SBS News In Depth

Millions of voters across Great Britain are heading to the polls today, with elections for the Welsh and Scottish parliaments as well as dozens of English councils. It’s seen as a key test for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose leadership could be challenged if the results are as bad for his Labour party as polls predict. To gauge the mood of voters, SBS News has been to the town of Port Talbot on the South coast of Wales, an area which has been a Labour stronghold for decades - but could fall to Welsh Nationalists or Nigel Farage’s hard-right Reform UK.

The cruise ship linked to a deadly hantavirus outbreak has left Cape Verde and is headed for the Canary Islands, where passengers are expected to depart the vessel and begin heading home. Three people have died in the outbreak with eight recorded cases so far. But the World Health Organisation is moving to reassure people hantavirus is not the new COVID-19.

President Donald Trump has again raised hopes the United States and Iran are moving closer to an initial agreement to end the war in the Middle East. But he has also struck a more sinister tone, saying that if they don't agree - the bombing will start anew.

Senior Australians on government payments are facing some of the sharpest cost of living increases in the country as soaring electricity prices and rising interest rates put pressure on household budgets. In this episode of the SBS On the Money podcast, Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Patricia Sparrow from COTA Australia to find out more, before Laura Cooper from Nuveen shares her outlook on interest rates after the Reserve Bank’s latest decision. Plus, Luke Laretive from Seneca Financial Solutions breaks down a strong rally on the Australian sharemarket as the ASX200 surged following another record session on Wall Street.

Online gaming platforms like Roblox and Minecraft have become increasingly popular tools for extremist groups to recruit young people. With Australia's terror threat level at 'probable', the government has announced a new Counter Terrorism Online Centre to disrupt and divert terrorist networks from radicalising young Australians.