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Antarctic ice sheets retreated up to 50 metres a DAY in last Ice Age

Antarctic ice sheets retreated up to 50 metres a DAY at the end of the last Ice Age — and it could happen again causing global sea levels to rise

  • Researchers examined patterns of wave-like ridges on the Antarctic seafloor
  • These were left behind 12,000 years ago at the edge of the base of the ice sheet
  • As tides moved the floating ice up and down, it squeezed the sediments beneath
  • This allowed them to calculate the rate of retreat from the spacing of the ridges

The Antarctic ice sheets retreated up to 50 metres a day at the end of the last Ice Age — and this could happen again, causing global sea levels to rise, a study found. 

Cambridge University experts used patterns of wave-like ridges on the Antarctic seafloor to calculate how quickly the ice sheets melted around 12,000 years ago.

These ridges were produced on the line where the ice sheet began to float, causing it to squeeze the sediment on the seafloor as it moved up and down with the tides.

Assuming a 12 hour cycle between alternating high and low tides, the team were able to use the distance between the ridges to calculate the rate of ice retreat.

The team used a remote-controlled submarine vehicle to take images of the seabed from around 197 feet (60 metres) above the ocean floor.

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The Antarctic ice sheets retreated up to 50 metres a day at the end of the last Ice Age — and this could happen again, causing global sea levels to rise, a study found

‘By examining the past footprint of the ice sheet and looking at sets of ridges on the seafloor, we were able to obtain new evidence on maximum past ice retreat rates,’ said paper author and Scott Polar Research Institute director Julian Dowdeswell.

These, he added, were ‘very much faster than those observed in even the most sensitive parts of Antarctica today.’

In fact, the historic retreat rates got almost as much as ten times faster than the maximum rates at which the ice has been observed melting away in modern times — reaching around 131–164 feet (40–50 metres) per day.

This is equivalent to a retreat at a rate of more than 6.2 miles (10 kilometres) a year. 

Ice shelves — the floating parts of ice sheets — cover around three-quarters of the Antarctic coastline and help to buttress against the collapse of ice inland.

In some parts of the continent, these supports have been weakening — with the Larsen A and B ice shelves having notably undergone rapid collapse in 1998 and 2002, when around 1250 square miles of ice became fragmented.

The shelves are being thinning out by both the presence of relatively warm water currents that are eating away at them from below and melting on their top surfaces caused by rising summer temperatures.

As this occurs, the ice shelves become weaker and the glaciers behind them flow faster into the sea and their margins retreat.

Cambridge University experts used patterns of wave-like ridges on the Antarctic seafloor to calculate how quickly the ice sheets melted around 12,000 years ago

These ridges were produced on the line where the ice sheet began to float, causing it to squeeze the sediment on the seafloor as it moved up and down with the tides

Assuming a 12 hour cycle between alternating high and low tides, the team were able to use the distance between the ridges to calculate the rate of ice retreat

The team used a remote-controlled submarine vehicle, pictured, to take images of the seabed from around 197 feet (60 metres) above the ocean floor

‘The deep marine environment is actually quite quiet offshore of Antarctica, allowing features such as these to be well-preserved through time on the seafloor,’ explained Professor Dowdeswell.

‘We now know that the ice is capable of retreating at speeds far higher than what we see today.’

‘Should climate change continue to weaken the ice shelves in the coming decades, we could see similar rates of retreat — with profound implications for global sea level rise.’

The full findings of the study were published in the journal Science.

The team used a remote-controlled submarine vehicle, pictured, to take images of the seabed from around 197 feet (60 metres) above the ocean floor

The researchers found that historic retreat rates got almost as much as ten times faster than the maximum rates at which the ice has been observed melting away in modern times — reaching around 131–164 feet (40–50 metres) per day. This is equivalent to a retreat at a rate of more than 6.2 miles (10 kilometres) a year

GLACIERS AND ICE SHEETS MELTING WOULD HAVE A ‘DRAMATIC IMPACT’ ON GLOBAL SEA LEVELS

Global sea levels could rise as much as 10ft (3 metres) if the Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica collapses. 

