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Peaches Geldof’s death still a mystery

In the wake of Peaches Geldof's sudden death, there is speculation that the 25-year-old's dieting may have caused a heart attack.
Peaches Geldof.

Kent police said a post-mortem examination, which was held on Wednesday, proved inconclusive. The results of toxicology tests will not be available for several weeks.

The mother of two had spoken out about her juicing habits in the past. In an interview with OK! Magazine, she said: “You juice vegetables and then you drink it three times a day. It’s gross. I do it usually for about a month.”

The body of Peaches was discovered at her home in Kent, England on Monday and despite officers searching the property, police have described the death as non-suspicious but unexplained.

The Mail Online reported that no illicit drugs, suicide note or evidence of injury was found by police.

The second daughter of musician Bob Geldof and the late Paula Yates, Peaches was once known as a London party girl, but after marrying Thomas Cohen in 2012, many had watched her mature into a devoted wife and mother of two young boys. She frequently shared videos and pictures of her family on social media.

Tragically, her final tweet was of her as a baby in the arms of her late mother, Paula Yates. Peaches was just 11-years-old when her mother died from a heroin overdose.

Cohen said in a statement: “My beloved wife Peaches was adored by myself and her two sons Astala and Phaedra and I shall bring them up with their mother in their hearts every day. We shall love her forever.”

Bob Geldof also issued a statement to the media. “We are beyond pain. She was the wildest, funniest, cleverest, wittiest and the most bonkers of all of us,” the 62-year-old said. “Writing ‘was’ destroys me afresh. What a beautiful child. How is this possible that we will not see her again? How is that bearable?”

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Prince George steals toy at New Zealand playdate

He's just eight months old, but Prince George wasn't shy about exercising his royal prerogative today, snatching a toy from a fellow baby at his first ever public engagement.
Prince George steals toy

He’s just eight months old, but Prince George wasn’t shy about exercising his royal prerogative today, snatching a toy from a fellow baby at his first ever public engagement.

George was enjoying a play date with 10 other babies at Government House in Wellington when he took a shine to a wooden doll in possession of Amelia Howe.

The little prince reached for the doll and snatched it from Amelia before throwing it to the floor, where a smiling Duchess of Cambridge apologetically retrieved it from before handing it back to Amelia.

George seemed to have a wonderful time at his first official engagement.

It’s very normal behaviour for any baby, but will likely be retold to Amelia for the rest of her life.

Other than that tiny hiccup, the babies behaved admirably, letting out only an occasional wail as they played together on the plush carpet under grand chandeliers while their parents chatted.

The Duchess of Cambridge looked lovely in a black and white Tory Burch dress, chosen because it was New Zealand’s national colours.

Prince William wore a blue shirt, jeans, loafers and a brown and white patterned belt while George wore navy blue dungarees and a white t-shirt.

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David Jones in $2.15bn foreign takeover bid

The deal, which has been recommended to David Jones shareholders by its board of directors, is offering $4.00 for each share, about 25 per cent above the current David Jones share price.

In recent months David Jones has been the subject of recurring speculation about a takeover from competitor Myer but the new offer from Woolworth’s now makes that extremely unlikely. The offer is far beyond anything Myer is capable of making in the current retail climate.

Woolworth’s CEO Ian Moir annoucing the takeover bid.

Woolworth’s CEO Ian Moir annoucing the takeover bid.

There are many structural issues facing department store operations in Australia. Just a few years ago, David Jones shares were trading at $6. Today they are worth $3.19.

Woolworth’s is a respected and well-run company which also owns the Country Road, Mimco, Witchery and Trenery brands and is valued at $5.6 billion.

It’s CEO Ian Moir was formerly the CEO of Country Road and knows the Australian market place intimately, a fact seen by many commentators as a big plus for the offer.

When Woolworth’s took over Country Road a few years ago – it owns 90 per cent of the iconic clothing company – it’s share price was $3.33. It now trades at $15 and is considered one of the great resuscitations of Australian business.

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Hey Dad! star victim: ‘I got off lightly’

Sarah Monahan, the child star of the TV comedy series Hey Dad!, on A Current Affair.

Sarah Monahan, the child star of the TV comedy series Hey Dad!, on A Current Affair.

After a gruelling four-year investigation, Hughes was convicted this week in a Sydney court of 10 counts of sexual abuse against a number of child victims in crimes that range back more than 20 years.

Sarah, who endured seeing Hughes expose himself to her while she was on set, and who told her story first to Woman’s Day magazine and then again of A Current Affair in 2010, says in a an ACA special that airs tonight that she “was thrilled for the other girls” when the actor was found guilty on Monday.

