What women are talking about today, Friday March 18.

The documentary that has been making headlines for months, Phoenix Rising, is finally available to watch in Australia and the story it tells will chill you to the bone.  

Actress and activist Evan Rachel Wood talks through her experience as a child star in Hollywood and her abusive relationship with Marilyn Manson.

In today's episode of The Spill, Laura Brodnik and Chelsea McLaughlin break down the biggest bombshells from the documentary.

Side note, you can read more about Phoenix Rising here: The biggest revelations from Evan Rachel Wood's new documentary.

Plus, the hosts for this year's Met Gala, the biggest red carpet event of the year, have been announced and it’s clear Anna Wintour is going back to basics.

And it’s Weekend Watch time! Today we’re recommending a smart and sexy new series and a new movie that has totally derailed the Oscars.

You can listen to today’s episode of The Spill here:

Justin Bieber addressed his wife Hailey Bieber's health scare for the first time at a Colorado concert on Wednesday.

When the concert faced technical difficulties for 25 minutes, Bieber said: "Life randomly throws you curve balls. 

"You know, we can't really control much. You know, tonight the power cutting out.

"Obviously you guys know, most of you probably know or seen the news about my wife, not sure if you guys seen," he said.

"She's OK, she's good. It's been scary, you know, it's been really scary but I know for a fact that God has her in the palm of his hands."

In case you missed it, Hailey Baldwin (Bieber) was recently taken to hospital after experiencing 'stroke-like' symptoms.

While in hospital doctors found a small blood clot on her brain.

"On Thursday morning, I was sitting at breakfast with my husband when I started having stroke like symptoms and was taken to the hospital," the model wrote on her Instagram over the weekend.

"They found I had suffered a very small blood clot to my brain, which caused a small lack of oxygen, but my body had passed it on its own and I recovered completely within a few hours."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hailey Rhode Baldwin Bieber (@haileybieber)

Despite describing the incident as "one of the scariest moment's [she] has ever been through" 25-year-old is "doing well".

"Thank you to everyone who has reached out with well wishes and concern, and for all the support and love."



A mother-of-seven has died in hospital four days after her husband allegedly set her house alight using a flammable liquid.

Emergency services were called to a fire at a property on Sutherland Street in Albanvale, west of Melbourne on Monday, where she and a number of her children were inside.

At the time police said they believed a man ignited a flammable liquid at the home, with others at the address attempting to extinguish the flames.

Firefighters arrived to find the single-story house fully alight, bringing it under control within 30 minutes. 

ALBANVALE:

A man is under police guard in hospital, and his partner remains fighting for life after the 38yo ignited a flammable liquid inside this house last night.

Six children were home at the time.

Neighbours told @7NewsMelbourne they heard a loud bang, before screams. pic.twitter.com/9xcF5YsdyA

— Cassie Zervos (@cassiezervos) March 15, 2022

Neighbours assisted in pulling children, including a nine-month-old, from the home before the roof collapsed. 

"My husband was out the front and he heard a big pop and we saw a girl running down the street with her legs burnt and her shorts burnt," neighbours told 7NEWS.

"I saw a young boy running with the two dogs and I asked him what’s wrong and he told me the house was on fire," another added.

"I did see the dad as well he came out, I don’t know if he had blood on him or he was completely burnt but he was all red and he was sort of screaming and wailing."

The mother, 36-year-old Kylie Griffiths, was taken to the Alfred Hospital with critical burns, as was her 17-year-old daughter who remains in a stable condition with serious injuries.

Breaking: Albanvale mum Kylie Griffiths has died in hospital this morning after she was critically injured in a suspicious house fire on Monday. Her husband Roland Griffiths remains under police guard in hospital. @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/ObODEagZ9O

— Brianna Travers (@briannatravers) March 17, 2022

Arson and explosive detectives are investigating the fire, with a 38-year-old man currently under police guard in hospital. 

"All parties involved in the incident were known to each other and the fire is being treated as suspicious," Victoria Police said in a statement. 

- With AAP.

Leila and Danny Abdallah, the parents of three children who were killed alongside their cousin by a drunk driver in Sydney, have welcomed their seventh baby.

The pair just announced the happy news on Instagram, sharing they gave birth to a baby girl earlier this morning. 

"The Abdallah family are proud to announce the birth of our 7th child into our family. Baby Abdallah Born 18th March 2022 at 7:40am, her weight is 3.3 kg and her height is 51cm. Our little girl is in good health," the family wrote on their i4give foundation's Instagram account.

"Antony, Angelina, and Sienna in heaven, Liana, Alex and Micheal with us. God has answered our prayers."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by I4give (@i_4giveday)

Leila Abdallah first announced she was pregnant with another child last December.

"Our hearts will be broken for the rest of our lives, but in the midst of it, there's still a lot to look forward to," she told  Deb Knight on 2GB at the time. 

Antony, 13, Angelina, 12, and Sienna Abdallah, 9, and their cousin Veronique Sakr, 11, were fatally struck by a ute that mounted a footpath in Oatlands, in Sydney's northwest in February 2020. 

