Why Harry Styles felt "ashamed" about his sex life, and what women are talking about tonight.

In his new interview with Better Homes & Gardens, Harry Styles opened up about the difficulties of growing up in the spotlight and the public’s fascination with his sexuality.

Seen as a sex symbol for many, Styles said he has had to work through issues related to intimacy. 

"For a long time, it felt like the only thing that was mine was my sex life," he said. "I felt so ashamed about it, ashamed at the idea of people even knowing that I was having sex, let alone who with."

He went on to describe the challenges of finding romantic relationships during his One Direction years, as he was scared of people sharing his private information and sex life with the media.

"At the time, there were still the kiss-and-tell things. Working out who I could trust was stressful," he recalled. "But I think I got to a place where I was like, why do I feel ashamed? It’s like, yes, I have sex."

As for the question of sexuality, Styles noted how frustrating it has been for people to constantly ask him about it, saying he finds the expectation to make that information public "outdated".

"I've been really open with it with my friends, but that's my personal experience; it's mine. The whole point of where we should be heading, which is toward accepting everybody and being more open, is that it doesn't matter, and it's about not having to label everything, not having to clarify what boxes you're checking."

Better Homes & Gardens. June 2022.

Photographed by Tim Walker. pic.twitter.com/9BLnsmGHDK

— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) April 26, 2022

Image: @harrystyles Instagram

Australian doctors will be encouraged to consider alternatives to prescribing opiates to protect patients from becoming addicted or overdosing on the medication.

New standards of care were released this week by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, which establishes a national standard for the prescription of opioid analgesics in emergency departments and after surgery.

Doctors will be asked to consider alternatives, and if opioids are required, they will be asked to create a plan to wean patients off the drugs. 

Some 2.5 million Australians undergo surgery every year, and 70 per cent of hospitals discharge patients after surgery with opioids "just in case", according to a national survey.

More than three million people are dispensed at least one opioid prescription a year, including oxycodone, morphine, buprenorphine, hydromorphone, fentanyl, tapentadol, tramadol or codeine, under various names. The commission's Chief Medical Officer Anne Duggan says opioid analgesics are effective for pain relief but people given prescriptions are at risk and need ongoing care.

"We need to fine-tune our prescribing and use of opioid analgesics for acute pain, to reduce the harms associated with inappropriate prescribing and avoid short-term use becoming a long-term problem," Prof Duggan said.

She also noted that balancing adequate pain relief and the risk of patient harm was not easy. "It is critical that when patients are discharged from hospital, there is a discussion with the patient and a clear medication management plan to wean off opioids."

Anaesthetist and pain management specialist at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital Jennifer Stevens said there was a large variation in how opioids were used. The clinical care standard encourages simple analgesics like paracetamol and anti-inflammatories, and non-medication for mild and moderate levels of pain, Associate Professor Stevens said. Severe and acute pain could be controlled with judicious use of opioids.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration introduced regulatory reforms for opiates in 2018 to limit harm, including changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and introducing smaller packet sizes for immediate-release drugs. Data suggests the changes have reduced Australia's use of opioids, which is promising but, of course, more can always be done.

- With AAP. 

Political parties and candidates have been urged to do more to reduce poverty ahead of the federal election.

A joint letter signed by 64 peak bodies calls for parties and candidates to make adequate income support and social housing investment key election issues. Specifically, the letter calls on independents to make this a key negotiation point in forming a government if there is a hung parliament. The letter sent by the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) says these measures would reduce poverty and transform the lives of millions.

"When the federal government temporarily doubled unemployment payments at the start of the pandemic, it halved poverty, saved over 700,000 jobs and significantly reduced rental stress and homelessness," ACOSS says.

Health Justice Australia, the National Council of Single Mothers and their Children, UnitingCare Australia and the Public Health Association Australia are among key organisations, allies and leading experts who have united to urge action on the two game-changing policies.

