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Belgium royal accused of copying the Princess of Wales

<p dir="ltr">A dress worn by Belgium’s Princess Delphine has caused a stir over its similarity to one of Princess Kate’s recent looks.</p> <p dir="ltr">The original designer of Kate’s dress, Andrew Gn, has called out Belgian design label Atelier ExC for creating a “shameless copy” of his work.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Singaporean designer expressed his anger via an Instagram story which has since expired.</p> <p dir="ltr">Princess Delphine wore a dress that featured colourful swirls and a blue trim that was embellished by matching blue crystals, during the country's National Day celebrations on Friday.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her dress bared a striking resemblance to the Princess of Wales’ green dress with satin trimmings and jewelled button-like decorations, which she wore at Trooping the Colour in June.</p> <p dir="ltr">Not only that, Gn had also worked closely with hat designer Philip Treacy to create a wide-brimmed hat for Kate, and Princess Delphine was pictured with a similar looking hat on Friday.</p> <p dir="ltr">The stylist who designed Princess Delphine’s outfit has denied the claims and said that her look was “inspired” by vintage Chanel.</p> <p dir="ltr">"For Princess Delphine's dress we were inspired by the Chanel style of the '60s," Jody Van Geert told <em>Vanity Fair </em>Spain.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Both the designer of Kate's dress and Atelier ExC copied from the best. Therefore, it is purely coincidental that the dresses are similar.</p> <p dir="ltr">"And, in fact, there are differences, like the ruffles on Princess Delphine's dress."</p> <p dir="ltr">Some royal fans were quick to judge, taking to Instagram to express their critiques.</p> <p dir="ltr">"When you ordered Kate's dress from wish," wrote one person.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It seems the Shein version of Catherine's outfit,” echoed another.</p> <p dir="ltr">However there were a few others who defended Atelier ExC’s design choices.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I'm a huge fan of AG so I can see why one would be inspired by him. His work is breath-taking,” wrote one person.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Everybody is inspired by someone. Kate's green dress by Andrew Gn was inspired by a hundred dresses before him, even with the buttons,” commented another.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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“Ugliest city in the world” found

<p dir="ltr">A city in Belgium full of abandoned factories and industrial plants has been labelled the “ugliest city in the world”.</p> <p dir="ltr">At one point in the 1800s, Charleroi in south Belgium was known as the “Black Country”, thanks to the booming coal industry.</p> <p dir="ltr">Then in 1950, oil was used more than coal and the industries slowly moved to the country’s north before Charleroi became abandoned.</p> <p dir="ltr">The abandoned city soon became notorious for its crime, deprivation and general decline to the point that it was voted as the ugliest city in the world by citizens in 2009.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, artist Nicolas Buissart has slowly changed that, with tours of his hometown claiming that the label of being the ugliest city in the world was the “perfect marketing opportunity”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Along with his friend, the pair created a website “Charleroi Adventure” and had people sign up to be given a tour.</p> <p dir="ltr">“At first, the authorities blamed me for spreading the image of Charleroi as a depressing place,” Buissart told The Sun.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I explain the history of Charleroi, and then we move to the factories. I have keys to some of the abandoned buildings, so I show people around.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If the weather is good, we can climb a slag heap – which is the waste material produced from mining. Then there are bars that we can visit.</p> <p dir="ltr">“For bigger groups, we can have a barbecue by the riverside.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Buissart also regularly shares photos of the ugly city from his tours, which have since gained traction from locals.</p> <p dir="ltr">Check out some of his snaps below.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Farmer’s mistake alters the French border

