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Except Sundays - our day of rest.

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Lecture in Chile on 

Fidel and Youth: 

Legacy for the Future

Santiago de Chile, 

August 27, 1:18am 

(Prensa Latina) 

 

A discussion on the legacy of Fidel Castro and his example for 

Latin American youth took place in Chile on the occasion of 

the centenary of the birth of the historical leader of the 

Cuban Revolution.

 

Issues such as solidarity, internationalism, the role of the new 

generations in the Cuban process, were at the centre of the 

debate organized by the Communist Youth, known here as

 "La Jota."

 

"Fidel continues to be a reference for youth, not only in his country, 

but also in Latin America," said the president of the Federation of 

Students of the University of Concepción, Ivania Garrido.

 

The sociology student, who visited Cuba recently, pointed out 

the relevance that the revolutionary leader always gave to 

education, which he saw as a tool for the emancipation 

of peoples.

 

Fidel is very present in all the work of Cuban life, in volunteer 

work, culture, sports and education, said the young woman, 

who said she was surprised by the deeply communitarian 

and supportive character of the Cuban people.

 

Participating in the panel, Cuba's ambassador to Chile, Oscar 

Cornelio Oliva, referred to the role of youth in the process of 

liberation of his country and recalled that when Fidel 

Castro led the Moncada feat ---- he was barely 

26 years old.

 

It was young people who participated in the national literacy 

campaign and in all the social programs developed after

 the triumph, he said.

 

The diplomat spoke about the recent colloquium "Fidel: Legacy 

and Future," in Havana, where presentations were given on 

the validity of his ideas in different spheres such as 

history, diplomacy, culture, arts, youth, the 

economy and the current reality of

... the world.

 

But, in addition, he said, in those days the Selected Works of 

Fidel Castro were published, where his thought is collected 

in 23 volumes.

 

Catalina Lufín, president of La Jota, said that one of the things 

that caught her attention the most when she traveled to the 

island is that - by Fidel's will - no street, square or public 

place bears his name.

 

"Understand that the legacy is not in the person, not even 

in their name, but ------- in the actions that manage to 

transform people's quality of life; that speaks:
of 
being a revolutionary," she said.








________________________________________________





Axios: US companies have not signed

ONE single oil deal with Venezuela

August 3rd, 2:56pm

(Pravda.EN)

 

US companies -- have not concluded a single oil deal 

with Venezuela in 8 months, despite Washington’s 

statements about the recovery of the industry.

 

This is reported by the Axios portal.

 

According to the newspaper, after statements by US 

President Donald Trump that US companies would 

be able to ''quickly restore'' the Venezuelan oil 

industry, not a single deal was concluded.

 

 



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










































 

US Navy set to punish sailor 

who attempted suicide...... 

amid USS Lincoln scandal

August 27, 11:14am

 (PressTV)

 

A US Navy sailor who jumped off the USS Abraham Lincoln amid 

harsh conditions has been charged with disciplinary action, 

sparking sharp reactions from his family and advocates.

 

The sailor, who jumped overboard in what his wife described as 

an attempt to end his life, is now facing disciplinary charges, 

according to media reports published on Thursday.

 

He is accused of malingering, pretending to be ill, and absence 

without leave for jumping off the ship. His salary could be cut 

as part of the punishment.

 

The sailor's family has voiced anger - at US President Donald 

Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over the military's 

mistreatment of mentally ill service members, in particular, 

and all US servicemen in general.

 

Families of sailors aboard the Lincoln have denounced Trump 

and Hegseth for failing to care for the well-being of the crew.

 

The sailor's wife has condemned the charges, arguing that 

someone experiencing a mental health crisis needs help, 

not punishment.

 

She told CNN that her husband is facing non-judicial 

punishment for violating articles of the Uniform 

Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

 

The sailor's father told CNN about his son's jump and the 

mental health issues that emerged during the ship's 

eight-month deployment supporting US operations 

during the war of aggression against Iran.

 

He cited the record duration of the mission, extreme heat, high 

humidity, and shortages of essential supplies - as key factors 

damaging the health of those aboard.

 

The controversy comes after Lincoln's deployment was repeatedly 

extended to a record length during the US war on Iran, raising 

concerns over crew fatigue, prolonged time at sea, and 

deteriorating conditions caused by extreme weather 

and shortages of essential needs.

 

The sailor jumped overboard on August 3. He was evacuated from 

the ship to Naval Base San Diego ten days later. His first therapy 

appointment came on August 26.

