Saturday, 20 May 2017

Post No. 1,029 – Gnwmythr’s News Ed. No. 163



Change of title – and, for those who pay attention and remember how my craft/spirit name is pronounced, a nice bit of alliteration. Oh – I won’t guarantee that I have done an accurate count of previous editions, but it is close :)
Information and Summary/Analysis:
Note: I am NOT a journalist, and make NO claims to objectivity or freedom from bias:   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, 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. Also, the energies we use and manifest in our daily lives contribute to the larger soup of energies that influence world events, so address those as well. The reminders / explanations about Sunday’s meditation-clearing are here;   see also here,   here,   here,   (here and also here and here are interesting),   here, here,   here,   and   this post reminds us to be patient and persistent, like a “speeding oak”. Finally, there are some notes at the end of this post about other options for those who do not like this way of working.
The themes that come to mind for my work this week, after I review all this news, are:
(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, including spirit rescue, and healing the warped views, seemingly “inherent” biases, and other damage created. Also, remember that:
        1. the counter to fear is genuine  EQ and clear thinking, expressed through calm, de-escalating speech,
        2. where problems exist, advocating for BPM responses, and being as BPM as one can be, are constructive solutions,
        3. peace is powerful, but it is a process requiring patient, persistent and nuanced nurturing, and a blend of conventional spiritual work, clearing nonBPM units, and physical world activism;
(c)   viewing the overall emotional state of the world from an elemental point of view, this week we need:
        emotionally (astrally), more BPM Earth;
        mentally, more BPM Earth;
        a plot of the elemental influences on a causal/spiritual level follows, and shows a need for more BPM Earth;

(d)   the rune for this week’s work is Erda:
(e)   dealing with the 45th US President, for whom I use the alias Voldemort, requires:
        1. eroding (i.e., slow, patient and persistent clearing of the little bits one can SAFELY cope with – remember, you are but one of many) the nonBPM influences feeding his arrogance and mind-set, and strengthening Voldemort’s BPM Guides and giving them whatever BPM help they need to present a BPM alternative – for which my “changing the personality of oppressors” post is useful – with a view to promoting what would seem to be a change of heart,
        2. lifting the nonBPM influences from the shoulders of Voldemort’s marginal supporters, allowing them to “come to their senses”, which may result in them feeling bewilderment/shame, and simultaneously strengthening the BPM influences around them (e.g., their BPM Guides) to counter them backsliding,
        3. to address the others, physical world activism (especially education) is required. As well as doing what one can there, help those who are doing this work (e.g., sending them “positive vibes”) and look for nonBPM blockages that can be cleared (e.g., setting up a BPM vortex above meetings to draw away external nonBPM influences/energies/units, so that the audience can listen as they are, without any obsession/possession);
(f)   the major events this week are:   the concerns over actions by the 45th President of the USA;   ongoing tensions and violence in conflict areas;   continuing fumbles in relation to technological developments;
(g)   some further gains on accountability;
(h)   fear, frustration, a sense of powerlessness and the desire for power – partly out of the prior mentioned matters – continue to fester (and erupt as violence – particularly viciously so, in some instances, and be allowed to impede empathy;
(i)   despair and hopelessness also register as of particular import this week;
(j)   most of the world continues to fumble, flail and fail on anything within a bull’s roar of sex, sexuality, and gender – and stereotypes are part of that failure;
(k)   care for the world is being drowned out by the excesses and desires of flashiness and superficiality;
(l)   compassion fatigue continues to be used as an excuse to cover fears of not being able to help, not knowing how to help, or that helping will diminish one’s ability to care elsewhere;
(m)   some people continue to hold to the old – including the abdication of personal sovereignty that is support for monarchy;
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 past week follows:
   news items are presented in the following sections (there is overlap, and items may appear more than once):
    - Permanent and Thematically Arranged News,
    - Location Based News,
    - From a Range of Other Sites;
   opportunities/good news are shown in green;
   comments are shown in purple; and
   WARNING: some of these links may contain triggers around issues such as violence, sexual assault, discrimination, etc.