Sea level rises threaten cities from Shanghai to London, to low-lying swathes of Florida or Bangladesh, and to entire nations such as the Maldives. 

In the UK, for instance, a rise of 6.7ft (2 metres) or more may cause areas such as Hull, Peterborough, Portsmouth and parts of east London and the Thames Estuary at risk of becoming submerged.

The collapse of the glacier, which could begin with decades, could also submerge major cities such as New York and Sydney.

Parts of New Orleans, Houston and Miami in the south on the US would also be particularly hard hit.

A 2014 study looked by the union of concerned scientists looked at 52 sea level indicators in communities across the US.

It found tidal flooding will dramatically increase in many East and Gulf Coast locations, based on a conservative estimate of predicted sea level increases based on current data.

The results showed that most of these communities will experience a steep increase in the number and severity of tidal flooding events over the coming decades.

By 2030, more than half of the 52 communities studied are projected to experience, on average, at least 24 tidal floods per year in exposed areas, assuming moderate sea level rise projections. Twenty of these communities could see a tripling or more in tidal flooding events.

The mid-Atlantic coast is expected to see some of the greatest increases in flood frequency. Places such as Annapolis, Maryland and Washington, DC can expect more than 150 tidal floods a year, and several locations in New Jersey could see 80 tidal floods or more.

In the UK, a two metre (6.5 ft) rise by 2040 would see large parts of Kent almost completely submerged, according to the results of a paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science in November 2016.

Areas on the south coast like Portsmouth, as well as Cambridge and Peterborough would also be heavily affected.

Cities and towns around the Humber estuary, such as Hull, Scunthorpe and Grimsby would also experience intense flooding. 

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Trees are 'getting shorter due to climate change'

Trees are ‘getting SHORTER due to climate change’ as higher temperatures stall photosynthesis and stunt their growth, study suggests

  • More wildfires, droughts and insect outbreaks are reducing trees’ lifespan
  • Higher temperatures have also affected photosynthesis – reducing growth rates
  • Arborists at University of Birmingham warned old forests are under threat

Trees are getting shorter due to climate change with their size dropping drastically over the last century alone, a landmark study has claimed. 

Increases in the number of wildfires, droughts and insect swarms – along with ongoing human devastation – have shortened the lifespan of majestic oaks, beeches, conifers and other trees.

Higher temperatures have also left their mark by stalling photosynthesis, used by plants to create food, leading to more tree deaths.

Meanwhile, rising carbon dioxide levels have offered little respite to older trees as they only increase growth in young forests with abundant nutrients and water.

Trees have been losing height over the last century due to climate change, a study has claimed. They are expected to get even shorter due to reduced lifespans

Arborists in an international team including the University of Birmingham made the claims after studying records of tree size and land use from across the world.

They warned the devastation showed no sign of stopping with forests continuing to be altered into the ‘forseeable future’.

Forests have already changed, they said, and will likely continue to be altered by the loss of the area and stature of old-growth forests globally.

The continuing loss of trees will also make it harder for areas to recover, they said, as there will be fewer new seedlings, less growth and higher mortality among those remaining. 

The proliferation of managed forests – where trees are cut down early for use as biomass fuel at Christmas and for other uses – could also impact the height of trees worldwide. 

‘This trend is likely to continue with climate warming,’ said lead author and Earth Scientists Dr Nate McDowell.

‘A future planet with fewer large, old forests will be very different than what we have grown accustomed to.

‘Older forests often host much higher biodiversity than young forests and they store more carbon than young forests.’

The introduction of managed woodland, pictured, will also change the appearance of these habitats as fewer older trees will be present

The University of Birmingham’s Dr Tom Pugh said: ‘This study reviews mounting evidence that climate change is accelerating tree mortality, increasingly pushing the world’s forests towards being both younger and shorter.

‘This implies a reduction in their ability to store carbon and potentially shifts in the mix of species that compose and inhabit these forests.

‘This is likely to have big implications for the services those forests provide, such as mitigating climate change.

