As Rinus VeeKay rounded Turn 14 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course Saturday checkered flag in sight on his way to winning the GMR Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course NBC cameras also were locked on two other people: Evelien and Marijn van Kalmthout They are the parents of the newest NTT INDYCAR SERIES winner The two shared hugs with each other and team members as tears flowed and cheers belted out in between breaths This moment was 12 years in the making for the 20-year-old Dutch driver and his parents “I will never forget this today,” Marijn said all the cameras.’ But I don’t care This is what we’ve been fighting for even better than the day he was born.” was on FaceTime with their mother from her home in the Netherlands during the final laps also for our daughter,” Evelien said When Rinus is interviewed after a successful outing he almost always thanks his parents for helping get to where he is at today He insists they sacrificed “everything” to help him achieve a dream he’s had since he was 8 years old Parents will do almost anything within their power to help their kids achieve their dreams It just so happens that Rinus’ dream took him across the world and required a lot of time and money to make a reality When Rinus was a child growing up in Hoofddorp He was introduced to the sport through his father From the time they bought Rinus his first go-kart at age 8 the family started racing quite literally around the world it was usual for the family to be in Sepang then in Miami on Tuesday and back in the Netherlands on Thursday so Rinus could be in school for a day before heading back to a karting track around the world Marijn sold all the apartments he owned to fund Rinus’ dream and Evelien quit her job to have time to take her son from point A to point B and be at every one of his races but I love the crazy life,” she said “I was just being a mom and doing mom things (before Rinus’ career took off) There were certainly stressful times – moments Marijn insists he will never forget – and the fear of “what if?” What if all of this is for nothing What if Rinus doesn’t have what it takes to become a successful race car driver “I put in what I could,” Marijn said “But then you come to a level that gets risky To go bankrupt as a family because your son has to be an INDYCAR driver and he doesn’t make it … what do you do then But because he was so successful at every step He’s the guy that deserves all the credit The couple calls themselves “a real racing family.” Michelle is all in on supporting her brother’s career Marijn and Evelien sat down with their daughter to ensure she was going to be OK with the time focus and investment they were going to be putting into their son It’s been an incredible journey for the family ever since Marijn said when they started this journey If Rinus didn’t show improvements every year on the track By age 12 he was the youngest junior karting champion in the Netherlands he landed a driver test for the Road to Indy ladder system In 2018 he won seven races and the Indy Pro 2000 championship He rose to Indy Lights in 2019 and scored six wins before finishing second in the championship Ed Carpenter knew Rinus was the driver he wanted in his newly open No The 2020 season certainly saw its ups and downs, but Rinus continued to show improvement He crashed out of his first race at Texas Motor Speedway but then he scored a top-five finish in July’s GMR Grand Prix and a pole and podium finish in the INDYCAR Harvest GP Race 1 – both on the IMS road course And now he’s an NTT INDYCAR SERIES race winner “I’m extremely grateful,” Rinus said from atop the IMS Victory Podium Saturday they sacrificed everything to get me up here They’ve worked as hard as me to get where we are now so it’s great just getting to soak in this whole experience with me “It’s amazing to have them here Paddock Buzz: Lundgaard Continues Breakout Year with Second Peerless Alex Palou Marches into May with Cruise to Barber Victory Pole Winner Alex Palou Stays on Top in Warmup; Race at 1:30 p.m Paddock Buzz: Felix Rosenqvist Hits Century Mark Sunday at Barber Alex Palou Grabs Pole in Final Seconds of Barber Qualifying Thriller Stay up to speed on the latest INDYCAR news exclusive offers and more — delivered straight to your inbox 2025 INDYCAR® is a registered trademark of Brickyard Trademarks The green belt around Antwerp has long played host to many villas. The Beli House in Kalmthout rests on the laurels of one such villa from the 60s. When Belgium-based Studio Okami was entrusted with the project, it was supposed to be a renovation of the original villa a thorough examination of the structure revealed its inadequacy in housing a modern home one that meets larger family and work-from-home needs the studio decided to rebuild a new energy-efficient house keeping the original character of the villa At first glance, the residential architecture appears to be a single-story structure The first floor of the house is wrapped in reflective aluminium and disappears into its surrounding forest by mirroring it this becomes the most striking part of the façade Studio Okami assures the presence of condensation for the majority of the day They also argue that mirrored surfaces are much less likely to cause such collisions when compared to glass facades "Mirrors are less prone to bird collisions compared to glass facades While they may induce territorial behaviour in birds due to the full reflection the likelihood of