SYDNEY — Rhoda Roberts AO, one of Australia’s most influential Indigenous arts figures, died on March 21, 2026, at age 66 after a battle with stage 4 cancer. The Bundjalung woman from northern New South Wales left an indelible mark on theatre, festivals, broadcasting and cultural advocacy, pioneering First Nations storytelling and protocols that reshaped Australian arts.

Born Rhoda Ann Roberts in 1960 in Sydney’s Canterbury Hospital, she grew up in Lismore amid a family of activists and achievers. Her father, Frank Roberts, was a civil rights advocate and pastor, while her cousin Francis “Frank” Roberts became Australia’s first Aboriginal Olympian. Facing discrimination and limited educational opportunities, she left school after Year 10, trained as a nurse and graduated in 1979 before pivoting to the arts in the mid-1980s.

Here are five essential aspects of her remarkable life and legacy:

1. **Pioneer of Indigenous Theatre and Festivals**
Roberts co-founded the Aboriginal National Theatre Trust in 1987–1988, one of the earliest platforms dedicated to Aboriginal performers and stories. She founded and directed the Festival of the Dreaming (1997), Sydney Dreaming Festival and the long-running Dreaming Festival (1995–2009), events that celebrated contemporary Indigenous culture on national and international stages. She also served as cultural advisor for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Garma Festival director in 2010 and creative force behind Parrtjima Festival in Alice Springs, Boomerang Dreaming at Bluesfest and Shine on Gimuy in Cairns. Her work elevated First Nations voices in major events like the Rugby World Cup 2003 handover and Dubai Expo 2021.

2. **Trailblazer in Broadcasting and Media**
Roberts broke barriers as one of the first Aboriginal presenters on prime-time television and worked extensively in radio, television and journalism. She produced documentaries such as “In the Gutter… No Way” (1989) for SBS and held roles with Network Ten and ABC Radio. She received a Deadly Award for Broadcasting in 1998 and served as Elder in Residence for SBS and NITV. Recently appointed cultural lead for the Koori Mail newspaper, she remained a sought-after voice on Indigenous issues through her writing, speaking and consulting.

3. **Innovator of Welcome to Country Protocols**
Widely credited with popularizing and formalizing the Welcome to Country ceremony now integral to Australian public life, Roberts advocated for respectful acknowledgment of Traditional Owners. Her efforts ensured these protocols became standard at events, institutions and official gatherings, fostering greater cultural awareness and respect. Tributes highlighted this as one of her most enduring contributions to national reconciliation.

4. **Acclaimed Performer and Storyteller**
Roberts acted in films including Wim Wenders’ “Until the End of the World” (1991), “Stones of Death” (1988) and television series like “Blue Heelers” (1994). She performed in stage works such as Louis Nowra’s “Radiance” (1993 revival), “Please Explain” (1998) and “Bible Boxing Love” (2008). In recent years, she wrote, directed and starred in her acclaimed one-woman show “My Cousin Frank,” which premiered in 2024 with NORPA and returned to the Sydney Opera House in December 2025. The production shared the story of her cousin, the pioneering Olympian, and her family’s history on Cabbage Tree Island and Cubawee reserve.

5. **Honored Advocate Facing Personal Challenges**
Roberts received the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to the performing arts, leadership, advocacy and promoting contemporary Indigenous culture. Other accolades included the Ros Bower Award (2019), Helpmann Awards’ Sue Nattrass Award (2018) and Sidney Myer Facilitators Award (1997). Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in late 2025, she faced the illness with characteristic resilience. A tribute event at the Sydney Opera House in December 2025 drew 200 attendees, including prominent figures like the Governor-General, Prime Minister and arts leaders, to celebrate her life while she was still present. A GoFundMe raised support for medical costs and family needs, reflecting her deep community ties. She continued as First Nations Creative Director for NORPA, consultant with NIDA and practicing weaver until her final days.

Roberts’ influence extended to boards like the Sydney Opera House Trust (former), Indigenous Tourism Australia and MusicNSW. She lived on a 100-acre farm in northern NSW with partner Steven Field, embodying a holistic commitment to culture, family and legacy.