‘Increasing rates of tree mortality driven by climate and land-use change, combined with uncertainty in the mix of species that will form the next generation, pose big challenges for conservationists and forest managers alike.’

Wind damage and forest harvest were also named among threats to trees. 

The paper, Pervasive shifts in forest dynamics in a changing world, was published in Science.

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MARTIN SAMUEL: Premier League has moved forward by standing still

MARTIN SAMUEL: Premier League has moved forward by standing still when it would have been easy to curtail… this will be a flawed conclusion, but one that will still have champions and fall guys

  • Premier League will return to action on June 17, it was announced on Thursday
  • The crisis management shows sometimes nothing is better than something
  • Despite the restart date, the subject of neutral venues is still unresolved 
  • Whoever falls will feel victimised – but they will have a chance to avoid relegation

Ultimately, football got it right. It didn’t curtail, it didn’t panic, it didn’t crush dreams or thwart ambition. It waited. It ignored the calls for action, the demands to do something, anything. 

The first question of crisis management is always: what happens if we do nothing? Sometimes nothing is better than something.

So June 17 it is, then. Either in Manchester or Birmingham, the Premier League will restart with the two games in hand. That in itself shows this crisis is far from over. 

Manchester City vs Arsenal has been lined up for June 17 when the Premier League resumes

The Premier League want to get those two matches played — Manchester City v Arsenal, Aston Villa v Sheffield United — because then the 20 clubs will be all square.

Decisions on European qualification, even relegation, can be made more clearly when an even amount of games has taken place, and there is still the fear the season could be halted again.

Not just the viewing figures, which are bound to be through the roof now a minimum 29 games are to be shown on terrestrial TV. Great excitement greeted the news on Thursday but let’s see what they are first. 

Aston Villa vs Sheffield United will also be played on Wednesday, June 17, behind closed doors

The Premier League’s broadcast partners would be mad to hand over the marquee matches: Liverpool’s inevitable title win, a desperately tight battle for survival, the scrap for the last Champions League place.

Still, if all continues to plan, happy days. The latest coronavirus tests in the Championship produced another handful of positives and, if everybody behaves, there is no reason that should change. 

These are young, fit men in an industry awash with money most of the time, and no expense will be spared ensuring the restart stays on course.

Dissenting voices have been won over. Watford’s Troy Deeney, who understandably had worries for a vulnerable son, says he will return to work. There will be players who don’t take that final step but they will be in a minority.

Thursday’s meeting was long but not as fractious as anticipated. The rebate for television rights-holders was agreed and parameters and protocols for the matches set. Fifteen, it seems, is the magic number. If a club has that many players available from its first-team squad — even including Under 21s —then the instruction is to play.

If this seems cavalier, it is not expected any club would lose 10 or more squad members. Dropping even two key players, or the manager, could be crucial to a club threatened by relegation, but the Premier League see that as no different to an injury crisis or wider calamity.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters announced the plans on Thursday evening

Tottenham’s food poisoning outbreak on the day of a game that could have seen them qualify for the Champions League in 2006 is a case in point. Daniel Levy wanted the match postponed — the league said no. 

Spurs threatened not to play — the league said they could be docked points. Spurs lost and angled for a replay — the league said tough. It will be the same this season, barring a veritable plague on one of the houses.

The subject of neutral venues is still unresolved, too. Leaving aside the views of London Mayor Sadiq Khan — who thinks nothing of crushing citizens on Tube trains, but believes fans will congregate at closed stadiums and become a menace — there is an acceptance that most games can be played at home.

Sadiq Khan has concerns that fans will congregate outside stadiums when football returns 

A small number, mostly involving Liverpool and the title race, are ‘high risk’ and may be played away from Merseyside. Yet that issue is also unresolved until the next meeting on June 4. Understandably, clubs would not vote for neutral locations without seeing the full list of matches. So there is work to do.

Equally, a decision defining what would happen if the season closed down once more was delayed. 

