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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.

Image: we're back!








 


 


 Holiday in Vietnam: Free Transportation, 


Football ---- and Brotherhood with Cuba


by Roberto Hernández


Hanoi, August 31, 1:29am


 (Prensa Latina) 


 


The intention to visit the My Dinh National Stadium, where the 


Vietnamese recently revalidated their regional title in football 


- today became a street page - of brotherhood between Cuba 


and Vietnam.


 


The incident occurred inside a bus on route 9B in Hanoi, which 


on these days of national holiday offers free transfers on its 


128 routes ....and on the two lines of the urban railway 


(Metro) as part of the celebrations for National Day, 


on September 2.


 


At first, perhaps out of curiosity or concern, the driver approached 


to ask where we were going, the response of ''the Stadium'' was 


the common thread of the next minute, as the triumph a few 


days ago over Thailand in the final of the Hyundai ASEAN 


Cup is still vivid in the minds, not only of the fans of the 


Golden Star Warriors.


 


The night of the 26th, when the 2-2 draw gave them the crown (they 


had a 2-0 advantage in the first leg) - was a village celebration with 


flags, the hubbub and caravans of motorcycles, even in the quiet 


neighbourhoods of the cities, which lasted until the early hours 


of the next day.


 


But then, the obligatory question was to know what country we were


from, the name ''Cuba'' activated the spring of the handshakes, the 


geographical distance and the closeness of heart, there was no 


need for names, on both sides Cuba and Vietnam together,


without great spotlights.


 


He told us where to get off and although we didn't find the My Dinh 


......the small conversation with the young driver made our day.











Image: People hold up a banner as they protest against Israel at the entrance of the International Criminal Court.













































 
Israeli forces burn homes in Houla, 

demolish buildings in al-Mansouri

August 31, 1:17pm

(Al Mayadeen English)

 

Israeli forces - continue violating the ceasefire in southern 

Lebanon, setting homes on fire and demolishing buildings 

in occupied areas,.

 

Israeli military forces set fire to several homes in the southern 

Lebanese town of Houla and targeted the town with artillery 

on Monday, according to a correspondent for Al Mayadeen.

 

The correspondent reported that the Israeli military carried out an 

explosion in the Byout al-Suyyad farm and conducted a sweeping 

operation there using machine guns. The Israeli forces also 

carried out excavation and demolition work in the town 

of Mansouri.

 

According to the report, the aggression is part of an ongoing Israeli 

violation of the ceasefire agreement. "The Israeli army - is shelling 

southern villages and towns - with artillery, airstrikes, and drones,

in addition to deliberately burning agricultural fields, detonating 

and demolishing homes and infrastructure, and targeting 

civilians," the Al Mayadeen's correspondent said.

 

Continued Israeli artillery and airstrikes 

reported in southern Lebanon

 

Israeli artillery shelling targeted the Zawtar River bed, while ongoing 

artillery fire struck the Ali al-Taher hill, according to Al Mayadeen's 

correspondent. Israeli warplanes conducted a series of airstrikes 

targeting the Wadi al-Salouqi area and the Ali al-Taher hill in the 

Nabatieh district.

 

An Israeli helicopter was also conducting surveillance sweeps over 

the western Zawtar River bed, the correspondent reported, while 

Israeli artillery shelled the outskirts of the towns of al-Mansouri 

and Byout al-Seyyad. The Dawhet Kfar Roumman area came 

under intermittent artillery fire.

 

The correspondent in southern Lebanon additionally reported that 

the past few hours have seen an Israeli advance toward the 

northern outskirts of Mais al-Jabal. Artillery shelling 

targeted the Ali al-Taher hill in the morning, and 

Israeli forces conducted a sweep in the town 

of Haddatha.

 

"The ongoing Israeli attacks aim to displace southern residents 

from their land," the correspondent emphasized.




Health Ministry: 4,352 martyrs, 12,318 wounded

 

Lebanon's Public Health Emergency Operations Centre -- affiliated 

with the Ministry of Public Health, issued an updated cumulative 

toll covering the Israeli aggression from March 2 --- through to

August 28.

 

According to the Ministry, the number of martyrs.. has reached 

4,352, while 12,318 people have been wounded since the 

escalation began. The latest attacks come amid 

continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire 

agreement in Lebanon.

 

Israeli occupation forces have repeatedly targeted southern towns 

and villages with artillery fire, warplane strikes, and drone attacks, 

while also setting agricultural fields ablaze and carrying out 

demolitions and bulldozing operations targeting homes 

and infrastructure.

 

The ongoing violations, have also resulted in the continued 

killing and wounding of civilians across southern Lebanon.

 

 

Source: Al Mayadeen English

 

 

_________________________________




Arab states call US sanctions

on Iran ....unrealistic: Report

August 31, 11:35am

(PressTV)

 

Leaders of the Arab Persian Gulf states have reportedly 

told Washington that sanctions imposed on Iran by the 

US Treasury Secretary are “unrealistic” and difficult 

for the countries to accommodate ---- citing their 

geographic proximity and close ties with Iran.

