Post No. 865 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing

For everyone’s convenience, I’ve shifted the reminders / explanations about Sunday’s meditation-clearing to this post. I have a simplified blogiography of posts related to this work here, a list of themes I have identified here, and my changing the personality of oppressors and other world leaders post is here. (Also, see here for some investigation into evidence of the effectiveness of this type of work, which shows variability [and mentions causes] and cycles in the energetic/consciousness response … 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 also has excellent, helpful insights on generational transmission of harm, the cost of war, and ways to heal our hearts. This post reminds us to be patient and persistent (and I like the comment about a sudden “shift” being just another form of apocalyptic thinking).

The purpose of posting these news links 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. 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. Also, 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.

Also, 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.

Finally, remember that many others are 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 the website was recently updated to include many more activities; on that term, see also 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 10Am and 10PM local time each day, and one can pay to be officially registered. This also 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). 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.

(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.)

Now, 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.

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 Æther;

(d)   history can be a valuable source of lessons – if one is objective;

(e)   popular does not necessarily equate to “good”;

(f)   mӕgan – honour – is always important, especially in the exercise of power where, as with justice, it must not only be used ethically, it must be seen to be used ethically;

(g)   people do NOT always go for the “lowest common denominator”;

(h)   good communication is always important – and as it becomes more important, it often becomes harder to do well;

(i)   patience is more than a virtue: it is a spiritual necessity – essential for BPM existence;

(j)   community vs. individual is a balancing act: the principles of Balanced Positivity are an excellent guide to doing that balance well - especially when it moves;

(k)   some circumstances and situations are tests to see what one does with it;

(l)   accountability counts;

(m)   this whole world exists so we can experience existence with those who are different to us: therefore, achieving constructive co-existence can be said to be the purpose of Life.

