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Rod Stewart's rare, rockin' family reunion

<p>When it comes to reunions with none other than legendary rock icon Rod Stewart, this ain't your regular family get-together. Rather, it's a rare cosmic alignment of almost all his children in the same place at the same time. </p> <p>Sir Rod, at a spry 78, boasts quite the tribe, with eight kids from three different marriages and a few past flings thrown into the mix. We're talking a generational span that could give the history books a run for their money. His eldest offspring is a seasoned 59, while the youngest is just a fresh-faced 12-year-old.</p> <p>Usually, you might catch Rod gallivanting about town with a couple of his kiddos, but this time, it's a whole extravaganza! He's managed to gather almost the whole brood for a picture. And we bet he had to pull some serious strings and break out all his dad jokes just to make it happen.</p> <p>Penny Lancaster, Sir Rod's wife, was the genius behind capturing this monumental moment on their family holiday in Spain. Picture this: Rod flashing his rockstar grin, surrounded by seven of his beloved offspring and their significant others. It's a regular rock 'n' roll galaxy right there!</p> <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/CuwfTK0sClQ/?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/CuwfTK0sClQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Penny Lancaster (@penny.lancaster)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Now let's talk about the missing star – Sir Rod's eldest daughter, Sarah Streeter. She was the first to grace Rod's life when he was just a young buck of 17. A family affair, but with a twist – Sarah was adopted and didn't find out about her superstar dad until she was all grown up. But fret not; they reunited, and now she's officially part of the extended rockstar clan.</p> <p>Next up, the glam diva Kimberly Stewart, the love child from Rod's first marriage. She's followed in her mum's footsteps and delved into the world of modelling and acting – and she even had her own reality show. </p> <p>Then there's Sean Stewart, Rod's offspring from the same union. He's taken a shot at acting and reality TV too, but it seems he had a bit of a "cashing out" situation with his inheritance. Third time's the charm, they say, but maybe it's time to let go of that clothing brand, Sean!</p> <p>Now, let's meet the musical maestro, Ruby Stewart. Rod's got some good genes, and she's rocking out just like her old man. She and her musical duo, The Sisterhood Band, released an album that gave us a sweet taste of the summer vibes. And in a true "like father, like daughter" moment, they even covered one of Rod's hits together. </p> <p>But wait, there's more! Introducing Renee Stewart, Rod's child from his second marriage to Rachel Hunter. She's ditched the rockstar life for a zen path as a yoga teacher. Namaste to that!</p> <p>Liam Stewart, the ice hockey champion, slides into the scene as the brother to Renee. He's got a knack for the sport and has played with some seriously icy teams. Talk about having a cool career!</p> <p>Alastair Wallace Stewart, the oldest son of Rod and his current wife, Penny, is already working his charm in the modelling world, proving that talent runs in the family.</p> <p>And last but not least, there's Aiden Patrick Stewart, the youngest bundle of joy. He might be just 12, but he's already got a strong passion for Celtic F.C., just like dear ol' dad. </p> <p>So there you have it, folks, the epic saga of Rod Stewart and his magnificent offspring. They span decades, genres, and life adventures, making this rockstar family a force to be reckoned with. Keep on rockin' and rollin', Rod and crew!</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

A mother’s love story blossoms from a family reunion 40 years in the making

<p dir="ltr">When Helen Mansfield took to social media in search of her biological mother, she could never have foreseen the good fortune she’d bring about - not only to herself, but to those she held most dear, too. </p> <p dir="ltr">It was in 2016 that Helen posted to Facebook, hoping to connect with her mother - who had given her up when Helen was only 10 days old. </p> <p dir="ltr">And a mere five hours later, someone did reach out, informing Helen that her mother was in the United Kingdom, and that her name was Glenda Joy. </p> <p dir="ltr">Helen, on the other hand, was in Perth, Australia. She’d been adopted by a Welsh couple, but had moved to Perth after marrying an Australian - with whom she shares two daughters.</p> <p dir="ltr">Four decades of mystery had gone by, but after that stranger on Facebook had set her on the right path, things had quickly fallen into place. </p> <p dir="ltr">As Helen informed<em> 7News</em>, “straight away, we knew each other. [She] gave me a big hug and said ‘I feel I just won the lottery’.”</p> <p dir="ltr">It should have marked the end of that happy chapter for Helen and Glen, but Helen’s adoptive dad, Gwyn, had other ideas. </p> <p dir="ltr">Because when Helen introduced the two - as her biological mother and her adoptive father - they immediately felt a connection, and set out on a number of adventures together, enjoying everything from the cricket to the beach, and last but certainly not least, a kiss. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I went in to Helen,” Glen recounted, “and I said ‘I’ve got something to say’. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I said ‘your dad kissed me’.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Glen added that she hadn’t been expecting it, but that wasn’t a bad thing, as she’d very much “wanted it to happen”.</p> <p dir="ltr">And it was only good times from there, with the unexpected couple getting married in the United Kingdom after enjoying a commitment ceremony in Perth with Helen as their joyous celebrant.</p> <p dir="ltr">They have every intention of returning to Australia, too, for a trip packed full of celebration with Gwyn’s 80th and the upcoming birth of a great-grandchild.</p> <p dir="ltr">But at the end of the day, Helen is “just really happy it happened”, and holds hope in her heart that their story will offer encouragement to anyone else in a similar position, searching for their biological or long-lost families. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I hope that anybody else - you know, it probably won’t go this far because this is a different story - but anybody else who wants to reach out and find their birth mother,” she added, “should try and do it.” </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: 7News</em></p>

