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Words in the News
Monday 14 October 2002
Vocabulary from the news. Listen to and read the report then find explanations of difficult words below.

  The flames and smoke from the Bali bomb.
Australians in shock after Bali attack
Summary: In Australia, many people are asking why their countrymen appear to have been targeted in the Bali bomb attack. This report from Dominic Hughes.
   
The News Listen  
  Until now, distance has shielded Australia from violent attack. The last serious incident was in 1978, when three died after the Hilton Hotel in Sydney was bombed. But the Bali attack has brought violence to Australia's doorstep.

The perception is that Australia itself has been targeted, and now many are looking for reasons why.

Some point to lingering resentment in Indonesia over Australia's leadership of the international force in East Timor. But Australia has also strongly allied itself with the United States and the fight against terrorism. A relatively small number of Australian troops have served in Afghanistan and, in the Pacific region, Australia is a uniquely Western power.

In the last year, the Australian government has introduced legislation to tighten up the relatively relaxed domestic security, and Australia's external border is now much tighter following moves to stop boats carrying asylum seekers.

But it's the desire of Australia's young people to travel that is perhaps the most difficult thing to legislate for.

Each year, thousands of young backpackers leave Australia's shores heading for Asia, Europe and the Americas. There will be extra concern now for their safety.

 
   
The Words Listen
 
  shielded
protected

 
   
  to Australia's doorstep
very close to Australia

 
   
  point to
suggest that this is the result of, a sign of

 
   
  lingering resentment
continuing feelings of bitterness or anger

 
   
  strongly allied itself with
made itself a strong supporter of

 
   
  tighten up
increase, make stricter

 
   
  relatively relaxed domestic security
security measures within Australia which, compared to other places, were not very strict

 
   
  moves
actions

 
   
  legislate for
pass laws for

 
   
  backpackers
tourists, often students, who carry their luggage on their back in a large bag or backpack

 
   
  Read more about this story  
 

Other Words in the News archives

 

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