I also take this opportunity to repeat 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, freedom and governance (e.g., here and here):
     a questioning of the validity of the last century of growth;   a review of the history of income inequality;   a critique of US Presidential candidate Trump’s foreign policies;
     concerns over an anti-poverty programme if impeachment moves in Brazil succeed – see also here and here, where the UN Secretary General has called for calm debate;   fears that the Philippines election could be a choice between democracy and dictatorship (which I suspect is an over-blown claim made in response to an extremists candidate, but that candidate’s words are unquestionably threatening – see also here and here), with the controversial candidate winning – and a trans candidate also being elected;   a right wing populist party in Germany is causing splits in existing political parties;   police have blocked an opposition march in Venezuela;   splinter groups in Colombia may sink the proposed FARC-Government peace plan;   the proposed free-trade agreement is causing division in Germany: see here and here;   South Africa’s top anti-corruption official fears for her life after learning from an informant that assassins have been contracted to murder her;   concerns over a company claiming it doesn’t need an independent body and can fix its underpayment of workers problems itself … ;   Guinea-Bissau’s President has sacked the Prime Minister and dissolved the government in a move which may worsen crippling political turmoil;
     the Secretary-General spoke at a special event on the Sustainable Development Goals, where he said that Small Island Developing States have unique vulnerabilities, and, after meeting with the Prime Minister, noted the important leadership role that Mauritius plays among Small Island Developing States – as well as its contributions in areas such as climate action, promoting the ocean economy, and advancing sustainable development. He also noted the country’s achievements in socio-economic development and in consolidating democracy;   the UN Secretary-General has said that it is critical that Madagascar stay on the path of national reconciliation and build lasting peace;   the former coup leader has provisionally been elected as president of Comoros, after last month’s election was partially re-run due to violence and “irregularities”;
     the city of London has rejected Islamophobia and elected “the best person for the job” – as admitted by at least one scaremonger. The new Mayor-elect has rejected US presidential hopeful Donald Trump's offer to make the new London mayor an "exception" to a ban on Muslims travelling to the US;   Kenyans have protested against an electoral body meant to oversee future Presidential elections;   actions against the opposition in Uganda;   some US Republicans will not support Presidential candidate Trump for moral reasons;   the hunt for Nigeria’s missing oil revenue is continuing;   next year’s Global Forum for Asset Recovery will bring together governments and law enforcement agencies to discuss returning assets to Nigeria, Ukraine, Sri Lanka and Tunisia;
     utter stupidity on the part of the Australian government to reject advice from business and activists – in  rare alignment - to increase the dole by doing the exact opposite;   a call for political donations to be disclosed in real time;   Australian pollies have stuffed up their response to a question from a poor person about economic policies that favour the rich;   community health care;   more on negative gearing;   an examination of executive oversight of intelligence agencies in Australia;   the significance of gender-related economics for the coming election campaign, and commentary on our health system, excessive public relations output by candidates, the role of the Senate, and education funding;
• 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 terrorists 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):
     terrorist attacks have occurred in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iraq, Turkey (a town enduring ongoing terrorist bombardment), Iraq (2^nd), Libya, Nigeria; prevention has or may have occurred in Tunisia, and actions have occurred against terrorists in Iraq, Australia, Australia (2^nd),  Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Syria, Somalia;   growing evidence of genocide in areas in Iraq formerly occupied by terrorists;   the growth of one of the other terrorist groups in Syria;   nomads looking for greener pastures have killed hundreds and displaced thousands;   suspected Kurdish bomb makers have died in an explosion in Turkey;   the UN is concerned over the regrouping of Ugandan rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo;
     a stupidly named wifi network led to delays and disruption of a flight;   the Austrian chancellor has resigned after losing the support of his Social Democrat Party following the victory of the far-right in presidential elections;   the USA and Bangladesh may work together against terrorism;   claims a Russian woman infiltrated Da’esh and passed on key information for four years before being executed;   a map of terrorist activity in Africa, showing a marked increase in the last couple of years;   a Somali born Australian artist has been refused entry to the USA;   Kyrgyzstan’s parliament has voted to reject the ‘foreign agents’ bill, a restrictive draft law that would have significantly endangered freedom of association;   a religious school (madrassa) has gone into a shell after being forced to defend itself every time there is a story about terrorism (I have no idea whether any of the allegations are justified, incidentally);
