SBS News In Depth

In the United States, Democrats have flipped enough seats to gain control in both chambers of Congress, as counting in the midterm elections continues.

Democrats James Talarico and Annie Andrews are among the winners of the US midterms, flipping Senate seats blue for the first time in decades. It is part of a bigger wave of Democrat wins that has seen the party take control of both chambers of the US Congress. Donald Trump has sought to distance himself from the midterm results.

In this episode:
What's behind the size of the Democrats' win in the US midterms?
How has Donald Trump reacted to the midterm result?
What was voter turnout?
Were there any vote machine or polling station mishaps?

The federal government says the ongoing global oil shock - triggered by the war in the Middle East - is one of the main key factor of inflation.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the ongoing global oil shock is one of the main key factor of inflation

In this podcast:
Australia's Reserve Bank raised the interest rates to 4.85 per cent - its highest level since 2008
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the ongoing global oil shock is one of the main key factor of inflation
RBA says domestic economic pressures also play a significant role in the hike
Pressure mounts on Treasurer Jim Chalmers to rein in government spending
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher says it will remain difficult over the next 12 months
Opposition leader Angus Taylor says Australia has a lost decade under the current government
Experts say those with high mortgages, renters, or small businesses carrying debt feel the brunt of interest rates most
Federal government calls to end the war in the Middle East

Canva is cutting or relocating more than a fifth of its workforce. What does it signal about the impact of AI?

Australian design giant Canva is cutting or relocating more than 1,200 jobs in what its co-founder describes as the company's hardest moment. What does the restructure reveal about the challenges facing businesses in the AI era? SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with economic futurist Evan Lucas, while Francesco de Stradis from Ord Minnet explores how the US mid-term elections, higher Australian interest rates and mounting pressure on retailers are shaping the outlook for investors.

In this episode:
Why Canva is restructuring more than a fifth of its workforce and what it reveals about the opportunities and challenges of AI.
How the outcome of the US mid-term elections could influence global financial markets and Australian investors.
Whether the RBA's latest interest rate rise will be its last, and what continued growth in household spending means for inflation.
Why Australian retailers are under pressure ahead of Black Friday and Christmas, amid reports of financial trouble at David Jones.
Where investors could find opportunities as businesses navigate higher borrowing costs, economic uncertainty and the AI revolution.

As glaciers shrink worldwide, communities face growing risks from floods, unstable mountains and rising seas.

From a deadly flood in Nepal to unstable slopes in the Alps, this episode explores how retreating glaciers and thawing permafrost are reshaping landscapes and increasing risk. As COP31 begins, scientists and residents reveal what these changes could mean for water supplies, mountain communities and the planet's future.

In this episode:
How a rock and ice collapse in Nepal turned into a devastating flash flood, and what scientists found when they examined the causes.
Why warming temperatures are destabilising mountain slopes in the Himalayas and the Alps.
What residents living beneath unstable mountains are doing to adapt to growing natural hazards.
The warning signs researchers are seeing on Europe's glaciers, including disappearing snow and shrinking ice reserves.
Why scientists are closely watching Antarctica's deep ocean, and the unanswered question that could affect everyone.

New Zealand heads to the polls this weekend in an election too close to call, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon fighting for political survival and a new challenger threatening to steal Winston Peters' kingmaker crown. Veteran political journalist and RNZ broadcaster Guyon Espiner spoke with SBS Audio's Hannah Hodson about the race for power.

New Zealand voters are grappling with cost-of-living pressures, rising unemployment and concerns about healthcare and housing. With the major parties neck and neck, smaller parties could decide who forms the next government.

In this episode:
Is Christopher Luxon heading for a historic defeat?
Why is the cost of living hurting National?
How does New Zealand's MMP electoral system shape the race?
Could the Opportunity Party steal Winston Peters' kingmaker crown?
Can the Greens and Te Pāti Māori swing the election?