World News Weekly – An SBS World News Podcast

Epizódy

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  Did Donald Trump bend the knee to Xi? 01.10.2026 32min

  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.
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  Trump threatens to 'annihilate' Iran 24.09.2026 36min

  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?
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  Houthis block the Red Sea, Russia probes NATO and Trump’s $5,000 offer 17.09.2026 29min

  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?
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  Israeli settlements trade ban, Germany’s far-right on the rise & Nepal faces its future 10.09.2026 33min

  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.
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  Nepal’s devastating landslide, Iceland says no & the Pacific Islands Forum face-off 03.09.2026 31min

  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.
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  Ontario premier tells Trump: ‘kiss my ass’, Syria shakes off a dark burden & Borneo’s raging fires 27.08.2026 37min

  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...
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  Trump’s North Korea Strategy, West Bank Siege & the AI slop antidote 20.08.2026 28min

  Donald Trump is scaling back planned military drills with South Korea which send a “hostile” message to Pyongyang. Is he looking to rekindle his bromance with the North Korean leader? Meanwhile, elections kick off in Israel as settlers continue to surround Palestinian homes in the West Bank. Iran and the US are no closer to reaching a peace deal, and now Trump is threatening his ally Oman. Plus, we look at the terrible animated movie that’s captivating Chinese audiences with its low-budget charms.
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  Takaichi’s melons, has AI gone rogue? And Dobby’s electric beach 14.08.2026 42min

  Australia’s PM is in hot water over his comments about a gift from his Japanese counterpart, North Korea rides to Russia’s rescue and will Netanyahu’s rejection of Trump’s Gaza plan come back to bite him? Plus, AI runs amok while the world struggles to control it. and Dobby the house elf stops a power project.
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  Suu Kyi signs of life, Ceuta’s migrant crisis & impaled hiker rescues himself?! 06.08.2026 29min

  Myanmar’s junta finally provides signs of life for its former leader Aung San Suu Kyi - but why now and what does it all mean for the ongoing civil war? Plus, Ceuta’s border crisis reignites immigration divisions in Europe. And, how a US hiker who got himself into – and out of – a sticky situation.
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  BONUS EPISODE: Takaichi’s Shadow Bureau 02.08.2026 9min

  Japan is launching its first foreign intelligence agency since World War Two, backed by a massive US$400 million budget. Driven by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the move aims to counter escalating threats from China, North Korea, and Russia - placing Japan alongside global espionage powers like the CIA and MI6. But will this historic shift successfully deter regional aggression, or will it risk making relations worse?
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  Conflict in the Gulf widens, Bibi bounces back to Trump & Modi capitulates – to cockroaches 30.07.2026 37min

  The US Iran conflict threatens to burst beyond the Gulf with Ukraine and Egypt now in the frame. Bibi says his bromance with Trump is still on and does the cockroaches’ big win mean a big loss of face for Modi? Plus, AI claims another victim - a Canadian politician’s pride…
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  Houthi’s Red Sea blockade, India’s cockroach uprising & hundreds of baby Haarlands? 23.07.2026 35min

  Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi forces have declared an immediate maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, threatening to choke off the strategic sea route and further destabilise global energy markets. With US-Iran tensions already at a boiling point, will this latest escalation plunge the Middle East into a broader regional war? Plus, from satire to a massive student uprising, could India’s “Cockroach" movement test Modi’s power? And the post-World Cup baby craze sweeping Peru.
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  US and Iran in dire Strait as they fight for control, Ukraine’s missile muscle & South Korea's matchmaking monks 16.07.2026 31min

  The ceasefire crumbles as the US tries to loosen Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz with bombing. Ukraine and its European allies join forces to protect the continent from ballistic missiles. Plus, how will the death of US Senator Lindsey Graham impact US foreign policy? And would you let South Korea’s Buddhist monks lead you to love?
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  Trump says the Iran deal is over, an angry NATO lovefest and has Hamas given up politics? 09.07.2026 33min

  Donald Trump calls the Iranian regime ‘scum’ as the US and Iran trade strikes. What's next for Iran's leadership as the country gives Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a long goodbye. Hamas agrees to dissolves its government, but will that change things? Also, Trump gives his NATO allies a kicking and a hug as Ukraine gets the nod to produce Patriot missiles. Plus, mystery balls plague another Australian beach.
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  Venezuela twin quake catastrophe, not-so-Strait shooting hinders US-Iran deal & Cuba opens up 02.07.2026 35min

  Grief and anger mount in Venezuela after two huge earthquakes. SBS Correspondent Catalina Florez joins us from Caracas, where locals say the government is "nowhere to be seen". Plus, US and Iranian strikes resume, as a battle of wills over the Strait of Hormuz threatens to undo the ceasefire. Meanwhile, Cuba pushes through its biggest economic reforms since the communist revolution, and Batman Returns?! The caped crusader spotted in the most unlikely of places.
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  Trump touts progress with Iran, Starmer resigns & the far-right on the rise in Australia 26.06.2026 37min

  Trump and JD Vance insist talks for a final deal between the US and Iran are progressing smoothly, but does Iran agree? Keir Starmer bows to party pressure and resigns as PM, what's next for the UK? Plus, SBS Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson talks One Nation's rise up the polls in Australia, and her run-in with leader Pauline Hanson. And, it's fans, fun and fishy business during this week's action at the FIFA World Cup.
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  US-Iran strike a deal to make a deal, Bibi and Trump’s growing rift & could you be Japan’s next emperor? 18.06.2026 34min

  US-Iran strike a deal to make a deal, Bibi and Trump’s growing rift & could you be Japan’s next emperor? Tehran and Trump both sound triumphant but who is the real winner so far? And will Israel’s refusal to leave Lebanon upend negotiations? Plus, fresh from hosting cage fights at the White House, Donald Trump joins G7 leaders to pressure Putin, while players become political footballs at the FIFA World Cup, and Japan has a royal dilemma.
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  FIFA World Cup fever dream, Trump taps his loyalists & India’s cockroach rebellion 11.06.2026 38min

  The FIFA World Cup kicks off amid geopolitical foul play. Ukraine says it is regaining territory and pushing for talks with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Donald Trump continues to reshape US politics, and how India’s satirical Cockroach Party became an unlikely symbol of youth resistance.
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  Trump’s Bibi tirade, Hegseth peddles used subs &… lucky testicles? 04.06.2026 35min

  Donald Trump loses his patience with Benjamin Netanyahu over Lebanon, while the Israeli prime minister hints at an even bigger endgame in Gaza. Is a new Middle East deal within reach, or the region’s latest escalation heading to another full conflict? Plus, a surprise AUKUS announcement on the sidelines of the Shangri-La dialogue and how an iconic Italian artwork is hanging in there.
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  Iran-US peace talks stall, Türkiye targets dissent & Trump’s excellent excuse 28.05.2026 36min

  Conflicting reports on peace negotiations between the US and Iran as military tensions escalate across the region. Former political prisoner Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert joins us to explore what it means for the Iranian regime and its citizens. Plus, Netanyahu vows to crush Hezbollah with an expanding offensive as his own leadership comes under pressure ahead of elections. While in Türkiye, Erdogan moves against the opposition in a fresh crackdown on dissent, and Trump’s patriotic excuse for dodging a family function.