SBS News In Depth

Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change, Ralph Regenvanu, has emerged as one of the Pacific’s most influential and principled public figures, combining political leadership with cultural advocacy and a sustained commitment to climate justice. In an exclusive interview with SBS, he said that current issues with fuel security and supply wouldn’t influence the negotiations between Australia and Vanuatu to finalise the Nakamal agreement. The treaty, initialed in August last year but not finalised, aims to enhance economic, security and cultural cooperation between the two countries. He told SBS’s Rayane Tamer that the current fuel crisis presents Australia with a unique opportunity to become an alternative energy superpower

Airfares are set to climb as Virgin Australia cuts flights to manage rising fuel costs, while Qantas flags a sharp increase in its fuel bill, reshaping travel plans for Australians. Phoebe Deas speaks with Ellis Taylor from Cirium on what these changes mean for the aviation sector, as new data reveals Japan has overtaken Indonesia as Australia’s second most popular destination, helped by a stronger exchange rate. Meanwhile, the ASX closes slightly higher, with insight from Scott Phillips of The Motley Fool on the market’s mixed performance.

Pope Leo the Fourteenth is on a historic tour of Africa, a journey spanning four countries, thousands of kilometres, and a continent that is now central to the future of the Catholic Church. From Algeria to Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, the visit is being described as both pastoral and political.

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to formally launch direct negotiations with one another after historic talks in Washington, mediated by the United States. The first direct talks between the two countries in more than three decades have been characterised as a diplomatic milestone. But, negotiations have been overshadowed by conflicting agendas, and ongoing fighting.

After Prime Minister Albanese’s whistle-stop visit to Singapore, the future of Australia’s fuel supplies looks a lot more secure as the ripples from the Straits of Hormuz spread outwards. Last week Anthony Albanese met with his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong in Singapore. The two signed off on a new bilateral trade agreement, under which Australia would guarantee Singapore’s supply of liquefied natural gas, and Singapore would prioritise the flow of refined petroleum to Australia. Singapore is Australia’s largest source of refined petrol. SBS's Naveen Razik secured an exclusive interview with Singapore's Energy Minister Dr. Tan See Leng about our energy partnership and the wider consequences of the current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.