Post No. 1,106 – Gnwmythr’s News Ed. No. 193

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:   -   (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:
           the strength and stability of more BPM Earth;

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

 (e)   dealing with the 45^th President of the USA 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 to promote 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. physical world activism (especially education) – 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 South Sudan, DR Congo and Somalia;   -   ongoing violent conflicts and crises in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Mexico, Somalia, South Sudan, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Libya, Sudan (Darfur and South Kordofan), Yemen, Egypt (Sinai), Kurdistan, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Mali, Burma, DR Congo, Burundi, Kashmir, Baluchistan (Pakistan and Iran), India (Maoist and other insurgencies), the Maghreb (Africa), Ukraine, and elsewhere;   -   refugee and humanitarian crises;   -   the political madness of regimes with authoritarian leaders;   -   and   the insanity Voldemort II has caused around Jerusalem, the ongoing tension around North Korea's nuclear weapons, and the Rohingya crisis;

(g)  we desperately need more BPM ethics, and more compassion;

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:
     this week on reversing the deliberate, well-funded, long-term strategy (from about the 70s) to make self-interest seem normal and a commitment to fairness (such as former US President Franklin D Roosevelt’s Four  Freedoms) an aberration:   the entirety of this blog and all other spiritual work and physical activism I and others do;
     on the Rohingya crisis this week:
     -   another appeal to the UN to act on the Rohingyan crisis;   a warning that the Rohingya have not been safe "anywhere" for decades – see also here;   a diphtheria outbreak;   claims the UN could help make return of the Rohingya safe (frankly, I don’t believe that);   the first investigation has found over 10,000 Rohingya have died - 7,000 in the first month, 71% directly from violence (the rest from starvation and illness caused by the violence), and 1,000 of the dead were under five years old;   calls for the release of two arrested journalists;
     on the North Korean nuclear tensions this week:
     -   North Korea claims to have more nuclear weapons;   as a call is made for Australia to “talk down” the USA and some North Korean defectors return, claims that China has planned refugee camps on the DPRK border … ;   after it appeared the USA has removed preconditions for talks, some are back … ;   concerns over dangerous rhetoric and the risks of miscalculation;   this week a 30% chance of a US military strike on North Korea;
     -   on the fallout from the USA’s recognition of (all?) Jerusalem as Israel’s capital:   the Palestinian President will not meet the US vice president;   more on concerns this will undermine counter violent extremism efforts;   calls for Arab economic sanctions on the USA;   an opinion the USA will have no further role in the peace process, as the USA tries to resurrect the process;   US concerns;   a call for Europe to take the lead on peace in the region;   Israel is trying to get other nations to follow the USA;   on one day alone, Israel shot and killed four (one in a wheelchair, one stupidly wearing a fake bomb belt ad attacking with a knife) and injured 160 protestors;   Nazareth is cutting back;   a critique of US imperial hubris;   a rocket fired at Israel from Gaza fell short, on Gaza;   praise for the announcement from rabbis;   Jordan’s King and the pope will meet, and probably discuss the crisis;   Turkey is seeking a UN “annulment” of the decision;   Palestine’s President has “threatened to cancel his agreements with Israel, appeared to accuse Israel and/or Jews of falsifying history and religion, and asserted that Israel does not meet the criteria for statehood and thus that the international community should reconsider its recognition of Israel”;   a Gaza-Israel crossing, closed in response to increased rocket attacks, has reopened;
     on other matters requiring particular attention:
     -   the ICC Prosecutor has asked the UN Security Council to act on outstanding warrants;
     -   "in 1952 a Catholic newspaper in Ireland proclaimed: “The welfare state is diluted socialism and socialism is disguised communism.” Extreme? Yes. Dated? No. When you listen to the dying declarations of the spear-carriers for neoliberalism, it’s hard not to hear the same alarmist codswallop. The logic goes like this: being unemployed and poor is bad because people choose to be unemployed or poor. If you receive income support, it is because you are unemployed and poor. Therefore, receiving income support is bad. Therefore, removing income support is good. Coincidentally, this means more money for the rich and less for the poor" - inequality is not a personal choice – it's a choice governments make!!!;