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Along the border between Belgium and France, the boundary between the two countries is usually marked by a series of stone markers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But, when local enthusiast David Lavaux was walking through the forest, he noticed one of the stone markers had moved 2.29m.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Belgian farmer behind it was apparently annoyed by the stone being in his tractor’s path and moved it to be inside French territory instead.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The incident that could have caused international uproar has instead been met with smiles on both sides of the border.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He made Belgium bigger and France smaller, it’s not a good idea,” Mr Lavaux, who is also the mayor of the Belgian village of Erquelinnes, told French TV channel TF1.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I was happy, my town was bigger,” the Belgian mayor said with a laugh. “But the mayor of Bousignies-sur-Roc didn’t agree.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Aurélie Welonek, mayor of neighbouring Bousignies-sur-Roc, said with amusement to La Voix du Nord, “We should be able to avoid a new border war”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The farmer will be asked to return the stone to its original location by local Belgian authorities. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But if he refuses to comply, the case could end up involving the Belgian foreign ministry, which would have to summon a Franco-Belgian border commission which has been dormant since 1930.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Lavaux also noted non-compliance could see the farmer facing criminal charges.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“If he shows good will, he won’t have a problem, we will settle this issue amicably,” he told Belgian news website Sudinfo.</span></p> <p><strong>Image Credit: David Lavaux</strong></p>

International Travel

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Royal slap: The prince fined thousands for breaking lockdown laws

<p>A Belgian prince who contracted coronavirus after breaking lockdown rules in Spain has been fined 10,400 euros (AU$17,200).</p> <p>Prince Joachim was issued with the penalty after attending a private party in Córdoba with 27 guests on May 26, two days after arriving in the country for an internship. At the time, international arrivals were required to quarantine for 14 days, and gatherings were limited to a maximum of 15 attendees.</p> <p>The day after the event, Joachim began experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, and later tested positive for COVID-19.</p> <p>The 28-year-old prince, nephew of King Philippe and 10th in line to the throne, has since apologised.</p> <p>“I would like to apologize for traveling and not having respected the quarantine measures,” Joachim said in a statement.</p> <p>“I did not intend to offend or disrespect anyone in these very difficult times and deeply regret my actions and accept the consequences.”</p> <p>Joachim has 15 days to pay or <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/prince-joachim-belgium-fined-spain-for-breaking-coronavirus-lockdown-rules-party-in-cordova/">appeal</a> the fine. According to <em>El País</em>, the amount of the fine will be reduced by half if he complies with the deadline.</p> <p>He is the second member of the Belgian royal family to have contracted COVID-19, after Princess Claire.</p> <p>More than 27,000 have died from coronavirus in Spain, while Belgium’s coronavirus death toll has passed 9,600.</p>

Travel Trouble

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"Save it for younger patients. I already had a good life”

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>A 90-year-old coronavirus patient has died in Belgium after selflessly refusing a ventilator and instructing doctors to “keep this for the younger” patients.</p> <p>Suzanne Hoylaerts from Binkim, near Lubbeek, was admitted to hospital on March 20 when her condition began rapidly deteriorating due to contracting COVID-19.</p> <p>Currently, there is a global shortage of ventilators as the number of coronavirus cases increase. The equipment is key to help fight the battle against the respiratory disease.</p> <p>Hoylaerts sought medical attention after suffering from a lack of appetite and shortness of breath. She was admitted to hospital where she tested positive for the virus and was placed in isolation, meaning her daughter was unable to visit.</p> <p>She reportedly told doctors at the hospital: “I don’t want to use artificial respiration. Save it for younger patients. I already had a good life.”</p> <p>Hoylaerts passed away two days later, on March 22.</p> <p>Speaking to Dutch newspaper<span> </span><em>Het Laatste Nieuws</em>, her distraught daughter Judith said: “I can’t say goodbye to her, and I don’t even have a chance to attend her funeral.”</p> <p>Judith said her family were baffled as to how their mother could have contracted the virus as she had stayed at home and was complying carefully with lockdown measures.</p> <p>Belgium has now recorded 705 deaths according to the latest official toll.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="post-action-bar-component-wrapper"> <div class="post-actions-component"> <div class="upper-row"><span class="like-bar-component"></span> <div class="watched-bookmark-container"></div> </div> </div> </div>

Caring

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Paralympic gold medallist dies by euthanasia at age 40

