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Prince Robert of Luxembourg announces youngest son's death

Prince Robert of Luxembourg has announced the heartbreaking loss of his youngest son, Frederik, at the age of 22. Frederik is Prince Robert's youngest son with wife Princess Julie of Nassau. According to a statement shared on the <a href="https://polgfoundation.org/frederik/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">POLG Foundation's</a> website, Frederik died on March 1 in Paris, France, from POLG Mitochondrial disease, a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive multiple organ dysfunction and failure. "It is with a very heavy heart that my wife and I would like to inform you of the passing of our son, The POLG Foundation Founder and Creative Director, Frederik," the statement, written by Robert began. Frederik, was born in Aix-en-Provence, France, on March 18, 2002, with POLG Mitochondrial disease, but was only diagnosed at the age of 14. He and his father later co-founded the POLG Foundation, with Frederik serving as Creative Director while Robert served as Chair. "Last Friday, February 28th, on 'Rare Disease Day', our beloved son called us in to his room to speak to him for one last time," the statement continued. "Frederik found the strength and the courage to say goodbye to each of us in turn." That included his brother, 27-year-old Prince Alexandre, his sister, 29-year-old Princess Charlotte and her 27-year-old husband, Mansour Shakarchi. Frederik also said his final goodbyes to his father's sister, Princess Charlotte, her husband Marc Victor Cunningham, and their three children: Charly, Louis, and Donall. "He had already spoken all that was in his heart to his extraordinary mother, who had not left his side in 15 years," Robert continued. "After gifting each of us with our farewells – some kind, some wise, some instructive – in true Frederik fashion, he left us collectively with a final long-standing family joke. "Even in his last moments, his humour, and his boundless compassion, compelled him to leave us with one last laugh….to cheer us all up." Prior to his other goodbye messages, Robert said, Frederik asked him: "Papa, are you proud of me?" "He had barely been able to speak for several days, so the clarity of these words was as surprising as the weight of the moment was profound," Robert wrote. "The answer was very easy, and he had heard it oh so many times, but at this time, he needed reassurance that he had contributed all that he possibly could in his short and beautiful existence and that he could now finally move on." "Frederik knows that he is my Superhero, as he is to all of our family, and to so very many good friends," Robert continued, noting how his son "was born with a special capacity for positivity, joy, and determination." "When he was little, I would always say that if there is one child of ours that I would never need to worry about, it was him," he continued. "He has social skills like no other, an amazing sense of humour, an emotional intelligence and compassion that were off the charts, a sense of justice, fairness and decency that knows no bounds. He was disciplined and organised beyond belief. " "Frederik is particularly headstrong (at times, I might have used the word stubborn). This serves him well. I cite him as being here in the present because I know that, though physically absent, he is still here, inspiring us and pushing us forward. His mission is not complete, and we all have much work left to do." Robert then thanked their family for their "messages of support and love", before asking those reading the tribute to volunteer with or donate to the POLG Foundation in Frederik's memory. "With our Superhero's help we hope to turn our deep grief into positive results and therewith follow his unwavering example," he wrote. "His ultimate message is one of hope, compassion, and resilience! We are all so very proud of you, Frederik. I am so very proud of you! We love you!" Images: The POLG Foundation

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Experts debunk dominant theory in Hackman deaths

It's been a week since acting legend Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy were both <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/sad-new-details-emerge-in-gene-hackman-case" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found dead</a> in their Santa Fe home. Gene, 95, was found dead in the home's mudroom, with his cane nearby, while his 65-year-old wife was found in the bathroom, near an open bottle of prescription pills. Preliminary autopsies have ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning as a cause of death, and Santa Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza confirmed the actor had likely died about nine days before the bodies were discovered. While there's been speculation that the death could have been a "companion suicide", experts have casted their doubts on this theory. James Gill, Chief Medical Examiner with the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, told <a href="https://people.com/gene-hackman-wife-betsy-suicide-less-likely-says-expert-exclusive-11690593" target="_blank" rel="noopener">People </a>that it is unlikely the couple decided to end their lives together, as their bodies were found in different locations. While he is not working on the case, he offered his expert opinion, saying: “I’ve seen cases like that — usually they’re together in bed,” “The fact that they’re in two separate locations tells me that I think that’s less likely.” One of the couple's three dogs was also found dead inside the home, adding to the mystery. “From the initial kind of circumstances, it seems like he may have collapsed — he’s got a history of heart disease. He’s got a pacemaker. So that would not be unusual,” Gill told People. He also ruled out the theory that he had died after Betty because she was not around to take care of him. “Sometimes we’ll see instances where someone is bedridden and maybe they have dementia and then their caregiver dies from a natural event, and then there’s no one there to take care of them, and then they can die from dehydration or what have you. I don’t think that’s the case in this,” he said. Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden believes that the couple's death could be the result of a tragic accident, suggesting that Hackman's pacemaker could provide clues as to what happened. “That event would have been a cardiac arrest caused by an abnormal pulse rate,” he said. “The pacemaker keeps track of the pulse, and when it gets down too low, it discharges. And that’s all in the record.” “So the autopsy showed he didn’t have any injury,” Baden continued. “There was no carbon monoxide. And he had — the most common cause of death in this country — severe heart disease, coronary artery disease and high blood pressure perhaps, from what’s been released. So that would cause him, having cardiac arrest in the mudroom, to collapse right there.” Dr. Baden suggested that Hackman's wife Betsy could have died while trying to help him. “She may have struck her head on the way down and had some internal injury to the brain that doesn’t show up on the outside or bleeding in the inside of the brain,” he said. “Or that she may also, at 65, had severe heart disease and excitement can cause a trigger to the cardiac rhythm causing death under those circumstances. I think the first, that striking her head would be more common.” A criminal investigation was launched this week after New Mexico authorities deemed the circumstances around the couple’s deaths “suspicious.” Image: Dave Lewis/ Shutterstock Editorial <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Call Lifeline on 0800 543 354 or visit lifeline.org.nz

