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: again, 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. (I
also urge people to simplify their lives as much as is possible.)
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 20th 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) I’m going to continue with the same bindrune for this week’s meditation, which is:
(e) the world continues to be thoroughly tested on commitment to ethics;(f) the counter to fear is genuine EQ and clear thinking, expressed through calm, de-escalating speech;(g) 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;(h) 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;
- Events warranting particular attention, or fitting into
too many categories:
“race and nationality are social inventions being used to cause deadly divisions”; with profound apologies for using a social media link, an interesting speculation on nature and the human species; an article by an MP who is also an economist (I actually started following him before he got into politics) on the adverse impact that market concentration has on competitiveness and inequality (“about one quarter of rich-listers grew wealthy in an industry that was uncompetitive at the time”), and prices (I can vouch for this, to some extent, based on what I have seen in the water industry in the last couple of decades) - see also here. Another article by this author examines the link between a range of issues and inequality, including the surprising support for home ownership from the Liberal Party in the 1960s, the benefit of unions, the twin forces of technology and globalisation, and taxation of the wealthy – as well as market concentration; an article arguing that loving a nation does not mean one does so blindly; a religious response to nationalism; concern that China’s militarisation and island building may extend to the Indian Ocean; an international survey shows that birthplace does NOT contribute to sense of identity (nor does religion, for most people), but language does - but it failed to consider indigenous language (and history and culture); concerns that the corporate powers granted under the now defunct TPP will simply go to other agreements; indigenous people guard 80% of the world’s biodiversity; - With regard to democracy (which requires protection of minorities and the vulnerable), freedom
and governance (e.g., here, here, here and here, and see also here):
Note: I have created a section specifically for US President Trump below
- analyses this week include: an article on LinkedIn (for which I apologise profusely) from a few years ago pointing out that the Arab Spring is about freedom, not democracy; the importance of pluralism – and cultivating the habit of democracy; an assessment of the (low) possibility that US President Trump can deliver on his jobs promises; the emotional trauma after the election of US President Trump continues to take its toll, with the ending of friendships and even relationships – see also here; an article on the “sleeping giant” that the election of US President Trump has awoken; an examination of voting trends in France; support for independence is growing in Scotland; hostility is growing in Italy towards the single European currency; reflections on US President Trump here, here, here, and here; a call for more involvement in politics by religious groups – which is a call that can be a double edged sword: it is good if the religions are progressive, but … ; a review of the challenges facing Somalia’s new President; with profound apologies for using a social media (LinkedIn) link, an interesting article on class; a call for the rebuilding of communities;
- of concern this week: rebels wanting independence are urging one region of Angola not to take part in elections; out of fear of chaos (violence did happen – see here) from anti-corruption protestors, South Africa’s President will have hundreds of soldiers present when he gives his annual State of the Nation speech; concerns over a possible “slide to fascism” if the Australian Immigration Minister is given powers to review long term visas; Uganda has dismissed the recent Transparency International findings that suggested corruption in Uganda was on the rise;
- in the grey area or neutral this week: a stage play is challenging the lack of diversity in theatre;
- good news this week includes: Romania appears to be backing down on its plan to decriminalise corruption – but see also here, and protests are still continuing; strong security measures (banning flights and cars, and choosing the safest location in the capital) have been adopted to allow the vote by MPs for President of Somalia;
