From Red Moon to Vostochny: 10 Achievements of Russian Cosmonautics

USSR: 10 Achievements of Soviet & Russian Cosmonautics! (11.9.2026)

On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union, which had just recovered from the war, amazed the world with news from the field of high technology – the Soviets, who were reproached for technological backwardness, managed to be the first in the world to launch a satellite into space. True, it was originally planned to send a more complex device into orbit, but the data that the United States would launch its satellite in 1958 forced Korolev to hurry. The mass of the Sputnik-1 spacecraft, which the American press nicknamed the “Red Moon”, was 83.6 kg, the maximum diameter was 0.58 m. It flew in space for 92 days, having made 1440 revolutions around the Earth during this time. Satellite signals could be received using ordinary amateur radio equipment, and radio transmitters worked for three weeks after the launch. Gradually, the device lost speed and burned up in the dense layers of the atmosphere.

Almeida a Worker!

Cuba: The Loss Experienced on September 11th…! (12.9.2026)

I oppose terrorism on the grounds it is an Anarchic tactic – not Marxist-Leninist – that only hurts the innocent worker. A recent US academic study suggests that the US Military – since 1945 to present – has killed around 30 million men, women, and children around the world – in its quest to establish US-style economics. Much of this can be legally described as “terrorism”. In return, the US people have suffered remarkably “low” casualties and damage. During the Nazi blanket-bombing of UK cities (1939-1945) – the British lost 60,500 people (killed) with 130,000 (wounded). Remarkably, during the “Blitz” Nazi German bombing campaign (between September-May 1940) – the UK lost a staggering 30,000-40,000 – with my mother’s family being bombed-out of their native Lewisham. Today, the US is killing school-girls in Iran and is slowly attempting to destroy Cuba. The Americans, however, would have you believe that “they” are victims.

This undated file image provided by Jilin University in northeast China's Jilin Province shows a reconstructed 3D image of Equus ovodovi, an extinct ancient horse. (Jilin University/Handout via Xinhua)

China: Ancient Chinese Horse Reconstructed! (12.9.2026)

The horse fossils, dating back roughly 40,000 years, were first found in a cave in southwestern Siberia in Russia. Initially, only broken jawbones and teeth were discovered, without a complete skull. Over the years, related fossils have also been unearthed in North America, Africa, Siberia and northeast China. However, because the bones were scattered fragments, the animal’s true appearance had remained a mystery for more than a hundred years.

In 2022, Chinese researchers at Jilin University and Northwest A&F University in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province successfully extracted high-quality gene data from the fossils. Building on that work, they worked with American researchers in 2026, comparing the fossil data with living species, such as the Asian wild donkey and domestic horse. They reconstructed the skeleton, built up muscle structure, and eventually recreated the animal’s full appearance.

Buddha & St Benedict United!

UK: Buddha & St Benedict Entwined – a Retrospect! (10.9.2026)

Now, whilst in Hereford I befriended an Irishman (my family are part Irish) named “Brian Gray” – who was training to be a Catholic Priest. He was fascinated by Buddhism and liked to “spar” with me in gloved-boxing matches (I was a nasty bit of work in my late teens – as I discovered my natural physical strength). He introduced me to a “Father Thomas” the Abbot of the Catholic Hereford Cathedral. He wanted me to go to the Vatican to meet the Pope – and to join the Catholic faith – but of course, this was not my path. I am not attuned to entering these paths that discriminate against non-members for not being members. Also, at that point I was learning about how the Vatican supported fascism before, during, and after WWII. So you can see my predicament. Although I had friendly interactions on the personal level, there were certain political realities that had to be acknowledged and balanced. Anyway, the upshot of all this was that I was introduced to the study of the Rule of St Benedict followed by the monastics of the Catholic Church (and given the ring you can see here – although I am unaware of its significance).

Archives Report of the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, Alena Douhan.pdf

Cuba: 63rd Regular Session of the Human Rights Council – Geneva [9.9.2026] – Statement By Ambassador Rodolfo Benitez Verson! (10.9.2026)

The perverse and deliberate purpose of the United States is to cause extreme shortages and total asphyxiation to Cuban families. They are trying to invoice a humanitarian tragedy to destabilise the country and achieve their political objectives.

In what constitutes an unprecedented reinforcement of the blockade, since last January the United States has imposed a brutal energy siege against Cuba. They threaten reprisals against any country that supplies oil to the island. The shortage of fuels has had a devastating impact on almost all areas of society.

Due to a lack of electricity and supplies, the national health system is forced to postpone non-urgent surgeries to prioritize life-defining ones. More than 100,000 patients are waiting for surgery, of which 12,000 are children. Life expectancy for children with cancer fell from 85% to 65%. The infant mortality rate has grown from 4.4 per thousand births in 2018 to 9.9 in 2025. Of the 395 drugs that Cuba produces within its basic health system, 300 are in short supply due to difficulties in accessing raw materials.

The Mind Must Be Calm and Serene!

BMA-UK: Buddhist Practice of “Accepting” & “Rejecting” Food Donations – The Politics of the Buddha’s Begging Bowl! (8.9.2026)

Rules in the Dhammic-sense serve only as basic guides toward moral-behaviour – hence the obvious latitude found in the night-life of places such as Thailand. Obviously, a lay-Buddhist is free to follow whatever path they perceive is correct for themselves and the circumstances they inhabit – after-all – it is their karma-producing habit. One issue is not to inflict suffering on others – including animals (this is why my family will never hurt animals in anyway). Hunger striking, in this sense, only physically “hurts” the individual participating in it – although a case can be made that those watching or caring “from afar” might suffer emotional pain. Of course, in the poor parts of Asia, Buddhist monastics exist whilst eating every other day – as the laity is so poor they have very little to share – but what an effort they make! Although starving themselves, the Buddhist laity will put aside a small amount for the Buddhist monastics. I was told that in the Northern forests of Thailand food is so scarce that Buddhist monastics often sieve a type of algae out of the local rivers – using their begging bowls – and share this to eat.

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