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Baywatch actress passes away aged 61

Pamela Bach-Hasselhoff has passed away at the age of 61. The Baywatch actress and ex-wife of David Hasselhoff was found dead in her Los Angeles home on Wednesday, according to multiple media outlets in the US. Law enforcement sources have told TMZ that her family members were concerned after not hearing from her and wanted to check up on her. First responders were then called to her home after receiving a report of an unconscious female, and she was reportedly pronounced dead at the scene, according to Page Six. She has reportedly died by suicide. "Our family is deeply saddened by the recent passing of Pamela Hasselhoff," a representative for David Hasselhoff said in a statement. "We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time, but we kindly request privacy as we grieve and navigate through this challenging time." Bach was married to Hasselhoff for 17 years from 1989 to 2006, with the former couple sharing two children: daughters Taylor Ann Hasselhoff, 34, and Hayley Hasselhoff, 32. She was also a grandmother to Taylor's daughter, born in August 2024. Pamela was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1963 and moved to Los Angeles in 1985. That same year, she met David on the set of Knight Rider, with the couple tying the knot four years later. Six years later, she joined the cast of Baywatch, where she played reporter and businesswoman Kate 'Kaye' Morgan periodically in a few episodes across seasons two, three, five and six. Pamela and David filed for divorce in January 2006, citing irreconcilable differences. Image: MediaPunch/ Shutterstock Editorial <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Call Lifeline on 0800 543 354 or visit lifeline.org.nz <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">

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Dolly Parton's husband dies at age 82

Dolly Parton's husband, Carl Dean, has died at the age of 82. Dean was notoriously private during their almost 60 years of marriage, after he tied the knot with the country music icon in 1966. Parton announced the sad news of her loss in a statement on her Instagram, saying "words can't do justice" to the "love [they] shared for over 60 years". "Carl Dean, husband of Dolly Parton, passed away March 3rd in Nashville at the age of 82," the statement read. "He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending. He was survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie." "Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can't do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy," Parton said in the statement. The statement concluded sharing that, "the family has asked for privacy during this difficult time". Parton met Dean outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat the day she moved to Nashville at 18. “I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for me)," Parton described the meeting. "He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about.” They married two years later, on Memorial Day, May 30th 1966, in a small ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia. He later inspired Parton’s classic, “Jolene”, as Parton told NPR in 2008 that she wrote the song about a flirty a bank teller who seemed to take an interest in Dean. Parton and Dean kept strict privacy around their relationship for decades, Parton telling The Associated Press in 1984: “A lot of people say there’s no Carl Dean, that he’s just somebody I made up to keep other people off me.” She joked that she’d like to pose with him on the cover of a magazine, “So that people could at least know that I’m not married to a wart or something." Image credits: Instagram/Jason Moore/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

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Sad new details emerge in Gene Hackman case

