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The Bali Bombings: 20 Years On

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It’s been 20 years since the Bali bombings killed 202 people, including 88 Australians

BALI BOMBINGS- On that fateful evening of October 12, 2002, bars and nightclubs were packed with tourists out to enjoy a good time.

No one could have predicted the devastation that was about to unfold.

In the ensuing hours, a series of coordinated bomb attacks would tear through the vibrant heart of Bali, leaving carnage and destruction in their wake.

The bombings – carried out by a terrorist group with links to al-Qaeda – were the deadliest act of terrorism in Indonesia’s history.

For those who lost loved ones in the attacks, the pain is still raw. For the survivors, many of whom were left with life-changing injuries, the memories are just as vivid as ever.

The fateful night


The Sari Club was one of the busiest nightclubs in Bali on any given night. On October 12, it was no different. The club was full of people from all over the world – Australia, England, New Zealand and America – enjoying drinks and dancing to live music.

At around 11pm, a suicide bomber walked into the club and detonate his explosives. In an instant, the lives of everyone inside were changed forever.

The force of the blast ripped through the club, killing scores of people and injuring countless others. Some were lucky to escape with minor injuries; others were not so fortunate. Ambulances rushed to the scene but for many, it was already too late.

A second bomb exploded outside Paddy’s Pub just minutes later. The smaller blast caused less damage but claimed more lives; among those killed was 21-year-old Queenslander Josh Rykersingh.

With scenes of devastation all around them, panicked survivors fled into the streets trying to make sense of what had just happened.

Many had no idea where their friends or family were; all they knew was that they had to get out of there as fast as they could.

The end of 2002 was supposed to be a time of celebration for Kingsley Football Club. However, seven of their teammates were killed in the bombings.

Picture by Kingsley Football Club

It has been 20 years since that fateful night in Bali but for those who were there, and those who lost loved ones in the bombings, the memories are just as vivid as ever.

In an instant, 202 people from all over the world lost their lives in a senseless act of terrorism – 88 of them Australian citizens.

Bali Bombing memorial, Kuta

Costa is a news producer at ticker NEWS. He has previously worked as a regional journalist at the Southern Highlands Express newspaper. He also has several years' experience in the fire and emergency services sector, where he has worked with researchers, policymakers and local communities. He has also worked at the Seven Network during their Olympic Games coverage and in the ABC Melbourne newsroom. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Professional), with expertise in journalism, politics and international relations. His other interests include colonial legacies in the Pacific, counter-terrorism, aviation and travel.

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Delta flight crash in Toronto, eight injuries reported

Delta flight crashes at Toronto airport, injuring eight; all passengers and crew accounted for, one in critical condition.

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Delta flight crashes at Toronto airport, injuring eight – all passengers and crew accounted for, one in critical condition.

In Short

A Delta flight crashed at Toronto Pearson International Airport, leaving eight people injured, with one in critical condition. All passengers and crew have been accounted for.

The incident occurred on Monday as the plane arrived at the airport.

Images show the aircraft upside-down on the snow.

The flight had originated from Minneapolis.

Peel Regional Police report that eight people were injured in the crash.

One person is listed as critical with non-life-threatening injuries, while seven others have moderate to mild injuries.

Authorities stated that all passengers and crew members have been accounted for.

The flight had originated from Minneapolis.

Further details are not currently available.

This is an ongoing story, and updates will be provided as more information comes in.

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Trump State Department angers China by removing Taiwan phrase

China criticises Trump officials for removing U.S. statement opposing Taiwan independence, calling it a detrimental signal to independence advocates.

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China criticises Trump officials for removing U.S. statement opposing Taiwan independence, calling it a detrimental signal to independence advocates.

In Short

The Trump State Department removed a key phrase about Taiwan relations from its website, causing outrage in China. Despite this, a spokesperson reaffirmed the U.S. position on Taiwan remains unchanged and underscored the commitment to peace in the region.

Previously, the State Department’s fact sheet stated that the U.S. did not support Taiwan’s independence.

This phrase was deleted last week, prompting Chinese officials to demand an immediate correction, asserting it sends the wrong signal to pro-independence forces in Taiwan.

In response, a State Department spokesperson clarified that the U.S. stance on Taiwan remains unchanged.

The U.S. is dedicated to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side.

The spokesperson also emphasised support for cross-Strait dialogue, with an expectation that differences should be resolved peacefully.

Chinese President Xi Jinping – Reuters

Sole government

The relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan has long been complex, as the U.S. adheres to the “One China” policy. This policy acknowledges Beijing as the sole government of China while not explicitly affirming its claim to Taiwan.

Due to this understanding, the U.S. does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which is reflected in the absence of a U.S. embassy on the island.

China’s response highlights the ongoing tensions over Taiwan’s status and the delicate nature of U.S.-China relations. Overall, the situation underscores the challenges that arise from differing perspectives on Taiwan’s future.

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Musk claims Social Security database lists improbable ages

Elon Musk claims millions listed as over 100 in Social Security database raises questions about potential fraud and inefficiencies.

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Elon Musk claims millions listed as over 100 in Social Security database raises questions about potential fraud and inefficiencies.

In Short

Elon Musk questions the accuracy of the Social Security database, alleging millions are wrongly recorded as over 100 years old. He highlights inconsistencies and suggests the system may be the largest fraud in history while Democrats protest outside the agency.

In a recent post on X, Musk highlighted that the database includes individuals with ages listed as high as 360. He shared a chart illustrating that over 20 million entries are for those aged 100 and above, despite the U.S. Census Bureau reporting just over 80,000 individuals in this age group based on the 2020 census.

Democratic lawmakers recently protested outside the Social Security Administration, expressing concerns over potential spending investigations involving DOGE. Musk’s comments on the age discrepancies have added to the controversy, as he jokingly suggested the existence of vampires collecting benefits.

Musk also noted significant inconsistencies in payment files between the Social Security Administration and the Treasury, characterising the system as chaotic and difficult to understand. He emphasised that there appear to be more eligible Social Security numbers than there are US citizens, calling it potentially the largest fraud in history.

These remarks come as President Donald Trump has appointed Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, aimed at identifying waste and fraud within federal agencies.

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