Post No. 974 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing

Note: I am NOT a journalist, and make NO claims to objectivity or freedom from bias or trying to cover all [there are often more than two] sides of an issue: these posts are the equivalent of a re-tweeting service, or, at best, a commentary site, and are posted for the purpose of assisting in the clearing of nonBPM (“unbalanced/unbalancing”, or spiritually immature”) energies.

For everyone’s convenience:   the reminders / explanations about Sunday’s meditation-clearing are here;   a simplified blogiography of posts related to this work is here,   a list of themes I have identified here;   my changing the personality of oppressors and other world leaders post is here;   (see here for some investigation into evidence of the effectiveness of this type of work … and also here and here are interesting);   a range of information on emotions is here, and suggestions on how to work with emotions is here;   this copy of a speech to one of the Parliament of World Religions has excellent, helpful insights on generational transmission of harm, the cost of war, and ways to heal our hearts;   and   this post reminds us to be patient and persistent, like a “speeding oak” (and I like the comment about a sudden “shift” being just another form of apocalyptic thinking).

Now, as mentioned above, the purpose of posting these news links (and, incidentally, these posts are the equivalent of a re-tweeting service, or, at best, a commentary site: I am NOT a journalist, and make NO claims to objectivity or freedom from bias or trying to cover all [there are often more than two] sides of an issue – see here) is not only to inform:   it is also to stimulate a connection to nonBPM units that need to be cleared and BPM units that need to be strengthened, so that you can do the clearing / strengthening that is required.   That only works if you don’t let yourself be overwhelmed by this, so take it in small chunks if you need to, but remember to actively clear and heal! … including yourself.

Further to that, in the same way that activists used to argue that “the personal is political”, the energies we use and manifest in our daily lives contribute to the larger soup of energies that influence world events. If you want to, for example, improve the communication of nations, improve yours. To help stop abuses of power, be always ethical in your conduct. Want peace? Then work in an informed, understanding, intelligent and nuanced way for peace in yourself and your life.

There are some notes at the end of this post about other options for those who do not like this way of working, opportunities for healers, and the default plan for any time I am late getting my Psychic Weather Report up.

Now, the themes – short, medium and long term - that come to mind for my work this week, after I review all this news, are (and no apologies if this repeats the themes of any previous weeks – in fact, given the size of this task, that is to be expected):

(a)   based on my interpretation of information here and here with Saturn in Sagittarius contributing to finding an authentic balance (until 20^th December, 2017), Uranus in Aries contributing to fresh and possibly radical starts (until some date in the Year 2018), and Pluto in Capricorn contributing to a transformation of power and business (and careers) (until some date in the Year 2024), conditions are ripe for a change for the better in world politics;

(b)   there is an enormous need to clear nonBPM energy – the thought forms, unattached energy and scars of the collective unconscious created by millennia of violence. This need includes rescuing those who have been trapped by that history, and healing the warped views, seemingly “inherent” biases, and other damage done by the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual violence committed on scales large and small in that timeframe;

(c)   viewing the overall emotional state of the world from an elemental point of view, this week we need more of the broad spiritual perspective of Æther;

(d)   I’ve created a bindrune for this week’s meditation, which is:

(e)   the major events this week are:   the faltering ceasefire in Syria, and the risk it creates for the Kurds;   the ongoing silence over other areas of conflict and need;   US President-elect Trump’s imminent inauguration and the swirling vortex of bluff, machismo and braggadocio which is creating such uncertainty and fear throughout the world;

(f)   the fear, possessiveness and materialism which underlie populism and its associated threat to human rights remain unacknowledged or mis-acknowledged threats;

(g)   adapting to change and the future remains an issue of concern – particularly the discrimination (against both young and old) and resentments, fear and despair that are associated with both change (some good, a lot bad) and the necessity –some imposed without due cause – for change;

(h)   those making decisions tend to be hampered by an inability to genuinely see things from the perspectives of others, and the momentum of previous decisions and methods;

(i)   abuse of power remains an ongoing issue  abuse both deliberate and accidental;

(j)   the ability to see / perceive / observe accurately remains of critical importance, and failures and flaws in this attribute, often owing to personal biases and fears, impeded making this world a better place;

(k)   the counter to fear is genuine  EQ and clear thinking, expressed through calm, de-escalating speech;

(l)   peace is powerful, but it is a process requiring patient (not impatient!), persistent and nuanced nurturing, and a blend of conventional spiritual work, clearing nonBPM units, and physical world activism;

(m)   where problems exist, advocating for BPM responses, and being as BPM as one can be, and constructive solutions - as is clearing nonBPM units;

I also take this opportunity to emphasise that it is absolutely VITAL that this psychic / metaphysical / spiritual work be performed non-violently and as is for the Highest Spiritual Good – which is part of being BPM – on all levels and in all ways. Always remember (see here): Do you fight to change things, or to punish? See also here, here, here, here, here, and my comments about “authentic presence” in this post.