Authorities in New Mexico have shared a grim new update on the shocking deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife. New information has suggested that the Hollywood actor, 95, and his wife, 63, had passed away in their home nine days before their bodies were found. The bodies of the deceased couple, who were married for 24 years, were found by a maintenance worker who spotted their bodies through a window. Authorities are yet to determine a cause of death for both Hackman and Arakawa but have repeatedly ruled out foul play. In an investigation update on Friday, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said a pathologist had advised that tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative. Mendoza also said the pathologist was given an insight into Hackman's last moments due to the activity in his pacemaker. "An initial interrogation was conducted of Mr Hackman's pacemaker. This revealed that his last event was recorded on February 17th, 2025," he told reporters. "It is a good assumption that was his last day of life." However it remains unclear whether Hackman, who was found in the kitchen of the home, or Arakawa, who was located in a bathroom, died first. One of the couple's dogs was also located deceased in the bathroom, while two other dogs were found alive at the property. Alongside Arakawa's body, police found an orange prescription pill bottle in the bathroom and pills scattered across the floor. While a toxicology report has been requested on the pills, as well as other medications found inside the house, the report could take months to be completed. The discovery of the pills was described as "something of concern", with Mendoza telling NBC News: "That's obviously very important evidence at the scene". Hackman appeared in more than 80 films throughout his career, as well as on television and the stage after his breakout role as the brother of bank robber Clyde Barrow in 1967's Bonnie and Clyde, earning him his first Oscar nomination. He won an Oscar for best actor in 1972 for his portrayal of detective Popeye Doyle in The French Connection, and in 1993 won an Oscar for best supporting actor for Unforgiven. Image credits: MediaPunch/Shutterstock Editorial

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From sunscreen to essential oils, why some personal care products could be harmful to your health

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/asit-kumar-mishra-1458839">Asit Kumar Mishra</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-college-cork-1321">University College Cork</a> Each time you apply sunscreen to your face, you may inhale somewhere between <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/11/5944">10 to 30 milligrams of ethanol</a>, the type of alcohol used in alcoholic drinks. While the ethanol in sunscreen may not give you a buzz, it could make you think about what other chemicals you might be exposed to from personal care products. Products that are applied to the face, like sunscreen, can increase the inhalation of some chemicals by ten times or more than you would inhale from your <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34816489/">home air in the entire day</a>. The levels of ethanol in cosmetics and skincare products may be reasonably safe – although it can still dry out the skin, causing pain, redness and swelling, and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ethanol-properties-uses-and-incident-management/ethanol-general-information">irritate the eyes</a>, causing tears, burning and stinging – but personal care products such as shampoos, skin creams, deodorants, cosmetics and perfumes contain fragrances and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be inhaled, absorbed through skin or ingested and some are more toxic than others. Unfortunately, manufacturers of personal care products <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-015-0327-6">do not have to disclose</a> every fragrance compound used. This is concerning when you consider the potential effects of toxic compounds that <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34816489/">have been detected</a> in the air from personal care products. For example, hair-smoothing products have released formaldehyde, a toxic chemical that can cause <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK597627/">a range of symptoms</a> from dermatitis to low sperm count. Some perfumes and deodorants have generated monoterpenes, chemicals which <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8912113/#sec1-molecules-27-01716">can prove toxic</a> for some users. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cfloNXKeyX8?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Some of the VOCs found in personal care products <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36976159/">may trigger</a> skin irritation, headaches – and difficulty breathing, which can develop into an asthma attack in some users. The highest or peak concentration of these VOCs are likely to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22406137/">occur within ten minutes</a> of application. But these concentrations may take up to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34816489/">two hours to decrease to background levels</a>, depending on your home’s ventilation. <h2>Natural doesn’t mean risk free</h2> But even if the levels of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20659630/">VOCs in personal care products</a> are kept <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22406137/">within safe limits</a>, they can still cause discomfort and a variety of health issues, including irritation of the eyes and airways, migraines and asthmatic reactions, in those who’re <a href="https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12302-020-00311-y">fragrance sensitive</a>. In the UK, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-018-00655-8">27% of the population</a> self reports as fragrance sensitive. It makes sense then that some people attempt to avoid potentially toxic synthetic chemicals in cosmetics by opting for “natural” or “clean” personal care products. But, <a href="https://enveurope.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s12302-020-00311-y">natural does not mean safer</a>. For instance, essential oils are often used in “natural” personal care products as fragrance. Essential oils, though, are a source of terpenes, some of which can be <a href="https://www.lung.org/blog/essential-oils-harmful-or-helpful">toxic if absorbed, inhaled or swallowed</a>. Indoor concentration of terpenes are often at levels where you can smell them but not high enough to cause <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28126407/">eye or respiratory tract irritation</a>. However, the terpenes from essential oils can react with other chemicals, such as ozone from outdoor air, producing <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32162221/">byproducts like formaldehyde, a known carcinogen</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22250748/">allergens</a>. <h2>Beauty salon safety</h2> Beauty salons can be particularly risky environments for exposure to VOCs. <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/7/4176">Studies have found</a> contaminants such as formaldehyde, ammonia and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/toluene-properties-incident-management-and-toxicology/toluene-toxicological-overview">toluene</a>, a potentially harmful ingredient used in many personal care products, at high levels in salons, putting staff who work there at the highest risk. Formaldehyde levels in some salons have reached <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31321727/">above safety limits</a>. <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/npi/substances/fact-sheets/methyl-methacrylate#tabs-2">Methyl methacrylate</a>, which can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions and potential <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3072694/">respiratory issues</a> has been <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30276513/">detected in the air of nail salons</a>. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ydRklqO01fE?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> These contaminants are not necessarily limited to the places in a salon <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23765035/">where a certain product is being used</a>. Beauty salons with poor ventilation are likely to expose workers and customers to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29494285/">much higher levels of contaminants</a>. Some of the components of personal care products are known, harmful contaminants and carcinogens. Regulations specifically related to ventilation in environments where large volumes of these products are used do reduce exposures. For instance, studies show that after ventilation regulations came into effect in Boston, US in 2011, the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31622145/">air quality inside nail salons improved</a>. When visiting your nail salon or hair stylist, check with them about their ventilation system and other steps they are taking to reduce exposure to VOCs. To limit exposure to potential VOCs at home when using personal care products, try to open windows and use extractor fans in wet rooms. Be especially careful when applying products to the face or when using a high temperature application – <a href="https://occup-med.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12995-018-0213-x">high temperatures can increase emissions</a>.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/248273/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/asit-kumar-mishra-1458839">Asit Kumar Mishra</a>, Research Fellow in School of Public of Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-college-cork-1321">University College Cork</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/from-sunscreen-to-essential-oils-why-some-personal-care-products-could-be-harmful-to-your-health-248273">original article</a>. </div>