Relationships

Woman reunites with family 50 years after her abduction

<p>DNA testing has confirmed the identity of a Texas woman who was allegedly abducted by her own babysitter when she was 22 months old, and reunited with them after 51 long and painful years apart. </p> <p>The Fort Worth Police Department announced that they had “completed official DNA testing which confirmed Melissa Highsmith’s identity”, while noting their hope that “this test result will offer additional closure for the Highsmith family”. </p> <p>While they requested that anyone with more information come forward, the criminal statute of limitations expired 20 years after Melissa’s 18th birthday. </p> <p>As <em>NBC Dallas-Forth Worth</em> reported, Melissa’s own mother was initially suspected of possibly killing her and then covering up the crime, and the family claimed that a babysitter had been responsible for taking her back in 1971. </p> <p>Melissa’s disappearance had been one of America’s oldest missing persons cases, according to <em>WFAA</em>. </p> <p>And while Melissa’s family had spent decades searching for their long lost loved one, it wasn’t until November 2022 that they made their first major breakthrough, when a 23andMe DNA test presented a link between Melissa and her biological parents. It was these same results that the Fort Worth Police Department was seeking to confirm.</p> <p>"I feel like I am dreaming,” Melissa told <em>WFAA</em> upon reuniting with her parents after their life changing discovery, “and I keep having to pinch myself to make sure I'm awake.”</p> <p>"I’m just elated, I can't describe my feelings,” Melissa’s mother, Alta Apantenco, added, “I'm so happy to see my daughter that I didn't think I would ever see her again.”</p> <p>Meanwhile, her father Jeffrie Highsmith admitted that he “cried like a baby”.</p> <p>Melissa went on to tell her family that she had had a difficult life, even going so far as to run away from home, and that she’d done “what I had to do to get by”.</p> <p>“I didn’t feel loved as a child,” she said. “It was abusive, and I ran away at 15 years old.” </p> <p>And the whole time, she’d been living just 20 minutes from her biological family. </p> <p>That same family who are overjoyed to have their beloved Melissa back with them, and took to social media to update followers, sharing the delightful news that their search was - finally - over. </p> <p>“The results were exactly what we already knew. She was in fact Melissa Suzanne HIghsmith!” they wrote on their Facebook page. “We now have the OFFICIAL confirmation that she is ours! Our daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, niece. We are thrilled! We are thankful and grateful for all the love and support we have received over the years and especially since we found Melissa. </p> <p>“Our family is whole and we look forward to the time we will be able to spend as a family of 7!”</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Family & Pets

Neighbours icons reunite

<p>Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan are planning a small-screen reunion.</p> <p>The Neighbours icons are reuniting for a special episode of the hit BBC sitcom <em>Ghosts</em> as part of this year’s comic relief fundraiser.</p> <p>It’s been 37 years since the pair first starred as Charlene and Scott on Neighbours, and they will take on new roles in the one-off special of <em>Ghosts</em>.</p> <p>Kylie and Jason, who were previously romantically involved, have already shot the episode, according to The Sun, with the show set to air on Friday, March 17.</p> <p>The episode of <em>Ghosts</em>, which portrays a group of spirits haunting a country house, will reportedly include nods to their pop career, including their 1988 duet <em>Especially For You</em>.</p> <p>A TV insider told<em> The Sun</em>, “Getting Kylie and Jason back together is a real coup, and the results are hilarious.”</p> <p>“The episode is really tongue in cheek and they crack gags about their history and music.</p> <p>“It was all kept hush-hush on set to keep the secret that they were both reuniting for the show.”</p> <p>The pair also appeared on screen together in 2022 in what was thought to be the end of an era, the final episode of <em>Neighbours</em>.</p> <p>Jason and Kylie appeared in a brief cameo in the last episode of the soap, which has since been renewed for a new run starting 2023.</p> <p>Kylie parted ways with <em>Neighbours</em> in June 1988, having become the first person to win four Logie Awards in one year and the youngest ever recipient of a Gold Logie.</p> <p>She furthered her career and became a pop sensation, selling more than 80 million albums worldwide.</p> <p>Jason left Neighbours in 1989 and, like Kylie, pursued a pop career. Although he wasn’t as successful as his on-screen love, he had a string of hits, including <em>Too Many Broken Hearts </em>and <em>Sealed With A Kiss</em>.</p> <p>The two stars dated from 1986 to 1989.</p> <p>They were so popular at the time that they recorded the Christmas Number 1 single Especially For You.</p> <p>In 2016, Jason told Mirror, “It was an extremely painful parting of the ways and, without a doubt, I took a long time to recover from it. Years, definitely.”</p> <p>Kylie then went on to date the late INXS frontman, Michael Hutchence. She is now romantically involved with British CQ’s Creative Director Paul Solomons, and Jason is married to Angela Malloch.</p> <p>Comic Relief airs on BBC on March 17.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

