The Sangha Kommune (僧伽公社) – A Place of Spiritual and Physical Growth! (Founded 16.2.2010)

The Chinese Buddhist monastic community is referred to as a ‘Sangha’ (Sanskrit for ‘spiritual community’), whereby men and women form a voluntary association premised upon following a strict set of rules known as the ‘Vinaya Discipline’. Within this community, there is ‘equality’ between all members, with the leaders being those who have followed these rules for the longest times. This is because such people are thought to have more experience at adhering to the Vinaya Discipline (which includes celibacy and vegetarianism), and are therefore able to effectively advise all others through the difficult times they my face in their practice. As those with little experience have less to share, they are not considered leaders whilst more experienced practitioners live in the vicinity.

BBC Remains "Silent" About NHS and Welfare Abolition!

Office for National Statistics: After 40-Year+ Attack on NHS & Welfare State – UK Life-Expectancy Plummets to Under 61-Years Nationally & 51 Regionally! (29.4.2026)

Marx discusses how the life expectancy of the workers in 1850s UK was very low considering the extent of the wealth their collective labour earned for the nation. Through a slow process of left-wing agitation and union activity – this low level (I believe just “40” in some areas) slowly began to rise, culminating in the 1948 founding of the Welfare State and NHS. This trend of improvement and growth continued until Thatcher in the mid-1980s when she switched the NHS from an ethos of “care” to “cost” – with the idea that the entire entity be privatised and transitioned into an exploitative US-style system. This unfolded parallel to the dismantling and reducing of the Benefit System, Social Housing, and effective Social Services – not to mention Elderly Care. All three main UK political parties – the Tories, Labour, and LibDems – have pursued this agenda at the behest of the US since the collapse of the USSR in 1991. Indeed, out of all the richest and advanced (21) most developed countries in the West – the UK lies at “20” with the US at “21” when it comes to all-round life-expectancy. Undiagnosed and untreated illnesses, coupled with untreated or inadequately treated injuries and disabilities have led directly to early deaths (ailments that can be easily cured and/or controlled with proper treatment) – a trend that is increasing. In the capitalist West – people are dying of medical neglect surrounded by hospitals, by starvation surrounded by food, and exposure surrounded by housing, etc. It is a crime against humanity unfolding against the workers perpetuated by the bourgeoisie – who live longer due to their unhindered access to all the resources they control and gate-keep. Revolutions happen due to the need to forcibly re-distribute already existing ample levels of wealth and resources – as the bourgeoisie always refuses to share on a voluntary basis. This is the practice of basic class interests!

Cuban Women Support Socialism!

Cuba: Declaration of the Federation of Cuban Women! (28.4.2026)

The firmness and solidarity that characterizes us accompanies every victory. And as Cubans, on the centenary of Fidel, a historical reference of the nation, we will continue to defend all the justice conquered.

Today, here, together, we reaffirm that peace and homeland are inseparable from our life, our memory and our dignity. Our signing is not a formal gesture: it is an act of political awareness, a commitment to history and a message to the world that Cuba will continue to be a land of resistance, unity and hope.

Military personnel participate in Togo's Independence Day parade in Lome, Togo, April 27, 2026. (Xinhua/Si Yuan)

Africa: Chinese Traditional Culture at Togo’s Independence Day! (28.4.2026)

A Chinese traditional culture contingent composed of students from the Confucius Institute at the University of Lome made its debut as the first folklore group in the procession, marking the first appearance of a foreign cultural contingent in the history of Togo’s Independence Day parade.

A total of 34 Confucius Institute students, dressed in traditional Hanfu and ethnic costumes, held peony-patterned umbrellas, while dragon and lion dance performers moved among them.

The display conveyed sincere festive greetings to the Togolese people and won warm applause and high praise from the audience.

Wang told Xinhua that the presence of “Chinese red” stood out in the procession, complementing Togo’s traditional cultural formations and jointly painting a vivid picture of harmonious exchanges between Chinese and Togolese civilizations.

She added that the performance had become a highlight of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

Did Shenzhen Police Abuse the Rights of a Woman Enforcing the Law?

China: Woman Alleges Strip-Search by Shenzhen Police – Sparking Online Criticism! (28.4.2026)

If it was not for the fact I found this on Chinese-language media – I would think this was a fake (anti-China) article emanating from the West. However, the fact that a “settlement” has already been reached suggests the story is true and I assume the woman concerned has received a financial sum as compensation. The CPC used to have a liberal attitude toward smoking – creating a completely independent tobacco industry designed to “purify” the smoking experience and remove all the negative health effects from it – a very different approach to the abstaining and disapproving West. It seems that as the older generation dies-away – the Chinese State is directing Chinese society away from any public displays of smoking. It would seem that the woman in question (the “victim”) was attempting to enforce the law at the Bus Station – but was “arrested” alongside the man allegedly breaking the law. The fact the CPC has allowed this story to be perpetuated into the foreign media suggests a damage limitation exercise is in effect.

Pony and trap racing Image: Unsplash

UK: Weird News from England – Pony & Trap Riding “Banned” on 2 Buckinghamshire A-Roads! (27.4.2026)

Pony and trap racing is a form of informal racing where a rider sits in a lightweight cart pulled by a pony or horse, typically travelling at speed along roads rather than regulated tracks. Residents have repeatedly complained that the informal races cause long tailbacks, sudden braking and near misses.

Earlier this month, Thames Valley Police was called to the A413 following reports of racing near Chalfont St Peter. Matthew Barber the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner said: “The local community in South Buckinghamshire have suffered from disruption for pony and trap racing on the A413 for many years.

“Yet many people do not realise that racing horses on the highway is not illegal. Racing motor vehicles is prohibited by the Road Traffic Act 1988, and cycle races are regulated, but racing horses is not.

“Nevertheless the racing has often lead to disruption to traffic, antisocial behaviour, and intimidation to local residents.”

Prussian Knot - Colonel Confederate Hate!

CSA: Gifted Cap & T-Shirt! (26.4.2026)

Yesterday, I received a replica “kapi” hat with the rank of “Colonel” signified by the gold braid and Prussian-knot. I do not understand these ranks but assume that it has something to do with the German participation in the American Civil War. On top of this I am wearing a grey T-Shirt that humorously records all the battles fought by General Robert E Lee as he guided the Army of Northern Virginia in and out of the Northern (Federal) States. It is a historically accurate list with one or two battles I have not heard of before. The Confederate States is a fascinating time in US history and much of it is obscured and/or misrepresented. British military historians tend to be more level-headed about the reality of the Confederate States and the reasons it fought against the North.

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