Tributes poured in following news of her death, with colleagues describing her as a “game changer,” “national treasure” and force for Indigenous excellence. Her work bridged commercial, community and non-profit sectors, inspiring generations of artists and advocates.

As Australia reflects on her contributions, Roberts’ legacy endures in the festivals she founded, the protocols she championed and the stories she told — ensuring First Nations voices remain central to the nation’s cultural narrative.

LOS ANGELES — Austin Reaves, the Los Angeles Lakers’ breakout guard, recently called LeBron James the “real leader” of the team, emphasizing the four-time NBA champion’s selfless play, basketball IQ and example-setting presence even as Luka Doncic has taken on the primary scoring and playmaking role.

In a post-game interview following the Lakers’ victory over the Chicago Bulls earlier this month, Reaves highlighted James’ adaptability after returning from a brief injury absence. “He’s one of the smartest guys to ever play the game of basketball,” Reaves said. “His ability to adapt and to figure out what the game needs is second to none. … When you got a player of that stature who’s willing to play the way the game needs him to play, that just shows how selfless he is and just is a leader by example for everybody in this locker room.”

The comments came as the Lakers navigated a shifting hierarchy following last season’s blockbuster trade that brought Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. With Doncic establishing himself as the top option — often leading in points, assists and usage — and Reaves emerging as a reliable second scorer and ball-handler, James has willingly adjusted his role. Coach JJ Redick has engineered lineups that lower James’ usage to historic lows for the superstar, prioritizing Doncic and Reaves in pick-and-roll actions and late-game situations.

LeBron himself reinforced this dynamic after a recent win over the Houston Rockets, where Doncic dropped 40 points. “We have guys who have been in big games before. AR and Luka are two of our closers, and we just all try and sprinkle in, and do what we need to do defensively to help those guys out,” James told reporters. The statement aligned with reports that the Lakers are building “Dallas 2.0” around Doncic and Reaves long-term, though sources indicate both younger stars want James to remain beyond this season.

Reaves’ praise underscores James’ enduring influence despite the statistical shift. At 41, James averages 21.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 7.0 assists on 50.5% shooting this season, numbers that reflect efficiency over volume. Reaves pointed to specific moments against the Bulls: James setting screens, crashing for offensive rebounds (including an and-1) and finishing behind defenses — contributions that don’t always show in box scores but fuel team success.

The Lakers sit 41-25 as of mid-March 2026, holding fourth in the Western Conference and riding a strong stretch fueled by veteran buy-in. A $16 million role player has exemplified the selfless culture James promotes, contributing to a dominant run where the trio has found balance. Analysts note the team performs exceptionally when Doncic and Reaves share primary responsibilities, with James providing spacing, facilitation and defensive versatility.

Earlier concerns about lineup fit — ESPN’s Brian Windhorst once said the three together weren’t effective — have eased as synergies develop. Locked On Lakers discussions highlight how Reaves’ elevated on-ball role and James’ reduced usage create better spacing and fewer turnovers. Reaves has thrived in this setup, averaging 23.85 points, 4.78 rebounds and 5.5 assists across recent games, often excelling in Doncic-James absences (posting 44.3 PPG in three such contests last season).

James’ leadership extends beyond stats. Reaves has repeatedly called him the smartest player he’s played with, crediting daily joy, positivity and mentorship. In one instance, during a timeout, James declared “I’m not tired” — a moment Reaves cited as motivational. “LeBron said ‘I’m not tired’ … and that was enough,” Reaves recalled in a team huddle anecdote.

The dynamic has sparked debate about the future. Reports suggest the Lakers may move on from the James era post-season, focusing on Doncic and Reaves as cornerstones. Yet Reaves’ words affirm James’ locker-room stature. “Follow the leader,” he said in reference to James’ example, per recent reports.

As the playoffs approach, the Lakers’ success hinges on this balance. James’ willingness to sacrifice — accepting a third-option role in key stretches — has enabled Doncic’s dominance and Reaves’ growth. The guard’s public endorsement reinforces that leadership isn’t measured solely by touches or points but by impact, adaptability and team-first mentality.

With the season heating up, Reaves’ comments serve as a reminder: While Doncic drives the offense and Reaves provides secondary creation, James remains the guiding force in the Lakers’ locker room.