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Hollywood star dies aged 39

Michelle Trachtenberg has passed away aged 39. The former child star rose to fame in the 1996 film Harriet the Spy, before going on to have memorable roles on popular TV shows including Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Gossip Girl. Police responded to a 911 call on Wednesday just after 8am local time, where “officers observed a 39-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive,” inside a Manhattan apartment, according to a NYPD statement. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene, with no foul play suspected. Her official cause of death will come from the New York Medical Examiner. A NYPD source old ABC News that Trachtenberg may have been experiencing complications from a recent liver transplant, and is believed to have died of natural causes. "The family requests privacy for their loss. There are no further details at this time," a representative for Trachtenberg told CNN in a statement. Trachtenberg appeared in 66 episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer playing Dawn Summers, the younger sister of the title character played by Sarah Michelle Gellar. She also featured in 28 episodes of Gossip Girl as Georgina Sparks, between 2008 and 2012. Gossip Girl creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage have paid tribute to the actress, writing: “We are deeply saddened by the news of Michelle’s passing. Michelle was so funny, kind, and talented." “Her portrayal of Georgina Sparks was an iconic fan favorite, and grew from a one season villain to a beloved character who returned over the course of six seasons. She was a delight to have on set and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with her family.” Image: SBM/Plux/ Shutterstock Editorial

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Mystery illness kills more than 50 people within hours

An unknown illness has killed more than 50 people in northwestern Congo over the past five weeks, according doctors on the ground and the World Health Organisation (WHO). The interval between the onset of symptoms - which include fever, vomiting and internal bleeding - and death has been 48 hours in the majority of cases, and “that’s what’s really worrying”, according to Serge Ngalebato, medical director of Bikoro Hospital, a regional monitoring centre. The outbreak began on January 21, with 419 cases recorded including 53 deaths. According to WHO's Africa office, the outbreak began in the town of Boloko after three children ate a bat and died within 48 hours following the “hemorrhagic fever” symptoms. While these symptoms are commonly linked to known deadly viruses, such as Ebola, dengue, Marburg and yellow fever, researchers have ruled these out following a series of tests of more than a dozen samples collected so far. The tests were conducted after the second outbreak of the mystery disease in the town of Bomate on February 9, with samples from 13 cases sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in DR Congo’s capital Kinshasa for testing, the WHO said. All samples were negative for common hemorrhagic fever diseases, although some tested positive for malaria. The number of outbreaks from diseases spreading from animals to humans in places where wild animals are popularly eaten has been a concern, with outbreaks in Africa surging by more than 60 per cent in the last decade, the WHO said in 2022. Last year, another mystery flu-like illness that killed dozens of people in another part of Congo was determined to be likely malaria. Image: Shutterstock

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Prince William’s heartbreaking call after Kate's cancer diagnosis