Permanent Issues and Thematically Arranged News:
  • 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;
  • Matters warranting particular attention:
       sexual violence in wars, and its root causes (fundamental inequality and discrimination against women), is a threat to global security – see also here;   the USA has condemned the violent, vicious attack by Turkish thugs (“bodyguards”) on protesters in the USA - and I hope those thugs that did so are arrested and jailed;   a commentary on inequity, climate change and other problems by a respected indigenous journalist;
  • With regard to democracy (which requires  protection of minorities and the vulnerable – and remember Gandhi’s question about whether one is fighting to change things, or to punish, and the list of 198 methods of nonviolent action), freedom and governance (e.g., here, here, here and here, and see also here):
    Note: I have a section specifically for the 45th US President below
       -   analyses this week include:   criticism of government approaches to cyber security, following the recent ransomware attack – which didn’t make the attackers much money, and now appears to be linked to North Korea (the DRPK);   a review of increasingly right wing New Zealand’s relationship over the last decade with the USA;   an article on countering electoral manipulation in the South Pacific;   a critique of the parlous state of human rights, including R2P;   a call for a nuanced view on “national interest”;
       -   of concern this week:   Europe and Japan remain concerned about the USA’s financial policies;   “China wants its One Belt One Road project to help it dominate world trade” - but India has opted out over debt concerns;   despite launching another missile – with experts warn DPRK missiles could reach Hawaii and Russia is concerned, North Korea (the DPRK) claimed to be open to talks with the USA “if the conditions are right” … but then followed up its missile launch with bombastic bluster, thereby killing any chance of talks, and appears to be the source of the recent ransomware attack …;   the UN envoy has warned Kosovo and Serbia against trading ‘ethno-nationalist’ barbs;   a major tax fraud case in my nation involves people at the ATO, and may undermine investigations;   an Australian state government will sacrifice hundreds of millions of dollars of that state’s income to help a controversial coal mine;
       -   in the grey area or neutral this week:   Palestinians have held the first elections for years in the occupied West Bank, but not Gaza, resulting in increased internal political tensions;   the Bahamas have voted conservatively;
       -   good news this week includes:   China and the Philippines will begin talks on the South China Sea (which is potentially good, but … );   the US Supreme Court has blocked a US state law that discriminated against African-American voters;   good égalité in the new French government;   Tanzania is taking action against corruption;
       -   and other matters in my home nation this week:   Australia’s main banks are effectively government backed, and have lied about the new charges on them;   MPs who were subsequently found to be incorrectly elected now have to return all their pay and benefits (which I consider unreasonable - in fact, given the bankrupt status of the people concerned, a STUPID waste of taxpayers’ money: while they were in Parliament - in good faith, they did provide a representative voice for their electorates, and a point of communication. If that had not happened, repayment would be reasonable, but as it is ... does anyone in that Government Department have a brain? Or are they trying to drive the men or their families [and possibly their employees] to suicide?);   a rebuttal of a claim by a neoliberal politician that Australia has the highest tax of the rich;   a criticism of lack of sovereignty in Australia’s recently announced naval building programme (it always amazes me that discussions about this never consider the problem of sending a damaged ship back overseas during a war);
       -   this week’s atrocity alert at R2P lists Yemen, the Central African Republic and Syria;
  • With regard to the 45th US President (who I consider seriously dangerous, and NOT at all a buffoon) this week:
    I deliberately avoid using the 45th US President’s name for valid psychic reasons: however, to both simplify my typing and remind people that he is dangerous, I will use “Voldemort” – in this section, at least - as an alias.
       -   Europe and Japan remain concerned about the USA’s financial policies;   the USA and China are taking the first steps of implementation of a trade plan;
       -   growing tensions between the US White House and Congress over the dismissal of the former FBI Director, and concerns that a partisan replacement may be appointed;   a commentary on Voldemort’s threatening tweet against the former FBI Director;   a critique of the FBI’s mistakes under former Director Comey – and concerns it may get worse;   more concerning claims - and they are just that at the moment: claims, although strangely legally more serious than the allegations about disclosure of State secrets - about the interaction between Voldemort, Comey and Russia;   "the current US administration [has] appointed former FBI director Robert Mueller as a special counsel to oversee the federal investigation into allegations Russia and Donald Trump's campaign collaborated to influence the 2016 presidential election" (which has been well received by all commentators that I’ve read or heard);
       -   Voldemort “is trying to determine how keeping his promise to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem could affect his hopes of brokering a peace deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians”;
       -   Voldemort is extending his anti-women anti-abortion actions;
       -   an analysis of Voldemort by former intelligence analysts;
