The Panthers are prepared for any situation as the Bulldogs continue to play mind games over the fitness of several of their stars. Stephen Crichton is rated a 50/50 chance and could be the difference, but Penrith has their own thoughts.

Penrith

The Penrith Panthers, who have maintained an unbeaten record in NRL finals since 2021, are preparing for another high-stakes campaign. The team anticipates a challenging match against rivals featuring several former teammates, with emotions expected to run high. Coach Ivan Cleary praised Steven Crichton as the game's best centre and noted the uncertainty around Mitch Kenny's fitness due to a hamstring strain. Meanwhile, rival coaches Ricky Stuart and Craig Fitzgibbon addressed the media, with Stuart expressing frustration over past losses and Fitzgibbon emphasizing the need to earn respect through performance. Sharks player Nico Hines also faces scrutiny but remains focused on the upcoming challenge.

Penrith assessing fitness of star players

Having not lost a final since 2021, the Panthers are September's specialists, against several former teammates, they know to expect plenty of niggle. Emotions run high and the stakes are higher so yeah I guess there's going to be a little bit of that in it but everyone loves it don't they, a bit of that. After rating Steven Crichton the game's best centre, Ivan may hope the Bulldog skipper can't be hailed a miracle man and add to the rivalry. You know we prepare for certain you know situations, guys coming off the bench starting whatever so yeah we'll be ready no matter what. No guarantee Mitch Kenny will be though, yet to prove his fitness from a hamstring strain. He's getting through what he needs to. Ricky Stewart woke up on the wrong side of the bed, sick of speaking about losing one of the greatest finals in history. I don't, I really don't want to go back there, if you want to talk about tomorrow I will. Fair point but when prompted about the Sharks the mood soured further. What sort of test do the Sharks pose? You've seen enough of them play mate. Well they're in the semis for a reason. Craig Fitzgibbon in much better spirits but still defensive around his side's siege mentality and addressing comments that the Sharks aren't respected. Respect's not, you can't ask for it, it's got to be earned and in our game I think everyone would agree there's only one way you get it and it's the ultimate respect is premiership so that's a long way away at this stage. Nico Hines carries plenty of baggage into big games, criticised for not delivering when the moment matters. We've got to rely on each other as well, it's not all about Nick A but he's in a good space at this stage of the year and is excited by the challenge ahead. Trent Simpson, 10 News.

A much-awaited announcement about a deal to keep Chinese-owned App TikTok online in the US is likely in the coming hours. It will be one of the main items on the agenda of a phone-call between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. The two men will also discuss a standoff over trade tariffs.

Beijing

Xi, Trump set to discuss TikTok deal in Friday call

The US blocked a UN Security Council resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, drawing condemnation from members. Algeria’s UN ambassador Amar Bendjama apologized to Palestinians after the vote.

New York

Middle East Conflict

U.S. vetoes UN Gaza ceasefire resolution for sixth time

U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a joint news conference to conclude Trump’s state visit to the U.K. Trump acknowledged a disagreement with Starmer over Gaza and Palestinian statehood.

London

Trump, Starmer disagree over Palestinian state as visit wraps

A group of 22 young climate activists is suing the Trump administration in hopes of blocking three executive orders promoting the use of fossil fuels.

Missoula

Young climate activists sue Trump over fossil fuel orders

A CDC advisory panel voted to shift its guidance on immunising children under 4 with the combined measles, mumps, rubella, varicella vaccine. Instead of the combined shot, the advisory panel voted to recommend the age group get an MMR vaccine and a varicella vaccine separately.

Atlanta

CDC updates guidance on MMRV vaccine for young children

ABC confirmed that the popular late-night show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" has been "preempted indefinitely" following comments Kimmel made on the show in response to the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Washington

Trump admin under fire after ABC pulls Jimmy Kimmel show

President Trump on Thursday addressed ABC's decision to pre-empt "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" over comments Kimmel made about the shooting of Charlie Kirk. CBS News correspondent Shanelle Kaul has more.

Trump comments on Jimmy Kimmel being pulled off air

The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to allow the president to fire Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. CBS News' Kelly O'Grady reports.

Trump asks Supreme Court to allow Lisa Cook firing

U.S. President Donald Trump signaled new action against left-wing groups following the assassination of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk, targeting the anti-fascist Antifa movement as a "terrorist organisation."

