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William and Kate keep calm and carry on

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were devastated when topless photos of Kate were published last week, but you’d never guess it by looking at them.

The royal couple seemed happy and relaxed as they arrived in the Solomon Islands yesterday.

They smiled and waved at the 70,000-strong crowd and seemed unaffected by the scandal. William and Kate even joked with British press photographers before posing for them, something they rarely do.

The Duke and Duchess are coming to the end of their nine-day tour of Asia and the South Pacific.

William and Kate visibly enjoyed their evening in the Solomon Islands.

The royal couple seemed happy and carefree.

Kate arrived in a John Saunders dress with a bespoke hat by Jane Taylor.

They greeted the crowd from a grand canoe float.

Kate seemed unaffected by the topless photo scandal.

The Duchess is said to be privately worried more intimate images will surface.

In his speech, William said the tour had been a “great thrill”.

Kate spent lots of time chatting to local kids.

Kate’s batik dress was a gift from the Solomon Islands government.

Kate liked it so much she wore it to her evening banquet instead of her planned outfit.

Kate wore a blue lace Temperley dress in Malayasia.

The Duchess hasn’t stopped smiling throughout the tour.

Kate and William in Malaysia.

The couple were in high spirits in Malaysia.

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Prince Harry vows to stay in Afghanistan

Generals fired over Prince Harry kidnap attempt

Harry will see out his four month tour of Afghanistan despite threats and attacks

Despite targeted attacks and death threats, Prince Harry has vowed to see out his four-month deployment in Afghanistan.

Only weeks after his controversial nude photo scandal, Harry found himself in more serious trouble. Last Friday his base camp in Afghanistan, where he is serving his second tour of duty as a helicopter pilot, was the target of a deadly Taliban attack following death threats against the Prince.

Related: Taliban death threats for Prince Harry

Defence experts support Harry’s decision to stay at Camp Bastion, saying that withdrawing him from Afghanistan would play into the Taliban’s hands and would be a victory for them.

Concerns have been raised over the Prince’s safety following the attack on Friday in which Taliban fighters armed with rocket-propelled grenades invaded the camp killing two US Marines and seriously wounding four British airmen.

The Taliban has said the attack was carried out to specifically target Harry and as revenge for a mocking internet video that has also been the source of riots around the globe, including violent protests in Sydney over the weekend.

“We attacked that base because Prince Harry was also on it and so they can know our anger,” a Taliban spokesperson said, adding that thousands more suicide attackers would also be prepared to give up their lives in defence or their beliefs, and were willing to make an example of Prince Harry.

The Prince, known as Harry Wales in the army, was rushed to safety as the attacks began, and a military official confirmed Harry’s safety, playing down concerns for the Prince.

“He was accompanied by protection officers. Harry was carrying a loaded weapon, so was every member of personnel at Camp Bastion. This is a new security procedure adopted earlier this year. A number of incidents led us to raise the security profile,” the military source said.

Related: Why is naked Harry a hero and topless Kate a fool

“He was not in danger and he resumed his training on Saturday as planned. He is fine and will not be going anywhere.”

Harry is due to remain at the remote camp until January, and has encouragement from British MPs and the Ministry of Defence to do so.

“To hell with them,” MP Colonel Bob Stewart said.

“Harry wants to go there and our soldiers want him there. He should stay.”

Your say: Do you think Prince Harry should stay in Afghanistan?

Video: Prince Harry target of Taliban raid

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Michael Clarke and Kyly Boldy’s love nest

Michale Clarke and Kyly Boldy's love nest

The Aussie cricket captain and his beautiful bride have bought themselves a stunning rural pad.

It’s a picturesque country property that boasts everything from a stylish, architect-designed four-bedroom house with manicured gardens to a tennis court, equestrian centre, nine paddocks and even a lake with a boathouse and fountain. Most fittingly, considering it is the new abode of Aussie cricket captain Michael Clarke and his wife Kyly, there’s also an irrigated, picket-fenced oval with a cricket pitch.

