Post No. 2,163 - Reading and other links

I'm going to begin this with a reminder that the work of this blog is: 

• clearing nonBPM nonphysical  units (in a sense, doing the shadow work of the world), including doing spirit rescues,

and

• BPM  strengthening  BPM units - some nonphysical, some incarnated people . . . and one of, if not the, best ways that is done is strengthening people's connection with their own Higher Self (which is often not what they interpret as their conscience).
  

Also:

Black Lives Matter! Be Anti-Racist, Anti-Sexist, and Actively Inclusive in ALL Areas.
The Climate Crisis is real, urgent and existential!

The Pandemic is Real, and Vaccinations save lives. Stay safe - wash your hands, practice social distancing and wear a face mask in public, and follow informed medical advice - and be considerate towards those at risk or in situations of vulnerability (including economic) while the COVID-19 pandemic is a problem.

Having made those points, here are some links that you, Dear Reader, may find of interest or value: 

• some thoughts on coping with feeling overwhelmed by world events;

Human rights related links (originally published on my political blog) that you, Dear Reader, may find of interest or value: 

• Putin has put Russia's nuclear forces on alert, while the USA has cancelled a ballistic missile test to avoid building tensions, and warned against nuclear weapons being moved into Belarus (see here on the past use of nuclear threats);   the nuclear risks of war in a nation with nuclear power stations;  
   - an opinion that this may mark the beginning of the end of Putin's reign;  
   - the amazing, morally powerful speech by Kenya's Ambassador to the United Nations on colonialism and Russia's invasion of Ukraine - see also here, on why it was left to Kenya to speak for multilateralism, and here, on insincere holding of good (as a member of minority groups, norms are NOT all good) norms (which refers to an earlier article on the death of good norms);   an overview of Russia's breach of international law;   protests against Russia's invasions continue (they remind me of the protests against Bush the Second's invasion of Iraq);   an assessment of Putin's miscalculations of Ukraine and Russia;   the USA has told its citizens to leave Russia immediately;   a rebuttal of claims Russia has harmed international law (do such people think laws against murder are dealt a death blow because murders occur?);   disputed accusations that China asked Russia not to invade Ukraine during a recent major sporting event;   the UN general Assembly, called to an emergency session using pre-established protocols after the veto powers hobbled the UN Security Council, has voted to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine;  
   - the ICC will investigate possible war crimes;   fears that the involvement of foreigners in fighting could lead to radicalisation elsewhere;   the growing humanitarian need - including from hundreds of thousands of displaced people, which may reach into the millions;   fears, based on past examples, of what atrocities Russian forces will commit;  
   - major economic sanctions have been imposed against Russia (which controls hundreds of supposedly "British" companies and has smuggled hundreds of tonnes of gold from those African nations which are now failing to speak against Putin) and are hitting hard enough to cause a "hearts and minds" problem in Russia, but the world is unlikely to risk another oil crisis by going too much further (if only all the IPOCs in power had gone down the path of renewables [or, at the very least, energy independence], electric vehicles, and recycling of plastic into its constituent oil that we could have!!! A major release of additional oil by other nations will hopefully prevent too much impact if Russian oil is withheld);   two Russian billionaires have spoken out against the war, and oil companies (and our Futures Fund) are getting out - as are some Russians;  
   - a call for the West to counter Putin's misinformation strategy;   censorship of the media in Russia - has brought back short wave radio;  
   - Europe will buy weapons for Ukraine - and boost its own spending as it adopts a firmer stance against Russia - particularly Germany;   Russia is responding to strong Ukrainian resistance (Ukraine has created a hotline for the families of captured Russian soldiers) and its own mistakes by moving up more artillery and improving logistics (see here on recent improvements to the Russian military);  
   - and "after years of allowing Russia to "sportswash” human rights abuses FIFA, soccer's global governing body, UEFA, the sport's European governing body, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are banning Russian teams from all international competitions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine";
• a critique of the USA's apparent decline; 
• an opinion that "the spiralling human, military and economic costs of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will force Beijing to reassess its plans for Taiwan" (which, for the record, I consider arguable, and possible premature, as we don't yet know how Russia's invasion of Ukraine will end);   China's increasing use of violence;
  
• the latest IPCC report indicates “climate change is killing people” - and hard hit Africa is "not ready";   a US state is debating "naming heatwaves to underscore deadly risk of extreme heat";   the critical state of the Great Barrier Reef;   Australia will hypocritically allow plastic to be exported as "fuel" . . . ;  
  
• a report shows how the military junta in Burma has destroyed that nation's economy - and why have we sanctioned key Russians but not key Burmese abusers? (racism, I presume);   details of the use of torture and breaches of international law by the junta ruling Burma;   
• Meanwhile, the military junta in Sudan continues to suppress journalism and breach human rights;  "legitimate criticism of the ‘mainstream’ media is in danger of being hijacked by anti-vax and [other] movements ";  
  
• oppression in Zimbabwe;
• thousands have been left homeless by slum clearances in Nigeria;
  
• an Indonesian island recognises five separate genders;   "Aussies back religious protections, but not if it discriminates";   a rally against a transphobic bill had more supporters than a rally for the transphobic hate;   Singapore has chosen to remain homophobic;   a US court has stopped a transphobic US state's attempt to, in effect, kill a trans child;   a local Council has flown the Pride flag in response to homophobic hate attacks;   Cameroon has punished anti-LGBT violence; 
• hundreds of human rights defenders were murdered last year; 
• the USA's right wing-biased Supreme Court has stopped those responsible for torture testifying in Europe on their policies;  
  
• more online misogynistic abuse;   non-disclosure agreements allow abusers to continue;   a failure of the USA's legal; system allowed a man to get access to guns and murder his ex-partner and their terrified children;  
  
• the national neolib nitwits' attempts to hold on to power at all costs (which they have shown they are incapable of exercising) by attacking China and the main opposition is likely to have serious repercussions; 
• a statement by some members of a body appointed by the national neolib nitwits to advise on implementation of the Uluru Statement from the heart  is misleading;   UK (stupid or bigotted?) "police bosses will not admit to institutional racism in their forces" (my partner's brother left the English police because of their racism);
  
• "thanks to COVID, we know how to end poverty, yet we’re refusing to do it";
  
• a think tank connected to a major tech company has published denialist stupidity and personal attacks on its website; 
• "we can’t keep relying on charities and the food industry to supply food after disasters – the government must lead";
  
• just as with demonstrating the benefits of WFH, the pandemic has also shown that traditional schools don't work for everyone and we need more approaches; 
  
• a reminder that solar storms could still be a problem, but see also this counter argument; 
  
• more scientists assuming life on other planets would be as stupid as we are; 
  
• finally, a report on the volcanic eruption in Tonga that includes the sensible information can ONLY come from a cross section.