meetings, but they may have to be scaled back on the advice of doctors.
In the meantime, Prince William and Queen Camilla have taken the lead and stepped up to help with royal duties.
On Wednesday, despite the turbulent time for his family as Princess Kate recuperates from her abdominal surgery, the prince gave a speech at a charity fundraising gala.
William, who served as a rescue pilot saving lives for seven years, attended the event for the London Air Ambulance Charity.
It came hours after he returned to public engagements for the first time and held an investiture at Windsor Castle.
William was seen smiling and joking as he handed out gongs at the ceremony.
Queen Camilla has also put on a brave face amid the troubling time for her family.
She was seen with Charles on Tuesday for the first time since his cancer shock – taking a helicopter to Sandringham after meeting Prince Harry.
The King was spotted smiling as they were driven from their London home Clarence House to the palace.
Queen Camilla was also pictured at the opening of a new cancer treatment centre days before Charles’ diagnosis was made public.
Despite knowing of her husband’s condition she continued with royal duties and smiled as she greeted visitors.
This week, she spoke out for the first time sharing an update on His Majesty’s health at a charity event in Salisbury Cathedral.
She gave an update, speaking to Ben Abbott, 40, Critical care paramedic with Wiltshire Air Ambulance, and said: “He’s doing extremely well under the circumstances.
“He is very touched by all of the letters and messages the public have been sending from everywhere.
“That’s very cheering.”
Princess Anne has also stepped up and continues to help hold the family together.
The royal made a public appearance on Monday, at the dedication of a new St John Ambulance Community unit in Devizes, Wilts.
Signs of melanoma to look out for
Most experts recommend using the simple “ABCDE” rule to look for symptoms of melanoma skin cancer, which can appear anywhere on the body.
- Asymmetrical – melanomas usually have two very different halves and are an irregular shape
- Border – melanomas usually have a notched or ragged border
- Colours – melanomas will usually be a mix of two or more colours
- Diameter – most melanomas are usually larger than 6mm in diameter
- Enlargement or elevation – a mole that changes size over time is more likely to be a melanoma
Sources claim the pair have always been fond of each other[/caption]
Prince William has stepped up to help with more royal duties[/caption]
Charles was seen smiling with Camilla leaving The London Clinic after his prostate op[/caption]
His Majesty and Queen Camilla spotted for the first time since the announcement[/caption]
My skin glows and my hair’s ridiculously long – everyone asks my secrets, I use the same oil on both my face & strands
A BEAUTY guru has found the Holy Grail for achieving healthy hair and skin.
The proof that the product worked was in her long locks and glowing complexion.
“I have a lot of people ask me about my skin and my hair – what do I do to keep my hair so long and what do I do to keep my skin so clear,” said Maddie (@maddiecantwelll).
The hair-growing and skin-saving sorceress was finally ready to spill the beauty beans.
“They’re like Maddie tell me you’re secrets – let me tell you my secrets,” she said.
After showing off her long locks that went past her waist it was no wonder why everyone wanted to know more.
“It’s ridiculously long,” she said.
Maddie held her never-ending brunette mane out to the side.
After showing off her radiant skin in the sunlight she was ready to give up the goods: Frankincense essential oil.
The potent product was responsible for both her healthy hair and clear complexion.
She rubbed a few drops of the oil into her hands before applying it all over her face.
“Just watch how much my skin is going to glow instantly,” she said.
She couldn’t get over how the essential oil was already highlighting her cheek, as well as her under eyes – even her nose was getting in on the glow.
And she wasn’t done just yet.
“It doubles as both skin and haircare, which is really nice.”
Maddie showed that less is more when it came to making hair magic as it took just another few drops to get extra shiny strands.
“It’s really good for damaged hair,” she said.
And Maddie made sure not to miss a piece as she ran it through her long locks.
“And just like that, my hair has lots of shine.”
Frankincense Essential Oil sells for $84.75 and has been used in rituals for over 3,000 years.
The product is described as reducing the appearance of uneven skin tones and supporting feelings of relaxation.