“An incredible moment”: Sisters share how they found each after 17-year search

<p dir="ltr">Two sisters who were separated after they were given up for adoption have opened up about their emotional reunion more than 25 years later and the 17-year search they went through to find each other.</p> <p dir="ltr">Laurinda and Ashleigh were born in the Dominican Republic and given up for adoption when they were just two and six weeks respectively.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though Laurinda knew she had a younger sister, Ashleigh wasn’t as sure but knew that her mother had given birth to her at a young age and assumed she had more siblings she hadn’t met yet.</p> <p dir="ltr">Appearing on the podcast, <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/family-friends/i-think-youre-my-sister-siblings-find-each-other-after-25year-separation/news-story/a02923ba902801a135f5ab4cc919c41d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">I’ve Got News For You</a></em>, Ashleigh recalled how she finally had success in her quest to find blood relatives where online photo books and adoption websites turned up nothing when she came across the genealogy website MyHeritage.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was doing my adopted family tree and I noticed that [MyHeritage] were doing a pro bono program called DNA Quest and they basically were sending out about 15 to 20,000 free DNA kits to help adoptees reconnect with their family members that they were looking for,” she told podcast host Andrew Bucklow.</p> <p dir="ltr">After submitting her story to the platform in return for a free MyHeritage DNA kit, Ashleigh found a genetic match: Laurinda. </p> <p dir="ltr">She then reached out to her mystery match via email.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Hi, my name is Ashleigh, I got a match from you on MyHeritage and according to it, you may be my aunt or my sister. I was adopted at the age of six weeks old from the Dominican Republic. This is my mother’s name. Could you please get back to me with any information and I look forward to hearing from you,” her email read.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-da64c428-7fff-ee45-d465-0882c058b6db"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Laurinda, who was living six hours away from her sister, received the life-changing email notification while on her lunch break.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/08/laurinda-ashleigh1.jpg" alt="Ashleigh (left) and Laurinda (right) with their adoptive parents. Images: MyHeritage" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Ashleigh (left) and Laurinda (right) with their adoptive parents. Images: MyHeritage</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Having spent 17 years looking for Ashleigh, Laurinda had “fallen off the wagon” in recent years.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I replied [to the email] right away, I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, you know, I think you’re my sister.’ It was an absolutely unbelievable thing. You know, I ran into work yelling, ‘my sister, my sister’, and it was an incredible moment,” Laurinda said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair then spoke over the phone before meeting for the first time two weeks later.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was wild. We were planning on recording it but … [as] we pulled up to the driveway, Ashleigh must have sprinted down from the apartment,” Laurinda said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Before I knew it, she was pulling the door open and, you know, we just embraced each other hugging and crying. It was just the most surreal, beautiful thing that I could have ever hoped for.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ashleigh added: “I just bolted out of my building … I just ran out there and gave her the biggest hug and we just stood there for like 10 minutes [but] it seemed like forever.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The sisters discovered that they also have three brothers, including one who died before either could meet him, as well as a grandmother, another sister, and a half-brother.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though their biological mum died six months before the sisters’ reunion, Laurinda was fortunate enough to have met her and shared the photos they took together with Ashleigh.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You know, I kind of get to live vicariously through [Laurinda] and she said [mum] always told her that she would give up her life to find me and you know, we think she probably did,” Ashleigh said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Laurinda also introduced her sister to their biological dad virtually, but he passed away before Ashleigh could meet him in person.</p> <p dir="ltr">Now feeling as if they have “known each other” forever, Ashleigh said the goal for the two sisters is to reunite the rest of their siblings.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I haven’t had a chance to go and meet the rest of [the family] yet … but hopefully, hopefully, someday soon, we’ll get that cash together, and we’ll be able to go down and meet everybody and have everyone together again,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Laurinda also shared that she had found out that her adoptive parents had the opportunity to also adopt Ashleigh but chose not to. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Since they had already adopted me, they kind of had first pick to be able to adopt [Ashleigh] since we were full siblings,” Laurinda said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But at the time I was two years old, I’m sure very much of a handful, so unfortunately my parents didn’t take up that opportunity to be able to adopt her as well.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She said she was “a little bit upset” when she found that out from her parents at 15, but admitted it motivated her to find her sister.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s absolutely no resentment in any way, you know, everything happens for a reason,” Laurinda said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We’re just honestly blessed to be able to have this opportunity to connect with each other and find each other after all these years.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-03a090d0-7fff-11a2-2403-f2f4fa0c5a6a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Supplied</em></p>

Family & Pets

Touching reunion for Bruce Willis after serious diagnosis

<p>Bruce Willis has revisited the site of one of his most famous films.</p> <p>The actor's wife, Emma Heming Willis, posted a video on her Instagram account recently that showed her husband visiting Fox Plaza in Los Angeles, which was the setting for Nakatomi Plaza in his now iconic film Die Hard.</p> <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/reel/CgDlsmAj4Wv/?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/reel/CgDlsmAj4Wv/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Emma Heming Willis (@emmahemingwillis)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"Nakatomi Plaza 34 years later #happymovieanniversary #diehard @20thcenturystudios," she wrote in the comments. The video is particularly significant considering that Willis' family announced the star would be "stepping away" from acting due to being diagnosed with aphasia, which is affecting his cognitive abilities.</p> <p>Aphasia is a rare language disorder that's caused by brain damage and affects communication ability.</p> <p>Heming Willis' comments were flooded with support, which showed Willis looking over Fox Plaza and included iconic snippets from the film. "My favourite movie! I love him! Happy 34 years! ❤️👏👏👏👏👏," someone wrote. Since Willis' diagnosis was revealed, Heming Willis has shared updates about his life, as well as footage and highlights from his career.</p> <p>The diagnosis has been difficult for Emma Heming Willis, who revealed Willis' battle with the rare disorder has taken a "toll" on her mental health.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

“A night of magic and music”: Julie Andrews enjoys touching ‘Sound of Music’ reunion

<p dir="ltr">Dame Julie Andrews has been awarded one of Hollywood's highest honours - bestowed on one person each year - and had a heart-warming reunion all in the same night.</p> <p dir="ltr">When the acclaimed actress received the American Film Institute's lifetime achievement award in Los Angeles on Thursday, she was surprised with a sweet rendition of 'Do Re Mi' from five of the stars who played the Von Trapp children in <em>The Sound of Music</em>.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-4c0365a4-7fff-eb66-55da-638e9fb1020f"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Andrews went on to join Duane Chase (Kurt), Kym Karath (Gretl), Angela Cartwright (Brigitta), Debbie Turner (Marta), and Nicholas Hammond (Friedrich) in their performance which marked the first time the cast had performed together in over six decades.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Julie Andrews is surprised by her kids from THE SOUND OF MUSIC and joins them in a sing-a-long of ‘Do-Re-Mi’ to kick off the AFI Life Achievement Award presentation to her — what a beautiful moment! <a href="https://t.co/TZYT7UNPhr">pic.twitter.com/TZYT7UNPhr</a></p> <p>— Scott Feinberg (@ScottFeinberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottFeinberg/status/1535106725946093568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Only Charmian Carr, who played eldest sister Liesel and passed away in 2016, and Heather Menzies-Urich, who played Louisa and died in 2017, were missing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Prior to receiving her award, Andrews said she was “gobsmacked” to find her career was being honoured in such a way.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I didn’t know or think that it would ever come,” she said on the red carpet.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But it’s just as well, because you can’t go around expecting awards and things like that.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ca10a206-7fff-1b50-f412-1247ae730fed"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Fans took to social media to share their delight at Andrews’ award and reunion with her castmates, prompting Karath to share an update on what happened after.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Signing our SOM Family Scrapbooks together today, and talking about how magical Julie’s AFI Tribute was last night! <a href="https://twitter.com/thesom7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thesom7</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DebbieTurnerDTO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DebbieTurnerDTO</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/acstudio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@acstudio</a> <a href="https://t.co/memxYDOR5V">pic.twitter.com/memxYDOR5V</a></p> <p>— Kym Karath (@KymKarath) <a href="https://twitter.com/KymKarath/status/1535362904928575488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Signing our SOM Family Scrapbooks together today, and talking about how magical Julie’s AFI Tribute was last night!” she commented on a video from the performance, sharing a behind-the-scenes look of the five Von Trapps.</p> <p dir="ltr">All five, along with Andrews, also posed for a formal portrait and shared it on social media.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So much fun last night at the 48th AFI Life Achievement Award honouring Julie Andrews,” Cartwright captioned the photo on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CepYeBdFTtc/?igshid=YTgzYjQ4ZTY%3D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was great being with my ‘Sound of Music’ siblings once again. A night of magic and music.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-e6277b9a-7fff-3527-d2e4-ec84f8e524f8"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @angelacartwrightstudio (Instagram)</em></p>

