SBS Assyrian

In this year-end feature, we look back at major events including the Australian Federal Election, Australia's bid to host COP30, the tariff imposed on Australia by Donald Trump, the Pacific Nations Conference, the introduction of social media bans for children under 16, and many more significant developments.

Major platforms face millions in fines as Australia enforces social media ban; Israel's parliament takes a step toward ratifying a U-S proposed peace plan for Gaza; and in cricket, Pat Cummins could return to the Ashes for the second test this afternoon...

In this program, Oliver Slewa discusses the International Day of People with Disability, Homer Abramian explains how the Assyrian civilisation was first uncovered in 1842, and experts in Australia talk about how parents should approach the upcoming social media ban for children under 16.

The White House in lockdown after two National Guard soldiers shot dead; Revelations about Russia's input in the U-S brokered plan to end war in Ukraine; and in golf, Min Woo Lee in a strong position to compete at the Australian PGA Championship this weekend.

The death toll from deadly storms in Asia surpass 1,300; Call for answers as investigation announced into the deadly fire in Hong Kong; and in cricket, Usman Khawaja ruled out of the second Ashes Test.

This is part of a lecture presented by historian Homer Abramian explainining on how, for the first time in recorded history, excavators such as Émile Botta and Austen Henry Layard uncovered the ruins of the Assyrian Empire in the mid-1800s. Their discoveries eventually led to the decipherment of cuneiform, opening the door for the world to learn about the ancient Assyrians.

The International Day of People with Disability, observed each year on December 3, is dedicated to raising awareness, promoting inclusion, and celebrating the achievements of people with disabilities. Oliver Slewa explains the significance of this important event.

13 people arrested in Hong Kong over apartment fires; The federal government releases a national AI plan, and in sport, Usman Khawaja's fitness for the second Ashes Test in doubt.

Calls to tackle vaccine hesitancy amid falling immunisation rates in Australia; Australian funding for Pacific countries to tackle rising HIV rates welcomed; and in Formula One, Oscar Piastri's reaction after a costly setback at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Suite of environment reforms to pass through parliament; a woman dead and a man in hospital after a shark attack on a remote New South Wales beach; and in sport, The Olympic torch has been lit in ancient Olympia.

In this program, Australia Explained: The Codes of Dressing, NACA features about the G20 summit end. the controversy about the BOM's expensive new website. SBS learn English episode #99, Saying no to Alcohol.

Ukraine's President seeks a meeting with Donald Trump; Monthly inflation data in Australia to be released for the first time; and in cricket, Australia to face Sri Lanka in T20 World Cup group.

The criminal cases against two prominent Donald Trump critics dismissed; Power outages after storms and hail in southeast Queensland; and in golf, Min Woo Lee says he is mentally and physically prepared to play his best at the Australian PGA Championship.

The Bureau of Meteorology's (BoM) controversial website redesign carries a staggering 96 million dollar price tag. The cost blowout has drawn sharp criticism from both government ministers and the opposition. Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt has expressed deep concern over the massive expenditure, while Nationals Leader David Littleproud warns the public that the exorbitant cost will further erode trust in the agency.

World leaders have hailed the first G20 summit in Africa as a victory for multilateralism, even as they addressed challenges of climate change, inequality and war, against a backdrop of shifting geopolitical rivalries. The notable absence of President Donald Trump has raised questions the role of the United States, in a changing world order

The federal government defends the COP31 hosting arrangement; Opposition leader Sussan Ley [[Susan Lee]] under pressure; and in sport, in Formula One, Oscar Piastri has reacted to his disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The Prime Minister in South Africa for G20 as Penny Wong arrives in India for bilateral talks; The UN Security Council endorses Trump's peace plan for Gaza; and in sport, a football tournament to spread hope in Gaza.

Turkiye will host the next COP meeting - not Australia; Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least 25 Palestinians; and in soccer, Matildas trio help Arsenal seal comeback win over Real Madrid in Champions League.