A former aide to the Prince of Wales has revealed that he was at his "lowest" after his wife Princess Kate was diagnosed with cancer about <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/kate-middleton-reveals-cancer-diagnosis-in-heartfelt-message" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a year ago</a>. In an interview with 60 Minutes Australia, Jason Knauf, who was the chief executive of William and Kate’s Royal Foundation, revealed the phone call he shared with the Prince of Wales, after Kate's cancer diagnosis last year. "It was awful, absolutely awful. It's the lowest I've ever seen him. "Within a couple of weeks, if you're Prince William, you find out that both your wife and your father have cancer. I couldn't believe it." Princess Kate is now in <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/kate-middleton-confirms-the-end-of-her-chemotherapy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">remission</a>, while King Charles receives ongoing treatment. The Princess of Wales' diagnosis was made public in March last year, with Knauf recalling: “But the problem was that all this crazy conspiracy theory stuff kicked off in the background, online. ‘Was she really ill?’. “But they didn’t want to say yet that she had cancer because they hadn’t told the children and they were still working through how to tell the children.” Knauf stepped down from his position at the end of 2021. He also previously worked for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as their communications secretary. The Prince of Wales previously told reporters at the end of his visit to South Africa in November last year, that 2024 had been “the hardest year" of his life. "Honestly? It's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life. So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult," he told the BBC at the time. “But I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it’s been brutal.” Image: 60 Minutes/ Instagram

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Centenarian shares the secrets to a long life

A centenarian has share the few simple things she credits for her long life, just days after celebrating her 100th birthday. Sydney woman Betty Woodhams spent her milestone birthday doing one of her favourite things: buying for new plants from Bunnings. Woodhams was treated to a warm reception from staff as she perused the aisles snapping up new flowers for her small balcony garden. The mother-of-two told <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14414941/I-just-turned-100-life-lessons-want-young-person-know-late-beauty-secret-Ive-sworn-years.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail Australia</a> that she credits her age and enduring happiness down to great friends, a balanced diet, no regrets and "always wearing a hat". "Try to stay happy, even when things may seem like they are getting the better of you," Betty told the publication. "There really is something good in everything. Relaxing with a glass of wine at dinner or enjoying the odd champagne or two with friends always helps too." Betty grew up in Parramatta before moving to Bondi when she married her late husband Ron in 1951. The couple then built their dream house in Tambourine Bay, Lane Cove, while Betty immersed herself in her career as a secretary in the TV and publishing industry. Betty always surrounds herself with good friends, stays socially active and never sweats the small stuff, as she said, "don't get stuck on the negative things". "It doesn't matter what your age is, there's always something you can do to stay active whether it's walking, gardening, swimming or even a day at the races," she says. "Age is just a number. We do all age but you choose to get old!" Betty also hopes to change the perception of "getting older" and insists there's nothing "boring" about it, as she said, "People assume that life gets boring and quiet. It will if you let it!" "Yes you do slow down but that doesn't mean you stop. You can still get out and enjoy yourself... just at a slower pace!" Image credits: Daily Mail Australia

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Beauty pageant queen dies after horrific car crash

American beauty pageant queen Kadance Fredericksen has died at the age of 18 after a horrific head-on car crash. According to multiple US outlets, Fredericksen, who was named Miss Okaloosa County Teen USA, tragically died on February 17 following a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer while driving on a Florida highway. The sudden death of the Miss Teen USA title holder was confirmed in a heartbreaking post on The Miss Florida USA Instagram account, saying "our pageant community has lost a beautiful soul" and noting she "was a true light in this world". The Miss Florida USA organisation wrote in their Instagram post underneath a black and white shot of the pageant queen: "It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we share the passing of one of our beloved delegates, Kadance Fredericksen, Miss Okaloosa County." "Our pageant community has lost a beautiful soul – one who was a true light in this world. She was ambitious, driven, kind, and a leader among her pageant sisters." They added in part of the post, "May we honour her memory by carrying forward the light she so effortlessly shared with the world and our Florida pageant community. Forever our Queen 🙏🕊️." Her pageant coach Michelle Watts told WKRG following her death, "Even though she passed away at 18 years old, literally, her life story and her life start song still sings." "She is going to have such a legacy behind her." Image credits: Instagram

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Maggie Smith's son reveals her final moments