     insights about terrorist training camps here and here, where an infiltrator saw no signs of anything Islamic, and here for the experiences of one man who became a terrorist and claims that harassment helped drive him to that, which is followed by “an analyst … said that although police treatment and alienation may have compounded existing grievances, it alone would not cause someone to embrace Isis ideology”;   the need, and possible methods, for restraint of government surveillance - see here for the role that peers may have;   an interview with a playwright shows the dangers of ostracising people/appearing to be anti- one religion;   the UN’s Deputy Secretary-General has said, at the Security Council open debate on Countering the Narratives and Ideologies of Terrorism, that terrorists and violent extremists continue to blatantly challenge the values enshrined in the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, that prevention, which is the focus of the Secretary-General’s Plan of Action, as well as the need for a practical and comprehensive approach to respond to the complex factors which drive people to violent extremism, are important, and that the fight against terrorism must not be carried out in such a way that allows anyone to infringe upon basic freedoms, adding that violations of human rights in the name of countering violent extremism will give terrorists their best recruitment tools (UN daily briefing);   a summit is looking for ways to promote Indonesia’s syncretic version of Islam to the world as a counter to extremist versions and distortions of that religion;   terrorist car bombings in Iraq are crimes against humanity - see also here;   the problems in Mali caused by both terrorists and security forces;   torture is wrong;   good guidance on specific issues to watch for in relation to “exceptional access” in relation to cybersecurity;   good signs that the USA’s NSA is taking human rights issues seriously, although not perhaps the same for the FBI;
• With regard to refugees:   Turkish border guards have killed and injured refugees (shooting and beatings);   the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has taken note with profound concern of the recent announcement by the Government of Kenya of its intention to end the hosting of refugees, citing economic, security and environmental burdens and, whilst noting that Kenya has played an Extraordinary role over many years as one of the world's frontline major refugee hosting nations, and that inevitably this has had many consequences for the country and its population (which is why the Agency has been a prominent advocate for robust international support for Kenya), called on the Government to reconsider its decision and to avoid taking any action that might be at odds with its international obligations;   the problem of scapegoating refugees in Kenya;   Uganda has welcomed South Sudanese refugees;   inadequate technology in Greece is blocking refugee applications – see also here;   sexual assaults in German refugee centres;
• With regard to human rights and discrimination (including associated violence / crime):
     thirteen elders and a mother in Pakistan have been arrested for murdering – by burning – a girl who helped a friend elope, see also here, and see here for the story of a woman who has done much to stop these murders;   on Mothers Day, a call for paid parental leave – see also here;   a family violence crisis in Papua New Guinea;   the US military is concerned that a decline in reports of sexual assaults reflects underreporting;   inadequate policing of revenge porn;   a rebuttal of Trump’s claim that Hilary Clinton was an “enabler” (all of which is somewhat bemusing to poly people: what if they had agreed to that? Such agreements can and do form part of healthy, loving relationships);   an Indian woman has allegedly been tortured to death by her employers in Saudi Arabia;   more violence against women in India;   a campaign supporting Saudi women’s’ right to drive;   one third of young women do not feel safe in public places at night, and one quarter don’t like using public transport alone (some older women as well);   the neochristian catholic church’s Pope Francis is considering women as deacons;   a backlash against cretins trying to force their female staff to wear high heels;   the toll of success shows in what women don’t do in order to be successful;   a Norwegian city has banned ads that could cause or exacerbate body image problems;   a Dalit woman in India has been murdered by a caste Hindu after her brother eloped with his daughter;
     more on the suicide problem amongst young indigenous people in Australia;   the 15^th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues has started;   the embattled police force of the US city of Ferguson has sworn in its first black police chief, although more is needed;   violence at an indigenous town in Australia, combined with a slow police response owing to other matters, has led to the evacuation of teachers;   a thoughtful article on indigenous reconciliation;   the problems associated with stopping people climbing Uluru;   New Zealand’s experiences show a treaty alone is not enough for indigenous reconciliation, as an Australian indigenous MP seeks to rekindle the issue and my home state considers a treaty (I think an unacknowledged problem with treaties to date is that they have commonly been annulled later);   increasing diversity on Australian TV;   a white now-former police officer caught on video as he shot dead a black man fleeing a traffic stop in the USA last year has been charged with a federal civil rights offense that could send him to prison for life;
     very slow progress towards removal of the so-called “gay panic defence” in Queensland;   homophobic abuse has led to a gay referee quitting;   the USA has commenced legal action against transphobic idiots in one state over its so-called bathroom law, and US President Obama has ordered all schools to allow trans students to access the toilets that match their gender identity;
