Key Points
- Albanese: Palestinian quest for statehood is an opportunity for peace
- Medical community dismayed as US government links Tylenol use in pregnancy with autism
- Australia's Alex de Minaur and American Taylor Fritz score singles victories
TRANSCRIPT
The Prime Minister has called the Palestinian quest for statehood a moment of opportunity for peace during his address to a two-state solution event at the United Nations today.
Anthony Albanese has told the gathering Australia's support for this policy has been longstanding, as the first member of the United Nations to vote for the plan that made the modern state of Israel possible - and also envisioned two states.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has reportedly told Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar that the Coalition believes now is the wrong time for Palestinian recognition, with Hamas still holding hostages and conflict still raging.
But the Prime Minister says they want the support for statehood to signal the beginning of the end for Hamas, which Australia designates as a terror group.
"The leadership of the Arab League has given added strength to these commitments. Their demand for Hamas to end its rule in Gaza and surrender its weapons has helped create this moment of opportunity. A chance to deliver self-determination for the people of Palestine in a way that permanently disarms and isolates Hamas - and drives them out of the region once and for all."
The United States and Israel are boycotting the high-level event, chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.
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The government has downplayed the lack of an official meeting between Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, after the White House omitted Australia from the US President's schedule while he is in New York.
The Prime Minister has been trying to secure his first face-to-face with the president, after an earlier meeting planned on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Canada was cancelled in June because of escalating violence between Israel and Iran.
Liberal senator Andrew Bragg says Australia has been treated like 'dirt' by the Trump administration, suggesting the presence of Kevin Rudd as U-S ambassador has not improved the relationship.
But Cabinet Minister Amanda Rishworth has told Channel 9 no-one should read too much into what has happened in New York.
"The Prime Minister has had four phone calls with the President of the United States. We have a very close diplomatic relationship. We've had ministerial meetings and engagements. We have really obviously significant engagement through AUKUS. So our connection with the US as our most important ally is absolutely there."
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US authorities have claimed there is a link between autism and the usage of Tylenol during pregnancy.
The claim has come from US Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr, supported by US President Donald Trump, who has ordered a change in advice to be given to doctors.
"Effective immediately, the FDA will be notifying physicians that their use of - well, let's see how we say that. Acetaminophen - which is basically commonly known as Tylenol during pregnancy, can be associated with a very increased risk of autism.”
The president has also called for a re-examination of a link between vaccines and autism.
A number of doctors have reacted with dismay, with some like Steven Fleischman from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists saying numerous studies show such a link has been debunked, and that acetaminophen also plays a safe role in the well-being of pregnant women.
"And so, for patients who have a child with a spectrum disorder, I don't want you going back and looking and saying to yourself, I shouldn't have done this, I shouldn't have done that. It's nothing you did. It really is not."
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Authorities in the Northern Territory have called for calm as they determine whether to lay charges against officers involved in an Aboriginal man's death in Alice Springs.
Northern Territory Police on Monday said a final autopsy report into the death of Kumanjayi White had been received and a full and comprehensive police brief of evidence had been referred to the territory's Director of Public Prosecutions, who will make the prosecutorial decision.
NT Police Director of Cultural Reform Leanne Liddle says while emotions are running high, the DPP process now needs to run its course.
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To sport, and in tennis, Australia's Alex de Minaur and American Taylor Fritz have notched impressive singles victories to deliver Team World an emphatic 15-9 win over Team Europe to reclaim the Laver Cup.
After de Minaur chalked up a straight-sets win over Czech Jakub Mensik, Fritz delivered the decisive blow by beating Germany's Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6 (7-4).
The victory marks Team World's third triumph in the eight editions of the competition following back-to-back wins in 2022 and 2023.
Taylor Fritz says he is still on a high from his victory - and the team's.
"It's just the energy from the team, it's just the moments of winning feel so much better and the moments of losing feel so much worse because you're doing it for all these guys."