       -   thousands of immigrant parents in the USA have been detained;   "A growing number of companies in the US are shying away from marketing efforts aimed at Latino consumers for fear of offending “racist” supporters of President Donald Trump, the chairman of the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies says";
       -   (disputed) claims that Voldemort divulged highly classified information to Russia appear to be well based. Voldemort has defended speaking to Russia at all on violent extremist threats (which is along the lines of comments I have heard from former diplomats in radio interviews – see also here). See also here, here, here, and here. Russia has also interfered, and there will likely be intelligence network fall out from this, but impeachment must be impartial, and at least one assessment is that impeachment of Voldemort is unlikely;
       -   despite Voldemort’s criticism, sanctions relief for Iran as a result of the P5+1 nuclear deal has been extended;
       -   paranoia in the White House have led to a (misdirecting) term "deep state";
       -   the need for opponents of Voldemort to actively seek raw, political power;
  • With regard to violent extremism (VE) (aka, terrorism - e.g., Da’esh) (ALL people advocating hate or discrimination in response to violent extremism are actively doing the work of violent extremists. This 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 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):
       -   violent extremist attacks/acts have occurred this week in Israel, Afghanistan, and, according to this Wikipedia page, there have been 9 attacks in Iraq and 1 attack in Syria - and 4 attacks in Afghanistan (out of a total of 31;   actions (Note: there are many others that don’t reach the media I read) have occurred this week against violent extremists in India;   a kidnap victim in Nigeria has escaped;
       -   China wants to increase counter-VE cooperation with Turkey;   Australia may ban lap tops on international flights (the discussions I’ve heard on radio abut this have included the pros – security - and cons –risks of fire [lots of batteries in the cargo hold], damage to the lap tops or theft);   a US court has dismissed a suit against facebook for violent extremists using it in West Asia;   Sudan has frozen the assets of people linked to violent extremism;
       -   an assessment of the declining finances of a major violent extremist group;   military corruption is weakening Nigeria’s fight against violent extremism;   violent extremism remains a threat across Africa;
  • With regard to refugees (noting the New York Declaration):
       hundreds of refugees have been rescued in the Mediterranean, but several bodies have also been found;   Amnesty International has found that the Australian Government lied over attacks on a refugee gulag by PNG soldiers – and other reports give details of the weapons used;   a refugee in Australia's refugee gulag has been waiting ten months for medical attention;   refugees in Australia’s refugee gulag in the PNG have been told they “must” leave;   “one of Italy's largest “migrant” centres has been in the hands of the mafia for more than a decade”;   concerns over the blocking of the deportation of six refugees, including one who said he was at of execution in Iran but went back three times for holidays, and another who went back to get married ... (I trust that, if there is more to this than meets the eye [and I have experienced authorities “misrepresenting” or making “mistakes” about the details of such cases], a credible source will make that available, but on the basis of what has been published, at least two of those men were possibly not genuine refugees);   the first solar farm has been established in a refugee camp;    record numbers of unaccompanied child refugees;   "Asylum seekers and refugees detained in Nauru will only be transferred to Australia for medical treatment if they are at risk of dying or a permanent disability";
  • With regard to human (and other) rights and discrimination:
       -   on homophobia/transphobia this week (noting that trans kids are the same as cis kids of the trans kids’ true gender) :   bigots in Singapore have barred non-residents from attending an LGBT rally;   I get annoyed when bigoted organisations like this one get investigated over financial issues, but their blatant and active homophobia and transphobia result in nothing;   a lesbian couple are running a successful veggie farm in central Queensland (north Queensland starts just north of Bowen, at maybe Ayr, but Far North Queensland is Innisfail and north);   a UK school may allow uniforms without stereotypical gender restrictions;   threats of a caning in Indonesia;   “Three French gay rights groups have accused the Russian republic of Chechnya of a policy of genocide towards gay people in a complaint filed at the International Criminal Court”;   Chelsea Manning’s imminent release is likely to reveal how mediaeval the USA is, in many ways;   appalling, mediaeval barbarity in Indonesia as two gay men are sentenced to be caned;   Saudi Arabia appears to have murdered a (trans) woman;   respect urged on IDAHOBIT Day;   Lebanese police have tortured LGBTI people;   ongoing homophobia in sport;   homophobia in Bangladesh;