<p>Paralympian gold medallist Marieke Vervoort has passed away by euthanasia at the age of 40, 11 years after making a promise to herself.</p> <p>The Belgian Paralympian suffered from an incurable degenerative spinal condition which was diagnosed at the age of 21.</p> <p>The diagnosis followed years of pain, and Vervoort continued to suffer after receiving her diagnosis.</p> <p>"I know how I feel now, but I don't know how I'll feel after half an hour," she says. "It can be that I feel very, very bad, I get an epileptic attack, I cry, I scream because of pain. I need a lot of painkillers, valium, morphine,” she told<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/disability-sport/50150513" target="_blank">the BBC.</a></em></p> <p>"A lot of people ask me how is it possible that you can have such good results and still be smiling with all the pain and medication that eats your muscles. For me, sports, and racing with a wheelchair - it's a kind of medication."</p> <p>Vervoort was a strong advocate for euthanasia, as she first signed the documents necessary back in 2008, just six years after euthanasia was made legal in Belgium.</p> <p>"I was a very depressed person. I was thinking about how I was going to kill myself,” she said.</p> <p>"All those people who get those papers here in Belgium – they have a good feeling. They don't have to die in pain.</p> <p>"They can choose a moment, and be with the people they want to be with. With euthanasia you're sure that you will have a soft, beautiful death."</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3x0kvcH4ud/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3x0kvcH4ud/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Can’t forget the good memories!</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/wielemie.marieke.vervoort/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Marieke Vervoort</a> (@wielemie.marieke.vervoort) on Oct 18, 2019 at 4:45pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>A statement from the Belgian Paralympic Committee and IPC called her a “source of inspiration in our society”.</p> <p>"We will not forget Marieke Vervoort's great sporting achievements, as well as her courage in the face of illness," said President of the Belgian Paralympic Committee, Anne d'Ieteren.</p> <p>Marc Vergauwen, Secretary General of the Belgian Paralympic Committee, shared the same sentiment.</p> <p>“Marieke Vervoort brought the disabled into the light with her two medals at the London Paralympic Games.</p> <p>"Her performances as well as her spontaneous interviews after her races generated great media attention for Paralympic sport in Belgium and were a source of inspiration for our society."</p>

Caring

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This retirement home for ageing animals will warm your heart

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Located in southern Belgium lies the perfect care home for 150 ageing animals who are living out the rest of their days in peace. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The home which is ran by Valeria Luycx is called Les Petits Vieux meaning The Little Old Ones and is a shelter made to give older animals the best place to spend their final years. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Located in rural Chievres, the animal retreat is home to a number of animals, including Pastis, a pot-bellied pig, a number of elderly dogs, ponies and goats, as reported by the </span><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/in-pictures-45142801"><span style="font-weight: 400;">BBC</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fabcnews.au%2Fvideos%2F530188050727430%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=476" width="476" height="476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The elderly animals were taken to the specialty home due to health problems or their original owners being too old to care for them any longer. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Just some of the gorgeous rescues include a stunning 15-year-old European cat named Azuria, a nine-year-old Carlin dog named Ramses and Yam the nine-year-old Saint Bernard dog who loves a good pat. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The shelter was created in 2000 by Valerie and her husband Serge. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We wanted to recreate family life for the animals,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The older animals are never in cages and are able to explore to their hearts desire, although Valerie says they much prefer to be snuggled on the sofa with her. </span></p>

Retirement Life

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5 European destinations every chocolate lover must visit