- and in my home nation this week: more controversy over a refugee’s medical emergency in Australia’s refugee gulag system; a notorious right wing politician who has made appalling statements about same sex attracted people is going to form his own mini-Trump style party of political extremists; a troubled youth detention centre in my home state will be replaced; Centrelink staff will commence industrial action over the Australian government's notorious debt recovery scheme; my initial reaction to this is “good riddance to bad rubbish” – he’ll still be in politics, but as a member of a minority party, less restrained by others and thus more clearly a misogynistic extremist – and he will be less of an evil influence on the neoliberal party; a perk giving free travel to former MPs has been abolished; concerns over government “fat cat’s” salary; my home state is facing a massive bushfire threat; unemployment and job insecurity are causing despair amongst Australia’s youth (and some of us older folk); a child dental scheme has been retained; information on political donations; Australia will FINALLY implement the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;
- this week’s atrocity alert at R2P lists Myanmar, Syria and the Central African Republic; - With regard to US President Trump this week:
- Pope Francis is turning out to be an obstacle to US President Trump; reflections on US President Trump here, here, here, and here; an article on the “sleeping giant” that the election of US President Trump has awoken; an examination of the impact US President Trump’s policies and actions could have on the half million homeless in the USA; a comparison of US President Trump’s actions to those which caused George Orwell such concern, with some interesting notes from US History;
- a senior Trump advisor publicly invented a massacre that didn’t happen as a justification for the US President’s recent travel ban – which was badly received in Indonesia; the travel ban has been temporarily blocked – by a conservative judge, leading to sniping from President Trump and discomfort amongst Republicans; one US company has an ad that appears to be having a dig at US President Trump’s travel ban; more foolishness from US President Trump, with criminal acts being misrepresented as acts of terrorism – to the objection of the mother of a murder victim; a religious article in favour of helping immigrants generally; Republican Senators have backed a Democrat Senator in a dispute with US President Trump over remarks by the judge who blocked Trump’s recent travel ban in response to attacks on the judge by the President; concerns that US border patrol agents are targeting minorities have grown – including specific concerns about their behaviour - in the wake of Donald Trump’s executive order blocking refugees and visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries from entry into the USA (this is the sort of thing that can happen when a nation’s – or group’s leaders – pander to fear); concerns over the possible effects of designating the Muslim Brotherhood a violent extremist group;
- the Trump administration appears to have backed off on re-opening torture sites (for now, at least … ); US Senators have condemned President Trump’s plan to narrow the focus of counter-violent extremism to a religious focus as dangerous;
- US President Trump has started communicating with China’s President Xi (phew!) , but appears to have backed away from support for the independent nation of Taiwan, and is toeing the Chinese “one nation” line … ; the Trump administration appears to be toning down the US President’s early rhetoric in support of Israel; US President Trump denounced the US-Russia cap on nuclear weapons, reached under the former administration, during a call to Russian President Putin – but during the call had to stop and ask his aides for information on the deal (!); a group of Republican Senators has urged US President Trump to stay tough on Russia;
- legal action has been launched against US President Trump’s “rescind two regulations for every new one” order, arguing it will harm the public – which I consider it probably will;
- US President Trump has signalled he may wind back the protections against financial institutions that were created after the GFC in 2008; an assessment of the (low) possibility that US President Trump can deliver on his jobs promises; most - not all - companies have recovered from the adverse effects of US President Trump’s critical tweets;
- concerns that the US First Lady appeared to be aiming to do some profiteering, although her lawyer has denied this; US President Trump has criticised a company that dropped a line of products marketed under his daughter’s name (Does this constitute an abuse of power? … Also, was the decision in response to the anti-Trump “Grab Your Wallet” campaign? Would this mess have been avoided by President Trump following normal financial conventions?); one of President Trump’s advisors has appeared to have breached the ethics requirements on this issue;
- Democrat Senator Elizabeth Warren was silenced by the Republicans (free speech, anyone?) when she tried to read a letter from Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s widow about US President Trump’s nominee for Attorney-General;
- Trump’s supporters remain happy (see also here), as insiders warn of more chaos to come; - 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 Bahrain, Afghanistan, Somalia, Afghanistan (2nd), Mali and Burkina Faso, Somalia (2nd), India (hoax threat), and, according to this Wikipedia page, there have been 3 attacks in Iraq (out of a total of22); violent extremist threats are or may be developing in Yemen; prevention has or may have occurred in France; and actions have occurred against violent extremists in Turkey;
