Post No. 1,086 – Gnwmythr’s News Ed. No. 185

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 … ) See also here and here.

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), the courage of more BPM Fire;
           mentally, the integrity more BPM Æther;
           a plot of the elemental influences on a causal/spiritual level follows, and shows a need for more BPM Earth (and generally more BPM than nonBPM of all the elements);

(d)   the rune for this week’s work is Wolfsangle:

(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 [updated] “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, the risks of mass atrocities in Syria, Central African Republic and South Sudan;   revelations of the damage caused by environmental pollution, and long past mistakes by the USA;

(g)   denial of past and current wrongdoing – including bigotry;

(h)   inability to cope with equality when that means having different viewpoints;

(i)   some political inspiration;

(j)   the struggle to manifest compassion;

(k)   people being overwhelmed and afraid, including of loss in the event of change;

(l)   some calling to account – some good, some not so well executed;

(m)   acknowledgement of some good deeds;

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:
     -   the Rohingya crisis is covered in the section on Refugees, and North Korea in the section on China etc;
     -   a partial estimate shows that environmental pollution causes (mostly in Asia [especially India] and Africa) one out of every six premature deaths every year - one-and-a-half times higher than the number of people killed by smoking, three times the number killed by AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined, more than six times the number killed in road accidents, and 15 times the number killed in war or other forms of violence;
     -   in the mid-1800s, the USA set the world backwards by starting to measure everything in terms of its dollar value;
     -   it is possible to include ethics in machine learning;
     -   an update to an annual early-warning report on situations in which prompt action by the European Union would generate stronger prospects for peace includes “the Northern Triangle of Central America, the Democratic Republic of Congo, post-[Da’esh] Iraq, Myanmar’s Rohingya crisis, and Turkey’s refugee challenge”;
     -   at a press conference, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, undertook (starting at about 29min 04 sec) to attempt to investigate Bangladesh for torture if a credible, well-documented, written complaint was received (there is a challenge and an invitation to Bangladeshi activists if ever I heard one);
     -   one of the many major problems with Turkey at the moment, is its refusal to admit to the Armenian genocide (actually one of several genocides committed by the Ottoman Empire that Turkey came out of) – which extends as far as violently  refusing to allow use of that phrase. Such a denial of a key event is a negation of those people – it causes mental harm (in contravention of Item (b) of Article II of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide), is part of the denial stage (of the 8 stages of genocide) in the case of Turkey and the Armenians (and others), and fits into – in my view – part of the dehumanisation stage of the genocide process – as does the removal of citizenship that formerly existed. (I’m personally familiar with such processes because of the abuse that I and other members of the LGBT communities have undergone – and still do. Misgendering is a particularly vicious example.) I’m therefore quite concerned that the report of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State agrees to not use the term Rohingya – at the request of the now thoroughly discredited State Counsellor.
  The report does pick up on quite a few other issues (the disempowerment of women, poverty, etc), however, and, in “diplomaticese”, reasonably strongly urges actions on key issues for the Rohingya such as statelessness.
  The report was delivered in August, but it is evident, from a Press Conference last week, that discussions on it have been proceeding – away from the too often pre-judgemental glare of publicity, although that will require activists to be prepared to react quickly to anything which may be announced. It is promising that some positive steps appear to have been taken in response to the interim report, but those have probably been overwhelmed by recent events;
     -   this week’s atrocity alert at R2P lists Syria, Central African Republic and South Sudan;
• With regard to democracy (which can be measured [as can goodness], 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:   unsuccessful US Presidential Candidate Clinton has stretched credulity by accusing Assange of colluding with Russia, which may be evidence of the damage the loss has done to her – although I consider most of her assessment correct;   the problem of elderly politicians staying on;   an argument that small towns (I think the author really should have referred to “a sense of community”) are the foundation of democracy;