“It wasn’t about me,” she said. “He did some awful, terrible things to them. I feel like I got away lightly.”

Sarah will appear tonight in a special group interview conducted by ACA host Tracy Grimshaw with her fellow cast members Ben Oxenbould, Christopher Trusgrove, Simone Buchanan and Julie McGregor.

In other news, casting agent Liz Mullinar told News Ltd that she was called in to help replace Hughes after he was forced to leave the top rating series by producers in 1994 because “the cast didn’t want him on the program”.

She says she told Hughes’ wife celebrity manager Robyn Gardner, a long time personal friend, about the suspicions surrounding her husband.

“She didn’t believe me then and obviously she’s sticking by her husband now. It was my decision at the time that telling her was also the right thing to do … (but) she completely rejected the concept,” Mullinar said.

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Victim’s mum not convinced by Pistorius tears

Oscar Pistorius breaks down in court.

Oscar Pistorius breaks down in court.

Throughout the former paralympian runner’s sobbing and tearful testimony, June, who along with her husband has waited 15 months to hear some kind of apology from the man who shot dead her daughter, remained stony faced and implacable.

It was the face of a woman who has already run her own emotional race and is now waiting for this gruelling ordeal to be over.

Reeva’s mother June Steenkamp was stony-faced throughout Pistorius’ testimony.

Reeva’s mother June Steenkamp was stony-faced throughout Pistorius’ testimony.

She has already lost so much. Her daughter Reeva, a model and the so-called Bladerunner’s girlfriend, was shot four times by Pistorius, who claims he thought she was an intruder, through the bathroom door of his Pretoria home on Valentine’s Day last year. June’s husband Barry, a horse trainer, suffered a series of strokes after Reeva’s death.

June has previously spoken of her reasons for attending the trial. She told a television interviewer at the beginning of proceedings: “The whole point was that he must see me there. I’m her mother and what happened to her was terrible. I wanted him to see me there – that I’m there representing Reeva.”

Recalling the first time she set eyes on Pistorius in the court room, she said:  “I wanted to see him and for him to see me. I just felt that I had to do that. But he didn’t look at me or anything. He just walked straight and looked ahead.”

Pistorius’ performance in the witness stand yesterday was greeted poorly by many commentators who saw it as self-serving. “Oscar Pistorius is a pathetic, snivelling coward,” wrote Miranda Devine in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph. “Boo hoo, he can’t sleep. Well, his girlfriend can’t wake up.”

Arnold and Lois Pistorius cried throughout their son’s testimony.

Arnold and Lois Pistorius cried throughout their son’s testimony.

Yesterday was the first time Pistorius has taken the stand but it will be far from his last. He will now face intense questioning from a prosecution intent on examining every detail of his version of events, interrogations that may last weeks.

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Prince George meets fellow babies at first royal engagement

He is quickly becoming the most popular royal and he’s only eight months old!

He is quickly becoming the most popular royal and he’s only eight months old!

He is quickly becoming the most popular royal and he’s only eight months old!

Prince George joined his parents the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at his first royal engagement today, where he met 10 other sets of parents and their children  – six girls and four boys all born around the same time as him.

The event was held inside Government House in Wellington to celebrate the work of the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society, a child welfare charity.

The tiny future king played with the other children and even stole another little girl’s toy doll after taking a liking to it. An apologetic Duchess Catherine quickly retrieved it before handing it back to its rightful owner.

See all of the adorable pictures here.

Catherine the Duchess off Cambridge and her son Prince George have a playdate at Government House in Wellington. Image: Twitter.

Prince George plays with a new friend. Image: Twitter.

Catherine and Prince George chat to others at the event. Image: Twitter.

Prince George plays with other children at the event. Image: Twitter.

The Duchess plays with Prince George.

Cheeky Prince George pulls his mum’s hair.

Adorable Prince George!

George plays with his mum’s hair.

Prince George holds on to his wooden toy.

Prince George loves his mum’s hair!

Prince George is presented with a big blue teddy bear.

Prince George swaps toys with baby Amelia.

Kisses between mummy and Prince George.

Ready,set, go! Prince George is set to get moving!

The little Prince looks all worn out and has a rest on his mothers shoulder, after a big day mixing with other children.

Plunket’s special message for Prince George.

He is quickly becoming the most popular royal and he’s only eight months old!

Prince George loved mixing and mingling with others his age.

The lucky ten families who were chosen to meet the young prince.

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Stephanie Rice retires from swimming

Aussie swimming sensation, Stephanie Rice, has officially retired.

The three-time Olympic champion made the shocking announcement via video post on her website.

