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Rhondda Records is with you every day
bringing the news ------- that gives a
view of world events different to
the mainstream media or
social media!

Except Sundays - our day of rest.

Havana --- hosts the International

Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba

May 2nd, 10:23am

(Prensa Latina)

The International Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba "For a world

without blockade: active solidarity in the Centennial of Fidel,"

began today at the Convention Centre in Havana.

The event, chaired by the President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel

Díaz-Canel, brings together 766 delegates from 36 countries and

a total of 152 international organizations, in solidarity.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez reported on the impact

of the economic and financial blockade imposed by the U.S.

government on the island, as well as the update of the

coercive measures applied, intensified by the

Trump administration under 24 hours ago.

"We will continue to fight with the commitment that this is the

revolution of the humble, by the humble and for the humble.

This --- is the revolution of the workers who took to our

streets yesterday to parade and demonstrate that

the Homeland is defended," said Rodríguez.

For his part -- the president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with

the Peoples, Fernando González -- thanked the presence of foreign

solidarity in such turbulent times, describing it as an
international defense of Cuba's right to be a
sovereign, independent country.

"This meeting is based on the hope of millions of people who have

fought for their political rights, the same rights that those of us

who are gathered here today defend, to multiply our actions

and thus strengthen the capacity for struggle, resistance

and response in the face of this imperialist escalation,"

González said.

The meeting is an opportunity for nations to strengthen unity,

in a context where hegemony is against sovereignty and

international law.

The International Symposium on Trade Union Work will also take

place during the day, where the working class will delve into

its role within humanity.

_________________

Venezuela week: with increased

revenues & energy agreements

May 2nd, 12:04pm

(Prensa Latina)

The announcement of the increase in the minimum integral income

of workers to 240 dollars and the signing of new agreements with

U.S. and international companies in energy matters, stood out in

Venezuela in the week that ends today.

In addition to the above, the continuation of the process for the

selection of citizens to be part of the Judicial Nominations

Committee that will select candidates to be part of the

justice system, including members of the Supreme

Court of Justice (TSJ) that has permanent

positions and vacant alternates.

The revelation... was made by the president in charge, Delcy
Rodríguez at the closing of the pilgrimage for "A Venezuela

without sanctions and in peace" that for 12 days toured

the 24 states in three caravans led by the senior

leadership of Government, Politics and the

Legislative Branch.

This initiative arose from the president's meetings with different

social sectors and began on April 19 to converge on April 30 in

Caracas, in a large mobilization and concentration in the

surroundings of the National Botanical Garden, where

on February 29th, 2004, Commander Hugo Chávez

declared the anti-imperialist character of

the Bolivarian Revolution.

Referring to the increase in the minimum income, which will also

cover workers in the private sector by prior agreement of the

Bolivarian unions, opposition and employers, Rodríguez

stressed that this increase is the "most important

in recent years."

She also reported the 40% increase in the pension of grandparents

to 70 dollars, as well as a special plan to attend to this sector,

one of the most affected by the more than a thousand

coercive measures imposed on the country in the

last 12 years.

Another announcement was linked to the delivery of a professional

and academic recognition bonus to strategic sectors --- whose

increases will be paid retroactively from April 30, including

education, health and security.

The president in charge called this stage that the country is

experiencing "the rebirth of Venezuela," in which they will

advance... in the recovery of what affects children and

grandparents, and so that young people "feel that

they have hope."

An element that was present in each of the speeches during the

pilgrimage was the call for the elimination of the blockade and

coercive measures against the South American nation.

Rodríguez acknowledged having taken steps with the granting

of licenses by the United States, which are not enough, as

she acknowledges, but the final victory --- must be
"the complete cessation of sanctions."

"Let there not be a single sanction oppressing the people of

Venezuela, suffocating the economy -- and snatching the

social happiness of the people!" she emphasized.

During the week, a commercial flight of the American Airlines

company arrived from Miami in Maiquetía, La Guaira state,

resuming the air connection, between the United States

& the Bolivarian Republic, after 7 years of interruption.

Among the passengers traveling to Caracas was a delegation led

by the director of the White House National Council for Energy

Domain, Jarrod Agen, and a large delegation of businessmen

from the energy sector.... who signed agreements with the

state-owned company Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA)

and the Mining Corporation.

As part of the memorandums of understanding signed, were

those of the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and PDVSA with the

U.S. companies... Overseas Oil Company and Crossover

Energy Holding.. in sectors such as gas, condensates

& development in the oil fields of the Orinoco Belt.

The day before, the Venezuelan Mining Corporation and the U.S.

company Heeney Capital and its partner Mercuria Energy

Group signed agreements on that sector...... that the

president of the Bolivarian group described - as

an "excellent achievement" for the 2 nations.

Another agreement was signed with the Italian energy multinational

ENI that will govern negotiations on a contract for the development

of primary activities in the Junín 5 area, in the Orinoco Oil Belt,

aimed at increasing oil and gas production.

Also in the last seven days, the president in charge, made a visit of

just 24 hours to Barbados, where together with the prime minister

of the Caribbean island, Mia Mottley, they signed agreements for

food production, energy, tourism, and educational training.

IRGC: No power capable

of weakening Iranian

nation's resolve

May 2nd, 11:25pm

(PressTV)

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) expresses gratitude

towards the Iranian nation for its resolute defense of the

country and its Islamic establishment through

tremendous popular solidarity rallies.

In a statement on Saturday, the Corps pointed to the massive

nationwide rallies, especially the one staged recently on the

birth anniversary of the eighth Shia Imam, Imam Reza (AS),

and the countrywide Janfada-e-Iran (Sacrifice for Iran)

campaign, that has seen millions sign up expressing

readiness to defend the nation against adversaries

with their lives.

"Iran and the Iranian people will never bow before their enemies,

and no power is capable of weakening your resolve," it said,

addressing the nation.

The IRGC hailed the countywide rallies as "epic and unparalleled,"

noting how the demonstrations sustained throughout the entire

40-day period of the United States' and the Israeli regime's

latest bout of unprovoked aggression against the Islamic

Republic ---- and continue to last.

It described the nationwide participation as the expression of

allegiance to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah

Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded Ayatollah

Seyyed Ali Khamenei following the former Leader's

martyrdom in the early stages of the aggression.

The all-encompassing participation, the Corps noted, "has

constituted an exceptional display of national unity and

a powerful patriotic defense against the demonic

American-Zionist enemy."

The rallies held on Imam Reza (AS)'s birth anniversary, on

Wednesday especially, stood out "serving as a reflection

of the Iranian people’s insight in recognizing the enemy,

assessing the situation, and discerning their duty

under the current sensitive and decisive

circumstances," the statement read.

The Corps lauded the nation for defying the enemy’s

psychological and media warfare by participating

in the rallies, saying the nationwide display of

resilience "will endure .....in the historical

memory of the nation."

The IRGC advised the nation.... towards steadfastly

continuing the demonstrations, saying the rallies

and simultaneous determined defense of the

country by its capable Armed Forces are

the key to ---- a "final victory in this

civilizational sacred defense."

'Fuel for our missiles'

The popular show of force, it added, serves as a source

of power for the Armed Forces, "functioning as fuel for

missiles," the statement went on.