     -   as media commentary is made that the Vatican "has never issued an unambiguous directive to priests and members of religious orders who become aware of child abuse in their ranks to call the police" (two thirds of all assaults were by Catholic priests, 2,000 of whom were child abusers) and all Australian Parliaments failed to make simple changes (and delay compensation), the Royal Commission into institutional (there is also domestic) child abuse has released its report and recommendations (that Catholic clerics should face criminal charges if they fail to report sexual abuse disclosed to them during confession,   urging Australian Catholic bishops to petition the Vatican to amend canon law to allow priests to report such disclosures, the Catholic Church should consider making celibacy voluntary,   a nationally implemented strategy to prevent child sex abuse,   a system of preventative training for children in schools and early childhood centres,   a national office for child safety, overseen by a government minister,   making it mandatory for more occupations, such as religious ministers, early childhood workers and registered psychologists, to report abuse – see also here), but more needs to be done – this isn’t the end of the need for courage, and there is devastation that an abuser will not be charged;   the timeline of events - starting in 1867 – and the key advocates whose work lead to the Royal Commission into child abuse – and what happened after Ireland’s similar investigation;   a warning that institutional abuse of children is still continuing - see also here, here (on the blame applying to the Vatican), and here (calling for religious freedoms NOT to be extended, when current freedoms have been abused);
     -   responding to urban humanitarian crises;   civil society calls for more cooperation and creativity to address crises (and awards were given);
     -   a poem from 1845 (“Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide”);
     this week’s atrocity alert at R2P lists South Sudan, DR Congo and Somalia;
• 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, governance (e.g., here, here, here and here, and see also here) and ethics:
  Note: I have a section specifically for the 45^th US President below
     analyses this week include:
     -   commentary on a new Ken Burns  documentary on the Viêt Nám War;   a list of US politicians who have been convicted of crimes, and a list of US political scandals;  the lack of an “average” voter;   research shows politicians’ characteristics, social networks and life experiences influences how they process messages, so “greater sensitivity to politicians’ perspectives may serve to enhance efforts to improve social accountability more generally”;   "multinational companies should be taxed on where they genuinely do business – not on where they artificially shift their profits";   an argument that US government regulations favoured the rich and powerful;   a conservative’s call for religious people to vote against an abusive, conservative candidate;   the possible contribution of abusive men in the media to Hilary Clinton’s loss;   a call to question the hold of big money on any political party;   US obstructionism has worsened the developed-developing countries divide;   an examination of identity politics;   “it's the grandparents stealing from the grandchildren”;
     of concern this week:
     -   a US candidate has shown he is a conspiracy nut;   concerns over the silence of NGOs and civil society;   allegations of fraud in Australia's $50 billion “Future Submarines” program;   Austria has gone to the far right;
     -   other concerning events have occurred or are developing in: Argentina, El Salvador, Peru, Uganda, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Singapore;
     in the grey/mixed [good and bad aspects] or neutral area this week:
     -   Australia's neoliberal government has been condemned by doctors for "likening welfare drug tests to vaccinations";
     -   other events in the grey or neutral area have occurred or are developing in: Ecuador, Australia, Liberia, Africa, Zimbabwe;
     good news this week includes:
     -   the US Defence Department will be audited;   US voters –largely black women - have rejected a candidate suspected of sexual “misconduct” –see also here;
     and democracy/governance/political matters in my home nation this week:
