Post No. 1,079 – Gnwmythr’s News Ed. No. 183

Information and Summary/Analysis:

Note: I am NOT a journalist, and make NO claims to objectivity or freedom from bias. Furthermore, I do not hold copyright to any of the articles I link to, nor do I claim authorship, except for those links to material I have written for this and my related blogs, and my commentary in these posts. (I try to make sure quotes are shown using quotation marks.)
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.
As part of that, note that there are key uncooperatives to be cleared (rescued): you should ONLY address those that are within your ability – if you get a sense (e.g., through meditation) or are told by your BPM Guides/Higher Self to back off, do so, and content yourself with clearing the smaller nonBPM units within your capability – which will weaken those uncooperatives. More importantly, there are many people doing this sort of work, and others are quite likely to be able to clear the uncooperatives concerned.
That is also one of the many reasons it is OK to take a break or cut back this work if you need – in fact, doing so will help you deal with the next point, which is …
… the energies we use and manifest in our daily lives contribute to the larger soup of energies that influence world events, so it pays to address those as well, to the extent that one can, or to at least stop oneself projecting them into the psychic soup.
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”.
There are some notes at the end of this post about other options for those who do not like this way of working.
Finally, one of the biggest concerns I have about spirituality in the world now is that the concept of agape type love has been perverted into both a quest for emotional warm fuzzies, and an excuse to avoid doing the hard work of improving oneself and all that one does. On that, it may help to consider the simplification that one cannot love perfectly until one has learned how to perfect. (And one of the concerns I have about those resisting change is that they are so shallow / superficial /stupid that they thing their actions have ONLY the meaning of their [limited] conscious intention … )

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 20^th December, 2017), Uranus in Aries contributing to fresh and possibly radical starts (until some date in the Year 2018), and Pluto in Capricorn contributing to a transformation of power and business (and careers) (until some date in the Year 2024), conditions are ripe for a change for the better in world politics;

(b)   there is an enormous need to clear nonBPM energy – the thought forms, unattached energy and scars of the collective unconscious created by millennia of violence, 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), and mentally, we need the compassion more BPM Water;
           a plot of the elemental influences on a causal/spiritual level follows, and shows a need for more BPM Æther;

(d)   for this week’s work, I will use the compassion bindrune:

(e)   dealing with the 45^th President of the USA (aka the USA’s CEO) 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 the USA’s CEO’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 the USA’s CEO’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 – e.g., this. 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:   as attraction to violence continues to be inadequately addressed, there are risks of mass atrocities in Syria and Burundi;   mass murder in the USA; continuing crises in Bangladesh/Burma, West Asia, Africa and the Korean Peninsula;

(g)   macho BS is drowning out calls to talk;

(h)   the addiction to, misuse, abuse and failure to properly use power … ;

(i)   fear, including of not surviving;

(j)   social pressures;