collisions is reduced in comparison to a glass facade that allows dept and fake perspective,” mentions Studio Okami in an official statement Inside the house, the walnut panelling in the kitchen echoes the surrounding woods to add warmth to open and airy space. The stone countertops against the warm wood add depth and serve the very functional purpose of being tough and durable The concrete walls are strategically used to create a fluid environment These walls of varying heights and orientations serve multiple different functions of being a bearing wall Designed to keep in line with the changing needs of a modern home the ground floor of the house with its largely open plan is 'future-proof' it acts like a loft space that houses a home office The spatial openness means the functions of the ground floor can handle change with little to architectural interventions The Beli House is very clearly a modern home with an architectural language that is rooted in the original villa from the 60s.   Pooja is an architectural historian by education writer-editor-curator by choice and traveller by passion She has worked with Historic Environment Scotland the Victoria and Albert Museum in Scotland She has executed multiple architectural exhibitions and publications exhibitions and publications for effective communication of architecture and design All her free time is spent exploring the world through books and travel From vernacular knowledge to modern sustainability Middle Eastern pavilions serve as living archives of architectural thought offering fresh frameworks for global adoption STIR engages with the curators of the Togo Oman and Qatar pavilions—debuting at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025—on representation the book presents a fictional story depicting algorithms exercising control over humans and how this affects the built environment Tipnis shares how the toolbox democratises the practice of restoration via DIY resources to repair tangible urban heritage made of common building materials Exclusive preview for subscribers. Learn More Make your fridays matter. Learn More © Copyright 2019-2025 STIR Design Private Limited Please confirm your email address and we’ll send you a link to reset your password All your bookmarks will be available across all your devices Password must be 8 characters long including one capital letter By creating an account, you acknowledge and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy by STIR Select the Conversation Category you would like to watch Please enter your details and click submit Single account access for STIRworld.com,STIRpad.com and exclusive STIRfri content Verification link sent to check your inbox or spam folder to complete sign up process by Pooja Suresh Hollannavar | Published on : Mar 25 Please note that this is an automated translation and it will not be perfect All articles have been written in English and if anything appears to not make sense We bid farewell to the multi-disciplinary star Zdeněk Štybar on the Paterberg at Dwars door Vlaanderen Water is an essential resource that unites people North-Western Europe is facing increasing water stress due to high demand from dense populations Climate change further complicates the issue bringing unpredictable weather patterns that lead to both droughts and floods Sustainable water management depends on the natural ecosystems that provide this vital resource Nature restoration can offer a solution by improving water retention in landscapes acting as a buffer during droughts and enhancing infiltration during heavy rainfall A decade-long restoration project has shown how nature can significantly contribute to water management located in the Kalmthout Heath Cross-Border Park on the Belgium-Dutch border has increased water retention by up to 930,000 m³ annually “It’s amazing to see how the landscape transforms after filling a drainage ditch allowing valuable water to serve nature.” - LIFE-HELVEX volunteer The Kalmthout Heath, a 4,000-hectare nature reserve known for its purple heathland flowers, has been part of the Ramsar Convention since 1986. However, a decade ago, droughts were threatening the area’s ecological value. This led to the LIFE-HELVEX project in 2014 the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forestry and nature preservation organizations Natuurpunt (BE) and Natuurmonumenten (NL) Ecohydrological research revealed that the area’s former peatlands had dried out significantly These efforts focused on restoring heathland enhancing water retention through several key actions Vegetation with high evaporative demand was removed increasing infiltration by 214,000 m³ per year Hydrological restoration included the removal or damming of drainage structures installation of overflow wells for lake water management and re-profiling banks Spatial extend of the nature restoration measures positively contributing to the water cycle executed at the Cross-border park over the course of a decade The project also led to innovative approaches in water treatment and ecosystem services A large-scale iron sand purification system was deployed to treat 230,000 m³ of agricultural runoff a payment-for-ecosystem-services (PES) agreement with the public water supplier allowed water surplus from a nearby lake to be redirected to an infiltrating wetland pumping an average of 170,000 m³ of water annually The finances of this PES allow for sustaining the nature management These restoration efforts have demonstrated how nature-based