The couple reportedly snapped up the sprawling property for around $3.25 million. As far as Michael and Kyly, both 31, are concerned, Round Hill – a 93 hectare farm near the town of Berrima in NSW’s beautiful Southern Highlands – is the perfect venue for an elite cricket coaching academy, something Michael has wanted to establish for as long as he can remember.

“I have dreamed about doing something like this all my life, but because of my playing schedule I never had the time to act on it,” he recently told The Daily Telegraph. Michael hopes the academy will be ready to open its doors within the next year or two to train junior cricketers from around the world in all areas of the game, including diet and fitness.

And he has no doubt about who is responsible for inspiring him to fulfil his vision – his interior- designer wife of four months. “Kyly’s been amazing,” he said. “She took the dream and turned it into a reality. Her experience in design and property management will help make this academy happen, and I couldn’t be happier about it.”

Read more and see the pictures of the pair’s dream house in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday September 17, 2012.

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Kate and Wills’ baby joy!

Kate and Wills' baby joy!

Glowing Kate ramps up the pregnancy excitement while Wills is already anticipating number two!

It’s the pitter-patter of little feet the world has been waiting for since William and Kate tied the knot. And now speculation is mounting among long-time royal watchers that a pregnancy announcement is imminent. The evidence of a royal heir in the offing stacked up almost by the hour as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made their way around South-East Asia last week.

In fact, the second Kate set foot in Singapore, onlookers noted her tummy-skimming dress by Jenny Packham, and the way she hovered her hands over her belly. “Kate is glowing and at a good guess there will be news soon,” said one onlooker. “It’s a natural instinct from a pregnant lady to touch her bump.” Some witnesses also pointed out that the slim royal was slightly puffy around the face – though others fobbed it off as jet lag.

But there was no denying each of her outfit choices was ideal to conceal a baby secret, with empire lines, A-lines and peplums the order of the day. The buzz rose to a dull roar at two official dinners. Despite the flowing alcohol, Kate left her glass untouched – instead toasting with water on both occasions. While Wills opted to sip red wine as he mingled, he too joined Kate in a water when it came time to clink glasses during an official photo op.As one eagle-eyed blogger noted, “William is keeping Catherine company in drinking water. That’s lovely!”

But the real kicker came when William, who let his guard down while speaking to some children in Singapore, confirmed he was looking forward to becoming a father. “Someone asked him how many children he would like to have,” says local teen Corine Ackermann. “He said he was thinking about having two.” As one British commentator explains, “I have a sneaking suspicion Wills has only come out and said this now because Kate is actually [pregnant]!”

Read more about William and Kate’s tour in Singapore in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday September 17, 2012.

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Tom Cruise’s rebound romance

Tom Cruise's rebound romance

The former co-stars get up close and personal in the UK.

It’s the rebound romance nobody saw coming: newly divorced Tom Cruise and his Knight And Day co-star Cameron Diaz have been busted on a romantic date in London. And industry spies say the A-listers have more in common than you think.

Tom and Cam were first spotted having an intimate dinner at the swanky Coworth Park hotel in honour of Cameron’s 40th birthday. Sources say it’s no coincidence she chose to celebrate with Tom, 50.

“She thinks Tom is awesome,” a source tells US magazine In Touch. “I think they’ve hooked up in the past. They have crazy good chemistry.” That chemistry has been well-documented on screen, with the two playing lovers in Vanilla Sky and in the action blockbuster Knight And Day.

“They’ve always gotten along really well; they’re totally tight. Cameron says Tom is an awesome guy,” a source reveals to Life & Style. Friends say Cameron’s feisty personality and killer body are right up Tom’s alley. “Cameron is totally Tom’s type – A-list, stunning and strong,” a source says. Now all eyes are on London, where Cameron and Tom will both be based for work for the next few months.

Read more about Tom and Cameron in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday September 17, 2012.

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Is George Clooney single again?

Is George Clooney single again?

Rumours swirl that the hunky actor has added Stacy Keibler to his broken hearts club.

