Only when the influence of Hamas and Hezbollah are weakened can there be steps towards a “peaceful” two-state solution, says Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Birmingham. This comes after former Queensland Labor premier Peter Beattie condemned the government pushing for a two-state solution in the Middle East. “If indeed the current conflict can see Hamas, Hezbollah weakened to the point where they don’t have the influence in Palestinian territories or indeed in Lebanon,” Mr Birmingham told Sky News Australia. “That might give scope actually for there to be the type of steps towards security, stability and ultimately negotiated peaceful outcomes towards a two-state solution.”

CommSec’s Ryan Felsman says the ASX 200 is expected to begin “on the back foot” when the share market opens on Friday morning. “The Aussie share market is expected to begin Friday on the back foot,” he told Sky News Australia. “With SPI futures pointing down by 20 points or 0.2 per cent.” Presented by CommSec.

Millions of Americans remain without power after destructive Hurricane Milton lashed Florida. Hurricane Milton has currently moved offshore and into the Atlantic Ocean as a Category One storm; however, danger still persists. More than 11 million people are under flood warnings, while at least three million people are without power.

Florida resident Mike Johnson has described the destruction Hurricane Milton left behind after it crossed through the state overnight. “It was pretty scary, to say the least,” Mr Johnson told Sky News Australia. “It was a sleepless night for me – we were up until probably 2:30 in the morning, and then I woke up at six to try and help neighbours and everything.”

Sky News Meteorologist Rob Sharpe has examined the upcoming weather forecast across Australia. Sydney and Newcastle are likely to see a few showers on Saturday.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has provided an update after Hurricane Milton caused destruction in the state overnight. Hurricane Milton caused widespread power outages after it wreaked havoc in Florida.

Sky News host James Morrow examines the latest “embarrassing blunder” from the Australian Greens. The party has been forced to defend its vetting process after its ACT candidate Harini Rangarajan under a pseudonym compared Osama Bid Laden to Jesus Christ. The Greens insist the social media post was a “creative writing” exercise.

Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster has been caught in Germany doing 60 miles an hour in a 50 zone, Sky News host Liz Storer discussed. “As we know you can’t get a speeding fine these days without getting a new profile picture,” said. “Well, imagine the German cops flipping through their photos and realising they caught the Cookie Monster.”

Sky News host Liz Storer discusses tomorrow’s newspaper headlines from The Australian. “Labor in a two-state daydream,” Ms Storer said. Ms Storer reads from The Australian’s article which states ‘Labor elder Peter Beattie has condemned the Albanese government’s core Middle East policies, warning that a two-state solution is a “daydream”’.

Sky News host Liz Storer says former US president Donald Trump is a leader “we’d all love to see” in Australia. Mr Trump has vowed to get rid of “critical race theory and transgender insanity” from US schools if re-elected. “Just one – can we just have one ... who talks like this when it comes to the garbage our kids are taught in school,” Ms Storer said.

Sky News host Liz Storer says the West are “seen as terrorists” in some Middle Eastern countries. Independent Senator Fatima Payman has launched her new political party, named Australia's Voice. The move has followed her controversial departure from the Labor Party over its handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Sky News host Andrew Bolt asks why the Livestock Production Assurance program questions if farmers are raising animals with access to “solar panels and wind turbines” as if they are harmful to them. “I note farmers who want to get the meat industry’s Livestock Production Assurance have to answer this question,” Mr Bolt said. “Do your livestock have access to leaking electrical transformers, capacitors, hydraulic equipment, solar panels, wind turbines, why are solar panels and wind turbines a risk factor when raising livestock?”

Centre for Youth Policy Director Freya Leach says the Labor government is “completely divided” on the issue of Israel and Palestine. It comes as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton rejected the government’s October 7 motion after it tried to include mentions of the deaths in Gaza and Lebanon. “They are taking a very unprincipled approach, probably because they have no principles,” Ms Leach told Sky News host James Morrow. “It’s frankly extremely frustrating and insulting and misses the whole point of this conflict.”

World Chairman of United Israel Appeal Sam Grundwerg joined Sky News host Sharri Markson to discuss the overwhelming aid Foreign Minister Penny Wong has given to Gaza. Penny Wong has given $82 million in taxpayer funds to Gaza and the Palestinian territories since the October 7 attacks against Israel. Jewish communities around the world have personally been required to raise funds.

Sky News host James Morrow says “let’s not forget” which side began the war in Gaza. “You see where this is going right? I want to show you a bit of what Jason Clare told the ABC this morning,” Mr Morrow said. “Now look sure I get it war is hell but let’s not forget who started this thing.”

Sky News host Rita Panahi reacts to Kamala Harris fans going into meltdown and attacking Donald Trump supporters.

Sky News host Caleb Bond says the manual given to judges for them to be “trauma informed” is more like a “guide to being woke”. “I thought we were all meant to be equal before the law but there is a new manual that has been issued to judges on how to handle cases involving racial or religious sensitivities,” Mr Bond said. “It explores the idea of therapeutic jurisprudence which is the goal of reforming the law so it apparently has a positive impact on the wellbeing of defendants … more like a guide to being woke.”

Sky News contributor Kosha Gada says the Democrat Party has “been crying” over the Electoral College for a “long time”. Her remarks come after Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz walked back on comments he made saying the Electoral College needs to go. “Because they do tend to win the popular vote even if they lose the Electoral College,” Ms Gada told Sky News host Rita Panahi.

Nationals MP Keith Pitt has warned of higher prices for cars under the Albanese government’s vehicle emissions standards. “Particularly the ones like the Hilux and the Ranger and the Land Cruiser – some up to $25,000,” Mr Pitt told Sky News host Chris Kenny. “Guess who is going to pay. Consumers.”

Venture North Safaris David McMahon says there is “no excuse” for tourists in the Northern Territory to be ignoring crocodile danger warnings. A growing number of tourists in the Northern Territory at Kakadu National Park are ignoring crocodile safety warnings. Mr McMahon told Sky News host Chris Kenny that there is “signs everywhere” warning people of the crocodile dangers.