     -   of concern this week:   a mining lobby has spent millions to have a proposed increase in - effectively - a resource rent levy (which only started when gold prices increased) defeated;   former workers have alleged misconduct, illegal drug use and ignoring domestic violence of hotel residents at a major casino (who have disputed the claims), and that the regulator is either ignoring these or ineffective, leading to calls for a national investigation (radio discussions have pointed out this may be contrary to the policies etc of higher management, but that doesn’t negate managerial responsibility);   the USA knew about the murder of half a million people in Indonesia in the 1960s at the time;   a court has found a need for reason and balance in any laws restricting the impacts of protests on businesses;   a US court has weakened defence of the public against bribery and corruption;   hurricane relief in parts of the USA include (political coercion by a requirement to agree not to boycott Israel;
     -   other concerning events have occurred or are developing in: USA/Iran, Malta, Spain – refer to section on Europe, USA, Kenya;
     -   in the grey/mixed [good and bad aspects] or neutral area this week:   a new Labour-led coalition government in New Zealand; - but it is indebted to a “queenmaker” politician;   my home state’s anti-corruption Authority has searched two homes as part of its investigation into an alleged abuse of parliamentary allowances;   protesters have disrupted a speech by white nationalist at a University – which was followed by three of the nationalist’s supporters attempting to murder protestors;   “the Canadian province of Quebec has passed a religious neutrality bill that will oblige citizens to uncover their faces while giving and receiving state services, triggering criticism that the law targets Muslim women” (proof of identity is vital in some matters: there are ways of sensitively handling this);
     -   good news this week includes:   France’s President has called for political heroism;   as former US President George W Bush criticises “bullying and prejudice”, US Senator John McCain has warned against "half-baked, spurious nationalism" and described the abandonment of US global leadership as "unpatriotic";
     -   other good news has occurred: Kenya;
     -   and democracy/governance/political matters in my home nation this week:   after a 26 hour session (I am always concerned about the effectiveness of such sessions), my home state’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill has passed the lower house. The debate on this has been marred by the utterly fallacious claim that all pain can be relieved – it can’t, which is why medical cannabis is so necessary, and even that won’t help everyone. Also, not everyone can access palliative care! Finally, there is a powerful element of ageism in this debate - see also here;   as the neoliberal government continues to dance around agreeing to renewables (as is being deservedly resisted by the states, and criticised in the region), the ACCC has debunked claims that incentives are the reason for high energy costs, and assessments that the government’s claimed figures are “rubbery”;   the new national energy plan, which does not support renewable energy storage such as batteries, has left agriculture and transport in the cold;   calls for better contracts and a code of conduct to lower energy prices and keep jobs in Australia;   confirmation that my home state is adopting tough standards on political donations;   criticism of an ALP MP who used sick leave to go to a conference;   a retired government minister has been cleared of breaching guidelines;   complaints over the NBN have increased by 160%;   a call for Australia to transition to a Eurasian nation (the comments about the southeast already being multiracial are true);   "the English language component of the Government's citizenship test is being compared to the White Australia policy" (and rightly so, in my view);   Australia’s last car manufacturing plant has closed (although this is a backward step [for jobs and fence], the industry failed to respond to changed consumer demand – largely because of its male biases);  Australia's neoliberal Attorney General Brandis is – surprisingly - dragging his credibility slightly back from its shattered state (although he is still far from progressive) see also here;
• 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.
     -   how voter suppression helped Voldemort II win power;
     -   the USA’s 45^th President may be dangerously over-estimating the reliability of missile defence systems, and thus be more reckless – and he refuses to face the human costs of violence and war;
     -   the USA’s CEO has blamed the Republican party, not himself, for its legislative failures – but, on the other hand, see this;   the USA’s 45^th President’s doctrine has been described as “Obama built it. I broke it. You fix it.” (much as Australia’s neoliberal party exists solely to be anti-ALP, the USA’s 45th President does seem to be anti-Obama and nothing else … );   the USA’s CEO Chaos N. Churn has spoken to the President of the US Virgin Islands … which is himself … ;   a legal case based on claims that the 45^th US President is violating anti-corruption provisions in the Constitution may lead to his tax returns being released;   a critique of the backlash if tax reform occurs;
