SBS News In Depth

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.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has hailed a new security pact with Indonesia as a significant shift toward a closer defence partnership between the two countries. However, analysts warn the treaty may come at a high cost, potentially ignoring ongoing human rights issues in West Papua and concerns about the Indonesian government's future political direction.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Lochlan Halloway from Morningstar to go through all the factors that has triggered a sell-off on the sharemarket, including an ongoing technology sector rout, along with a look at the local reporting season; plus Peter McGuire from Trading.com looks at Bitcoin's sliding value.