The idea of weighted points per game — which takes home and away form into account separately — appears to be off the table, probably because it was a calculation that would plunge West Ham from two places outside the relegation zone into the Championship, an outcome that might crumble under legal challenge.

Points per game is no less controversial but will not be voted on for another week. Increasingly it is seen as an emergency solution, with all clubs intent on fulfilling 38 fixtures, plus the FA Cup woven between. 

Watford captain Troy Deeney believes the integrity of the Premier League has been harmed

The league’s greatest achievement is resisting those that would have relegated three teams in March, without chance of escape.

Deeney said the integrity of the league had been harmed, due to the circumstances of the conclusion, but every effort has been made to maintain consistency.

A plan to increase the number of substitutes used to five — to ease the burden on players caused by the heavy schedule — was hotly resisted by a number of clubs. 

It was considered wrong to have three for the majority of the season and five for these final games. An additional sub scoring an influential goal would be highly contentious.

And it’s far from perfect, we see that. No fans is the biggest loss, and to have Liverpool win the title in an empty stadium feels almost sacrilegious.

To have Liverpool win the title in an empty stadium feels almost sacrilegious

Yet what was the alternative? Null and void — or to award them a title by calculation, that would forever be accompanied by an asterisk. Football without fans is nothing, we are told. Yet that isn’t right. It is something. It’s this. 

A flawed conclusion, but one that — if all goes to plan — will still have a champion, European qualifiers and fall guys.

It would have been easy to curtail. To hand the league to the obvious winners, as France did. 

Kylian Mbappe’s PSG were awarded the Ligue 1 title this season after the league was cancelled

In Holland, AZ Alkmaar missed out on an automatic Champions League spot because they were level on points with league leaders Ajax, but behind on goal difference. AZ had, however, beaten Ajax home and away. Rightly, they feel cheated.

So harsh decisions have been made. And whoever falls from the division will feel victimised by this blighted season. They will, however, have a chance.

That is what three months on pause has afforded everybody: a chance. The Premier League moved forward by standing still. As any goalscorer or crisis manager knows, sometimes that’s the smartest strategy of all.




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Harvey Weinstein raped 17-year-old in 1994, new lawsuit claims

Convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein was hit with a new lawsuit Thursday from four anonymous women who say he sexually abused them over the last four decades — including a victim who says she was just 17 at the time.

The Manhattan Supreme Court filing accuses the imprisoned ex-producer of using his power to entice women into compromising situations and to force himself on them.

The suit also names as defendants Weinstein’s brother, Robert Weinstein; Miramax; and Disney, which bought Miramax in 1993. The filing alleges that the defendants were aware of Weinstein’s sexual misconduct and actively concealed it.

A 43-year-old Tennessee woman says that she was just 17 when Weinstein lured her to his New York hotel room for a business meeting, in 1994, and told her she’d have to “sexually gratify him” if she wanted an acting gig. He allegedly forced her to perform oral sex on him then raped her, according to court papers.

He allegedly said if she told anyone, he’d “physically harm her and her family,” the suit alleges.

Since she was underage at the time, her allegations fall under the Child Victims Act, which temporarily lifts the statute of limitations for civil claims for child sexual abuse.

A 70-year-old Ecuadorian woman charges that Weinstein, 68, attacked her in 1984 at the Cannes Film Festival. She was 34 and was trying to break into the film industry as a documentarian.

Under the guise of discussing her project, he took her back to his room at the Hotel Barriere Le Majestic Cannes and allegedly “pinned her against the suite’s front door, jammed his tongue into her mouth and fondled her breasts and vagina,” the suit alleges.

She managed to break free and sprinted to the room of a friend who worked for Weinstein. He urged her to keep quiet or risk being blackballed in the industry, the court filing states.

A 38-year-old woman says that she was 26 when Weinstein spotted her at Manhattan’s Cipriani restaurant in 2008 and promised to “help take her career to the next level.”

A few days later Weinstein invited her to his Soho apartment for a “business meeting” where he allegedly raped her. He told her if she told anyone what he’d done “he would ruin her career and come after her,” the suit alleges.