One year on, the families launched i4give Day' in memory of the children they lost.

21 people have been killed by a Russian airstrike that destroyed a school and a community centre in Merefa, near the northeast city of Kharkiv, officials said.

Merefa Mayor Veniamin Sitov said the attack occurred just before dawn on Thursday.

10 people are in critical condition, the Kharkiv prosecutor’s office said on Telegram, according to The Guardian. 

Унаслідок обстрілу росіянами Мерефи під Харковом загинула 21 людина, ще 25 поранені (10 — у тяжкому стані). Зруйнована школа, будинок культури та житлові будинки.

As a result of russian shelling of Merefa near Kharkiv, 21 people killed and 25 wounded (10 in critical condition) pic.twitter.com/fD4VNF1iHO

— Громадське радіо (@HromadskeRadio) March 17, 2022

More than 700 civilians, including 52 children, have been killed in Ukraine since Russia invaded three weeks ago, but the "actual number is likely much higher", UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo has told the Security Council.

"Hundreds of residential buildings have been damaged or destroyed, as have hospitals and schools," DiCarlo said on Thursday, without specifying who was to blame. 

"The magnitude of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Ukraine cannot be denied. This demands a thorough investigation and accountability," she said.

The World Health Organisation has verified 43 attacks on health care in Ukraine that have killed 12 people and injured dozens more, including health workers, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told the Security Council.

"In any conflict, attacks on health care are a violation of international humanitarian law," Tedros told the council, without specifying who was to blame.

- With AAP. 

My toxic trait is feeling smug because I'm not a MAFS viewer. I usually avoid the show at all costs, but even I couldn't not watch Wednesday night's episode, which was entirely dedicated to the storyline in which one woman was sl*t-shamed over a photo she'd shared on her OnlyFans account.

I watched the episode alone in the Mamamia office yesterday morning, and I have to say... my reaction was visceral. My palms were sweaty. It's lucky no one else was around, because I was swearing at my laptop screen and it would've looked... strange. Later in the day, I got to rant about it on The Spill, which was satisfying.

All of this is to say that you simply must read this story by Pop Culture Editor Keryn Donnelly. It explains everything so well: the 'drama', why it was so icky, and why it felt so... personal. Not just to Domenica, who is the victim of revenge porn, but to anyone who's ever been bullied, belittled and shamed.

"This situation feels all too familiar to any woman who has ever been bullied, belittled, singled out, shamed, or excluded by other women." #MAF https://t.co/Oz20u0uaIh

— Mamamia (@Mamamia) March 17, 2022

Just quickly, because it's Friday(!!), I have a few weekend viewing recommendations for you.

If you haven't started Minx on Stan, you simply must. It's funny, joyful and a little (or a lot) raunchy. Also, Jake Johnson wears a lot of leather pants.

For a reality fix, Below Deck Down Under drops on hayu tonight. I'm a Below Deck novice, but Mamamia News Editor Gemma Bath almost jumped up and down with excitement when I told her about this new season, so I'll be tuning in to find out... why.

Have a wonderful weekend! 



Morning,

In case you missed it, a video has gone viral over the past few days of men rating women at a beach. 

In the video, three young men at a popular Perth beach hold whiteboards to rate women out of ten as they walk past. 

My colleagues Isabella Ross takes you through what happened and why the video makes her, and many others, feel both angry and defeated. READ: A video has gone viral of men rating women out of ten at a Perth beach. It’s 2022.

But first, here are the five biggest stories women are talking about today, Friday March 18. 

1. Former AFL player Andrew Lovett jailed over family violence.

Former AFL player Andrew Lovett has been jailed after admitting to punching, kicking, spitting and pouring beer on his ex-partner during nearly two years of sustained emotional and physical abuse. 

Lovett, who played 88 games for Essendon from 2005 to 2009, on Thursday faced Dandenong Magistrates Court where he was sentenced to eight months in prison.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to 24 charges relating to family violence from February 2020 to December last year. 

"No woman should fear or suffer physical harm because of a partner," magistrate Jason Ong told the 39-year-old. 

"This was terrifying, ongoing, aggressive, physical violence. It was controlling and manipulative. You could and should have walked away. 

"It was serious and sustained family violence. It was escalating over time (and) cannot be tolerated."

Former AFL player Andrew Lovett jailed over 'terrifying' domestic violence https://t.co/CbFIwX844E

— ABC News (@abcnews) March 17, 2022

Lovett has already served 100 days in pre-sentence detention, in what was his first time in custody.

He will be placed on a 12-month community corrections order following his release from prison. 

If this post brings up any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. It doesn’t matter where you live, they will take your call and, if need be, refer you to a service closer to home. 

You can also call safe steps 24/7 Family Violence Response Line on 1800 015 188 or visit www.safesteps.org.au for further information.

2. Labor to examine culture after bullying claims.

Deputy Labour leader Richard Marles says the party will look into their culture after bullying claims following senator Kimberley Kitching's death. 