Dame Maggie Smith's son Toby Stephens has shared details of the last few weeks of his mother's life, and how he wasn't by her side when she passed away. Toby and his brother Chris Larkin announced the death of their famous mother, revealing she died peacefully in hospital in September 2024 at the age of 89. Stephens, who is also an actor, has now opened up about Maggie's last weeks, telling <a href="https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/toby-stephens-acting-mother-maggie-smith-zd0979rf8?region=global" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Times</a> that he was filming a movie in New Zealand when his mother died. Despite her health troubles, Smith encouraged her son to take the role in the horror movie Marama, as he explained, “She was in hospital. She was supposed to be coming out, but the last two years of her life had been a decline: she would get worse, then she would get better, then she would get worse.” “So I said, ‘Look I’ve got this film,’ and before I could even ask her, she said, ‘Go do it. God, you don’t want to hang round here, I’m fine.’” However, when Stephens arrived in New Zealand, he was informed by hospital staff that his mother’s condition would not improve, as he said, "But it could take two months, two weeks, they didn’t know." Soon afterwards he started filming the movie, his mother stopped being able to communicate. “I’d spent hours and days sitting with her at home and in hospital over the course of two years, and there was nothing I had left unsaid,” Stephens said. Maggie Smith died on September 27th, the day before Stephens finished filming. His wife, actress Anna-Louise Plowman, and their three teenage children were all with her at the hospital the day before she died. Maggie's other son Chris Larkin was at Smith’s bedside for her final moments, as Stephens said, “I was so sad not to be with him.” “I found that very difficult, but she was no longer aware. And it allowed me some space to actually get my head round what had happened.” Elsewhere in the interview, Stephens said he had been touched by the response to his mother’s death and the number of people who remembered her for her earlier roles. He added, “The thing that really got me was: it’s very rare that you have actors that everyone likes." Image credits: Colorsport/ITV/Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

"So disrespectful": Meghan Markle criticised for moving wheelchair user

Meghan Markle has been criticised online after appearing to move a person in a wheelchair without asking permission. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex was met with Team Canada at the True Patriot Love Foundation breakfast on Sunday to celebrate the team before the official start of the 2025 Invictus Games. The Sussexes were mingling with athletes when Meghan appeared to move a team member's wheelchair, but didn't appear to ask for her permission beforehand. In a short video clip, which was shared to Meghan's Instagram, the team member stopped talking mid-conversation as the Duchess moved her towards the group in preparation for a photograph. The moment struck a nerve with many people online, with one writing on X, "My daughter is in a wheelchair, and someone else trying to move it is a huge NO!" "Their wheelchair is an extension of themselves. Meghan is in her personal space and needs to stop." Many social media users took to the comment section to agree that Markle should not have moved the wheelchair unless she gained permission beforehand. One said, "So rude and disrespectful!", while another questioned, "Isn't that woman in the wheelchair an athlete? Why does she need to be pushed?" "I've had that happen it's very rude to presume you can just push someone without asking if they require assistance, disabled doesn't mean dumb," said another, while a fourth person added, "Some of the onlookers look horrified too." Image credits: Instagram

Caring

Readers response: What does ‘self-care’ look like for you now compared to earlier years?

We asked our readers what self-care looks like for them during their retirement years. Here's what you said. Anne Henderson - More time and focus on my strength and fitness, and all of those things that will help with independence in old age. More saying no to society’s expectations … (including whether my 70 year old face and my clothing are acceptable to others)…. my routine has become simpler for this reason, not more complicated. Self care in older age to me is liberation from the shackles of all of the above. Marie Jones - Definitely focusing on strength and balance hence exercise class and walking. Happy with my grey hair but always moisturising and have toned down make-up. I wear what's comfortable for me. Dawn Dominick - Endless moisturising of my entire body not just my face any more. Margie Buckingham - Love having long baths to relax in. Going to the podiatrist every month. Moisturising twice daily. Not wearing makeup unless it’s a special occasion. Wearing comfortable clothes. Considering stopping the every 5 week hair colouring. <div dir="auto" style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; caret-color: #080809; color: #080809; font-size: 15px;">Image credits: Shutterstock </div>