A 35-year-old Hungarian woman says she met Weinstein when she was 26 at the 2013 Venice Film Festival.

A few months later, she went to his office for an audition then to his hotel suite, where he allegedly forced her to perform oral sex on him. The suit doesn’t specify the city that the assault took place in.

Weinstein’s spokesman Juda Engelmayer declined to comment on the lawsuit, which seeks monetary damages for an unspecified amount.

In March, Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison after a Manhattan jury found him guilty of forcibly performing oral sex on former “Project Runway” staffer Miriam “Mimi” Haleyi in 2006 and raping hairstylist Jessica Mann in 2013.

More than 100 women have accused the fallen Tinseltown tycoon of harassment and sexual misconduct.

He is currently locked up at Wende Correctional Facility in upstate New York but is expected to be extradited to Los Angeles in the coming months to face another sex crimes case.

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Paris Jackson ‘heartbroken’ over the death of George Floyd

Paris Jackson is the latest public figure to share her disgust over the death of African-American man George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in Minnesota this week.

“i’m heartbroken over yet another innocent life taken for no reason,” Jackson, 22, began in an emotional Instagram dedication to Floyd. “from what i’ve gathered this was a good man, a man of peace. i am not, however, shocked. which infuriates me. this is a shocking incident, and yet it’s happened so many times and still no change ??

“how many more george floyds ? how many more trayvon martins ? there were over 100 unarmed african americans shot and killed in 2015, and i’m sure that number has only risen since. this is not okay.”

Jackson also criticized those who choose to repeatedly view and share the disturbing footage online.

“what is also not okay, is people reposting the videos… spread the story, not the trauma porn. it shouldn’t take videos like this to make people do something about it.”

The lengthy message was accompanied by an illustration of Floyd surrounded by flowers and “Justice for George” written above it.

“it’s disrespectful to exploit this good mans last moments,” she continued. “especially because most people will repost the video and then forget about it until another similar crime takes place. enough. f–king do something about it.”

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The Perfect White T-Shirt (Also Comes in 30+ Other Colors)

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services.

Why is it that shopping for basics is so difficult? When we browse for fun surprises, we end up with a shopping cart full to the brim — but when we’re looking for a specific simple something, we end up finding nothing. That, or what we do find is terribly unflattering, horribly uncomfortable and either cheaply made and/or way overpriced!

We’ve all faced this exact situation when searching for a plain white T-shirt before — a should-be staple in anyone and everyone’s closet. It’s one of the most popular pieces in the world, and yet finding one you actually love without overspending feels nearly impossible. Some are see-through, some cling, others fit like they were created for robots — definitely not human beings. There are a few outliers out there, though not everyone is lucky enough to stumble upon them. You, though? Today is your lucky day!

Get the SAMPEEL V-Neck T-Shirt in white starting at just $19 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, May 28, 2020, but are subject to change.

This tee has everything we’ve been looking for. A smooth softness, a little bit of stretch, a lightweight feel, a relaxed fit and fabric you can’t see through. That was enough for Us, but we fell even further in love once we noticed the V-neckline and the pre-cuffed sleeves — not to mention the split hem!

Another great thing about this crisp white tee? You can dye it! DIY tie-dye is huge right now, and this tee will act as the perfect canvas for your next artistic creation. Too afraid to mess around DIY-style, or simply prefer not to deal with it? This tee comes in over 30 other colors and patterns, including a few fun tie-dyes! Check out Violet, Coral and Sky Blue. Prefer more of a gradient look? There are a few gorgeous choices for you too!

Get the SAMPEEL V-Neck T-Shirt in white starting at just $19 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, May 28, 2020, but are subject to change.

The fun doesn’t end there. Once you have your white tees and tie-dyes out of the way, it’s time to explore all of the other colors and patterns. Camo, floral, American flag, clovers — you name it, you’ve got it. We’re definitely stocking up on a bunch of solids too!

Once you have the perfect T-shirt, it’s time for you to start creating perfect outfits with it. The design is already so versatile, and the long split hem further enhances this, letting you tuck in just the front, just the back or both sides — or tie it up! You can always leave it long too. It’s up to you. Just make sure to grab one first!