solutions can enhance water storage With an estimated annual volume of 930,000 m³ the project’s impact is significant—equivalent to the annual water use of 21,000 people in Europe This story has been submitted by a partner of the #WaterWiseEU campaign. The EU-wide campaign focuses on water resilience, aiming to change the way we see, use and value water. Find out more about the campaign and how you can get involved. EU Environment newsletters deliver the latest updates about the European Commission’s environmental priorities straight to your inbox Belgium -- Ostriches are normally territorial and aggressive birds best approached with caution the hand-reared birds are so gentle they will cuddle with visitors At the Passiehoeve animal rescue farm in Kalmthout visitors can sit on a blanket in an enclosure where some of the ostriches will approach and rest their long necks on human shoulders "This is the only place in the world where ostriches will really cuddle with people," said Wendy Adriaens a former corporate executive who started the farm after saving a clutch of ostrich chicks from an ostrich meat farm Most come from shelters or are brought by animal rescue services authorities take away some 7,000 animals from owners because of neglect and Adriaens' farm is part of a network where they are placed Her animals are also used as therapy animals for people with autism Belgium and the neighbouring Netherlands have hundreds of "care farms" where judicial and medical authorities send people for short- or long-term stays "Horses are also used as therapy animals She added that ostriches - which can weigh up 175 kilos - will be comfortable around humans and even affectionate if treated with kindness Individual cuddling sessions with the ostriches which typically last an hour or until the birds step away Your comment will be reviewed before being posted Rinus Veekay the 19-year old Indycar rookie sensation who will start the 2020 Indianapolis 500 from fourth on the grid Most impressive is the fact that the young Dutchman was the only Chevrolet-powered driver in the Fast Nine whereby he stunned the establishment with a 230.704 mph blast in the #21 Ed Carpenter Racing-run Sonax Dallara-Chevrolet to become the fastest teenager ever around the Brickyard he is professionally known as Rinus VeeKay and made a mark in the Indycar scene as 2018 Champion of the Pro Mazda series winning 7 of 16 races during his debut season His stellar performance this week has catapulted him into the world spotlight as he takes on the world’s most famous and toughest oval race with a good car under him anything is possible but I stayed flat through all the four laps and that was my aim And I think as the only Chevy being fourth I try not to think about it because it will only distract me With two Indy 500 veterans Ed Carpenter and Conor Daly in his corner the pair starting 16th and 18th respectively in a three-car effort that could surprise next Sunday “I think (Ed) can teach me everything,” VeeKayadmitted it’s just great to have such a team with such teammates and engineers around me that have so much experience that they bring all that experience over to me.” Veekay could become the youngest winner of the Indy 500 the accolade that belongs to Troy Ruttman who was 22 years and 80 days old when he won the 36th Indianapolis 500 on May 30 P4! Extremely happy with the outcome the Fast Nine qualifying shootout. Can’t wait till next week! @IndyCar @ECRIndy pic.twitter.com/evWGVUe0ll — Rinus VeeKay (@rinusveekay) August 16, 2020 From his website here are snapshots of another prodigy from Holland, unashamedly inspired by Max Verstappen, worth making a note of: The KNAC National Autosport Federation (KNAF) recognised Van Kalmthout’s potential at young age in karting and selected him for its KNAF Talent First programme. This NOC*NSF approved programme supports young talented racers on their way to the top echelons in motorsport. The NOC*NSF elite status is issued for motorsport talent by an Olympic network, and only on recommendation of the KNAF Unique talent Rinus van Kalmthout, son of successful entrepreneur and BOSS GP driver Marijn van Kalmthout, began in karting in 2009 at the age of 8. Soon after Rinus’ first laps in a kart, coach Pierre Redeker spotted a unique talent in the young Van Kalmthout. Thanks to good guidance that talent quickly blossomed. 2017 Rinus van Kalmthout started in the Cooper Tires USF2000 series and it seemed like the type of track on which he had to race didn’t matter at all for the Dutch race driver. Be it a traditional road course, an oval, or a street circuit like Toronto, as the Pabst Racing driver has showed he is very likely to race to the podium. A runner-up position in the championship was a great result for the autosport rookie. 2018 For 2018 Van Kalmthout decided on a wise approach. Moving up from USF2000, but one step at a time. Driving for top-line Juncos Racing, VeeKay has proven his abilities in the Pro Mazda series by winning the championship. 2019 Moving up a step on the Road to Indy program each year brought VeeKay to the Indy Lights. And again he proved himself to be an outstanding race driver, scoring 7 pole positions, 6 victories and 14 podiums. VeeKay became vice-champion Indy Lights and drove most laps in the lead (250 out of 600). Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved An Anglican priest who died after a night of sex and drugs with a Belgian colleague has been named, MailOnline can reveal. Father Andrew Wagstaff, 69, had spent the evening with his fellow cleric at a rectory near Antwerp, and after taking ecstasy and 'poppers' together and having sex, he suddenly felt unwell, prosecutors said. The Church of England priest, ordained 30 years ago, was the much-loved chaplain of St Boniface Church, Antwerp, until retiring earlier this year to live near Ilkley, West Yorks. The circumstances of his death have cast a shadow over his life in the church, particularly as Fr Wagstaff's return to Belgium was timed to coincide with the visit of the Pope there last weekend. Father Wagstaff and his friend, identified only as 'Pastor B', spent the evening at a rectory in Kalmthout, north of Antwerp, on Thursday, and he died in the early hours of Friday. In a statement, the Church of England's Diocese in Europe told MailOnline: 'We have been informed of the death of The Reverend Andrew Wagstaff in the area of Antwerp on Friday 27 September 2024. 'Fr. Wagstaff retired as Chaplain at St. Boniface, Antwerp on 30 April 2023 after 17 years and had been living in the UK for the past year. 'Our prayers are with his friends, family and members of his former congregation.' On Facebook, a US-based organist Jimmy Culp, posted: 'I learned late last night of the death of my friend Fr Andrew Wagstaff in England. I solicit your prayers for the Repose of his Soul.' The alarm was raised shortly after midnight on Friday when Fr Wagstaff's friend, identified only as Pastor B, called the emergency services, who could not resuscitate his companion. The sudden arrest of the pastor, visiting colleagues as the Pope travelled through Belgium, left the small parish of Heide in shock, according to local media. 'It appears that the two men had used ecstasy and poppers together and had had sex,' the prosecutor's office revealed on Saturday. 'Two ecstasy pills were also found,' they said.. Poppers refers to amyl nitrite, a liquid compound that can be inhaled for a brief rush of mild euphoria and dizziness. 'Traces of narcotics were found on the victim's body,' Kristof Aerts of the Antwerp public prosecutor's office said. An initial urine test showed ecstasy had been taken, but an autopsy will be required to prove cause of death. An investigation was ongoing and the initial autopsy could not immediately provide any conclusive information into the exact cause of the death, the office added. The 60-year-old priest was questioned by the investigating judge on Friday and gave a statement. The public prosecutor revealed only that 'some elements of his statement require further investigation'. He was later placed under arrest, and is now facing charges of 'trafficking in narcotics resulting in death'. Father Wagstaff had reportedly been visiting colleagues to coincide with the Pope's four-day visit to Belgium late last week. In 2010, the Rev Wagstaff was appointed chaplain of St Boniface in Antwerp, working under Archdeacon John de Wit, based in the Netherlands. His duties as Area Dean included chairing the Anglican Council for Belgium, roughly equivalent to a Deanery Synod. Pope Francis concluded his weekend trip to Belgium on Sunday after facing some of the strongest criticism yet levied during a foreign visit. In a meeting with Belgian dignitaries on Friday, both King Philippe and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo called for more concrete action to help survivors of abuse by Catholic clergy. And in later events at two Catholic universities, officials denounced his stance on the role of women in the church and society. Francis did not specifically mention the criticisms at his last event in Belgium on Sunday, a celebration of Mass at Brussels' King Baudouin soccer stadium. But the pope did add to the prepared text for his sermon and made a strong condemnation of Catholic clergy abuse. 'There is no place for abuse,' the pontiff said, drawing scattered applause from the estimated 37,000 attendees. 'There is no place for the cover-up of abuse. I ask everyone, do not cover up abuse. I ask bishops, do not cover up abuse'. The Pope also faced scrutiny on Saturday as he addressed an audience at UCLouvain. Professors and students issued a press release moments after he finished speaking, saying they wanted to express their 'disapproval' of his views. The pope's speech at the university largely called for global action on climate change, but he also responded to a letter to him from students and professors that had asked about the Catholic Church's teaching on women. Francis emphasised that the church, which bans ordination of women to the priesthood, was not run like a corporation. He described women as having 'a fertile welcome, care (and) vital devotion'. Major terror attack 'was just HOURS away' before it was foiled by the special forces and police:... Victim of acid attack 'plotted by his ex-partner who teamed up with a gang' dies in hospital six... We are trapped in unsellable newbuild homes after a £52m dual carriageway was built on our... Horror as $4.5M influencer-laden yacht SINKS off Miami... after glam women made a rookie maritime... 