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Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan return for Neighbours finale.
Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan will officially return to Neighbours for the long-running soap opera's final episode. The show announced its cancellation in March, following the loss of its main UK broadcast partner Channel 5.
"Scott and Charlene are the ultimate Neighbours couple and it would not feel right to end the show without them," Neighbours’ executive producer Jason Herbison said in an Instagram post.
"We are thrilled that Jason and Kylie have come home to play a very special part in our series finale."
The experience of filming the episode was an emotional one for the pair and also for the show's production team, he said.
Two million Australians and almost 20 million viewers in Britain tuned in to watch Donovan's Scott Mitchell and Minogue's Charlene Robinson tie the knot in episode 523, which aired in 1987. The wedding scene, complete with Minogue's lacy dress, coral-coloured bridesmaids' outfits, and Donovan's mullet, became a touchstone of '80s television in Australia.
It also launched Minogue's international career, with her first hit song 'Locomotion' released just weeks after it aired.
The adventures of Ramsay St residents have been entertaining viewers for almost 37 years since 1985, with almost 9000 episodes broadcast. But after Channel 5's decision to concentrate on local UK drama, producers Fremantle were unable to find another broadcaster to back the show. The final episode will air on Monday, August 1.
Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan return for #Neighbours finale after 30 years https://t.co/zC5IxefVFp
— The Independent (@Independent) May 2, 2022
"Scott and Charlene are the ultimate Neighbours couple and it would not feel right to end the show without them
— Neighbours (@neighbours) May 1, 2022
We are thrilled that Jason and Kylie have come home to play a very special part in our series finale... pic.twitter.com/79yUwMkpFb
Image: Seven/Network 10
Evening headlines: Capital city house prices drop.
Do you find the news cycle overwhelming? Depressing? Confusing? Boring? Endless? Then you need The Quicky. Mamamia’s daily podcast that gets you up to speed on the top stories. Listen to tonight’s episode below.
Angelina Jolie visits Ukraine.
Hollywood actress and United Nations humanitarian Angelina Jolie has made a surprise visit to the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.
Jolie – who has been a UNHCR special envoy for refugees since 2011 – had come to speak with displaced people who have found refuge in Lviv, including children undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in the missile strike on the Kramatorsk railway station in early April.
The attack in the eastern Ukrainian city appeared to deliberately target a crowd of mostly women and children trying to flee a looming Russian offensive, killing at least 52 and wounding dozens more.
"She was very moved by (the children's) stories," the Lviv regional governor wrote. "One girl was even able to privately tell Ms Jolie about a dream she'd had."
He said Jolie also visited a boarding school, talked with students and took photos with them, adding "she promised she would come again".
According to the Lviv regional governor, Jolie also met with those arriving at Lviv's central railway station as well as with Ukrainian volunteers providing the new arrivals with medical help and counselling.
"The visit was a surprise to us all. Plenty of people who saw Ms Jolie in the Lviv region could not believe that it was really her."
Thank you Angelina Jolie for coming to Ukraine and visiting some of the incredible WCK chefs who cook every single day! We cannot forget the people of Ukraine… The world must keep doing everything we can to help! Hope you enjoyed the bograch soup! #ChefsForUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/5eWOq5ALKk
— José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) April 30, 2022
My respect to Angelina Jolie 🇺🇦
— Oleksandra Matviichuk (@avalaina) May 1, 2022
"Angelina Jolie is travelling to Ukraine in her personal capacity and UNHCR has no involvement in this visit," UN spokesperson Matt Saltmarsh said in an email statement.#StandWithUkraine
Photo Volodymyr Lys pic.twitter.com/hdSpSafGf1
⚡️ Actress and filmmaker Angelina Jolie was spotted at a cafe in western Ukrainian city of Lviv on April 30.
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) April 30, 2022
Jolie is a special envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Video: Maya Pidhoretska via Facebook. pic.twitter.com/CBtR4HBMNR
- With AAP.
Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson’s red carpet debut raises one big question.
The production of Bill Murray’s new film Being Mortal has been shut down after the actor was accused of inappropriate behavior on set. Now Bill has given his first interview about the incident, and while he hasn’t officially named the co-star involved, we’ve uncovered her name.
