SBS News In Depth

A massive win for Japan’s hawkish first female PM worries China, conservatives reclaim Thailand and Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong’s most high-profile casualty of draconian security laws gets a ‘death sentence’. Plus, trouble growing at the winter Olympics.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with AMP CEO Alexis George following the financial services company's full-year results as she prepares to step down, including her advice to aspiring female leaders; plus Stephanie Youssef discusses the day's market action with market analyst Evan Lucas.

The federal government has released its latest report card on its Closing the Gap targets, which are meant to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians. The data shows just four of the 19 targets are on track. Anthony Albanese has used his annual closing the gap speech on Thursday to announce a $144 million boost to Indigenous health to upgrade more than 100 services in cities and regional areas. But some - like the incarceration rates of First Nations people - continue to worsen.

Former Shadow Minister for Defence Angus Taylor has triggered a formal leadership challenge against Sussan Ley, prompting a wave of coordinated frontbench resignations. The coalition is reeling from historic polling lows. While Mr Taylor campaigns for a "decisive" reset of the party’s values, a loyal faction of Liberals is fighting to protect Ms Ley’s position, arguing she deserves more time to stabilise the party room before Friday’s high-stakes ballot.

A massive win for Japan’s hawkish first female PM worries China, conservatives reclaim Thailand and Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong’s most high-profile casualty of draconian security laws gets a ‘death sentence’. Plus, trouble growing at the winter Olympics.

The US Attorney-General has faced an onslaught of questions into the Department of Justice's handling of the more than 3 million files released related to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Survivors and critics are demanding transparency and justice for the more than one thousand victims identified, as Pam Bondi faced a Senate congressional hearing.

On Thursday, the four-booster Ariane 64 is scheduled to lift off from French Guiana on its maiden flight. This powerful version of the Ariane 6 rocket will carry 32 satellites for Amazon Leo’s broadband constellation. At a time when the United States is seen as a potentially unreliable partner, this is a key milestone in Europe’s effort to secure independent access to space.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Commonwealth Bank CEO Matt Comyn following the groups $5.45bn half- year cash profit announcement, including a deep dive into artificial technology and productivity; plus Luke Laretive from Seneca Financial Solutions takes a look at the day's market action.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has enjoyed a ceremonial welcome and a lunch with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra. President Herzog and his wife, Michal, were given a ceremonial 21-gun salute by the Federation Guard before attending a garden function at the Israeli embassy. His visit has been dogged by protests, with demonstrators saying he should not have been invited in the first place,

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and Australian Federal Police have been questioned about their actions before and after the Bondi terror attack, with Australia's top spy agency defending its failure to prevent it. During a senate estimates hearing late on Tuesday night, the AFP also warned it will take a more aggressive approach to tackling hate and extremism.

Public consultation has opened on a review into the management plan for the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia's largest river system. The announcement has come weeks after Environment Minister Murray Watt listed the lower Murray River region as critically endangered. Conservation groups have reacted cautiously, saying they hope the review leads to decisive action for a Basin that underpins public health, regional livelihoods, and cultural connection for millions.

Acute malnutrition has now reached famine levels in two more regions of North Darfur in Sudan, according to a new report from a UN-backed global hunger monitor.

A contentious hearing of the US House Committee on Homeland Security has exposed deep divisions over immigration enforcement following the death of two American citizens at the hands of Immigration and Customs Enforcrment, better known as ICE. While ICE officials framed the deaths as a result of officers facing increasing threats of harm, the argument was rejected with those holding the agency accountable, calling its tactics Gestapo-like.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Todd Hoare from LGT Wealth Management about the day's market moves including the increasing risks AI poses to certain industries, what's driving the Australian dollar, and the opportunities for investors.

The Federal Government has launched a landmark $218 million national plan to end violence against First Nations women and children. It marks the first long-term strategy designed and led entirely by Indigenous communities. While the policy targets specialised healing and emergency services in remote areas, community leaders warn that real change also requires confronting the systemic racism and high rates of violence perpetrated by non-Indigenous men.

The Jeffrey Epstein saga has continued to make headlines. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has come under new pressure to resign, amid an expanding scandal over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US despite ties to Epstein. The latest tranche of files relating to the convicted sex offender have also brought new scrutiny to former prince Andrew, with UK police assessing reports he sent sensitive information to Epstein. Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell has refused to testify before a US congressional committee.

Hong Kong's most vocal China critic, media tycoon Jimmy Lai, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, ending the city's largest national security case. Mr Lai's sentence on two counts of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and one for publishing seditious materials ends a legal saga that has lasted nearly five years.

Primary Ethics is an independent, not-for-profit organisation and provides ethics classes for school students across New South Wales. Classes are impartially run by volunteers and the program has been implemented in hundreds of schools. Facilitator Feyza Tuncay became involved with Primary Ethics when she started volunteering as an ethics teacher at her son's school. She's speaking here to SBS News' Jennifer Scherer.

Dozens of people have been arrested after a demonstration against Israel's visiting president descended into chaos. New South Wales Police say 10 of the 27 people arrested on Monday night were taken into custody for assaulting police, while witnesses have alleged that some officers were seen beating and deploying pepper spray at attendees.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with George Boubouras from K2 Asset Management to find out why the market has been so volatile of late as he takes a closer look at how investors will be analysing AI investments during the upcoming reporting season.