JEDDAH — King Abdulaziz International Airport (JED/OEJN), Saudi Arabia’s busiest gateway and a major hub for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, continues to operate with scheduled commercial flights on March 21, 2026, despite ongoing regional security challenges stemming from the escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

Live flight tracking data from multiple sources, including the official airport website (kaia.sa), Flightradar24, FlightAware and Trip.com, confirm active arrivals and departures throughout the day. As of early morning local time (GMT+3), departures include long-haul services such as Saudia SV 976 to Hong Kong scheduled for 06:00, Flyadeal FAD 9118 to Abuja at 05:00 and Flynas XY 697 to Bishkek at 05:00. Arrivals feature routes from Nairobi (Saudia SV 948), Karachi (Airblue ABQ 170) and Berlin (Flynas XY 644), with many flights listed as on time or experiencing only minor delays.

The airport’s official flights page shows hundreds of scheduled operations, with real-time updates indicating low overall impact — around 2% disruption on recent days according to Wego tracking. FlightAware and FlightStats report dozens of arrivals and departures in the early hours, including international carriers like Turkish Airlines codeshares and regional low-cost operators. No blanket closure has been announced by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) or Jeddah Airports Company, which manages the facility.

A travel alert posted on the KAIA website urges passengers to “check directly with their airlines for the latest flight updates before leaving for the airport” due to “current developments.” The advisory highlights potential adjustments from regional events but stops short of any suspension notice. Sustainability and service pages remain active, promoting parking bookings and passenger rights information.

The airport has handled increased traffic in recent weeks as Saudi Arabia positions itself as a key transit hub amid widespread disruptions elsewhere in the Gulf. Reports from Asharq Al-Awsat and other outlets note a surge in rerouted flights using Saudi airspace and airports after closures or severe restrictions in Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and other neighboring hubs. Saudi carriers like Saudia and Flynas have maintained core domestic and select international routes while extending suspensions to certain conflict-adjacent destinations through late March.

Earlier in the month, temporary measures affected operations. Saudia and others canceled or postponed flights to cities like Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait and Amman amid initial airspace safety assessments following missile exchanges and drone threats. By mid-March, however, major Saudi airports — including Jeddah, Riyadh (RUH) and Dammam (DMM) — returned to largely normal schedules, facilitating repatriation charters and commercial services. GACA reported handling over 120 flights from regional carriers between late February and mid-March to support continuity.

Unlike Kuwait International Airport, which faces prolonged closure due to reported infrastructure damage from drone incidents, Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz has avoided direct impacts. No confirmed strikes or significant damage have been reported at JED, though heightened security includes enhanced radar monitoring and coordination with military authorities. Passenger volumes remain robust, with the airport previously setting records for throughput and continuing to serve as a vital link for pilgrims and business travelers.

Delays do occur sporadically — FlightEra notes average departure delays around 44 minutes and arrivals at 76 minutes in recent periods, with low cancellation rates (4-5%). Weather conditions in Jeddah remain favorable, with scattered clouds, mild winds and good visibility contributing to smooth operations.

For travelers, the situation requires vigilance. Airlines recommend confirming status via official apps or websites, as dynamic routing and overflight permissions can lead to last-minute changes. Saudia, the primary operator at JED, has emphasized safety-first adjustments, while low-cost carriers like Flynas and Flyadeal maintain extensive domestic networks.

The broader Middle East aviation landscape remains volatile. Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria and parts of the Gulf faces intermittent restrictions, forcing longer routings over Saudi territory or the Arabian Sea. This has increased fuel costs and flight times but allowed Jeddah to absorb overflow traffic.

As the conflict enters its third week, no escalation has directly threatened Jeddah’s operations. Authorities continue emergency coordination, with focus on stranded passengers and logistical support. International advisories from the U.S. State Department and others urge caution in the region but do not prohibit travel to Saudi Arabia outright.

Passengers planning to use King Abdulaziz International Airport today or in coming days should monitor real-time sources: the KAIA flights portal, airline apps and trackers like Flightradar24. With hundreds of flights proceeding, the airport stands open and functional, serving as a stable anchor in an otherwise disrupted regional network.