Post No. 919 – For Sunday evening’s meditation-clearing

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, 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.

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.

Finally, 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 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.

(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.

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)   closer ties with nations can help reduce the chance of war but, as has been shown countless times through history, those ties will not always prevent war –in fact, the occurrence of civil wars, which occur despite the closest of possible ties illustrates that. In such circumstances, the closer the ties, the greater the viciousness, death and suffering. The risks of war with China over China’s claims in the South and East China Sea – which are, on China’s part, genuinely held -are significant, and are exacerbated by China’s desire to return to being a world superpower, as it was a few centuries ago – for millennia. All of which is being made manifest in China’s growing military strength, which in itself is a growing concern, as it risks creating a US mind set similar to that which the Germans held about Russia just before World War Part One. However, in this instance, it is likely to be China that will lose, not the USA. So … what is needed? Well, I suggest:
   -   clearing all nonBPM pride / hubris from decision makers on both sides: arrogance / overconfidence is very likely to be where one side or the other will set itself up for failure, whether in war or peace;
   -   increase BPM awareness by all of those who will be affected by this - particularly neighbouring nations (including Russia and North Korea), so that decision makers do not become a blinkered in their vision as the Austro-Hungarian Empire was before World War Part One, and those who could be dragged into the conflict do what is necessary for them to prepare;
   -   enhance BPM awareness so that all involved are focused on a long term, sustainable (i.e., BPM) peace –which will have to encompass China’s resurgence and - lesson for China here – that the era of empires is passed, but will also have to be built on an awareness of the danger of appeasement;

(e)   the Philippines new president needs a more nuanced, spiritually mature view of the world … and a BPM conscience;

(f)   all governments / power figures need to learn to accept being held to BPM account with good grace;

(g)   restraint, communication and nonviolence have shown their value this week;

(h)   physical / mundane strength is nothing significant – especially from a spiritual / historical perspective. All empires have eventually passed – as have all individuals and organisations, no matter how powerful or rich or corrupt they were;

(i)   small mindedness and stinginess is a plague in business / commercial circles;

(j)   those who are overlooked must be recognised for all decisions / agreements / actions involving them to be true and lasting;

(k)   the separation of church and state is fundamental to democracy, and must be acknowledged and actively respected everywhere – including in the USA, which touts itself as the land of freedom and liberty, and yet is dominated by religion – and guns;

(l) finding excuses for actions is never acceptable, and will rebound upon one in the long term;

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

(n)   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;