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 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 resources (including an assured income, given the power that nonBPM forces have in the structures of the material world), opportunities and assistance (including 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 actual and potential BPM Violence Interrupters (and Interrupters of hate / fear / anger) of be kept BPM safe, and may they have all the BPM opportunities and assistance (so-called “good luck”) for them to be BPM effective at containing and stopping – along the lines of the Cure Violence model - the spread of violence (and hate / fear / anger), all as is for the Highest Spiritual Good;
• 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; 
• Permanent issue: may all humans be in better communication with the better parts of their nature – especially those who need that more than other, better people;
• Matters warranting particular attention:
     -   a man with 23 guns (some illegally modified, 19 more and explosives at his house, collected over decades) has killed at least 58 and injured 500 in the USA – see also here and here, fake news blamed the left, the problem of lack of gun control in the USA, a review of mass shootings, including what works, and an examination of lone offender attacks which reports that, in two-thirds of cases, family or friends were told of the planned attack, and in half of the cases, others also knew - making encouraging concerned people to come forward a significant preventative, but media also need to change their reporting (e.g., see here, here, here, and here, all of which is part of why I don’t name VE groups, etc);   the murderer did not fit the usual profile of such people (the p[reparations went on for too long – years, and possibly decades, for this to be a case of possession);   more on the victims of the mass murderer;   the USA’s gun association has made what could be a politically calculated move to back off on “bump stocks” use in the recent mass murder … ;   a warning that better mental health care, whilst desperately needed in the ideologue driven USA, will not prevent similar events;    the problem of mental bias when considering such events;
     -   during an online (video – transcript here) discussion about the mass murder, the USA’s CEO, and white supremacists, I discovered that, in the late 1890s, the USA had a state which adopted an advanced constitution (including free public education) and had one black-majority city which elected a biracial council … which was followed by a violent local coup d’état, led by white Democratic party members, with dozens of people of colour killed and thousands forced to flee their homes and businesses, and a harsh white supremacist culture installed that set that state back for decades (probably still has … );
     -   an examination of tolerance;   “Russian 'trolls' on [social media] organised [an]Islamophobic protest in Texas” during the 2016 Presidential campaign;
     -   claims the USA is “probing” to see if North Korea is interested in dialogue … but not the White House;   lessons from the Cuban missile crisis (I don’t agree that the current crisis is as bad);   questions have been asked about how many people would die in a war;   an opinion piece that, as North Korea benefits from nuclear weapons, it will keep them;   diplomatic approaches to North Korea (including a peace treaty);
     -   an article on the difference between insurgents and terrorists which indicates that the Rohingya are insurgents fighting for freedom, not civilian-targeting terrorists, unlike the Burmese army;   the Burmese army is deliberately laying minefields on Rohingya refugee routes;   Rohingya refugees are in dire circumstances as forests are cleared to make room for them;   more evidence of the genocide is emerging;
     -   this week’s atrocity alert at R2P lists Syria and Burundi;
• With regard to democracy (which can be measured, and requires  protection of minorities and the vulnerable – and remember Gandhi’s question about whether one is fighting to change things, or to punish, and note this 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 45^th US President below
     -   analyses this week include:   a report on evidence-based policy making (not green as I haven’t read it as yet, and it is US-focused);   an argument in favour of open trade and migration;   a balanced consideration of my nation’s security measures, but concerns over jailing children as young as ten;   why secessionist movements rarely succeed;   smarter economic policy, not growth in profits, is needed for wages growth;
