NEWS IN BRIEF

Senator Lidia Thorpe Quits Greens

Djab Wurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjamara senator Lidia Thorpe has resigned from the Australian Greens, moving to the crossbench to lead the black sovereignty movement and speak freely on grassroots Indigenous activism.

The Greens came out in favour of the Voice to Parliament shortly after her announcement, although the party’s First Nations advisory group later made public statements backing Thorpe’s decision to leave the party.

Labor Reauthorises Offshore Detention

The Albanese Labor Government has renewed Nauru’s designation as an offshore processing area after it lapsed four months ago, effectively reintroducing offshore detention.

The decision was made on the same day award-winning author, journalist, and former Manus Island detainee Behrouz Boochani was invited to speak at Parliament House.

Earthquakes Strike Türkiye, Syria

On 6 February a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck west of the Turkish city Gaziantep near the Syrian border, followed by a second 7.5 magnitude quake in Kahramanmaraş nine hours later, causing widespread and significant damage.

Over 40,000 people in Türkiye and 6,000 in Syria have died, with rescue organisations expecting the death toll to rise further.

International aid to Syria was initially hindered by government restrictions on cross-border aid and US sanctions before both were eased to help the rescue effort.

UniMelb adopts IHRA Definition of Antisemitism

The University of Melbourne has become the first university in Australia to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Association’s working definition of antisemitism, as part of their four-part anti-racism commitment.

The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network slammed the decision, warning that the definition could be used to stifle Palestinian advocacy and legitimate criticism of Israel on campus.

China to Stop Recognising Online Degrees

The Chinese government’s Ministry of Education announced that on 28 January that degrees earned through online study at overseas institutions would no longer be recognised, forcing over 40,000 students currently enrolled online at Australian univeristies to return to Australia for face-to-face learning by the start of Semester 1.

Whilst students unable to get a visa in time can seek exemption from the rule change, the large number of students expected to return has fuelled a shortage of available rentals in the already-stretched market for student accomodation.

UMSU Resignations: 2022, Electric Boogaloo?

It wouldn’t be UMSU without a few resignations.

To date, the union has seen five resignations before the start of the academic year.

Councillors Sophie Baylis (Rebuild) and Ze Ming (Community for UMSU) resigned at the first Students’ Council meeting of the year, and were replaced by ticket appointments Conor Barnes and Kunal Dewani respectively.

People of Colour Officer Kyi Phyu Moe Htet (Community for UMSU) and Education (Public Affairs)

Officer Jemilla Kleinitz Lister (Stand Up!) resigned in December before the start of their terms, and Disabilities Officer Betty Zhang (Community for UMSU) resigned at Council 4(23).

Not counting resignations intended to cause a by-election or to be appointed to another position, this is the same amount of resignations as this time last year. Not a good omen.

Argentina wins 2022 FIFA World Cup

The 2022 FIFA World Cup was held in Qatar from mid-November to mid-December, with Argentina as the victor and France as the runner-up (33, 4-2 on penalties).

Qatar’s selection as host country was controversial due to the abuse of migrant workers and human rights violations in the country, the criminalization of same-sex relationships, corruption allegations, and stadium alcohol bans.

Lionel Messi, who played his first World Cup in 2006, leading Argentina to the championship title in what he confirmed will be the last World Cup of his career , scoring twice in the final.

Kylian Mbappé, the 24-year-old French football prodigy, scored a hat-trick in the final, the second player ever to do so in a World Cup final match.

Year of the Rabbit? Or Year of the Cat?

The 2023 Lunar New Year was celebrated on the 22nd of January.

For many cultures that follow the lunar calendar, this year is the Year of the Rabbit. However, Vietnam will instead be celebrating the Year of the Cat.

Reasons for the difference are unclear, but may be due to differing translations in folk stories, as well as the importance of cats to Vietnam’s agricultural sector. Happy Meow Year!

Written by Thalia Blackney and Jules/Julie Song. Additional reporting by the News Team.