     -   concerns over misrepresentation of motivation (failed to admit to political party membership) when protesting (this is very disappointing);   Australia’s Prime Minister has said – in Mandarin – that he will stand up for Australia against foreign (meaning Chinese) interference;   against concerns that the political witch hunt as trivialising the important issues involved (and documentary evidence showing the Chinese businessman as plying both parties [until allegedly getting out of such activities a year ago over his concerns]), a disgraced opposition Senator has resigned;   as China throws a tantrum - including ridiculous allegations, concerns have been raised about Australian Universities sharing military technology with China;   aboriginal groups want job targets for any inland rail project;   many children, who have fallen through the gaps of child protective services, are stealing food because they are not being fed at home;   a test case on whether ordinary citizens can challenge the eligibility of MPs is underway;   "73% of Australians think politics is fixated on short-term gains and not on addressing long-term challenges" - but want "democratic renewal and substantial policy reform";   Australia’s new regulator of charities has shown how out of touch he is;   kinship carers are being neglected;   as one major Australian bank gets out of coal, another gets into deeper water over money laundering;   a call for Australia's neoliberal government to put its money where its mouth is by giving low ranked public servants a pay rise;   cost cutting in Australia will now extend to capping our future professionals;   calls for an overhaul of Australia’s car industry as the voluntary code hasn’t worked;
• With regard to the 45^th US President (who is dangerous – see here on actions for US residents [and the useful principles]) this week (I avoid using the 45^th US President’s name for psychic reasons, but also use either “the USA’s CEO” or “Voldemort II” as an alias):
     -   hypocrisy by Voldemort II on civil rights;   the USA 45^th President "has sold out the blue-collar voters who brought him to power, while pursuing policies to enrich his fellow plutocrats";
     -   a twitter attack by the USA’s 45^th President shows his target is “a top challenger” for the next elections;
     -   the need to change those who voted for Voldemort II;
     -   other matters relating to the USA’s 45^th President (aka CEO): US state of Alabama;
• 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 “Cure Violence”, 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 don’t name groups to reduce their publicity):
     -   violent extremist attacks/acts have occurred this week in USA, Somalia, USA (bitcoin laundering), Canada, USA, and, according to this Wikipedia page, there have been 7 attacks in Iraq and 1 attack in Afghanistan (out of a total of18);
     -   another opinion that a violent extremist group which is considered near defeat is resilient and still a threat;
     -   other violent extremist matters have also occurred in: Pakistan, Nigeria;
• With regard to refugees (noting the New York Declaration) and people seeking asylum:
     -   after a temporary ban was lifted, 40% fewer refugees are seeking to go to the USA;   an Iraqi refugee who survived Australia’s hell-for-refugees in the 1990s has become a leading surgeon, and is now helping in Iraq;   locals have threatened refugees in Australia’s Manus gulag;   the "United Nations committee against torture has advised the Australian government not to deport a Sri Lankan man, citing concerns he might be tortured [and raped] upon return";   international artists have joined protests (including renaming or changing their work) calling for a major art gallery to drop its contract with a security company which provided services to Australia’s refugee gulags;   some European nations are pressuring or even paying refugees to return;   a Sudanese refugee is changing stereotypes;   refugees in Australia’s Manus Island gulag can now sue PNG;
• 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 of observation and thinking – shown by the fact that NOT all people choose to discriminate unless they have been educated otherwise):
     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):
     -   as the first same sex divorce gets underway, a Catholic Priest in northern Australia has welcomed Equal Marriage;   after another court ruling, the US military will allow openly transgender individuals to enlist from next year;
     on white supremacist and other forms of racism and indigenous matters generally this week:
     -   Australia's neoliberal prime Minister was disrespectful, dismissive (despite surveys showing overwhelming support), and “elaborately dishonest” about Indigenous recognition - the proposal for which has consistently and emphatically rejected the notion of a "third chamber", will NOT have veto powers, and will NOT examine every piece of legislation (does the office of Chief Scientist, which advises on science matters, also constitute an extra chamber of Parliament?);   the hopes of young indigenous Australians;   according to Victoria's new treaty commissioner, Australia's neoliberal prime Minister could ease his concerns by watching the treaty process in Victoria;   Australia’s military is being taught indigenous bushcraft;   “an Indigenous work-for-the-dole scheme variously described as "racist", "flawed" and "nonsensical" is driving communities further into poverty”;   Norway is beating racism;