Music

Another Neighbours alum to return for final episode

<p dir="ltr">Former <em>Neighbours </em>star Guy Pearce is coming home to Ramsay Street one more time for the show's grand finale.</p> <p dir="ltr">Pearce, who has gone on to star in <em>Memento</em>, <em>LA Confidential</em> and <em>The King's Speech</em> among other big titles, has returned to film the end to the shows 37-year run, with the final episode airing on August 1.</p> <p dir="ltr">The actor isn’t the only big-name star to return for the finale, with alums Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan both reprising their roles.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-3ddd5b5f-7fff-9a31-5a77-48e266e83244">Speaking to London newspaper <em>Metro</em>, Pearce described his return to <em>Neighbours </em>as “very exciting and surreal”, and that it “feels like coming home”.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">What better way to start your weekend than with this?!</p> <p>Mike Young is back on his old stomping ground, Ramsay Street! 🔥 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Neighbours?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Neighbours</a> <a href="https://t.co/PK50CInGPr">pic.twitter.com/PK50CInGPr</a></p> <p>— Neighbours (@neighbours) <a href="https://twitter.com/neighbours/status/1532829478967050240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“It’s where it all started for me professionally. I’ve been asked to come back on occasions over the years and wondered whether it was the right thing to do, but once I knew the show was finishing, I knew I had to do it,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“While I’ve caught up with many of the cast I worked with on the show over the years, there is nothing like being here all together again.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Pearce has already been taking to social media to share sweet behind-the-scenes moments with the rest of the cast, saying it was “so lovely” to be reunited.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-dbcc7453-7fff-cadc-72bd-49c1c66b72d9"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Another delightful day on set with beautiful old friends … (and a pretty swish new bike!),” he captioned one post.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Another delightful day on set with beautiful old friends.....(and a pretty swish new bike!) <a href="https://t.co/x6sosGEZeD">pic.twitter.com/x6sosGEZeD</a></p> <p>— Guy Pearce (@TheGuyPearce) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheGuyPearce/status/1533785389726461952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Jason Herbison, the soap’s executive producer, told the newspaper Pearce’s return to set was “poignant” for everyone involved.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b3c1adb2-7fff-e060-7f5e-6f31e1ba80cf"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m incredibly honoured that Guy is returning to the show for a very special story arc,” Herbison continued. “Having him back on set has been poignant for him and for us. He’s been very involved in the storyline, and I can’t wait to finally answer the question for viewers - who is Mike Young today?”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">So lovely to be back with the gang! And to get to work with my lovely friend Henrietta Graham too. <a href="https://twitter.com/NeighboursTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NeighboursTV</a> <a href="https://t.co/XlXSbXBA4P">pic.twitter.com/XlXSbXBA4P</a></p> <p>— Guy Pearce (@TheGuyPearce) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheGuyPearce/status/1532866692270895106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Herbison, who wrote the final episode, told <em>Digital Spy</em> that it won’t be obvious to everyone.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I feel very privileged to write the final episodes and bring our beloved Neighbours to an end. I always had a vision of how I would close the show and I have stuck to that vision, so I hope the viewers enjoy it,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The magnitude of the moment is not lost on me and everyone is coming together behind the scenes to make the ending as befitting as possible,” he added, hinting that more surprises were in store.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m pleased to say that I haven’t seen anyone guess what happens yet - though the final scene would be hard to guess!”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-b2101cef-7fff-f6ec-aebb-42303fce5e4c"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @neighbours (Twitter)</em></p>

Lilibet and Queen Elizabeth II to meet for first time

<p dir="ltr">Queen Elizabeth II is expected to meet her great-granddaughter Lilibet for the very first time at her upcoming Platinum Jubilee celebrations.</p> <p dir="ltr">Lilibet, whose name is a nickname of the monarch’s, will be travelling to the UK with her brother Archie, and their parents Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, per <em><a href="https://honey.nine.com.au/royals/prince-harry-meghan-markle-daughter-lilibet-could-meet-queen-elizabeth-first-birthday-platinum-jubilee/b42887c7-db1c-4188-b874-55e0949c25aa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9Honey</a></em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">The visit will be the first time the couple will reunite with the royal family - aside from the Queen and Prince Charles - since they stepped down from their senior roles in 2020, having met the monarch and future king during a secret visit last month.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though it’s still unclear which events the couple will attend, it’s expected they will appear at a few across the Jubilee holiday.</p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, the Queen herself will only confirm her attendance at several events on the day of or a few hours prior, though she is expected to be at Trooping the Colour at Buckingham Palace.</p> <p dir="ltr">Harry and Meghan will also be joining Prince Andrew in not standing on the balcony at Buckingham Palace since they are no longer working royals.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Sussexes, who will be reuniting with the Queen at Friday’s Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s, are believed to be staying at Frogmore Cottage while in the UK, with Princess Eugenie and her family believed to be living there at the moment.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a89759bf-7fff-8a01-c856-8bd0e8d1f929"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Alexi Lubomirski/Duke and Duchess of Sussex</em></p>

Family & Pets

Mrs Doubtfire actors 30 years on

<p dir="ltr">The actors who played the children in <em>Mrs Doubtfire</em> have reunited in honour of the movie’s release almost 30 years ago. </p> <p dir="ltr">Lisa Jakub who played the older sister Lydia, Matthew Lawrence who played Chris the middle child, and Mara Wilson who played Natalie posed for a photo at their heartwarming get together. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Siblings” Lisa captioned the photo of her on-screen family, along with a heart emoji, while Mara captioned hers “Hilliard Family reunion”. </p> <p dir="ltr">Since the movie’s release, the actors have gone on to do their own thing, with only Matthew sticking to acting.</p> <p dir="ltr">Lisa, 43, quit acting at 22 and married Hollywood theatre manager Jeremy Jones in 2005.</p> <p dir="ltr">She currently works as a yoga teacher, speaker and writer. She wrote an autobiography called <em>You Look Like That Girl</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">Last year, she launched <em>Blue Mala</em>, a wellness website to help those in need. </p> <p dir="ltr">Matthew, 42, continues to act and regularly appears in his siblings’ TV shows. </p> <p dir="ltr">Mara, 34, also well known for her role in Matilda, quit acting after tragically losing her mother. </p> <p dir="ltr">She did however, recently star in TV series <em>BoJack Horseman</em> as the recurring black widow NYC playwright "Jill Pill" Philipowicz, and has also released her own book, <em>Where Am I Now?</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Movies

