Why we love a good Halloween scare

Cristiano Ronaldo has hung up the jersey for Portugal, calling time on an illustrious international football career. Former rugby league player of Portugese-Australian background speaks to SBS World News Sport Reporter John Baldock about the legacy and career of CR7.Portugal great Cristiano Ronaldo has called time on his international career, wrapping a stellar a career that spanned six World Cups and included a European title and the men's all-time international scoring record. Josh Mansour played rugby league in Australia for the Penrith Panthers, the South Sydney Rabbitohs, New South Wales Blues, the Australia Kangaroos and the Lebanon Cedars. But the other part of his heritage is Portugese. He speaks to SBS about his idol Crisitiano Ronaldo, and how it feels as a proud Portugese-Australian to see CR7 hang up the Portugal jersey.In this episode:Josh Mansour reflects on the career and defining moments of Cristiano Ronaldo in a Portugal jerseyJohn Baldock and Josh Mansour discuss how much Cristiano Ronaldo means to the Portugese community in AustraliaThe pair also address the difficulty and challenges of Portugal moving forward without Cristiano Ronaldo

An Indigenous-led data project is creating its own measures of wellbeing to strengthen self-determination and advocacy.In Roebourne, a predominantly Aboriginal community of fewer than 1,000 people on Ngarluma country in Western Australia's Pilbara, a community-led data project is challenging who gets to define wellbeing. Yindjibarndi woman Aralyn Lockyer explains how Indigenous data sovereignty, culturally grounded measures and local control could reshape advocacy for housing, social services and self-determination in one of Australia's most disadvantaged communities.In this episode: Why Roebourne is creating its own data sovereignty project and wellbeing measures.How questions about culture, language and belonging could reveal a different picture of community wellbeing.What community-controlled data might uncover about housing, young people and overlooked local needs.Why trust, local knowledge and lived experience matter when collecting data.How community evidence could strengthen calls for funding, services and self-determination.

New Zealand heads to the polls this weekend in an election too close to call, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon fighting for political survival and a new challenger threatening to steal Winston Peters' kingmaker crown. Veteran political journalist and RNZ broadcaster Guyon Espiner spoke with SBS Audio's Hannah Hodson about the race for power.New Zealand voters are grappling with cost-of-living pressures, rising unemployment and concerns about healthcare and housing. With the major parties neck and neck, smaller parties could decide who forms the next government.In this episode:Is Christopher Luxon heading for a historic defeat?Why is the cost of living hurting National?How does New Zealand's MMP electoral system shape the race?Could the Opportunity Party steal Winston Peters' kingmaker crown?Can the Greens and Te Pāti Māori swing the election?

Why the US midterms matter, what they reveal about voter sentiment, and what the results could mean for both parties.As Americans vote in the US midterm elections, political analyst Larry Sabato explains why the contests are seen as a crucial judgment on Donald Trump’s second term. He discusses the issues shaping voter sentiment, what the polls suggest, and how the outcome could reshape both major parties.In this episode:Why midterm elections are considered an important measure of public sentiment during a presidential term.The issues Larry Sabato says are driving voter concerns, including cost of living, fuel prices and the Iran war.Why these elections are receiving such intense attention and what voters may be signalling about Donald Trump’s presidency.What current polling suggests about Democratic chances in the House and Senate, and the uncertainty that remains.How either result could influence the future direction and strategy of both the Democratic and Republican parties.

European fridge hacks raise questions about whether Australian supermarkets could face similar cyberattacks.A cyberattack that disrupted supermarket fridges and freezers across Europe has raised new questions about food security and infrastructure risks. Could Australian supermarkets face a similar threat? A cybersecurity expert explains how the attacks work, why they're concerning and what can be done to stop them.In this episode:How hackers allegedly gained control of supermarket refrigeration systems and caused food to spoil.Why recent attacks in Europe are prompting fresh concerns about cyber threats to critical infrastructure.Whether Australian supermarkets could be vulnerable to the same kind of incident.The unanswered question about who might be behind these attacks and what their motive could be.The practical cybersecurity measures experts say could reduce the risk of similar disruptions.