Additionally, the nation's endorsement functions as

a "firm backing" for guaranteeing the country’s

strategies and policies, particularly in the

"new management" of the Strait of

Hormuz, it added.

The statement was referring to a directive - issued earlier

by Ayatollah Khamenei, in which the Leader vowed that

the strategic waterway - was destined to be governed

by the Islamic Republic in a way that both deterred

the enemy and contributed decisively to the

nation's and the region's prosperity.

______________________________________

Editor's Choice

May 2nd: Iran reaffirms Strait of Hormuz control

as US pressure backfires --- desperation grows

May 2nd, 10:14pm

(PressTV)

by Press TV Website Staff

Iran has reinforced its authority over the Persian Gulf and the Strait

of Hormuz as the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy

moved to operationalise the Leader of the Islamic Revolution,
Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei’s ---- new
maritime directive.

While the Islamic Republic continues to prepare for any eventuality,

including a new war, it has submitted a new comprehensive

proposal to the Pakistani mediators in order to end the

US-Israeli war of aggression while reaffirming the

legality of its nuclear program.

On the other hand, Washington faces growing

isolation, legal scrutiny - & economic fallout.

The US’ narrative continued to collapse under its own

contradictions. Trump openly admitted his Navy was

behaving “like pirates” in the Persian Gulf.

CNN revealed widespread damage to US military installations

across West Asia, and US domestic turbulence deepened as

fuel prices soared, airlines folded, and arms stockpiles

dwindled... amid the continued closure of the Strait

of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, China blocked Washington’s sanctions, Iran’s steel

output climbed into the world’s top ten, and the Minab school

massacre, still ignored by Western governments, sharpened

global criticism of the US-Israeli military aggression.

Key developments on day 64 of the war,

the twenty-fifth day of the ceasefire:

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy pledged

to enforce Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah

Khamenei's latest directive concerning the

developments in the Persian Gulf and

the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran said it has submitted a comprehensive proposal to bring about

a permanent end to the US-Israeli aggression against the country,

insisting that it is now up to the US to decide whether it wants a

deal ---- or confrontation.

The IRGC said 14 of its personnel were martyred, and two others

were wounded after an explosion during a mine and unexploded

ordnance clearance operation in Zanjan province. US-Israeli

airstrikes against the country during the 4-day war..... left

unexploded munitions.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denounced some European

states for repeating incorrect clichés concerning Iran's

peaceful nuclear energy activities.

Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations said there is

no restriction on the level of uranium enrichment under the

IAEA’s supervision. The mission criticised the US - for its

“extremely shameful” failure to comply with its nuclear

obligations as per the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The head of Iran's judiciary, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei,

criticised the silence of self-proclaimed advocates of

human rights regarding the Minab school massacre,

which the US struck on the first day of the US-

Israeli aggression on February 28.

Iran's Minister of Education, Alireza Kazemi, announced

that the school in Minab will be converted into a

permanent museum of resistance.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, called

on the US people --- to question US President Donald Trump’s

administration about the legality of the unprovoked military

onslaught that Washington, in cooperation with the Israeli

regime, launched against Iran.

In the first quarter of 2026, Iran's steel production reached

7.26 million tons, placing it firmly in 10th position globally.

China - blocked US sanctions imposed on its refineries

over purchasing Iranian oil, saying that Washington’s

measures “shall not be complied with.”

Trump unabashedly admitted that the US Navy is acting

“like pirates” in carrying out Washington’s naval

blockade of Iranian ports.

A new investigation by CNN - found that most of the US

military installations across West Asia have sustained

damage following strikes by Iran and its allies, raising

concerns in Washington about the resilience of its

regional infrastructure. According to the probe,

at least 16 US military sites in eight countries

in the region were targeted.

Low-cost US carrier Spirit Airlines has halted all flights as it

begins an “orderly wind-down of operations” after a White

House bailout collapsed. The airline’s downfall, driven in

large part by the doubling of jet-fuel prices during the

recent US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran, is

now expected to wipe out thousands of US jobs.

Israeli forces carried out a series of airstrikes targeting multiple

areas in Lebanon’s Nabatieh governorate, killing a dozen

civilians and marking continued violations of a

ceasefire agreement.

Hussein Hajj Hassan, a senior Lebanese lawmaker, said the

ceasefire can only hold... if a five-point plan is enforced,

beginning with the immediate and unconditional halt

of all Israeli aggression in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, said the Israeli

regime is using the ceasefire as cover to intensify attacks

on Lebanon.

The Pentagon warned Washington’s European allies to expect

long delivery delays for US weapons, as it struggles to

replenish stockpiles depleted by the illegal war

against Iran.

US oil giants ExxonMobil and Chevron openly defied ongoing

pressure from the White House to increase oil production

despite soaring prices and an escalating energy crisis

sparked by the US-Israeli aggression against Iran,

the Financial Times reported

The US State Department said it cleared more than $8.6bn

in military sales to Israel, Qatar, Kuwait and the United

Arab Emirates.

The US Treasury Department slapped new illegal sanctions

on three Iranian foreign currency exchange firms.

______________________________________

Hezbollah -- insists on five conditions

for Lebanon-Israel ceasefire to hold:

Lawmaker

May 2nd, 6:15pm

(PressTV)

A senior Lebanese lawmaker from the political wing of the

Hezbollah resistance movement says a five-point plan

must be implemented for the ceasefire between the

Beirut government and Israel to hold, and secure

a complete cessation of hostilities.

Hussein Hajj Hassan, a member of the Loyalty to Resistance

Bloc, stated on Saturday that Israeli occupation forces must

immediately and unconditionally, terminate all their acts of

aggression in southern Lebanon, must not be allowed free

movement in the region, and bear in mind that Hezbollah

fighters will stand committed to the truce ....as long as

they honour it too.

Israeli forces --- must fully withdraw from the occupied Lebanese

territories, Hajj Hassan added, emphasizing - that his resistance

group considers the so-called "Yellow Line" or any other similar

demarcations in southern Lebanon --- as totally unacceptable.

The Lebanese legislator stressed the need for the return of

displaced families to their ancestral towns and villages,

stating that the creation of any ''buffer zone'' in the

southern side of the Arab nation is --------- out of

the question.

He underlined that Israel must also release all Lebanese

abductees, and pay indemnity for all of the damage

inflicted on critical facilities and infrastructure.

Hajj Hassan warned the Lebanese authorities, about any

further concessions to Washington, stressing that such

a policy -------- will put the Arab nation in jeopardy.

He also lambasted the high-level meeting between Israel's

ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanese

ambassador to the US Nada Moawad during a ceremony

hosted by President Donald Trump at the Oval Office

on April 23.

Hezbollah vows to continue its ‘legitimate

response’ - to Israeli ceasefire violations

Hezbollah has strongly denounced Israeli prime minister

Benjamin Netanyahu ----- for accusing the resistance

movement of undermining a ceasefire agreement

in Lebanon, vowing to continue its “legitimate

response” to the Israeli regime’s continuous

violations of the truce.