     -   other white supremacy / racism problems have also occurred in: the Netherlands, media;
     on sexism this week (keeping in mind the overblown influence given to testosterone):
     -   a call for an end to the inaccurate women feuding stereotype;   a loophole allowing pregnant women to be sacked will be closed;   gender problems in the film industry go beyond harassment and misconduct, but at least public funding of Australian films will be dependent on a proactive code of conduct;   Uber has agreed to a settlement with a woman after it improperly obtained her medical records after she was raped by a driver in India (who was sentenced to life in 2015);   a proud, mature-aged sex worker is challenging stereotypes - and advocating for the mental health of men who see her;   childcare worries hold more women back from than men workforce participation, and a culture change is needed;   US residents support zero tolerance on sexual harassment;   a former sports star is turning houses into homes for survivors of domestic violence;   a bid by a firefighters' union to block the release of a human rights commission investigation into bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination has been rejected as the review was “validly constituted”, the commission was not investigating matters beyond its statutory powers, and  the commission will not place any legally unreasonable reliance on an online survey that was of concern to the union as anyone could access it (I think the last point has some validity, and those creating it should have done better, but the rest is … well, the union didn’t do themselves an y favours);   the abuse of rape victims in Kenya;   a major film director has admitted to blacklisting actresses in response to demands by an alleged serial abuser;
     -   on sexual harassment/misconduct this week - more accusations/resignations and commentary (note: these are not convictions): here, here, here, here, here, here, here, US military, the US President, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here (by a woman of a male), here, here;
     -   other sexism matters have also occurred in: East Timor, sports (good news), USA, homelessness, El Salvador, India (good news);
     on religious rights this week:
     -   concerns over sharia law connections in Australia's religious freedoms review;   a Canadian has stopped an Islamophobic attack;   anti-Semitism in the Netherlands;
     -   other religious rights / Islamophobia matter have also occurred in: Germany, India;
     on workers’, children’s, privacy, and other forms of human (and other – e.g., animal) rights this week:
     -   the experience of finding a brother who had been lost for a quarter century in modern slavery;   the problems of night shifts;   the US ban on slave-made goods needs more bite, as a proposal is made to make truckers part of the fight;   a spotlight on child abuse by relatives;  an animal accident at a rodeo;   the ICC has awarded $13 million in compensation to child soldiers recruited by a convicted Congolese warlord;   towards more inclusive aged care;   after an appalling incident, calls for tougher animal cruelty punishment;
     -   also on child abuse, particularly neochristian and other institutional, this week: Australia;
     -   also on slavery / human trafficking this week: Hong Kong, USA, India, Australia, Libya;
     -   other workers’, children’s, privacy, differently abled, and other forms of human or other rights matters have also occurred in: Iran, Singapore, USA, India (good news);
     -   opportunities to take action here;
• With regard to war, violence and hate generally:
     -   another incident of street violence (in my home city) has culminated in killing by car;   violence by a union on a picket line (this is where unions lose support – no matter whether their cause is justified or not);   how integrating former rebels into the military can be made more successful;   the need to consider those injured by guns to have effective laws;
     -   other war, violence or hate related matters have occurred or are developing in: Mexico, the Wassenaar Arrangement;
• 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 (and to get people to constructively remedy: fear of being single / asexual / off-grid or a rebel / innovator / non-conformist / true to yourself, belief in management  fads and fashions, distracting themself aka filling their time):