Their key requests include raising income support payments to at least $70 a day, increasing commonwealth rent assistance by 50 per cent, and building at least 25,000 social housing properties each year.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese has said every budget should weigh up what extra support could be provided to people on government payments, but not committed to a rise. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said the government provides a range of income and housing support.

- With AAP

In TV news we’ve been waiting for, the first trailer for season two of Hacks on Stan has been released today, giving us our first look at the new twists the Emmy-award winning series starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder will take.

Plus, Harry Styles has revealed the meaning behind his new album via an intimate interview and sexy photoshoot with none other than Better Homes & Gardens. It’s the photos that are making headlines, but in the interview, Harry also talks about a “cleanliness clause” from his One Direction days that still haunts him.

And Johhny Depp’s high-profile defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard has hit a milestone this week, with Johnny Depp ending his testimony by declaring himself to be a victim of domestic violence. The information coming out of the trial includes a series of horrific details, but it’s what’s playing out in the streets near the courtroom and on social media, that’s even more deserving.

Listen to today’s episode of The Spill now.

In the early morning of January 2, 2020, prison staff found Veronica Nelson dead on the floor of her prison cell.

The 37-year-old proud Gunditjmara, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman had been arrested in Melbourne just three days earlier on suspicion of shoplifting, and denied bail.

Hours before her death, she cried out for help a total of nine times. 

This week a coronial inquest into Veronica's death began. It's expected to run for a month and will hear from 60 witnesses. 

Here is what we know so far about the circumstances surrounding Veronica's death. 

READ: In 2020, Veronica Nelson was found dead in her prison cell. She'd called out for help 9 times.

Morning everyone and welcome to your live news feed for Wednesday April 27. 

Let's jump straight in with the top five news stories you need to know this morning. 

1. Olympic swimmer calls out "horrific" billboard against women in sport.

Aussies Olympic swimmer Emily Seebohm has called out a billboard ad for using her photo to advocate against transgender women in sport.

The billboard, which was released by Conservative lobby group Advance Australia, includes a photo of Seebohm and fellow swimmers Emma McKeon and Dawn Fraser alongside the words, "Women’s sport is not for men". 

The Australian Olympic Committee and Swimming Australia are threatening legal action over the ad, claiming they used the images without permission.

Speaking to The Project last night, the four time Olympic medallist said, "I have no idea who Advance Australia is but… I don’t want my photo next to something saying transphobic."

"That is a statement that I’ve never said and I don’t suggest nor support that and... the photo is just horrific! So the whole thing is just awful to me."

The AOC and Swimming Australia are threatening legal action over billboards campaigning against trans-women in sport. Swimming star @emcbomb, whose image was used in the campaign, joins us and offers an insight into how the sport manages its own trans athletes. #TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/8prMoJFwiL

— The Project (@theprojecttv) April 26, 2022

Seebohm said the lobby group took past statements she made about women's participation in sport out of context and she wants "everyone to feel included" in swimming. 

"I’ve not once said that I don’t want inclusivity in this sport. I want everyone to feel included in this sport, we just have to work out how that works and how this will look."

2. Over 6 million to receive $250 cost-of-living payment from today. 

More than six million Australians, including pensioners, carers, veterans, and job seekers will receive a one-off $250 payment from today.

The $1.5 billion payments are part of the cost of living package announced in the federal budget and are expected to hit bank accounts by the end of the week. 

More than six million low-income earners are set to receive a $250 one-off cost of living payment. #9Today pic.twitter.com/KJGtr3gd3V

— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) April 26, 2022

The payments come as the election returns to cost of living debate.

The Coalition is pledging to create 450,000 more jobs in regional Australia over the next five years, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison to announce details of the plan today.

"Only the Coalition has a plan for 450,000 new jobs in the regions and runs on the board to deliver them," he said.

Shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers told AAP under the Morrison government everything was going up except Australians' wages, with interest rates about to be part of the pain.

"A better future relies on a stronger, broader, more inclusive, and more sustainable economy – powered by cleaner and cheaper energy, a bigger and better-trained workforce, and key investments in the care economy, digital economy, and a future made in Australia," said Chalmers.