- the USA has claimed Iran is the world’s biggest state sponsor of terrorism … again – is this true, or is this Trump”? His behaviour raises doubt over a lot of matters now … ; more attacks on privacy by the USA; more foolishness from US President trump, with criminal acts being misrepresented as acts of terrorism – to the objection of the mother of a murder victim; a right wing extremist politician has been jailed in Germany for burning down a hall that was going to be used for refugees; a radio station in Syria is resisting pressure to control its on air content in a subversive and, at times, sarcastic manner; US Senators have condemned President Trump’s plan to narrow the focus of counter-violent extremism to a religious focus as dangerous;
- being bashed as a youth may have contributed to one man becoming a violent extremist; the problem of white supremacist movements; - With regard to refugees (noting the New York Declaration):
more controversy over a refugee’s medical emergency in Australia’s refugee gulag system – and calls by PNG police for reinforcements … ; a rebuttal of sensationalist claims that “migrants” from West Asia and North Africa are “dole bludgers”; a toy project for refugees; bigotry in Hungary; Belgium was wrong to deny Syrians visas, according to a human rights advisor; a court has ordered to Kenyan government to stop sending refugees back to Somalia, which involved risk of breaching the principle of non-refoulement, and keep the world’s largest refugee camp open; the UK has reneged on its promise to take 3,000 unaccompanied child refugees – see also here; a report that violent extremists aim to recruit from unaccompanied child refugees; Hungary will round up refugees and hold them in camps; anger in a Greek refugee camp over living conditions; there have been 400 refugee deaths so far this year; a heroic French farmer helping refugees cross into France has been given a suspended fine for doing so, and a heroic Swedish journalist who helped a Syrian boy get into Sweden has been given a suspended jail sentence; following adoption of a deterrence strategy by the (fearful and mistaken) US border patrol in southern Arizona in the mid-1990s, deaths in the desert went from less than ten per year to hundreds, with a group of volunteers now trying to reduce that; - With regard to human (and other) rights and
discrimination (including associated violence / crime):
- on homophobia/transphobia this week: the struggle of one man against internalised homophobia; the US state of Texas has a trans mayor; bigotry in Hungary; LGBTI advocates say the defunding of an Indigenous 2 Spirits program in Queensland could lead to mental illness and suicide in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community; the first-ever independent UN expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity is working;
- on racism this week: a uranium mine has been approved despite objections from traditional owners and environmental concerns; a call for support to indigenous parents and their children; the remains of indigenous people have been welcomed home from a museum; an article on Waitangi Day; indigenous activists are hopeful that a multi-million dollar funding boost towards the evaluation of indigenous programs, announced to pre-empt a damning Australian National Audit Office review, will lead to more effective results on the ground, but researchers remain sceptical; an international survey shows that birthplace does NOT contribute to sense of identity (nor does religion, for most people), but language does - but it failed to consider indigenous language (and history and culture); research into stress could close the indigenous health gap; a questioning of the suspension of the Indigenous Advisory Council; LGBTI advocates say the defunding of an Indigenous 2 Spirits program in Queensland could lead to mental illness and suicide in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community;
- on sexism this week: idiots who try to choose the gender of their babies deserve to have trans kids – part from anything else, they are showing that they have a VERY flawed view of “love”, as bad as those parents who think they are owed care in the dotage from their kids; a new women’s’ football competition has been a major success; with profound apologies for using a social media link, some good comments in response to a car service company's sexist ad - including from the company's staff; Twitter has announced new measures it says will help to improve safety on the social media platform, but cyber-safety advocates are saying that's not enough; an examination of “false rape” claims in India – with criminalisation of consensual sex by parents actually being a major factor; tattoos are being used to hide the scars of domestic abuse survivors; the fight against FGM; the concerning behaviour of some women who stand back and let men take over (e.g., an intelligent woman I knew who became engaged and let her fiancé skipper her boat) / take credit; a “National Women’s Parliament” is underway in India;
