SBS News In Depth

Growing speculation over a proposal to hand Australians' personal and biometric data to the United States is raising alarm among privacy and security experts. As other countries with visa-free arrangements with the U-S consider proposals to expand their data-sharing agreements, the Australian Government is yet to clarify if they're considering the move.

With the midterm elections due at the end of this year in the United States, Republicans and Democrats in some states are scrambling for an advantage. Republican President Donald Trump had hoped re-districting could help House Republicans hold on to their slim majority. But there are moves to introduce legislation that could also give the party an advantage, laws that the Democrats say are designed to shut out minority voters. And there are still election battles to be won in Texas - and Georgia.

The far northwestern city of Mildura is used to hot summers. But in January, the city and surrounds sweltered through an unusual heatwave, with temperatures breaking records throughout the region. SBS' Deborah Groarke spoke with the mayor of Mildura, Ali Cupper, on how the Council deals with hot weather, and its concerns around how worsening climate change patterns might affect its residents and agricultural economy.

Australia's average daily prison population is at its highest level in eight years. New data from the Productivity Commission has found more on average, around 45,000 people were locked up each day in the 2024-2025 financial year. Experts say the figures are a clear indication the system is failing.

University students in Australia, including more than 800,000 from overseas, are preparing for a new academic year. However, many from Iran are facing financial hardship while also grieving lives lost during recent protests.