3. Charity CEO suspended for Frydenberg flyer.

Guide Dogs Victoria boss Karen Hayes has been stood down, pending the outcome of an investigation into her endorsing Treasurer Josh Frydenberg for re-election.

Karen Hayes was featured in a flyer and a promotional video posted on social media backing Frydenberg as the member for Kooyong ahead of the May 21 poll.

When made aware of the material last week, the charity's board confirmed it had not approved it and requested its immediate removal from circulation while launching an internal investigation.

The head of Guide Dogs Victoria Karen Hayes has been temporarily stood down after she appeared in Liberal party campaign material endorsing Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. Follow our live blog. #auspol #AustraliaVotes https://t.co/aBVL4n2ERd pic.twitter.com/hPaw8hmcOa

— The Age (@theage) April 26, 2022

"The independent investigation is underway and is ongoing. The purpose of the investigation is to understand what happened and ensure it never happens again," Guide Dogs Victoria said in a statement.

The flyer and promotional video were authorised by Frydenberg's Hawthorn East office, in compliance with electoral laws.

However, charity groups are bound by regulations enforced by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and can be stripped of their status if unable or unwilling to rectify serious breaches. The ACNC reminded charities of their obligations less than a week before the Hayes' comments came to light.

4. UN expecting 8.3m Ukrainian refugees to flee as ambassador calls for more Aus military assistance. 

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) is expecting some 8.3 million people to flee Ukraine this year, revising its previous projection.

More than 12.7 million people have fled their homes in the past two months, including 7.7 million people displaced internally and more than five million who have fled over borders, UNHCR spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo told a UN news briefing yesterday. 

UNHCR had previously planned for some four million refugees in the immediate aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24 but this was surpassed last month.

"The scale of the crisis, definitely the rapidity of people fleeing, we have not seen in recent times," Mantoo told the briefing. 

UN Predicts More Than 8 Million Refugees Will Flee Ukraine This Year https://t.co/QGAF9TlyZt pic.twitter.com/7Ljtc5y31l

— Forbes (@Forbes) April 26, 2022

Meanwhile, Ukraine's ambassador has reiterated calls for Australia to supply further military equipment, warning of further Russian threats to the Indo-Pacific region.

"We need it all to be able to defend, to defend Ukraine, defend Europe, and defend all the values and freedom and democracy," Vasyl Myroshnychenko said at an Australian Strategic Policy Institute event yesterday.

"The consequences we're going to see will be enormous, that (Vladimir Putin) can take another country by force... This is going to create a domino effect all over the world, including here in the Indo-Pacific."

5. No vax required for Djokovic at Wimbledon.

Novak Djokovic will be allowed to defend his title at Wimbledon despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19.

All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton gave Djokovic the go-ahead on Tuesday, adding jabs were not required to enter Britain.

World No.1 Djokovic, missed the Australian Open in January after being deported because he was not vaccinated. 

During the annual spring briefing ahead of Wimbledon, which starts on June 27, Bolton said "whilst, of course, it is encouraged" that all players get vaccinated, "it will not be a condition of entry to compete" at the grass-court grand slam tournament this year.

Novak Djokovic WILL be allowed to play at Wimbledon this year, the club has confirmed. pic.twitter.com/XkXhodttb8

— Sam Street (@samstreetwrites) April 26, 2022

Meanwhile, Chairman, Ian Hewitt, has defended the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from this year's Championship. 

"We believe we have made the most responsible decision possible. We believe (given Government guidance) there is no viable alternative in this truly exceptional and tragic situation," he said. 

And that's it, you're all up to speed. We'll be back to bring you more of the biggest stories throughout the day.

- AAP.  

Every time an election comes round, a vulnerable group becomes the new political plaything... refugees, migrants, gay couples and now trans women. But why?

The Quicky speaks to an expert in Australian politics and two trans women to find out why it seems politicians are determined to use vulnerable people to try and score points, and what it feels like when you unwillingly become the election controversy.

READ: 

What women were talking about on Tuesday.

Feature Image: Getty.