U.S. Library of Congress closes on Oct. 1, 2025. (Photo/China News Service)

US: Warning as Government Shutdown Deepens Impact on Travel & Livelihoods! (8.11.2025)

Baker noted that the U.S. has experienced shutdowns in the past decades, during which both parties had real differences but they also recognized the need for compromise. However, in this case, “that recognition does not seem to be there with the Trump administration and the Republicans.”

In his view, the Republicans “are mostly to blame in that they have not approached the deadlock in good faith”.

In order to streamline government and expand its own executive power, the U.S. administration wanted to use the “government shutdown” to advance large-scale layoffs of federal employees and closure of agencies related to the Democrats, according to U.S. media.

The Democrats also have their own calculations. The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) noted the standoff has become a messaging battle, with each party betting the public will blame the other.

Heavy Horses Toil the Dust!

Rutland Farm Park – The Visit! (28.10.2025)

Unlike the City Farms or the bigger commercial entities – the atmosphere is relaxed. Indeed, a cadre of very alert geese provide the security detail – patrolling the grounds and showing the guests which way to travel in and out of the park! I remember once reading in a book at school (a very long time ago) that Celtic people used to live on the top of mountains and hills – and that it was geese (and not dogs) that used to warn the inhabitants of any approaching strangers! Geese “honk” really loud, and are physically brave, being willing to protect their owners with their lives! Brave little fellows they are!

1974 USSR Passport Recognised Until 2009!

Russia: How President Putin Recognised [1974] USSR Passports! (26.9.2025)

The Soviet Union, through the correct application of dialectical materialism, and despite two genocidal invasions (the first being the collective West 1918-1921 – and the second Nazi Germany and her fascist Catholic allies 1941-1945) – performed a socio-economic miracle by bringing Russia and its surrounding countries firmly into the 20th century and the modern era. Perhaps women and girls were the greatest recipients of Socialist civility and progression. Whereas the West only issued Passports to the rich to travel externally to and from their countries – Lenin had the idea that everyone in the USSR should automatically be granted a free Passport that recorded their name, address, date of birth, ethnicity, and religion.

Life Expectancy Raises to 79!

China: Average Life Expectancy Rises to 79-Years! (12.9.2025)

It marked “a notable improvement” for a developing country, said Lei Haichao, head of the National Health Commission.
Lei, speaking on the country’s progress in the health sector during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), stated that infant and maternal mortality rates have continued to decline over the past five years, and the overall health level of residents has steadily improved.

A Saturday Morning Trip to the Honey-Shop!

The Galmpton “Honour System” – Walking to the Honey-Shop on a Saturday Morning! (30.8.2025)

Having stayed in Galampton a number of times now – my parent’s house is full of various medical paraphernalia – we noticed a sign (one of many) outside a beautiful brick-work #(chocolate-box) cottage – advertising local honey. Although this sign is a permanent fixture, we were never quite sure if the honey is available all year round – and we did not want to bother the owners. I could just imagine a startled villager as their sedate and isolated cottage is over-ran by a loud South London family – and their two-dogs!

Paignton: The Gurkha Curry! (27.8.2025)

This is a very sought after place with tables having to be booked weeks in advance. The cuisine is Nepalese (Gurkha) and is exceptionally good. The children enjoyed the rice and poppadoms – and it was a good experience for them. I was shocked to learn that the average price of a burger nowadays is around £8! Can you believe that! Even curries are not that cheap nowadays and so I am grateful we were guests and not hosts. As my mother is bed-bound abs could not attend in person – we ordered a curry to take home for her! We had a wonderful time surrounded by our family.

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