Plus, Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson made their red carpet debut this week. Now, these first red carpet photos have raised some big questions about the story behind their relationship and how much of it we should actually believe.
Listen to today’s episode of The Spill now!
The pop culture stories you may have missed.
Morning! It's May... which is truly terrifying. But on the bright side, a new month means more great TV to get excited about.
This month, some SUPER anticipated shows return (Stranger Things!!!), and the miniseries adaptation of Sally Rooney's first novel Conversations With Friends finally drops.
I've put together our monthly roundup of all the TV you're going to want to stay across. Check it out, mark the dates in your calendar, buy your snacks, etc: The 13 shows you need to watch in May, according to Mamamia's TV critic.
If you're still reeling from one of April's biggest shows - Netflix's Anatomy Of A Scandal - then I have some content you're definitely going to want to get around.
Firstly, Entertainment Editor Laura Brodnik's brilliant analysis on how the show depicted rape: Netflix's Anatomy of a Scandal broke TV's most important new rule.
Laura and I also went deep into the series in this month's episode of The Watch, which you can find in your favourite podcast app.
Otherwise, pop culture tragics like myself are getting excited for the best red carpet on the calendar tomorrow: the Met Gala.
Mamamia will be bringing you all the content you want and more tomorrow, so keep an eye out - talk then!
Election campaign hits halfway, and all the news you need to know this morning.
Morning all and welcome to your live news feed for Monday April 2.
We heard lots of talk last week about the China and Solomon Islands deal.
Mamamia's daily news podcast The Quicky spoke to two experts about exactly what this deal may entail and how it could affect Australia.
My colleague Isabella Ross has summed it all up for you right here.
But first, let's get you across the five biggest news stories you need to know this morning.
1. More support for older Australians as election campaign hits halfway.
The campaign for the federal election has hit the halfway mark, with the Coalition promising to help older Australians.
An extra 50,000 older Australians will get access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card if the Morrison government is re-elected.
A day after Labor leader Anthony Albanese accused him of neglecting older Australians, Prime Minister Scott Morrison is set to announce an increase in the singles income test threshold from $57,761 to around $90,000 from July 1 this year to broaden access to the concession card. The couples threshold will also increase from $92,416 to $144,000.
The $70 million expansion is part of the coalition's plan to deliver affordable and practical cost of living relief, Morrison said.
Meanwhile, Labor had their official campaign launch over the weekend, with Albanese revealing he will cut costs of medicines on the PBS by $12.50.
He said the PBS was "another of the great Australian institutions established by Labor" and proof of his party's commitment to universal health care.
Labor Leader Anthony Albanese has unveiled a suite of cost of living packages at the party’s official campaign launch, including plans to cut the costs of medicines and a $329 million policy to tackle the housing crisis. @sbsnews @ShubaSKrishnan #ausvotes https://t.co/Pi2f8y7gQr pic.twitter.com/P4Z5XXlLuB
— SBS News (@SBSNews) May 1, 2022
The Labor launch also included new policies on first home purchasing, manufacturing and electric vehicles, as well as dealing with the issue of gender pay equity and fixing problems in aged care and child care.
2. Ukrainian President’s plea to Australia.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a plea to Australia, asking for more support more than two months after his country was invaded by Russia.
In an exclusive interview with 60 Minutes last night, Zelenskyy said "I have to be only very thankful to (the) Australian people that you helped us already."
"And it's true. But we need more. It's also true."
Ukraine’s president has a message for Australia. SUNDAY on #60Mins, the exclusive interview with Volodymyr Zelensky from inside his secret war room. pic.twitter.com/mCehS2at2W
— 60 Minutes Australia (@60Mins) April 28, 2022
The president went on to say "Ukraine will always remember" the help they received.
"It will be written in our historical books about your help. Thanks a lot."
Earlier today, Zelenskiy confirmed civilians have been evacuated from the bunkers of Mariupol's Azovstal steel plant following two months of heavy Russian bombardment in the area.