Beauty & Style

Beloved Man About the House actor passes away

English actor Brian Murphy best known for his role as George Roper in Man About the House and its spinoff series George and Mildred has died aged 92. The star's agent confirmed he died on Sunday at his home in Kent, with his wife and actress, Linda Regan, by his side. "It is with the greatest of sadness that we have to announce the death of our client actor Brian Murphy," the actor's agent, Thomas Bowington, said in a statement to Deadline. "It is almost impossible to describe the depth of his talent and humanity. A truly joyful and profoundly good hearted man." Regan has since paid tribute to the actor, who she was married to for over 30 years, with an emotional message. "My love for you will never die. RIP sweetheart," she wrote to X, alongside a photo of them kissing. "I will love you forever darling, and all your wishes will be carried out as you wanted. My soulmate," she continued in a follow-up tweet. "I know we will meet again, until then I'll hold on to the love we shared for 35 years." <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> I will love you forever darling, and all your wishes will be carried out as you wanted. My soulmate. I know we will meet again, until then I’ll hold on to the love we shared for 35 years <a href="https://t.co/i8nNIkZYTc">https://t.co/i8nNIkZYTc</a> — Linda Regan (@Linda_Regan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Linda_Regan/status/1886769269150560670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2025</a></blockquote> 'Allo 'Allo! star Vicki Michelle also paid tribute to the actor, saying she was "so so sad" to hear of his death. "Great actor and Gorgeous friend, always fun. My heart goes out to Linda and family. Such a Wonderful couple." Murphy started out acting in theatre and tv in the '60s before being cast in the sitcom, Man About the House, in 1973. He rose to fame shortly after, starring alongside Richard O'Sullivan, Paula Wilcox and Sally Thomsett in the sitcom which ran for six seasons. Murphy continued playing his character George in the spinoff series, George and Mildred, which ran for five seasons. He was also in films including The Booze Cruise, Sparrows Can't Sing and The Boy Friend. Image: Paul Grover/ Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

Tiger Woods reveals sad family tragedy

Tiger Woods announced on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT) that his mother Kultida Woods had passed away at the age of 81. "It is with heartfelt sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning," the legendary golfer began his tribute shared on social media. "My Mum was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable," he continued. "She was quick with the needle and a laugh. She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter, without her none of my personal achievements would have been possible." The athlete added: "She was loved by so many, but especially by her two grandchildren, Sam and Charlie," Tiger's children with ex-wife Elin Nordegren, before thanking everyone for their "support, prayers and privacy at this difficult time". He signed off the message with: "Love you Mum," and a photo of his mum smiling. <blockquote class="instagram-media" 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);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFqGymgRsnY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <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> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <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 style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFqGymgRsnY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tiger Woods (@tigerwoods)</a> </div> </blockquote> Her cause of death has not been revealed. Tiger's post was flooded with messages of condolences from stars in the sporting world, including NFL great Tom Brady, and A-List stars including Justin Timberlake and Mark Wahlberg. "So sorry for your loss. I send you a big hug ❤️" former tennis champion Rafael Nadal wrote. "We're so sorry for your loss, Tiger," the official United States Golf Association said. Woods once described his mother as the "enforcer" who was very "tough" on him in a 2017 interview. “My dad was always the person who would plant seeds and give me encouragement but also would say things that would fester inside me that wouldn’t come to fruition for a while,” Woods said. “He was very worldly and deep in his thinking. My mom was the enforcer. My dad may have been in the Special Forces, but I was never afraid of him. “My mom’s still here and I’m still deathly afraid of her. She’s a very tough, tough old lady, very demanding. She was the hand, she was the one, I love her so much, but she was tough." Over the years Kultida has supported her son through his golfing achievements and career milestone, including in 2019 when he was awarded a Medal Of Freedom in Washington by President Donald Trump. In 2022, she attended his World Golf Hall of Fame Induction, and up until last week she reportedly attended her son's TGL match in Florida. Image: SHAWN THEW/EPA-EFE/ Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

Husband reveals final text from wife on board doomed flight

The husband of a woman on board American Airlines flight 5342 has revealed the final text he received from his wife just minutes before her flight collided with a US Army helicopter at around 9pm on Wednesday night. Hamaad Raza told WUSA9 that his wife had been texting him while she was on board the flight from Wichita, Kansas to Washington DC before the plane collided with the military helicopter and plunged into the river. She had texted him: “Landing in 20 minutes” but when his replies failed to send, he realised that something was wrong. “That’s when I realized something might be up”, Raza shared. Raza's wife, who was only 26-years-old, was travelling to Wichita for work had “always had a fear of flying and that she never really was comfortable”. Aviation officials have yet to provide and explanation for the crash, as commercial airlines are supposed to receive a warning of potential collisions through a Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). Emergency services have been deployed throughout the night in freezing and icy conditions in attempt to find bodies among the wreckage, with dozens already recovered from the water. “I'm just praying that somebody's pulling her out of the river right now, as we speak," Raza told WUSA9 in the early hours of Wednesday. “That's all I can pray for, I'm just praying to God.” Raza is waiting for answers from officials but has been left in the dark on any information about his wife. Image: WUSA9

