We live in peculiar, troubling times, where the world’s climate scientists are all but screaming from the rooftops for governments to listen and take urgent action to avert climate change.
-
-
“There is a systematic genocide going on in Sri Lanka at the moment and the world doesn’t know about it. That is why we are trying to create awareness about the issue and help put a stop to this genocide.”
-
Adelaide has been in the grips of an unprecedented heat wave, with temperatures soaring above 40°C for six consecutive days into early February.
-
Five thousand people, predominately from the Sydney Tamil community, gathered in Martin Place on February 4 to draw attention to the genocide being waged against the Tamil people in northern Sri Lanka. The same day, 150 people from the Tamil community and supporters of Tamil rights marched in Brisbane.
-
On February 3, 200 people rallied against the Victorian Labor governments unsustainable water plans.
-
Greens NSW MLC John Kaye has highlighted the massive inequity in school funding, citing the submission by Sydney Grammar School one of Australias wealthiest schools of plans to build a new $23.5 million assembly hall.
-
A number of new guest speakers from across the Asia-Pacific region have confirmed their attendance at the World at a Crossroads: Fighting for Socialism in the 21st Century conference, scheduled to be held in Sydney over the Easter weekend (April 10-12).
-
The Australian Hazara community protested in Canberra on February 3 to strongly condemn the continued killing of Hazara people in Quetta City, Pakistan, by Taliban and al Qaida-backed religious extremists.
-
On February 3, Abdul Nacer Benbrika, the alleged leader of a “terrorist organisation”, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment. His six “followers” were sentenced to between four and seven-and-a-half years for being members of a terrorist organisation.
-
Reminding us once again why the Venezuela revolution has captured the hearts and minds of millions around the world, Venezuela’s foreign minister last week responded to Israel’s decision to expel the Venezuelan ambassador by declaring: “The response of the state of Israel is weak, late, and in any case for us it’s an honor. We’re proud that the state of Israel that exists today, led by these criminals, made this decision.”
-
On January 27, a Western Australian delegates’ meeting of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) passed a significant motion of support for Palestine, denouncing Israel’s recent aggression and calling on the federal government to cut all ties with Israel.
-
Nine young Tamil activists staged a hunger strike in Sydneys CBD from January 28. They urged the Australian government to support calls for a ceasefire between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the Sri Lankan military.