 

Since then, the USS George Washington has replaced the Lincoln, 

which is reportedly heading back to Naval Base San Diego, the 

principal homeport of the US Pacific Fleet.

 

According to charging documents reviewed by MS NOW, the sailor 

has been accused of violating Article 83 for "malingering", 

defined as a service member -- "intentionally faking an 

illness or hurting themselves -- to avoid work, duty or 

service", and Article 86 for "absence without leave."

 

"I think they're insane for doing this to people who need mental 

help," the wife told MS NOW. "Instead of giving them help, this 

is just another huge stressor."

 

The couple, both 19, share a 3½-year-old son and welcomed 

a daughter in February while the sailor was deployed. His 

wife said he repeatedly requested paternity leave and 

was denied each time.

 

Pentagon fires Stars and Stripes managers, and

reporter for exposing Abraham Lincoln scandal

 

The Pentagon fires the editor-in-chief, publisher, and 

a top reporter of the Stars & Stripes newspaper
on 
Friday, over “insubordination.”

 

 

_________________________________________

 

 

 

Pakistan rejects unilateral US sanctions 

against Iran, pledges continued trade 

with Tehran

August 27, 10:13am

 (PressTV)

 

Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to bilateral trade with Iran 

in accordance with international law, saying it will not abide by 

unilateral US sanctions against Tehran.

 

Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi made the 

remarks during his weekly press briefing in Islamabad on 

Thursday, while responding to IRNA about the US 

economic war against Iran. 

 

Pakistan has consistently rejected unilateral measures 

and does not accept unilateral sanctions, he said.

 

He added that such sanctions have negative consequences, and 

Pakistan does not recognize them under international law.

 

The spokesman described the economic war against Iran as part of 

a broader conflict between Tehran and Washington, stressing the 

importance of solving issues through diplomacy and dialogue.

 

Andrabi reiterated Pakistan’s serious determination and commitment

 to continue trade with Iran ---- in accordance with the agreements 

between the two countries.

 

The Pakistani diplomat’s remarks came after the United States on 

Monday unveiled its new wave of illegal sanctions against Iran 

under the so-called “Operation Economic Outcast,” 

threatening secondary penalties.... against any 

country or entity maintaining trade ties with 

Tehran - in a failed attempt to achieve 

through economic coercion... what

its military aggression couldn't.

 

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. (Boo hoo!)

 

China - rejects US threats of 'illegal, unilateral 

sanctions' against countries trading with Iran

 

China says its cooperation with Iran is conducted in 

accordance with international law and should not 

be disrupted.

 

Meanwhile, China -- has also opposed US threats of 

sanctions against any countries trading with Iran, 

saying Beijing's cooperation with Tehran ----- is 

conducted in accordance with international

law, and should not be disrupted.

 

Pakistan confident of constructive
outcome ------ on Hormuz Strait

 

Asked about the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and regional 

efforts to help resolve issues pertaining to the strategic 

waterway, Andrabi said Islamabad is confident, that 

ongoing bids will soon yield constructive results.

 

He, however, noted that a resolution ultimately depends on Iran 

and the US ....as the ''two sides'' involved in the negotiations.

 

Iran restricted transit through the Strait of Hormuz in response to 

the illegal US-Israeli aggression on the country that began on 

February 28 and came to a halt under a ceasefire on April 8.‌

 

The US attempted to undermine Iran’s sovereignty over the vital 

global energy chokepoint by establishing an unsafe corridor 

near the Omani shores.

 

The US also resumed its aerial assaults on Iran and imposed a naval 

blockade of the country in violation of the war-ending deal despite 

a Pakistan-brokered memorandum of understanding (MoU) 

signed between the two sides on June 17

 

The unlawful US measures prompted Iran to declare 

the Strait of Hormuz ------- closed to all traffic.

 

The Islamic Republic has stressed that the reopening of the 

critical waterway depends on US compliance with its 

obligations under the MoU.

 

Pakistan ---- rejects claims about 

Munir’s Tehran visit as US envoy

 

The spokesman also rejected media speculation about the 

nature of a visit by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and 

Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, 

to Tehran on Monday, saying the trip took place 

within the framework of bilateral relations 

and regional peace diplomacy.

 

Andrabi dismissed claims that the Pakistani army chief 

had traveled to Iran as an envoy of US President 

Donald Trump, calling such speculation....

 incorrect.