Kitching died from a suspected heart attack aged 52 last week, with reports suggesting she was stressed and ostracised by colleagues before her death. 

Kimberley Kitching labelled three senior Labor senators “mean girls” before her death, with claims she was subject to a campaign of bullying. @tminear https://t.co/oD6SFHGhew

— Herald Sun (@theheraldsun) March 16, 2022

Marles told reporters on Thursday he did not accept "assertions that have been in the media" about the way Kitching was treated. 

"Senator Kitching died a week ago today; somebody I knew for 30 years," he said. 

"The whole Labor movement is a state of grief and shock. Right now, I am focused on providing support to Andrew, her husband, and her family, whose grief is unspeakable."

However, Marles said the party's internal culture would be examined amid the claims, saying "Questions of culture are something which is assessed in an ongoing way within Labor". 

3. Hundreds of Ukrainians to arrive in Australia seeking help.

Hundreds of Ukrainians are set to arrive in Australia in need of a place to stay, but there are fears support systems set up by the local community could be overwhelmed.

The Ukrainian peak body in Australia has so far received more than 250 requests for accommodation from people fleeing the conflict, with the majority of those expected to arrive within days.

"The community is taking on all the responsibility and the brunt of the load in terms of finding these people accommodation and getting them settled," Kateryna Argyrou from the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations told AAP.

There were emotional scenes as Ukrainians arrived in Sydney and Melbourne, fleeing their war-torn country and reuniting with loved ones. https://t.co/jPtUBBZIH9

— SBS News (@SBSNews) March 12, 2022

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke's office told AAP more than 4000 Australian visas have been issued to Ukrainians since the Russian invasion on February 24, and of those visa holders about 500 people have travelled to Australia.

Argyrou warned the flow of people out of Ukraine has only just begun - and soon cracks would emerge in the community's volunteer-run systems.

While accommodation is the main need according to Argyrou, requests have also come in for food, clothes, mobile phones, and help with childcare and schooling.

4. BBC apologises to Princess Diana aide over interview deceit. 

The BBC says it has apologised and paid a "substantial" sum to Princess Diana's private secretary over subterfuge used to get an explosive television interview with the late royal.

The 1995 interview, in which Diana discussed the breakdown of her relationship with Prince Charles - famously saying "there were three of us in this marriage" in reference to Charles' relationship with Camilla Parker-Bowles - was watched by 23 million people in the UK and sent shock waves through the monarchy.

A report last year by a retired senior judge concluded BBC journalist Martin Bashir used "deceitful behaviour" to get the interview, including showing Diana's brother fake bank statements that falsely suggested members of Diana's inner circle were being paid to spy on her.

Princess Diana ‘Panorama’ Interview: BBC Apologizes, Pays Private Secretary Jephson ‘Substantial’ Damages https://t.co/ce34F2Ytmx

— Variety (@Variety) March 17, 2022

The UK publicly-funded broadcaster said it acknowledged that "serious harm" was caused to Diana's private secretary Patrick Jephson by the circumstances in which the interview was obtained.

"The BBC apologises unreservedly to Commander Jephson for the harm caused to him and has paid his legal costs," it said in a statement. 

"The BBC has also paid Commander Jephson a substantial sum in damages, which he intends to donate in full to British charities nominated by him."

5. Afghan schools to reopen to girls, says Taliban. 

The Taliban will allow girls around Afghanistan to return to class when high schools open next week, an education official says, after months of uncertainty over whether the group would allow full access to education for girls and women.

"All schools are going to open to all boys and girls," Aziz Ahmad Rayan, a spokesman for the Ministry of Education, told Reuters.

"But there are some conditions for girls," he said, adding that female students would be taught separately from males and only by female teachers.

In some rural areas where there was a shortage of female teachers, he said that older male teachers would be allowed to teach girls.

The Taliban will allow girls around Afghanistan to return to class when high schools open next week, an education official says. https://t.co/a57y9daLbi

— Canberra Times (@canberratimes) March 17, 2022

Allowing girls and women into schools and colleges has been one of the key demands the international community has made of the hardline Islamist movement since it toppled the foreign-backed government last August.

But Heather Barr, associate women's rights director at Human Rights Watch, urged the international community against complacency after the announcement, saying reopening schools would not necessarily mean that the broader rights of women and girls in society would be protected.

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

- With AAP. 

If you take a look at the back of your closet, what do you see? Perhaps something from your childhood, a favourite outfit from your youth, or even a hand-me-down garment from an older relative?

Many of us keep clothes that no longer fit, we haven't worn for years and will likely never put on ever again, so why do we hold on to them?

The Quicky speaks to an expert in identity and clothing to find out how our emotional ties to old clothes say a lot about who we were, and who we still are today, even if we are wearing a whole new wardrobe.

READ:

• What women were talking about on Thursday
• What women were talking about on Wednesday
• What women were talking about on Tuesday
• What women were talking about on Monday

Feature Image: Getty/AAP.