     the decline of Hungary’s human rights record;   courts are being used to crush dissent in Ethiopia;   child labour in mobile phones;   a call for Pakistani authorities to conduct a prompt and impartial investigation into the killing of human rights activist Khurram Zaki, who had been publicly critical of extremist cleric Abdul Aziz and militant sectarian groups, and appropriately prosecute those responsible;   a charity challenge for Australians to live on $2 per day for food;   the Thai government’s pledges to the United Nations Human Rights Council to respect human rights and restore democratic rule have been mostly meaningless, according to Human Rights Watch;   a questioning of the failure of the International Criminal Court to take action against the Ugandan military;
• With regard to crime, judicial matters and policing:   a US Navy officer has been charged (remember the presumption of innocence - innocent until proven guilty) with espionage;   two former Rwandan mayors have gone on trial in France on charges of crimes against humanity and genocide over the 1994 massacres;   while the trial of former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo resumes at the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity during the 2010-2011 post-election crisis, the trial of his wife Simone Gbagbo, who faces similar charges, has started in the Ivory Coast;   New York police have responded constructively to use of open data which showed there was confusion over changed parking rules;
• 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):   a Turkish journalist has survived an attempted murder in court (what happened to basic measures of court competence such as security?) - and was later jailed for allegedly revealing state secrets;   a journalist forced to hide in Ecuador after exposing corruption;   three Spanish journalists who were kidnapped last year in Syria have been freed;   eight people have been charged in Thailand after mocking the junta leader, and the mother of an activist has been charged for receiving her son’s messages on facebook, in a case which is causing widespread, major concern;   the Maldives government has told the UN that it has nothing to do with the disappearance of journalist Ahmed Rilwan;   an article on constructive debate;
• With regard to overcrowding and “modern” lifestyle issues (is YOUR smart phone free of conflict  minerals 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?):   facebook has lost the first round of a legal challenge over claims that it stores users’ biometric data (photo of faces) illegally;   erosion has destroyed several islands in the Pacific, and more are at risk;   social pressures are forcing people to cut back on their sleep, contributing to a "global sleep crisis" according to researchers – which Ariana Huffington has been campaigning about for some time;   the need to control land clearing in Australia;   the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have released new guidelines to reduce the damage done by pesticides;   criminals have accessed another lot of stolen passwords (I have been using the actions recommended in this article for some time, in good part because of being direct to Bruce Schneier);   an Australian mine in Thailand has been closed over health concerns;   the world’s “cleanest air” is about to reach 400 ppm of carbon dioxide;   an idiot taking a selfie has destroyed a statue;   the problem of “over-selling” science;   towns in Ghana are disappearing because of erosion;   more than 80 per cent of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed the limits set by the World Health Organization - low-income cities are the most impacted: 98 per cent of cities in low- and middle income countries with more than 100,000 inhabitants do not meet WHO air quality guidelines;   the problem of failing to think of “online safety” for young people as a cybersecurity issue – see also here;   good guidance on specific issues to watch for in relation to “exceptional access” in relation to cybersecurity;   some common questions on climate change and their answers;   employment continues to maintain its predominant position – the “death of employment” may actually be what is dead;   some animal feeds in Asia have been found to be contaminated, and may be a risk to human health;   Bangladesh is raising the height of its coastal defences;   the significance of the Tibetan plateau in Asia’s growing water crisis;
• 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):   the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has reiterated its call for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty in the country, following the execution of six alleged perpetrators of serious crimes and crimes against civilians. The Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has noted that, amid persisting serious concerns about compliance with fair trial standards, and reports about the widespread use of torture and ill-treatment as a means of extracting confessions, there is no evidence to confirm that the death penalty is a stronger deterrent than other forms of punishment;   counter-IED training is proceeding;
• With regard to Africa, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (and other sources) also has:
      humanitarian aid worker has been killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) when caught in crossfire;   authorities in the DRC have arrested at least 27 associates of Moise Katumbi, a presidential aspirant, and other opposition party members – see also here;
     the declining economy in Nigeria, and see here for thoughts on rebuilding;   Amnesty International says at least 149 detainees have died "in horrendous conditions" at a military detention centre in north-east Nigeria this year (including 7 children and 4 babies);
     actions against the opposition in Uganda;   Uganda has welcomed South Sudanese refugees;   US, Canadian and European delegates walked out of the Ugandan presidential inauguration ceremony Thursday in response to the presence of an indicted war crimes suspect and remarks by President Yoweri Museveni disparaging the International Criminal Court;