Hajj Hassan also sharply criticized the insistence of

some Lebanese officials on Trump's guarantee for

implementation of a Lebanon-Israel ceasefire...

"Do these authorities have any information about the number

of casualties and the extent of damage in southern villages?

(Israeli prime minister Benjamin) Netanyahu has - time and

again - asserted that his offensives and demolitions --- are

taking place in accordance with the ceasefire and under

an agreement with Washington and Beirut," the

Lebanese lawmaker said.

This raises the question of which Lebanese party

made a deal with Netanyahu, he added.

In the case that there is no such an agreement at all, then

the Israeli leader's assertions ---- must be officially and

categorically - dismissed, Hajj Hassan noted.

He rejected any direct negotiations with Israel as "a major

mistake," saying that some Lebanese politicians are

seeking the objective, whilst they are at odds with

a large portion of Lebanese society, & Hezbollah.

They intend.. to obliterate Lebanon's inherent power

which has its roots in Lebanon's national unity and

steadfastness, the legislator highlighted.

Lebanon and the Israeli regime extended their ceasefire

for three weeks after the meeting at the White House,

Trump said on April 23.

Over 2,500 people have been killed âÂÂÂÂÂ in Lebanon since

the Israeli regime went on the offensive on March 2,

according to the Lebanese authorities.

Israel is occupying a belt of the south that extends 5

to 10 kilometres into Lebanon. The Israeli regime's

military ------ reiterated a warning to residents of

southern Lebanon, not to cross into the area.

_______________________________________

Proudly Made ---- in Lebanon: Hezbollah

showcases domestic drone production

May 2nd, 5:07pm

(Al Mayadeen English)

New Hezbollah videos show drone manufacturing

capabilities ------- and the interception of Israeli

Hermes 450 UAVs, in southern Lebanon ops.

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah - published a video

showcasing its domestic manufacturing capabilities, proving

the Resistance's resilience amid Israeli claims of

severely weakening it.

The video, titled "Proudly Made in Lebanon", shows the Resistance

fighters using tools such as soldering irons and welding machines

.......inside a hidden base fully equipped with all the necessary

machinery for the production of drones.

Pictures of the late leaders of Hezbollah, martyrs Sayyed

Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, are

seen inside the facility.

Resistance fighters are seen assembling parts into a one-way

attack drone, before transporting it to a location where

numerous other similar drones are stored. These

drones ---- are a staple in the arsenal of the

resistance and a formidable challenge

to Israeli occupation forces, which

are facing extreme difficulties

countering these UAVs -- as

they inflict heavy damage

and casualties ---- upon

the IOF.

The video concludes with the message

"Proudly Made in Lebanon", with the

Lebanese national anthem playing.

Hezbollah's domestic production capabilities

Hezbollah developed a domestic approach to its weaponry,

localizing the production of its arsenal -- especially in the

areas of drones, rockets and precision-guided systems.

Late Resistance leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, spoke

numerous times about Hezbollah's domestic production

capabilities, presenting the Resistance - not only as a

resistance force against "Israel" ... but as a locally

rooted Lebanese force with its own independent

infrastructure inside Lebanon.

In several of his speeches, he emphasized that the group built

up its arsenal of rockets, drones, and precision weaponry

inside Lebanese territory, developed over the years after

the 2006 Israeli war on Lebanon. Additionally, Sayyed

Nasrallah.. repeatedly stressed -------- the Islamic

Resistance's self-sufficiency -- in armaments

and logistics ---- asserting that the group's

supply lines, manufacturing capabilities,

and command structures.... were all

domestically based and designed

to operate under a blockade.

Hezbollah published footage of

downing a Hermes 450 drone

In addition to this video, the Islamic Resistance

published a video ---- of its fighters downing a

Hermes 450 drone conducting surveillance

operations in the skies above Nabatieh

in southern Lebanon.

The footage shows the full shootdown operation, starting

with detection, before displaying the launch of a surface

to-air missile and the subsequent impact of the missile

with the drone. The drone can be seen spiraling down

.........after its destruction.

Earlier, on April 30, Hezbollah announced that it shot down a

Hermes 450 reconnaissance drone over Nabatieh, using a

surface-to-air missile, which the IOF admitted. Similarly,

on April 24, the Resistance fighters downed another

drone of the same model over the al-Hosh region,

in Tyre.

Source: Al Mayadeen English

_________________________________

Iran's undeclared factors could
turn any new aggression into
a bigger defeat for the US:

Analysis

May 2nd, 2pm

(PressTV)

Amid a fragile ceasefire --- and the enemy's desperation to resume

all-out war against the Islamic Republic of Iran --- multiple factors

could inflict a larger defeat on the United States should it resort

to another military adventure, according to a Press TV analysis.

Based on evidence, interviews with officials, and inputs from

knowledgeable sources, Press TV learned that several

critical factors were - inadvertently - overlooked by

US war planners, during the recent 40-day war

against the Islamic Republic.

If activated, these factors could impose an even heavier defeat

on the US than what it suffered in its illegal and unauthorized

40-day war, leaving it in a far worse position.

The First point concerns Iran's undeclared asymmetric response

to continued US maritime piracy and banditry – a response

capable of disrupting all of Trump's war calculations.

Iran's decision not to unveil this response so far – specifying its

type, timing, and method of execution – will certainly increase

the level of ambiguity on the enemy's side and make the

response more effective, the analysis notes.

The Second point relates to "numerous options" not yet used by

Iran and the Resistance Front, which can be deployed even

without an official announcement.

The enemy is already expressing concern over some

of these dangerous options - such as the fibre optic

communication lines beneath the Strait of Hormuz.

The Third point focuses on Iran's vast land borders, as a means

to bypass the US naval blockade. The continued closure of the

Strait of Hormuz and the resulting global economic crisis,

including inside the US, on one hand, and Iran's many

options to bypass the blockade... including the use

of 8,000 kilometres of land borders with multiple

neighbours, could "tilt the endurance battle"

between the two sides.

In that case, it will be the US that must choose between war

and accepting Iran's conditions. That would mean at least

a collapse of White House scenario-writers' predictions

and Trump being forced into high-risk options.

The Fourth point relates to the unprecedented national unity,

which leaves no chance... for the anti-government uprising

that US economic pressure has been designed to foment.

Broad popular support for the Islamic Republic, unprecedented

national unity and cohesion against the US-Zionist enemy,

along with effective measures by various organs of the

government, are poised to thwart the plots aimed at

fomenting unrest.

This is especially true now that the scene has become completely

clear to the Iranian public opinion. Trump's explicit admission

that he directly designed January's coup attempt, armed

and paid terrorist elements to overthrow the Islamic

Republic, is now known to all.

A people whose hatred for the American-Zionist enemy became

ingrained in their flesh and blood during the third imposed war

recently, during which over 3,000 people were martyred, will

no longer --- easily fall victim to the enemy's indoctrination

and deception.

____________________________________

Brazilian activist denounced: being

subjected to torture ---- by Israel

May 2nd, 1:26pm

(Prensa Latina)

Brazilian activist Thiago Avila was subjected to torture after

being kidnapped in international waters by Israeli forces

when he was on his way to a humanitarian mission to

Gaza, the Sumud Global Flotilla denounced today.