<p>The sweetest destinations of all…</p> <p><strong>Switzerland</strong></p> <p>The Swiss claim to make the finest chocolate in the world, and when you consider they are the home of Lindt, Nestle and lots (lots) more, it’s hard to argue. Catch the Chocolate Train through the Swiss Riviera and visit the Nestle Chocolate Factory, then go to Kilchburg near Lake Zurich to stock up on Lindt balls. Plus you’ll find exceptionally good local chocolatiers in every town you visit.</p> <p><strong>Italy</strong></p> <p>Did you know there’s a place in Tuscany called The Chocolate Valley? Sitting in between the towns of Pisa, Pistoia and Prato, it’s home to the finest chocolatiers in the country. You’ll find lots of small factories, shops and cafes selling hand-made goodies, and you can often meet the owners and learn all about their passion for chocolate.</p> <p><strong>Belgium</strong></p> <p>Belgium has long been considered the capital of chocolate and its history with the sweet treat dates back to the 17<sup>th</sup> century. The country has very strict laws surrounding production and labeling of Belgian chocolate, so you can be assured you’re always getting the good stuff. Visit the Musée du Cacao et du Chocolat in Brussels to learn the full history, then swing by the original flagship Godiva store.</p> <p><strong>Germany</strong></p> <p>The first chocolate factory opened in Germany in 1765 and it’s a love affair that continues to this day. Visit the huge Chocolate Museum in Cologne to see a complete mini-production line and take a sample from the delicious chocolate fountain. Visit in December for chocolART, Germany’s only chocolate festival, held in the town of Tubingen and welcoming 100 top chocolatiers from around the world.</p> <p><strong>England</strong></p> <p>We have two words for you – Cadbury World. Arguably the world’s most famous chocolate brand, Cadbury has a whole Willy Wonka-style theme park celebrating chocolate in Bournville, Birmingham. There are lots of fun interactive displays for kids (and grown ups) of all ages as well as hands-on chocolate making experiences, a decadent chocolate afternoon tea and the world’s biggest Cadbury shop where you can buy goodies you won’t find anywhere else in the world.</p> <p>Have you been to any of these destinations?</p> <p><em><strong>Have you arranged your travel insurance yet? Save money with Over60 Travel Insurance. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://elevate.agatravelinsurance.com.au/oversixty?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_content=link1&amp;utm_campaign=travel-insurance" target="_blank">To arrange a quote, click here.</a></span> Or for more information, call 1800 622 966.</strong></em></p>

International Travel

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Princess Mary looks timeless for Belgium royal’s visit

<p>King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium are visiting Denmark on their first official state visit.</p> <p>On Tuesday March 28, the couple were greeted at Copenhagen airport by Queen Margrethe, Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary, Prince Joachim and Princess Marie.</p> <p>The King and Queen of Belgium are in town for three days with the purpose to strengthen the bonds further between the countries.</p> <p>Mary looked sophisticated in her blue ensemble that complimented the outfits of both Queen Mathilde and her mother-in-law Queen Margrethe.</p> <p>Mary and the 44-year-old Belgium queen appeared delighted to see other at the airport.</p> <p>Prince Joachim and his wife Princess Marie, also attended the important meet and greet.</p> <p>Queen Margrethe and King Philippe arrived at a welcome ceremony at Amalienborg Castle in a horse-drawn carriage.</p> <p>King Philippe succeeded his father King Albert II in 2013 after he abdicated the throne for health reasons.</p> <p>Philippe and his wife have four children including their eldest Princess Elisabeth who is 15-years-old.Princess Elisbeth is the heir apparent and may become Belgium’s first reigning Queen.</p> <p>So far in Denmark, the Belgium royals have been shown around the city by Princess Mary and Prince Frederik. The royals enjoyed a cruise ride through Copenhagen harbour and then attended a gala dinner that was held in their honour.</p> <p>At the gala diner, Princess Mary looked elegant in a silk gold dress. Queen Mathilde also stunned in an striking orange gown.</p> <p>The Belgium royal’s last visit to Denmark was in 2015 for Queen Margrethe’s 75<sup>th</sup> birthday. </p>

News

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5 reasons you must go to Belgium now