       -   on racism this week:   an Indigenous jeweller has been selected to supply the upcoming Commonwealth Games;   a young and old, indigenous and non-indigenous walking group has been building social connectivity;   “Authorities are warning of an unfolding public health emergency in north-east Arnhem Land, where dozens of young people are recording dangerously high lead levels after sniffing aviation fuel”;   the US Supreme Court has blocked a US state law that discriminated against African-American voters;   work to keep a native language alive;   the need for law reform has been shown by a fashion company ripping off indigenous culture;   "A growing number of companies in the US are shying away from marketing efforts aimed at Latino consumers for fear of offending “racist” supporters of President Donald Trump, the chairman of the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies says";   good égalité in the new French government;  "Traditional owners are challenging the Victorian Government's authority over commercial fisheries" (which is exactly the sort of issue that could be resolved by the treaty being negotiated);   a white police officer who denied race was a motivation has been found not guilty of murder over the shooting of an unarmed black man in the USA (irrespective of the details of this case, it show the insane levels of violence and resulting damage in that nation);
       -   on sexism this week (keeping in mind the overblown influence given to testosterone):   a Tanzanian woman has spent a decade disguised as a man in order to work in mining;   a soon to retire female MP has revealed that she was stalked during her terms in Parliament, with some threats being serious enough to require to police protection;   a critique of gender fatigue and diversity failure;   sexual violence in wars, and its root causes (fundamental inequality and discrimination against women), is a threat to global security – see also here;   morons have criticised an excellent US Marines ad with a focus on women for alleged “political correctness”;   the 45th US President is extending his anti-women anti-abortion actions;   more sexist abuse in sport, and a call for an end to sledging;   a girl in India who was raped has been allowed to abort;   "India's women's rights movement is frustrated by the lack of progress in cutting the instances of rape, after several recent high-profile incidents";   there has been a sharp decline in women's participation in the workforce in India;
       -   on other forms of human (and other) rights this week:   in an absolutely staggering development, one of the most bigoted and hateful Australian MPs has finally drawn the line – at an association he started with neo-Nazis (but he continues to be a hateful bigot elsewhere);   my home city's ticket inspectors have been caught out AGAIN lying to a public transport user, and abusing their intimidatory power by accessing the woman's personal details (which is one of the many reasons I do not use public transport);   a call for Uzbekistan to honour human rights;   more experiences of rough sleepers;   “A Thai student arrested for sharing a [critical] BBC profile of Thailand's new King on [social media] has been awarded a prestigious human rights award” – but is still in jail. At least Thailand has backed off on plans to shut that social media outlet down … ;   China’s DNA database threatens privacy;   a major bust of an animal abuse ring in the USA;   the Dominican Republic has been urged to put child protection at the centre of its tourism plans;   a critique of the parlous state of human rights, including R2P;
       other human or other rights problems have also occurred in modern workplaces, Hong Kong, Uganda, Central African Republic, Australia;
  • With regard to crime, judicial matters and policing:
       every major Australian church has been "cautioned to better protect children or risk illegitimacy" by the head of the Royal Commission into child abuse - which has referred over 2,000 cases to police;   the need to listen to and believe child victims (which I can support, on the basis of experience of myself and relatives/friends/family);   a more subtle version of cyber attack is underway - it actually preceded the recent well-publicised one – and may turn out to be worse;   a US prisoner on “death row” is seeking execution by firing squad for medical reasons;  “a Russian-owned group of companies has agreed to pay nearly $6 million to settle U.S. civil allegations that the firms laundered proceeds of a $230 million tax fraud, ending a politically charged case days before it was set to go to trial”;   more violence in youth detention centres in my home state;   17 prisoners who escaped from a prison in PNG have been killed by prison officers (3 have been recaptured alive, and 57 are still on the run). Staff shortages and overcrowding have been blamed;   “More than 3,000 prisoners are believed to have escaped from the main prison in Democratic Republic of Congo”;   “one of Italy's largest “migrant” centres has been in the hands of the mafia for more than a decade”;   a critique of the FBI’s mistakes under former Director Comey – and concerns it may get worse;   “Police in Papua New Guinea have engaged a private security contractor [who cause panic, and may have exceeded legal authority] to give them firearms training, because the Australian Federal Police deployed in PNG will not” [over concerns of possible misuse];   concerningly, an army veteran who attempted to throttle a female police officer has only been given a suspended sentence;   the USA has condemned the violent, vicious attack by Turkish thugs (“bodyguards”) on protesters in the USA - and I hope those thugs that did so are arrested and jailed;   a white police officer who denied race was a motivation has been found not guilty of murder over the shooting of an unarmed black man in the USA (this case show the insane levels of violence and resulting damage in that nation);   Lebanese police have tortured LGBTI people;   the difference between (and overlap of) “matters of conscience” and “matters of faith” (in India);   an African teenager was allegedly held captive and used as a sex slave in Sydney, and a warning that foreign victims of "sexual slavery" are being put in danger by having to talk to police before getting help;   claims of progress on compensation for child abuse survivors;
       other crime, judicial and policing matters have occurred in: India, the cyber world, Uganda, the Dominican Republic;