In a statement echoed by Brazilian media, the international

movement confirmed --- that both Ávila and the Spanish-

Swedish activist of Palestinian origin, Saif Abukeshek,

were transferred to Shikma prison in Askalan, north

of Gaza, in occupied Palestine, after their illegal

kidnapping in European waters.

The prison is known for housing Palestinian prisoners under

harsh conditions and has recently been used to detain

civilians abducted from Gaza as part of Israel's

campaign against the Palestinian people,

the Flotilla said.

According to the organization, after their forced transfer, new

testimonies have emerged through diplomatic channels that

generate alarm about the treatment of detainees.

According to the Brazilian embassy, Thiago Ávila reported

being subjected to torture, beatings and ill-treatment,

the statement said.

During a supervised visit, in which he was separated by glass

and unable to communicate freely, officials observed visible

marks on the activist's face, who also reported significant

pain, especially in his shoulder, the text added.

Despite being examined by a doctor, he did not receive adequate

medical care, the statement said, and the embassy is now

demanding immediate and appropriate treatment.

The statement also noted that Ávila is on hunger strike,

consumes only water, has not been informed of any

charges against him, and the embassy has also

not received clarification on the legal basis

for his detention.

In addition, the Brazilian said that he will not leave detention

unless Saif Abukeshek, who is also on hunger strike, is

also released.

In the statement, the movement called on the governments of

Spain, Sweden and Brazil to adopt immediate diplomatic

actions -- to ensure the release of their citizens and

called for the urgent intervention of international

organizations -- to guarantee the safety and
rights of the detainees.

The day before, the Brazilian and Spanish governments issued

a joint statement in which they strongly condemned the

kidnapping of two of their citizens.... in international

waters by Israel.

They recalled that both were on board flotilla vessels boarded by

Israeli forces off the coast of Greece, and were not released

after the interception of those vessels and the subsequent

disembarkation of the passengers and crew on the island

of Crete.

The governments of Brazil and Spain demand: that Israel

- immediately return their citizens, with full guarantees

of security, and that they be provided with immediate

consular access for assistance and protection, the

document added.

Spanish government repudiates

attack on nun in Jerusalem

May 2nd, 9:13am

(Prensa Latina)

The Government of Spain today - expressed its

energetic rejection of the serious aggression

suffered by a Catholic nun of French

nationality in Jerusalem.

In a statement issued by the Spanish Foreign Ministry, the
condemnation of the act carried out by an Israeli Jewish

citizen who pushed a French Catholic nun to the ground

and kicked a French Catholic nun in the streets of

Jerusalem last Tuesday.

"Spain expresses its solidarity with the victim, and its wishes

for a speedy recovery. The person responsible must be held

accountable before justice," the note said.

He also pointed out that Israel must guarantee freedom of

worship, respect the status quo in Jerusalem and adopt

measures to prevent such violent acts.

Today, May 2nd (O.S.) in 1792,

Catherine II of Russia

(Catherine the Great)

Empress of Russia, for

more than 3 decades,

Her long reign helped Russia thrive under a golden age

during the Enlightenment. This renaissance.... led to
the founding of many new cities, universities, and

theatres... along with large-scale immigration

from the rest of Europe, and a recognition

of Russia, as one of the great powers.

''I like to praise and reward

loudly, to blame.... quietly.''

''I will live to make myself

''A Man ought to form in his own Mind an exact and clear Idea

of what Liberty is. Liberty is the Right of doing whatsoever

the Laws allow: And if any one Citizen could do what the

Laws forbid, there would be no more Liberty; - because

others would have an equal Power of doing the same.''

''The Equality of the Citizens consists in this; that

they should all be subject to the same Laws.

This Equality requires Institutions so well

adapted, as to prevent the Rich from

oppressing those who are not so

wealthy as themselves...''

''..there is nothing, it seems to me, so difficult as to escape from that

which is essentially agreeable. All that can be said in opposition to

it will appear but a prudery quite out of harmony with the natural

instincts of the human heart; besides, no one holds his heart in

his hand, tightening or relaxing his grasp of it at pleasure.''

FIFA World Cup boycott ‘self-evident’

under Trump’s ‘racist, vile’ regime:

Activist

April 14th, 9:03am

by Mohammad Ali Haqshenas

The United States is no longer a safe or credible host for a global

sporting event ----- with sweeping travel bans, rising internal
repression, and an increasingly aggressive foreign policy,

making a boycott of the 2026 World Cup -- not radical:

but inevitable, according to an activist and artist.

In an interview with the Press TV website, Willie Dowling, an

activist .....who also happens to be a multi-instrumentalist,

singer and composer, said there were "enough reasons"

for the world to boycott the FIFA World Cup to be

co-hosted by the US before the announcement

of recent restrictions placed on travel.

Dowling’s case begins with borders - and who is allowed to cross

them. Even before new restrictions were announced in January

2026, he noted that 19 countries were already subject to full

entry bans to the US, with another nineteen ----- facing

partial restrictions.

“Without exception, all of the nations banned

or partially banned ....have mostly non-white

populations,” he told the Press TV website.

“The extraordinarily rapid decline of the United States ---- into an

even more racist, authoritarian nation --- than it has historically

been should be reason enough not to go there for the football.”

The bans, he believes, are not bureaucratic hurdles but warnings.

“This should serve as a warning to everyone that it is not safe

to go to the US, particularly if you are non-white.”

These concerns are no longer theoretical. Campaigns urging fans,

players, and national associations to stay away from the US-

hosted tournament have gained momentum across Europe,

Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia.

The possibility of a direct boycott by a competing nation

has also become a reality in the wake of the Trump

regime’s acts of aggression abroad.

Iran could essentially boycott the World Cup in response to the

unprovoked US-Israeli war of aggression ---- which began on

February 28 and targeted the country's nuclear facilities,

schools, hospitals, and bridges, as well as its

sports infrastructure.

Pointing to the "malicious actions carried out against Iran,"

Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali stated recently,

"Our players do not have security, and fundamentally

the conditions for participation do not exist."

The US government - has also restricted Iran's participation. While

FIFA president Gianni Infantino claimed -- that the Iranian team is

"welcome to compete," the US president warned that the Iranian

team’s "life and safety" would be at risk ------- if it participated in

the event.

Trump administration has also barred travelers from Iran and

three other World Cup-participating countries, and multiple

Iranian delegates already had their visas denied before

December’s group-stage draw.

Activist groups cite visa denials, expanded anti-immigration

policies, internal security crackdowns, and US military

aggression abroad. Some governments.. have quietly

raised concerns about whether fans and journalists

can enter — and remain — safely.

Dowling sees a boycott as leverage. “Nor is it wise to give

Trump and his regime --------- anything they can use as a

successful publicity event,” he noted.

Individual choices matter, he argued, because - they scale.

“As individuals, we can’t do much to help bring down this

vile regime, but little actions by millions of people — like

not buying US goods --- or not travelling to the US — will

start to hit the US economy and thereby affect Trump’s

standing with his own MAGA zealots,” he stated.

