This is The Loop, your quick catch-up for this morning's news as it happens.
Key events
Live updates
That's all for The Loop this morning
By Tom Williams
Thanks for joining me today. If you're catching up, here's a bit of what was covered this morning (click the link to jump straight to the post):
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47 bodies now exhumed from supposed starvation cult in Kenya
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Barry Humphries's funeral details being worked out, as entertainment industry pays tribute
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NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell leaves company after investigation into inappropriate conduct
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Red Cross calls for humanitarian corridors to help people in war-torn Sudan
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Zendaya makes her live return during Labrinth's Coachella set
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Lizzo protests anti-drag law by bringing performers on stage
You can keep up-to-date with other news on the ABC's website, by subscribing to our mobile alerts, and by watching News Channel or listening to local radio here.
WA's Margaret River Pro surf competition is on hold today
By Tom Williams
Organisers of the Margaret River Pro have called a lay day for Monday, with Australian surfers still in the mix in both the women's and men's fields.
The women's event is up to the semi-final stage with Tyler Wright looking for successive victories after her Bells Beach title.
Wright will take on American Caroline Marks in the final four while Bronte Macaulay, who grew up in Gracetown right near Margaret River, will face Hawaiian Carissa Moore.
Queenslander Ethan Ewing is also hunting back to back titles after his Bells success, having eliminated Brazilian Italo Ferreira on Sunday.
Ewing faces two-time world champion John John Florence in the quarter-finals.
Sydney's Connor O'Leary will also fly the flag, taking on current rankings leader Joao Chianca of Brazil.
The next call on resuming competition is Tuesday at 7:15am local time.
Tomorrow is ANZAC Day: Here's where Dawn Services are being held
By Tom Williams
Tomorrow — April 25 — is ANZAC Day, which honours Australians and New Zealanders who have served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Dawn Services have returned to full capacity this year, with ceremonies and marches to be held across Australia.
The ABC will provide comprehensive broadcast coverage of Anzac Day services and events, but if you would like to attend in person there are services in every capital city around Australia.
Keep reading at the link below to find out what each state capital has planned.
Minister for Defence Industry says government making "hard decisions" in major review
By Tom Williams
The Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, has been asked about that major defence review I mentioned earlier, which will be released today.
He tells ABC News Breakfast that the government is making "hard decisions to reprioritise" in the plans it will release today, including cancelling some projects to put resources into others.
"The army is the best example of that where the [Defence Strategic Review] has recommended that we reduce the number of infantry fighting vehicles the army receives from 450 to 129," he says.
"In favour of investing more in both HIMARS rocket systems for the Australian Army, land-based maritime strike for the Australian Army, and giving greater mobility to the Australian Army through landing craft.
"So where this government is making the hard decisions to reprioritise our defence funding to deliver the maximum impact for the ADF."
NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell leaves company after investigation into inappropriate conduct
By Tom Williams
Media executive Jeff Shell, the CEO of NBCUniversal, is departing the company after an investigation into inappropriate conduct, parent company Comcast has announced.
In a statement, Shell said Sunday would be his last day after what he called "an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the company".
"I'm truly sorry I let my Comcast and NBCUniversal colleagues down, they are the most talented people in the business and the opportunity to work with them the last 19 years has been a privilege," he said.
Shell has been CEO of NBCUniversal since January 2020, overseeing the company's portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, and a motion picture company. He also oversaw the company's theme parks and ad-supported streaming service.
Comcast is yet to say who will succeed him.
Injured hiker rescued after falling in Gold Coast national park
By Tom Williams
Emergency crews have rescued a hiker who fell in Lamington National Park, in the Gold Coast Hinterland.
Officers were called to an area near Larapinta Falls yesterday afternoon, and crews reached the woman last night — but it took them until 5am this morning to be able to pull her to safety.
She has been taken to hospital in a stable condition, with back and wrist injuries.
Happening today: A landmark Australian defence review will be released
By Tom Williams
The federal government is releasing a long-awaited response to the Defence Strategic Review today, which will tell us a bit about how it plans to deal with looming threats like China, climate change and American isolationism.
We already know the reponse will include plans for Australia to rapidly build up a domestic guided weapons enterprise, and to acquire long-range precision strike missiles.
The 110-page review, to be released on the eve of ANZAC Day, will also confirm cuts to projects like Army vehicles, while funding more immediate priorities.
The federal opposition says it will be examining whether programs are properly funded.
You can read more about what we're expecting to see today, here:
Former head of BBC board, Michael Grade, remembers working with Barry Humphries
By Tom Williams
Michael Grade, the former head of the BBC board, ITV and Channel Four, has reflected on his time working with the late Barry Humphries across the three major free-to-air stations in the UK.
"He was a pleasure to work with," he tells ABC News Breakfast.
"The most important thing was — he always delivered for the audience. Whether it was the audience in the theatre, the live audience, or the audience at home.
"[He was] one of the very few performers that had the knack of working an audience and a camera at the same time, and that's an extremely difficult thing to do.
"We adored him. The royal family adored him. And honestly, the nation here is deeply in mourning.
"I wish you could see the tributes. Every day in the newspapers, day after day and on television, the tributes that are being paid to one of greatest entertainers — never mind whether he was Australian or he lived in Britain — he was one of the greatest entertainers in the English-speaking world of all time, there's no question about it."
British government announces review after emergency alert test fails to reach some phones
By Tom Williams
The British government says it will launch a review after many smartphone users said they did not receive a nationwide emergency alert test.
Millions of people across the UK heard an alarm on their phones on Sunday afternoon (local time), but many others did not.
