Israel says it's preparing to open Gaza Strip's Rafah crossing | Morning News Bulletin 17 October 2025

Critical minerals deal likely to be discussed when Anthony Albanese meets Donald Trump; the price of gold hits an all-time high; and in sport, Ariarne Titmus says she is looking forward to what's next after retiring from competitive swimming.

Contingency plans developed for sending Australian troops to help secure peace in Gaza; Australia signs a tax treaty with Ukraine; and in the AFL, Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan heads the Gold Coast Suns.

Israel delays the reopening of the Rafah crossing; Homicide detectives called in to probe a fatal fire in the central Queensland city of Gladstone; And in cricket, Marnus Labuschagne set to return to Australia's Test team.

New powers announced to combat terrorism financing and crime related to crypto ATMs; Australia's unemployment rate rises to 4.5 per cent; and in sport, tributes for Ariarne Titmus after she announces her immediate retirement from competitive swimming.

Fragile ceasefire in Gaza tested; a court ruling finds the New South Wales government's anti-protest laws are unconstitutional; and in swimming, Ariarne Titmus retires from competitive swimming.

Pakistan and Afghanistan announce temporary ceasefire after fresh border clashes; First Nations deaths in custody reaching record levels in New South Wales; And in cricket, Pakistan go 1-0 up in the two-match Test series with South Africa.

Australian Gaza aid flotilla activists urge the federal government to impose an arms embargo on Israel.; the Northern Territory Chief Minister defends a ban on transgender women being placed in female jails; and in football, the Socceroos unbeaten streak under Tony Popovic comes to an end.

Hamas hands over four bodies of hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross; a grim milestone reached for Aboriginal deaths in custody in New South Wales; and Australia's women's cricket side prepares for their showdown with Bangladesh.

In this bulletin, scenes of jubilation as Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners return home, the United Nations urges leaders to use the momentum of the exchange to create peace in Gaza. And in football, Spain plans to continue its winning streak as it strives for World Cup qualification.

In this bulletin, World leaders sign a historic Middle East peace deal in Egypt; all surviving hostages freed from Gaza in exchange for thousands of Palestinians; and in football, A women's Indigenous football team prepares to make history.