The argument extends well beyond immigration. Dowling

pointed to foreign policy and to broken promises. “Let’s

remember Trump campaigned to win the Presidency

on a policy of ‘No more foreign wars’ and ‘No more

regime changes’.”

The reality, he added, looks very different. “And yet in

under a year he has bombed several countries, and

militarily threatened five others, including long-

standing allies.”

In Dowling’s view, these actions are not just aggressive but

also unlawful. “All of his military interventions fly in the

face of International Law and Human Rights."

Against that backdrop --- the idea of hosting the world’s biggest

sporting event in the US, feels absurd to him. “In light of this,

it seems almost extraordinary to me - that there is even a

question about boycotting the World Cup in the US.”

He drew a direct comparison. “The existential threat coming

from the US far exceeds that of any other nation on the

planet, and since Russia has experienced a boycott,

it seems perfectly logical - if not blindingly obvious

that the USA should be boycotted, internationally

isolated and sanctioned.”

For Dowling, the issue is credibility. “What good is ‘rules-based

order’ if the most powerful nation in the world consistently

flaunts any rule they choose to?”

The danger, he hastened to add, is not only external, but

domestic. “Incidentally, it’s interesting that Trump said:

‘No more foreign wars’ - because it looks increasingly

likely that he’s going to spark a civil war in the US.”

Dowling believes internal unrest - may be politically useful.

“I suspect he’s continually provoking dissent and protest

in the US in order to declare a national emergency and

invoke the Insurrection Act, thereby cancelling the

midterm elections --- which he would otherwise

lose and then face immediate impeachment

and probably jail.”

And.. he sees a longer game. “And should he succeed in

cancelling the midterms, he’ll undoubtedly seek a way

to cancel the 2028 election.”

The implications, he noted -- are chilling. “This increasingly

authoritarian grip and the casual willingness of the Trump

regime to either censor, jail, extradite, or even murder

those of a different colour, or those in opposition to

them are reasons enough to boycott the football.”

Some calls to stay away have come from inside football itself.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and several European

officials recently suggested fans would be safer

watching from home .....rather than going all

the way to the stadiums in the US.

Dowling’s criticism sharpened - when it

turned to FIFA’s conduct under Trump.

He cited “the ludicrous ‘Peace Award’ the football governing

body presented to Trump, only days before he bombed

Venezuela to steal their oil.”

The timing, he added, came “long after the US

military assaults on other nations in the

previous months of 2025.”

“The idea of Trump qualifying for any award in the name

of peace is laughable,” Dowling said. “And FIFA

inexplicably made themselves part of that

ridiculous hypocrisy.”

At the heart of the boycott argument is exclusion. “The ban on

travel and the visa policies imposed by the US extend almost

exclusively to nations that have predominantly non-white

populations,” Dowling stated.

“This is typical of the Trump regime … of course, they

consistently deny their racism, but one only needs

to observe their actions: to see that they don’t

match the rhetoric.”

He described a governing style built on misinformation, referring

to the Trump administration. “This is a regime that has adopted

lying --- as its key strategy.” He invokes a phrase popularized by

Trump’s former adviser. “As Steve Bannon said — with strong

echoes of Joseph Goebbels — ‘Flood the zone with shit’.”

The goal, Dowling argues, is distraction.

“I suspect they might have been even further down the line with

their objectives had they not started to attack their own white

population in democratic states, particularly recently --- in

Minnesota,” he added, pointing to the recent violence.

The standard, he said, is racial. “The US and indeed the Western

world -------- tends to be more tolerant towards murder -------- if it’s

non-whites that are being killed.”

Which brings him back to football. And to first principles. “How

can a sporting event be described as ‘global’ ....if 39% of the

world’s nations ---- are exempt from the racist whims of

the Trump regime?”

For Dowling, the conclusion needs no embellishment.

“Taking all of the above into account.... I’d suggest

that the moral case for a boycott is self-evident.”

The world and her daughter are calling for a boycott
of the genocidal colonial apartheid state of Israel.

Place yourself on the right side of joy and sorrow
by joining the world's boycott - say ''no'' to evil!

Keir Hardie - Britain's first Labour MP - opposed World War One.

His namesake is stammering his way in the opposite direction.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

ROGER WATERS
TO MUSICIANS:-
"BOYCOTT ISRAEL"

Roger Waters formerly of Pink Floyd, in an open letter,
calls on his fellow musicians --- to boycott the Zionist
Israeli regime and follow the example of the cultural
boycott against the ex S. African Apartheid regime.

“Given the inability or unwillingness of our governments
[to act] …. I write to you now, my brothers and sisters …
to ask you to join with me, & thousands of other artists
around the world, to declare a cultural boycott
on Israel,” Roger Waters says in his letter.

Waters says the Zionist regime has been found guilty of
major breaches of human rights and international law
by international organizations, UN officials and the
International Court of Justice.

He touches on two such cases, saying the regime has been
identified as perpetrating the “crime of Apartheid”, including
in a statement on March 9th, 2012 by the UN Committee on
the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and the “crime of
ethnic cleansing” including in East Jerusalem (al-Quds).

Waters adds that he has been a member of the Boycott,
Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign against the
Israeli regime’s occupation of the Palestinian lands and
Tel Aviv’s violations of Palestinian human rights for 7
years, and now wants other musicians to also join
the anti-Israeli front.

“Please join me and all our brothers and sisters in global
civil society in proclaiming our rejection of Apartheid in
Israel & occupied Palestine, by pledging not to perform
or exhibit in Israel or accept any award or funding from
any institution linked to the government of Israel, until
such time as Israel complies with international law
and universal principles of human rights.”

The former Pink Floyd Musician also says he has recently
faced a boycott by the US media after his November 29th,
2012 address at the UN on behalf of the Russell Tribunal.

In the address, he sought accountability for the Zionist
regime’s violations of the international law and the lack
of United Nations resolve that prevents the Palestinian
people from achieving their inalienable rights,
especially the right of self-determination.

____________________

www.wegottickets.com/thefactory

www.ticketweb.co.uk

browse venues in Wales

www.ticketlineuk.com

02920 230130

Cash tickets from:

The Factory, Porth
Instrumental Music, Penygraig
Spillers Records, Cardiff

For more details visit

www.factoryporth.com
www.facebook.com/TheFactoryVenue
Twitter @TheFactoryPorth
01443 687080

***********************************************

Daytime Delights...

Starts at 1pm

The Parc & Dare, Treorchy

Lunchtime Concerts in the Lounge Bar.

Indulge in a delicious cake and a cup of tea
while enjoying music and sing-along songs
from fantastic Welsh musicians.

Ticket information:

The Cultural Services Booking & Information Line:

08000 147 111
or book online at

www.rct-arts.co.ukÃ‚Â

*************************************************

Mid Rhondda Modelling Club...

7pm - 9pm

Tonyrefail Comprehensive School
Mid Rhondda Modelling Club

has been running for over 30 years.

We meet on a regular basis

& enjoy making models for display.

We encourage both Gentlemen

and Ladies to attend,
and also young people aged 12+.

However, Young people under 16,
must be accompanied by an adult.

Ticket information

£1 contribution every week. Under 16's free

Telephone Mr. Davies on 01443 686658

************************************************

Comedy In The Laughter Lounge

The Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy.