     -   of concern this week:   freedom of speech threat at universities now include “Chinese students, on four known occasions this year, forcing changes to align with Chinese government foreign policy” (on domestic matters, as a victim of so-called "free speech", I am more inclined to dispute the concerns, but this is wrong);   Australia's neoliberal government wants Drivers Licence photos added to its database - and claims hacking won't beats it cybersecurity ... ;   US student loans could cause the next economic crash;   a political candidate has been sacked for sexist behaviour;   concerns that a proposal to upgrade emergency calls from the public has – as usual – failed to consider privacy implications;
     -   other concerning events have occurred or are developing in: Spain/Catalonia, PNG, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Mozambique;
     -   in the grey/mixed [good and bad aspects] or neutral area this week:   the USA has expelled 15 Cuban diplomats over failure to protect US diplomats from acoustic attacks;
     -   and democracy/governance/political matters in my home nation this week:   India's former environment minister is "absolutely appalled" by the Australian Government's approval of Adani's coal mine, as their record in India is, he said, poor;   another decline in Australian manufacturing - complete with job losses in the thousands;   the IMF has warned that Australia's high household debt leave it exposed to economic or banking crises;   Australia is way behind on carbon pricing now, and may be penalised by more advanced nations, such as China, which are now measuring supply chain emissions;   there has been a surge in contacts/complaints to Australia's Financial Services Ombudsman;   “a new national poll on gas issues shows voters’ overwhelming support state fracking moratoriums and blame exports for gas price rises”;   my home state’s anti-corruption body has found government employees have a sound understanding of what corruption is, but are unsure how to report it and fear repercussions if they do;   a rebuttal of calls for lower corporate tax rates;   a call for the review of the family law court to be evidence-based;
• With regard to the 45^th US President (who I consider seriously dangerous, even if his administration looks like a Schoolyard Squabble Squad – see here on practical, physical actions for US residents [and the principles are useful elsewhere]) this week:
  I deliberately avoid using the 45^th US President’s name for valid psychic reasons: however, to both simplify my typing and remind people that he is dangerous (actually, I consider him evil), I will use either “the USA’s CEO” or “Voldemort II” (or a combination – and the “II” is because the Harry Potter series had Voldemort I) or a variation thereof – in this section, at least - as an alias.
     -   Voldemort II’s addiction to violence;
     -   the 45^th US President wants to censor the press;
     -   “derision” for the USA’s CEO’s speech after the mass murder this week;
     -   Voldemort II will allow employers to opt out of including birth control in that nation’s moronic health funding system (where companies, not the government, provides health care) if they are neochristian (and so much for the religious freedom of the employers … );
     -   criticism of the US CEO's trip to US Imperial possession Puerto Rica;   a former high school friend of the USA's CEO says devastated Puerto Rican residents are sick of political fighting over relief efforts;   the strange attitudes of other US citizens towards their Puerto Rican possession;   strange remarks by the USA;s CEO – and a portent of the effects of climate change on economies;
     -   more divisions inside the US administration – see also here;
     -   other matters relating to the USA’s CEO: some local US communities;
• With regard to violent extremism (VE) (aka, terrorism) (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 France, Syria, Kashmir, Niger, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Mozambique, and, according to this Wikipedia page, there has been 1 attack in Syria (out of a total of 11);   Canadian police have charged a Somali refugee after an act of terrorism - which has been condemned by the local Muslim community – see also here;
     -   another push for extended detention without charge in my nations is, surprisingly, facing hurdles from the Attorney-General, who wants safeguards … (it’s still concerning, which comes down to trust not being established by authorities);   a new police unit will be established by my home state to deal with people at risk of radicalisation or carrying out lone wolf attacks (I’m thinking of asking Dr Anne Aly, MP whether this is a good unit, or one of the flawed ones … );   if violent extremists are still radicalised at the end of jail terms, they could still be held in one Australian state (there is a powerful public safety argument here, as with child abusers and repeat sexual offenders, but acknowledgement must be given to the impingement on individual rights);   photo ID to board Australian domestic flights will be re-introduced (I was surprised it was removed, actually) as part of a set of changes that could be largely politically motivated (see also here);