- on other forms of human (and other) rights this week: commuters in New York have removed offensive graffiti; a halal certifier is suing an anti-halal campaigner for defamation; my home city has ignored advice and campaigns to – stupidly - ban rough sleepers, thus putting people like this woman at risk; an excellent tampon subscription service for homeless women; the experience of a Muslim family with Australia’s school system; whilst it is incredibly admirable that these kids stood up to an abuser in this way –particularly in that era and time, they shouldn’t have had to - see also here; someone who bugged a hotel room has – quite rightly, in my view – been charged; the Vatican has defended its decision to invite China to a conference on organ trafficking despite China’s record of using executed inmates as organ donors - still continuing, according to human rights groups, although China claims to have stopped - saying it hoped to encourage change; one quarter of US tech workers consider that they have been discriminated against; Ireland’s privacy body is challenging facebook’s transfer of data; a court decision means the UK will start to catch up with recognition of de facto couples; fears that the Burmese army has killed more than 1,000 Rohingya; “an animal rights row has erupted in India over a school textbook which tells children how to suffocate kittens” (although this has been withdrawn, the question has to be asked how some prize moron thought it would be acceptable to write this in the first place, and how other morons approved it); an article asking if flexible working is biased against non-parents (to which I answer with a resounding NO – I’ve spent a lot of my life without kids, and in those times I was able to use any flexible work arrangements to do things like take holidays/time off when I wanted them [in winter, and away from school holidays] and let those who had kids take the holidays when they needed to, which was school holidays and when kids were ill and so on. It was win-win); a review of a book on human rights and the struggle against impunity; - With regard
to crime, judicial matters and policing:
a major drug bust has occurred; a troubled youth detention centre in my home state will be replaced, as reports emerge that it has been considered a threat to safety of workers for some time; a “Buddhist monk” has been arrested in Burma with drugs and weapons; it is important to respect local laws, but the death penalty is wrong - especially when one considers future life impacts; whilst it is incredibly admirable that these kids stood up to an abuser in this way –particularly in that era and time, they shouldn’t have had to - see also here; someone who bugged a hotel room has – quite rightly, in my view – been charged; in a concerning move, the leader of Australia’s opposition party has indicated he would consider proposals to deport children who commit major crimes (these kids have been traumatised: they need help, not shunting back to the original source of their trauma!); 14 prisoners have escaped from a prison in Papua New Guinea; hundreds of police in my home state have sought support after a recent mass murder – which illustrates the pressure on police, pressure that many members of the public take for granted or expect police – who are still humans – to cope with. I have even heard, at times in the past, comments along the lines of “that is what they’re paid for”; a bank officer has been jailed after signing elderly people (one 98 years old) up to a scheme they couldn’t afford (banking in Australia declined – as I understand it, as a result of the actions of Alan Bond and Christopher Skase - and long ago ceased to be an industry of social value, which was something my adoptive father, a former bank manager, hated); changes to NSW laws have allowed what appears to be a double jeopardy trial; there has been a major drug bust in the Netherlands; - 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):
Cameroon has blocked the internet in areas which have protested against the government; a radio station in Syria is resisting pressure to control its on air content in a subversive and, at times, sarcastic manner; “Ground Zero is a weekly feature where stories that are less reported in the mainstream media are extensively covered (in long form) from the hinterlands”; - 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? Is your social media making you
miserable or envious? 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?):