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No one seems to have shared their thoughts on this topic yetLeave a comment so your voice will be heard first. {{message}} After his family sold their Ford dealership to finance his racing career a 20-year-old Dutchman will try and win the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday for Chevrolet from the outside of the front row Rinus VeeKay is one of many great acts as the IndyCar circus races under its biggest tent “I really drove on the limits and almost lost it in the last lap," VeeKay said in an interview after his four-lap session I had a very big moment there of oversteer I probably would not be on the front row The goal is always not to lift in qualifying." fearless talent was noticed early on in the young Dutchman’s racing career After winning multiple European karting championships finishing second in the USF200 open-wheel series By age 19 he was runner-up in the Indy Lights championship Rinus American-ized his surname to “VeeKay” from the Dutch van Kalmthout It was hard over here to spell my last name all the time It’s way easier as VeeKay,” he said I broke through with go-karts,” said VeeKay “He did that to make time for me and my my racing and invest all his time and money managing me and making sure I made the right decisions.” VeeKay’s big IndyCar breakthrough came from a Chevrolet-powered team, Ed Carpenter Racing Chevy and Honda are the series' major corporate sponsors and engine providers VeeKay enjoys additional backing from Arie Luyendyk heretofore Holland’s most famous racing driver and the winner of the Indy 500 in 1990 and 1997 racer and "Bachelor" contestant) helps mentor VeeKay More: Scott McLaughlin, working to be IndyCar force, as first Indianapolis 500 looms one of the sport’s best oval-track racers is not just VeeKay’s boss — he is also a teammate who will be making his 18th attempt at winning the 500 (he has finished as high as second) Carpenter is part of a generation of IndyCar graybeards who are hungry to win this weekend 40-year-old Ryan Hunter-Reay (starting seventh) and 42-year-old Sébastien Bourdais (27th) They’ll be fighting it out with rising young guns half their age like VeeKay VeeKay has made the move to the United States for his IndyCar career (he lives right across the street from the famed track) and makes regular treks to the Pratt & Miller simulator in Charlotte for hours of practice on Indy and other upcoming race courses “We’ll get a full day” on the simulator sharing the time with Carpenter or his third teammate “The engineers like to fly there early in the morning but I always feel like I need my sleep so I go the evening before It’s like office days for drivers.” for a very different challenge on the raw streets of Belle Isle I got asked to drive the pace car laps in the (Chevy) Camaro” for the Detroit Grand Prix “So I got some experience there with the Camaro Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne The requested URL was not found on this server which has bound Slovenia and Belgium together for many years is the home of a Slovenian linden tree and of a descendant of the world's oldest vine tree from Maribor A Slovenian beehive has adorned the arboretum since 2021 brought us together today," said State Secretary Tatjana Buzeti "Our friendly ties that were established here result from the dedicated work of our compatriot Jelena de Belder Kovačič whose knowledge and commitment were invaluable for the development of this arboretum." She highlighted that Slovenians have always been strongly connected to bees and beekeeping and that is why we are committed to protecting bees and bee products "World Bee Day was proclaimed on Slovenia's initiative and our country has presented the international Golden Bee Award for the third consecutive year I am convinced that our activities and efforts contribute to the progress that has been made lately at the EU level we have repeatedly called for a more precise labelling of honey blends and of their origin and a vast majority of member states supported our efforts." State Secretary went on to highlight the role of the beekeeping sector in protecting bees and pollinators environmental pollution and the loss of biodiversity and economic challenges related to competitiveness and bee health Your presence here testifies to our common will and commitment to preserve the bees and other pollinators that are vital for all of us on this planet." She concluded by saying that each and every one of us can contribute to their protection with even the smallest of gestures – such as today's planting of a bee tree Did you find the information you were looking for Do you want to receive a response from the responsible institution Clicking on the link will open your default e-mail program and automatically draft a message that you can send to the institution responsible for the content of this website ask for a reply has handed over her entire breeding programme to young Belgian dressage couple Lorens Michielsen and Klara Hulselmans a renowned and highly celebrated Dutch dressage horse breeder has sold her successful breeding business to the Belgian company MH Dressage owned by 28-year olds Klara Hulselmans and Lorens Michielsen the 70-year old Emmy de Jeu will hand over her broodmares and young horses to these young dressage enthusiasts from Kalmthout "This is a lottery ticket for me," says Emmy de Jeu "I've reached a point in my life where I’d like to take a step back from horse breeding and horse sport But you can't just let go of everything; it's tough to put your activities in the hands of someone you trust What was a simple inquiry into one mare and ended up with an exchange of an entire breeding program Lorens and Klara at their yard in KalmthoutIt all started with Klara spotting an advertisement in which Emmy offered a mare for sale "It had been online for a while," said Emmy de Jeu they came for that one mare but went home with