SBS News In Depth

The ASX finished the week higher as investors weighed strong gains in mining stocks against weakness in telcos, while attention also turned to the booming space economy. In this episode of SBS On the Money, Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Pepperstone Head of Research Chris Weston about Elon Musk’s plans to list SpaceX at a reported valuation of US$1.75 trillion, what it means for future blockbuster IPOs including OpenAI and Anthropic, and whether space is becoming the next big investment opportunity. Chris Weston also breaks down the day on the Australian sharemarket and the outlook for interest rates.

United States President Donald Trump flexed his political muscle in this week's Republican primaries, reinforcing his iron grip on the party even as his approval ratings slide. But with anti-Trump sentiment expected to shape the November midterm elections, his dominance could prove to be either an asset — or a liability. SBS News' Josie Harvey spoke to former Biden White House staffer Cory Alpert about the dynamics of the GOP - and the Democrats - as the crucial midterm vote approaches.

Health workers are racing to contain the Bundibugyo strain of the virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment. The World Health Organisation says the Ebola outbreak spreading through the eastern D-R-C into neighbouring Uganda could be far larger than officially reported. In cities like Goma and Bunia, families are still trying to continue daily life amid growing fears the outbreak is spreading beyond control.

Australia’s unemployment rate has climbed to its highest level since late 2021, with nearly 19,000 jobs lost and youth unemployment on the rise, raising fresh questions about the economic outlook and the path for interest rates. Deloitte Access Economics partner Stephen Smith breaks down what’s driving the shift and what it means in a climate of global uncertainty and elevated borrowing costs. Meanwhile, the sharemarket surged, with the ASX 200 posting its strongest gain in six weeks, lifted by materials, banks and real estate, as Heath Moss from HLM Investments unpacks what’s behind the rally and whether it can last.

Beijing looks to capitalise on rival powers following back-to-back visits from the US and Russian presidents, as The Democratic Republic of the Congo struggles to contain a deadly Ebola outbreak. Plus, Donald Trump celebrates a landmark settlement with the IRS, and we investigate the art of the perfect diplomatic gift.