Get the SAMPEEL V-Neck T-Shirt in white starting at just $19 at Amazon! Please note, prices are accurate at the date of publication, May 28, 2020, but are subject to change.

Not your style? Check out more from SAMPEEL here and shop more tops, tees and blouses here! See all of Amazon’s Daily Deals here!

Check out more of our picks and deals here!

This post is brought to you by Us Weekly’s Shop With Us team. The Shop With Us team aims to highlight products and services our readers might find interesting and useful. Product and service selection, however, is in no way intended to constitute an endorsement by either Us Weekly or of any celebrity mentioned in the post.

The Shop With Us team may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. In addition, Us Weekly receives compensation from the manufacturer of the products we write about when you click on a link and then purchase the product featured in an article. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product or service is featured or recommended. Shop With Us operates independently from advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback at [email protected] Happy shopping!

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Marks and Spencer launches ready meal food boxes that can be delivered to your door

Food box deliveries have become the norm over recent weeks as the coronavirus lockdown continues. Supermarkets including Marks and Spencer, Morrisons and Aldi have all launched food boxes or parcels that customers can order for delivery, from fresh fruit and veg to meat and even barbecue selections. However, Marks and Spencer has now announced its first box of ready meals is now available. 

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  • M&S launches its first diet ice cream with just 62 calories a portion

While most of the food boxes so far have been for fresh foods or cupboard staples, the new boxes from M&S provide an even more convenient delivery service. 

Those looking for ready-made meals that they can pop in the microwave or oven will now be able to order a box of different options from the website. 

All of the meals in the boxes are suitable for home freezing too, making it an ideal gift for someone who is shielding or perfect for stocking up on quick and simple dinners. 

The two options cater for all tastes, with one full of classics and the other giving shoppers a taste of their favourite takeaway. 

The Classic Meal Box includes eight prepared meals including comfort food favourites and delicious meat dishes. 

It also has prepared vegetable sides such as ready made mash potato and red cabbage, all of which contain two servings. 

The full Classic Meal box is £40 and contains: 

1 x Cottage Pie

1 x Shepherds Pie

1 x Bangers & Mash Meal

1 x Braised Steak Meal

1 x Cod in Parsley Sauce Meal

1 X Chicken in Red Wine Meal

1 x Beef Casserole, with Dumplings

1 x Chicken Casserole with Dumplings

1 x Ultimate Mash Potato, Serves 2

1 x Carrot & Swede Crush, Serves 2

1 x Red Cabbage, Serves 2

1 x Vegetable Bake, Serves 2

DON’T MISS: 
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Marks and Spencer brings back £4 Christmas food favourite to enjoy now [NEWS]
Marks and Spencer launches £5 cookbook full of 20-minute recipes [PICTURES]

While the classics will please busy families or solo households looking for fast yet delicious meals, the takeaway meal selection could be a good treat to keep in for the weekend. 

The Indian Takeaway Big Night Box feeds four people, with a feast of curry classics such as butter chicken and prawn bhuna. 

It also includes sides such as pilau rice and naan breads so you can recreate your favourite takeaway at home. 

The dishes are made with traditional recipes and the box costs £35, which may well work out cheaper than your local takeaway if it’s still operating during the lockdown.  

READ MORE

  • How to make your takeaway leftovers last longer

The Indian Takeaway box contains: 

1 x Butter Chicken, Serves 2

1 x Chicken Jalfrezi, Serves 2

1 x Chicken Tikka, Serves 2

1 x Prawn Bhuna, Serves 2

4 x Naan Breads (2 packs of 2)

8 x Onion Bhajis (2 packs of 4)

2 x Pilau Rice

1 x Tarka Dahl

1 x Bombay Aloo

The new meal boxes are available on the Marks and Spencer website and can be ordered with a £3.99 delivery fee, delivered directly to your door, with a contactless delivery. 

They can even be ordered for the next day if shoppers purchase it before 4pm.

