SBS News In Depth

Australia and Vanuatu have signed a 500 million dollar strategic agreement - the first ever inked between the two countries. It positions Australia as the Pacific country's security partner of choice, but it's a weaker treaty than the Australian prime minister originally hoped for. China has expressed concern the deal targets China, warning Australia against playing "geopolitical games".

There are conflicting reports the United States and Iran are preparing for talks in Doha, aimed at building on a fragile ceasefire and negotiating a broader agreement covering Iran's nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz. The diplomacy comes as Israeli strikes continue in southern Lebanon, despite a U-S-backed framework agreement that Hezbollah has again rejected.

The ASX 200 rallied 0.7 per cent in a late-session surge ahead of the final trading day of the financial year, with tech stocks leading the gains. Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with ASIC Commissioner Simone Constant about why the corporate watchdog says superannuation trustees must do more to protect members from high fees and risky investments on investment platforms. Plus, Kyle Rodda from Capital.com breaks down the day's market action and what investors can expect as the financial year draws to a close.

The World Health Organisation says more than 1300 deaths can now be linked to Europe's unprecedented summer heatwave. As the heat moves east, all-time temperature records have been broken in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. Experts say with global warming making heatwaves more frequent, severe, and deadly, Europe is particularly vulnerable when it comes to soaring temperatures.

Just two weeks after the United States and Iran agreed to halt four months of fighting, renewed military exchanges are testing the fragile ceasefire. As tensions rise around the Strait of Hormuz, violence continues in Lebanon and Gaza, raising fresh questions about the prospects for lasting peace across the Middle East.