It appears that Stacy Keibler has become the latest in a long line of Hollywood beauties who have found themselves dumped by George Clooney. Making matters worse is that her reported ousting came just as she thought she was about to receive a proposal from the notoriously commitment-phobic 51-year-old, despite his insistence he would never get married again.

Their alleged break-up, which would be officially “announced any day”, according to the UK’s The Sun newspaper, came just weeks after the impossibly attractive pair spent a month at George’s idyllic Lake Como villa in Italy. In a surprise move, George also invited his parents Nick and Nina to meet his leggy lady – no doubt prompting Stacy, 32, to see a diamond sparkler in the not-too-distant future. What happened next left Stacy humiliated.

“George gave her a jewellery box with a gold ring inside – and when she opened it she could not believe her eyes,” a source close to Stacy tells Woman’s Day. “She was crying and just saying ‘Yes, yes, yes!’ over and over again. But then George said, ‘What do you mean? I’m not proposing. This is a present. I bought it for you because I thought you’d like it.’”

Rubbing salt into the wound, two days later, Stacy received a big offer to return to the US version of Dancing With The Stars, but she knocked it back. Those close to Stacy say a tweet she posted hours later could offer some insight. It read, “Don’t settle for a relationship that won’t let you be yourself.” Our insider explains that it was clear George had put his foot down.

Read more about George and Stacy in this week’s Woman’s Day on sale Monday September 17, 2012.

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Weekend at last: schoolgirl Suri Cruise jumps for joy

Suri Cruise has only been attending school for four days, but she has already learnt that weekends are a cause for celebration.
Suri Cruise and Katie Holmes

Suri Cruise has only been attending school for four days, but she has already learnt that weekends are a cause for celebration.

Suri, six, was home-schooled before she started first grade at New York’s prestigious Avenues School on Tuesday.

She looked terrified as she arrived for her first day, and things didn’t seem to have improved by mid-week, when she was photographed looking tearful in a Manhattan tea shop.

But by Saturday, Suri was back to her cheerful self, jumping and singing while walking with mother Katie Holmes.

Suri jumped and danced her way down the New York street.

Suri also sang as she walked.

Suri seemed unimpressed when mum Katie Holmes asked her to calm down.

Suri’s father Tom did not attend his daughter’s first day of school.

Dessert

Suri was snapped looking tearful in a cafe on Thursday.

She wore her school uniform to the tea shop.

Suri looked understandably terrified on her first day of school.

Suri has a history of playing up for the cameras, pulling this face last month.

Suri also acted up for the papparazzi last November.

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Share the joy of reading with Australia’s biggest book fair

Share the joy of reading with Australia’s biggest book fair

Two years ago, Richelle Watson stood in front of a classroom of children, her heart racing and her palms sweating. She looked to her Community Action Support mentor for guidance, then plunged into her first day of teaching.

This achievement would not have been possible without the Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation program which helped Richelle, an Aborigine whose native language is Warumungu, learn to read and write.

Now, the children she teaches often climb over one another to show her their work, request games and ask her questions about herself.

Richelle is fortunate to be able to read and write, and teach others to do the same. The Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation’s co-founder, Kim Kelly, says only one in five indigenous children living in remote areas can read at the minimum standard, which includes words of just three or four letters.

“This means if you walked into a classroom of 20 children, only four would be able to read,” Kim says.

“This is not good. It is not good at all. Australia needs to do something now.”

The program Richelle credits for her newfound skills is one of many run by the Foundation to help combat this “shocking” statistic. Kim says the programs are designed to improve opportunities for aboriginal children by teaching them to read, so they can help others to do the same.

“We help kids to write their own future,” Kim says.

But there is more that can be done. Kim is calling on all Australians to grab some friends, a cup of coffee, a slice of cake and start swapping their old books as part of Australia’s Biggest Annual Bookfair on September 20.

These morning teas are fun way to recycle old books, while helping aboriginal children learn to read by raising funds for the Literacy & Numeracy Foundation.

“People are taking a new book home with them, to share with their families. They’re sharing and learning,” Kim says.

The Foundation has programs in place across Australia including the Northern Territory, Queensland and both regional and rural New South Wales.