News and other matters from this week include the following (opportunities/good news are shown in green; comments are shown in purple; WARNING: some of these links may contain triggers around issues such as violence, sexual assault, discrimination, etc).

• Permanent issue: may all actual and potential BPM [1] Leaders be kept BPM safe, including keeping them undetectable to the nonBPM and keeping all their Significant Others inviolable against being used for indirect  psychic attack, and may they have all the BPM opportunities and assistance (so-called “good luck”) for them to be BPM effective at influencing the world’s direction, development and unfoldment, all as is for the Highest Spiritual Good;
• Permanent issue: may all humans recognise, irrespective of the appearance of difference, the essential shared humanness of other people, the inherent resilience, the dynamic power, the strength of BPM collaboration, and the opportunities of having a diverse, inclusive and welcoming population, and may all people choose fairness, when such decisions are before them;
• Permanent issue: may all humans choose to live modestly – to forgo outdoing others, or trying to have more than they need - for the sake of an easier, more manageable life, if they cannot do it for the sake of the planet;
• With regard to democracy (which requires  protection of minorities and the vulnerable), freedom and governance (e.g., here, here, here and here):
     -   analyses this week include:   in the course of looking for the declassified US report on Russian hacking, I came across a CIA history of Viêt Nám. I am still reading that, but have been surprised to learn that Roosevelt wanted an act of self-determination, and that the CIA refuted the “Domino Theory” and warned of potential instability in South Vietnam and the dangers of military involvement in the early 60s: the administration of the day ignored them … another lesson for US President-elect Trump – who has now accepted that Russia was behind the hacking;   a critique of US President Obama’s work to stabilise and improve the US economy;   a philosopher has warned of "corruption of intellectual integrity" and damage to "the whole fabric of democracy" in the “post-truth” world;   some changes have been happening in a far right party in France in an attempt to make it more palatable;   an examination of the Catalonia’s desire to secede from Spain, and what would be involve in that;   a detailed analysis of the legal aspects of the case against Hilary Clinton over her private email server, and why it was not pursued and why it will NOT harm future prosecutions;   Human Rights Watch’s “World Report 2017” says “The rise of populist leaders in the United States and Europe poses a dangerous threat to basic rights protections while encouraging abuse by autocrats around the world” , and the EU’s inward turn is also putting rights at risk;   an article on the support of far right parties in Europe by minority groups;
     -   of concern this week:   US President-elect Trump has criticised those who oppose his desire for closer relations with Russia (good relations with other nations are good – PROVIDED they are fair, reasonable and just, and do not exacerbate problematic behaviour or issues. Mind you, I do agree that the Democratic Party – and Clinton – should have done a lot better on email discipline and security, but to blame them for that is as much victim blaming as blaming someone whose house is burgled for not having better security: the person committing the crime bears the majority of the blame);   disputed claims that UK’s health service is facing problems;   “Germany's insistence on austerity in the euro zone has left Europe more divided than ever and a break-up of the European Union is no longer inconceivable”, according to Germany’s Vice Chancellor;   the treaty between Timor-Leste and my nation over oil and gas reserves in the Timor Sea has been ended over my government’s spying on the East Timorese delegation during negotiations for the treaty, and a highly questionable – verging on unconscionable - raid on a lawyer’s office (I’m one of the many Australians who considers we should give Timor-Leste the majority of that reserve);   an outline of ethical concerns associated with US President-elect Trump – to which can be added appointing a vaccination sceptic;   the US legislature has started repealing accessible health care, despite growing conservative concerns over the lack of a replacement plan;   US President-elect Trump's plans to hand his business empire to his family do not meet the standards set by other US Presidents;   Thailand’s new king has asked for changes to the draft new constitution – which was drafted by the army to make sure it retains control for years to come, thus making a mockery of the recent magnanimous condescension of the army in saying it won’t commit another coup – to “preserve his royal powers” … ;   the divisions in Indonesia are growing, with a former resident adding to the flames;   Taiwan has scrambled fighters and ships in response to a show of force by China in the Taiwan Strait;   The Gambia’s last President will stay in power until a court decision in May (and what if it isn’t the decision he wants?);   examples of abuse of diplomatic immunity;   Russian propaganda and disinformation campaigns in Germany;
     -   in the grey area or neutral this week:   US President-elect Trump’s choice for Attorney-General made making some promising statements during his confirmation hearing;   “Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon has put Russia at the top of a list of threats to US interests, telling Congress that America must be ready to confront it where necessary, even as he backed Mr Trump's bid to engage with Moscow”;   Mexico has said it will not pay for a wall on its border with the USA (I consider this statement by Mexico is good, but I’m uncertain how it will influence events);