Princess Charlene finally comes home

<p dir="ltr">Princess Charlene has finally been able to reunite with her family in Monaco after an unknown illness saw her withdraw from the public eye.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 44-year-old has been plagued by poor health for almost a year - with the majority spent separated from her family - and an official statement from the palace has confirmed she has reunited with her husband, Prince Albert, and two children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-3387a191-7fff-103a-d970-453ee51c9858"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“As a result of Princess Charlene’s encouraging recovery and her doctor’s approval, their Serene Highnesses are delighted to announce that the Princess will now continue her convalescence in the principality, with her husband and children by her side,” the statement <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals/major-development-in-princess-charlenes-mystery-health-battle/news-story/63cefad41948b8efacbeee321a464355" target="_blank" rel="noopener">read</a>.</p> <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/CWBjB1EMrWP/?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/CWBjB1EMrWP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by HSH Princess Charlene (@hshprincesscharlene)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Consequently, Princess Charlene has already returned to Monaco where she has been happily reunited with her family and loved ones. The next few weeks should allow for Princess Charlene to further strengthen her health before gradually resuming her official duties and commitments.” </p> <p dir="ltr">The palace said Charlene still needed to recover before she could spend time with the people of Monaco, but that she “looks forward” to doing so.</p> <p dir="ltr">The statement also read that the couple asked for privacy for their family in order for the Princess to fully recover.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-36a88be0-7fff-3c6f-5cf1-10298fc2cf0b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Charlene was temporarily reunited with her family when <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/princess-charlene-of-monaco-reunites-with-family" target="_blank" rel="noopener">they visited her</a> in August last year, after an ear, nose and throat infection saw her undergo multiple surgeries in her native South Africa and remain there for ten months.</p> <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/CS_VuctjIN1/?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/CS_VuctjIN1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by HSH Princess Charlene (@hshprincesscharlene)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">She briefly returned to Monaco in November before taking a temporary break from royal duties and reportedly <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/we-miss-you-princess-charlene-s-children-share-heartbreaking-message" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seeking medical care</a> in a Swiss clinic.</p> <p dir="ltr">In January, the palace issued a statement saying the Princess had received and was recovering from dental treatment over “several weeks”, meaning she would miss the annual celebration of Saint Dévote Day.</p> <p dir="ltr">“With her husband H.S.H. Prince Albert II, she shares her heart with all Monegasques and residents on the occasion of these celebrations,” the statement, translated from French by <em><a href="https://people.com/royals/monaco-palace-shares-update-on-princess-charlenes-health-as-her-recovery-continues/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PEOPLE</a></em>, reads.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As soon as her health will allow, it will be with joy that the Princess once again shares moments of conviviality with them.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-443a4383-7fff-5e85-ca3e-55500e4e1932"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @hshprincesscharlene</em></p>

Caring

First look at the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary reunion

<p>As 2021 marks 20 years since <em>Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone</em> hit the big screen, the cast of the iconic franchise are set to reunite in a special anniversary reunion.</p> <p><em><span>Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts </span></em><span>will see the star-studded cast reminisce about the years they brought the wizarding world to life, and the everlasting impact the franchise has had on fans around the world. </span></p> <p><span>The special will bring cast such as Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton and many more back to Hogwarts for the first time since 2011, when the final film in the franchise was released. </span></p> <p><span>Notably missing from the line-up is Harry Potter writer J.K Rowling, who was not invited to the reunion due to </span>recent transphobic comments.</p> <p>In June 2020, <span>Rowling tweeted an article with the title, "Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate".</span></p> <p><span>Finding issue with the opinion </span>piece, Rowling added, <span>"'People who menstruate.' I'm sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?"</span></p> <p>The transphobic comments prompted the star cast of the Harry Potter movies to come out against her stance, with Emma Watson writing, <span>"Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren't who they say they are." </span></p> <p><span>"I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are."</span></p> <p><em><span>Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts</span></em><span> is set to air in Australia on New Year's Day, January 1, 2022, on the Binge streaming service.</span></p> <p><span>Check out the teaser trailer below. </span></p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X2RzASP6cbA" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Warner Bros - HBO Max</em></p>

Should I take a gift? As borders open, how to prepare for reuniting with your grandkids