Even the hair wizard was wowed by her look.
Her fans were also floored by her flowing locks.
“Your hair is gorgeous you are flawless,” said one impressed follower.
“Thank you,” she replied.
Still others had questions.
“So for the hair do you put it on when it’s dry or after you wash your hair?” a viewer asked.
“You can do both, I also like to put a few drops in my hand with shampoo/conditioner!” she responded.
She showed how the oil was already highlighting her cheekbone area[/caption]
The hair-growing sorceress showed off her long locks[/caption]
Maddie was stunned at her shiny strands[/caption]
You can ‘train’ your way to better erections – and it can ‘prevent impotency in later life’
EXPERTS have revealed how you can “train” your way to better erections and that it can “prevent impotency” later in life.
Having trouble performing in the bedroom is usually associated with older men.
Experts reveal how to ‘train’ your way to better erections[/caption]
If you’re having problems “getting it up”, you’re far from alone and plenty of help is out there.
In the new study, researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Uppsala University in Sweden show that connective tissue cells called fibroblasts have a role to play in erections.
ED affects around 4.3million men in Britain and is usually considered to be more common in people in their 40s or older, according to the NHS.
It can be caused by stress, tiredness or drinking too much, but could also be a sign of more serious complications if it happens regularly.
What are the physical causes of erectile dysfunction?
There are four main types of physical condition that can cause impotence in men:
- Vasculogenic disorders such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes affect the flow of blood to your penis and cause erectile dysfunction.
- Neurogenic conditions, which affect the nerves and include disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, are also responsible.
- A hormonal disorder, affecting your hormones, is another example of a physical problem that can lead to impotence.
- An anatomical condition is something that affects the tissue or structure of the penis and is the fourth physical cause. Old age is also commonly associated with impotence.
But the recent research has discovered a preventative measure that could counteract impotence later in life.
The study conducted on mice has revealed that regular erections could be crucial in maintaining erectile function.
The previously understudied fibroblasts are common in both humans and mice, and play an important role in regulating blood flow – which helps erect the penis.
The research indicates that fibroblasts mediate erection by absorbing noradrenaline – a neurotransmitter that causes the penis’ blood vessels to enlarge.
And the number of fibroblasts can be increased with more frequent erections.
Christian Göritz, principal investigator of the study, said: “We discovered that an increased frequency of erections leads to more fibroblasts that enable erection and vice versa, that a decreased frequency results in fewer of these cells.”
The researchers believe that you can “train” your ability to get an erection the same way you train your strength and fitness at the gym.
“This is not something we have shown in our study, so it is a bit speculative, but a reasonable interpretation is that it gets easier if you have regular erections,” Göritz said.
He continued: “It’s not so strange really. If you exert yourself a lot, your body adapts.
“If you run regularly, it will eventually become easier to breathe while running.”
Even though the research was conducted on mice, most mammals including humans have similar mechanisms of erection.
Mice showed fewer fibroblasts with age, resulting in lower blood flow.
The ability to “get it up” decreases with age in older men too, which the scientists believe is connected to fibroblasts as well.
“However, there is one difference between humans and most mammals—they have a bone in their penis.
“This means that effective blood flow regulation is probably even more important for human reproduction,” Göritz added.
Is there a cure for erectile dysfunction?
There is no one single cure to beat ED, but rather a combination of lifestyle monitoring, medication and therapy.
Various treatments for erectile dysfunction are available – but they depend on the underlying reasons for the condition.
Some of the causes can be treated with medication, but in other cases it’s a matter of making some lifestyle changes.
Health specialists will often treat impotence by targeting an underlying health condition which is causing it such as heart disease or diabetes.
Lifestyle changes are also recommended such as losing weight, quitting smoking, cutting back on alcohol, exercising more, and reducing stress.
Viagra, a medication to help erectile dysfunction, is now available over the counter in the UK.
Aside from that, Cialis, Levitra, and Spedra can also be prescribed.
These drugs are known a Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors.
However these medications should be used with caution in men who have heart problems.
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