SBS Assyrian

The late Romeo Hanna had a deep passion for collecting Assyrian songs from the 1960s. In 1977, he joined SBS Assyrian, where he was responsible for recording programs and carefully selecting songs to suit each broadcast. In 2020, the late Wilson Younan interviewed Hanna about his invaluable contributions to the Assyrian program and his 12 years of dedicated service.

SBS Assyrian spoke with Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone, Assyrian Aid Society President Nora Michael, and Lumaso Art Association founder Edwar Haydo during the Assyrian New Year festival. They shared their thoughts on the significance of the Assyrian New Year and spoke about their organisations' ongoing projects and activities.

Peter Dutton concedes the Coalition got it wrong on its work-from-home policy; the Pope makes his first public appearance since leaving hospital; and, in cycling, Tadej Pogacar wins the Tour of Flanders.

An Independent MP says Australia should look to other markets following US tariffs; and, in tennis, the Hopman Cup finds a new home in Italy.

Immanuel Sada from ADM-Sydney told SBS Assyrian about an attack on people celebrating the Assyrian New Year in Duhok, Iraq. A young man wielding an axe launched a random assault, seriously injuring a 20-year-old man and a 70-year-old woman. Fortunately, he was apprehended before causing further harm, and security forces took him into custody. The injured victims were transported to hospital and ar...

Australia responds to a US tariff imposing a 10 per cent tax on all Australian goods being sold there; President Trump declares new wide-ranging tariffs, an historic turning point for America; and, in football, Liverpool restores their 12-point lead at the top of the English Premier League with a win against Everton.

In this program: SBS 50th anniversary interview with former broadcaster Valentine Aghajani: Assyrian New Year celebrations; and SBS Examines looks at political advertising during election campaigns and much more.

The Assyrian community in Sydney celebrated the Assyrian New Year 6775 with a grand festival attended by over 10,000 people. The event welcomed numerous dignitaries, including Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, NSW Premier Chris Minns, Minister for Energy and Climate Change Chris Bowen, several members of the NSW Parliament, and representatives from various Sydney communities. Dutton and other dignit...

Labor announces funding for a new health centre in Adelaide, as the Opposition promises to relax rules for approving home loans; China, Japan and South Korea agree to respond as a bloc to United States tariffs; and, in football, Katrina Gorry to miss the Matildas' upcoming matches against South Korea due to injury.

RBA governor Michelle Bullock says a trade war with the US would have a global impact; US prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione; and, in tennis, Daria Kasatkina prepares for her first match representing Australia at the Charleston Open.

Valentine Aghajani’s journey with 3EA, now SBS Audio, began in 1980. As a high school student, she was already working as an Assyrian-English interpreter. She fondly recalls the first program broadcast in November 1980 and the immense joy it brought to the Assyrian community in Melbourne, as it was the first time they had heard a female Assyrian voice on national radio. In 1993, she was appointed...

A survey by Newspoll suggests Labor has a narrow lead over the Coalition in a "two-party preferred" vote; US President Donald Trump threatens to impose further tariffs on Russia if progress is not made in a ceasefire with Ukraine; and, in sport, the Eels' woes continue with a loss against Manly in the NRL.

Australians will head to the polls for a federal election on 3 May; US Vice President J D Vance to visit Greenland as Denmark pushes back against US pressure for control; and, in sport, Essendon record their first win of the season with a win against Port Adelaide.

The Coalition says it will cut the cost of petrol if elected; a state government website has had a major data breach; and, in rugby, audiences will experience an unfortunate viewing clash between two key games later this year.

In this program: SBS news bulletin; SBS50 interview with first female broadcaster Nelle David; SBS Examines: migrants and disability; and Australia Explained: Theft in Australia.

US President Donald Trump flags further tariffs, targeting countries that buy oil from Venezuela; Turkey's President blames the Opposition Party for mass demonstrations which have seen more than 1,000 protesters detained; and, in football, the NRL's Daly Cherry-Evans says he won't renew a contract with long-time club Manly.

Broad cost of living measures are the focus of Labor’s pre-election budget. Tax cuts and energy bill relief are the biggest promises if the government gets a second mandate. Jim Chalmers’ final first-term budget, while not a big one, still had some goodies.

The Prime Minister spruiks Labor's budget, saying Australians will benefit from a new tax cut; New South Wales police seize a million cigarettes in raid targeting the stolen tobacco trade; and, in sport, Socceroos turn their attention to their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches after a win against China.

In June 1976, the Assyrian community in Sydney was thrilled to hear the voice of Nelle David, the first female broadcaster to reach them through a national radio station in Australia. Alongside Philimon Darmo and Dinkha Warda, Nelle co-hosted the first Assyrian radio program on SBS (then 2EA). In this episode, David reflects on the challenges the team encountered in those early days and how they n...

Gaza's health ministry says the death toll since 7 October has now surpassed 50,000; the Treasurer forecasts an update to net migration in tomorrow's federal budget; and, in sport, the Hawks win their second National Basketball League title.

Like many Assyrians worldwide, the Assyrian community marks the New Year between late March and early April. This year, seven Assyrian organisations in Melbourne are coming together to celebrate the occasion on 30 March. Khoshaba Youkhana, secretary of the Assyrian Australian Social Development Club in Melbourne, spoke to SBS Assyrian about the significance of this collective celebration, highligh...

Both sides of politics agree to reduce the costs of medicine; Ukrainian experts to join upcoming US-Russia talks ... but on one condition; and, the Socceroos get a key World Cup qualifying victory, thrashing Indonesia.

The federal government's announcement of cheaper medicines welcomed; Russia and Ukraine exchange hundreds of prisoners of war; and, in football, Indonesia's coach promises some surprises when his team takes on the Socceroos tonight.

In this program: latest news; an interview with Hermiz Shahen about Assyrian New Year; SBS50, broadcaster Janet O Emmanuel talks about her journey with SBS Assyrian; and an interview with Youhana Bidaweed about a lecture for parents on how to encourage their children to enjoy learning and studying.

SBS Assyrian invites you on a journey to uncover the dedication, excitement, and challenges the team has faced over the past 49 years. In this episode, we hear the stories of presenter and producer Janet O Emmanuel, who worked at SBS from 1989 to 1992.