Latest news with #Birgitte
CTV News
09-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
B.C. senior who survived WWII bombing knits to support people enduring war
Adam finds out the explosive story that led to a Saanich senior's crafty caring. Adam finds out the explosive story that led to a Saanich senior's crafty caring. SAANICH, B.C. — No matter where she goes, Birgitte has been wearing one particular pin. 'I've been knitting them now for three years,' she says, showing how the pin looks like tiny knitting needles creating a small Ukrainian flag. To appreciate why she's still making them after many people stopped showing their support of the war-torn country, we need to go back 80 years to when Birgitte was growing up in Europe during the Second World War. That's when young Birgitte was awoken one night with a bang. 'The bomb came and blew out our windows,' Birgitte recalls. Birgitte and her brother were alone in their bedroom, facing flames rising from a hole in the floor. 'I said, 'I can't move. I can't move,'' Birgitte imitates her younger self's voice. 'I was absolutely stuck with fear.' Although her brother was just two years older, he ran to her rescue. 'Then I stopped being frozen,' she says. 'He held my hand, and we walked out.' Birgitte lost her home that day, and by the time she'd reached elementary school had also lost both her parents. 'You had difficulties,' she says. 'But you just had to try and learn how to cope.' Like when Birgitte struggled to learn how to read and write and was eventually diagnosed with dyslexia. 'I've never been treated like I was stupid or incapable,' Birgitte says. Instead, the caring grandparents who raised her encouraged Birgitte to focus on her strengths. '[My grandmother] taught me how to knit,' Birgitte smiles. 'I could do knitting and sewing long before my friends could.' That support not only inspired Brigitte to purse her passion professionally, it motivated a lifetime of volunteering to help others facing adversity. 'I don't like things that are not fair,' Birgitte says. So, when she saw what was happening in Ukraine, she couldn't help but think of the young girls experiencing war like she once did. 'If I could raise a bit of money doing a little bit of something, why on earth wouldn't I?' Birgitte recalls thinking. But Birgitte never imagined her little hand-made flags pins would end up raising a lot of money for the Red Cross in Ukraine. 'Pretty close to having raised $20,000,' Birgitte says. And the 87-year-old has no plans to quit. Because like her big brother's bravery, like her grandparents unconditional loving, Birgitte is determined to make a positive difference in the lives of others. 'We all have things that we can do,' Birgitte says. 'It may not be something earth-shaking, but at least you've tried to do something.'
CTV News
09-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
B.C. senior who survived WWII bombing knits to to support people enduring war
Adam finds out the explosive story that led to a Saanich senior's crafty caring. SAANICH, B.C. — No matter where she goes, Birgitte has been wearing one particular pin. 'I've been knitting them now for three years,' she says, showing how the pin looks like tiny knitting needles creating a small Ukrainian flag. To appreciate why she's still making them after many people stopped showing their support of the war-torn country, we need to go back 80 years to when Birgitte was growing up in Europe during the Second World War. That's when young Birgitte was awoken one night with a bang. 'The bomb came and blew out our windows,' Birgitte recalls. Birgitte and her brother were alone in their bedroom, facing flames rising from a hole in the floor. 'I said, 'I can't move. I can't move,'' Birgitte imitates her younger self's voice. 'I was absolutely stuck with fear.' Although her brother was just two years older, he ran to her rescue. 'Then I stopped being frozen,' she says. 'He held my hand, and we walked out.' Birgitte lost her home that day, and by the time she'd reached elementary school had also lost both her parents. 'You had difficulties,' she says. 'But you just had to try and learn how to cope.' Like when Birgitte struggled to learn how to read and write and was eventually diagnosed with dyslexia. 'I've never been treated like I was stupid or incapable,' Birgitte says. Instead, the caring grandparents who raised her encouraged Birgitte to focus on her strengths. '[My grandmother] taught me how to knit,' Birgitte smiles. 'I could do knitting and sewing long before my friends could.' That support not only inspired Brigitte to purse her passion professionally, it motivated a lifetime of volunteering to help others facing adversity. 'I don't like things that are not fair,' Birgitte says. So, when she saw what was happening in Ukraine, she couldn't help but think of the young girls experiencing war like she once did. 'If I could raise a bit of money doing a little bit of something, why on earth wouldn't I?' Birgitte recalls thinking. But Birgitte never imagined her little hand-made flags pins would end up raising a lot of money for the Red Cross in Ukraine. 'Pretty close to having raised $20,000,' Birgitte says. And the 87-year-old has no plans to quit. Because like her big brother's bravery, like her grandparents unconditional loving, Birgitte is determined to make a positive difference in the lives of others. 'We all have things that we can do,' Birgitte says. 'It may not be something earth-shaking, but at least you've tried to do something.'
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Macron's office dismisses viral video of wife slapping him, says it was a 'moment of togetherness'
Macron was startled as his wife shoved him when the gate of his aircraft opened. After his handkerchief sent the world into a tizzy making them believe that it was a cocaine pouch, now French President Emmanuel Macron is again seen in a viral video where his wife, Brigitte Macron, appeared to have pushed Macron's face in a manner that looks like she slapped him. The incident took place Sunday evening as Macron arrived in Vietnam to begin his Southeast Asian tour. In a video shot by the Associated Press in Hanoi, Macom was seen emerging from his plane as he landed. His wife Birgitte's arm then emerged from the left of the door. She placed both her hands on her husband's face and gave it a shove. Not only were the onlookers surprised, but Macron too was startled enough by what happened and started waving through the door. His wife remained inside the aircraft, and her expressions could not be read. As the Vietnamese officials welcomed them, they got down the staircase, and Birgitte refused to take her husband's arm though he offered it. What made the whole episode worse is that Macron's office initially said nothing like that happened on the plane, questioning the authenticity of the video. But later, they decided to give a different spin to the incident and said the couple just had a moment of togetherness. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo A source close to the president told CNN affiliate BFM YTV that the couple were merely bickering and it was a "moment of togetherness". 'It was a moment when the president and his wife were unwinding one last time before the trip began, playfully teasing each other,' the source told CNN. 'No more was needed to feed the mills of the conspiracy theorists,' the source added. Earlier this month, Macron was at the heart of a viral fake news story that claimed he was using cocaine aboard a train to Kyiv alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The rumour was fueled by Krimlin's foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova who suggested that the 'viral cocaine scene' shows how dysfunctional Europe is -- including Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom Russia openly calls an addict.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Royal Family Makes Major Health Announcement Amid King Charles' Cancer Battle
The British royal family made a major health announcement amid III's cancer battle with news featuring . On Friday, May 23, the official royal family Instagram account shared photos from a ribbon cutting of a new transplant center at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, U.K. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 Birgitte, 78, is married to King Charles' first cousin, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, 80. In the update, Buckingham Palace revealed, "Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester has officially opened Edmonds Transplant Centre Birmingham at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. 🏥." It explained, "The new centre provides all the services that patients would need in their transplant journey, with the Birmingham-based hospital being the most active transplant centre in Europe." Among the major organ transplants carried out at hospital are heart, lung, liver and kidney, "The new centre will enable the hospital to continue to provide life-changing care to their patients," the post concluded. The news of the organ transplant center opening came amid King Charles' cancer journey. In February 2024, the monarch announced his diagnosis with an unspecified form of cancer. "His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties," the royal family shared in a statement. "Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual." Since then, King Charles, 76, has continued treatment and resumed royal duties—but with plenty of help from other members of the royal family. Next: Royal Family Makes Major Health Announcement Amid King Charles' Cancer Battle first appeared on Parade on May 23, 2025