with my entire breeding program!" Emmy de Jeu and the young Belgian couple quickly struck up a conversation The only difference between them was their age: they both had the same drive Klara and Lorens were given three options: the broodmares “But the most exciting scenario for us were all horses together," added Klara Hulselmans and you're quickly able to ride "De Jeu" horses Building up a breeding farm of high-quality dressage horses was always our big dream We had been looking for young quality dressage horses to train and compete with "We could not miss this opportunity," Lorens added "Everything is already well established and running successfully Emmy has built such a great name and breeding stock that we can only be grateful to continue to build it up." MH Dressage will continue to work with Hellen Jonker from Loningen (GER) Stal Henco where the broodmares are stabled who is responsible for rearing the horses and making them ready under the saddle MH Dressage will continue to be based in Kalmthout where Klara trains and competes the horses while Lorens will concentrate on the management and support in the broadest sense Lorens and Emmy toasting to the future"Sometimes people think they can save money by doing everything themselves," Emmy stated you must also account for your own expenses Not only does it make little difference in terms of costs but you also have to calculate how much time you can spend doing what you are good at That's why I advised Klara and Lorens to stick with the already existing collaborations." "but I hardly needed to discuss such things with Klara and Lorens Because I immediately noticed that we have the same thoughts about many things I was in the flower business in Amsterdam for 30 years That gives you a bit of knowledge about people So I felt that these were the right people It was a nice process to put the puzzle together The sky is the limit for the future at MH Dressage "Our ambition is to get as far as possible both in sport and breeding," Klara and Lorens stated "We want to know how everything fits together That is our passion: to achieve the highest possible quality This new collaboration allows us to aim for the highest level of quality." Klara Hulselmans presenting mare Babette (by Fursten-Look x Sandro Hit) in the KWPN Ibop testing in ErmeloThe takeover puts MH Dressage's horse breeding programme in Belgium firmly on the map The foals of 2022 will be registered with KWPN and Oldenburg but the future will show whether other studbooks will also be used As of 2022 all foals born from Emmy de Jeu's breeding will bear the suffix "MH de Jeu" rather than the well-known suffix "De Jeu." Emmy will remain involved in the process as an advisor "Our first foals have already been born," Emmy added smilingly knowing that business-wise these are in the ownership of Klara and Lorens Emmy's prized mare Sisther de Jeu (23) was not included in the sale "Taking over the breeding progam is so much more than just the purchase; it's just the beginning of our collaboration and bringing all of our ideas together," Klara concluded Related LinksEmmy de Jeu, KWPN Breeder of the Year 2013Sisther de Jeu Retired from Competition Sport Stalls for Rent at Durondeau Dressage in Peer, Belgium Exceptionally Well Located Equestrian Facility in Wellington, Florida Well-built Equestrian Estate With Multiple Business Opportunities in Sweden Stable Units for Rent at Lotje Schoots' Equestrian Center in Houten (NED) For Rent: Several Apartments and Stable Wing at High-End Equestrian Facility Stable Wing Available at Reiterhof Wensing on Dutch/German border Real Estate: Well-Appointed Country House with Extensive Equestrian Facility in the U.K. Rémi Blot Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times A woman lost an eye after a parasite found lurking in shower water became stuck behind her contact lens took a shower while wearing her lenses on a sailing holiday three years ago When her eye became red and painful days later Ms van Kalmthout went to Antwerp University Hospital where doctors discovered a acanthamoeba keratitis parasite in the cornea of her right eye surgeons tried twice to remove the parasite before they were forced to take out her eye After wearing an eye patch for three years Ms van Kalmthout has since been fitted with a prosthetic but will always be partially blind Ms van Kalmthout said: 'I came back on Saturday from holiday 'I had a party and in the evening my eye hurt a bit The next day my eye was red and was even more painful.'  After going to see her GP and then specialist eye doctors Ms van Kalmthout discovered it was too late to treat the parasite with chlorine eye drops 'When I had my eye removed it was the end of a period with pain,' she said that you then have to live your life with an eye patch is a choice which you consciously make.' Ms van Kalmthout has recently received an ocular prosthesis which means she no longer requires an eye patch 'The water that comes out of the tap can cause a lot of suffering For three years my eye determined my life,' she said 'Now that I finally have a prosthesis I can grab life in my hands again I will start by going a night out dancing.' Around 45 people in Belgium get infected with a acanthamoeba parasite every year Approximately 125 suffer annually in the UK Doctors advise against taking a shower or swimming while wearing soft contacts and say those who do so should throw them away immediately afterwards There is much less of a risk with hard lenses because they repel