Tag: Britain

Human skeletal remains in a double burial at the Worth Matravers cemetery.

UK: Ancient DNA Reveals West African Ancestry in Early Medieval England! (4.1.2026)

Archaeologists have analysed the DNA of two unrelated individuals buried in seventh-century-AD cemeteries on the south coast of England, revealing that they both had recent ancestors, likely grandparents, from West Africa.

During the Early Middle Ages, England saw significant migration from continental northern Europe. Historical accounts describe the settlement of Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, who gave their names to the Anglo-Saxon period and perhaps the country itself. However, the extent of movement from further afield was less clear.

“Migration and its direction, scale and impact have been much debated in European archaeology,” state the authors. “Archaeogenetic research can now provide new insight, even identifying individual migrants”.

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Pytheas of Massalia (350-285 BCE)

UK: How Celtic Languages Spread Across Britain & Ireland! (2.1.2026)

I hesitate to “agree” regarding the Ogham script and would like to see the evidence (that it evolves from the Roman alphabet). I have seen Ogham etched along the side of clay tablets (which were then “dried” for preservation) and engraved along the edge of stone tablets (a much more difficult task). As in China, early reading and writing evolved around the ruling families – the kings – and their specially trained advisors. Why write along the edge of things? Romans did not do this. I suppose a case can be made that Ogham might be a development of Roman numerals – but I would like to see the evidence. My parents live in South Devon, and although born in Oxford, I was brought-up in Devon and Cornwall – two of the UK’s Celtic heartlands. I learned Country Dancing at school, and visited museums that contained the Celtic Coracle (round fishing boat). We also learned about the magic of Druidism and how the mighty Boudicca united the Celtic tribes and inflicted terrible defeats on the Roman invaders. I also drink cyder and eat clotted cream. All of this I have imparted to the Chinese members of my family (we take our children all over the Celtic South-West) – just as they have imparted Hakka culture to me. Of course, also possessing Irish ancestry (my father’s mother was from Mullingar) – this confirms the Celtic identity.

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A square commemorating peace is pictured at a museum transformed from the Weihsien concentration camp in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, on May 2, 2025. (Weihsien West Civilians Concentration Camp Site Museum/Handout via Xinhua)

China: Legacy of WWII Concentration Camp honours Friendship & Peace! (28.8.2025)

During the event, Stanley met Han Chongbin, an 80-year-old whose father once aided expatriates at the Weihsien concentration camp.

“At that time, out of pity for the internees, my father spent his own money to buy candy and brought eggs from home, managing to send them into the concentration camp. In return, the internees dismantled an iron bed and sent it out,” Han said. “He never expected that his help would be ‘rewarded.'”

In 2019, Han donated the iron bed to the museum. Now a museum volunteer, he shares stories about that period of history with visitors.

With the help of translators, he and Stanley shared a heartfelt conversation, holding hands like old friends. “Peace is our common aspiration,” Stanley said.

“Remembering suffering is not perpetuating hatred; it is igniting the beacon of hope for the future,” said Ayo Ayoola-Amale, vice chair of the governing council of International Cities of Peace.

“Weifang’s commitment to preserving this legacy — establishing the camp’s memorial museum, inviting descendants of survivors to return, and educating younger generations with truth — epitomizes the deepest practice of peace. Such courage deserves global recognition,” she said.

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Universal Postal Union Shows Solidarity!

Universal Postal Union [UNU]: 25 Countries Suspend Postal Services to US Over Tariffs! (28.8.2025)

Korea Post said it will halt sending air parcels and some express mail services to the U.S. starting Tuesday, while keeping premium services, operated via private couriers, available subject to customs duties.

Other countries including France, Britain, Germany, Italy, India, Australia, and Japan, also announced the suspension. 

The U.S. media outlet NPR said eliminating de minimis shipments would hurt poorer Americans the most and — presaging the headaches that logistics companies are encountering this week — would be “an administrative nightmare,” citing a report released by the U.S. think tank Cato Institute.

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British Foreign Office Statement Condemning Israel!

London: 28 Countries Condemn Israel Over “Suffering of Civilians in Gaza”! (22.7.2025)

The statement in question was signed by the Foreign Ministers of the following countries – Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. Just “why” so many of these countries are outside the EU (even Europe in the case of Japan) is something of a mystery (although ALL might be said to be allies of the US). Either way, and perhaps ironically, China did not sign – or was excluded from signing – I suspect the latter (as China has been calling for peace since day one – when all these listed countries were busy funding, arming, and politically excusing Israel’s criminal behaviour). A cynical take on statements such as this is that they are issued knowing nothing will be done to help Gaza – and that Israel will continue its brutal land-grab unopposed. Is such a scenario, this type of statement serves as a security measure in case any of the international legal actions against Israel gain any legal traction. Should the Israeli leaders end-up in the dock and answering for their War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity – then the Western enablers of these monsters will be brought to the fore. Being able to produce this rather feeble effort of a statement probably amounts to something akin to a “legal defence” in the mind of David Lammy!

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UK: Visiting Haytor – Dartmoor National Park! (17.4.2025

We were committed to traversing directly up before we fully appreciated the difference. Nevertheless, hundreds climb Haytor every week – with wild Dartmoor ponies wandering around the car-park area. These animals may – or may not – come over for a stroke, but visitors must be careful not to be bitten, head-butted, or kicked, etc. This does not happen very often – but wild animals should be respected. Another issues are yapping dogs (which must be kept on leads). As matters transpired, there was one or two calm and sedate ponies that wanted to be stroked and petted, etc. The general experience is important for children – particularly those from city areas – to re-connect with nature and experience the feeling that the immensity of nature – wide-open spaces – can generate! I last visited probably about 20-years ago with Gee – but our two children not yet born.

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