     -   good news this week includes:   a peaceful transfer of power to the new President has occurred in Ghana;   outgoing US President Obama has told President-elect Trump that the government cannot be run like a family business;   the USA and Cuba have signed an agreement on cleaning up oil and other toxic spills in the Gulf of Mexico;   US President Obama’s final speech was magnificent – and significant parts of that apply to other democracies (and there are a few quotes I’m going to keep in mind). See also here and, on other key speeches by Obama, here;   the Justice Department will investigate the USA FBI’s announcement of investigations into candidate Clinton’s emails;
     -   and in my home nation this week:   an assessment of the economic risks facing Australia;   the problems in trying to data match Australia’s welfare and taxation systems;   more mental health problems being created by the Australian Government – this time in Australian citizens, as a result of ineptness;   the government knew in advance that the “debt matching” system was NOT going to work;   a warning that Centrelink needs to accept that people have varying incomes now as a matter of course;   the Ombudsman has produced two “scathing” reports about Australia’s notorious immigration department;   another candidate for an Australian far right party has made stupid comments;   an article on the impact of a trade war between China and the USA on Australia;   a former Prime Minister has accused US President-elect Trump’s team of putting Australia at risk of being dragged into a war between the USA and China;   a neoliberal MP in one Australian state has defected to a right wing party – which is why political parties need to be acknowledged in our system, so that this sort of thing can be prevented: voters choose people based on their party, not the person;   Parliamentary entitlements will be reformed;   an Australian company has had a landmark win over intellectual property in China;   a state regional arts body has had to close after its funding was cut;   the Australian government has been accused of cherry picking data to support its “cashless welfare card”;
     -   this week’s atrocity alert at R2P lists Syria and Burma;
• With regard to violent extremism (aka, terrorism - e.g., Da’esh) (and, incidentally, I consider ALL people advocating hate or discrimination in response to violent extremism to actively be doing the work of violent extremists. This PARTICULARLY includes those cretins [including in the media, and Amnesty International] who use the acronym ISIS (see also here), which is actually the Greek name of the Egyptian Goddess Aset – and others (see also here and here) - and actively perpetuates the patriarchal and sacrilegious evil that violent extremists are trying to accomplish in this world – which will be countered, in part, by the sort of approach advocated by “Cure Violence”, and, in part, by addressing real and perceived disempowerment and acknowledging the variety in what provides genuine, BPM fulfilment as a counter to fanaticism as a source of meaning. I also am inclined, personally, to include here the last two millennia of neochristian and colonialist social engineering, which has led to suppression of women, child abuse, the Crusades, the Inquisition, etc, as violent extremism, but that would take too much explaining. As a final point, I am deliberately avoiding the use of specific names of violent extremist groups as much as possible to reduce the publicity they get – I’m not a primary news source, and thus consider I can do so: any names that are needed are in the articles I have provided links to):
     -   violent extremist attacks/acts have occurred this week in Syria, Somalia, Israel, Kashmir, USA (bomb threats against Jewish community centres), Afghanistan, and, according to this Wikipedia page, there have been 2 attacks in Iraq (out of a total of 16);   prevention has or may have occurred in China; and actions have occurred against violent extremists in Mali, Yemen;
     -   Kenya is building a wall to keep out Somali terrorists;   Morocco has banned the burqa;
     -   an assessment that Indonesia is unprepared for female terrorists;   an interview with Tunisia’s Prime Minister on terrorism, which includes “terror today no longer has a nationality”;
• With regard to refugees (noting the New York Declaration):
     Europe’s winter is killing refugees;   French police are continuing to attack refugees;   European police will re-examine a mass drowning of refugees that appears to have had an inadequate – or no – consideration;
• With regard to human rights and discrimination (including associated violence / crime):
     -   on homophobia/transphobia this week:   a candidate – from an ethnic group the party’s founder has attacked - for a small-minded party in Australia who attacked gay people as “needing medical consultations” has – surprisingly, although allegedly over attitude towards the party’s leader, not the issue of homophobia  - been dumped. A multicultural festival she was  - inappropriately – associated with has had its funding removed as a result;   the US Secretary of State has apologised to the hundreds of gay employees who were fired during the Cold War;   two Iraqi soldiers had to leave that nation to express and live their same gender love;   the ongoing murders of trans people in the USA;   a parent’s support should any of his children be gender fluid;
     -   on racism this week:   another example of blatant racism in the USA;   Australia’s indigenous people successfully lived with our megafauna for over 17,000 years;   sport is helping to reunite the Solomon Islands after ethnic tensions;   the US Justice Department has found that Chicago police were racist and excessively violent - see here for an assessment of the protective biases in police contracts;   a US coin has shown “Lady Liberty” as an African-American woman for the first time;