(o)   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 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;
• Events warranting particular attention, or fitting into too many categories:
     a warning that a war between China and the USA is possible, and could be prolonged, fierce and destructive;
• With regard to democracy, freedom and governance (e.g., here and here):
     -   a call for more to be done to ensure the cybersecurity of the US election;   satellite imagery is being used to predict poverty;   Australian Labor frontbencher Tony Burke has revealed it was the experience of a friend living with HIV who was given six months to live but survived much longer that guided his views on assisted dying laws, not his religious faith (this is a valid concern, but there is also the issue of loss of quality of life through pain;   the significance of “network diplomacy”, particularly for Sri Lanka;   a call for Australia’s Immigration Minister to shut up and find a solution to the refugee problem – as good Ministers do;   centre left political parties are facing challenges in Europe;
     -   Turkish forces are searching courts;   in a move away from democracy, a Hong Kong court has sentenced three student leaders in violation of their rights to peaceful expression and assembly;   a call for Bangladeshi authorities to immediately end the illegal detentions (enforced disappearances) of two men; a call for Bahrain to stop the systematic abuse of Shia;   Burma’s continuing failures towards the Rohingya;   Russia is continuing to leak material from the US national democratic party conference;   the Philippines has disputed a UN warning that the new president’s war on drugs is an international crime;   Somalia’s elect ions have been postponed;   the growing weapons trade and declining public conscience;   the decline of Australia’s political thinking on foreign security;
     -   Malaysia has said it will take action if embezzlement is proven in the 1MDB case … ;
     -   New Zealand is celebrating victory over the USA with regard to nuclear armed/powered ships in its waters;   the UN has congratulated Zambia for its peaceful elections and referendum on a Bill of Rights;
• 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 have occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) which led to a curfew, Turkey, Syria, France, eastern Ukraine, the USA, Turkey (2^nd), Iran, Mozambique, Afghanistan, Lebanon, the West Bank, India, Somalia, Russia, and, according to this Wikipedia page, other attacks include 7 in Iraq;   prevention has or may have occurred in Indonesia; and actions have occurred against violent extremists in Malaysia, the USA;   an Islamophobic stunt (including trespass) has been used to target a Christian service;   violence has erupted between “local communities” and Muslims of North African origin in the south of France;   a man who wanted to join a violent extremist group has “admitted to being brainwashed”, and claims he now wants to prevent others making the same mistake;
     -   a social media campaign (“I’ll walk with you”) is offering support to Muslims in the USA;   a major transfer of inmates from Camp X-Ray at Guantanamo Bay to the United Arab Emirates;   British police have been forced to back down after photoshopping celebrity photos without permission in a way that suggested the celebrities supported the police deradicalisation programme;   twitter is (finally?) taking action against violent extremist accounts;
     -   in one of the best articles I have read for some time, one I hope will get wide attention, a call for a counter-ideology promoting citizenship and secular states, and leaving sectarianism alone;   an analysis of the “taxonomy” of violent extremism;   an analysis of violent extremism in Turkey following the failed coup;   military aid by the USA to fight violent extremism may be counter-productive;   continuing privacy concerns over anti-violent extremist laws;
• With regard to refugees:   the Nauru government has decided to keep its head firmly in the sand over abuse in the Australian refugee gulag it is hosting;   a xenophobic German bigot wants to copy Australia’s xenophobic bigots by instituting an offshore gulag system;   a call for Jordan to expand education to allow refugees access;   the experiences of refugees in Calais;   Australia will close its refugee gulag on Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island (whether this is good or not depends on the details of the closure … );   with a record 130 million people worldwide now dependent on humanitarian assistance, the UN Secretary-General has said that, though solutions to the crises that plunged these people into such desperate hardship are neither simple nor quick, “there are things we can all do – today, and every day. We can show compassion, we can raise our voices against injustice, and we can work for change”;   the possibility of Australia facing the International Criminal Court for abuse of refugees – WHICE WE DESERVE TO HAVE TO DO;   a call for Australia’s Immigration Minister to shut up and find a solution to the refugee problem – as good Ministers do;   Australia’s desperate need for leaders who will appeal to “the better angels of our nature” – see also here, here and here;
• With regard to human rights and discrimination (including associated violence / crime):
     -   a mass “kiss in” after a (multiple offending) London supermarket indulges in yet more homophobia;   Australia’s antiquated attitudes towards trans teens is putting lives at risk;   transphobic abuse in Sri Lanka;   Tasmania is seeking to weaken protection against hate speech;