Trump targets Antifa movement as 'terrorist organization'

ABC said that the late-night show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" has been "pre-empted indefinitely" after comments Kimmel made on the show in response to the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Jonathan Vigliotti reports.

ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel show over Charlie Kirk comments

In southern Pennsylvania, three police officers were fatally shot and two others were injured in a violent incident. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack and searching for leads on the suspect or suspects involved.

Haar Road

Three police officers killed, two wounded in Pennsylvania shooting

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said the U.S. and Beijing "have larger agendas to work out" after media reports of China's internet regulator ordering top tech firms to halt purchases of the American company's AI chips and cancel existing orders.

China tells tech firms to stop buying Nvidia's AI chips, FT reports

The U.S. Federal Reserve announced that it lowered interest rates by 0.25 percentage points, its first rate cut since December 2024. CBS News MoneyWatch correspondent Kelly O'Grady has more.

Fed cuts interest rates by 0.25 percentage points

Large-scale protests took place in central London in response to Trump’s state visit, with demonstrators highlighting his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump's historic UK state visit met with protests in Windsor

On the same day a ground offensive was launched in Gaza City, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry report concluded Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, a finding emphatically denied by Israeli officials.

Jerusalem

Israel committing genocide in Gaza, UN inquiry finds

Yulia Navalnaya, the wife of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, said that foreign laboratory tests on biological samples obtained from her husband showed that he was poisoned.

Yulia Navalnaya says foreign tests show her husband was poisoned

Prosecutors formally changed Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and said they intend to seek the death penalty. Authorities also revealed exchanges between Robinson and his roommate.

Utah County

Prosecutors formally charge Charlie Kirk shooting suspect

U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived at Windsor Castle and were greeted by King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales. CBS News' Ed O'Keefe has the latest.

Windsor

Trump greeted by British royal family at Windsor Castle

The eyes of the global financial markets are on the US Federal Reserve. It's expected to be cut later on Wednesday, around a quarter-point. But US President Donald Trump has called repeatedly for much steeper rate cuts.

Global markets watch as Trump challenges Fed independence

The U.S. Secretary of State has visited Qatar a week after Israel attacked a meeting of the Hamas negotiating team in Doha. Marco Rubio met Qatar's Prime Minister and the Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.

Doha

Marco Rubio visits Doha, holds talks with Emir and PM

Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray provided updates Tuesday on the case against Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk. Robinson is charged with seven counts, including aggravated murder. The state is seeking the death penalty.

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect charged with murder

A judge has dismissed two state terrorism-related charges against Luigi Mangione, the 27-year-old accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last December. CBS News' Anna Schecter has more details.

Luigi Mangione's state terrorism charges dismissed in CEO killing

Israel said it has launched its ground offensive in Gaza City. It comes as a United Nations inquiry finds that Israel's nearly two-year war on Gaza is a genocide. Israeli leaders have denounced the report as "distorted and false."

Israel launches main phase of ground offensive in Gaza City

U.S. President Donald Trump becomes the first U.S. president to receive a second state visit as Britain faces protests over immigration and growing support for the pro-Trump Reform Party. CBS News correspondent Ed O'Keefe reports from London.

Trump begins state visit to London amid rising political tensions

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday (Sept. 15) the U.S. military carried out a second strike against an alleged Venezuelan drug boat. CBS News' Charlie D'Agata has the latest.

Caracas

Trump announces second U.S. strike on alleged Venezuelan drug boat

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened investigations into the ‘radical left,’ following the shooting death of Charlie Kirk. Vice-President J.D. Vance on Kirk’s podcast encouraged people to turn in those who celebrated the conservative commentator’s killing.

Charlie Kirk’s killing prompts broad threats from Trump administration

The United States and China reached a framework agreement to switch short-video app TikTok to U.S.-controlled ownership, U.S. officials said.

Washington County

U.S., China reach framework deal on TikTok

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as close U.S. ally Qatar gathered other Arab nations' leaders for a summit to issue unified condemnation of last week's Israeli airstrike targeting Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital.

What to know about Rubio's trip to Israel, Qatar summit

President Trump announced the U.S. military has carried out a second strike on alleged Venezuelan "narcoterrorists" in international waters. Three men were killed.

Trump announces second strike on alleged drug boat from Venezuela

Arab and Islamic leaders are gathering in Qatar for an emergency summit following an Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Doha. The meeting aims to show unity and increase pressure on Israel.

Breakdown