SBS News In Depth

The 2026 Australian of the Year winners have been announced at the National Arboretum in Canberra. Thirty-three finalists from astronauts to doctors have been recognised for their contributions to Australian society.

Nearly one-thousand people have been recognised for a lifetime of dedication and service in their fields. Among them, quiet achievers giving back to their communities to foster a sense of belonging and acceptance, recognised after being nominated by friends and colleagues.

.After weeks of political pressure, the Prime Minister this month announced a Royal Commission into the rise in antisemitism and factors behind the second-deadliest mass shooting in Australian history. It is the latest of a series of Royal Commissions into wide-ranging issues, but what is a Royal Commission and what does it do?

Clad in armour and guided by a strict code of honour, Japan’s samurai were more than elite warriors; they were the architects of a society shaped by loyalty, discipline and power. For centuries, these sword-bearing nobles dominated Japan’s battlefields and politics, leaving a legacy that still influences the nation’s culture, values and global image today. The history and culture of Japan's Samurai warriors are being celebrated in a new museum in Tokyo. Visitors can try on armour, hold swords and even have a go at throwing special weapons.

Millions of people globally fall ill each year, from unsafe or contaminated foods. Some is due to food fraud, the act of purposely selling fake, mis-labelled or substituted food products for financial gain. Australian scientists have developed new ways to combat this multi-billion dollar problem.