     -   divisions within violent extremism;
     -   other violent extremist matters have also occurred in: Indonesia, USA / Russia, Somalia;
• With regard to refugees (noting the New York Declaration) and people seeking asylum:
     -   the first refugees out of Australia's gulag to the USA have refuted the Immigration Minister's nonsensical claims of "Armani jeans";   an examination of the ways that Australia could contribute to the Global Compact which fails to consider the biggest problem: our neoliberal government;   Sweden has changed its mind and will allow a 106 year old Afghani refugee to stay;   a call for continued world engagement on refugees – and a reminder that refugee protection is humanity “at its best”;   how refugees become entrepreneurs;
     -   other refugee-related matters have also occurred in: Kenya, the Netherlands, the Mediterranean Sea / Libya;
• With regard to human (and other) rights and discrimination (incidentally, I consider it vital to identify people who are bigots as they clearly have flaws in their powers of observation and thinking – shown by the fact that NOT all people act hatefully without education/lobbying/the restraint of laws):
     -   on Australia’s postal survey around Equal Marriage, and the homophobia/transphobia (including heteronormativity, cisgender-normativity and the suppression of the religious freedom of those religions that support Equal Marriage by neochristian supremacists) resulting from that, this week  – and I am going to note that Australia’s current pus for equal “debate” IGNORES the FACT that there have been DECADES and CENTURIES of distortions, lies, attacks and hate speech against LGBTIQ people– if the current “debate” gives equal air time, then it is UNFAIRLY biased against the “no” case. Furthermore, after the fearmongering and conflation of this and transphobia, this is no longer just about marriage, it is about whether bigotry is simply being given a new, less overtly violent face (this “conversation guide”, is, however, quite good):   another rebuttal of the lies from the “no” case;   another rebuttal of Abbott's lies - and see also this, on his lie about marriage "always" being between a man and a woman (I learned something new about the Roman Emperor Nero … );   allowing businesses, as opposed to some religions, exemptions from Equal Marriage has been shown by overseas experience to be bad for business;   more postal surveys have been returned than US citizens voted in their Presidential elections – at only the one third point;   a respected former Prime Minister has criticised the postal survey as a waste of money;   a “No” event featuring Bernardi, Shelton and other homophobes cannot find a venue;   language problems have been blamed for a misunderstanding which resulted in some indigenous people burned postal survey forms (I question that: was there also a neochristian influence?);
     -   on homophobia/transphobia (including heteronormativity and cisgender-normativity) this week (and noting that trans kids are the same as cis kids of the trans kids’ true gender):   a new IHRB-UN initiative to respect and promote the human rights of LGBTI people in workplaces – the (generic) summary and (better) full report are here;   using digital games to reduce homophobia;   Voldemort II’s team has removed protection of trans people;   particularly vicious abuse by some women of fathers legitimately using parenting rooms;   heterosexual privilege;   some local communities in the USA have started protecting LGBT people against the homophobic and transphobic bigotry of the 45^th US President;   homophobic and transphobic violence – including torture - in Azerbaijan;
     -   other homophobic/transphobic (and heteronormativity / cisgender-normativity) matters have also occurred in the Netherlands;
     -   on white supremacist and other forms of racism and indigenous matters generally this week:   I am staggered that some people think members of the Stolen Generations should “get over it” … ;   a trial plantation of native bush fruit at an indigenous community;   a call for more use of kinship care for kids at risk;   inconsistencies in statements from a prison over the death of an indigenous prisoner;   more decades of abuse by a powerful man in Hollywood are being revealed - and donations he gave to politicians are being redirected to charities;