water contacts should be cleaned with special cleaner solution and not with tap water Swimming or showering while wearing contact lenses puts a person at risk of blindness can infect the cornea - the 'clear window' at the front of the eye The burrowing amoeba can penetrate through the eyeball causing total vision loss within just a matter of weeks An analysis of all incidents recorded in the past 18 years showed that 86 per cent of patients had swam with their lenses in according to a study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology Contact lenses can create small abrasions in the eye which make it easier for the amoeba to attach when the eye comes into contact with water the scientists also highlighted the risk of rinsing lenses with tap water It can also be found in tap water and soil Although AK are generally harmless to humans cornea infections can be extremely painful Treatment usually involves antiseptic drops that kill the amoeba which may need to be taken every hour for the first few days Source: Moorfields Eye Hospital   Woman lost her eye when she took a shower while wearing contactsCommenting on this article has endedNewest{{#isModerationStatus}}{{moderationStatus}} After the Second World War almost three million people emigrated from the Netherlands to countries such as Canada and Australia The government information was anything but objective Professor by Special Appointment of Dutch Studies/Dutch Literature Ton van Kalmthout concludes in his inaugural lecture After the war there was a mass exodus of Dutch people who dreamt of a better life overseas They had their own reasons to pack their bags: overpopulation the stultifying environment or a dramatic or dubious war history the Netherlands had big problems to contend with such as a housing shortage so for decades people were encouraged to emigrate to countries such as Canada Hence the bombastic publications by the Dutch emigration service (1959) ends with a slogan straight from an advert: ‘Achieving life satisfaction: That’s what emigration is about!’ Van Kalmthout: ‘It’s booster literature that praises the emigration countries for their space employment and pleasant climate and the cheerful and welcoming population.’ They attracted almost three million Dutch migrants in the period 1946-1992 Van Kalmthout researches the different functions of emigration literature: what picture do the publications paint of migration the migrants themselves and the possibilities in the emigration countries He also researchers autobiographical texts such as books of correspondence almost heroic picture of the emigrants themselves: tough In his inaugural lecture he focuses on publications about Australia The books and guides from the 1950s and 1960s are often extremely racist in their descriptions of the indigenous people as ‘the most primitive people still walking the earth.’ Van Kalmthout noticed that many publications about Australia adopt each other’s one-sided depictions of the country But some texts draw attention to the drawbacks of migration and are even ‘antipropaganda’ In the book ‘I am going to emigrate!’ (1954) three Dutch clergymen warn about the dissolute life in Australia and advise against making the crossing in memoires and books of correspondence for instance are just as diverse as the authors themselves ranging from tales of bliss to painful stories of disillusionment Over the next few years Van Kalmthout wants to expand the research to include the role of literature in migration processes as well as English literature and more emigration countries Just look at all the TV shows about people emigrating the difficulties or looming failure: it’s a really good way to get a story going or to give it a new twist.’ Ton van Kalmthout is Professor by Special Appointment of International Exchange of Dutch Literation in Historical Perspective He researches the dissemination of Dutch literature abroad and the import of German French and English literature in the 19th century.   Photo above article: Waving off loved ones who are making the crossing to America with the Holland America Line on 14 July 1951 The Japanese cherry trees and magnolias are already in full bloom at the Arboretum in Kalmthout This is exceptionally early and earlier than usual we are already able to enjoy the white and red flowers three weeks earlier than usual," says Bram Rammeloo "The good weather of the last few days has evoked a real spring atmosphere at the Arboretum," says Rammeloo "The Japanese cherry trees are enjoying the first warmth and releasing a shower of red and white flowers." But how exceptional is it that the spring blooms are already open "I have a very hard time remembering when both cherry trees and magnolias were blooming so early and so beautifully A lot has shifted in nature in recent years The seasons are flowing into each other more quickly," explains Rammeloo "We used to have a little break between the winter bloomers - with the witch-hazels and snowdrops - and the spring bloomers they have spontaneously blended into each other There is now a continuous flowering period," Rammeloo notes "That's because of the temperature It is dry and sunny and still cold at night The warm temperatures open the blooms early and the low temperatures keep them blooming for longer We are twice as lucky and can take full advantage of spring." The fact that there are already so many beautiful blooms at the Arboretum has not escaped visitors' notice either "We see that there are many more visitors