<p><strong>Annie Fitzsimmons writes for <a href="http://blog.virtuoso.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Virtuoso Luxury Traveller</span></a>, the blog of a <a href="http://www.virtuoso.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">global luxury travel network</span></a>, and she enjoys nothing more than taking a holiday.</strong></p> <p>Reason enough to visit Belgium? The food, of course. Decadent, sweet waffles are sold on nearly every street corner, chocolate is as much a masterpiece as the Bruegels and Rubens artwork, and moules frites are washed down with crisp, cold Belgian beer daily in restaurants across the country.</p> <p>But there’s more – the country has a thriving fashion scene, iconic museums, and impressive architecture, all embedded within a classic historical framework. You can order an open-face sandwich at the very first Le Pain Quotidien in Brussels, or explore a style and design scene that evokes an English country cottage decorated with modern Swedish flair.</p> <p>Here are five reasons to travel to Belgium now.</p> <p><strong>1. An easy add-on in Europe</strong></p> <p>Just an hour’s train ride from Paris, Brussels, and the Flanders region (roughly the size of Connecticut), is easy to get to, easy to navigate, and easy to tack on to other European destinations. It’s considered the crossroads of Europe for geographical reasons, but also for major institutions based here, such as the European Parliament (the elected voice of the European Union) and NATO – both of which offer tours.</p> <p><strong>2. The food “rebellion”</strong></p> <p>Consider the Flanders Kitchen Rebels, 25 top chefs under the age of 35 who are crafting a new Flemish food scene, as you map out your meals. The classic Belgian dishes – fries and waffles – are still must-eats, but high-end, creative dining is growing, with around 130 Michelin-starred restaurants countrywide. Belgium’s high concentration of microbreweries place utmost importance on the water quality and even the appropriate glassware for specific beers. “It’s as much an art form as wine glasses,” a local told me. “No Belgian in their right mind would serve beer in the wrong glass.”</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/33838/image__498x245.jpg" alt="Image_ (89)"/></p> <p><em>Ghent, Belgium during twilight blue hour</em></p> <p><strong>3. Striking architecture and modern opera</strong></p> <p>A sight to see: One of the late Zaha Hadid’s final commissions, Antwerp’s futuristic Port House looks like a craggy diamond-shaped ship perched on the historic port building. Hadid was renowned for her futuristic structures worldwide. Brussels’ beautiful opera house, La Monnaie/De Munt, will unveil much-anticipated renovations early this year. In Brussels, opera sets and costumes are usually staged in a modern way, bringing in fans looking for fresh retellings.</p> <p><strong>4. Masterful art, old and new</strong></p> <p>Belgium fosters one of Europe’s fastest-growing art scenes, with hundreds of galleries and museums. Your travel advisor can work with Virtuoso’s on-site tour operator in Brussels, ITB Belgium, to arrange guided tours to exclusive art fairs and events throughout the year. City museums feel less overwhelming than those in Paris or London and yet pack an equal punch – in Brussels, the René Magritte Museum showcases the artist’s quirky genius, and it’s humbling to stand in front of enormous Rubens and Bruegels masterworks at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts. For a fun detour, check out the Belgian Comic Strip Centre to discover how and why comics began, and to pay homage to The Smurfs and Tintin. In Antwerp, visits to the palatial seventeenth-century Rubens House reveal where the painter lived with his family and how the light reflected in his studio. The Antwerp Museum of Fashion stages new exhibitions every year, and is a top draw for fashion lovers.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/33839/image__498x245.jpg" alt="Image_ (90)"/></p> <p><em>View over Antwerp, Belgium</em></p> <p><strong>5. Fabulous hotels</strong></p> <p>Belgium’s top hotels offer tremendous value right now. The 173-room Hotel Amigo, a Rocco Forte Hotel, a stone’s throw from the Grand Place, Brussels beautiful main square, is an ideal base for art- and culture-filled weekends – with a side of waffles and beer. Or consider the 169-room Sofitel Brussels Le Louise, a chic hideaway in a leafy residential district close to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts.</p> <p>Have you ever been to Belgium?</p> <p><em>First appeared on <a href="http://blog.virtuoso.com/destinations/five-reasons-travel-belgium-now/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Virtuoso Luxury Traveller</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><em><a href="http://www.virtuoso.com/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Click here</span></strong></a> to visit its website for more information.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2017/01/things-that-surprise-people-visiting-europe/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>20 things that surprise people visiting Europe</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2017/01/chocoholic-dream-trip-switzerland/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>A chocoholic’s dream in Switzerland</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2017/01/reasons-you-have-to-visit-portugal/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 reasons you have to visit Portugal</strong></em></span></a></p>