     -   a white politician who wants to remove a prohibition against hate speech is using the section he objects to against a journalist (“to make a point”);   a report shows young indigenous men in Australia have a higher suicide rate than any other group in the world;   violent protests in the USA after police kill yet another man;   following a recent shooting in the USA, protests were marked by police restraint which has been matched by a restraint among community leaders, who have not blamed the police, but said the upheaval is the product of systemic inequalities within Milwaukee’s black communities that have built over decades;   home schooling is being used to overcome racism in the USA’s education system;   allegations of police misconduct in Western Australia and Queensland - see also here (in addition to the comments about psychological damage [and I have relatives who were abused as children this way – not in institutions] strip and stand naked was found to be a crime against humanity at the Nuremberg trials … [see here].See also here and here);   black and ethnic minority people in Britain still face entrenched race inequality in many areas, including education and health;   the untold story – including 80 years of massacres – behind the “Wave Hill walk off”;   an indigenous challenge to a new coal mine has been dismissed;   Ethiopian Jews are bearing the brunt of Israeli racism;   passengers have kicked a racist off a bus;
     -   anonymous misogynistic sexism wins again in the South Korean gaming world;   a protest at the olympics against Iran’s sexism in sport;   an outgoing and popular Chinese athlete at the olympics has discussed the effect of her periods on her sports performance openly;   a very stupid and dangerous court decision about a rape in Denmark has been overturned;   1 in 4 women in a South African mining area have been raped;   an excellent response to claims around objectification of men, and a social media backlash against sexist coverage at the olympics generally;   how to avoid doing body shaming of others;   Freemasons in my home state have appointed a woman as CEO;   the biases that stop women competing equally in non-segregated horse sports in the olympics;   two sisters have been sacked from an Australian television station after lodging a sexual harassment complaint against a senior male colleague, who continues to work there (in Victoria, such reactions are clearly defined as “victimisation”);
     -   the invisible homeless in Japan;   a call for Thai authorities to urgently release a student activist detained since 6^th August, 2016, for peacefully protesting the military junta’s proposed constitution;   more on Russia’s attempts to suppress human rights groups; criticism of Venezuela’s human rights abuses and Argentina’s inconsistency in addressing those;   a call for Indonesia’s President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to outline clear, unequivocal policies in support of human rights in his highly anticipated Independence Day speeches; a call for Bahrain to stop the systematic abuse of Shia;  calls for Honduras, where at least eight human rights defenders have been killed this year, to take urgent steps to ensure their protection;   the need for Indonesia to enforce laws about online hate speech;   calls (which I support) for Saudi Arabia to be removed from the UN Human Rights Council;
• With regard to crime, judicial matters and policing:   a call for public help in Australia to find fugitives;   police are being (internally) investigated for detaining a journalist after they claimed he was “off his chops”. On the basis of what I’ve read, the police weren’t at their best, but neither was the journo – even if I’m ill, I won’t sit down behind a car: that’s a great way to get run over;   a teen has  credited early intervention with getting off drugs;   UK police will (finally) target online hate crimes;   British police have been forced to back down after photoshopping celebrity photos without permission in a way that suggested the celebrities supported the police deradicalisation programme;   following a recent shooting in the USA, protests were marked by police restraint which has been matched by a restraint among community leaders, who have not blamed the police, but said the upheaval is the product of systemic inequalities within Milwaukee’s black communities that have built over decades;   allegations of police misconduct in Western Australia and Queensland - see also here (in addition to the comments about psychological damage [and I have relatives who were abused as children this way – not in institutions] strip and stand naked was found to be a crime against humanity at the Nuremberg trials … [see here]. See also here and here);   Mexico's National Human Rights Commission said 22 people were executed by federal police during a confrontation on a ranch last year;   the Philippines has disputed a UN warning that the new president’s war on drugs is an international crime;   the ongoing problems of drugs in Burma;   a review of some current cybercrime cases;   calls for police in Zimbabwe to wear ID numbers to end impunity;   the USA is moving away from privately run prisons;