As Halloween approaches, haunted houses, horror movies and jump scares are taking centre stage, but why do so many people enjoy being scared?Clemson University psychology researcher Cynthia Pury explains the science behind enjoying fear, the role of feeling safe, why some people crave adrenaline, and what separates thrill-seekers from those who avoid scary experiences. In this episode:Why fear can be enjoyable when people know they're safe.The surprising connection between jump scares, humour and the childhood game peekaboo.How anxiety sensitivity influences whether someone enjoys scary movies and haunted attractions.Why some horror fans seek out spoilers before watching frightening stories.What real-life fear, thrill-seeking and exposure therapy can reveal about our relationship with being scared.

Newly released national survey data provides a clearer picture of the health and wellbeing outcomes for the Stolen Generations survivors and descendants.The data released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare also shows there are an estimated 200,000 Stolen Generations descendants aged 18 years and over. Half of descendants live with a disability or restrictive long-term condition and 37 per cent experience high psychological distress.The Stolen Generations refers to the First Nations children who were removed from their families across Australia - from the mid-1800s and until the 1970s - as part of deliberate assimilation policies aimed at eliminating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.In this episode:How intergenerational trauma manifests in Stolen Generations familiesLower health, wellbeing and socioeconomic factors documented in national dataThe role of Stolen Generations advocacy groups30 years on from a landmark report, what happened to the recommendations to support healing for Stolen Generations survivors?SBS News in Depth is a news analysis podcast from SBS, going behind the headlines with reporting and interviews on the stories shaping Australia and the world.Listen to more episodes of SBS News in Depth, and follow the show on the SBS Audio app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.For the latest news from Australia and around the world, visit SBS News and follow us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.

A UN expert discusses rising executions in Iran, protest-linked death sentences, and concerns over due process.As World Day Against the Death Penalty approaches, UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran and an academic at Birkbeck University, Dr Mai Sato talks to SBS Persian's Niv Sadrolodabee and discusses rising executions in Iran, including an increase in national security cases linked to protests. She examines concerns over fair trials, public executions, international pressure and efforts to halt death sentences.In this episode:Why executions linked to national security charges have increased following nationwide protests.Dr Mai Sato's concerns about the trial and execution of Alireza Sepahi, including allegations of torture and due process failures.What public executions could signal, and why some people reportedly gathered to oppose them.Cases highlighted ahead of World Day Against the Death Penalty, including prisoners still facing execution.Whether international pressure, UN engagement and legal reforms could help reduce executions in Iran.

The Koori Knockout brings hundreds of teams and thousands of visitors to the Hunter for rugby league and community. NITV Radio's Ngaire Ngaire Pakai spoke to committee member Abie Newie.The Koori Knockout returns to the Hunter as the Newcastle Yowies prepare to host one of the biggest Indigenous sporting events on the calendar. Abbey Nui reflects on the competition’s remarkable growth, its community-led legacy, and what visitors can expect beyond the footy.In this episode:How the Newcastle Yowies earned the right to host this year’s Koori Knockout in Raymond Terrace.The competition’s growth from a handful of teams to nearly 200 across multiple divisions.Why the event is about more than rugby league, with cultural activities, live performances and community spaces.How a juniors draw and leadership event at the University of Newcastle aimed to create pathways for young people.Why organisers see the Knockout as a powerful example of Aboriginal self-determination and community leadership.

Historian Zoe Smith explores Australia’s long history of tackling domestic violence and the challenges that remain.How has domestic violence moved on and off Australia’s political agenda for more than a century? Historian Dr Zoe Smith traces key turning points from the 1880s to today, examining reform efforts, national plans, prevention strategies, media coverage and what Australia might learn from overseas.In this episode:Why domestic violence was described as a “national crime and a social menace” as early as 1904, and what changed after World War I.How the women’s movement helped push domestic violence back onto the national agenda in the 1970s.Why Australia’s first national plan was criticised, and what the current plan is doing differently.The growing focus on prevention, perpetrators, respectful relationships education and generational change.What Scotland and Spain’s long-term approaches reveal about the investment and commitment needed to reduce violence.SBS News in Depth is a news analysis podcast from SBS, going behind the headlines with reporting and interviews on the stories shaping Australia and the world.Listen to more episodes of SBS News in Depth, and follow the show on the SBS Audio app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.For the latest news from Australia and around the world, visit SBS News and follow us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.