It's nice that people can enjoy the beauty of the blossoms so early," Rammeloo says Paul Brand is Leading Britain's Conversation A British clergyman has died following a night involving drugs and sexual activity with a Belgian priest who has since been arrested on drug-related charges according to Belgian authorities on Saturday was spending Thursday evening with a fellow priest Shortly after midnight, the Belgian priest contacted emergency services, but they were unable to revive the British clergyman, according to the MailOnline. The man had reportedly been visiting colleagues to coincide with the Pope's visit to Belgium "It appears the two men had taken ecstasy and poppers together and engaged in sexual activity Two ecstasy pills were also discovered," the prosecutor's office stated and the autopsy has yet to reveal the exact cause of death Traces of ecstasy were reportedly found on the body and narcotics in the blood The 60-year-old priest was questioned by an investigating judge and subsequently taken into custody He now faces charges of drug trafficking resulting in death where he met with 17 survivors of clergy sexual abuse he expressed the church’s commitment to providing support and assistance to the victims Read more: 'Not all cultures are equally valid': Kemi Badenoch sparks row over immigration comments Read more: Kris Kristofferson was 'something special' says Barbra Streisand following death at 88 See more More Latest News See more Latest News See more The News Explained See more Royals See more Highlights & Opinion See more More Topics A British clergyman died after a night of sex and drugs with a Belgian priest who has since been arrested on drug-related charges was spending the evening with his fellow cleric After taking ecstasy and poppers together and having sex The sudden arrest of the pastor, visiting colleagues as the Pope travelled through Belgium, has left the small parish of Heide in shock 'It appears that the two men had used ecstasy and poppers together and had had sex,' the prosecutor's office revealed on Saturday 'Two ecstasy pills were also found,' they said on Saturday Poppers refers to amyl nitrite, a liquid compound that can be inhaled for a brief rush of mild euphoria and dizziness 'Traces of narcotics were found on the victim's body,' Kristof Aerts of the Antwerp public prosecutor's office said An initial urine test showed ecstasy had been taken but an autopsy will be required to prove cause of death An investigation was ongoing and the initial autopsy could not immediately provide any conclusive information into the exact cause of the death The 60-year-old priest was questioned by the investigating judge on Friday and gave a statement The public prosecutor revealed only that 'some elements of his statement require further investigation' and is now facing charges of 'trafficking in narcotics resulting in death' The man had reportedly been visiting colleagues to coincide with the Pope's visit to Belgium Pope Francis concluded his weekend trip to Belgium on Sunday after facing some of the strongest criticism yet levied during a foreign visit In a meeting with Belgian dignitaries on Friday both King Philippe and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo called for more concrete action to help survivors of abuse by Catholic clergy And in later events at two Catholic universities officials denounced his stance on the role of women in the church and society Francis did not specifically mention the criticisms at his last event in Belgium on Sunday a celebration of Mass at Brussels' King Baudouin soccer stadium But the pope did add to the prepared text for his sermon and made a strong condemnation of Catholic clergy abuse 'There is no place for abuse,' the pontiff said drawing scattered applause from the estimated 37,000 attendees 'There is no place for the cover-up of abuse The Pope also faced scrutiny on Saturday as he addressed an audience at UCLouvain Professors and students issued a press release moments after he finished speaking saying they wanted to express their 'disapproval' of his views The pope's speech at the university largely called for global action on climate change, but he also responded to a letter to him from students and professors that had asked about the Catholic Church's teaching on women.  Francis emphasised that the church, which bans ordination of women to the priesthood, was not run like a corporation. He described women as having 'a fertile welcome, care (and) vital devotion'.  Earlier this month, a British vicar who claimed his crystal meth habit helped him relate to his parishioners was expelled by the Church of England. Rev Geoffrey Baulcomb admitted to buying and using drugs, including heroin, from time to time over a period of 20 years after police raided his home and found a stash of meth and ketamine in 2022. Baulcomb retired from the historic St Mary the Virgin church in Eastbourne, East Sussex, several years ago, but was still an ordained priest at the time of the offence. A tribunal organised by the Church of England concluded his 'attempt to justify drug taking as a part of his ministry' was 'entirely misconceived'. 'The small amount of crystal meth found was purchased last May and I sampled a small amount,' he told officials. 'I totally accept I was wrong to have them. I am only too well aware of the high standards of my calling as a priest.' Baulcomb was permanently banned from any position in the church and faces jail when sentenced next month. {{message}}