- an examination of the reasons “green buildings” are not being embraced; an airport has installed bike pedalling stations to recharge mobile devices; a major oil spill has occurred off the Indian coast; some south Pacific Islands have banned imported (described as “junk”) food in favour of local foods; an aquaculture company is taking legal action against an Australian government state government for failing to protect the environment against the company and the company's competitors … ; a young adult (aka teenager) is suing the US government over climate change; a spillage of coal has occurred near sensitive waters; heatwaves are becoming longer, hotter and more frequent – thus emphasising the need for better houses than the rubbish we have now; disease may have a powerful, adverse impact on antelopes and snow leopards in Mongolia; Ross River fever has now reached my home city … ; problems with power supplies in two states during a recent heatwave: see here, here, and here; the Netherlands is investing in a major climate change adaptation centre; the European Union must shut all coal-fired power stations by 2030 in order to meet climate change pledges; Europe’s crickets and grasshoppers are at risk of extinction; New Zealanders are trying to save hundreds of stranded pilot whales; the security threat of climate change;
- Denmark has created a position of (non-diplomatic) ambassador for dealing with tech companies; satellite imagery may be able to be used for whale counting; someone who bugged a hotel room has – quite rightly, in my view – been charged, as a TV manufacturer has been found guilty of illegally bugging its customers viewing records; one quarter of US tech workers consider that they have been discriminated against; Twitter has announced new measures it says will help to improve safety on the social media platform, but cyber-safety advocates are saying that's not enough; Ireland’s privacy body is challenging facebook’s transfer of data; the risk of addiction to virtual reality; Cameroon has blocked the internet in areas which have protested against the government. Ironically, a Cameroonian won Google’s annual coding championship, but had to do so 370 km away from home;
- an assessment of the (low) possibility that US President Trump can deliver on his jobs promises; unemployment and job insecurity are causing despair amongst Australia’s youth (and some of us older folk); a trial of shorter working days in Sweden led to increased productivity; suggestions for an inheritance tax (on properties over $10 million, so the rich) to help with the housing affordability crisis; an article on the truly staggering “dodgy dealings between human resources departments that have been exposed by US antitrust agencies” (if I was paranoid, I’d wonder if such was happening to me [it isn’t]); an examination of the reasons CEO pays don’t shrink;
- nasty-minded people have vandalised an elderly man’s car because they thought it spoiled their photos; a call to avoid helicopter parenting; calls for help from a regional area over youth suicides; was this house built properly?; facebook has extended its bereavement leave and introduced carer’s leave; concerning statistics on drivers who are drowsy - and how much of that is related to our high pressure lifestyle?; - With regard to education:
almost two thirds of children worry “all the time”; whilst it is incredibly admirable that these kids stood up to an abuser in this way –particularly in that era and time, they shouldn’t have had to - see also here; Australia’s first “school lawyer”; - 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):
sanctions have been lifted on a notorious warlord; an avalanche has killed dozens of people in eastern Afghanistan; the murder of aid workers has led to a suspension of aid – see also here; an Afghan interpreter has been brought to the USA by the soldier he used to work for; an assessment that NATO needs a few thousand more troops in Afghanistan, which has been welcomed by Afghanistan; Russia says it is ready to cooperate with NATO in Afghanistan; - With regard to Africa, the Africa
Center for Strategic Studies (and other sources) also has:
- the UN Secretary-General has expressed some optimistic and positive views about Africa;
- an examination of the violent herder-farmer dispute in Kenya; a court has ordered to Kenyan government to stop sending refugees back to Somalia, which involved risk of breaching the principle of non-refoulement, and keep the world’s largest refugee camp open; public sector doctors in Kenya have gone on strike; a call for reform of Kenya’s agricultural sector;
- a rescued Nigerian boy is doing well; Nigeria’s anti-corruption body has recovered $10 million;
- strong security measures (banning flights and cars, and choosing the safest location in the capital) have been adopted to allow the vote by MPs for President of Somalia; a review of the challenges facing Somalia’s new President;
- rebels wanting independence are urging one region of Angola not to take part in elections; in the last year, disease has killed 15,000 people (or around 7 per thousand people) in Angola, where the annual death rate had declined from 25 per thousand people in the Year 2000 to 12 per thousand people in the Year 2013;
- out of fear of chaos from anti-corruption protestors, South Africa’s President will have hundreds of soldiers present when he gives his annual State of the Nation speech;
- Cameroon has blocked the internet in areas which have protested against the government. Ironically, a Cameroonian won Google’s annual coding championship, but had to do so 370 km away from home;