COMEDY IN THE LAUGHTER LOUNGE

Join us once a month in the intimate setting
of the Laughter Lounge for some
top notch comedy with some of the
biggest and brightest
rising comedians on the circuit.

Laugh? You'll snort like a pig!

Hilarious - TimeOut.

www.rct-arts.co.uk

Rhondda Records exists to express the Rhondda's
vision --- when it was confident, powerful, caring,
and socialist.

A Rhondda very aware of the media's poisonous
tricks -- how they con working class people into
attacking each other, or racial groups, or, often,
even their best allies and friends... instead of
seeing their real enemies:--- an elite who hate
the very idea that working people can think,
create, or achieve a fairer society.

Thatcher said her proudest achievement was
Blair and New Labour - who parachuted in
careerists and expenses fiddlers - to stop
local Labour members having a say, and
who made genuine socialist MPs leave
the Labour party in disgust and many
members and voters to despair...
and the young to stop voting.

Jeremy Corbyn was always attacked because
he was trying to reverse all that New Labour
corruption --- that's why membership was
flooding in all over the UK.

______________________________________

Get Involved!

– If you feel you’ve been ‘purged’,
take this online survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/857YMDK

or this one:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0du5YuhPZ8ahI
oxC_b6pvBprmGA4XFdG-0r2dOVYyc4UNFg/viewform?c=0&w=1

– Request all your own data that
the Labour Party holds on you:

http://www.labour.org.uk/pages/privacy

_______________________________________

IF - YOU THINK you HAVE
BEEN UNFAIRLY BARRED:

“Any member who is suspended & intends
to appeal the decision should throw in a
‘Subject Access Request in accordance
with the Data Protection Act’ --- for ALL
data that the Labour Party hold on them.

The Labour Party are Data Controllers and
therefore have to, by law, provide you with
all material/information they hold on you.”

If anyone is in contact with anyone who
was barred from voting --- please can
you pass this info on:

The Labour leadership election was under the
jurisdiction of the electoral reform services.

If you were unfairly deprived of your vote you
can call them on 0208 365 8909 and lodge
your complaint, and inform them of your
Data Protection request.

https://www.electoralreform.co.uk

The notification letters barring new members
did not give a clear reason, or information on
how to appeal, so Vox Political suggests that
anyone in this situation, could also contact
Liz Davies here: http://www.whycantivote.com

She is a barrister --- who can
advise members on what to do.

**************************************

PONCY LABOUR MPS PROBLEM?

A huge drop in working-class Labour MPs,
caused a massive drop in support among
voters with similar backgrounds, reveals
research seeking to explain why support
has dwindled in the party’s heartlands.

The study says past leaders like Kinnock
and Blair made a concerted effort to pick
“more and more middle-class candidates
to run for office, during the 80s and 90s,
as part of an effort to rebrand” -- which
had initial successes at the ballot box.

But this “conscious electoral strategy”
stored up problems, as working-class
voters who initially, just didn’t vote in
response, now seek an alternative.

The solution? Trust each constituency to put
forward its own candidates, and don't impose
‘party-approved’ choices who can't do the job.

Now, unfortunately, there are "entryist" MPs who, for
decades, have been groomed by CIA cold war relic
organisations -- like the Atlantic Council -- and are
now trying to misdirect the Labour Party towards
cuts, a militarised police, and a US war agenda...
- and their anti-Corbyn slant is hobbling Labour.

‘How Can I Deselect My Labour MP?’ A Short Guide
to Reselection and Democratic Accountability
by Eric Sim, excellent free advice here:

http://novaramedia.com/2016/07/13/how-can-i-
deselect-my-labour-mp-a-short-guide-to-
reselection-and-democratic-accountability/

CHRIS BRYANT - SUPPORT THE MEMBERS'
LEADERSHIP CHOICE & POLICIES - OR GO!

Chris Bryant, the Rhondda's dodgy MP,
was on TV -- as soon as the PLP coup
started -- telling us that Jeremy MUST
go, because it was the ONLY way to
act in the Labour Party's interest...

Chris Bryant's voting record:
from TheyWorkForYou.com

On Tuition Fees:

On 27 Jan 2004:
Chris Bryant voted in favour of university tuition
fees increasing from £1,125 per year, to up to
£3,000 per year.

On 31 Mar 2004:
Chris Bryant voted to allow university tuition fees
to increase from £1,125 per year, to up to £3,000
per year.

On 31 Mar 2004:
Chris Bryant voted for the introduction of variable
university tuition fees (top-up fees) of up to £3,000
per year in place of the previous fixed fee of £1,250
per year.

On 31 Mar 2004:
Chris Bryant voted to allow university tuition fees
to increase from £1,125 per year to up to £3,000
per year, and to make other changes to higher
education funding and regulation arrangements.

On 14 Sep 2004:
Chris Bryant voted against: the immediate abolition
of all tuition fees, the re-introduction of maintenance
grants of up to £2,000 for students from low-income
homes, and changes to the country's higher
education system.

On 14 Sep 2004:
Chris Bryant voted to reject the Liberal
Democrat policy of abolition of tuition fees.

On 25 May 2016:
Chris Bryant was absent for a vote on Queen's
Speech - Forcing Schools to Become Academies
- Further Rises in University Tuition Fees

On Human Rights:

Consistently voted for introducing ID cards

Almost always voted for requiring the mass
retention of information about communications

Generally voted for mass surveillance of
people’s communications and activities

On the Environment:

Generally voted against greater regulation
of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to extract
shale gas

On Special Interests:

Almost always voted against limits
on success fees paid to lawyers in
no-win no fee cases

Generally voted against a
statutory register of lobbyists

On War or Peace:

Generally voted for use of UK military
forces in combat operations overseas

Consistently voted for the Iraq war

Consistently voted against an
investigation into the Iraq war

Generally voted for replacing Trident
with a new nuclear weapons system

On 2 Dec 2015:
Voted to support UK airstrikes in Syria
[without UN authorisation]

On 2 Dec 2015:
Voted to support UK airstrikes in Syria
[without UN authorisation]

On Independence:

Generally voted for more EU integration

____________________________

Chris Bryant Labour MP
From Wikipedia

(aka 1962-1986: Mr Christopher John Bryant
1986-1991: The Reverend Christopher John
Bryant, 1991-2001: Mr Christopher John
Bryant, 2001-: Mr Christopher John
Bryant MP.)

Born in Cardiff, to a Scottish mother & a Welsh
father, Bryant grew up in Cardiff, Wales (where
his father worked for 5 years), and Cheltenham.

He was educated at Cheltenham College, an
independent school for boys in the spa town
of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, where he
was captain of the school swimming team,
and Mansfield College at the University of
Oxford, where he graduated in 1983, with
a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in English.
This was later promoted to a Master of
Arts degree (MA (Oxon)), as per tradition.

After completing his first degree, Bryant began
training to be a priest in the Church of England
at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, in Oxfordshire.
There, he obtained a degree in theology.

Although a member of the Conservative
Party, and an elected office-holder in the
Oxford University Conservative Association,
he joined the Labour Party in 1986, after
leaving Oxford.