     -   on male supremacist and other forms of sexism this week (keeping in mind the overblown influence given to testosterone):   a new Return To Work Program in response to the under-representation of women in senior ranks;   the confidence gap;   a more nuanced examination of the benefit of women on boards;   women in agriculture;   menstrual stigmas - see also here  and here;   one sport is starting to reap the benefits of addressing sexism;   Nepal's first female helicopter pilot;   the story of a legal aid lawyer who started as a teenage Mum;
     -   other sexism matters have also occurred in: India (good news), the tech industry, Mexico, India, India;
     -   religious rights (including Islamophobia) this week:   USA / Russia;
     -   on workers’, children’s, privacy, and other forms of human (and other – e.g., animal) rights this week:   a US judge has ruled both the Black Lives Matter movement and hashtag cannot be sued;   the USA is continuing to attack workers’ rights;   concerns about the privacy implications of facial recognition;   use of legal measures to abuse the elderly in the USA;   civil rights protests are often aiming at the next generation, rather than the current;   minors can now make advanced medical decisions in my home state;
     -   other workers’, children’s, privacy, and other forms of human or other rights matters have also occurred in: social media and other areas as described in the technology section of the “modern living” segment below, on line privacy, emergency calls (privacy);
• With regard to crime, judicial matters and policing:
     -   a road rage murder;   drug use in Australia;
    -    other crime, judicial and policing matters have occurred in: India;
• 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 … ):
     -   the importance of scepticism and cross-referencing remain in journalism;
     -   other media / freedom of expression matters have occurred in: Australian Universities (from China), USA, dark web;
• 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 – in response to activist pressure.] Do you suffer from FOMO or addiction? Are you having second thoughts about technology? 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? Are you accursed with the “new is always good” groupthink of the computer world? Do you abuse workers by insisting on busy-ness? Are you raising a Prince Boofhead? Keeping in mind that, although I am a Pagan now, but have been a Buddhist, maybe the lesson of Buddhism that one must first recognise that one causes much of one’s own suffering is applicable … ):
     -   on climate change and other environmental matters this week:   a debate over biosecurity signs;   construction of the world's most powerful lithium ion battery has reached the halfway point of construction;   examples of infrastructure at risk from climate change;   the “rewilding” by large animals;   experts are catching up with me and predicting 50°C days in my home city by the end of the century;   Australia's solar boom is moving well beyond suburban homes;   a fire in a rooftop garden is a reminder of the need for green walls and the like to be properly designed;   Australia is way behind on carbon pricing now, and may be penalised by more advanced nations, such as China, which are now measuring supply chain emissions;   cats - mainly feral - are killing over a million birds a day - about 3 - 4% of the population (keep ALL pet cats indoors);   a portent of the effects of climate change on economies;   one Australian city will trial adding compost to green waste;  the UN has “urged all countries to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change ‘with greater ambition’”;   a hybrid-electric jet is under development;   my nation needs electric vehicles more than other nations – and their potential impacts;   Lord Howe Island’s stick insect has survived the introduced plague of ship rats – the campaign to exterminate the rats will continue;   the use of sniffer dogs to find invasive plants;
     -   other environmental matters have occurred in: Burma;
     -   on technology and science matters this week:   calls for protection of privacy in connected vehicles, against employers (and officials, based on the incident described!) (an older article), and on social media here (social media link – sorry), and, from an EPIC email about a court case, “EPIC argued that “consent is not an acid rinse that dissolves common sense. And it most certainly does not dissolve a 2012 consent order between the company and the Federal Trade Commission that governs the company’s data collection practices.” Facebook has had a history of secretly changing its privacy settings to undermine user privacy, and EPIC and other consumer privacy organizations filed complaints with the FTC in 2009 and 2010  that led to the FTC’s 2012 consent order”;   “Sexism in tech is like 'a thousand little cuts' ”;   the extent of a security breach for an Internet company in 2013 was worse than known;   “'winner-takes-all' dynamics in the digital economy creates a risk of widening income inequalities”;   a human flaw –not social engineering – resulted in a cyber hack of the NSA;   a photographer is empowering the victims of cyber-bullying;   another caution on AI;   the problems of the dark web;
