World News Weekly – An SBS World News Podcast

An alleged attack on well-loved regional MP Helen Haines leaves Australia grappling with the reality of political violence on its shores. We’re joined by SBS’ Canberra bureau to discuss the fallout for the community and the country’s political culture. Meanwhile, European cities are reeling from riots this week, especially across France. How will the unrest affect French presidential elections, and will it give Marine Le Pen’s right wing the edge it needs? We dive deep on what the US midterms mean for Trump’s presidency as campaigns ramp up. Plus, the unusual solution Chinese parents have found to deal with spoiled children.

The US President appears to have upended months of support for Ukraine, striking a diesel import deal with Vladimir Putin. What does the agreement mean for Ukraine’s fight for survival? And as fears of Russian aggression linger, how is neighbouring Estonia preparing to defend itself? Meanwhile, Houthi fighters are escalating tensions in the Middle East, targeting Saudi Arabia’s main airport. We examine how Riyadh is likely to respond, and why some of its closest allies may be reluctant to get involved. Plus, a cyberattack sends fridges across France into meltdown in a bizarre new frontier of hacking, and the unexpected stowaways discovered aboard a Perth-to-Rome flight.

The US President appears to have upended months of support for Ukraine, striking a diesel import deal with Vladimir Putin. What does the agreement mean for Ukraine’s fight for survival? And as fears of Russian aggression linger, how is neighbouring Estonia preparing to defend itself?

Meanwhile, Houthi fighters are escalating tensions in the Middle East, targeting Saudi Arabia’s main airport. We examine how Riyadh is likely to respond, and why some of its closest allies may be reluctant to get involved.

Plus, a cyberattack sends fridges across France into meltdown in a bizarre new frontier of hacking, and the unexpected stowaways discovered aboard a Perth-to-Rome flight.

Brazil’s presidential elections are headed to a runoff vote, after Flávio Bolsonaro and his extended family picked up surprise wins. Will the son of disgraced former president, Jair Bolsonaro, clinch the win over incumbent Luis Ignacio da Silva? Plus, fighting in Yemen worsens as a Saudi-backed counter-offensive aims to push back recent gains by Houthi rebels. Ben Lewis joins us from Estonia for all the latest on the bizarre British bomber threat that was - or wasn’t. Bulgaria gets pulled into Russia’s war on Ukraine and can AI now read our minds?

Brazil’s presidential elections are headed to a runoff vote, after Flávio Bolsonaro and his extended family picked up surprise wins. Will the son of disgraced former president, Jair Bolsonaro, clinch the win over incumbent Luis Ignacio da Silva? Plus, fighting in Yemen worsens as a Saudi-backed counter-offensive aims to push back recent gains by Houthi rebels. Ben Lewis joins us from Estonia for all the latest on the bizarre British bomber threat that was - or wasn’t. Bulgaria gets pulled into Russia’s war on Ukraine and can AI now read our minds?

Donald Trump lays out a red-carpet welcome for Xi Jinping and gives him a tour of the White House. Did Trump’s change of tact and granite diplomacy impress his best frenemy? Ethiopia descends into civil war, which risks pulling neighbouring countries into the fighting. We take a look at the bizarre terror plot in the UK that may not be all it seems. And Anthony Albanese tries to stir up an AI hornet’s nest of regulation at the UN — will the OpenAI Medicare hack revelation make anyone take any notice? Plus, Cape Town’s nightmare neighbours: baboons.

Donald Trump tells the UN General Assembly he’s got “a big decision to make” on whether to drive Iran “into hell” or negotiate a deal as the Iranian delegation watched. The combative speech took pot shots at the UN itself and Trump re-branded AI. He also lauded a deal over Greenland – but what did he really gain? Anthony Albanese gets a selfie with Trump as he takes his digital agenda to New York but did he land his message of global leadership? Plus, the EU offers its first associate membership to Canada – could Australia be next? Saudia Arabia seeks international support in its renewed fight against the Houthis. Fears of another civil war in Ethiopia as a new rebel coalition vows to remove the government. And is it time to say goodbye to the bank of mum and dad?

Conflict between the Houthis and Saudi-led forces escalates, sparking fears of a renewed humanitarian crisis in Yemen and more oil price rises as the Red Sea is blocked again. Did Putin try to kill Boris Johnson? How the war in Ukraine has become the elephant in the room for Russia's upcoming parliamentary elections. Plus, will Donald Trump’s offer of cash for votes win over increasingly sceptical Americans? The Republican Party makes a midterm pitch amid a turbulent week for the US president. And, will AI lead to the end of us — or just the end of Hollywood?

The AfD wins big in German elections, the first time for a far-right party since World War II. 12 countries, including the UK, France and Canada have announced a trade ban on all goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, will others follow suit? And Nepal struggles to grapple with the scale of devastation from flash floods. Plus, the award-winning research into cockroach milk.

Nepal’s new government struggles under a cataclysmic landslide and blames climate change. Iceland says no to even considering EU membership and the Pacific Islands Forum in disarray over Taiwan’s presence. Plus, a very un-Norwegian royal.

The trade war between the US and Canada kicks off, with shots fired in both directions. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent talks up sanctions D-Day for Iran and Syria’s al-Sharaa says the country is “tearing out a painful chapter of its past” after the US lifts sanctions. Also, Borneo goes up in flames with palm oil adding fuel to the fires and threatening orangutans. Plus, a weightlifting robot’s jittering jerk...