He was ordained deacon in 1986 and priest in
1987. He served as a Curate at the Church of
All Saints, High Wycombe, from 1986 to 1989;
then as a Youth Chaplain in Peterborough,
as well as travelling in Latin America.

In 1991 Bryant left the ordained ministry, after
deciding that being gay and being a priest,
were incompatible. Statements made by
Richard Harries, then Bishop of Oxford,
also influenced his decision.

After leaving the priesthood in 1991, Bryant
worked as the election agent to the Holborn
and St Pancras Constituency Labour Party,
where he helped Frank Dobson hold his seat
in the 1992 general election.

From 1993, he was Local Government officer
for the Labour Party; he lived in Hackney and
was elected to Hackney Borough Council in
1993, serving until 1998. He became Chair of
the Christian Socialist Movement.

He is both a member of the Labour Friends
of Israel and Labour Friends of Palestine &
the Middle East. From 1994 to 1996 he was
London manager of the leader-grooming
"charity", Common Purpose.

He was Labour candidate for Wycombe, in the
1997 general election (he lost by 2,370 votes),
and Head of European Affairs for the BBC,
from 1998.

His selection for the very safe Labour seat of
Rhondda, South Wales in 2000, shocked many
people given Bryant's background – gay, an ex-
Anglican vicar, and someone who was a Tory,
while studying at Oxford, and a member now,
of the Henry Jackson Society 'think tank' ---
described by The Guardian newspaper as
'neoconservative'. It is pro-US, pro-NATO
and pro-military intervention, as well as
being fundamentally anti-socialist.

Fifty-two people applied for the candidature
and a local councillor was hot favourite to
win, before Bryant was parachuted in.

In 2004, a photograph of Mr Bryant in his
underpants, which he had posted to a gay
dating website, was published in 'papers.

When an interviewer suggested he was
a 'disgrace to the Rhondda', he replied:
"They can't get rid of me."

His pay, allowances and some expenses:

The basic annual salary for an MP, from
April 1st, 2016 is £74,962. MPs also get
expenses: to cover the costs of running
an office, employing staff, having some-
where to live in London, plus, in their
constituency and travelling between
Parliament and their constituency.

His MP's expenses story:

Chris Bryant changed second home
twice to claim £20,000: the deputy
leader of the House of Commons,
"flipped" his second home twice,
in 2 years, allowing him to claim
almost £20,000 for renovations
and fees.

Chris Bryant, MP for the Rhondda, split over
£92,000 of expenses between 3 properties
in Wales and London --- within five years.

In 2004, he attempted to claim £58,000 to
overhaul his second home in Wales, after
allegedly complaining that properties in
his constituency were "terrace or mine
owners' houses".

Mr Bryant, a former Church of England clergyman,
wanted the money for a new bathroom & kitchen,
and to demolish his conservatory. He'd bought the
detached house for £97,500, under a year earlier.

He submitted a claim to the Commons fees office for
£58,493.26 --- almost 3 times the annual maximum.
He noted that the claim exceeded his allowance.

His alleged justification was disclosed... in
correspondence between Commons officials.
By email, an official wrote: "He had problems
finding a suitable property because in the
Rhondda there is a choice mainly of terraced
property or mine owners' houses." When
approached by the Daily Telegraph,
Mr Bryant said: "I have never said
or thought anything of the sort".

In all, he successfully claimed over £13,000
for renovations, repairs & appliances, in 2004.
Along with other bills, his annual claim was
£20,902.

In April 2005, he flipped his expenses to his flat in
west London, which he bought for £400,000 in April
2002. He also claimed £630 a month for mortgage
interest, along with other bills. After claiming over
£3,600 over 3 months, he sold the flat in July 2005
for £477,000.

Mr Bryant used his profits to buy a more expensive
flat in west London, which was valued at £670,000.
He immediately flipped his second home expenses
there, claiming almost £6,400 in stamp duty, legal
fees and mortgage fees, incurred in the purchase.

He then began claiming interest of £1,000 a month
on the mortgage. He also claimed a further £6,000
a year for the flat's service charge and ground rent.

In all, he claimed £92, 415 in second
home expenses, from 2004 to 2009.

Mr Bryant said at the time: "I moved flat in
London, so as to be closer to Parliament."

Research by Channel 4 News in 2015 found that
at least 46 MPs had this kind of system in place
– a move one Labour backbencher described as
“a new fiddle”. Channel 4 reported then:

“Our investigation found that many of the MPs
bought their London properties with the help of
the taxpayer, when a previous expenses system
allowed them to claim back mortgage payments.
But when those claims were banned, following
the expenses scandal, they switched to letting
out their properties, in some cases for up to
£3,000 a month. They then started claiming
expenses for rent and hotels in the capital.”

Among those identified was Chris Bryant, shadow
leader of the House of Commons. He had already
bought a penthouse in London back in 2005 and
claimed around £1,000 a month in mortgage
claims under the old system.

But after the expenses scandal, he started renting
the property out. It’s since been advertised by estate
agents as having a private lift and a porter, with rent
at about £3,000 a month. Meanwhile, Bryant moved
into a new flat;- claiming his own rent on expenses.

Russian/Scottish scientists hail long-range
secure quantum communication system.

A group of scientists from ITMO University
in Saint Petersburg, Russia, has developed
a new approach to constructing quantum
communication systems for secure data
exchange.

The experimental device based on the results of the
research is capable of transmitting single-photon
quantum signals across distances of 250 klmtrs
or more, which is on par with its cutting edge
analogues, the ITMO press-service says.

"Now researchers are on a mission -- to create
a fully-fledged quantum cryptographic system,
that will generate & distribute quantum keys
and transmit useful data simultaneously",
ITMO says.

Information security is becoming more and more
of a critical issue not only for large companies,
banks and defense enterprises but even for
small businesses and individual users.

But the data encryption algorithms we currently
use for protecting our data are imperfect - in the
long-term, their logic can be cracked. Regardless
of how complex and intricate the algorithm is,
getting around it, is just a matter of time.

Unlike algorithm-based encryption, systems
that protect information, by making use of
fundamental laws of quantum physics, can
make data transmission totally immune to
hacker attacks, in the future.

Information in a quantum channel is carried
by single photons that change irreversibly
if an eavesdropper tries to intercept them.
The legitimate users will instantly know
about any kind of intervention.

Researchers at the Quantum Information Centre
of the International Institute of Photonics and
Optical Information Technology at ITMO Uni.,
Russia, along with their colleagues from the
Heriot-Watt University, in Edinburgh, have
devised a new way to generate and
distribute, quantum bits.

This makes it possible to share quantum signals
--- via optical fibres --- 250 kilometres in distance.

"To transmit quantum signals, we use the so-
called side frequencies," says Artur Gleim,
head of the Quantum Information Centre,
at ITMO University,

"This unique approach gives us a number
of advantages -- such as a considerable
simplification of the device architecture
and the large pass-through capacity of
the quantum channel. In terms of bit rate
and operating distances, our system is
comparable to absolute champions in
the field of quantum communications."