In this program: Interview with Frank Gilber about the premiere of his movie, interview with Shushan Tower about the launch of the Assyrian Aid Relief-Australia; NACA feature about energy in Australia

New leaders for both Victoria's and New South Wales Liberal parties; the UN Security Council endorses a US plan for peace in Gaza; and in sport, European heavyweights book their spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Rising electricity prices are a major driver of headline inflation, putting pressure on households and Australia's 2.6 million small business owners.

An overwhelming vote to force the release of files on Jeffrey Epstein; an urgent warning for international students leaving Australia; and in sport, the Iraqi football team in his path to FIFA World Cup

Assyrian Aid Relief–Australia was recently established to support Assyrian schools in northern Iraq and to assist with community projects, including providing power generators to Assyrian villages. Shushan Tower, the elected president of the organisation, spoke to SBS about its goals and the reasons behind its creation.

After months of challenges and setbacks, director Frank Gilbert premiered his film Son of Assyria at a cinema in his hometown of Chicago. Mr Gilbert told SBS Assyrian that he felt immense joy and relief as audiences responded with pride, emotion, and tears while watching this portrayal of modern Assyrian history, highlighting the persecution and mass killings of Assyrians in northern Iraq at the end of the 19th century.

Former US Vice President Dick Cheney has died at the age of 84 from complications related to pneumonia and cardiovascular disease. Mr Cheney became one of the most powerful vice presidents in US history as George W. Bush's number two during 9/11 and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

ASIO foils foreign spy plot to recruit Australians and steal sensitive national secrets... UN warns world set to permanently breach 1.5 degree Celsius climate target within a decade, and in sport, The NRL set to ban clubs from commenting on players under contract.

In this program: NACA feature about the train attack in the UK; Oliver Slewa talking about living expenses; in Australia Explained, How to build a relationship in Australia and in the medical series: Albert Yousif talks about Pre-Diabetes

Foreign ministers meet to discuss an international peacekeeping force in Gaza; The Reserve Bank set to announce its decision on the cash rate; and in Rugby Union, Indigenous and Pasifika teams prepare for the Global Youth Sevens tournament

After a mass stabbing on a train in the UK left 11 people hospitalised, police say they have no evidence suggesting the attack was related to terrorism. With one suspect now in custody, authorities in the UK are urging the public to give time for a full investigation into the motives behind the incident.

The actions of the driver during the mass stabbing on a UK train praised; Optus executives questioned as part of a deadly triple zero service outage; in cricket, India levels T20 series against Australia.

Victoria's parliament passes a historic treaty with First Nations people ;King Charles strips his brother Andrew of all his titles; and in cricket; Australia's women lose their World Champions title as India triumphs after a massive run chase.

New environment laws widely criticised after being introduced to parliament; Bodies line the streets in Rio de Janeiro ahead of climate talks ; and in AFL, a Richmond player denies being involved in a brawl in Victoria last year.

Social media giants to face a Senate inquiry on the under-16s ban; The UN demands safe passage for civilians fleeing Sudanese city of El-Fasher; and in tennis, Australian Aleksander Vukic through to the third round of the Paris Masters.

The death toll rises as Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica ; Billionaire Bill Gates has called on world leaders to switch the focus from emission reduction; and in sport, funding boost to support aspiring First Nations netballers in regional Australia. f

Every year, the month of October is observed as National Mental Health Month in Australia to spread awareness about and offer support for mental health initiatives. Oliver Slewa talks about this event and the importance of observing any behaviours in our children, family members and friends and offer help.

In this program, Oliver Slewa talks about the National Mental Health Awareness. Part two of the journey of Deena Yako , from News feature, we have Russian Misinformation: how does it make its way to Australia?

US and EU sanctions on Russia's largest oil companies have left refineries in China and India assessing their implications. Some sell refined products to Australia. But will the latest measures be able to capture Russia's shadow fleet that exploit sanction loopholes? Exclusive data shared with SBS has shown vessels transporting Russian crude oil and previously sanctioned by the Federal government, still appear in the supply chains of Australian companies.