     -   on sexism this week:   a modern protest by Saudi women against the constraints they face;   the notorious problem of sexual assaults on Japanese trains, and the social attitudes that hinder addressing that;   a notorious pharmaceutical company executive has been suspended from one social media platform for harassing a female journalist;   a critique of Meryl Streep’s excellent acceptance speech, and the hypocrisy of some of the Hollywood audience;   more on the notorious problem of Pakistani families dishonouring themselves by murdering women;   how South Korea stopped parents aborting girls;   women are slowly getting political rights in Oman;   an article on a matrilineal Muslim culture in Indonesia;   Indian police have been accused of a rape;   insights on gender equality;
     -   on other forms of human rights this week:   Human Rights Watch’s “World Report 2017” says “The rise of populist leaders in the United States and Europe poses a dangerous threat to basic rights protections while encouraging abuse by autocrats around the world”, and the EU’s inward turn is also putting rights at risk;   a court in the UK has found that a bike courier should be viewed as an employee, not self-employed;   a US state has passed an anti-union law;   “First lady Michelle Obama [has] made an impassioned case for embracing diversity and welcoming all religious groups”;   the elderly are particularly at risk in the USA when Obama’s Healthcare is wound back by the incoming administration;   more attacks on poor people – this time by the Australian Government;   “water people” in Cambodia are being pushed off their lake to allow for development;   Switzerland has won a human rights court case obliging Muslim parents to send their pre-pubescent girls to mixed swimming classes – which the court acknowledged as an interference of religious rights, but not a violation;   Pakistan has stayed the execution of a mentally ill man;   persecution of Christians in India has increased;
• With regard to crime, judicial matters and policing:
     revenge killings in a Brazil prison – see also here;   a disturbance in a youth prison in my nation has been “quelled”, but more youths have been shifted to adult prisons – and another disturbance has occurred … ;   a review of the long-developing problems in my home state’s youth justice system, and what to do about it, as class action is launched by youth detainees in another state;   how Japan has reduced gun violence (“The response to violence is never violence, it's always to de-escalate it. Only six shots were fired by Japanese police nationwide [in 2015]," says journalist Anthony Berteaux. "What most Japanese police will do is get huge futons and essentially roll up a person who is being violent or drunk into a little burrito and carry them back to the station to calm them down.") – this also includes comparative statistics;   a shooter who recently killed people at a US airport had recently been evaluated for mental health issues, and his gun returned to him … ;   Pakistan has stayed the execution of a mentally ill man;   a police officer has been killed in the USA;   the US Justice Department has found that Chicago police were racist and excessively violent - see here for an assessment of the protective biases in police contracts;   many policer actually support actions suggested by reform activists;   an arson attack has occurred at a home for sex offenders located in a suburban area (quite a bit of fear about this centre is reported to have occurred: how was the centre promoted – as an exercise in compassion, or part of a justice programme to ensure safety when people are released, and, possibly of greater concern, were these offenders child abusers? If so, considerable naïveté has been shown);   there has been a major drug bust in my home state;   Thailand is considering the death penalty for corruption (which is a retrograde move for a number of reasons);   a Volkswagen executive has been charged with conspiracy to defraud the USA over the fake diesel emissions (this will affect the company, and it is clear there was significant wrongdoing, but people are innocent until proven guilty);   a former police officer has been jailed for dealing drugs while serving;   some Chinese police are being given lessons in politeness;   French police are continuing to attack refugees;   Indian police have been accused of a rape;   European police will re-examine a mass drowning of refugees that appears to have had an inadequate – or no – consideration;
• With regard to press aka the media, and freedom of expression (keeping in mind that claims of presenting “both sides” of a debate can be WRONG if the other side is RUBBISH –as is the case on LGBTIQ issues: having an “equal say”, or a “right to respond” MUST be assessed in the context of what is happening overall in society – NOT solely in one limited incident):
     a Chinese professor has been sacked for criticising Chairman Mao;   Chechnya is threatening an online media editor;   a freed journalist has spoken in support of a colleague recently jailed in Egypt;   Lebanon is cracking down on online freedom of expression in the guise of fighting cyber crime;   the challenges of being a journalist in eastern Ukraine;
• With regard to overcrowding and “modern” lifestyle issues (is YOUR smart phone free of conflict  minerals, environmental harm and child labour? I was recently pleasantly to find IT manufacturers now making at least some effort in this regard. Do you suffer from FOMO? Are you being duped by modern mantras? Does your AI use ethics? Does your corporation misuse mindfulness as a distraction from working conditions? Do you understand embedded emissions? Do you want a bigger, flashier home/car than people had 50 years ago – which means you are actively abusing the environment and society’s cohesion?):