  • 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. Also, funding is an issue … ):
       a suggestion to levy facebook and google to fund journalism;   another noted Mexican journalist has been murdered – and others;   Thailand is trying to censor online content that criticises its king;   “A Thai student arrested for sharing a [critical] BBC profile of Thailand's new King on [social media] has been awarded a prestigious human rights award” – but is still in jail. At least Thailand has backed off on plans to shut that social media outlet down … ;   “Ethiopia has been criticised for using anti-terror laws to silence dissent”;   as an enquiry into the efficacy and future of the media is launched, a children's hard copy newspaper considers how to survive … with news that Australia's kids’ newspaper will survive;   the bigot (“ "monster" who poisoned American society and made people "dumber and angrier" ”) who destroyed balance in the US media has died;   more critical journalists have been arrested in Turkey;
  • With regard to overcrowding and “modern” lifestyle issues (is YOUR smart phone free of conflict  minerals, environmental harm and child labour? IT manufacturers are making some effort in on those. Do you suffer from FOMO or addiction? Is your social media making you miserable or envious? Are you being duped by modern mantras? Are you “failing” at being well? Does your AI use ethics? Does your corporation misuse mindfulness as a distraction from working conditions? Are you afflicted by management  fads? 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 and contributing to the problem of financialisation?):
       -   on climate change and other environmental matters this week:   melting glaciers in India are causing a range of environmental impacts;   native Australian animals appear to be learning to avoid feral cat baits;   polar monitoring will be stepped up;   a remote island in the Pacific has become a dump as millions of plastic items wash up;   variable legal situations around access to sunlight being blocked for solar panels – and other purposes;   the importance of looking after peatlands;   "Hedges are often better than trees at soaking up air pollution among tall buildings";   the first solar farm has been established in a refugee camp;   an Australian bank’s Cambodian partner has been accused of illegal logging;   a US politician wants to end Japan's slaughter of whales;   mangroves are better than rainforests at storing carbon (and mossies … and baby fish, crabs and yachties sheltering from cyclones :) );  "Environmental groups are urging the Queensland Government not to be "bullied" by the resources industry in a bid to fix a $10-billion legacy of mine rehabilitation";   concerns that produce could be seized and destroyed without scientific evidence under Tasmania's proposed new biosecurity legislation;   parts of the Antarctic are becoming green as a result of climate change;   koalas are at risk of extinction in parts of Australia;
       -   other environmental matters have occurred in: Asia;
       -   on technology and science matters this week:   frozen vegies are better than people think;   reports that further spread of the recent ransomware attack has been stopped “by accident” (and didn’t make the attackers much money, and appears to be linked to the DRPK) - but another could be imminent;   criticism of government approaches to cyber security, following the recent ransomware attack;   commercialisation of printed solar panels is closer;   a small Canadian town will partly subsidise Uber rides instead of a more expensive bus service (what happens to those without so-called "smart" phones???);   a centenarian in India has become an internet star for her cooking videos;   an Indian teenager has designed and 3D printed the world's lightest satellite;   a possible breakthrough on delirium;   on yet another allegedly fat-and-healthy-busting study (which, as with almost all of these, has missed the issue of being physically active that underlies the alleged "myth"), "point out that the way scientists measure fatness and fitness makes this a tricky area to study and could make some of the more tantalising results invalid";   the government of my nation is risking its reputation by pandering to climate deniers in its ranks;   a more subtle version of cyber attack is underway - it actually preceded the recent well-publicised one – and may turn out to be worse;   high tech so-called “smart” windows;   a law suit – in, of course, the USA – over texting during a movie date … ;   a US court has dismissed a suit against facebook for violent extremists using it in West Asia;   a suggestion to levy facebook and google to fund journalism;   "Instagram is rated as the worst social media platform when it comes to its impact on young people's mental health" (which raises the question: why? Why this form of social media in particular? What lessons flow from this finding?);
       -   on economic and financial matters this week:   more extremist workplace rubbish destroying the work-life balance;   Australia’s main banks are effectively government backed, and have lied about the new charges on them, but the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will watch banks closely (including access to internal reports and emails) to monitor whether the banks absorb or pass through the recently announced levy (despite claims to the contrary by the banks, it can be paid by them in the form of reduced profits);;   more anti-renter actions – this time in the form of an app;   financial suggestions - including having 3 to 6 months living expenses as an emergency fund ... ;   as a regional area in my home state takes another employment blow and our shipbuilding industry is shut out, another small town that will lose nearly half the town’s jobs when a dairy closes is trying to find a solution;   