     -   other technology and science matters have occurred in: Africa, development funding, the Philippines, the privacy realm, emergency calls (privacy);
     -   on economic and financial matters this week:   "older Australians are getting much wealthier, and the young are being left behind";   prediction of future jobs and skills;
     -   on affordable housing and homelessness matters this week:   up to one third of interest only loan holders may not know that’s what they have;   the appalling practice of room sharing in order to have somewhere to live;   reforms in my home state to protect renters;   snobbery is rampant in attitudes towards an informal housing area in one Australian state;
     -   on health and medical this week:   a “thunderstorm asthma” alert system;   the evidence around paying people to stop smoking;   treatment options for rare cancers;   tracking overuse of antibiotics;   education is being trialled to prevent Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder;   a US court is getting drug addicts into rehab before their cases are heard;   individual variations in mental health;   the evidence shows that people do get dissociative identity disorder (formerly multiple personality disorder) as a result of sexual or other severe abuse when they were children;
     -   on other matters in the category this week:   a flawed review of the history (hunter-gatherers, which is where our biology is from, work 25-30 hours per week) and future of the shorter working week;   a call for a peak hour congestion tax (although I drive [for safety reasons, given what happens to people who are different on PT], I support that idea);   the problem of stereotypes when considering social trends;   some young people are choosing (as they are entitled to) sterilisation to avoid having children (just don't fall in love with someone who has kids :) );   a call for flexibility in sleep times for kids;   a road rage murder;
• With regard to education:
     -   asbestos removal from schools;
     -   other education matters have occurred in: Australian Universities (threats from China);
• With regard to war, violence and hate generally:
     a call for Australia to take action on the war crime of rape during conflict;   a call for greater efforts to prevent conflict and promote the use of non-violence (“nothing enduring can be built on violence”);   Australia's gun laws have been watered down over the last couple of decades;   the insanity in the USA continues, with stocks of the device to turn semi-automatic guns into nearly completely automatic weapons being sold out … ;   a rebuttal of one of the nonsensical claims being made by gun nuts in the USA about gun laws;   a 50 year review of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty;   a call for the US Congress to maintain oversight of small weapons exports;
• With regard to natural and other catastrophes:
     the problem of informal buildings in Puerto Rica (poor building standards can also be a problem in “formal” buildings, as was the case in Darwin in 1972) – which, as the death toll continues to climb, may have to wait a year for electricity … ;   another Tropical Storm (developing into a Cyclone/Hurricane) in the Caribbean has already killed at least 21 people;
     other events concerning disasters have occurred or are developing in: the Philippines;
• With regard to peace and/or spirituality generally (including survival after death, and good religion), development (in an “end poverty/thirst/hunger” sense) 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 article on a Kohenet, or "Hebrew priestess";   a public “ghost hunting” event at a former mental hospital;   the importance of affordable housing for development and social equity;   the benefits of using older people’s skills;   the problems of excessive focus on technology in funding organisations;   an interesting TED talk on the (school) “World Peace Game” (although excessive praise is an issue);   the use of technology to improve transparency and coordination of aid;   an anti-nuclear campaign which started in my home city  (one of the members is an indigenous woman whose father was blinded by British nuclear weapons tests in Australia in the 1950s) and achieved success with the nuclear weapons ban earlier this year has won the Nobel Peace Prize;   a review of trade data and aid’s impact on poverty reduction and inclusive growth, and how this and emerging global trends can inform aid for trade;
     other events concerning peace, spirituality and development have occurred or are developing in: Africa.