- violence in South Africa’s Parliament;
- “The European Union [has] announced aid worth $240m … for The Gambia’s new government as President Adama Barrow said his nation was “virtually bankrupt” due to economic mismanagement by the former regime”;
- (disputed) claims that 200 cars are missing in Ghana following the recent change of government;
- Uganda has dismissed the recent Transparency International findings that suggested corruption in Uganda was on the rise; Ugandans are reportedly welcoming South Sudanese fleeing violence;
- calls for Tutsi to be better represented in Burundian talks;
- Zambia will now consult with its people before leaving the ICC - see also here;
- an insect pest is putting maize crops at risk in Africa; - With regard to China (may her growing middle class bring a
love of peace and freedom) and East and South East Asia:
- the difficulties of being a vegetarian in China (which outdoes the trouble I had being vegetarian in Australia a little over three decades ago); China's Foreign Minister has warned that both sides would lose in a conflict between his country and the United States over the South China Sea – so back off: the claim to the Spratlys may be defensible, but not the rest!; US President Trump has started communicating with China’s President Xi (phew!), but appears to have backed away from support for the independent nation of Taiwan, and is toeing the Chinese “one nation” line … ; concern that China’s militarisation and island building may extend to the Indian Ocean;
- Australian and Indonesian military leaders have met after a recent dispute, and an Australian apology has been accepted; US President Trump’s recent travel ban has caused major concern and fear in Indonesia;
- aid has arrived for families displaced by tribal fighting in Papua-New Guinea;
- more on Burma’s plans to allegedly investigate the crimes against Rohingya; fears that the Burmese army has killed more than 1,000 Rohingya; “Bangladesh is working with Myanmar security forces to stop Rohingya Muslim militants crossing their shared border, but will continue to allow women, children and the elderly to seek shelter there”; roving clinics will address TB amongst Burma’s poor;
- “Peace talks between the Philippine Government and communist rebels to end nearly five decades of conflict are still possible even though the President has ordered "all-out war”," the country's Defence Minister has said; - With regard to Europe:
- Baltic states have asked the USA and NATO for military help ahead of a large Russian military exercise; Germany has said the USA’s demand for more burden sharing for NATO is fair;
- Russia is suspected of being behind a hack attack on Italy last year;
- a fire in a turbine led to an explosion “outside the nuclear zone” at a French nuclear power plant; “France's air force is on alert on two fronts as it confronts a return to Cold War shadow-boxing and heightened domestic security concerns”;
- the European Union must shut all coal-fired power stations by 2030 in order to meet climate change pledges; Europe’s crickets and grasshoppers are at risk of extinction; - 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):
- an assessment of what is happening in Mosul - see also here;
- and the Iraq Body Count project reports 238 people killed in the last week; - With regard to the Libyan civil war:
fighting between the two governments in Libya is continuing; violent extremists have moved to desert valleys following their recent expulsion from Sirte; growing support for changing the Libyan government leadership; the USA has blocked the appointment of a former Palestinian PM as UN envoy to Libya; - With regard to Russia (which is currently supporting an – in my
opinion, based on R2P principles - illegitimate regime in Syria), Russian
influenced nations and eastern Europe, and responses:
- “Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny [has] accused the Kremlin of trying to block him from running in next year's presidential election after a court … found him guilty of embezzlement”; Russian warplanes have (accidentally) killed Turkish soldiers in a friendly fire incident; US President Trump denounced the US-Russia cap on nuclear weapons, reached under the former administration, during a call to Russian President Putin – but during the call had to stop and ask his aides for information on the deal (!); a group of Republican Senators has urged US President Trump to stay tough on Russia; Russia says it is ready to cooperate with NATO in Afghanistan; Russia is suspected of being behind a hack attack on Italy last year; reports suggest Russia stopped a fight between Assad dictatorship forces and Syrian rebels; reports suggest Russia stopped a fight between Assad dictatorship forces and Syrian rebels; “Russia's Constitutional Court [has] ordered a review of the conviction of prominent anti-Kremlin activist Ildar Dadin and said a law that criminalised protests had to be applied more proportionately”; - With regard to South and Central America:
- the long-term violence in parts of Mexico are having psychological effects, particularly on young people, with a significant problem with suicide as a result; Mexico has warned its citizens after a Mexican woman is deported from the USA – leaving her children behind; Mexico’s anti-Trump feelings are not equating into support for Mexico’s President amongst lower socio-economic groups;
- the second largest rebel group in Columbia has started talks with the government; a baby boom has occurred amongst FARC’s members;
- the army is patrolling the streets of a Brazilian city where police went on strike – and have now been charged with revolution; some very concerning mayors have been elected in Brazil;
- “Venezuela's state-run oil company, has fallen months behind on shipments of crude and fuel under oil-for-loan deals with China and Russia”;
- Peru has offered a reward for finding its former President, who has been charged with corruption offences;
- a locust plague has led to an emergency in Bolivia; a Bolivian community led by women has no alcohol and no violence;
- the people of El Salvador are now fearing soldiers more than gang members;
- the founders of a law firm at the centre of the “Panama Papers” scandal have been arrested as part of a corruption investigation;
- a candidate for Ecuador’s Presidency wants to evict Julian Assange;
- Argentina is experiencing an ongoing environmental disaster with a river;
- a scientific advance may lower quinoa prices (good for consumers, but will that harm people trying to make a living by providing that crop?); - With regard to South Asia (aka the Indian
sub-continent), The
Hindu and other sources have:;
- a major oil spill has occurred off the Indian coast; an examination of “false rape” claims in India – with criminalisation of consensual sex by parents actually being a major factor; “an animal rights row has erupted in India over a school textbook which tells children how to suffocate kittens” (although this has been withdrawn, the question has to be asked how some prize moron thought it would be acceptable to write this in the first place, and how other morons approved it); the role of crushing poverty in pushing underage girls into motherhood; an Indian MP has admitted to having rapists tortured in front of their victims (whether this is true or not, it is unsatisfactory – people will do or say anything under torture, which leaves scars into future lives, and this just feeds the desire for revenge, not justice); a warning of public despair as a result of inequality; an editorial on a state election currently underway in India; current moves on animal rights; an assessment of the new Good Samaritan law – and the possible obstacle of social media; a political crisis is occurring in an Indian state and political party - see also here; “Ground Zero is a weekly feature where stories that are less reported in the mainstream media are extensively covered (in long form) from the hinterlands”; a “National Women’s Parliament” is underway in India;
- a Pakistani boy who was taken illegally to India by his father has now been returned to his mother; an assessment of a recent arrest in Pakistan;
- “A medicinal plant endemic to the southern parts of Western Ghats and Sri Lanka could offer scientists the key to new herbal formulations and modern drugs for the treatment of cancer and wounds and burns”;
- “Bangladesh is working with Myanmar security forces to stop Rohingya Muslim militants crossing their shared border, but will continue to allow women, children and the elderly to seek shelter there”; - With regard to Sudan and South Sudan:
- “European Union envoys to Sudan [have] discussed with the North Darfur officials the state government post-conflict plans to collect arms and recovery strategies”;
- “The United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng, has condemned South Sudanese President Salva Kiir for lack of commitment to end violence in the war-torn country”; Ugandans are reportedly welcoming South Sudanese fleeing violence; - 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):
- US backed militias are making gains against violent extremists in Syria; reports that the Assad dictatorship has committed torture and murders of up to 13,000 people at a prison; Russian warplanes have (accidentally) killed Turkish soldiers in a friendly fire incident; a radio station in Syria is resisting pressure to control its on air content in a subversive and, at times, sarcastic manner; a Syrian dissident says he considers the war against dictator Assad is over, as a result of foreign governments cutting aid to rebels; dictator Assad has rejected the creation of safe areas in Syria; France the next round of United Nations-led peace talks on Syria could be "disappointing" as a result of Syrian government "intransigence"; violent extremists have made gains against rebels; a Syrian survivor of torture under dictator Assad is giving Swedes lessons in compassion and gratitude; some Syrians are fleeing to Sudan in order to get to Egypt; the UK has acknowledged that its support of Saudi air strikes in Yemen was being used by Russia to deflect criticism at the UN of its own bombing campaign in Syria; - With regard to Turkey:
