UK – Page 28 – SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR)

The Beatles: Original Drummer – Mr Pete Best – Announces Retirement! (9.4.2025)

09/04/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

Of course, Ringo Starr was temporarily replaced (when ill) whilst The Beatles were on tour – so obviously he wasn’t irreplaceable. Perhaps it just goes to show the greed and desperation that drives predatory capitalism. Still, once CD – and then streaming – developed, Pete Best’s substantial (foundational) contribution was finally recognised via a huge (and well-deserved) pay-out from The Beatles millions – or should I say billions! You can now listen to Pete Best’s drumming as part of The Beatles’ legitimate historical development. Pete Best demonstrated remarkable character having to live through the unbelievable success of the group he helped form – having to watch from the side-line – as the world went made! Still, Pete Best eventually received his financial reward when The Beatles Anthology was released 1995.

Memorial Stone for the Crew of the CSS HL Hunley!

CSA: Remembering the CSS HL Hunley – Confederate Submarine Recovered in 2000! (8.4.2025)

08/04/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

These were the last Confederate soldiers to be laid to rest in the US. They were buried in 2004 in Charleston – with over ten thousand people attending – many carrying Confederate flags. The official US government stance was one of indifference and perhaps embarrassment (the US was busy illegally invading Iraq and Afghanistan – falsely blaming both countries for the September 11th World Trade Centre Attacks). One of the submarine crew – “C Lumpkin” – was British (images of what the crew looked like have been created), whilst two others (of the eight-man crew) were also non-American (“Corporal Johan Frederik Carlsen” was Danish – whilst “Arnold Becker” was Germany). In other words, three of the eight were foreign – and I know that people came from Ireland (which was then under British control) and from Mainland Britain to join the Confederate Cause.

Journalist Ahmad Mansour was burned alive following an Israeli strike that targeted a journalists’ tent at Nasser Hospital, Khan Younis, in southern Gaza. Several other people were massacred and injured.

UK: Israel Deports Two Non-White British MPs – Accused of “Spying” Whilst on Fact-Finding “Genocide” Mission! (7.4.2025)

07/04/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

GAZA, April 7, 2025 (WAFA) — At least 10 civilians, including journalists, were killed and others injured early Monday morning in Israeli airstrikes on various areas of the Gaza Strip.

Local sources reported that Israeli warplanes bombed a journalists’ tent near Nasser Medical Complex Hospital in Khan Yunis, killing journalist Hilmi al-Faqawi and Yousef al-Khazindar. Journalists Ahmed Mansour, Hassan Islayh, Ahmed al-Agha, Mohammed Fayeq, Abdullah al-Attar, Ihab al-Bardini, Mahmoud Awad, Majed Qudaih, and Ali Islayh were injured, some seriously.

The sources added that the Israeli occupation bombed two houses west of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, killing two citizens and wounding others.

WAFA correspondent said that Israeli drones targeted a group of citizens on Wadi al-Arayes Street in the al-Zeitoun neighborhood south of Gaza City, killing three citizens: Ghassan Bassam al-Anqar, Awad Jamal al-Harazin, and Saeed Ashour Daghmash.

He added that the occupation also bombed Masoud Street in the Al-Jurn area north of Gaza City, killing Abdul Karim Akram Muqbil. Two citizens were also killed and others wounded in the occupation’s bombing of Jabalia al-Balad, north of the Gaza Strip.

UK: Qingming (清明) [2025] – “Sweeping & Cleaning the Grave” of the Chinese Ancestors! (5.4.2025)

05/04/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

At both times of the year the graves are repaired and made new – whilst one or two of the favourite things are provided – such as a glass of brandy and a cigarette. Some Chinese families – although not ours – make paper clothing which is burnt at the graveside in Autumn – alongside “Spirit Money” – or pretend banknotes, etc. Others take real food which is placed on a table in hygienic containers – offered as an oblation – and consumed later. Our two daughters used clothes and cleaning sprays to remove the dirt and shine the stone exterior of the graves. The bright flowers are then cut to fit into the holders. We often bring a flag of China and Buddhist pictures and statues. Today, I also carried a Ch’an Dao Martial Arts Association badge and a pair of Nunchaku. We lit six incense-sticks – three for each grave – and bowed-down three-tips (clapping the hands three-times). We have been performing these rituals since the early 1990s in the UK.

UK: £416.19 Victory for Disabled People – High Court Ruling Declared DWP’s Benefit Reforms Unfair & Illegal! (4.4.2025)

04/04/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

The DWP claimed the changes were designed to “support” disabled people into work. However, there was no evidence that the reforms would actually improve employment outcomes. In fact, internal assessments suggested the opposite: more disabled people facing tougher conditions, sanctions, and loss of income.

This contradiction was a central part of the court’s ruling. Public Law Project lawyer Aoife O’Reilly called the decision a “vindication,” noting that public consultations must reflect reality—not political spin.

Backlash and Response

Disability rights organizations, legal experts, and even civil service unions welcomed the court’s judgment. Groups such as Inclusion London and the UK DDPO CRPD Monitoring Coalition are now urging the government to drop the reforms and restart the process—with disabled people at the table.

London: Barking Opens First Permanent Showers for Homeless! (2.4.2025)

02/04/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

The idea for the permanent facility came about after a number of pop-up events at Barking Learning Centre, where guests could see a doctor without an appointment and could also get haircuts, showers, clothes and food.

According to the council, most people who were surveyed at the events said they attended for free food and showers, as well as to see a doctor.

ShowerBox Barking is currently open on Fridays but Maureen Worby, the council’s cabinet member for adult social care, said she hoped to recruit volunteers to have a women-only day.

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