what is changing and what is staying the same, and what is hidden in Australian employment;   financial pressures are keeping dads at work, locking them out of house-husband roles (as always, when I write anything about this I will mention the junior engineer I knew in the late 80s/early 90s who chose to be a house husband because his wife made more money);   “Australia's spiralling house prices are putting pressure on the rental market, forcing low-income earners to the outer suburbs while potential buyers save for a deposit, a peak advocacy group says” (I may have more to write about on the behaviour of real estate agents and investment owners in a few weeks);   more experiences of rough sleepers;   the forced requirement for lifelong learning and a series of jobs in the modern world – which is something we are failing at, particularly for older workers;   "One-third of Australian children think their fathers work too much";
       -   on other matters in the category this week:   the story of a woman who stopped developers and their minions destroying a unique neighbourhood in New York;   the problems of terminating a pregnancy or baby’s life – including ongoing “motherhood” junk emails etc;   10% of fathers also get post-natal depression (could this also be partly because people get railroaded [aka “socialised”]by society into having kids – and families?);   the benefits of being sad occasionally (I may have posted this link previously: my apologies, if that is the case);   an article on kinship carers – which is also a story that illustrates why some pollies want drug and alcohol consumption constraints on some people;   an article about community connectivity (and the "it takes a village to raise a child" notion), which ignores the problems of differing parental approaches and the bigotry shown against minority groups;   more experiences of rough sleepers;   a challenge to the “controlled crying” theory;
  • With regard to education:
       a UK school may allow uniforms without stereotypical gender restrictions;   "Postgraduate students at a Melbourne university may be unable to finish their degrees because lecturers have been sacked" – the government claims that will not happen;   an assessment that the extent of higher education is growing in South and Central America, but is still not meeting needs;
  • With regard to natural and other catastrophes:
       a portable desalination unit is providing safe drinking water in post-Cyclone Donna Vanuatu;   widespread poverty affects one in four children in northern Africa and West Asia (aka “the Middle East”);   “The deaths [from traffic accidents, lower respiratory infections, and suicide] of more than 1.2 million adolescents every year – about 3,000 per day – could have been prevented with good health services, education and social support”;   Somalia’s drought is worsening more quickly than expected;   Alphabet’s Project Loon has been helping Peruvians to connect after floods;   an analysis of the food crisis in north eastern Nigeria, and recommendations on solving it;
  • With regard to peace and/or spirituality generally, and the occasional nice story (are you crippled by the fear of being single or asexual or off-grid or in any other way a rebel / innovator / non-conformist / true to yourself, or believe in management  fads and fashions? Do you distract yourself and fill your time to avoid finding real meaning? If so, you have a spiritual problem, and a need to constructively remedy that):
       an excellent radio programme on not getting sucked in by “self help” materials (comments along the lines of it being more important to be a decent person, with hints at virtue philosophy) – and the book is available here.
Location based News:
  • 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 first four months of 2017 witnessed the highest recorded number of child civilian casualties resulting from conflict-related incidents in Afghanistan, including the highest number of children killed, for the same comparable period since the Mission began documenting cases”;
  • With regard to Africa, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (and other sources) has:
       -   violent extremism remains a threat across Africa;
       -   African leaders have acknowledged that governments must accept their responsibility for the abuse of resources across Africa;
       -   development links between India and Africa;
       -   after the army cracked down on mutineers who had cut off that nation’s second city over a pay dispute, the UN commended the Government of Côte d'Ivoire for restoring security;
       -   problems with (recording) age in Ghana, and the fluid “solution” adopted :) ;
       -   the UN has warned that the latest attacks against civilians and peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR) could be war crimes, and that spreading violence – mostly between two factions of rebels - is setting off alarm bells;   Ugandan alleged “peacekeepers: have been abusing women in the CAR;   more fighting in the CAR;
       -   Ugandan police have been accused of human rights abuses;
       -   the UN refugee agency has increased its funding appeal by $91 million to meet the humanitarian needs of Somali refugees and internally displaced people;   Somalia’s drought is worsening more quickly than expected;
       -   “Ethiopia has been criticised for using anti-terror laws to silence dissent”;
       -   “More than 3,000 prisoners are believed to have escaped from the main prison in Democratic Republic of Congo”;
       -   an analysis of the food crisis in north eastern Nigeria, and recommendations on solving it;   military corruption is weakening Nigeria’s fight against violent extremism;
       -   Tanzania is taking action against corruption;
       -   a grenade attack in Burundi has killed 3 people;