     life lessons/observations from the author of “Tracks”;   the Australian government has been silent on a group that won the Nobel Peace Prize;   this week’s email from Victor Zammit includes criticism of neochristians, acknowledgement of trailblazers, the importance of evidence and support for cremation over burial;   a guide to talking to people who disagree (which I have not yet read, so do not know the quality of, but the source is trustworthy and the website reasonable);   “how to” opt out of the insanity of this time of year in predominantly neochristian nations;   half the world lacks access to health care – and "each year more than 100 million people are pushed into extreme poverty in order to pay for health services";   “continuing to hope that illegally demolishing informal settlements will somehow eradicate them is at best a delusion, since the only thing continuous forced evictions guarantee is that we will have slums in our cities forever”;   the importance of including spirituality when treating depression;
     other events concerning peace, spirituality and development have occurred or are developing in: WTO;
• With regard to natural and other catastrophes:
     -   diphtheria outbreaks in Bangladesh and Yemen;   months after a Tropical Cyclone (aka hurricane), Puerto Ricans are still fleeing to mainland USA – see also here, and rubbish disposal has become even more problematic;   devastating bushfires in the US state of California are continuing;   updated flood predictions show 40 million Americans are at risk of having their homes flooded - more than three times as many people as federal flood maps show;   earthquake in Indonesia;   meningitis in Niger;
• With regard to overcrowding and “modern” lifestyle issues (such as conflict  minerals, environmental harm and child labour in smart phone , FOMO (which can be overcome) and addiction or unthinking pro-technology bias, second thoughts, social media making people miserable or envious, being duped by modern mantras and  management  fads,  “failing” at being well, AI ethics, corporate misuse of mindfulness as a distraction from working conditions, embedded emissions, plane pollution, bigger, flashier homes/cars– which means actively abusing the environment and society’s cohesion and contributing to financialisation, the need for agroforestry, the accursed “new is always good” groupthink of the computer world, abuse of workers by insisting on busy-ness, raising Prince Boofheads):
     on climate change and other environmental matters this week:
     -   a devastating (trigger warning!) video shows the impact of climate change;   a prediction that global warming will weaken wind power in the US and UK, but strengthen it in Australia;   France will pay US climate change scientists to continue their work there;   the problem of left-over rubbish from end of year activities;   agroforestry to address climate change;   the construction sector needs to address its impact on climate change;   a state-based court case could have repercussions for the entire Australian logging industry;   a court case - alleging fraud - against a company trying to open a coal mine in Australia has reached India's High Court;   the extent of burn offs is well under what is required to manage the risk of bushfires in one Australian state (and probably others);   Tesla has slowed the sales of solar panels in the USA so it can make more profit … ;   plane pollution can’t be fixed by carbon offsets;   the benefits of dispersed solar power generation;   a solar train;
     -   other environmental matters have occurred in: China, France (good news), Mexico;
     on technology and science matters this week:
     -   the most popular cryptocurrency has become an environmental nightmare because of the power consumption of miners – who are predominantly in nations using coal-generated power - see also here;   a former social media executive says social media is ripping society apart;   web pioneers are pleading with the USA to keep US net neutrality … but it has been ditched by the USA – but France will defend it;   how to reduce mobile phone usage while driving;   ethical design guidelines for future technology;
     on economic and financial matters this week:
     -   emu farming might make a comeback;   the history of a weed killer crisis see also here and here (is monoculture an unacknowledged issue?);   claims Australia has a poker machine addiction, with "more of the devices located in the community than in any other country";   universal health cover can unlock economic growth;   skilled jobs are shifting to the city;   the need for more support of vocational training (which I’ve heard will give $6,000/year more – initially, at least);
     on affordable, sustainable and decent housing and homelessness matters this week:
     -      another article on the vulnerability of Australian real estate;   increased domestic violence has led to more women than men seeking homeless support for the first time;   another article about the end of Australia’s housing boom;
     on health and medical this week:
     -   growing concerns about serious side-effects from two popular contraceptive devices;   40% of cancer deaths are preventable (the problem here is that no-one looks at why people do harmful things – which often is because of things like spiritual despair, not laziness or stupidity);   Austria will help out the tobacco industry;   evidence is slowly being gathered on the possible benefits of probiotics against the side effects of antibiotics;   biosecurity concerns over some medical training on cadavers in convention centres;
     on other matters in the category this week:
     -   more concerns over a toxic herbicide;   the case to allowing pets on public transport;   in the UK a woman has died after being run over four times at a pedestrian crossing;   on getting outdoors: "there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes" (which doesn’t cover it all in extremely hot climates);   an assessment that fewer older people are living in poverty (hmm … I suspect that’s going to get worse … ;   free markets to cut waste;
• With regard to press aka the media, and freedom of expression (claims of presenting “both sides” of a debate can be WRONG if the other side is RUBBISH –as is the case on LGBTIQ issues. Also, media can be unprofessional, but funding is an issue … ):
     -   "fewer checks and balances seem to be in place when it comes to viral feel good stories " (I’ll keep that in mind in future);   awards for courageous journalists;   half of media reports are racist;
     -   other media / freedom of expression matters have occurred in: Burma, Ethiopia, Uganda;
• With regard to education:
     -   the USA backwardness – they have a long way to go to catch up on so many matters - shows up in this school bullying episode;   kids with better educated parents are up to four years ahead of others (which is part of why I have long argued that parents need enough help to be ahead of their kids – and grandparents need opportunities to catch up with education);   an investigation has found a significant number of Australian students lack the knowledge considered necessary to be informed and active citizens, but they are well motivated on key issues such as the environment and indigenous rights (I think there was some bias in the questions) - see also here;
• With regard to crime, judicial matters and policing:
     -   US executions at an historic low in 2017;   wastewater monitoring (may there be more of it) shows an increase in opioid use in Australia.

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):
     -   a warning of the obvious (which goes back to what the USA did in the 1980s being a problem this century): today’s pro-government militias could be tomorrow’s insurgents;   a critique of the ICC’s investigation;   an assessment of bombing violent extremists’ drug labs as ineffective;
• With regard to Africa, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (and other sources) has:
     -   a call for better urban development in Africa;   Africa’s mixed record with democratic transitions;
     -   problems with the quality of genetically modified cotton introduced after pests became a problem in Burkina Faso in the 1990s (is monoculture an unacknowledged issue?);
     -   attacks on aid workers has stopped aid to the Central African Republic;
     -   nearly a score of UN peacekeepers and Congolese soldiers have been killed and two score wounded by a rebel attack, raising fears for civilians in the area;   400,000 children under five are malnourished;
     -   Ethiopia has shut down key parts of the internet to restrict news on the latest violence – which has killed at least 15 people;
     -   in Kenya, Nairobi’s Nubian community has won recognition of their land rights;   the abuse of rape victims;
     -   Liberia’s transitional security and justice issues;   controversy over the new election date;
     -   Mali has made some advances on justice, but needs to do more;
     -   as military spending against violent extremists grows, how to defeat violent extremism in Nigeria (the suggestion is to use an element of realpolitik, and not emphasise justice over pragmatic ends);   a call for Nigeria to eradicate “poverty, not poor people”;
     -   overfishing off Sierra Leone;
     -   the USA has suspended aid to Somalia over military corruption;
     -   Uganda’s Attorney-General has kowtowed to a 7 year term suggestion;   an article on Uganda’s imprisoned journalists;
     -   Zimbabweans will continue fighting for human rights;   transitional issues, and a request for the West to “stop dictating”;   “Zimbabwe’s new agriculture minister has ordered people illegally occupying formerly white-owned commercial farms to vacate, nearly two decades after violent land grabs” led by the ousted Incredibly Ancient Despot;
     -   other events concerning Africa have occurred or are developing in: Niger, Mozambique, ICC;
     on Libya:
     -   Libya’s various factions are considering raising oil production;   charges of crimes against humanity are being considered for slave marketers;   allegations that European governments are knowingly complicit in the torture and abuse of refugees and migrants in Libya;
