SBS News In Depth

Loneliness among men has been described as a "crisis" in Australia, and it appears to be on the rise. This social isolation can not only hurt mens mental health and overall wellbeing, it is also costing the Australian economy billions of dollars. A recent Australian study could hold the answer as to why men appear to be stuggling more with loneliness.

Washington has ground to a halt thanks to a government shutdown, triggered by Congress being unable to agree on a funding bill. It is the 15th government shutdown since 1981, which will likely slow the release of key reports and lead to the furlough of 750,000 federal workers at a daily cost of $US400 million.

The renowned conservationist, scientist, and global activist Jane Goodall has died at the age of 91. The Jane Goodall Institute announced the primatologist's death of natural causes on social media.

The U.S. federal government has entered a shutdown, a few hours after the U.S. Senate failed to pass a short-term spending bill on Tuesday night US East Coast time. It's the first government shutdown in nearly seven years. The last and also the longest federal government shutdown occurred from late 2018 to early 2019 during President Trump's first term when Democrats opposed funding the U.S.-Mexico border wall. The result was a shutdown lasting over five weeks, during which some 800,000 federal employees were forced to work without pay or take unpaid leave. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees will be forced to take unpaid leave this time too, with some public services potentially suspended or delayed, and the release of economic data possibly impacted as well. Bruce Wolpe is a senior fellow at the University of Sydney's United States Studies Centre and has served on the Democratic staff in the US Congress. He's been speaking to SBS's Virginia Langeberg about the impact of the shutdown.

The Public Health Association of Australia has announced they will be establishing an Aboriginal and Torres-Strait Islander voice to help guide their work after a near unanimous vote by their members. Nearly two years after the failed referendum saw a First Nations voice to parliament shot down, NGOs like the PHAA and state governments have chosen to follow the wishes of the majority of Indigenous communities in Australia who voted for this special representation.

The Australian sharemarket has fallen flat, as investors react to the US government shutdown and reports of China temporarily banning purchases of BHP’s iron ore. For more, Stephanie Youssef spoke with Niv Dagan from Peak Asset Management. Plus, Australian house prices continue to rise, as the Albanese Government’s Home Guarantee scheme is expanded to all first home buyers. For more, Stephanie Youssef spoke with Tim Lawless, Asia-Pacific research director at Cotality.

When hundreds of military commanders were ordered to attend a last-minute meeting in Virginia in the United States, there was speculation of a major announcement. What greeted them was US President Donald Trump and defence secretary Pete Hegseth delivering an impassioned speech on "wokeness", obesity and using US cities as military training grounds.

Psychologists warn that the use of tracking apps like Life360 and FindMyPhone can normalise constant monitoring, which may start in families but spill into intimate partner relationships, potentially leading to controlling and coercive behaviours. But how do we know if tracking those we love is beneficial or problematic? And if it's the latter, how do we address it?

The United Nations has welcomed the US-led peace plan in achieving a ceasefire to end a nearly two-year war for Gaza and the region. But internationally, the plan continues to receive mixed reactions, as Hamas and Qatar mediators review the deal.

Tens of thousands of registered nurses across the country will be able to up-skill to prescribe medications usually authorised by a doctor. It's a reform that could change the medical landscape in Australia... and the lives of many patients.

Despite solid gains by the gold miners, a sell-off in energy stocks – fuelled by a continued decline in oil prices – has dragged the Australian sharemarket. For more, Stephanie Youssef spoke with Jonathan Shead, Head of Investment at State Street Investment Management. Plus, the Reserve Bank left interest rates unchanged at 3.6 percent, as expected, at its September board meeting. For more, Stephanie Youssef spoke with Pradeep Philip from Deloitte Access Economics.

A meeting between Communications Minister Anika Wells and leaders from Optus and its parent company, Singtel, has yielded little new information or action. It comes as calls for stronger consequences grow in the wake of multiple triple-zero failures that have been linked to deaths. Critics say there's more the minister could be doing right now to restore public trust.

A framework has been developed to track and improve the treatment options for dementia patients in aged care. The proposal come after the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare named dementia as the leading cause of death in Australia.

Israel and the United States have agreed to a plan for ending the war in Gaza. But both US President Donald Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have indicated if Hamas rejects the plan, the militant group will face the consequences. Hamas says it is reviewing the proposals.