<p>As border restrictions lift, family reunions are being planned around Australia. This is an exciting but also uncertain time, particularly for grandparents who have been separated from grandchildren.</p> <p>Over the past months (and in some cases, years), grandchildren will have grown and changed. They may have new interests, routines and skills. You may even have the <a rel="noopener" href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1474704919875948" target="_blank">transformative experience</a> of meeting a new grandchild for the very first time.</p> <p>With older grandchildren, <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/grandparent-grandchildren-video-calls-are-vital-during-covid-19-here-are-simple-ways-to-improve-them-141534" target="_blank">digital technologies</a> may have kept you in contact and up-to-date. But with younger grandchildren, this is harder, and it may be time to rekindle relationships.</p> <p>We are researchers investigating the roles grandparents play and the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/21582041.2018.1433317" target="_blank">influence</a> this has on families and communities. So, how can grandparents make the most of this time?</p> <p><strong>The special role of grandparents</strong></p> <p>Due to increased lifespans, grandparents have more time and ability to invest in their grandchildren than <a rel="noopener" href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0963721411403269" target="_blank">ever before</a> in human history.</p> <p>The grandparent-grandchild relationship can be a very special one. A grandparent’s involvement in a child’s life, whether through shared actives or a listening ear, is <a rel="noopener" href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1099-0860.2009.00215.x" target="_blank">linked</a> to the child’s well-being.</p> <p><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/429276/original/file-20211029-23-1y65rbj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Grandparents hug a baby." /> <em><span class="caption">Researchers are finding increasing evidence of the importance of grandparent-grandchild relationships.</span> Image: S<span class="attribution"><span class="source">hutterstock</span></span></em></p> <p>The benefits depend on your family situation, but can include improved psychological adjustment for <a rel="noopener" href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1728-4457.2011.00379.x" target="_blank">grandchildren</a>, increased <a rel="noopener" href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S004727941700071X" target="_blank">workforce participation</a> for mothers, and a longer and happier life for <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090513816300721" target="_blank">grandparents</a>.</p> <p><strong>The importance of asking questions</strong></p> <p>When preparing to see your grandchildren again, our first suggestion is to ask your grandchild’s parents what they think is a good idea for your first catch-up. What does your grandchild enjoy doing at the moment? What is their daily routine? Is there anything to avoid?</p> <p>If you are meeting a grandchild for the very first time, bear in mind the parents have gone through huge changes since you last met. As with older children, ask the parents what will suit them in terms of visit type and time.</p> <p>Be <a rel="noopener" href="https://raisingchildren.net.au/grown-ups/grandparents/family-relationships/being-a-grandparent" target="_blank">open and honest</a> about what support you think you can provide, and be aware the parents needs may change (they may want more or less help than they anticipated).</p> <p>When it comes to discussing the changes a new baby has brought, grandparents are trying to juggle in their mind the thrill of participating in their grandchild’s life, without disrupting or overstepping parents’ boundaries. From our yet to be published research, we understand this is not a simple matter for many families, but starting the conversation is important in maintaining these valuable relationships.</p> <p><strong>Persistent, not pushy</strong></p> <p>Your grandchildren may be feeling shy when you first meet. So even though this may have been a longed-for reunion, you may need to tread carefully.</p> <p>This is perfectly normal and can be overwhelming for everyone. Just take your time, and let them get to know you again. Your first instinct will be to catch up on the thousands of lost hugs, but it may work better stay close by and let them come to you.</p> <p><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428728/original/file-20211027-27-42qfit.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Grandparents playing with grandkids." /> <em><span class="caption">With young children, you don’t have to plan something fancy for your first catch-up. Image: S</span><span class="attribution"><span class="source">hutterstock</span></span></em></p> <p>The good news for grandparents is that several research projects have shown what grandchildren <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.hoepflinger.com/fhtop/Grandchildren.pdf" target="_blank">really want</a> is simply for grandparents to be “there when needed”.</p> <p>So just “being there” – interested and available – for your first visit is perfectly fine. This helps reduce expectations of what you feel you need to do.</p> <p><strong>Gifts</strong></p> <p>Your first inclination may be to bring something exciting to play with together. But on top of seeing each other again, rushing in with a new treat might be too much. You will need to read the room.</p> <p>Consider taking something small, or maybe you can keep something in the car and bring it out once everyone has warmed up.</p> <p><strong>Parallel play</strong></p> <p>Play is obviously central to children’s learning and experience. Early in life, however, this may mean playing alone, which may be confusing for some of us.</p> <p>A good way to work with this while rekindling your relationship is parallel play, particularly if a child is aged between two and five. Parallel play involves playing next to your grandchild and letting them come to you when they are ready.</p> <p>This is one way you might need to put the patience and persistence we discussed earlier into practice.</p> <p><strong>Let grandchildren lead (within reason)</strong></p> <p>In the same vein, don’t feel as though you need to take the lead when working out what to do with your grandchild, either. Or that your idea for reading a certain book or doing a particular puzzle is the one your grandchild will go with.</p> <p><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/428727/original/file-20211027-15-34v14w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Grandparents push a grandchild on a swing." /> <em><span class="caption">Seeing your grandchild again could be as simple as a walk to the park. Image: S</span><span class="attribution"><span class="source">hutterstock</span></span></em></p> <p>Often, seemingly simple activities like a walk to a park are the most rewarding. Here your grandchild has the opportunity to show you about their world and what they like to do on their terms. It is also a good way to see how your grandchild has grown and developed.</p> <p>We want to show our unconditional affection and love for our grandchildren, <a rel="noopener" href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0038026120916104" target="_blank">this feels natural</a>, and we know it can be so valuable.</p> <p>But in the the early stages of getting to know each other again, don’t put pressure on you or them. Being available, interested, curious and patient is enough.</p> <p><em>Rebecca Bullingham, a masters student in medical and health science at Edith Cowan University, contributed to this article.</em><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; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/169731/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/david-coall-408193" target="_blank">David Coall</a>, Senior Lecturer, <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720" target="_blank">Edith Cowan University</a> and <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/shantha-karthigesu-1284704" target="_blank">Shantha Karthigesu</a>, Teaching and Research Scholar, <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720" target="_blank">Edith Cowan University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/should-i-take-a-gift-as-borders-open-how-to-prepare-for-reuniting-with-your-grandkids-169731" target="_blank">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Relationships