     on Sudan and South  Sudan:
     -  Sudan is using South Sudan’s oil to inveigle back control;
     -   an appeal for funds to meet the humanitarian needs of South Sudan – children are most affected;   the UN Security Council has warned “of “costs or consequences” for South Sudan’s government and opposition if they undermine upcoming efforts to achieve a cease-fire and implement a 2015 peace agreement”;   fear of bribery ahead of peace talks;
• 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 Chinese woman is trying to raise funds for her ill husband and son;   China has banned foreign recycling;   a critique of China’s actions on climate change;   as China throws a tantrum - including ridiculous allegations (but Australians working there will experience problems), concerns have been raised about Australian Universities sharing military technology with China;   China is indulging in goodthink on its military buildup in the South China Seas
     -   other events concerning China have occurred or are developing in: India;
     -   a North Korean cybercrime unit is chasing bitcoin job seekers;
     -   Taiwan has been building alliances in the Pacific;
     elsewhere in Asia:
     -   a warning that Cambodia’s Prime Minister cannot be reformed;
     -   parts of Indonesia are charging backwards to the Middle Ages in their twisted version of morality – but have been stopped (just!) by the courts … ;   Indonesia has been urged to do more on achieving universal health cover;
     -   a Japanese firm will use a music playing drone to force employees to go home rather than work overtime;   Japan has imposed fresh sanctions against North Korea;
     -   a Chinese man has been jailed in Mongolia for insulting Chinggis Khaan’s portrait and in citing hatred;
     -   martial law has been extended in the southern Philippines;
     -   an examination of Thailand’s strategic thinking;
     and in the Pacific:
     -   disputes over who gets to reopen Bougainville’s copper mine;   the problem of overfishing;   East Timor plans on increasing unwanted teenage pregnancies;   a rural PNG health service may close because of lack of funding;   in response to a chronic shortage of conventional medicine, Papua New Guineans are using backyard potions made from things like urine;   the PNG Supreme Court has quashed a warrant for that nation’s Prime Minister over spelling errors, lack of jurisdiction, failure to follow regulations, and a “concerning” lack of care in preparation;
• With regard to Europe and the European Union (EU) (which need to step up, as the USA steps down):
     -   the USA is pushing NATO into another arms race;   a warning that Russia could pose a major threat to the UK and other NATO nations by cutting underwater cables essential for international commerce and the internet;
     -   praise for France’s climate leadership;
     -   German conservatives have rejected a “United States of Europe” proposal;  negotiations on forming a government are continuing … ;   Germany says ALL immigrants MUST reject anti-Semitism – a condition that is “non-negotiable”;
     -   racism (and xenophobia?) and anti-Semitism in the Netherlands;
     -   more on the UK’s growing xenophobia;   the next stage of Brexit is expected to start;
     -   other events concerning Europe have occurred or are developing in: Libya;
• With regard to the (forgotten or ignored and underreported) conflicts in Ukraine, particularly in the east:
     -   the opposition leader has been re-arrested – without rescue, this time;   a critique of proposals for peacekeepers;
• 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, Central Asia, and responses (see also elsewhere):
     Russia:
     -   after accusation of breaches, Russia has said it is committed to an intermediate-range cruise missiles ban;   a “long read” on Russia’s President and his tactical adaptability;   Russia’s President has claimed the USA is “in the grip of a fabricated spymania” … but he thought relations would recover one day, and praised the US economy, to the pleasure of the USA’s CEO;
• With regard to South and Central America:
     -   Argentina has deported journalists and NGOs – using a flimsy excuse – ahead of a WTO meeting;
     -   Ecuador’s vice-president has been jailed for accepting bribes;
     -   El Salvador has shown its backwardness by confirming the 30 year sentence for a stillbirth (or allegedly an abortion - either way, staggeringly backward), leading to calls for reform;
     -   a critique of a suggestion to offer drug gangs in Mexico an amnesty (addressing corruption and drug demand would be better);   the threats of climate change on Mexican agriculture;
     -   Peru's president will not resign, despite growing pressure over corruption allegations that has claimed Ecuador's vice-president;
