Rod McGuirk

A swastika flag, left, is displayed for sale at a store at the Gladstone Harbour Festival in central Queensland, April 11, 2006. (Chris Donaghy/AAP Image via AP)

June 8, 2023, 5:36 am

Australia plans to ban swastikas, other Nazi symbols in legislation next week

While most states already ban Nazi symbols, the federal law would go further by also banning the trade in such material, attorney general says

By Rod McGuirk

Ben Roberts-Smith arrives at the Federal Court in Sydney, on June 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)

June 1, 2023, 1:43 pm

Most decorated living Aussie soldier murdered unarmed Afghan civilians, judge finds

Federal court dismisses Ben Roberts-Smith’s defamation lawsuit against reporters, ruling allegations of war crimes to be substantially true

By mark baker and Rod McGuirk

People wave Australian flags as they line the street to watch the Anzac Day parade in Sydney, April 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

April 25, 2023, 11:43 am

Australia, New Zealand honor their fallen soldiers on Anzac Day

Dawn services and veterans’ street marches take place across both countries on anniversary of Gallipoli landing; Canberra sounds alarm over China’s increasing threat in region

By Rod McGuirk

Kanye West watches the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Washington Wizards and the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, on March 11, 2022. (AP/Ashley Landis)

January 25, 2023, 11:56 pm

Kanye may be barred from Australia over antisemitic remarks, minister says

Education Minister Jason Clare says people refused entry over antisemitism in past, adds rapper must apply for visa like others if he wishes to visit partner’s family next week

By Rod McGuirk

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks by video to the Lowy Institute international think tank located in Sydney, Australia, October 6, 2022 (Screen capture used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

October 6, 2022, 3:06 pm

Zelensky says Putin wouldn’t survive nuclear strike on Ukraine

Ukrainian president claims Russian president would be ‘unable… to preserve… his life’ if he carries out threatened attack

By Rod McGuirk

The Sydney Opera House is illuminated with a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in Sydney, Australia, on Sept. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

September 11, 2022, 11:38 am

‘Now’s not time to talk about it’: Queen’s death renews debate on Australia republic

Britain’s Elizabeth II enjoyed significant popularity Down Under, but new monarch and new pro-republic government in Canberra provide opening for fresh discussion of independence

By Rod McGuirk

In this Feb. 1, 2020, file photo, fire burns in the grass near Bumbalong, south of the Australian capital, Canberra. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File)

July 19, 2022, 11:41 am

Australia vows new environmental laws as 5-year report tallies lost land, species

Government report finds number of Australian species listed as threatened rose by 8% since 2016; Canberra to declare 30% of land and surrounding sea protected areas

By Rod McGuirk

Defending men's champion Serbia's Novak Djokovic practices on Margaret Court Arena ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on January 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)

January 14, 2022, 11:42 am

Novak Djokovic faces deportation as Australia revokes visa again

Lawyers for unvaccinated, top-ranked tennis player expected to appeal decision for 2nd time; PM says move protects Australian ‘sacrifices’ during pandemic

By JOHN PYE and Rod McGuirk

Defending men's champion Serbia's Novak Djokovic practices at the Rod Laver Arena ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, January 12, 2022. (Mark Baker/AP)

January 12, 2022, 11:01 am

Tennis star Djokovic clarifies movements as Australian visa saga continues

Nine-time and defending Australian Open champion in limbo less than week before event opens, as decision on his deportation under COVID rules lands in immigration minister’s court

By JOHN PYE and Rod McGuirk

Serbia's Novak Djokovic, right, stands with Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley for a trophy photo shoot following his win the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, February 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Hamish Blair)

January 10, 2022, 3:14 am

Australian judge reinstates unvaccinated tennis star Djokovic’s visa

Serbian athlete has his case heard after five days in a migrant detention center, hopes to challenge for a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title

By Rod McGuirk and MARK D. BAKER

In this undated photo, Holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku poses for a photograph in Sydney, Australia. (Sydney Jewish Museum via AP)

October 12, 2021, 12:52 pm

Holocaust survivor and author Eddie Jaku dies in Sydney, aged 101

Australian Jewish community mourns prominent Auschwitz survivor as a ‘beacon of light and hope’

By Rod McGuirk

A Nazi flag is seen flying in the town of Beulah, in southeastern Australia. (Courtesy via JTA)

September 2, 2021, 1:44 pm

Australia’s Victoria state advances ban on swastika display amid neo-Nazi surge

Legislation barring Nazi imagery expected to be passed by parliament early next year, as officials warn of increase in radicalization of youth

By Rod McGuirk

Front pages of Australian newspapers are displayed featuring stories about Facebook in Sydney, Feb. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

February 23, 2021, 2:28 pm

Facebook to lift Australian news ban after striking deal with government

Social media giant and Google agree to amended legislation requiring them to pay for journalism; temporary restriction blocked users from sharing vital virus information

By Rod McGuirk

In this image from video made in 2005, Abdul Benbrika, an Algerian-born Muslim cleric, speaks during an interview at his home in Melbourne, Australia. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP)

February 10, 2021, 12:17 pm

Australian court upholds continued imprisonment of extremists at end of sentence

2017 law aimed at ‘high-risk’ offenders was challenged by Abdul Benbrika, convicted of leading Melbourne terror cell and still behind bars though his term ended in November

By Rod McGuirk

People hold cutouts to welcome the New Year in Ahmedabad, India, December 31, 2020. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

December 31, 2020, 8:05 pm

New Year’s festivities worldwide muted by COVID as curtain falls on 2020

Some major cities cancel or scale-back revelries due to pandemic, while others push on with celebrations as if it were any other year

By Rod McGuirk and Frank Jordans