     -   the 45^th US President's travel ban has been blocked for a third time;   Sanctuary Unions;
     -   neochristian evangelical support for Voldemort II;
     -   opioid restrictions may affect pain relief;   the USA’s CEO wants to end subsidies to health care companies that reduced prices for consumers;
     -   the USA’s CEO has – ludicrously -  claimed previous Presidents did not honour fallen soldiers – which has led to growing politicisation of the issue, and growing anger at the politicisation – but see also here, and here on the concerns about military bias and influence raised by the responses to this issue;
     -   the honour vs. whatever-it-takes division in the Republican Party;
     -   the US CEO’s claims of charity have been debunked;
     -   other matters relating to the USA’s CEO: USA/Iran;
• 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 Afghanistan, Somalia, Niger, Mali, Afghanistan (2^nd), and, according to this Wikipedia page, there have been 1 attack in Iraq and 6 attacks in Afghanistan (out of a total of 16);   prevention has or may have occurred in Morocco;   and actions (Note: there are many others that don’t reach the media I read) have occurred this week against violent extremists in Raqqa, the Philippines, Yemen, Somalia;   a Congolese bank has been helping financiers of violent extremism to bypass sanctions;
     -   girls who were kidnapped by violent extremist in Africa have told the UN of their experiences;   the invisible victims of Islamophobia;
     -   an assessment of what violent extremists in West Asia may do after losing all territory;   racism in the definition  of violent extremism;
     -   other violent extremist matters have also occurred in: the Philippines;
• With regard to refugees (noting the New York Declaration) and people seeking asylum:
     -   on the Rohingya crisis this week:
     -   wild elephants have killed several Rohingya refugees;   other Muslims in Burma, not only the Rohingya (who are not all Muslim), are experiencing discrimination;   the UN has called for global unity to support the Rohingya;   the Myanmar army is deliberately starving Rohingya Muslims to force them to flee;   the USA has said the Burmese army is responsible for the crisis;   Rohingya are telling of house by house killings;   sexual predators are targeting the Rohingya refuges;   plans for concentration camps in Burma;   a child alert has been issued;
     -   other refugee-related matters  this week:
     -   the UN has urged France to provide safe water and sanitation for refugees in the “Calais jungle”;   my nation’s malice towards refugees now extends to preventing them have pets – which can be of immense benefit to those who have been traumatised;   Burundian refugees in the DRC are short of food;
• 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 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):   the human face of the gay purge – which included torture - in Chechnya;   a trans woman has been ruled out from one sports competition, but allowed to compete in another - see here on the inconsistencies in, and here on the damage caused by, the decision (it may be that this young woman has not been on hormones for the time period set by the Olympic movement for acceptance of transition, but this may also be a straightforward case of discrimination – possibly even (mis)perceived by the bigots concerned as embarrassment, or a moral issue) - see also here, for a more detailed consideration;   efforts are underway to stop religious murders and other abuses of LGBTIQ people;
     -   on white supremacist and other forms of racism and indigenous matters generally this week:   new indigenous rock art;   the - possibly racist - aggression of a security guard at a shopping centre has led to violence;   other sports teams outside the USA are kneeling during national anthems in solidarity with the NFL players;   violent racist abuse of an indigenous poet by high school students (who should be charged, not asked to apologise!);   historical racism from an animal rights supporter;   indifference to black lives in Australia;  
     -   other white supremacy / racism problems have also occurred in: Australia;
     -   on sexism this week (keeping in mind the overblown influence given to testosterone):   as at least one other man admits knowledge of the alleged misconduct (and shame he “didn't do more about it” [did he do anything?]), a film mogul who is alleged to have committed multiple sexual assaults has been expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (I’m glad the victims are being believed and the endemic nature of the problem being acknowledged and at least partly addressed, but how is the alleged abuser going to be tried – or is this all the better punishment?);   more investigations of allegations of assault against a former film mogul are underway;   the extent of sexual harassment in the workplace;   the benefits for women of being single;   sexist abuse in my state’s firefighting service;   one of the stories from the current “me too” campaign – and