Evacuation of civilians from Azovstal began. The 1st group of about 100 people is already heading to the controlled area. Tomorrow we’ll meet them in Zaporizhzhia. Grateful to our team! Now they, together with #UN, are working on the evacuation of other civilians from the plant.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 1, 2022
A first group of 100 evacuees will arrive in the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia on Monday, Zelenskiy said.
Young children were among those evacuated from the plant - where people cowered underground, huddling together under blankets in the plant's bunkers and tunnels as the shelling tore their city apart.
3. Woman dies after assault reported in Melbourne.
A woman has died from injuries in Melbourne following reports of an assault.
Detectives from the homicide squad are investigating after the woman died in Croydon North on Saturday night.
About 10.15pm, emergency services were called to Patrick Ave with reports of an assault, Victoria Police said.
Paramedics arriving at the address found the woman, who is yet to be identified, with critical injuries. She died at the scene.
Homicide detectives have blocked off a northeast Melbourne street after a woman died from her injuries following reports of an assault. #7NEWS https://t.co/vsSokZN0Qm
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) May 1, 2022
Detectives were investigating on Sunday morning and the street was blocked with police vehicles.
A 40-year-old Croydon North man is assisting police.
4. Tas child abuse inquiry to hear from witnesses.
Historical and contemporary allegations of child sexual abuse in Tasmania's public service will be investigated during a royal commission-style inquiry, which will hear from witnesses for the first time today.
The commission of inquiry was called by the state government in November 2021 after abuse allegations were levelled at Ashley Youth Detention Centre staff and former pediatric nurse James Geoffrey Griffin.
The inquiry will examine Tasmanian government responses to child sex abuse allegations in public institutions, particularly health, education and justice, and make recommendations for reform.
Tasmania's Commission of Inquiry into child sex abuse will hold public hearings. Here is what will happen https://t.co/9nQ0kBhUlO via @ABCaustralia
— Brian Cherrie (@briansy123) May 1, 2022
During its opening hearing in October, counsel assisting the inquiry, Maree Norton, said the commission had obtained evidence staff at the youth detention centre covered up abuse, destroyed records and failed to report complaints.
She said there was evidence of multiple perpetrators among staff and that older children had sexually assaulted younger detainees.
The commission has received more than 100 submissions and has obtained tens of thousands of government documents.
Six weeks of public hearings will be held in Hobart and Launceston between May and August.
If this post brings up any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. It doesn’t matter where you live, they will take your call and, if need be, refer you to a service closer to home.
You can also call safe steps 24/7 Family Violence Response Line on 1800 015 188 or visit www.safesteps.org.au for further information.
The Men’s Referral Service is also available on 1300 766 491 or via online chat at www.ntv.org.au.www.ntv.org.au.
5. And in entertainment news, Meghan Markle's animated series has been dropped by Netflix.
Meghan Markle's upcoming animated series Pearl has been dropped by Netflix.
The series, created under Meghan and Prince Harry’s Archewell Productions, followed the story of a 12-year-old girl exploring famous women in history.
According to Deadline, Pearl, which was in the development stage, was axed as part of cutbacks after a collapse in subscribers to the streaming platform.
The Duchess of Sussex’s animated show has been dropped by Netflix.
— Cameron Walker (@CameronDLWalker) May 1, 2022
‘Pearl’ was one of two projects announced as part of Harry and Meghan’s Netflix deal.
It is understood Netflix has cancelled the development of several projects, most of which are unrelated to the Sussexes.
You're all up to speed.
We'll be back to bring you more of the top new stories throughout the day.
- With AAP.
Is Putin really sick? What it would mean for the rest of the world.
In recent weeks, you may have seen some news articles about Russian President Vladimir Putin, speculating that he is secretly very sick with - depending on which reports you read - either Parkinson's disease or cancer.
But is there any truth to these rumours, including the one he has been bathing in the blood of deer antlers in a desperate bid to get better...?
The Quicky speaks to an expert in Russian politics and culture to find out what evidence there is to support the suggestion that Putin is gravely ill, and what it would mean for Russia, Ukraine and the rest of the world.
Feature Image: Seven/Network 10.