It's been eight years since the United Nations first recognised International Translation Day. The celebration falls on 30 September and recognises the work of language professionals who foster cultural understanding, connection and social cohesion. But some translators and interpreters in Australia believe more needs to be done to protect the workforce and bridge language barriers.

Could a 'Climate Army' of young volunteers bolster Australia's capability to cope with natural disasters? That's the question before a Senate inquiry looking at proposals for a new national scheme.

A group of young First Nations men and women have blazed their way through a training program for firefighter hopefuls. The initiative is a partnership between TAFE and the New South Wales Fire Service - to help young Indigenous people get into their dream job.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Stephen Smith from Deloitte Access Economics abut what the government's final budget outcome says about the economy; plus Kyle Rodda from Capital.com on the day's sharemarket action.

The prospect of a long-awaited Middle East peace initiative has re-emerged, with President Donald Trump signalling that his administration is ready to unveil a comprehensive plan for Gaza. While US and Israeli leaders express cautious optimism, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with tens of thousands dead and entire neighbourhoods reduced to rubble.

An Australian nurse is among the few international staff still on the ground at a Red Cross field hospital in southern Gaza. He shares the challenges of working in one of the only facilities still fully functioning in the enclave.

Palau, an independent island nation in the western Pacific Ocean, consists of more than 300 islands in Micronesia. It's a popular destination for divers and ecotourists and visitors are required to take the "Palau Pledge" to protect its ecosystems. But Palau is already facing the immediate reality of climate change, with rising sea levels, coral bleaching, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss. Surangel Whipps Junior, the President of Palau, has spoken at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and wants to see the COP31 global climate conference held in the Pacific region rather than in Turkiye, because this is where climate change is already having devastating impacts. He's been talking to SBS Senior International Correspondent Ben Lewis, and told him that Palau and Australia are family - and the two countries need to work together.

It's been more than three and a half years since one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recent history left devastation in Tonga. An Australian-led scientific team has been studying the area surrounding the underwater volcano, in collaboration with researchers from across the world, looking for signs of life. The eruption changed the shape of the sea floor and devastated the underwater environment but early signs of life are beginning to emerge.

Fandi Ahmad is more than just a footballer; has been described as a national legend in Singapore. He was the first Singaporean footballer to play in Europe, the first Singaporean millionaire sportsperson and the first Singaporean sportsperson to have a published biography. As a young child, his family lived in a two-room public housing flat, Fandi was obsessed with football and spent much of his time kicking a ball. He became arguably Asia's best known footballer. He's shared the pitch with Diego Maradona, and was picked to play for Dutch football giant Ajax - an offer he subsequently turned down. Fandi's Muslim faith is central to his life. He avoids scandals, does not smoke or drink, and has been described as humble, filial, and compassionate. In this extended edition of Weekend One on One, he talks to SBS's Christopher Tan

More than 100 states have signed an Australian-led declaration to protect aid workers. Australian Red Cross CEO Andrew Colvin explains what the declaration is aiming to achieve.

More than three years after it was first announced, a new deep space antenna is being brought online in Western Australia.

South Australia's algal bloom continues to spread, leading to significant environmental, ecological and mental health harm. Those impacts have been heard at a Senate inquiry examining support arrangements for those affected, but also long-term prevention strategies.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Shane Oliver from AMP and Marcus Bogdan from Blackmore Capital about the reaction to a US decision to apply 100% import tariffs to pharmaceutical products from Wednesday, plus all the latest from the sharemarket.

Youth advocates from around the world have gathered at the UN headquarters in New York to participate in the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly. Their meeting marked the thirtieth anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth.

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy.

The war in Gaza has now claimed more than 65,500 lives, according to Palestinian health officials, as Israeli forces intensify their campaign both inside the Strip and beyond. While Israel expands air and ground operations deep into Yemen, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is calling for a post-Hamas future and an immediate ceasefire.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves delves into Barrenjoey's report on the industries most exposed to technological change and AI with Johnathan McMenamin; plus the day on the sharemarket with Mark Gardner from MPC Markets.

An increasing number of Australians are being harmed by gambling according to new research. The study highlights the link between problem gambling and domestic violence, suicide, and financial hardship, with more than 3-million Australians said to be impacted.

