SBS News In Depth

Trump tries to extinguish the oil price fire but Iran and Israel both double down on an extended war. Iranian women soccer players seek asylum and the Nepali youth’s hip-hop hero. Plus, Ready Player One? The virtual world to the rescue…

Soldiers have been deployed to the streets of Johannesburg in the first major troop deployment since South African President Cyril Ramaphosa vowed to crack down on violent crime and illegal mining. With some of the highest crime rates in the world, South Africa is deploying troops to five of its nine provinces in an effort to tackle the growing violence.

The war in the Middle East is continuing to intensify, with Iran warning oil prices could surge to US$200 a barrel if the conflict spreads across the region. As missiles strike Israel and Iran, tensions are rising rise in the Gulf and Lebanon, as fears grow of a wider war and a global economic shock.

An investigation into the Robodebt Scheme has found two people engaged in "serious corrupt conduct". The Investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission cleared four other people, including former Prime Minister Scott Morrison. And a warning - this feature contains references to suicide.

The federal government has introduced new legislation to impose a temporary ban from some countries travelling to Australia on certain visas. Rights groups and experts have condemned the move, raising concerns that the war in the Middle East could prevent people from seeking asylum in Australia.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Josh Gilbert from eToro to as NAB, Westpac and Citi predict two RBA interest rate rises in a row as oil prices remain high threatening inflation; and Stephanie Youssef speaks with Blair Davies from the Australian Taxi Industry Association to find out, if like some airlines, taxis will need to increase fares to cover the spike in petrol prices.

Queensland Senator Matt Canavan has been elected leader of the Nationals following David Littleproud's resignation, appointing Darren Chester as his deputy. The conservative leader aims to challenge net-zero targets, address fuel crises, and advocate for child care reform.

The Australian government has granted humanitarian visas to seven members of the Iranian National women's football team to stay in Australia. Amid relief from the supporters within the community and fears for the remaining players, critics say the government's proposed visa legislation will leave other visa holders in the region stranded.

It's been 15 years since one of the worst natural disasters in history. The 2011 East Japan Earthquake and tsunami killed more than 19,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands of people, especially those forced to evacuate following the subsequent Fukushima nuclear accident. So what lessons can be learnt from this disaster and nuclear accident in a climate of increasing global turmoil?

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Cirium Aviation Analyst Ellis Taylor who says airfares may rise as much as 30 per cent as jet fuel prices soar amid the Middle-East war; and Todd Hoare from LGT Wealth Management Australia Management on the markets partial recovery following yesterday's $90bn sell-off.

Iran has been retaliating since coming under United States and Israeli bombardment more than a week ago, launching strikes against Israel and Gulf states allied with the US that host American military bases. Experts are describing Iran's actions as a bid for "regime survival". Associate Professor Jessica Genauer at Flinders University says the conflict can be described as "asymmetric". She's been...

Australia is deploying an E7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft and 85 personnel to the United Arab Emirates to bolster regional air defences. The government is maintaining the mission is strictly defensive, while the Greens warn it risks entangling Australia in an illegal conflict.

The war involving the United States, Israel and Iran is entering a volatile new phase, with fighting spreading across the Middle East, missiles and drones striking multiple countries, global energy markets under pressure, and hundreds of thousands of civilians forced to flee their homes.

Global oil prices have surged and sunk as the US-Israeli war on Iran chokes major supply chains of oil and gas. With deep uncertainty and mixed messaging over the US timeframe for the war, world leaders are scrambling to ensure they're prepared for ongoing pressures.

Women across the world have taken to the streets to mark International Women's Day, calling for an end to inequality and discrimination. Some of the issues in focus - pay inequity, reproductive rights and gender-based violence.

Australia have faced South Korea in one of the AFC Women's Asia Cup's most anticipated fixtures, surrendering the top spot in the group to South Korea, after a 3-all draw. The match delivered a crucial result at the eleventh hour for home side. As fans celebrate the rise in women's football, experts say more work needs to be done in the space.

The Middle East conflict is entering a new and uncertain phase. Iran has appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as its new Supreme Leader following the killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as fighting with Israel intensifies. Military strikes are escalating across the region, oil prices are surging, and world leaders are urging restraint amid fears of a wider war.

Six months after youth-led protests in Nepal ousted the government, voters have elected 35-year-old rapper turned politician Balendra Shah. Defeating former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, the landslide victory of the former mayor of Kathmandu shows the lasting strength of the youth-led movement.

In December 2025, Australia's ban on under 16s having social media accounts on some of the world's highest profile platforms took effect. Since then, around the world, other countries have taken note, and are implementing or considering their own underage ban.

Today is International Women's Day, with the theme of 'Balancing the Scales' which calls for accelerated progress toward gender equity. SBS World News Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson has spoken with Irish Ambassador Fiona Flood, German Ambassador Beate Grzeski, and Croatian Ambassador Betty Pavelich on their experiences as senior diplomats. The conversation covers a range of important...

More than three thousand kilometres off the Western Australian coast lie the Cocos Islands — a tiny archipelago of 27 coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. Just two are inhabited. One of them is Home Island, a kampong of about 460 people, where the overwhelming majority are Cocos Malays — and where Islam has shaped daily life for generations. As Western Australia Correspondent Christoph...

A warning - the following story contains elements that may distress some people. In 2025, New South Wales alone recorded the highest number of women murdered in domestic violence situations. Advocates say it's not a one-off situation - and that women's safety remains an ongoing concern.

Families in Australia are bracing for a cost-of-living hit, as energy prices soar. Charities are increasing gifts of free food during Ramadan, to help those already struggling. SBS Arabic takes a look at how one group is trying to help.

The S&P/ASX 200 has recorded its worst weekly drop since Donald Trump’s so-called Liberation Day tariffs shocked global markets in April last year. That’s as investors weigh the prospect of a drawn-out war in the Middle East, with the rising oil price prompting further inflation concerns. Meanwhile, the US Pentagon has formally labelled AI company Anthropic a supply chain risk, escalating its disp...

Counting is underway in Nepal's general elections which were held six months after deadly anti-corruption protests toppled the government in the Himalayan nation. Nearly 19 million voters were eligible to choose who replaces the interim government in place since the September 2025 uprising. A winner is not expected to be announced until after a week.