Turkey has sacked thousands more civil servants as part of the ongoing purge in reaction to the failed coup; Russian warplanes have (accidentally) killed Turkish soldiers in a friendly fire incident; a German court has upheld a ban on a satirical poem that mocks Turkey’s President; Turkey’s President has approved a referendum on giving himself more powers; a Turkish father who stood with a Jewish father to protest US President Trump’s travel ban has been labelled a terrorist in Turkey – which is a MASSIVE indictment of Turkey; - With regard to the conflicts in Ukraine, particularly in
the east:
a rebel commander has been killed (and another); a call for the European Union to demonstrate support for the Ukraine;
I read an article which argued for the rights of self-determination of Russian-speaking people in Ukraine: that does have considerable validity, and I would have actively supported a free vote on that, but the involvement of Russia and the choice of violence has warped the situation. Peace and freedom from interference (from East or West) must be restored first, and then the situation can be considered. I would have included the article, but it focused too much energy in abusing the Ukrainian government - which is flawed, but I have doubts about the line taken in the article. - With regard to West Asia / the Middle East and North
Africa, the Middle East Eye and other sources have:
- Israeli concerns over its Syrian border; Israeli human rights groups have launched legal action against the government’s approval of thousands of squatter homes; the Trump administration appears to be toning down the US President’s early rhetoric in support of Israel; a sick Gazan boy has died after being denied entry into Israel;
- US President Trump is seeking better relations with the abusive despotic regime in Egypt; Egyptian police have closed a centre for victims of torture; Egyptians cannot afford to send their kids to school;
- the European Union says the USA has reassured it that the USA will fully implement the Iran nuclear deal; Iranians have celebrated the anniversary of the 1979 revolution by – unhelpfully! – chanting about killing the leaders of the USA, UK and Israel (this does not demonstrate resolve or strength: it is a sign of weakness, just as some of US President Trump’s words and deeds are signs of weakness); - 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):
Yemen is reported to have withdrawn permission for the USA to conduct ground operations, following the recent raid which also killed civilians; the Saudi-led coalition is attacking a Yemeni port, putting civilians at risk; Yemen will run out of wheat at the end of March; Houthis have called on the UN to do more for peace; the UK has acknowledged that its support of Saudi air strikes in Yemen was being used by Russia to deflect criticism at the UN of its own bombing campaign in Syria; - With regard to natural and other catastrophes:
an avalanche has killed dozens of people in eastern Afghanistan; a locust plague has led to an emergency in Bolivia; a call for aid organisations to work more effectively with local bodies; - With regard to peace and/or spirituality generally, and
the occasional nice story:
some thoughts on the use of violence - to which I would add that violence is only ever a short term response: long term solutions require more – such as changing hearts and minds, as happened (to a significant extent) after World War Part Two in Germany, as opposed to the imposition of violence during World War Part One, which made the second part inevitable. In the case of the neo-Nazi being punched: (a) the punch likely did nothing except make the neo-Nazi feel like a martyr and/or harden his views; (b) sometimes violence is necessary to stop active harm (such as the police officer who shot a knife wielding assailant at a peace gathering a few years ago – I posted the news link at the time, but cannot find it now: sorry); (c) after the punch / other form of violence, the person who has been restrained or stopped still exists, and will simply continue that behaviour –albeit possibly in a way that reduces their exposure to violence (such as going underground) – unless something occurs to change their hearts and minds; an article suggesting that those who identify as “spiritual, but not religious”, and similar, may revitalise religion; a Christian (not neochristian) woman’s story of how she learned to love the child of her husband’s affair; the lack of breadth of studies on conflict is giving rise to false biases;
and from a range of other sites:
- neochristians have started trying to undermine Pope Francis;
- right wing extremists have objected to a bus sculpture in Dresden, erected for the anniversary of the terrible fire bombing, which drew parallels with what has been happening in Syria;
- with profound apologies for using a social media link, take this with a grain of salt: there is a time and place for what people call "hand outs" (e.g., after disasters);
- a beekeeper has saved a sports event;
(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.