     -   another record shattering hot year in 2016, as the world approaches the critical temperature for climate change;   human urbanisation is leading to changes in plants and animals, such as changes in size and behaviour;   London’s air pollution kills 10,000 people every year;   China has announced a new police squad to fight air pollution, which kills one million people annually;   habitat loss is causing major environmental problems in south east Asia;   waste ash from a coal power station in South Australia has been stored under a “crust” (of dried ash, it seems) which broke under the impact of rain, resulting in toxic clouds of dust and health checks at a nearby town (why? Why wasn’t the dust covered properly?);   indigenous knowledge is being used to attempt to commercialise native Australian plants, which do not need heavy irrigation;   economic conditions are forcing US nuclear power plants to shut down;   childlessness is higher in southern Europe;   an examination of what is involved in reducing our dependence on flying;   hospitals are unprepared for heatwaves;   Australians annual purchase of 27 kg of new textiles each – 2^nd highest in the world -  is harmful for the environment;
     -   further dehumanisation of the job hiring process;   a teenager has created a buoy to warn people of rips;   security updates have been issued for some medical devices which were vulnerable to hacking;   work being undertaken by the Obama administration to preserve a record of its social media legacy;   Lebanon is cracking down on online freedom of expression in the guise of fighting cyber crime;
     -   another article on the flaws of the open office – and one on the flaws of hot desking;   a critique of US President Obama’s work to stabilise and improve the US economy;   the problem of the drive for increased efficiency leading to a loss of empathy in medical staff (I’m pleased that, with one notable exception, my partner did receive empathy during her recent knee replacement);   a long overdue call for a better way to measure employment / underemployment  unemployment;
     -   a lack of doctors may close some medical communities;   a woman who bought only essentials saved $37,000 in a year;   the benefits of napping at work;   an article on a medical study explaining how stress contributes to heart attacks includes "Heavy workloads, job insecurity or living in poverty are circumstances that can result in chronically increased stress, which in turn can lead to chronic psychological disorders such as depression" – which is the first time I can recall a doctor being other than clueless about the impact of life on health;   the benefits of children being outside this summer – which reminds me of the concept of forest bathing - and of “taking the sea”, as it used to be termed;
• With regard to education:
     some Chinese students can “borrow” marks, with a proviso that they pay them, in an innovative scheme – I’ll be interested to see how that works: it could be good;   unbelievably, a maths question has been set at a US school using an example of sexual abuse as the framework;
• With regard to the conflict in Afghanistan (noting that Afghanistan was once a peaceful and modern society, even allowing women in miniskirts, before the Russian invasion – see here):
     a new tax aimed at “weaning Afghanistan off international aid” has built government revenue, but has met with business protests and concerns (taxation is part of the price we pay for being in a civil society: the transition from a tax-free nation to one that does tax is a massive change of culture, thinking and various expectations [see the start of this article, for instance – and also here and here]: it is never easy, and it may require some tweaking along the way – the concerns about a delayed economic recovery may be valid, at least to some extent);
• With regard to Africa, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (and other sources) also has:
     -   an army mutiny in the Ivory Coast over pay has been ended by a deal;
     -   a peaceful transfer of power to the new President has occurred in Ghana;
     -   The Gambia’s last President will stay in power until a court decision in May (and what if it isn’t the decision he wants?);
     -   Nigeria has offered the current Gambian President asylum;   after receiving a promise of billions of dollars from China, Nigeria has ordered the Taiwanese embassy to leave;
     -   Kenya is building a wall to keep out Somali terrorists;   Kenya will monitor the internet and may shut down social media during elections if “the situation gets out of hand” (if that is monitoring calls to violence, fair enough, but if it is about silencing dissent, then it is not acceptable;   striking doctors may be jailed;
     -   oil workers in Gabon have gone on strike;
     -   Burundi may be suspended from The Great Lakes Committee on Peace and Security;
     -   the ex-wife of South Africa’s current President could become leader of the ANC;
     -   activists fleeing Zimbabwe are getting little welcome in neighbouring nations;
• With regard to China and East and South East Asia:
     -   China has announced a new police squad to fight air pollution, which kills one million people annually;   China has threatened revenge if the USA moves away from the “One China” story;   some Chinese students can “borrow” marks, with a proviso that they pay them, in an innovative scheme – I’ll be interested to see how that works: it could be good;   some Chinese police are being given lessons in politeness;   an article on the impact of a trade war between China and the USA on Australia;   a former Prime Minister has accused US President-elect Trump’s team of putting Australia at risk of being dragged into a war between the USA and China;   an Australian company has had a landmark win over intellectual property in China;   a Chinese professor has been sacked for criticising Chairman Mao;   more tension between the USA and China over the South China Sea;   a Chinese company plans to build a solar farm on land contaminated by the Chernobyl disaster;
