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On May 20, a group of women activists in Indonesia’s northern-most province of Aceh declared the formation of a new local political party — the Acehnese People’s Alliance Party for Women’s Concern (PARAPP).

“A social movement is essential for changing government and opposition policies to halt the climate crisis”, Dr Mark Diesendorf told a May 22 public meeting at the University of NSW to launch his book Greenhouse Solutions with Sustainable Energy. Diesendorf told the audience of around 200 people that individual and household solutions are not sufficient.

On May 10, British PM Tony Blair finally made his long-awaited resignation statement. Blair will stand down as prime minister with effect from June 27. He will also stand down as leader of the Labour Party, and preparations for the election of the next Labour leader — who will simultaneously become PM — got underway immediately.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation’s eight-year effort to seek justice for one of its party activists who was kidnapped in 1999 in the north-east Bihar state concluded on May 8 when the alleged culprit — MP Mohammad Shahabuddin — was sentenced to life imprisonment. Chhote Lal Gupta, the victim, is officially presumed dead.

MELBOURNE — Smells Like Sulphur is an exhibition of political art that is being billed as ‘a tribute to Venezuela and the art of telling Bush to piss off’. It will feature paintings by western suburbs artist Van Thanh Rudd, including works from his ‘Carriers Project’, which involves carrying political artwork for display on the streets and in public spaces around Melbourne. The exhibition will also feature photography of Venezuela’s unfolding revolution by Roberto Jorquera. The exhibition will run from May 23-June 9 at the Trocadero Art Space in Footscray. On June 2, Venezuelan charge d’affaires Nelson Davila will be special guest at a special opening night with live music from The Conch and Nicolas Jorquera. The Trocadero Art Space is open 11am to 6pm, Wednesdays to Saturdays.