the background of that ten year old campaign;   an assessment of women only carriages;   as one media host takes a pay cut to match his female co-host, refusal to give equal pay has caused a media company “a PR disaster”;   Carrie Fisher reportedly "personally delivered" a cow's tongue to a sleazy Hollywood producer who had harassed and threatened a friend of hers;   another powerful man has resigned in response to allegations of sexual harassment;   the barriers to disclosing sexual assault;   a neochristian church banned a nine year old girl from first communion because she wore a suit;   women in firefighting services;   a teenager who had her reports of family violence simply passed back to her violent parents is seeking to fix the system;   an Australian movement against sexual assault and violence – which also enlisted male activists;   sexual abuse of aid workers;   men must not be passive bystanders;
     -   other sexism matters have also occurred in: India (good news), Pakistan, Dominican Republic, France (good news), Afghanistan, Africa/UN, US universities;
     -   on workers’, children’s, privacy, and other forms of human (and other – e.g., animal) rights this week:   "a coalition of community and human rights groups is set to deliver a damning picture of ... "Australia's backward slide" on human rights ... to an expert panel of the United Nations Human Rights Committee " - which my nation is, unbelievably, seeking a seat on … and has won – the elected nations are Afghanistan, Angola, Australia, Chile, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (really?), Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan(really?), Peru, Qatar, Senegal, Slovakia, Spain and Ukraine;   scores of wallabies have been killed by idiot archers - who left joeys in their dead mothers pouches (content warning);   discrimination against older workers is cutting growth and straining resources  see also here;   some UK Councils are giving homeless people one way tickets out of their area … ;   the UK’s Queen has asked lawmakers to replicate the 2015 Modern Slavery Act in the 52 Commonwealth nations;   a Mum is writing novels for kids with ADHD;   a deb ball for foster kids;   after hundreds of complaints, people with disabilities will soon get face-to-face help — instead of phone calls — to plan their National Disability Insurance Scheme packages;   the problems (i.e., abuses) of trying to hold other people accountable;   the US “Swipe it Forward” campaign;   a call for Australia to take a stronger role in the fight against modern slavery;   a case against a Saudi by two domestic workers has been won;   Anti-Slavery Day;
     -   other workers’, children’s, privacy, and other forms of human or other rights matters have also occurred in: here (disability rights in Bolivia), ICC, Yemen, Mauritania, company supply chains, computer coding classes;
• With regard to crime, judicial matters and policing:
     -   an Order of Australia recipient who ripped off a charity he founded has been ordered to repay a million dollars;   concerns over possible links between the current and former ICC Chief Prosecutors;   (some of) the ethical problems of the USA electing prosecutors;   the appalling abuse in the USA of jailing innocent people who have the misfortune to be witnesses – no matter what the personal and family devastation caused;   nearly half of prisoners in my home state are back in jail within two years (supporting the need for rehabilitation – and jobs) - see here for an objective assessment of sentencing;   a conviction – being appealed - has been recorded against a celebrity for assault. Although two wrongs don't make a right, the taunt about his mother was unacceptable, and those making it should be charged (under section 17 of the Summary Offences Act, if nothing else). This is, in my view, further evidence of poor character of a significant portion of sports fans;   evidence supports decriminalising sex work;
    -    other crime, judicial and policing matters have occurred in: Malta, Indonesia, US universities, Uganda;
• 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 journalist who exposed Malta’s part in the “Panama Papers” has been murdered - see also here – and here, which includes problems with Maltese police that have resulted in the Dutch leading the investigation;   information on the nominees for the Rory Peck Awards here (disability rights in Bolivia), here (the USA’s CEO’s fight against media), here (the fall of Aleppo), and here (torture by Iraqi soldiers);   a Burmese photographer will receive the Martin Adler prize;   the world’s two biggest media companies refuse to admit what they are;
     -   other media / freedom of expression matters have occurred in:   Malta, Dominican Republic;