New images of Cleo Smith revealed

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Footage from the moment <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/my-name-is-cleo-missing-cleo-smith-found-alive-and-well" target="_blank">Cleo Smith was rescued</a> by WA police officers has been released, after they kicked down a door to find her.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The officer who went through the door and asked the little girl for her name described the moment as one he would never forget.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845310/cleo-found1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2e87a5c251fb46ba9aa1af6767c59b7d" /></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @WA_police / Twitter</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though Detective Sergeant Blaine knew he had found Cleo, he wanted confirmation from the child he found sitting on a bed in the backroom of a Carnarvon house.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“To see her sitting there, was incredible,” he </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/cleo-smith-police-return-to-campsite-where-abduction-happened/news-story/030b06c4c834151c6163cfd2c3e29909?utm_source=DailyTelegraph&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Editorial&utm_content=DT_PREM-AM_CUR_02&net_sub_id=325889887&type=free_text_block&position=1&overallPos=4" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I asked her what her name was as one of the guys jumped in front of me and picked her up.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I just wanted to be absolutely sure. It certainly looked like Cleo, I wanted to be sure and I asked her ‘what’s your name?’ and she didn’t answer and I said ‘what’s your name?’, she didn’t answer again so I asked a third time and she looked at me and said ‘my name is Cleo’.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“And that was it, we turned around and walked out of that house.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the footage, Sergeant Blaine can be heard introducing himself to Cleo while another officer holds her.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845311/cleo-found2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5f3e3b9c7366454991881b5bd5191426" /></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @WA_police / Twitter</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My name’s Cameron, how are you? We’re going to take you to see your mummy and daddy, OK? Is that good?”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cleo then nods her head to both questions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sergeant Blaine said going on to make the call to Cleo’s parents was “a wonderful feeling”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You can imagine just absolute surprise and they were absolutely ecstatic,” he said. “Things developed so quickly we didn’t really have time to prepare them and certainly didn’t want to give them any false expectations about what might happen, we didn’t know ourselves.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cleo’s parents were told their little girl was physically fine and that they could meet while Cleo was being checked over at the local hospital.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">The moment Cleo was rescued 👏 <a href="https://t.co/arusYi9kCa">pic.twitter.com/arusYi9kCa</a></p> — WA Police Force (@WA_Police) <a href="https://twitter.com/WA_Police/status/1455784205548359682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Upon seeing her parents, Cleo screamed “mummy” and the family shared hugs, kisses, and tears.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sergeant Blaine also said that Cleo was “very trusting and open” with officers as they talked to her and took evidence.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I have to say having seen her a couple of times this morning she’s a little Energiser Bunny and how she has that much energy, I wish I did I’m just about ready to go to sleep but she is very sweet, energetic girl, very trusting and open with us, we all wanted to take turns holding her,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The man who was taken into custody at the scene has been “assisting police” with their inquiries, according to Police Commissioner Chris Dawson.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">The miracle we all hoped for. ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/zOd5WDTA1A">pic.twitter.com/zOd5WDTA1A</a></p> — WA Police Force (@WA_Police) <a href="https://twitter.com/WA_Police/status/1455761708262199308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He said the reunion of Cleo with her parents was “a thrilling and proud moment”, and it was “an outcome you hope for”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He gave full credit to the team of police officers and intelligence analysts who pored over “thousands and thousands” of pieces of information.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @WA_police / Twitter</span></em></p>

News

Princess Charlene of Monaco reunites with family

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After months away from her family, Princess Charlene of Monaco has reunited with her husband and children.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Princess shared a series of photos of the family together once again, with Charlene, Prince Albert, and their six-year-old twins, Princess Gabriella and Prince Jacques, posing together.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I am so thrilled to have my family back with me,” Charlene captioned the sweet photos.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“(Gabriella decided to give herself a haircut!!!)” she wrote of her daughter’s newest hairstyle.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Sorry my Bella I tried my best to fix it </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">🙈</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.”</span></p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CS_VuctjIN1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CS_VuctjIN1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by HSH Princess Charlene (@hshprincesscharlene)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 43-year-old has been in South Africa for the last few months, after contracting an ear nose throat infection (ENT) while promoting her conservation work.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The princess underwent surgery almost two weeks ago.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Princess Charlene will undergo an operation today, Friday, August 13, for four hours under general anaesthesia,” the Prince’s Palace of Monaco said in a statement at the time.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Prince Albert and their children, Crown Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella will join her during her recovery period.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Due to her illness, Charlene was required to stay in South Africa, missing her tenth wedding anniversary with Albert in July.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Instead, the princess marked the celebration by sharing a video on Instagram thanking the couple’s nearest and dearest over the last decade.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Thank you for your love and support, and for the generosity we have received during this decade of our marriage,” the princess wrote.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Thank you for your anniversary gifts, for your generosity, and trust.”</span></p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CQ1ceseAb9v/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CQ1ceseAb9v/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by HSH Princess Charlene (@hshprincesscharlene)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In an interview with News24, Charlene said that being away from her family had been “a trying time”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s been a trying time for me. I miss my husband and children dearly,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“What has been extremely difficult for me was when I was instructed by my medical team that I could not return home for my 10th wedding anniversary.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Albert is my rock and strength and without his love and support I would not have been able to get through this painful time.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Princess Charlene / Instagram</span></p>

Family & Pets

How much the Friends cast were paid for the reunion special

<p>The cast of Friends made history in the early 2000s when they negotiated salaries of US$ 1 million per episode, making them the highest paid television stars ever.</p> <p>And due to their previous success, many were left wondering how much they were paid to appear in last week's highly-anticipated reunion special.</p> <p>Reported by the Wall Street Journal, they were originally offered the same as the series, US$1 million each, but according to the publication they turned it down causing further delays to the special which had been in taels for years since the finale.</p> <p>When the reunion was announced to the public in February 2020, Variety reported the stars were being paid at least US$2.5 million each to revisit the show and their characters.</p> <p>Plus, the cast also receive close to US$20 million a year in syndication payments, according to USA Today.</p> <p>When the show began in 1994, the cast were paid $22,500 per episode. As the show's popularity exploded, the six lead actors eventually scooped a then-unprecedented deal for $1 million each per episode.</p> <p>Speaking to News Corp, Lisa Kudrow described how the salary changed her life.</p> <p>“We were the highest paid women in television,” she said.</p> <p>“That afforded me so much freedom after the show ended. Not only did I get to be part of something that was so well written and so beloved and something that sustained interest all those years later, but it also gave me a lot of creative freedom so that I could pursue other things. It was very fulfilling for me.”</p> <p>The reunion episode ended up delivering benchmark viewing around the world and Australia, where it set new records for its streaming provider.</p>

Money & Banking

The non-Friends cast member fans claim will "ruin" the reunion

<p>Fans are not happy with the fact that James Corden is set to host the<span> </span><em>Friends<span> </span></em>reunion special that is airing later this month.</p> <p>“All these people could’ve been a part of the Friends reunion but Warner Bros chose Justin Bieber and James Corden,” one Twitter user furiously wrote alongside a picture of other guest stars from the show’s run, including Brad Pitt and Paul Rudd.</p> <p>“James Corden adding the<span> </span><em>Friends<span> </span></em>reunion to the list of things he’s ruined with his mere presence,” another added.</p> <p>“Don’t get me wrong I’ve been wanting a<span> </span><em>Friends<span> </span></em>reunion since 2004 but if someone told me James Corden would be in it I’d have told them not to bother,” read another angry tweet.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841362/friends-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/cfe24247d6a34a7fbb47bfd4425465af" /></p> <p>UK singer-songwriter Grace Petri quipped, “James Corden in the<span> </span><em>Friends</em><span> </span>reunion makes sense to me … It’s straight people’s turn to get their culture ruined.”</p> <p>Corden’s hosting of the reunion does seem off in hindsight considering the host’s<span> </span><em>Late Late Show<span> </span></em>airs on CBS, while<span> </span><em>Friends<span> </span></em>was a linchpin of rival NBC’s programming for many years.</p> <p>But Corden’s presence is hardly the least shocking bit of<span> </span><em>Friends</em><span> </span>news circulating this week.</p> <p>Matthew Perry caused mass panic after he appeared in the teaser for the reunion slurring his words.</p> <p>Perry has candidly spoken about struggling with addiction in the past, revealing he doesn’t remember filming entire seasons of the show.</p>