According to Robert Collins, research associate
at the Institute of Photonics & Quantum Sciences
at Heriot-Watt University, and one of the authors
of the study, this may become a pivotal point for
the whole field of quantum communication and
cryptography:

"Down the track, this new approach can enable
smooth coexistence of numerous data streams
with different wavelengths in one single optical
cable. On top of it, these quantum streams can
be fed into the already existing fibre optic lines
--- along with conventional communications."

The research paper is published
in the Optics Express journal.

Scottish universities are to be
congratulated for their strong
& growing links with Chinese
and Russian universities....

What a shame, that Wales is
lying low --- with academics
too scared to break from
US military research.

KILLING THE ELDERLY BY CLOSING CARE HOMES

Did you know that each time a local authority

closes a care home for the elderly, within 8

months, around half the residents are dead?

Campaigners liken the cuts and their effect
to euthanasia of the UK's elderly.
What to do?

We can start by urging our MPs to sign EDM 2251:

EDM 2251: The contents

This House notes with deep concern the worsening
crisis for elderly care as growing numbers of local
authority and private care homes face closure

Acknowledges concerns that the loss of elderly
people's care homes causes fear, anxiety and,
in many cases, a higher mortality rate, when
vulnerable, elderly people are forced to
leave their homes

Further notes that the Southern Cross crisis
will increase needs for local authority care

And therefore calls on the government to
hold a public inquiry into the deaths after
closures, of local authority care homes,
and impose a moratorium on the closure
of local authority care homes, until that
inquiry publishes its results, to ensure
that vulnerable, elderly people's lives
are not put at further risk.

************************************************

MAKING THE CONNECTION IN WALES

Households across three more English areas
will be able to access superfast broadband
in the latest phase of a Government scheme
to connect rural homes and businesses.

The £50 million funding package for Devon and
Somerset (£30 million), Norfolk (£15 million)
and Wiltshire (£4 million) will aid the roll- out
of superfast broadband services unable to
be reached by the market alone.

Areas will also receive financial support from
their local authorities and private investors,
the Department for Culture, Media and
Sport says.

So it's Broadband Heaven for England...

and crapola for Wales' broadband - the

slowest, worst Broadband in the UK !!!

Lib Dems in Scotland might have received a
pummeling for Clegg and his betrayals, yet,
in Scotland, their campaign centred on it
becoming the "most connected country in
Europe," to massively boost their economy.

In Wales, which political party is now
willing to put into practice scientists'
recommendations: that Wales' hilly
topography requires establishing

free 'wireless' broadband?

It could connect the people of Rhondda and the
world, boosting Wales' economic regeneration,
like no other move. Wireless technology is now
supplying free broadband to an entire island
off New Zealand's coast.

Come on; if New Zealand can do it - so can we !!!

Western China has embraced "green-mode
development" - with painful changes
from which, Wales could well learn.

Eastern China has seen fast growth and
urban mess. The West, a mining and
agricultural area, has not.

Xi'an Chan-ba Ecological District, is a model
for reclaiming old mining areas.

It took six hard years, but now Xi'an is showing
the world how best to change, by turning a
badly polluted rubbish landfill site, into an all
new environment-friendly development.

As China's economic focus moves from east to
west, it's using the lessons learned during 30
or more years of rapid industrial development.

The green way for China's west, is to combine
green industrialization & green urbanization.

The western region's strategy is to adopt
effective energy-saving and environmental
protection technologies... AND to extend
its industry through science and products
unique to China's West, together with strong
vertical growth in agriculture and all its
ancilliary economic & professional spin-offs.

In undertaking this industrial revolution, the
western region will keep a sharp eye out - to
avoid all polluting non-sustainable industries.

*********************************************

A BIG DROP OF HONEY !!!

Spring is beekeeping and honey-processing
season in Yunnan province, in China.

Waves of bees flit across vast fields of flowers.

Local beekeepers and many from other places,
such as Sichuan and Fujian provinces - set up
their base in tents among the rapeseed farms.

The 430,000 hectares of rapeseed blooms in
Luoping attract myriads of bees, which
produce 15 - 20 million tons of honey a year.

Local people now look to brand their county
as a honey production base & increase sales
to outside markets.

Luoping Tianyuanmiyu Bee Industry Co Chair,
Zhu Hongkun, founded his enterprise in 2009.

It mainly produces honey, propolis and
propolis powder.

His company works with 270 plus beekeepers,
who each earn 80,000 yuan a year on average.

Some earn 200,000 yuan annually, Zhu says.

Who says beauty endowed by nature isn't worth a fortune?

The whole of the uplands of south Wales could
be as beautiful & productive, if used wisely!

CHINA's PREMIER POINTS WAY FORWARD

As the Tories threaten a "bonfire of the Quangos",
perhaps Wales should take note. Now extracting
all our mineral wealth has been stopped (apart
from sand and rock) we find ourselves "in" the
1st World of the UK, but with a 3rd World
economy, only just kept going by quangos
which promise much... but deliver little...
and rely on weak public support.

We could WAKE UP & understand that we either
do something, or stay as begging bowl cases.

China's premier points the way forward for Wales:

"Industrial restructuring is the key... only by
developing energy-efficient, indigenous innovative
and high value added products can our companies
and economy, achieve sustainable development."

*************************************************

WHILE FRANCE, GREECE, IRELAND, ETC, STRUGGLE TO
STOP THE PENSION AGE RISING HIGHER AND HIGHER...

An online survey on qq.com, a popular Chinese
news portal, finds that 91% of its over 800,000
respondents, are against raising the current
official Chinese retirement age.

745,123 of those surveyed say they oppose
raising retirement ages -- 72,456 support it.

China's scholars & the public have been debating
whether to raise the retirement age, for the past
few years, but the issue rose to prominence after
remarks by an official.

Wang Xiaochu, the official vice minister of the
Ministry of Human Resources & Social Security,
said at a press conference that the government
was "studying the matter"...

The retirement age in China is generally set
at 60 for men and 50-55 for women.

Wow! Bet you didn't know that !!!

FARMING AND SCIENCE
COULD REGENERATE WALES

A new UN General Assembly report warns
"vast areas" of cultivated land are lost each
year, and that this could lead to unrest.

The report says up to 30 million hectares,
an area the size of Italy, is lost each year
to environmental degradation, industry &
urbanization - the growth of cities - and all
because of speculative building and greed.

The UN special rapporteur Olivier De Schutter,
gives the example of eastern Africa, where
the amount of cultivated land has declined
by half --- in just one generation! "

As rural populations grow and competition
with large industrial units increases, plots
cultivated by smallholders are shrinking
year after year," says De Schutter.

"Farmers are often relegated to soils that
are arid, hilly or without irrigation."

The UN officer also mentions India as another
example, where the average landholding fell
from 2.6 hectares in 1960 to 1.4 hectares in
2000. A cut of nearly half in 40 years!

He says 500 million small farmers suffer
from hunger, partly because their right to
land is being violated.

The expert warns of the devastating
consequences, as foreign investors
compete for larger and larger areas of
the world's land for "their" agriculture.

Rhondda Records says Wales could rebuild
its new economy by basing it on a fresh
approach to high-value added products,
using science and agriculture... such as
the Altzeim project in Gwent.

What have we got to lose?