The government was testing an alert that could be used to warn about dangerous situations including fires, flooding or terrorist attacks.
The alarm lasted for around 10 seconds, and the BBC even broadcast the moment live:
Lizzo protests anti-drag law by bringing performers on stage
By Tom Williams
During a concert in the US city of Knoxville, pop star Lizzo has filled her stage with drag queens to protest Tennessee state legislation designed to restrict drag performances in public.
The Grammy-winning Juice singer brought out a number of drag performers, including Aquaria, Kandy Muse, Asia O'Hara and Vanessa Vanji.
Lizzo posted videos from the show on social media.
In February, Tennessee's Republican Governor Bill Lee signed legislation against "adult cabaret" in public or in front of minors. A federal judge temporarily blocked the law in late March, saying it was too vaguely written, and civil rights groups have criticised the law as a violation of free speech.
"In light of recent and tragic events and current events, I was told by people on the internet, 'Cancel your shows in Tennessee,' 'Don't go to Tennessee,'" Lizzo said during her concert.
"Their reason was valid, but why would I not come to the people who need to hear this message the most?"
"Why would I not create a safe space in Tennessee where we can celebrate drag entertainers and celebrate our differences?"
Red Cross calls for humanitarian corridors to help people in war-torn Sudan
By Tom Williams
Nations are scrambling to evacuate diplomats and citizens from Sudan, following the country's slide into conflict.
More than 400 people have been killed since war broke out between Sudan's army and a paramilitary group, and large parts of the country remain under siege.
The Red Cross' head of delegation for Sudan, Farid Abdulkadir, tells ABC News Breakfast that while some hospitals have run into issues, staff and volunteers are "pushing on".
"The wealth of Sudan is not just the oil or the gold. The wealth is the people and their kindness," he says.
"And honestly speaking, it's heartwarming to see how each and every Sudanese is trying to see how they can help each other, and that is coming out very clearly."
Abdulkadir says humanitarian corridors will be needed to make sure that people who are in desperate need of assistance are reached.
Barry Humphries's funeral details being worked out, as entertainment industry pays tribute
By Tom Williams
Tributes are continuing following the death of Australian entertainer Barry Humphries, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 89.
We are yet to hear if Humphries will receive a state funeral in Victoria, but the state government says it is in conversation with the Humphries family.
Victoria's Minister for Creative Industries, Steve Dimopoulos, says a decision about a memorial for Humphries will be made in the coming days.
You can read some of the tributes to Barry Humphries from across the entertainment industry at the link below:
Zendaya makes her live return during Labrinth's Coachella set
By Tom Williams
American actor and singer Zendaya has returned to the stage with a surprise appearance alongside British musician Labrinth at the Coachella music festival in the United States.
Taking to the stage for her first live performance in a number of years, the Euphoria actor sang two songs written for the TV show: I'm Tired and All of Us.
On Instagram after the appearance, Zendaya thanked fans for their support.
Man charged over alleged shooting outside Sydney gym
By Tom Williams
A 26-year-old man has been charged over the alleged shooting murder of a man outside a gym in Sydney's south-west last month.
40-year-old Taha Sabbagh was shot up to 10 times while seated in a car next to his 12-year-old son outside a gym at Sefton in March.
Police have arrested a Fairfield East man at Sydney International Airport and charged him with murder.
He's been refused bail and will appear at Downing Centre Local Court today.
Prior to Sabbagh's death, Sydney had experienced a lull in public shootings linked to organised crime.
However, his killing was the first that police attributed to gang warfare since August 2022.
47 bodies now exhumed from supposed starvation cult in Kenya
By Tom Williams
Police in Kenya say they've now exhumed the bodies of 47 people thought to be followers of a cult who believed they would go to heaven if they starved themselves to death.
The bodies were found in shallow graves in a forest near the coastal town of Malindi.
Earlier this month, four people died after they and 11 other starving members of the Good News International Church were rescued by police from the forest.
The leader of the church, Paul Makenzi, has been arrested — and the forest has been sealed off and declared a crime scene.
News Australia is searching for: Newcastle vs Tottenham
By Tom Williams
In the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur captain Hugo Lloris has labelled his side's collapse at the hands (well, feet) of Newcastle United as 'embarrassing', as the North London club's top-four hopes suffered a huge blow.
Tottenham could have moved level on points with Newcastle with a win but conceded five goals in the opening 21 minutes, eventually losing 6-1 at St James' Park.
"It's very embarrassing. We should apologise to the fans. We didn't show a good face and we could not match the performance of the Newcastle players," Lloris told Sky Sports.
"We were late in all aspects of the game and we completely missed the first part of the game. The second half is a different story but it's really painful.
"It is not even about tactics, we just could not fight and we were late. It is difficult right now to assess the performances but there was a lack of pride."
Tottenham remain in fifth place with 53 points from 32 games, but they are six behind third-placed Newcastle, who have been celebrating their latest win.
One more thing: This dragon at Disneyland got a little too fiery
By Tom Williams
Dragons are meant to breathe fire, but not like this.
A 14-metre animatronic dragon has burst into flames at Disneyland in the US city of Anaheim, causing visitors and park workers to flee.
Local media and officials say no injuries or deaths have been reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
But the footage of the dragon's demise is pretty spectacular.
Ryan Laux, a frequent Disneyland visitor, told the Associated Press that fire had always been a part of the Fantasmic! presentation, but he said he knew something was awry when when flames didn't come from where they usually do.
"The head started going on fire instead of the fire projecting out," said Laux.
The show was stopped almost immediately "and then right after that, the dragon started catching fire and the whole body was up in flames," he said.