Shayna Humanitarian, in partnership with Unbound Stories and the Institute for Economics and Peace and with the support of Multicultural NSW, successfully delivered a two-month Youth Leadership Program for Assyrian youth. More than twenty young participants engaged in the program, which culminated in a graduation ceremony on Friday, 24 October 2025. The event was attended by parents, community members, and local leaders, celebrating the achievements of the graduates. This milestone marks an important step in the group's ongoing journey of growth as they continue to strengthen their communication, confidence, and decision-making skills.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets Japan's new prime minister; Hamas expands its search for bodies of hostages in Gaza ;and in golf, Australia wins the International Crown women's team event in South Korea.

The Assyrian Australian Association has outlined several major projects for the next two years. The Association's Secretary, Joe Joseph told SBS Assyrian that the team is determined and focused on achieving its goals, which include hosting the Gilgamesh Festival at the University of Sydney, constructing a new cultural centre on the Association's premises, and expanding the Ashurbanipal Library.

P-M Albanese says there's more to come on the critical minerals deal with Donald Trump; the U.S. to impose "substantial" sanctions on Russia over its war in Ukraine; and in cricket, Australia wins against England in the Women's World Cup...

U-S to announce substantial Russia sanctions; Australian Defence official to be sent to Israel as part of US-led mission; and in cricket, Australia wins against England in Women's World Cup.

Sargon Warde, principal of Nissibin Language School—one of the six Assyrian language schools in Sydney participating in the first Assyrian Language Schools Seminar—spoke to SBS Assyrian about the importance of such gatherings in fostering discussion and finding practical solutions for improvement and development. This seminar was organised by Athree Assyrian Centre.

In this program: Interview with Alber Sleemon about Gala Fashion Show; interview with Oliver Slewa about graduation night for the Assyrian Future Leaders course organised by Shayna Humanitarian and Multicultural NSW. Interview with Sargon Warda about the Assyrian language schools' first seminar. NACA feature about the Hiest of Louvre Musium

P-M Albanese says there's more to come on the critical minerals deals with Donald Trump ; Australia criticises China for unsafe military conduct after another incident in the air over the South China Sea;and in sport, The Wallabies arrive in Tokyo ahead of rugby union test against this weekend.

The UK to send soldiers to Israel for a Gaza ceasefire monitoring mission; Australia's P-M says the U-S could still seek changes to AUKUS; and in sport, Collingwood star Scott Pendlebury sues his former manager.

French President Emmanuel Macron says everything is being done to catch the people behind a spectacular jewel heist at the Louvre, the latest in a series of museum robberies. After the brazen theft of some of France's crown jewels in broad daylight, staff and union representatives say not enough has been done to guard the objects and people at one of the world's most famous galleries.

srael's military says it has 'resumed enforcement' of a Gaza ceasefire, after launching strikes in the enclave; AUKUS and trade tariffs on the agenda as Anthony Albanese meets Donald Trump; and in sport, Australia beat India in the O-D-I series opener in Perth.

Challenges reported in identifying bodies exchanged in hostage-detainee swap under Gaza truce deal; The national group representing Australia's carers says the group is experiencing lower levels of wellbeing in the last 12 months; AND and in sport ,a team of female Indigenous footballers is preparing to make history when they compete at the First Nations Football Festival this week in Dubbo

Gaza's Health Ministry says more bodies received from Israel show signs of "torture and execution"; Investigations underway after shots are fired and a car torched in suburban Sydney; and in sport, R360 boss hits back at Australian Rugby League chief Peter V'Landys.

The Athree Assyrian Centre is organising a seminar with five Assyrian non-government language schools in Sydney to discuss their activities and explore new ideas to further develop Assyrian language education and teaching methods. Mr. Nimrood Sliwa, Director of Literature and Education at the Centre, told SBS Assyrian that the Centre continually strives to present programs and seminars aimed at increasing awareness and engagement of the communitiy.