• 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 who faces jail for "revealing state secrets" (that Turkish intelligence operatives were smuggling arms to Syrian rebels) has resigned as editor of an opposition newspaper, saying that trusting the judiciary after July's failed coup - following which the government has cracked down on the media - would be "like putting one's head under a guillotine";   Oman has closed a newspaper;   the UN in Iraq has strongly condemned the death of a journalist, part of a growing pattern of threats, intimidation and violence, and has called on the government of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to implement urgent measures to guarantee the safety of all journalists and media professionals;   Chinese targeting of a newspaper has overtones of the notorious Cultural Revolution;   an Australian has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates for sharing a social media post;
• 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?):
     -   a climate change denier has been shown to be a conspiracy nut (my term) in a TV debates;   the potential benefits of “citizen science”;   careless and disrespectful tourists are destroying turtle eggs;   attempts to tighten land clearing laws in Queensland have failed;   a call to learn from the Australian deserts for climate change;   drastic action against invasive species in a USA National Park;   Holland may ban petrol-driven cars;
     -   UK police will (finally) target online hate crimes;   Tesla has tightened its wording in China about its “self-driving cars”;   satellite imagery is being used to predict poverty;   the problem of disparity in internet connectivity in Asia-Pacific;   the victim blaming of “be careful what you share”;
     -   some of the problems of working long hours;
     -   former drug cheats have been telling current athletes about the long term problems;   the problems of being the family breadwinner – which are not limited to only men, as women/others can be in that role as well;
• With regard to education:   use of indigenous culture to help teach maths;   a call for Jordan to expand education to allow refugees access;   home schooling is being used to overcome racism in the USA’s education system;   black and ethnic minority people in Britain still face entrenched race inequality in many areas, including education and health;   the problems of creating “independent” public schools;
• With regard to Africa, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (and other sources) also has:
     -   Ethiopia needs global support to help prepare for the main planting season;   anti-government protests are continuing;
     -   the UN has congratulated Zambia for its peaceful elections and referendum on a Bill of Rights, but protests may be about to happen;
     -   the UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) has reported that, after a standoff with a convoy of heavily-armed men, UN forces detained 10 of the suspects and recovered a “significant quantity” of weapons and munitions;
     -   1 in 4 women in a South African mining area have been raped;
     -   Nigeria has relaunched a controversial “war on indiscipline” brigade;   gains against violent extremists have uncovered massive humanitarian needs, including the re-emergence of polio;
     -   Somalia’s elections have been postponed;
     -   intercommunal violence in Mali has led to 9 deaths and a social media blackout;
     -   calls for police in Zimbabwe to wear ID numbers to end impunity;
     -   the Mozambican government has agreed to make constitutional changes that will allow the opposition National Resistance Movement (Renamo) to govern in six provinces where it won majority votes during the 2014 elections;
• With regard to China and East and South East Asia:   a warning that a war between China and the USA is possible, and could be prolonged, fierce and destructive;   protests over the Philippines president’s plans to honour notorious former despot Marcos;   a call for Thai authorities to urgently release a student activist detained since 6^th August, 2016, for peacefully protesting the military junta’s proposed constitution;   a call for Indonesia’s President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to outline clear, unequivocal policies in support of human rights in his highly anticipated Independence Day speeches;   a call for Bangladeshi authorities to immediately end the illegal detentions (enforced disappearances) of two men;   Chinese targeting of a newspaper has overtones of the notorious Cultural Revolution;   change in North Korea is still only possible via China;   China is taking part with the USA in joint military exercises;   the need for Indonesia to enforce laws about online hate speech;
• 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):
     -   in one of the best articles I have read for some time, one I hope will get wide attention, a call for a counter-ideology promoting citizenship and secular states, and leaving sectarianism alone;   Kurds aim to keep territory they capture so that they can establish Kurdistan;   the continuing and often unacknowledged problems in the Iraqi province of Nineveh;   the imminent humanitarian needs of the assault on Mosul;
     -   and the Iraq Body Count project reports 285 people killed in the last week;
• With regard to the Libyan civil war:   an interview with Libya’s Prime Minister;   hospitals are being overloaded;
• With regard to Russia:   Russia has used Iran as a base for an attack on Syria, where it has been using incendiary weapons;   more on Russia’s attempts to suppress human rights groups;   an analysis of the myth of re-Stalinisation and the rehabilitation of the tsars;   Russia is continuing to leak material from the US national democratic party conference;
