SBS News In Depth

The special relationship is given the kiss of life, Iran’s new deal gets kicked into touch as Trump points to a long-term blockade and will Israel’s opposition bromance last? Plus, would you trust a robo-baggage guy?

The S&P/ASX 200 has extended its losing streak to an eighth straight session, as oil surged past US$120 a barrel following comments from US President Donald Trump that he would extend the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The effect of rising oil prices is being reflected in company reports with Woolworths Group downgrading its full-year profit outlook, despite reporting a lift in third quarter food sales. For more, Stephanie Youssef spoke with TMS Private Wealth Portfolio Manager Ben Clark.

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has tabled its interim report, just two months after the commission was launched. Lead commissioner Virginia Bell says the commission has not identified any security issues requiring urgent or immediate action. But the report makes fourteen initial recommendations, including the implementation of nationally consistent gun laws.

WARNING Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story includes the name and image of an Indigenous person who has passed away. THIS STORY MAY BE DISTRESSING FOR SOME LISTENERS. The desperate search for a five-year-old missing in the Northern Territory has ended in tragedy. Police believe they've found the girl's body. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro says the entire Northern Territory is mourning the family's loss.

The United States is preparing to expand a naval blockade of Iran’s ports, as it ramps up economic pressure to force Tehran back to nuclear negotiations. US President Donald Trump says the strategy is working, but Iran has condemned the move as an act of war and signalled it will respond. Despite claims of military success, divisions are growing in Congress over the cost, strategy and long-term consequences of the war.

A new report argues that Australia lacks a national strategy to regulate the spread of artificial intelligence in the workplace. It has been published as an A-I forum is held in Adelaide to examine that issue. The report from the John Curtin Research Centre argues that AI’s impact on Australian workers won’t be decided by technology, but by political choices.

A sharp lift in inflation and a seventh straight fall on the ASX set the tone for this episode of the SBS On the Money podcast, unpacking how global conflict is feeding into Australia’s economy. Official data shows annual inflation expanding to 4.6 per cent in March, driven by a surge in fuel and electricity costs. Harry Murphy Cruise from Oxford Economics breaks down what this means for interest rates and how much further prices could rise, while Damien Boey from Wilson Asset Management explains the market reaction, sector moves and what investors are watching next as US tech earnings come into focus.

The United Arab Emirates has announced it will exit the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries - or OPEC - from May. Analysts say the decision reflects a growing rift with Saudi Arabia, and stronger ties with the United States. Any impact on oil prices is likely to be dampened by the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

In a cordial and at times humorous address to the United States Congress, Britain's King Charles III has delivered a subtle pushback against the Trump administration. The high-stakes royal visit to Washington comes at a time of heightened tensions between the historic allies, with questions of shared values and security objectives casting doubt over the transatlantic relationship.

Social media companies will be forced to pay more money for using Australian news content on their platforms unless they strike deals with media outlets. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled the change in fresh draft laws for the news bargaining incentive.

Australian shares extended their losing streak, with the ASX200 down 0.6% to a three-week low and ten of eleven sectors finishing in the red, even as US markets hit fresh records. Utilities led the decline, with Origin Energy tumbling, while a lift in oil prices and a rebound in lithium miners offered some support. For a closer look at the day’s moves and what’s driving the divergence with Wall Street, Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with MPC Markets CEO Mark Gardner.

The federal government is being urged to invest for the wellbeing of adolescent girls, as the war in the Middle East continues to impact vulnerable communities across Asia Pacific. Despite adolescent girls making up nine per cent of the global population, experts say less than one per cent of aid in the world goes towards supporting them.

Pope Leo has now returned to Rome after his four-nation African tour that bore witness to the continent's colonial past. The trip focused on faith, social cohesion and human dignity.

It's 30 years today since 35 people died and dozens more were injured in a shooting at Port Arthur, in southern Tasmania. The tragedy led to a mass buyback of more than half-a-million guns and other reforms to gun ownership. Advocates for control say more needs to be done in 2026 to limit the number of guns in the community, but shooters say they feel unfairly treated.

The ASX slips to a three week low ahead of a pivotal week for global markets, with Raymond Chan from Morgans breaking down what to watch as central banks meet, US tech giants report earnings and fresh inflation data lands. At the same time, the countdown to tax time begins, with Assistant Commissioner Anita Challen outlining the ATO’s focus on work related deductions, side hustles and misleading advice circulating online.

Investigations continue into a major security breach at the White House Press Correspondents dinner, with the suspect due to appear in court. A manifesto allegedly written by Cole Tomas Allen has shed some light on his potential motives, including anger at the Trump Administration. United States President Donald Trump says the incident demonstrates the need to build his controversial ballroom at the White House.

The Australian Government has pledged $1.2 billion in defence spending, with $750 million going towards the production of 268 new Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles in Bendigo. Following the National Defence Strategy, Defence Minister Richard Marles says the production will bolster Australia's mobile and agile defence capabilities.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with his Moldovan counterpart in Kyiv, as the world marks the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster- and draws stark contrasts with the current state of play in Europe.

Talks between the U-S and Iran have broken down after U-S President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he was cancelling his envoy's trip to Pakistan. Iran has also ruled out direct talks with the US, questioning their commitment to a diplomatic solution, as they call for an end to Israel's strikes on Lebanon. Meanwhile, a small proportion of Palestinians have cast their votes in the first election in Gaza in more than 20 years.

A paediatrician says misinformation about childhood vaccines coming out of the United States has led to a huge spike in vaccine hesitancy in Australia in the past year. Professor Margie Danchin from the Murdoch Children's Research Institute says the latest figures show Australia has the lowest vaccine coverage for children under 5 in more than a decade, with the rates falling each year since 2020. She spoke with Greg Dyett.