Reserve Bank to hand down decision on interest rates| Midday News Bulletin 17 March 2026

The Reserve Bank raises interest rates to 4.1 per cent, Indigenous leaders are urging the government to support vital services in a remote Northern Territory town, The Asian Football Confederation says it's confident Iran will compete at this year's Men's FIFA World Cup.

Reserve Board to hand down decision on interest rates, A national power outage in Cuba, Australian basketball great Ken Cole dies aged 82

Donald Trump criticises allies for resisting his call to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz; stronger regulation announced for migration agents; and in sport, the Sydney Swans apologise to the Jewish community over a tribute to victims of the Bondi attack.

Iran denies it asked the United States for a ceasefire, Victorian government has settled a COVID 19 class action, Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard wins the Paris-Nice race.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen says Australia’s fuel supply remains secure, Warnings for young Australians turning to social media for financial advice, McLaren launches investigation into Piastri's technical failure.

The US says the war with Iran will end in a few weeks... New South Wales convenes a roundtable on fuel in the state amid reports of petrol pumps running dry ... and 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli wins the Chinese Grand Prix, after another disaster for Aussie Oscar Piastri

Concern remains for Iran's women's footballers; The Australian government rejects an informal request from the US for a ship in the Strait of Hormuz; Australia's women's rugby side win - but still lose - at the Seven Series in the US.

In today's bulletin, Three more members of Iran's women's football team who were granted asylum in Australia return to Iran; St Patrick's Day celebrated with parades, music and dance; and in sport, Formula One races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia cancelled due to war in the Middle East.

In today's bulletin, Donald Trump calls on countries to send ships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open; Australia has less than 30 days of jet fuel; and in football, Matildas to face China in Asian Cup semi-finals.

Donald Trump declares the price of oil will soon fall after the US attack on Kharg Island; More rain predicted as the Northern Territory endures a flood emergency; Aryna Sabalenka's winning run continues.