Matthew Perry fans worried over latest Friends promo

<p>Fans have been left in a state of worry over Matthew Perry’s wellbeing, after the<span> </span><em>Friends<span> </span></em>reunion promotional video aired.</p> <p>The 51-year-old sat with his co-stars, with an odd gaze and laboured pattern speech.</p> <p>People magazine’s website and YouTube channel posted the video on Wednesday to promote the HBO Max special.</p> <p>Perry appeared with former co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc as they talked about how it felt to be reunited for the legendary sitcom one last time.</p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CPD_CWQnELw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CPD_CWQnELw/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Friends (@friends)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>When asked about whether he ever took a souvenir from the old set after the end of the show in 2004, Perry could be heard slurring his words.</p> <p>“I stole the cookie jar that had the clock on it,” he said, pronouncing a distinct “sh” sound at the beginning of “stole.”</p> <p>The comment worried fans, with one saying: “Just saw People interview and can’t believe how Matthew Perry looks like … seriously it breaks my heart.”</p> <p>Another fan wrote, “It pains me to see Matthew Perry like this, he just seems off, gazing at the void, speaking slowly.”</p> <p>“Hate to say it, but I’m sad and scared like hell for Matthew Perry,” a third viewer added. “Damn, Matthew Perry in those PEOPLE Friends interviews.”</p> <p>A third said: “Just watched @people exclusive interview clip of Friends casts and the time hasn’t been kind. I hope Matthew Perry is okay. Damn how much I love them.”</p> <p>The<span> </span><em>Friends</em><span> </span>cast reunited at Stage 24 at Warner Bros. Studios in LA.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841341/daily-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/badef58d7fb2432eb43ac3c906b4a167" /></p> <p>Perry has been extremely candid about his struggle with addiction for many years.</p> <p>He revealed his problems reached a dangerous point after a 1997 jet ski accident left him addicted to Vicodin.</p> <p>“I was out of control and very unhealthy,” he told<span> </span><em>People</em><span> </span>at the time.</p> <p>Perry admitted that he doesn’t recall filming multiple seasons.</p> <p>By 2001, the star was drinking large amounts of vodka and showing up to set hungover.</p> <p>“I don’t remember three years of it,” he told BBC Radio 2 in 2016.</p> <p>“Somewhere between Seasons 3 and 6 … I was a little out of it.”</p> <p>The star is now happily engaged to literary manager Molly Hurwitz, who accompanied him to the reunion.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Friends is back 17 years later!

<p>A Friends reunion special at HBO Max is finally coming after being long-delayed.</p> <p><em>Friends: The Reunion</em><span> </span>will debut on HBO Max on May 27.</p> <p>The special show will debut exactly one year after it was originally set to hit the stream service.</p> <p>Unfortunately, the program had to be delayed multiple times due to production shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.</p> <p><em>Friends: The Reunion</em><span> </span>was originally set to film in February 2020 but was only able to begin filming in April.</p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CO0h9nnnNwi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CO0h9nnnNwi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Lisa Kudrow (@lisakudrow)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Familiar faces are set to hit<span> </span><em>Friends</em><span> </span>including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer.</p> <p>The iconic group returned to the iconic comedy's original soundstage, Stage 24, on the Warner Bros. Studio lot in Burbank.</p> <p>Variety reported in 2020 that each of the six stars were paid at least US$2.5 million (approx. $3.2 million) for participating in the special.</p> <p>A number of A-listers are also set to appear in<span> </span><em>Friends: The Reunion<span> </span></em>including David Beckham, Justin Bieber, Cara Delevingne, James Michael Tyler, Maggie Wheeler, Reese Witherspoon Lady Gaga, BTS, James Corden, Cindy Crawford, Elliott Gould, Kit Harington, Larry Hankin, Mindy Kaling, Thomas Lennon, Christina Pickles, Tom Selleck and Malala Yousafzai.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841218/lisa-kurow.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ca1fc73db260413ca66c3350da7689e6" /></p> <p>The special was directed by Ben Winston.</p> <p>The executive producers included Kevin Bright, Marta Kauffman, and David Crane.</p> <p>While the exact cost of WarnerMedia keeping the rights to the original<span> </span><em>Friends<span> </span></em>is not disclosed, reports suggest the streaming service is paying US$400 million (approx. $518 million).</p>

Swimming is banned on this dangerous island

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The French-speaking R</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">éunion Island in the Indian Ocean has become a notorious hotspot for shark attacks, to the point where swimming and surfing have been banned beyond the coral lagoon.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since 2011, eleven people have died from attacks and there have been more than 50 recovered between 1988 and 2016.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr Erwann Lagabrielle, a senior lecturer in geography at the University of La Réunion, witnessed one of these shark attacks in July 2015 along with two other surfers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The victim, his friend Rodolphe Arriéguy, was attacked by a two-metre bull shark and suffered lacerations to his arm, which would eventually be amputated due to the injuries.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now, Dr Lagabrielle is on a mission to explain why these waters are so deadly.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">His research has found that the likelihood of being attacked by a shark at Réunion had increased “by a factor of 23” over the 28-year period.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“In nine out of 10 cases it is a bull shark,” Dr Lagabrielle told 9news.com.au.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But what could explain this increase?</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to Dr Lagabrielle, “it’s either an increase in the population of sharks or a change in their behaviour.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“These can be explained by other factors such as change in water temperature, fishing targeting shark populations.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though Dr Lagabrielle’s research looking to answer why attacks have increased is still ongoing, another expert believes the island’s active volcano, Piton de la Fournaise, could be involved.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In 2020, Marine ecologist Michael Heithaus told 9News.com.au bull sharks could be taking advantage of the murky conditions created by sediment washing into the water from the volcano’s slope.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He said the cloudy water could make the perfect hunting ground for “smart” predators.</span></p>

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