The 25-year-old Queenslander, who took some time out from the pool after the 2012 London Olympics, told her fans she was sad about her decision but said she was excited for what’s ahead.

“I definitely feel like I’m losing a part of myself but I’m really excited about what’s to come,” she said.

“To everyone who has supported me along an incredible journey, thank you so very much.”

The former Celebrity Apprentice contestant collected three gold medals and three world records in the 200m and 400m individual medleys and the 4x200m freestyle at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

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Stephanie Rice retires from swimming

Stephanie Rice.

The 25-year-old took a break from the sport after the London Olympics and has been deciding whether to return to the pool.

Rice has since moved to Sydney and spent her time working in breakfast television with the Today Show.

The former Celebrity Apprentice star has been plagued by a serious shoulder injury.

She said it was now time to prove herself out of the water.

“I definitely feel like I am losing a part of myself,” Rice said in a video released on her website. “To everyone who has support me along an incredible journey, thank you so very much”.

Rice won three races at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, claiming gold in the 200m and 400m individual medley; and the 4x200m freestyle relay.

                     Stephanie Rice poses with one of her gold medals at the Beijing Olympics.

                     Stephanie Rice poses with one of her gold medals at the Beijing Olympics.

                     Stephanie Rice poses with one of her gold medals at the Beijing Olympics.

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The Duchess of Cambridge set to sparkle in Kiwi designed jewellery

She’s earned the crown of a fashion icon, and when it comes to her jewellery repertoire, the Duchess of Cambridge doesn’t disappoint.

She’s earned the crown of a fashion icon, and when it comes to her jewellery repertoire, the Duchess of Cambridge doesn’t disappoint.

She’s earned the crown of a fashion icon, and when it comes to her jewellery repertoire, the Duchess of Cambridge doesn’t disappoint.

In preparation of her Royal Tour of New Zealand and Australia, Duchess Catherine has been spoilt for choice when it comes to local designer jewellery.

She was sent a selection of pieces from Wellington-based jewellery boutique Tory & Ko, owned by Kirstin O’Brien and Victoria Taylor. They were encouraged to pass on their pieces by fashion designer Rebecca Taylor, who has created outfits for Catherine in the past.

“We gave recommendations of what we thought she should wear and they said, ‘No, we want this and this and this,’” Kristin said.

“We’ve had lots of enquiries about the pieces she’s chosen – it’s been phenomenal.

“We feel really humble because she has not worn anything yet. We really can’t believe it, it’s a real honour.”

Catherine was sent four flawless items from the Kiwi boutique, including three pairs of custom-made earrings and a stunning necklace.

One pair features a striking citrine gem, while the other, a perfect blue topaz. The Duchess was also treated to a pair of cultured pearl earrings, made from 18-carat gold with diamonds worth $2690.

Check out the pieces plus Catherine’s incredible jewellery collection here.

In preparation of her royal tour of New Zealand and Australia, Catherine has been spoilt for choice when it comes to local designer jewellery.

The Duchess chose a pair of cultured pearl and diamond earrings in 18ct white gold to wear on her Australian and New Zealand tour.

Catherine is expected to step out wearing a pair of 9ct gold and silver bow earrings with a citrine drop while on tour in Australia.

Her Royal Highness also opted for the same pair with a blue topaz drop, from the Kiwi boutique.

Catherine was sent a stunning necklace from the Kiwi boutique.

The Tory & Ko website has been flooded with visitors wanting the royal look.

The Tory & Ko website has been flooded with visitors wanting the royal look.

The Duchess and a young Queen Elizabeth wear the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace.

The Duchess showed off her glittering engagement ring when she wore this belted skirt and matching top in Singapore. .

Kate has been snapped sporting an adorable gold charm necklace by UK jeweller Merci Maman to honour her new baby boy, Prince George.

Earlier this year, The Duchess was snapped wearing a beautiful gown by her favourite designer Jenny Packham. She topped off her outfit with a stunning diamond necklace which she borrowed from Queen Elizabeth.

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Cate Blanchett linked to new film

Australian actress Cate Blanchett is in talks to star in The Dig a film about one of Britain's most famous archaeological finds.
Cate Blanchett at the 2014 Oscars.

The two-time Oscar winner may play amateur archaeologist Edith Pretty in the film, Screen Daily reports.

The grounds were unearthed on the Sutton Hoo House estate, near Woodbridge, Suffolk, in 1938 and 1939. Pretty owned the estate, along with her husband Frank, who died four years earlier.

During the excavations, many sixth and seventh century treasures, including a 27-metre seventh-century Saxon ship were found. Pretty donated the entire discovery to the British Museum.

According to Screen Daily, Oscar-winning Danish director Susanne Bier is set to direct the film.

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