     -   Taiwan is building relations with Central America;   Taiwan has scrambled fighters and ships in response to a show of force by China in the Taiwan Strait;
     -   a self immolation protest against South Korea’s agreement with Japan over sex slaves from World War Part Two;   how South Korea stopped parents aborting girls;
     -   after a major resources project was threatened, Papua New Guinea has sent soldiers and police to stop a surge in tribal fighting;
     -   Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo and moderate Islamic clerics are urging Indonesians to resist intolerant hardliners –and a general has been sacked for allowing hardliners to train with the military;   the divisions in Indonesia are growing, with a former resident adding to the flames;   an assessment that Indonesia is unprepared for female terrorists;   an article on a matrilineal Muslim culture in Indonesia;
     -   Thailand is considering the death penalty for corruption (which is a retrograde move for a number of reasons);   Thailand’s new king has asked for changes to the draft new constitution – which was drafted by the army to make sure it retains control for years to come, thus making a mockery of the recent magnanimous condescension of the army in saying it won’t commit another coup – to “preserve his royal powers” … ;
     -   pirates have killed eight fishing people in Philippine waters;   Philippines President Duterte has ordered free contraception to be made available to those who cannot afford it;
     -    ongoing suppression of dissent in Singapore;
     -   Burma has started talking to Bangladesh about the Rohingya crisis;
     -   habitat loss is causing major environmental problems in south east Asia;
• With regard to the conflict in Iraq (noting that Iraq was once a peaceful and prosperous society, before the UK / USA / CIA backed revolution – see here, and that it needs an emphasis on a secular society and citizenship – but also here, although based in Syria and here):
     -   Iraqi forces have reached the Tigris River in Mosul as violent extremists retaliate with a suicide bombing campaign in Baghdad;   Iraqi forces are progressing in their campaign to retake Mosul;
     -   and the Iraq Body Count project reports 323 people killed in the last week;
• With regard to the Libyan civil war:
     there may have been a “miniature coup” in Libya;   the EU may introduce more anti-refugee measures as Russia shows more interest in involvement in Libya;
• With regard to Russia (which is currently actively supporting an – in my opinion, based on R2P principles - illegitimate regime in Syria), Russian influenced nations and eastern Europe:
    -    numbers of US tanks in Europe have been increased;   US President-elect Trump has apparently now accepted that Russia was behind last year’s email hacking;   US President Obama has sanctioned several Russians, including men considered suspects for the murder of Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko;   other Republicans are pushing US President-elect Trump to make a harder response to the alleged Russian hacking of emails, while Democrats want a commission of enquiry;   “Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon has put Russia at the top of a list of threats to US interests, telling Congress that America must be ready to confront it where necessary, even as he backed Mr Trump's bid to engage with Moscow”;   Russian propaganda and disinformation campaigns in Germany;   Russia Today has briefly hacked the US network C-SPAN;   Russia is claiming that more US troops in Poland are a threat;
     -   Lithuanians have commemorated the anniversary of a night in 1991 when Soviet forces made an ultimately futile bid to crush their nation's new independence;
• With regard to South and Central America:
     -   revenge killings in a Brazil prison – see also here;   “A battle is under way in the Amazon region of Brazil between indigenous groups and river dwellers on the one hand and big corporations on the other as the latter go ahead with their plans to build huge dams to meet Brazil's energy needs”;
     -   Venezuela has increased the minimum wage by 50%;
     -   the USA has ended a favoured status for Cuban migrants;
     -   El Salvador has experienced one day without any murders … ;
     -   a bat plague is creating health risks in Chile;
     -   Mexico will retaliate against any US border tax;
• With regard to South Asia (aka the Indian sub-continent), The Hindu and other sources have:
     -   volunteers are taking action against rubbish problems in Bangalore;   an objection has been made to an apartment building’s anti-lower caste rule;   the problems facing Indian cities;   the air is polluted in all north Indian cities;   predictions of growth have been downgraded after demonetisation in India;   Indian police have been accused of a rape;   insights on gender equality;   persecution of Christians in India has increased;
     -   protests in Sri Lanka against loss of land for a port to be built by China;
     -   more on the notorious problem of Pakistani families dishonouring themselves by murdering women;   Pakistan has fired its first nuclear-capable, submarine-launched missile - and the USA is reportedly concerned;   an editorial on the problem of activists disappearing in Pakistan;   Pakistan has stayed the execution of a mentally ill man;   the Pakistani Senate will debate ways to prevent misuse of the nation’s notorious blasphemy laws;
     -   Bangladesh is taking a massive backwards step by allowing child marriages under some circumstances;
     -   Nepal is continuing to stall on seeking justice for victims of past abuses, and on winter earthquake relief;   India’s note ban has hit Nepal hard;