• With regard to South and Central America:   criticism of Venezuela’s human rights abuses and Argentina’s inconsistency in addressing those;   a critique of a critic of the possibly still fragile peace deal in Colombia, where a woman was raped for denouncing rape;   Mexico's National Human Rights Commission said 22 people were executed by federal police during a confrontation on a ranch last year;   the importance of changing culture after war;
• With regard to South Asia (aka the Indian sub-continent), The Hindu and other sources have:
     -   an examination of the violence in Kashmir, as five more people are killed;   rules written by the British to hamper India's own independence movement are now being used to stifle free speech –and human rights activism;   new string materials are making the kite season in India and Pakistan deadly;   concern over food price inflation;   the government has claimed it was not responsible for delays in judicial appointments;
     -   the border forces of India and Pakistan have improved their communication, as Pakistan ignores India’s offer to host talks and insists on talks in Pakistan;
     -   the Indian army has attacked insurgent forces inside Burma;
     -   the significance of “network diplomacy”, particularly for Sri Lanka;
• With regard to Sudan and South Sudan:
     -   the UN has urged Sudan to resume peace talks;
     -   looting, rapes and murder in South Sudan – see also here, about government troops’ violent crimes;   the sacked former vice president has gone into exile;   children are being recruited as soldiers;
• with regard to the conflict in Syria:   Russia has used Iran as a base for an attack on Syria, where it has been using incendiary weapons;   the UN has expressed grave concerns for the effects of the “surrender or starve” policy in Aleppo on citizens;   in one of the best articles I have read for some time, one I hope will get wide attention, a call for a counter-ideology promoting citizenship and secular states, and leaving sectarianism alone;   100 – 200 violent extremists are being tracked after they fled Manbij, using human shields in some cases;   nearly 18,000 have died in Syrian prisons since early 2011 – see also here;   a photo of an injured child is gaining world attention;
• with regard to Turkey:   growing tensions with the USA over extradition of Gulen over the failed coup;   Turkish forces are searching courts;   a Turkish journalist who faces jail for "revealing state secrets" (that Turkish intelligence operatives were smuggling arms to Syrian rebels) has resigned as editor of an opposition newspaper, saying that trusting the judiciary after July's failed coup - following which the government has cracked down on the media - would be "like putting one's head under a guillotine";   Turkey is making more room in its jails for alleged coup plotters and undesirables by paroling tens of thousands of inmates;   calls for Turkey to honour human rights despite its emergency;
• With regard to West Asia / the Middle East, the Middle East Eye and other sources have:
     -   death threats have been made against staff members of a Palestinian human rights organization advocating an investigation by the International Criminal Court into alleged war crimes in Palestine;   clashes with the Israeli army have killed one and injured dozens of Palestinians;   Google has run into problems over leaving Palestine off its maps;   Ethiopian Jews are bearing the brunt of Israeli racism;
     -   the ongoing Israeli-Egyptian ties that will outlast Sisi;
     -   the ongoing problems of revenge in Egypt, started with the massacre a few years ago;
     -   a protest at the olympics against Iran’s sexism in sport;   Russia has used Iran as a base for an attack on Syria;   the USA has acknowledged it waited for Iran to release American prisoners before delivering $US400 million in cash that it owed that nation, but insisted the payment was “not” a ransom … ;
     -   a call for Bahrain to stop the systematic abuse of Shia;
     -   the UN in Iraq has strongly condemned the death of a journalist, part of a growing pattern of threats, intimidation and violence, and has called on the government of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to implement urgent measures to guarantee the safety of all journalists and media professionals;
• With regard to the war in Yemen:   a Saudi-led air strike in Yemen has killed ten children, and another has killed 11 people;   rocket fire from Yemen has killed 9 people in Saudi Arabia;   sexual abuse of internally displaced women in Yemen;   the USA has reduced its staff in Saudi Arabia who have been assisting with bombing campaigns;
• With regard to natural and other catastrophes:   floods in the USA;   efforts to protect 14 million people in Africa against an outbreak of yellow fever;   bushfires in the USA;   disasters in the first half of Year 2016 have cost the world $92 billion;   the UN will help Haiti overcome its cholera epidemic because of its moral responsibility;
• With regard to peace and/or spirituality generally, and the occasional nice story:   good sportspersonship at the olympics;   some excellent inventions at the Young Creators Conference;   “tractor yoga”;   a café run by deaf and hearing impaired staff is helping to break down communication barriers and ready students for the hearing world;   a move back towards “robust” peacekeeping;   the importance of changing culture after war;

and from a range of other sites:

• the “moral hazard” of inaction in war;
• how to survive a disaster;
• a light keeper’s wife remembers moving into their first lighthouse the day that Neil Armstrong walked on the moon;

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 ...

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.

No signature block for these posts.