• 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 “regenerative” poultry farm;   the damage and anger from air force fire firefighting chemicals is spreading;   more on the road to commercial solar cars;   the eastern quoll will be reintroduced to the Australian mainland more than 50 years after being wiped out by foxes;   "naturalist Sir David Attenborough has called for global action to reduce the amount of plastic in the world's oceans, after seeing the damage first hand while filming a new documentary series";   the danger of melting permafrost;   the person who wrote this article about charging tourists more is clearly out of touch with the reality of life for many people: put costs to the sort of numbers he quoted from Africa, and very few could afford to visit;   public consultation has started on banning plastic bags in my home state;   one small town is close to its aim of being completely off the electricity grid;   another small town has become an epicentre for renewable energy;   another article on floating solar panels;   a successful urban greening project;   thunderstorms will become more intense as a result of climate change;   habitat loss is the main threat to Australian species;   massive crop losses due to unseasonably heavy rain (that will put food prices up);   insects appear to be dying off;
     -   on technology and science matters this week:   new forms of mobility to replace cars;   a social media platform has committed to better fighting against hate;   wi-fi is vulnerable, but patches are being released;   a new mobile app has been released aimed at helping businesses address child labour and forced labour in their supply chains;   poor kids are being left out of computer coding classes;   a home tech device has been caught out spying;
     -   on economic and financial matters this week:   "limited leg space on some commercial flights could be preventing passengers from properly bracing for impact in a plane crash";   discrimination against older workers is cutting growth and straining resources;   the damage caused by over-qualified workers;   a critique of the 1987 stock market crash, its effects and lessons;   suggestions for new managers (to which I would add: treat the human beings who are your workers decently … ;   another article on the harm of the “gig economy” on superannuation;
     -   on affordable housing and homelessness matters this week:   don’t buy an apartment unless you’re going to live in it;   advice for new renters;   family budgets are being blown on basic living expenses;
     -   on health and medical this week:   the grief of stillbirth – and the terrible way it used to be handled;   my home state has almost reached 95% immunisation;   brain changes associated with using pokies;   damage from the use of "nangs";   the importance of adequate quantity and quality of sleep (and a challenge to ideas such as older people needing less sleep);   another article on why we need sleep (you don’t need to convince me – tell those who create the economy);   lack of access to health care, geographical isolation, and lower incomes mean rural people are more likely to die from heart diseases;   in my nation, increased usage (which we shouldn't necessarily cut back) is behind higher health insurance costs, not young people;   sunscreen safety myths (that it will lead to insufficient Vitamin D, and that it has toxins) are behind inadequate use;
     -   on other matters in the category this week:   a critique of the invention of agriculture;   if libido is low, so what? It does NOT have to be high!;   SOME of the problem behaviour on public transport;   Brisbane's West End is celebrating street art;   an article on carers;   the challenging situations facing Australia’s child protection workers;   lack of liveability in cities;
• With regard to education:
     -   a rebuttal – by a white, middle aged, right-leaning male– of the claim that the teaching of history is driven by identity politics;   a call for nuance when considering studies of school performances;   at US universities, concerns that more rigorous standard of proof put too heavy a burden on the victim;
     -   other education matters have occurred in: China’s threat to Universities, Afghanistan;
• With regard to war, violence and hate generally:
     concerns over whether Bosnia and Herzegovina will ever be cleared of mines;   “one of the architects of Australia's strict gun control laws has warned the nation against loosening them”;   an article on ten myths (I actually consider the generals and armies should have adapted more quickly) about World War Part One, including showing that at least one prior war was global;   two security officers who violently removed a passenger from a flight in Chicago have been – deservedly, in my opinion - fired;
• With regard to natural and other catastrophes:
     dozens have been killed by bushfires in Spain and Portugal;   gains are being made against California’s bushfires;   the devastation –particularly environmental – in the US Imperial Possession Puerto Rica is becoming apparent;
• 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):
     the importance of praying for the dead – and a couple of blasphemies, including that funerals are for the living;   the ways that everyone can and should work to keep peace and prevent conflict when warning signs develop;   a criticism of some naïve/wrong views in the Pagan community;   a woman who grew up in an atmosphere of domestic violence is helping others (particularly young women and girls), including through martial arts;   a call for action to break the generational cycle of poverty.

