Multiple Australia-Bali flights cancelled as Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupts again, disrupting travel for the second time in two months.

Multiple return international flights between Australia and Bali have faced cancellations following the recent eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano. It marks the second time in as many months that volcanic activity has disrupted travel plans for passengers heading to the popular tourist destination.

Observations from drones showed lava filling the crater, indicating deep movement of magma that set off volcanic earthquakes.

“We shall re-evaluate to enlarge its danger zone that must be cleared of villagers and tourist activities.”

Flight delays

“Some Virgin Australia Bali services have been cancelled following the eruption of Mount Lewotobi earlier today,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson said.

“The safety of our guests and crew is our highest priority and our team of expert meteorologists are closely monitoring the situation and ash cloud activity.

“We regret the impact of this on guests’ travel plans and encourage guests travelling to or from Bali to closely monitor their flight status via the Virgin Australia website or app.”

Qantas flights QF43 from Sydney and QF45 from Melbourne to Denpasar, Bali have been delayed.

Bali, known for its stunning landscapes and cultural attractions, relies heavily on international tourism, particularly from Australia. With flight cancellations, many are left scrambling to adjust their itineraries or seek alternative destinations. The situation has put a spotlight on the challenges that natural events can pose to the tourism sector.

Authorities in Indonesia are working to assess the situation and manage the impact of the volcano’s activity. Updates on travel advisories and safety measures are expected to be communicated to the public as conditions evolve.

Trump announces 25-40% tariffs on imports from seven countries starting August 1, amid ongoing trade deficit concerns.

President Donald Trump has announced significant tariffs on imports from seven countries, effective August 1. The affected countries include Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Laos, and Myanmar.

Imports from Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan will face a 25% tariff, while South African goods will incur a 30% duty.

Laos and Myanmar imports are subject to a 40% tariff. These measures were detailed in letters Trump shared on social media with the leaders of the respective countries. The U.S. may adjust these tariffs based on diplomatic relations, according to Trump’s statements.

This announcement precedes the scheduled reinstatement of reciprocal tariffs, set to revert to higher levels.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt

Letters dispatched

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that 14 letters would be dispatched, delaying the Wednesday deadline to August 1. Following the tariff announcement, U.S. financial markets dropped, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average declining by 637 points.

The announced rates generally align with tariffs previously imposed in April.

Despite claims of correcting trade deficits, some countries do not have large trade surpluses with the U.S. U.S. deficits for 2024 included $68.5 billion with Japan and $66 billion with South Korea, while Myanmar had a much smaller deficit.

The letters also warned against retaliatory tariffs from these nations, stating any increase from them would be added to the announced U.S. tariff rates. The Trump administration’s prior three-month tariff pause was intended to facilitate trade negotiations, though few concrete agreements have been finalised.

The legality of these tariffs is currently under review following a court decision against them in May.

Erin Patterson’s trial jury has reached verdicts in her triple murder case over a fatal mushroom lunch.

Erin Patterson has been found guilty for triple murder and attempted murder related to a beef Wellington lunch served to her in-laws in regional Australia. The charges stem from a gathering held on 29 July 2023, where a beef Wellington meal allegedly contained death cap mushrooms.

Patterson, 50, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

A jury of 12 has found her guilty of murdering the three people who attended the lunch.

Ms Patterson is now a convicted triple murderer and attempted murderer. She wore her signature paisley.shirt and sat stony faced as the jury entered the court room.

She remained expressionless as the forewoman softly said “guilty” in response to each charge. Ms Patterson watched and blinked heavily as the jury left the courtroom.

About 50 people sat in the gallery as the jury foreperson announced the verdicts about 2.18pm, but no members of the Patterson or Wilkinson families were present.

Justice Beale thanked the jurors for their time.

“You’ve been an exceptional jury,” he said. “The way you’ve conducted yourself throughout this trial has caught my attention.”

This trial draws significant attention as the circumstances surrounding the mushroom lunch have raised questions about intent and accountability.

Latrobe Valley Law Court where the court case was heard.

Court case

Erin Patterson, 50, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one of attempted murder, stemming from a beef Wellington lunch she hosted at her Leongatha home in regional Victoria in July 2023.

The prosecution alleges Patterson laced the meal with deadly death cap mushrooms, knowingly poisoning her former in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson, 66, all of whom died. Heather’s husband, local pastor Ian Wilkinson, was the only survivor, spending weeks in an induced coma. Patterson’s estranged husband Simon, who had been invited to the lunch, did not attend.

During the trial, Crown prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC painted Patterson as deceitful and manipulative, accusing her of lying to police, doctors, and even family members — including faking a cancer diagnosis — to orchestrate the fatal lunch. “She has told lies upon lies because she knew the truth would implicate her,” Rogers told the court, dismissing Patterson’s claim it was all a terrible accident.

Defence case

The defence urged the jury to focus on the lack of motive. Patterson, they argued, had no reason to harm people she loved. Taking the stand as the sole defence witness, Patterson said she may have accidentally used a mix of store-bought and foraged mushrooms from her pantry.

She admitted to making false statements, including the cancer lie, but said they stemmed from personal shame and panic – not a murderous intent.

Defence barrister Colin Mandy SC told jurors the case was being built on assumptions, with prosecutors trying to “stretch” evidence to fit a preconceived narrative. “This is not a court of moral judgment,” he said.

Justice Christopher Beale, in his final instructions to the jury last Monday, reminded the panel that while Patterson had told lies, that alone was not proof of guilt.

“There are all sorts of reasons why a person might behave in a way that makes them look guilty,” he said, urging jurors to keep emotion out of their deliberations despite the tragic outcome for both the Patterson and Wilkinson families.