Australia facing pushback over recognition of Palestinian statehood | Midday News Bulletin 23 September 2025

In this bulletin, the boom of black-market tobacco becomes the nation's biggest health threat, strong words for Australia's Pacific Minister, as Vanuatu considers deals with Australia and China. And in sport, Australian hip hop star Baker Boy will perform with Snoop Dog at tomorrow's AFL grand final.

In this bulletin, hefty new tariffs on pharmaceuticals imported to the U-S, the Prime Minister arrives in the UK for security talks. And in sport, thousands expected for the annual A-F-L Grand Final parade in Melbourne's CBD.

An Australian woman loses her drug smuggling appeal in Japan; The President of the State of Palestine addresses the UN General Assembly; And in sport, Lions co-captain Lachie Neale named in the side for the AFL grand final.

In this bulletin, the Prime Minister bids for Australia to have a seat on the UN Security Council, a grieving mother urges global leaders to follow Australia's child social media ban. And in rugby league, Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy says returning halfback Jahrome Hughes' teammates will protect him from harm.

In this bulletin, the Prime Minister to meet with Turkey as both countries bid to host a major climate conference, police voice concern over a surge in Victorian crime rate in recent years. And in football, FIFA considers expanding to 64 countries to mark 100 years of the World Cup.

Albanese and Trump meet socially as Penny Wong clarifies Australia's concerns to her Iranian counterpart; Europe backs Australia's impending ban on underage social media accounts; and in sport, two players at the centre of an A-League betting scandal are sentenced.

Optus to pay $100 million fine for sales practices targeting vulnerable Australians; Inflation hits a 12-month high; and in sport, the Wallabies suffer injury blow ahead of Bledisloe opener.

In this bulletin... Australian doctors threatened and forced to flee as they provide care in Gaza, Super Typhoon Ragasa lashing Hong Kong, England announces its five-test Series team as it looks to regain the Ashes from Australia.

A meeting is finally set between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President, four dead as Israeli tanks advance in Gaza, a new national football competition launched in Sydney.

In this bulletin, a serial rapist from the 90s pleads guilty to 18 assaults, after a forensic evidence breakthrough, Australia's defence minister says acknowledging Palestinian statehood is the only path to peace. And in rugby, the Wallabies working on becoming an eighty-minute team in their weekend battle against the All Blacks.