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):
     Afghanistan's President says he has the 'worst job on Earth';
• With regard to Africa, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (and other sources) has:
     -   North Korea is losing friends in Africa;
     -   concerns over the African Union’s silence over the growing separatist crisis in Cameroon;
     -   a feature on sexual violence in the Central African Republic;
     -   ten “militants” have been killed in the “Democratic” Republic of Congo;
     -   a report that US surveillance is helping repressive regimes like that in Ethiopia;
     -   a resource shortage has led to refugee rations being cut in Kenya;   a community mapping project has shown that engaging people could be the missing link between data and development;   neochristianity in Kenyan politics;   as the UN warns against a boycott, “how to ensure a credible, peaceful Presidential vote in Kenya”;
     -   concerns over Liberia’s elections;
     -   Madagascar has closed two universities in response to a plague outbreak;
     -   an attack on a joint US-Niger patrol near the Mali border has resulted in the deaths of 9 soldiers, and a follow up mission;
     -   an assassination in Mozambique has led to tensions;
     -   Somalia has asked Sudan to help it fight violent extremists;
     -   criticism of the “shameful” behaviour of some South African politicians;
     -   the need for local Council elections to be held in Tunisia;
• 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):
     -   on China, Hong Kong, the DPRK (North Korea) and South Korea (which need to accept their partition – for now – and sign a peace treaty), Taiwan, and the free but invaded and occupied nation of Tibet:
     -   a light-hearted social media response to travel problems during China’s annual holiday week;   an examination of China’s possible motives for taking action against North Korea;
     -   other events concerning China have occurred or are developing in: Australian Universities (threats from China), Australia (because we are behind China on GHG emissions), Fiji;
     -   elsewhere in Asia:
     -   the achievement of peace with the Karen people in Burma may expose their forest to development;
     -   a critique of possible fallout from Indonesia’s new counter-violent extremism laws;   the slowly growing trend towards compensation for victims of violent extremists in Indonesia;
     -   a mobile phone app in the Philippines for disaster warnings uses understandable language and is accessible;
     -   and in the Pacific:   Australia is helping evacuate 11,000 people from an island facing a volcanic eruption;   anger over PNG election results has sunk to mob violence, and led to new gun licences being put on hold;   cybersecurity in the Pacific;   the Chinese ejected from Fiji  a few months ago were allegedly sex workers, not fraudsters;
• With regard to Europe and the European Union (EU):
     -   a call for Germany to follow France’s lead in challenging populism;
     -   after violence claimed to have injured hundreds, Catalonia's regional leader says they "have earned the right to have an independent state", but has called for international mediation;   a call for Spain to talk to Catalan – supported by thousands of Spaniards who demonstrated for de-escalation;   an opinion that Catalonia is moving closer to a declaration of independence – but a Spanish court has barred Catalonia’s Parliament from sitting;
     -   the Netherlands is betraying its reputation for LGBT inclusivity with procedures that discriminate against LGBT refugees;
• With regard to (the conflict and other matters in) Iraq and Kurdistan (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):
     -   more military gains against violent extremists in Iraq;
     -   and the Iraq Body Count project reports 49 people violently killed in the last week;
• With regard to the Libyan civil war:
     an armed group has taken an oil and gas complex – and thousands of refugees: the stopping of refugees going to Europe has fuelled the conflict;   Libya’s coastguard has fired on an oil tanker allegedly carrying contraband fuel;
• 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 (see also the section on Europe):
     Russia’s soldiers will be banned from social media posts for security reasons (such posts have, for instance, stopped military action in West Asia, at times);   Russia and Saudi Arabia are reinforcing their relationship;   Russia is hunting four bomb hoaxers;
• With regard to South and Central America:
     -   a bilateral ceasefire has started with Colombia's last remaining rebel group;
     -   unbelievably, a penal debating feminism in Mexico will be all male … ;
     -   the toll of the violence in Venezuela on children;
• With regard to South Asia (aka the Indian sub-continent), The Hindu and other sources have:
     -   a call for dialogue on Kashmir;   attacks on women in Kashmir;
     -   on India:
     -   10 Dalit women have broken stereotypes by forming a drum band;   violent crime and allegations of killings by police in an Indian state;   the use of tattoos to subjugate women in India;   “suspected pesticide poisoning [has] killed at least 50 farmers”;   electric rickshaws in India;   concerns over an abusive ritual that won’t die out;   a violent abduction of a family and gang rape;
     -   on Pakistan:
     -   the USA is getting tough with Pakistan;
     -   elsewhere in South Asia:
     -   the “debate” on abortion in Sri Lanka;
• With regard to Sudan and South  Sudan:
     -   after Sudan cut its links to North Korea, sanctions may be lifted – despite its war criminal President further eroding democracy;
• 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):
     airstrikes in rebel-held areas of Syria are continuing - and producing "a steady stream of horrific images";   the Assad dictatorship has massacred 80 civilians fleeing violent extremists;   the worst fighting since Aleppo has caused hundreds of civilian casualties;  a feature on justice for Syrians;   as Turkey starts an operation in Idlib, which has thousands of refugees from Aleppo, Russia claims to have killed 180 enemy fighters – and 14 civilians;
• With regard to the conflicts in Ukraine, particularly in the east:
     Ukraine has asked for Indian peacekeepers;
• With regard to West Asia (aka “the Middle East”) and North Africa, the Middle East Eye and other sources have:
     -   on Israel and Palestine:   possible Palestinian internal reconciliation;
     -   elsewhere in the region:
     -   Egypt is facing a population growth crisis;
     -   the USA’s Defence Secretary has suggested staying in the nuclear deal with Iran;   an analysis of why the USA’s CEO wants to destabilise the world by sabotaging the nuclear deal;
     -   Lebanon’s Sunni Muslims are frustrated in the face of Hezbollah’s power;
     -   the politics slowing reform in Saudi Arabia;   Russia and Saudi Arabia are reinforcing their relationship – see also here;   the USA will sell a missile defence system to Saudi Arabia;
• 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):
     poor Yemenis are defusing unexploded ordnance for their scrap value.

Other News:

• a nice story on bee keepers;
• de-escalation and friendship with magpies.

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, 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.