Ten Western nations (including Australia, the UK, and France) formally recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly. Our correspondents bring you the latest from New York, as they break down the statehood debate, MAGA’s escalating war on the left, and Trump’s unsubstantiated claims linking paracetamol and autism.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the upcoming meeting between Anthony Albanese and Donald Trump will seek to advance areas of co-operation but also underline issues of sovereignty.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has delivered his first leader's speech to the United Nations General Assembly, promoting Australia as a significant middle power. He's used the speech to push for more global co-operation on tackling the climate crisis, and peacekeeping efforts. And he's also pushing for Australia to co-host the next COP climate summit in 2026, and hold a seat on the UN Security Council.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Paul Bloxham from HSBC about today's stronger than expected inflation figures and what it means for interest rates, plus the day on the sharemarket with Francesco De Stradis from Ord Minnett.

Donald Trump has stunned the United Nations, using his speech at the General Assembly to suggest other countries are “going to hell” because of migration and denying science by calling climate change a ‘con’. In an extraordinary address, he slammed the UN for not doing enough to end wars. The US President also said he’d support NATO countries shooting down a Russian aircraft that breaches their airspace, and declared Kyiv can win back ‘all of Ukraine’.

The Northern Territory has been engulfed by significant backlash regarding the sentencing of a driver who fatally struck an Aboriginal man in a hit and run and his familial connection to the Territory's Attorney General. First Nations communities and legal experts argue the sentence given to Jake Danby, a 12-month community corrections order, is inconsistent with the 'tough on crime' approach of the Country Liberal Party government.

US President Donald Trump has announced his administration will direct doctors not to recommend paracetamol for pregnant women, claiming it may be linked to autism in children. Australian medical experts have responded, re-confirming that paracetamol is safe for use in pregnancy.

Australia has joined 150-plus countries who now officially recognise a Palestinian state. But after nearly two years of war in Gaza, and a death toll in excess of 65,000, what would a state of Palestine even look like? Is this recognition purely symbolic, or does it have real-world implications? And could it help bring an end to the conflict?

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Michael McCarthy from MooMoo Australia about the day's market action including Myer's disappointing profit result, and Nvidia's huge OpenAI deal.

France has formally recognised the state of Palestine in what President Emmanuel Macron hailed as a historic step towards Middle East peace. The decision, welcomed by Palestinian leaders and backed by several allies, set the tone for the United Nations' 80th anniversary session, even as Israel and the United States condemned it and boycotted proceedings.

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Stealthing, the removal of a condom during sex without a partner's knowledge or consent, has in recent years become a criminal offence in almost all parts of Australia. But experts say there is still a lack of awareness about what stealthing is and the dangers it poses.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Luke McMillan from Ophir Asset Management about the day's sharemarket action while Stephanie Youssef looks through the latest AMP research with Ben Hillier which reveals half of Australians don't feel financially confident as they approach retirement.

The Federal Communications Minister says Optus can expect to suffer significant consequences following last week's triple-0 outage, that's been linked to multiple deaths. The Australian Communications and Media Authority [[ACMA]] has launched an investigation into the failure, with authorities looking to obtain significant information from the telco to understand what happened.

As spring has arrived in Australia, a leading food safety advocate group is calling Australians to also conduct a spring clean for their fridges, freezers and pantries. The call comes as a recent survey finds over half of Australians see food-borne illness as their main food safety concerns, but less than half consumers consistently perform food safety behaviours when preparing food at home. And with a hot summer approaching, advocates and health experts say Australians need to be more careful about food poisoning this year

Australia has joined Canada, Portugal and the United Kingdom in formally recognising a Palestinian state at the UN. The declaration was made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City, with the government saying it comes as part of a push for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a warning to the countries, while saying he aims to ensure there will never be a Palestinian state.

An Israeli drone strike on the Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil has killed five people, including three children, despite a US-brokered ceasefire with Hezbollah. The tragedy comes as Gaza endures another wave of bombardments, with dozens killed in the past day alone.

Global matcha prices are surging due to poor weather in Japan, rising global demand, labour shortages, and steep US tariffs on imports from Japan and China. Now, the world’s love affair with matcha may be tested - at the checkout counter.