 

Officials from the Persian Gulf states formally conveyed to the US 

side that the directive issued by US Treasury Secretary Scott 

Bessent, as part of an economic war against Iran, was “not 

realistic” and couldn't be tolerated, given their geographic
circumstances, neighbouring status and proximity to Iran.

 

The regional newspaper Rai al-Youm reported that Western 

diplomatic circles believe the United Arab Emirates, Oman 

and Qatar are unlikely to show the same willingness as 

European countries.... to comply with decisions and 

memoranda from the US Treasury Department.

 

According to the report, some foreign governments, including 

Qatar, may not adhere to US threats of economic sanctions, 

viewing them as unrealistic and evidence of the continued 

escalation of tensions in the region.

 

Such measures, the report said, could also undermine efforts 

to pursue scenarios aimed at reducing regional tensions.

 

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the new 

“economic terrorism” campaign, absurdly comparing it 

to the D-Day Normandy landings of World War II.

 

Bessent claimed the measures target Iran’s financial 

networks worldwide and warned that no partner is 

beyond Washington’s reach.

 

He said the Trump administration has identified entities 

dealing with Iran and will impose deadlines for them to 

cut ties ..or face exclusion from the US dollar system.

 

China, Russia and Pakistan, have also opposed US 

threats of sanctions ....against countries trading 

with Iran.

 

The illusion of ‘maximum pressure’: New 

US sanctions against Iran.... recycle a 

failed strategy with same old results

 

The latest US sanctions on Iran ..repackage the failed “maximum 

pressure” campaign, despite four decades of Iranian adaptation, 

Washington’s irreparable credibility deficit, and mounting costs 

to US consumers and global stability, all of which demonstrate 

that sanctions have failed to achieve their objectives and are 

unlikely ever to do so.

 

Abdolamir Rabihavi, director general of the West Asia Office of Iran’s 

Trade Promotion Organization, said Iran’s trading partners had 

largely disregarded the announcement of new US sanctions 

and that trade with these countries was continuing.

 

Rabihavi said expanding trade with neighbouring countries as well 

as major Eastern economies could provide an opportunity to 

strengthen Iran’s foreign trade.

 

“One should not be overly influenced by unprofessional remarks 

by US officials, as many countries need Iranian goods and the 

country’s products are competitive in target markets, in 

terms of quality and price,” he said.

 

The official said trade -- was a two-way, mutually beneficial 

relationship, noting that just as Iran seeks markets for its 

goods, its trading partners are also looking for suitable 

suppliers to meet their needs, and Iran can supply 

part of those requirements.

 

Rabihavi also stressed -- the need to diversify Iran’s export markets, 

saying Africa, with around 50 countries, and a population of nearly 

1.5 billion, represents an important and relatively underdeveloped 

market for Iranian exports of goods and services.

 

Alongside African countries, Rabihavi said, the Central Asian 

states could also provide suitable markets for Iranian goods, 

particularly given their existing capacities and the 

opportunities offered by free-trade agreements, 

which Iran should seriously seek to utilize.

 

 

____________________________________________

 

 

 

Trump threatens -- to take action 

against S Korea for refusing to 

take part in war on Iran

August 31, 11:07am

 (PressTV)

 

US President Donald Trump has threatened to downgrade 

its ties with South Korea over Seoul’s refusal to 

participate in the US-Israeli war on Iran.

 

In an interview with Fox News released on Sunday, 

Trump threatened that Washington may decide to

 reconsider the scope of te US military presence 

in South Korea.

 

“We have very little help from other countries, and we help 

other countries; we spend billions and billions of dollars 

helping NATO and other countries, South Korea... as 

an example.”

 

He added he would be a “fool” if he did not punish 

Seoul for refusing to do as it was told by the US.

 

“When they are not willing to do anything

for you, you can’t be a fool and help them.”

 

Trump revisited the issue multiple times, even 

ordering a significant reduction in joint 

military drills with South Korea.

 

He told the Pentagon earlier this month to 

scale back joint military exercises with 

the South Korean military.

 

Trump had described the joint military 

exercises with South Korea as costly.

 

He also said that the annual joint military 

exercises were “hostile” towards North 

Korea and had called for them to be 

reduced, citing his relationship 

with Kim Jong-un.

 

Trump’s latest remarks renewed concerns 

among US allies, citing US foreign policy 

shifts as proof of Washington’s 

untrustworthiness.

 

Analysts say Trump is sending Washington’s allies 

mixed signals, citing the scale-back of joint 

military exercises with South Korea as 

another example of the Trump 

administration’s true lack 

of leadership.