Caring

Mum dies on daughter's birthday after common party trick turned deadly

A mother has tragically died after inhaling helium from a balloon while setting up for hr daughter's first birthday party. Faith Waterman Batistich, from Te Puke in New Zealand, died in a matter of seconds after inhaling helium while setting up for the party with her family in 2022. Professor Timothy Schmidt, Head of the School of Chemistry at UNSW, told <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/warning-after-mum-dies-at-daughters-birthday-from-common-party-trick-gone-instantly-051159229.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo News Australia</a> that any gas mixture that does not contain oxygen can be fatal if inhaled, and issued a strong warning about partaking in the party trick. "Helium is dangerous to inhale because it replaces the oxygen rich air in our lungs and rapidly leads to loss of oxygen from the body. This condition is known as hypoxia and can be fatal," he said. "Breathing pure nitrogen would be just as dangerous." Faith's family and friends were all laughing and taking turns inhaling the helium from the balloons, when one person suggested they breathe it in directly from the canister, Faith’s twin sister Eden Waterman told the New Zealand Herald. As the 20-year-old went to inhale, someone else turned up the flow on the canister. "It went too fast and kind of shot her in the back of the neck. Her last words were literally, 'Oh s***' and she dropped," Eden recalled. "I was just, like, in shock. I kind of just froze and it was like, 'what the f***, what am I seeing? Like, is this for real?' I thought she was putting it on at the start." She added that Faith "went blue" and was "gone instantly". Despite the efforts of the family and paramedics, Faith was unable to be revived. Professor Schmidt said helium is not considered a dangerous chemical, but it is likely most people are unaware of the risks when inhaling it. "It is used in diving tanks and in medicine. Helium is what we call a noble gas (or inert gas). It does not form chemical compounds or react chemically with the body," he said. "I had never heard of anyone dying from helium inhalation until now, so I would say that the dangers are definitely not well-known. I have done it… and never considered that I might replace all the O2 in my body with helium." Image credits: Facebook

Caring

Sixties pop icon passes away aged 78

British pop icon Marianne Faithfull has died at the age of 78, with the BBC confirming the news by citing a statement from her spokesperson. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull,” the statement read. “Marianne passed away peacefully in London today, in the company of her loving family. She will be dearly missed.” Faithfull was best known for her debut single As Tears Go By which reached the UK top 10 in 1964. She was also famously the girlfriend of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger in the 60s, becoming a muse for the rock star, inspiring songs such as Wild Horses and You Can't Always Get What You Want. Tributes have poured in for the singer, with Jagger describing her as "a wonderful friend, a beautiful singer and a great actress," saying he was "so saddened" by the loss. His Rolling Stones bandmate Keith Richards shared that he was "so sad" following her death and that he "will miss her". Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood posted an old picture of him, Faithfull and Richards in a recording studio with the caption "Farewell dear Marianne". He then shared a more recent photo of the pair with the caption: "Marianne will be dearly missed. Bless her xx". Throughout her life, the singer had suffered multiple health problems, including bulimia, breast cancer and emphysema caused by decades of smoking. After a period of drug addiction and homelessness in the early 1970s, Faithfull resurrected her career with the critically acclaimed album Broken English in 1979. She also wrote three autobiographies and had a film acting career. Her most recent comeback was in 2020, and despite falling into a coma and being hospitalised for three weeks after catching Covid, she recovered. In March 2022, the singer moved to Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors and other professional performers in London. Faithfull is survived by her son, Nicholas Dunbar, who she shares with ex-husband and artist John Dunbar. Image: Bill Francis/Kobal/ Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

Eagles star announces retirement after shock health diagnosis

Steuart Smith, the lead guitarist of iconic rock band The Eagles has announced his retirement. The 72-year-old musician, who joined the band back in 2001, shared that he would be leaving the band following a shock health diagnosis. "It is with profound regret that, due to performance issues associated with my recently diagnosed Parkinsonism, I find that I must bow out of my role with The Eagles while I can still do so gracefully," Smith told People magazine. "It's been a great quarter of a century, and I had hoped to be able to finish out this year with the band, but I must now do what’s best for all concerned." According to Parkinsons.org.uk, parkinsonism is "an umbrella term used to cover a range of conditions that share similar symptoms to Parkinson's". Bandmate and founding member of The Eagles, Don Henley, also released a statement praising Smith's talents, adding that the group will "be forever grateful" for his contributions to the band and their tour. “Steuart Smith has retired from touring. The Eagles will be forever grateful for the extraordinary talents that he brought to both our recordings and live performances," he told the publication. "Steuart will be greatly missed, but he will always be a part of our musical family. We know our many fans join us in wishing him well." The Eagles, were formed in 1972 with founding members Henley, Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner. They are known for their hit songs like Hotel California and Lyin Eyes. <em style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Figtree, Roboto, 'Noto Sans Hebrew', 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">Image: SplashNews.com/ Shutterstock Editorial

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Mum dies on daughter's birthday after common party trick turned deadly

Sixties pop icon passes away aged 78

Eagles star announces retirement after shock health diagnosis