The supermarket food boxes so far have been incredibly popular as people look to order in their essentials so that they can go to the shops as infrequently as possible. 

The lockdown guidelines have allowed takeaway restaurants to keep running, provided they can maintain social distancing, and food can be ordered through popular apps such as Just Eat and Deliveroo. 

 

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Victoria's Secret Model Romee Strijd Is Pregnant With Her First Child

Romee Strijd instagram

Congratulations are in order for Romee Strijd!

The Victoria’s Secret model took to Instagram Thursday morning with some big news. As it turns out, she’s expecting her first child with longtime partner Laurens van Leeuwen. 

“WE’RE HAVING A BABY,” the runway veteran shared on social media.

According to Romee, she was diagnosed with PCOS two years ago after “not getting my period for seven years.” After the diagnosis, she feared that starting a family wouldn’t be possible.

“I was devastated because being a mom and starting a family with @laurensvleeuwen is my biggest dream.. I was so scared that I would never be able to because I got told it was harder to get babies in a natural way.. I started to research PCOS and came to the conclusion that mine was not the typical pcos.. Mine was because of my body being in fight or flight mode.. which means my body was under constant stress,” Romee explained to her followers. “I never felt mentally super stressed so it was hard to understand this, but my life consisted of traveling all the time (no biorhythm), working out every day, eating super clean (restricting foods). I think I pressured my body to much, and honestly every body is so different but I think my weight was not good for my body to function properly and couldn’t handle the constant traveling.”

The supermodel continued, “This was the point where I started to research natural healing for PCOS and came to the conclusion that I should do way less high intensity training, don’t restrict foods, be nice to myself, and take breaks when needed. I also tried some natural supplements, acupuncture and we got a place back in the Netherlands as well, so we could spend more time with Family (since I’m such a family person).”

Last November, Romee says she got her period back. And now, her family is about to expand.

“To the women trying to conceive, believe in yourself and be nice for yourself and your body and don’t let those thoughts get to you to much,” she concluded in her post.

As soon as the news was revealed, many of Romee’s famous friends couldn’t help but share their well wishes online. 

“Gonna be the cutest most precious baby the world ever saw! Love u both and so happy for you!!!!!” Elsa Hosk shared in the comments section. Hailey Bieber added, “Yay.” 

Martha Hunt, Lorena Rae, Devon Windsor, Sara Sampaio and many others also offered positive messages. 

Safe to say this beautiful baby is already feeling the love. 

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Khloé Kardashian Defended Scott Disick’s Birthday Party, Saying They Followed CA Rules

The Kardashian-Jenners are dealing with some drama following Scott Disick’s 37th birthday gathering on May 26. But, despite the criticism they’re facing, Khloé Kardashian is defending Scott’s birthday party. And she’s saying that it was just a small gathering with several members of her family, which is allowed in California.

Earlier this week Khloé, Kourtney Kardashian, and Kylie Jenner all posted photos and videos from Scott’s intimate party. On one of her Instagram stories, Khloé also wrote, "Stay safe! Stay smart! Reminder to keep gatherings small. 10 people maximum. Keep your distance." However, some people disagreed with the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star and called Khloé out for not following social distancing rules. One person wrote on a Kardashian fan account on Instagram, "I find it funny that Khloe just posted about social distancing but they are all in a party for Scott’s bday."

In typical Khloé fashion, she responded by defending herself and her family. "They are all cousins. So we know how they have been quarantined and there’s less then [sic] 10 people with us," she wrote. "It’s literally what the governor states is perfectly ok to do in the state of CA."

According to BuzzFeed, there were reportedly "at least 11 people at the party." And, as implemented back in March by the governor of California, gatherings between multiple people from different households are strongly advised against, and it is encouraged that, should gatherings occur, everyone should wear face masks while maintaining a distance of six feet. Per the guidelines, if there is "no urgent need" to be with family and friends, people should stay home.

This isn’t the first time the KarJars have come under fire during quarantine. In April, Kylie was criticized for having her friend Stassie Karanikolaou over and not following social distancing rules amid California’s statewide stay-at-home order. Kylie didn’t issue a response, but previously referred to Stassie has her "quarantine friend."