     thoughts on eradicating poverty in Africa;   technological connections in Africa;
     the UN Deputy Secretary General has spoken in support of peacebuilding in Africa;
• With regard to China and East and South East Asia:   another “freedom of navigation” exercise in the South China Seas by the USA – see also here;   a suggestion to deal with the North Korean nuclear threat by negotiating a peace treaty;   Chinese aggression has stopped a Philippine village fishing where they have for decades;   Chinese firms are claiming sovereign immunity in US courts (which means I will no longer buy any Chinese products);   an assessment of “digital China”;   Chinese control through its diaspora;   Chinese companies around the world, particularly in Africa, have a well-earned reputation for being bad corporate citizens, but new research shows that Chinese corporate behaviour varies widely depending on the local conditions - where there is weak rule of law, for example, Chinese and other foreign investors tend to behave poorly, however, elsewhere, where there are higher standards, Chinese companies behave significantly better, thus challenging the prevailing negative narrative about Chinese companies’ disregard of corporate social responsibility;   an anti-counterfeiting group has said it was suspending Alibaba's membership following protests by some companies that view the Chinese e-commerce giant as the world's largest marketplace for fakes;
• With regard to the Indian sub-continent, The Hindu and other sources have:
     police in India's Bihar state say they have arrested the 20-year-old son of a lawmaker suspected of killing a student in a road rage attack;   concerns about a proposed law imposing political views on map-making;   editorial disappointment that the judiciary has kept defamation a criminal, rather than a civil, matter;
     Bangladesh has hanged Islamist party leader Motiur Rahman Nizami for genocide and other crimes committed during the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan, which risks provoking an angry reaction from his supporters;
     the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is part development scheme, part strategic gambit (aka gamble);
     more Madhesi protests in Nepal;
• With regard to the conflict in Iraq (noting that Iraq was once a peaceful and prosperous society, before the USA / CIA backed revolution – see here):   approximately 80,000 people have been newly displaced by escalating armed conflict in Iraq since the beginning of March;
• With regard to the Libyan civil war:   an assessment that the new Libyan government is not yet in a position to effectively coordinate action against terrorists, as US forces establish outposts preparatory to a possible offensive against terrorists;
• With regard to the Russia (see also Syria):   the USA will activate a land-based missile defence station in Romania, which will form part of a larger and controversial European shield;   Russia has been showing off its military hardware that is being used in Syria in its annual parade;   an assessment of how to best address Russia’s threats to the Baltic States, including a critique of recent discussion on this - and see here for an assessment of Scandinavian security against the Russian bear;   UK jets have responded to Russian aggression in the air over the Baltic region;
• With regard to Sudan and South Sudan:
     the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, has condemned the reported shooting and killing of six civilians, including two children, by armed people in Darfur, close to a site for people recently displaced by fighting – see also here;
     the South Sudanese president has called on the citizens of the world’s youngest country to exhibit nationalism as a way to fight tribalism and regionalism, which has seen the country grappling to patch up divisions … hmmmmmmmmmmm …. ;   an imminent food crisis could affect over 5 million people;
• with regard to the conflict in Syria:   the Aleppo ceasefire has been extended;   more aid has been delivered (UN daily briefing);   the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, said that in the past two weeks, there were at least six attacks on medical facilities by different parties to the conflict in the north-western governorate of Aleppo alone, reflecting the continued blatant disrespect of international humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict, and may constitute war crimes. He warned that the international community cannot allow the perpetrators of flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law to enjoy impunity;   the UN Special Adviser to the Special Envoy for Syria has said that the first ten days of May have been frankly disappointing in terms of humanitarian access (UN daily briefing);   scepticism over the claims of Putin’s PR machine;
• with regard to Turkey:   the UN Human Rights has expressed concern about alleged violations committed by Turkish military and security forces in south-east Turkey over the past few months, and said that reports that more than 100 people burned to death in shelters that were surrounded by the Turkish military must be investigated independently;   Turkish border guards have now killed a three year old girl;
• with regard to the conflicts in Ukraine, particularly in the east:   a mayor is doing good work to fight corruption;   the new President is consolidating his power;
• With regard to West Asia / the Middle East, the Middle East Eye and other sources have:
     Egyptian President al-Sis has claimed “Western” concepts of human rights do not apply to Egypt (which is the sort of very erroneous claim that led to things like the Arab Spring);
     the Iranian-Saudi “cold war” (4 parts, all linked to from the first);   a critique of Saudi diplomatic efforts around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;