• With regard to Sudan and South Sudan:
     -   criticism of the USA for premature easing of sanctions against Sudan;   a social media organised “stay at home” strike has had unexpected success in Sudan;
     -   lack of money has led to the closure of 11 health clinics in Sudan;
• With regard to the conflict in Syria, where Assad’s regime has, in my opinion, lost all claims to legitimacy, and it is time to consider partition (see here, here, here and here):
     -   Russia says it has started reducing its forces in Syria;   a background article on the significance of water in the civil war in Syria;   President Assad has claimed that he is prepared to discuss everything, including his presidency, which he claims is linked to the Constitution and thus a referendum is required (which is not possible under the sort of duress which exists at present: this notion is fanciful at best, and more probably a diversion by a skilled manipulator – what is needed now is a stable ceasefire to stop the killing above all else, humanitarian aid – including restoring the water supply to Damascus [otherwise the rebels are dragging themselves down to Assad’s level, and showing their unfitness to provide a credible step towards democracy], and the prospect of further talks The comments [which sounded chilling] about – in effect – the lack of an opposition candidate reflect the decades of repression by the Assad family, as much as anything else), and that his army is responsible for taking every inch of Syria back – true enough, technically, but the problem is that – even with the military aid of the Russians, his military is too weak to do so: the could only take Aleppo by allowing other areas of Syria to fall. More fundamentally, this shows how unwilling Assad is to share even a drop of power);   a warning that Assad will never share power;   a critique of US President Obama’s attitudes and perceptions on Syria;   suspicions that Assad may have been personally involved in decisions about chemical attacks;   a critique of the UN including long standing allegations against peacekeepers and how the veto has stopped action on Syria;   the Kurds are most at risk from the Turkish-Russian ceasefire;   a rescue worker is likely to have been beaten into an alleged “confession”, and is still missing;
• With regard to Turkey:
     fears that constitutional changes will set the current authoritarianism in place;   Turkey is throwing a spanner in the works of peace talks on Cyprus;   Greece is continuing to refuse to extradite soldiers who fled there after the failed Turkish coup;
• With regard to the conflicts in Ukraine, particularly in the east:
     a power cut last month was due to a cyber attack;   a Chinese company plans to build a solar farm on land contaminated by the Chernobyl disaster;   the challenges of being a journalist in eastern Ukraine;
• With regard to West Asia / the Middle East and North Africa, the Middle East Eye and other sources have:
     -   Israel’s Ambassador to the UK has apologised after a junior Embassy official said he wanted to “take down” a UK Government Minister – which shows the splits that can occur between senior and junior levels of any organisation, which is an issues that needs to be managed;   concerns over Israeli charges against a World Vision employee in Gaza;   a pro-Israel lobby based in the USA is extending its activities to the UK;   an estimated 20,000 people protested against demolition of Palestinian houses in Israel;   Gaza is facing an electricity crisis;
     -   the Saudi Prince driving economic reform has prepared a strategy – including “punitive measures would be considered for any clerics who incited or resorted to violence” – if clerics oppose the changes;   a Sudanese man has been arrested in Saudi Arabia for supporting a “stay at home” strike;
     -   US Naval vessels have fired warning shots at Iranian vessels which engaged in threatening behaviour;
     -   Egyptian farmers fear drought as Ethiopia builds its dam;   a freed journalist has spoken in support of a colleague recently jailed in Egypt;
     -   women are slowly getting political rights in Oman;
     -   Lebanon is cracking down on online freedom of expression in the guise of fighting cyber crime;
• With regard to the war in Yemen (unlike Iraq and Syria, I cannot find a source of regular information on casualties in Yemen, but the hardship and deaths from food, water and medical shortages that concerns me just as much – if not more, and I don’t know if such sites would report that; it is also important to remember that there are multiple sides in this dispute – and opponents to the government are not necessarily Houthi or violent extremist):
     another article (the world can never say it didn’t know) on the crisis in Yemen;   another call for support for Yemeni farmers;   delays - caused by the war - in accessing medical care are costing lives;   a violent extremist has been killed in an airstrike in Yemen;
• With regard to natural and other catastrophes:
     floods in Thailand have killed more than 30 people;   cold weather has killed people in Europe;   heavy rain in parts of the USA have forced evacuations;   a bridge collapse in Colombia has killed 11 people;
• With regard to peace and/or spirituality generally, and the occasional nice story:
     hope for a peace treaty in Cyprus, with international diplomats joining the efforts … but there is a dispute over what to do about soldiers;   an article warning that the call of the Morríghan is louder, and more urgent, and including a number of unusual events;   a warning of the dangers of neochristian “prayer warriors”;   a mobile shop will offer free haircuts to Brisbane’s homeless;   a critique of the UN including long standing allegations against peacekeepers and how the veto has stopped action on Syria;   an article on neutralising dangerous (inciting violence / hate) speech;