International Travel

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Facebook turns on Safety Check feature for Brussels attacks

<p>Facebook has reactivated its <strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/brusselsexplosions-march2016/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Safety Check</span></a></strong> feature for Brussels after yesterday’s tragic explosions. At time of writing 34 people were reported dead and 106 people injured.</p> <p>The Safety Check feature <strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/brusselsexplosions-march2016/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">available here</span></a></strong> allows people to check on Facebook friends who may be in Brussels. The feature lets people in an affected area show contacts they are safe.</p> <p>The Safety Check feature was originally designed for natural disasters, but was turned on during last year’s Paris attacks. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has promised to use the feature in "more human disasters."</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/03/airport-worker-hailed-as-hero-brussels-explosions/"><strong>Airport worker hailed as hero after pulling people to safety amid Brussels explosions</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/03/tv-presenter-catches-5-metre-anaconda/"><strong>TV presenter catches 5 metre anaconda</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/03/83-year-old-barman-serves-up-drinks-and-stories/"><strong>83-year-old barman still serves up drinks and stories</strong></a></em></span></p>

News

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Airport worker hailed as hero after pulling people to safety amid Brussels explosions

<p>Amid the horror of the multiple explosions in Brussels on Tuesday morning European time, the world community took heart in the glimpses of humanity emerging from all the violence.</p> <p>An airport worker was hailed a hero after pulling several people to safety when a bomb exploded at Brussels airport.</p> <p>BBC reports the man, only known as Alphonse, was wrapping bags at the check-in desk when the explosions occurred. Safe and uninjured, he rushed to help seven wounded people, including an elderly couple.</p> <p>His clothes and body smeared with blood, Alphonse told the media he heard several bangs.</p> <p>"I saw people lying on the ground with a lot of blood who weren't moving anymore," he said.</p> <p>He carried injured people away from the devastating scene until emergency services arrived.</p> <p>He has been praised for his quick and heroic action in the media and online.</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/03/jackie-kennedy-granddaughter-looks-just-like-her/">Jackie Kennedy’s granddaughter looks just like her</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/03/penguin-5000-miles-reunite-71-year-old-man/">Penguin swims 5,000 miles every year to reunite with 71-year-old man</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/03/85-year-old-man-finds-lost-wallet-71-years-later/">85-year-old man finds lost wallet, 71 years later</a></em></strong></span></p>

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Phone addicts get their own “text-walking” lanes in Belgium

<p>We’ve all seen those people. You know, the people whose noses are buried into their phones as they try to walk down the street, oblivious to the strangers jumping out of their way so they don’t bump into each other.</p> <p>Well, Belgium has introduced a novel idea for these phone addicts: text-walking lanes. When local smartphone specialist, MLab, discovered just how many people who text while walking were bumping into people and dropping their smartphones, they painted on the “text-walking” lanes to prevent smartphones from breaking.</p> <p>The only problem they didn’t foresee? These texters are too busy looking at their phones to notice if they’re in the right lane or not. </p> <p><img width="445" height="296" src="http://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/IMG_5683__880.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2015/06/james-harrison-blood-donation/">Meet the man who has saved the lives of over 2 million babies</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2015/06/abs-results-aussies-veggies/">A survey found that Aussies aren't eating enough veggies</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2015/06/woman-adopts-cousin-as-daughter/">This 92-year-old woman adopted her 76-year-old cousin</a></em></strong></span></p>

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