If you think you’re showing symptoms of coronavirus, which include fever, shortness of breath, and cough, call your doctor before going to get tested. If you’re anxious about the virus’s spread in your community, visit the CDC or NHS 111 in the UK for up-to-date information and resources, or seek out mental health support. You can find all Bustle’s coverage of coronavirus here, and UK-specific updates on coronavirus here.

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Virtual Test – Nasser Hussain vs Rob Key: Virender Sehwag stars for Key’s XI on day one in Battle of the Eras

Rob Key’s XI took advantage of winning the toss under cloudless skies to reach 277-5 at the close of the first day of the ‘Battle of the Eras’ Virtual Test at Lord’s.

With the explosive pair of Ben Stokes and AB de Villiers at the crease, Key’s side will be looking to push on towards, and possibly beyond, 400 in order to put Nasser Hussain’s XI under pressure.

The simulated Test is being played to mark 30 years of cricket on Sky Sports, with Nasser picking players from the first 15 years and Rob from the most recent 15 – watch how they selected their teams below.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=k_-S4D6pVwc%3Ffeature%3Doembed

The game is also the second virtual encounter between Hussain and Key, with Nasser coming out on top when England sides from their respective eras went head to head a few weeks ago.

On day one of Thursday’s fixture, Virender Sehwag led the way for Key’s team with an innings of 88, which flew in the face of his previous Test average of just 27.80 in England.

However, the powerful middle order of Kumar Sangakkara, Virat Kohli and Steve Smith failed to convert useful starts, and they will be hoping that doesn’t come back to haunt them later in the game.

Graeme Smith – having chosen to bat – was soon into his stride at the ground on which he struck 259 in 2003, still the highest individual score by a visiting player at Lord’s.

Two boundaries came in Wasim Akram’s second over, but Glenn McGrath managed to produce just enough movement from his favoured Pavilion End to defeat a Smith forward prod and clip the off stump.

Teams are in .. bit of a gamble to go 2 spinners in May at Lords but they are quite good spinners !! Bad toss to lose .
Glen McGrath at Lords 26 wickets at 11.50 !! Put that in your computer this morning @Benedict_B pic.twitter.com/gYQe7MeXI2

For a man with 26 wickets in three Lord’s Tests at a miserly average of just 11.50 apiece, it was no real surprise, but Smith had started so confidently that he will feel disappointed not to have progressed beyond the first half hour of play.

Sangakkara started in circumspect form, with just a single coming from his first 20 deliveries, but a boundary off his former team-mate Muttiah Muralitharan helped him on his way and he and Sehwag posted their fifty partnership just before lunch, which was taken at 86-1 with Sehwag just a single short of his half-century.

The Indian duly completed it in the first over after the break with a trademark thrashed four through the covers off McGrath.

But the Aussie seamer removed Sangakkara four overs later with a superb away-seamer which only a player with a Test average of 57.40 would have been good enough to even edge into the waiting gloves of Adam Gilchrist.

Benedict’s Virtual Simulation

Sky Sports statistician Benedict Bermange is using a cricket simulation that takes into account batting averages, strike-rates, bowling averages and bowling speeds and plays out a five-day Test match based on those figures.

That wicket brought Virat Kohli to the crease to join Sehwag and the two embarked on another fifty partnership, with Kohli very much the aggressor.

He struck six sumptuous boundaries before Wasim Akram produced some magic with a lifting delivery which clipped his glove and presented Gilchrist with a straightforward catch.

A third catch came Gilchrist’s way five minutes before tea as Sehwag edged a Jacques Kallis away-swinger to fall 12 runs short of a century.

Like Kohli before him, Steve Smith started confidently on the ground where he had struck a double century in 2015 and was struck by Jofra Archer last summer, when he had to retire hurt with concussion.

Akram’s mastery of the older ball accounted for him, though, a whippy delivery reverse swinging into the Australian’s pads to pin him lbw for 35.

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