More information and registrations visit www.biggestbookfair.com.au.

Related video: Literacy tests.

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Royal scandal: Magazine to print topless photos of Kate

Royal scandal: Magazine to print topless photos of Kate

The Duchess of Cambridge and the Closer magazine cover.

Just weeks after Prince Harry was photographed naked in Las Vegas, a French magazine is planning to publish topless photos of the Duchess of Cambridge.

The images of Kate were reportedly taken by unscrupulous paparazzi while she and William were on holidays in France last week.

In pictures: Love blooms for William and Kate in Singapore

The photos were bought by French gossip magazine Closer, which has announced it will publish them today.

A teaser was posted on the magazine’s website last night reading “World Exclusive; Kate and William in Provence: Oh My God!”

The site also published a pixelated version on the cover, which appears to show the Duchess in a bikini, apparently about to remove her top.

The magazine’s editor Laurence Pieau said Harry would feel “less alone” when the issue hit the stands this morning.

She said the images show Kate “fully topless” and some show her nipples clearly.

“A little more than a year after their marriage, the royal couple was offered a romantic getaway, far from the protocol and etiquette in their very own garden of Eden,” the Closer website teaser reads.

“Almost alone in the world … because Closer was there! After the holidays of Prince Harry in Las Vegas, discover the very sensual shots of Kate Middleton and her husband Prince William.

“Discover the incredible pictures of the future Queen of England as you’ve never seen her before … and as you will never see her again!”

The decision to print the images is certain to enrage St James’s Palace, which tries to protect William, Kate and Harry’s privacy at all times.

UK media have agreed not to publish any private images of the royals, and the rest of the world has followed suit, with a few recent exceptions, like Prince Harry’s recent naked Las Vegas photos.

In pictures: Shocking royal scandals

The Weekly chooses to respect the royal family’s privacy and does not publish any unauthorised images.

We did not run Harry’s nude pictures, and will not be publishing any topless images of Kate, or any others taken in private situations.

Your say: Do you think more publications should refuse to publish private pictures of the royal family?

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Kate ‘saddened’ by topless photos

Kate 'saddened' by topless photos

The Duchess of Cambridge visiting the Assyakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur.

The Duchess of Cambridge is reportedly “saddened” and “disappointed” by a French magazine’s decision to publish topless photos of her.

Kate and William were informed of the images this morning over breakfast on day four of their tour of Asia and the South Pacific.

“The Duke and the Duchess were told at breakfast and are obviously saddened and disappointed if they are genuine as they believe they have a right to privacy — particularly on holiday,” a senior royal source told the UK’s Daily Mail.

Related: Why is naked Harry a hero and topless Kate a fool?

The couple are now said to be considering taking legal action.

Despite the bad news, the Duchess looked perfectly poised when she emerged 30 minutes later to visit a mosque in Kuala Lumpur.

Kate donned a conservative white dress for the trip to Assyakirin Mosque, covering her hair with a white scarf.

Afterwards, William and Kate attended a gala in a nearby park.

The topless images of Kate were reportedly taken by paparazzi while she and William were on holidays in France last week.

The photos were bought by French gossip magazine Closer, which has announced it will publish them today.

A teaser was posted on the magazine’s website last night reading “World Exclusive; Kate and William in Provence: Oh My God!”

The site also published a pixelated version on the cover, which appears to show the Duchess in a bikini, apparently about to remove her top.

The magazine’s editor Laurence Pieau said Harry would feel “less alone” when the issue hit the stands this morning.

She said the images show Kate “fully topless” and some show her nipples clearly.

The decision to print the images is certain to enrage St James’s Palace, which tries to protect William, Kate and Harry’s privacy at all times.

UK media have agreed not to publish any private images of the royals, and the rest of the world has followed suit, with a few recent exceptions, like Prince Harry’s recent naked Las Vegas photos.

Related: Magazine to print topless photos of Kate

The Weekly chooses to respect the royal family’s privacy and does not publish any unauthorised images.

We did not run Harry’s nude pictures, and will not be publishing any topless images of Kate, or any others taken in private situations.

Related stories


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