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):
     dozens have killed by a violent extremist attack – and scores by another;   the losing struggle for education of girls in Afghanistan (if they don’t get lynchpins like this right, they have no hope against violent extremism);   Afghanistan’s deepening insecurity;
• With regard to Africa, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (and other sources) has:
     -   the secessionist crisis in Spain is being watched by Nigeria and Cameroon, which also have such movements;
     -   Africa Week at the UN;   Africa’s urbanisation could drive industrialisation;   financing challenges for renewable energy in Africa;
     -   the UN has urged Kenya to lift the ban on protests, protect the judiciary, and preserve civil society;   Kenya’s Deputy President has said “there would be no problem if the election board agrees to meet a raft of demands made by the opposition”;   Kenya’s President has ignored an electoral commission crisis meeting;   the impact of drought in Kenya;   the continuing blight of drought in Kenya;
     -   a peacekeeping force for Lesotho has been delayed;
     -   family planning in Madagascar may have to close because of US prejudices - see also here;   plague in Madagascar;
     -   Mauritania is continuing to allow slavery;
     -   a major violent extremist attack in Somalia has killed hundreds and wounded hundreds more of civilians, and “shattered hopes of recovery in an impoverished country left fragile by decades of conflict” - see also here, and here (I thought they were finally getting close to being out of the woods, after some terrible decades ... :( );
     -   political violence in Togo;
     -   a return trip to Uganda to re-interview a woman mutilated by child soldiers a decade ago;   Ugandan police have arrested an opposition leader on charges of attempted murder;
     -   other events concerning Africa have occurred or are developing in: Africa/UN;
• 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:
     -   as China’s President (and Chairman) leads the Communist Party’s congress, moving towards absolute power and (continued) reform of the military, the “five eyes” nations coordinate on China’s threat to Universities, and a blunter warning is given to Chinese students in Australia;   China's Chairman (and also President) Xi has "pledged to build a "modern socialist country", while more forcefully addressing the "grim" challenges facing the country" (severe economic challenges and corruption – which is an unusual admission in such a speech);   censorship and thought control in China (see also here), including a Uighur city (which seems very 1984), with media attacks on Western democracy;   China’s carbon market will initially be the second largest in the world, and will quickly become the largest;
     -   other events concerning China have occurred or are developing in: India-USA;
     -   DPRK threats against Australia have been downplayed;   the USA's Secretary of State has said diplomatic efforts with the DPRK will "continue until the first bomb drops" … ;   the USA's Deputy Secretary of State has said the USA is “not ruling out the eventual possibility of direct talks with North Korea”;   the DPRK is considered the likely culprit for a cyber heist;
     -   other events concerning the DPRK have occurred or are developing in: USA;
     -   elsewhere in Asia:
     -   the Philippines has declared Marawi liberated - but 20-30 rebels are still fighting and have about 20 hostages;   local sympathy in Marawi for the violent extremists has been fuelled by the “woeful” mistakes of the Philippine Government and its generals;
     -   more on Indonesia’s anti-Communist massacres in the 1960s;   an Indonesian official has supported a mass-killing (does the premeditation make it murder?) campaign like the mass killing programme in the Philippines to “save money” … ;
     -   and in the Pacific:   priceless carvings that were damaged and removed from PNG's Parliament House to cleanse evil spirits will be restored;   “what began with indigenous iTaukei villagers rescuing Indian survivors of a shipwreck 133 years ago has now become a movement towards reconciliation that both sides hope could have a positive impact on Fiji's future”;   Fiji has issued a green bond;
• With regard to Europe and the European Union (EU):
     -   concerns over organisational problems in NATO;   growing divisions in the EU over ignoring laws;
     -   the conservative right winger who could become Austria’s next leader – possibly with “populist” support;