 

 

____________________________________

 

 

 

Araghchi calls Netanyahu a ‘serpent,’ 

says he ‘suckered’ US into war 

on Iran

August 31, 10:38am

 (PressTV)

 

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called Israeli prime 

minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “serpent” who “suckered” 

the US into war on Iran, exposing his deception and 

efforts ---- to manipulate US public opinion 

and policymaking.

 

In a post on his X account on Monday, Araghchi highlighted 

the discrepancies between Netanyahu’s Hebrew and 

English claims about the war on Iran.

 

“In Hebrew, Netanyahu openly crows -- that he suckered the US 

Administration into a war on Iran on behalf of Israel,” he wrote.

 

Araghchi stated that Netanyahu “explicitly laughs about how 

he ‘influenced’ America through 1,000 hours of airtime on 

US networks.”

 

“In English, he praises POTUS’ leadership. Serpent,” he added.

 

On Sunday, Netanyahu claimed on Channel 14 that he 

has been “dealing with Iran for close to 40 years.”

 

“It took me a long time... to get our security establishment to deal 

with Iran itself. It also took a long time to bring the United States 

to this understanding. I was able to do that because I had close 

to a thousand hours on American television,” he alleged.

 

The US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran began on February 28, 

with joint strikes ------ that assassinated the Leader of the Islamic 

Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and targeted 

nuclear facilities, schools, and hospitals.

 

The aggression reflected Netanyahu’s long-standing push for direct 

US military involvement against Iran. Israel had repeatedly sought 

stronger US action against Tehran, while Washington ------ is now 

locked in a war ...from which it is unable to extricate itself.















































Image: Independence Day in Trinidad and Tobago







 Today, August 31, is

 

Independence Day in 

Trinidad and Tobago.

 

Trinidad and Tobago Independence Day commemorates the nation’s 

freedom from British rule on August 31. This dual-island Caribbean 

nation celebrates with vibrant parades, music, and cultural 

festivities. Join in the national pride by attending local 

events, learning about its rich history, and 

sharing your appreciation for this 

vibrant republic.

 

Today embodies the nation's pride of gaining a national identity 

with its own constitution, anthem, emblems, and leaders, and 

the empowerment to shape its future. 

 

The day’s origins lie in a long struggle for self-rule, culminating in 

negotiations led by Dr. Eric Williams and the People’s National 

Movement, resulting in a peaceful handover of sovereignty.












UK legislators call for comprehensive 

arms embargo, settlement trade ban

 on Israel

July 27th, 6:06am

 (PressTV)

 

A coalition of 80 British lawmakers and peers has called on 

newly appointed British Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to 

impose sanctions on Israel -- including a comprehensive 

arms embargo and a ban on trade that supports illegal 

settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

 

In a letter, spearheaded by MP Kim Johnson, they urged the 

government to “decisively change its stance to uphold the 

rights of the Palestinian people and to prevent Israel’s 

continued violation of international law.”

 

It also called on the government to acknowledge the UN 

Independent Commission of Inquiry report, which 

validated Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.

 

Alongside recognition of the UN finding, the lawmakers urged 

the government to fully enforce the International Court of 

Justice' advisory opinion, delivered on July 19, 2024.

 

It holds that Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories 

is unlawful, that Israel should put an end to that occupation, 

desist from creating new settlements, and evacuate those 

already established.

 

“The previous administration ---- has willfully ignored the rulings of 

international courts. It has still failed to issue a formal response 

to the July 2024 International Court of Justice judgment 

- which requires Britain to cease all actions that aid or 

assist [Israel’s] grave violations of international law,” 

the letter read.

 

It added, “Now is the opportunity for this government and for you, 

as the new Prime Minister, to truly turn a new page.”

 

The letter bore the signatures of prominent legislators, 

including Diane Abbott, Jeremy Corbyn, Baroness 

Jenny Jones, and Baroness Warsi.

 

In an op-ed for Labour Outlook, Johnson stated that Palestine 

has emerged as the “defining test” of the Labour Party’s 

commitment to the notion --- that international law 

applies to all.

 

“If we condemn violations in one part of the world while excusing 

or ignoring them elsewhere, we undermine the very rules-based 

international order that Britain claims to defend,” she said.

 

“Burnham tells us --- he has a plan to renew confidence in Labour. If 

that renewal is to mean anything, it must begin by making a clean 

break with the failures of Starmerism on Palestine. If we are truly 

serious about turning the page, there could be no clearer place 

to begin,” Johnson noted.

 

The letter is supported by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which 

has been advocating for Burnham to distance himself from former 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s disgraceful legacy by implementing 

extensive sanctions against Israel - comprising a complete arms 

embargo, a cessation - of all military collaboration &
diplomatic support - and a total ban on all trade.



Image: No thanks to Israeli goods App

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!




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.



____________________




AT THE FACTORY


Tickets from


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.uk 


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



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_b6pvBprm
GA4XFdG-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.


Image: Russian scientists and Scottish ones



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.


Image: BRICS

Image: March 26 London anti cuts demo




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.


Image: unemployment in Wales


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?




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