and from a range of other sites:

• some “scientific evidence” of the changes in women’s brains as a result of pregnancy;
• storms have caused a loss of trees in Canberra – which is a loss spiritually and psychically, as well as environmentally and aesthetically;
• a student is translating works of literature into Kurdish.

(Dear Reader, please remember, I expect you to think when reading this blog, and reserve the right to occasionally sneak in something to test that)

Now, some relocated notes and other comments/information.

Remember that many others are very capably doing this type of work – for instance, the Lucis Trust's Triangles network (which has been running for many decades),   the Correllian Tradition's 'Spiritual War for Peace' (begun in 2014, and see also here, here, and here), the Hope, Peace, Love and Prosperity Spell (also from the Correllian Tradition, in around 2007 or 2008),   the Healing Minute started by the late, great Harry Edwards (held at 10 AM and 10 PM local time each day, and has been running for decades);   the “Network of Light”  meditations;   and   also see here and here – even commercial organisations are getting involved (for instance, see here), there are online groups (e.g. here and here – which I’m not members of, and thus do not know the quality of) and even an app. No doubt there are many others, so, if you don't like what I am suggesting here, but want to be of service, there are many other opportunities for you. I also point out that more than just psychic work is required – activism in the physical world, even if it is “only” writing letters to politicians / the media will help, as will a whole range of other stuff. To stimulate some ideas on this aspect of service, see here, here and here, and, of course, here. On more physical level, there is the United Nations Online Volunteering page.

(Please note that I now specifically have a role for (absent) healers on Saturdays, as explained in the Psychic Weather Report posts. Anyone who wishes to be protector has a role every day :) , including – perhaps particularly - the first permanent issue I list below. At all times, on all levels and in ways, BOTH must ALWAYS be BPM in the way they perform such roles.)

If I am ever late getting my Psychic Weather Report up any week, the default plan is to build up energy in the “Shield of Hope” on Sunday, send energy to West Asia / the Middle East on Monday, and then extend that to include Europe on Tuesday, the USA on Wednesday, East and South East Asia on Thursday and Africa on Friday.

Regular sources include the Daily Briefings of the United Nations, Human Rights Watch, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, “War on the Rocks” (a very US-focused site which also has articles I have concerns about, but also a surprising number of gems),  the Early Warning Project blog, the Justice in Conflict blog, the Political Violence at a Glance blog, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, the International Crisis Group, the Middle East Eye, The Hindu, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, the BBC, Spiegel International, The Conversation, John Menadue’s blog, Wikipedia’s current events portal, Wendell Williams’ blog, George Monbiot’s website, the Campaign Against Arms Trade, the “Cure Violence” blog, the Inter Press Service Agency (IPS), the Lowy “Interpreter” blog (which occasionally has good links about what is happening in the Pacific), and others.

I apologise for publishing these posts twice, but Blogger keeps changing my formatting. I can either publish it and then correct the altered formatting and re-publish it, or save and close the post and correct it when I reopen it prior to publishing it, but that leaves an extra copy in my "drafts" folder which I then have to clean up ...

No signature block for these posts.