     -   France’s President has called for political heroism;   France will crack down on sexual harassment and make it a fineable offence to catcall a woman on the street;
     -   Chancellor Merkel is shifting to the left to counter the rise of the right;
     -   Greece's leader has met with the "evil" 45^th President of the USA;
     -   storms have killed three people in Ireland and the UK;
     -   Norway’s trekking traditions;
     -   the death toll from fires in Portugal has passed 100;
     -   how Spain turned “a fringe issue in to a crisis”;   tensions over Catalan are continuing to grow in Spain;   two Catalonian separatists have been arrested (for sedition) leading to tens of thousands protesting;   Spain’s top court has ruled the referendum unconstitutional;   Spain will suspend what is left of Catalonia's autonomy if it doesn't drop secession;
• 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):
     -   Iraq attacked and seized formerly Kurdish-held, oil-rich Kirkuk, leading to calls for calm - see also here, and the peaceful options outlined here;   a nominee for the Rory Peck Awards covered torture by Iraqi soldiers;
     -   and the Iraq Body Count project reports 108 people violently killed in the last week;
• 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):
     -   a Russian woman (a “TV anchor, journalist, socialite, and actress”), who describes herself as an unlikely candidate supportive of the banned opposition leader, will, ignoring the warnings of danger by the banned opposition leader, stand in the next Presidential election (probably against Putin);   from the little known story of Western "intervention" (against the Communists)in the Russian civil war, the story of Britain's concentration camp;
• With regard to South and Central America:
     -   "a record number of Southern Right whales have been counted this year in Argentina's Patagonia region";   election campaigning has been suspended in Argentina after a body which is possibly that of a missing activist has been found;
     -   sex trafficking in the Dominican Republic;
     -   the UN has welcomed the establishment of the UN Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH);
     -   unexpectedly, the ruling socialist party has claimed victory in 17 out of 23 state elections in Venezuela, but the result is disputed by the opposition;
     -   other events concerning South and Central America  have occurred or are developing in: Bolivia (disability rights);
• With regard to South Asia (aka the Indian sub-continent), The Hindu and other sources have:
     -   on India:
     -   the ban on the “triple talaq” law is just the first of many steps towards equality for women;   young girls in India are being empowered by a programme combining sports and lifeskills (including resisting sexism and DV);   an inflammatory extremist MP in India has ranted that the Taj Mahal was built by “traitors” … ;   the USA wants better ties with India in order to counter China;   violence against suspected “braid choppers”;
     -   on Pakistan:
     -   sexist control of women in Pakistan;
• With regard to Sudan and South  Sudan:
     -   African ambassadors have visited Darfur, Sudan;
     -   an imminent chance for peace in South Sudan;
• 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):
     -   as violent extremists surrender in Raqqa, civilians have been able to flee … and US backed rebels have claimed control of Raqqa;   the devastation in Raqqa - which is only 90% liberated;   expectations of “decentralised federal Syria” … ;
• With regard to West Asia (aka “the Middle East”) and North Africa, the Middle East Eye and other sources have:
     -   on Israel and Palestine:   the UN has discussed the implementation of the intra-Palestinian agreement with the Palestinian Prime Minister;
     -   elsewhere in the region:
     -   at least 35 police were killed in an attack on violent extremists in Egypt;   more on the pervasive fear in Egypt;
     -   an assessment of the risk that the USA's CEO is creating of the Iran nuclear deal failing – see also here;   calls for Iran to immediately release a British-Iranian citizen;
     -   moves for support of Western Sahara in the US Congress;
• 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):
    -    the USA claims to have killed dozens of violent extremists in Yemen;   child soldiers and forced marriage in Yemen have become even more of a problem as a result of the war;   the Houthi youth minister wants to close schools and send children to war.

Other News:

• "the seriousness of sustained exposure to heat" - including "heat hangover".

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.