     the history of slavery in Iran – which extends right up until 1979;   Iran is being sued over allegations of torture;   Iranians will not make the Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia this year;   musicians in Iran are leading a cultural transformation;
     the UN Security Council has received a briefing on allegations against Israel;
     Western firms are selling drones, surveillance and “riot solutions” to Gulf states for “homeland security”;   a high profile Egyptian-American law professor who carried out an independent review of Bahrain’s response to the 2011 uprising has said comments attributed to him, which praised the kingdom’s human rights record, are “wrong”;
     the hope of municipal elections in Lebanon;
     Egypt has opened the Rafah crossing with Gaza in both directions for two days after 85 consecutive days being closed - the longest such period since 2007, and with over 30,000 people, including around 9,500 medical cases and 2,700 students, registered and waiting to cross and only allowed to pass through Egypt (UN daily briefing);   an examination of a proposal for, rather than a one or two state “solution”, a confederation;
• With regard to the war in Yemen:   the third major division in Yemen (those from the South who are anti-the President, and also anti-Houthi) is becoming more apparent – and aggressive (and might be the hope of a better solution – if they do not resort to violence);   talks are continuing., and humanitarian aid has been extended (UN daily briefing);   peace talks are continuing in Kuwait (UN daily briefing);
• With regard to natural and other catastrophes:   a landslide in China;   concerns over yellow fever;   floods have killed dozens and left thousands homeless in Rwanda;   an imminent food crisis could affect over 5 million people in South Sudan;   fund raising for those affected by the Ecuador earthquake;   Africa’s drought is the worst in half a century;
• With regard to peace and/or spirituality generally, and the occasional nice story:   at the high-level plenary on international peace and security convened by the UN General Assembly, the Deputy Secretary-General, after stressing that the number of civil wars has tripled in the past ten years with some 125 million people today in need of humanitarian assistance, the Deputy Secretary-General said that prevention; inclusive, long-term political solutions; and solid partners are critical in ensuring that the UN is better fit for addressing the current global security threats;   the return of violence and “illiberalism” to Europe (interesting comments about the work being done by France, and reference to this prescient briefing note from 2008); the UN’s Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs has spoken on behalf of the Secretary-General at the UN-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting in Geneva, and, after highlighting the Secretary-General’s priorities including the prevention of violent extremism, human rights and sustainable development, said that the UN system and the OIC must together to continue promoting a culture of peace, tolerance and understanding and reiterated the Secretary-General’s call on parties to the conflict in Syria to recommit immediately to the cessation of hostilities and uphold their responsibility to protect civilians and urged the international community and organizations such as the OIC to help find a lasting solution to the conflict in Yemen;   three communities are living in harmony in Malacca, as tensions build elsewhere in Malaysia;   resilience and collectivism contribute to happiness in Iceland;   a farmers neighbours have got together to help him after he was injured;  an assessment of the coming World Humanitarian Summit;   the UN will undertake a review of progress of the world’s least developed nations;   at the launch of the FAO-Nobel Peace Laureate Alliance for food security and peace, the FAO’s Director-General said “peace and food security are inextricably linked – we cannot achieve one without the other. By integrating food security and peace-building initiatives, we can work together to ensure that hunger is neither a cause nor a result of conflict”;   a UK parliamentary committee has questioned the government's interpretation of international law when it comes to the targeted killings of suspected terrorists that take place by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) outside of the scope of conventional armed conflicts;

Also from the Daily Briefings of the United Nations (UN) (and other sources):

• the Secretary-General has addressed the Congress of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, welcoming its members’ commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes -- a fundamental goal of the United Nations;

and from a range of other sites:

• a community programme for immigrant children may be expanded;
• the Panamanian law firm at the centre of recent exposés is planning legal action against journalists;
• authorities in Tibet say they plan to name and shame tourists leaving graffiti on Mount Everest;
• hopes the Invictus Games, for injured military personnel, will "inspire people" affected by mental illness to seek help (one Gold Medal winner gave her medal to the hospital that saved her);
• adult separation anxiety;
• a suggestion  that vets should assume a formal role in human medicine to reduce the spread of diseases from animals to humans;
• a ban on harvesting shellfish in Chile due to a severe red tide (algae) outbreak has sparked a social uprising that has partially isolated thousands of local residents of the southern Chilean archipelago and revived criticism of an export model that condemns small-scale fishing communities to poverty and marginalisation;

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”, 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.

No signature block for these posts.