     -   an opposition boycott has allowed the ruling party in Venezuela has won most of the mayoral elections;   nephews of the wife of Venezuela's president have been jailed in the USA over drug smuggling;   a purge has paralysed Venezuela’s oil industry;
• With regard to South Asia (aka the Indian sub-continent), The Hindu and other sources have:
     on India:
     -   Indians appear to have become indifferent to fatal air pollution;   one of the opponents to India’s Prime Martinet;   India is taking a stronger line against a foreign agricultural giant (is monoculture an unacknowledged issue?);   domestic slavery;   building dams in India using an ancient approach to help the 300 million who face water shortages;   the massive outrage in India over the brutal rape and murder of a six-year-old is continuing;   an Indian state's Happiness Minister is a suspect in a murder case;   a bill that makes instant triple talaq a criminal offence is progressing;   “for the first time in India, a company has been set up with the sole objective of supporting differently-abled artisans, by differently abled persons”;   a change of leadership in India’s Congress Party;   carol singers have been arrested on charges of attempting a conversion … ;   a ban on plastic being thrown into the river Ganga;   more on India’s current, ongoing elections;   a call for India to secure infrastructure against cyber threats;   examination of the India-China border dispute and current actions;
     on Pakistan:
     -   Pakistan has made some progress against violent extremists, but needs to do more;   an assessment of Pakistan’s foreign policy;   Pakistan's response to violent extremist attacks on the Hazara has been to shove them into ghettoes … ;   the problem of a growing number of disappearances in Pakistan;
• With regard to West Asia (aka “the Middle East”) and Northern Africa, the Middle East Eye and other sources have:
     -   Iran and Turkey vs. Saudi Arabia and UAE;
     on Israel and Palestine:
     -events following the US plan to relocate its embassy are in the section “particular attention”;   thousands of Israelis have protested against corruption;   Israel’s Attorney-General is opposing legalisation of settlements – with options … ;   investigation into corruption are continuing;   Israel has raided West Bank universities and seized “incitement materials”;
     on the (forgotten [or ignored] and underreported) conflict - and its consequences - in Yemen:
     -   Saudi Arabia is deliberately targeting Yemen’s food supplies;   an attempt to revive Yemen’s outstanding coffee industry;   a battle at a port city is exacerbating problems … again – see also here;
     on Syria (where the Assad Dictatorship has lost all pretence of legitimacy, and partition is needed):
     -   mines, corpses and devastation in Raqqa;   Russia will start reducing its military in Syria;   the Syrian opposition has urged Russia to save the UN peace talks by persuading the Syrian government to begin direct face-to-face discussions … but the talks have failed … ;   a rebel held area is imposing sharia law;   weapons provided by the USA to Syrian rebel factions ended up with violent extremists;
     on Iraq (which was a peaceful and prosperous society before the UK / USA / CIA backed revolution – see here) and Kurdistan:
     -   Iraq also claims to have completely defeated violent extremists (the number of violent deaths is dropping, but it’s still high … );   Iran and Iraq will do a (regional) oil swap;   a cleric has opposed dismantling one militia;
     -   and the Iraq Body Count project reports 140 people violently killed in the last week;
     elsewhere in the region:
     -   France has referred to its war in Algeria as a crime against humanity, but has refused to apologise, and wants “collaborators” to be able to return;
     -   Russia will resume flights to Egypt;
     -   Iran is pretending disabled women don’t have sexual needs;   Iran and Iraq will do a (regional) oil swap;   the UN "has warned that Iran may be defying a call to halt ballistic missile development even as it complies with the nuclear deal" (an important distinction), and “may” (I think most people have considered this certain, for some time) have passed missiles to Yemeni rebels – but France has urged caution on the evidence, and Iran has acknowledged “components” in weapons used in Yemen, but accused the USA of hypocrisy – see also here;
     -   the ongoing blockade of Qatar is causing hardship;
     -   the Saudi purge is making investors nervous;   after 35 years, Saudi Arabia will re-open movie theatres;
     -   Tunisia’s Truth Commission is struggling, and “the police state is making a comeback” … ;
     -   scepticism over Turkey’s economic growth – which is, of course, being connected to the failed coup by Grand Sultan Erdogan’s regime.

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;   the 1 Million Meditators movement,   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.

(I 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.