  • With regard to China (may her growing middle class bring a love of peace and freedom), East and South East Asia and the Pacific (noting the risks of atrocities in North Korea and Burma):
       -   the UN agricultural agency has warned that the continuing destruction of forests in many Asian countries is threatening the realisation of global sustainable development goals by the 2030 deadline;
       -   the USA and China are taking the first steps of implementation of a trade plan;   “China wants its One Belt One Road project to help it dominate world trade” - but India has opted out over debt concerns, and Singapore was shut out;   China wants to increase counter-VE cooperation with Turkey;   China’s DNA database threatens privacy;   a review of the Chinese version of “House of Cards”;   Chinese jets have "unprofessionally" intercepted a US jet in international air space;
       -   China and the Philippines will begin talks on the South China Sea (which is potentially good, but … );
       -   despite launching another missile – with experts warn missiles from North Korea (the DPRK) could reach Hawaii and Russia is concerned, the DPRK claimed to be open to talks with the USA “if the conditions are right” … but then followed up its missile launch with bombastic bluster, thereby killing any chance of talks, and appears to be the source of the recent ransomware attack … ;   a 2nd US aircraft carrier will be moved to the Korean peninsula … ;   "North Korean athletes will be allowed to travel through the demilitarised no-go zone into South Korea as a symbolic peace gesture before next year's Winter Olympic Games";
       -   Thailand is trying to censor online content that criticises its king;   “A Thai student arrested for sharing a [critical] BBC profile of Thailand's new King on [social media] has been awarded a prestigious human rights award” – but is still in jail. At least Thailand has backed off on plans to shut that social media outlet down … ;
       -   and in the Pacific:   an annual UN Asia-Pacific policy forum session has focused on poverty eradication and sustainable energy;   an article on countering electoral manipulation in the South Pacific;      “Police in Papua New Guinea have engaged a private security contractor [who cause panic, and may have exceeded legal authority] to give them firearms training, because the Australian Federal Police deployed in PNG will not” [over concerns of possible misuse];   17 prisoners who escaped from a prison in PNG have been killed by prison officers (3 have been recaptured alive, and 57 are still on the run). Staff shortages and overcrowding have been blamed;   the government of my nation is risking its reputation by pandering to climate deniers in its ranks;
  • With regard to Europe and the European Union (EU):
       -   before I started this blog, Norway – which is financially responsible and frugal towards it oil income –compelled its state oil company to hire a philosopher;
       -   good égalité in the new French government;
       -   Ecuador is concerned over Sweden’s "serious lack of progress" in dealing with charges against Julian Assange;
       -   Poland is concerned over possibly losing influence in the EU;
       -   "Negotiations to form the next Dutch government have collapsed as the four parties involved were unable to decide what to do about migration" (in which they will probably also include refugees;
       -   the UN envoy has warned Kosovo and Serbia against trading ‘ethno-nationalist’ barbs;
       -   concerns that Bosnia and Herzegovina could be “derailed” from “the path of peace and stability”;
  • 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):
       -   high temperatures are imperilling those displaced from Mosul;   expectations that 200,000 more people will be displaced by fighting in Mosul;   uncertainty in Kurdistan after the death (from illness) of the opposition leader;
       -   and the Iraq Body Count project reports 416 civilians violently killed in the last week;
  •  With regard to the Libyan civil war:
       dozens have been killed by renewed fighting in Libya’s south;
  • 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:
       Russia is concerned over the DPRK’s missile test;   Russia’s President has said that protectionism is a threat to the global economy;   “Thousands of people [have taken] to Moscow's streets to protest against plans to demolish their Soviet-era homes”;   “Three French gay rights groups have accused the Russian republic of Chechnya of a policy of genocide towards gay people in a complaint filed at the International Criminal Court”;   Russia has hypocritically claimed US attacks in Syria have killed civilians;
  • With regard to South and Central America:
       -   more violence in Venezuela – see here for one of the human cost stories;   Venezuela will use soldiers to stop looting;   the passport of Venezuela's opposition leader has been seized;
       -   a claim that Brazil’s Zika virus threat remains;   Brazil’s embattled President has declined to resign;
       -   Argentina has indicted the head of human rights organisation the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo for misusing public funds allocated to a housing project;
       -   another noted Mexican journalist has been murdered – and others;
       -   Alphabet’s Project Loon has been helping Peruvians to connect after floods;
       -   an assessment that the extent of higher education is growing in South and Central America, but is still not meeting needs;
  • With regard to South Asia (aka the Indian sub-continent), The Hindu and other sources have:
       -   melting glaciers in India are causing a range of environmental impacts;   there has been “no justice” for the families of men murdered by “cow vigilantes” in India;   India has opted out of China’s “one Belt, One Road” proposal over debt concerns;   a centenarian in India has become an internet star for her cooking videos;   an Indian teenager has designed and 3D printed the world's lightest satellite;   "the homes of [India’s] ex-finance minister P Chidambaram and his son in connection with a financial misconduct probe";   a girl in India who was raped has been allowed to abort;   "India's women's rights movement is frustrated by the lack of progress in cutting the instances of rape, after several recent high-profile incidents";   there has been a sharp decline in women's participation in the workforce in India;   falling health standards in India;   the difference between (and overlap of) “matters of conscience” and “matters of faith”;   development links between India and Africa;
       -   “A top UN court has ordered Pakistan not to execute a former Indian navy officer convicted on charges of spying until it has had time to hear a case brought by India”;
       -   homophobia in Bangladesh;
  • With regard to Sudan and South  Sudan: (new links)
       -   the problem of “moral” police in Sudan, and their gender bias;   Sudan has frozen the assets of people linked to violent extremism;   the African Union has said security in Darfur has improved;
       -   $1.4 billion in aid is being sought for the world’s fastest growing refugee crisis, in South Sudan;   South Sudanese government forces have killed over 100 civilians around one city in six months;   after 8 months, the first few of 4,000 new peacekeepers are trickling in … ;   South Sudan now has more attacks on aid workers than Afghanistan;
  • 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):
       fears of a looming disaster in an opposition held city of 2 million people in Syria;   according to the USA, a crematorium was used to hide murders in an Assad regime jail;   US aircraft have attacked Assad regime-linked forces;   heavy fighting has killed more than 50 people;   a comparison of tactics of the Assad regime for covering up atrocities to those used in Sri Lanka, with commentary of why the latter were successful (including poor choice of tactics by separationists);   the recent US attack on Assad regime troops was to protect US backed forces;   Russia has hypocritically claimed US attacks have killed civilians;   the surprising successes of micro-financed businesses in Syria; disturbing (content warning) film by a camera man in Syria - including after his house collapses on him after being barrel bombed;
  • With regard to Turkey:
       China wants to increase counter-VE cooperation with Turkey;   the Presidents of Turkey and the USA have made nice statements about each other in public;   the USA has condemned the violent, vicious attack by Turkish thugs (“bodyguards”) on protesters in the USA - and I hope those thugs that did so are arrested and jailed;   Turkey has accused the US Ambassador of backing Kurds, and says he should be sent home;   more critical journalists have been arrested in Turkey – which is up to 47,000 arrests since the failed coup;
  • With regard to the conflicts in Ukraine, particularly in the east:
       “With barely enough money for food, conflict-displaced Ukrainians struggling to survive”;   Ukraine has accused Russia of attacking the Ukrainian President’s website;
  • With regard to West Asia (aka “the Middle East”) and North Africa, the Middle East Eye and other sources have:
       -   Palestinians have held the first elections for years in the occupied West Bank, but not Gaza, resulting in increased internal political tensions;   “President Donald Trump is trying to determine how keeping his promise to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem could affect his hopes of brokering a peace deal between the Israelis and the Palestinians”;   the UN has called for a resolution to the growing tensions over a hunger strike by Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails;   the problems facing Gaza;
       -   Iran’s growing security problems;   the forthcoming  election in Iran, in which Iran's current, "moderate" President is seeking a second term, will affect the speed of its re-engagement with the world, as hardliners use social media;   despite the 45th US President’s criticism, sanctions relief for Iran as a result of the P5+1 nuclear deal has been extended;
       -   thousands of Moroccans have protested against corruption;
       -   Lebanese police have tortured LGBTI people;
       -   a comparison of Saudi Arabian leadership to the current (45th) US President;
  • With regard to the conflict in Yemen (unlike Iraq, 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):
       some aid has been delivered in Yemen, but cholera continues to spread;   the growing complexity of the conflict in Yemen, with signs of a proxy Saudi-UAE clash.
Other News:
  • Sweden has dropped charges against Julian Assange;
  • using mediaeval techniques to save furniture from tips.
General Comments/Information
(Dear Reader, please remember, I expect you to think when reading this blog, and I reserve the right to occasionally sneak in something to test 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' (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 (running for decades);   the “Network of Light”  meditations;   and   also see here and here – even commercial organisations (for instance, see here), online groups (e.g. here and here – which I do not know the quality of) and even an app.    Thus, if you don't like what I am suggesting here, but want to be of service, there are many other opportunities for you – including secular opportunities: e.g., see here, here and here.   Again, activism in the physical world is also required - see here, here and here, 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 :). 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, there is a default plan.
I apologise for publishing these posts twice, but Blogger keeps changing my formatting.
No signature block for these posts.
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