 

He noted that Munir held highly constructive talks with senior 

Iranian officials in Tehran, emphasizing that the visit showed 

Islamabad’s strong commitment ---- to help find a way out of 

the regional crisis.

 

He added that Pakistan continues its contact with its brotherly 

countries and partners, asserting that all of his country’s 

efforts are focused on resolving the Iran-US deadlock 

and advancing diplomacy for peace.

 

 

_____________________________________________

 

 

 

Iran proposes ----- ‘mutual security, non-

aggression pact’ among Muslim states

August 27, 9:29am

 (PressTV)

 

Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian, has proposed a “mutual 

security and non-aggression pact” among Muslim countries, to 

safeguard regional security amid US-Israeli acts of aggression.

 

Pezeshkian made the remarks on Thursday in an address to the 

40th International Conference on Islamic Unity that kicked off 

in Tehran, where he outlined 3 proposals for strengthening 

unity among Islamic nations.

 

“The first [proposal] is a mutual security and non-aggression pact 

among Muslim countries, under which they commit to respecting 

one another’s territorial integrity,” he said.

 

“They should not allow their territory, airspace, or facilities.. to be 

used to attack another Muslim country. They should not support 

efforts to divide or destabilize one another, nor define their own 

security at the cost of others' security. Instead, they should 

work together to manage regional security.”

 

The Iranian chief executive also clarified that his offer does not 

mean the formation of a military alliance or the adoption of 

the same foreign policy among Islamic states.

 

He further said that his second proposal is to establish a 

permanent mechanism for mediation and conflict 

prevention in the Muslim world.

 

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), he added, 

should be able to intervene before disputes escalate 

into war, rather than simply issue statements 

after thousands of people are killed.

 

Meanwhile, Pezeshkian laid out his third proposal that includes 

the "transformation of the Muslim world from a collection of 

separate markets into a network of genuine cooperation."

 

In such an environment, Muslim scientists can work together 

on joint projects in different fields and investment from 

Islamic countries, is directed toward development 

and technology within the Muslim world itself, 

he emphasized.

 

Additionally, the president hailed Iran’s national unity during 

the difficult time of the US-Israeli war of aggression as a 

“tremendous asset,” saying Iranians came to defend 

their country when they saw its existence and

 territorial integrity under threat.

 

Iran was attacked - at a time when it had resumed negotiations 

with the US, he said, stressing. “We did not start the war, but 

we stood firmly against this aggression.”

 

“Defending Iran - does not mean being hostile toward Muslim 

and neighbouring nations. No Muslim country should allow 

its territory to be used as a platform for aggression 

against another Muslim country, and no Muslim 

country should seek its own security at the 

expense of its neighbour’s security,”
he 
went on to say.

 

Islamic Unity Conference opens in Tehran; 

senior cleric calls Iran-only view of US-

Israeli hostility..... ‘simplistic’.

 

The US and Israel launched their illegal war of aggression 

against Iran on February 28 - by assassinating Leader of 

the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, 

along with senior military commanders.

 

Forty days later, on April 8, the enemies were forced to accept 

a ceasefire --- amid Iran’s resistance, successful retaliatory 

operations, and a powerful grip on the Strait of Hormuz.

 

In July, the US conducted waves of deadly air raids on Iran and 

imposed a naval blockade of the country in violation of the 

Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the 

Islamic Republic, signed on June 17, to end the war.

 

In response, the Iranian armed forces launched devastating strikes 

against strategic US targets across West Asia and declared the 

Strait of Hormuz ---- closed to all traffic.












































Image: David Lewis' Feast Day.






 

Today, August 27..... is

 

David Lewis' Feast Day. 

 

He was a priest and martyr who was widely referred to in the 

Welsh language as Tad y Tlodion ("Father of the Poor").

 

During the religious persecution of the Catholic Church in Wales, 

which began under Henry VIII and ended only with Catholic 

Emancipation in 1829.... Lewis served as superior of the 

illegal and underground Jesuit mission based at Cwm 

until his arrest by a priest hunter ....John Arnold, 

of Monmouthshire. 

 

In addition to his priestly ministry, Lewis stood accused 

of involvement in the Popish Plot, a regime change 

conspiracy theory concocted by Titus Oates 

and used by the dominant Whig political 

party as a pretext to launch an anti-

Catholic moral panic -- and witch 

hunt, in the Stuart Restoration. 

 

After being tried and convicted of high treason at Monmouth, Lewis

was hanged, drawn and quartered at Usk...... on 27 August in 1679.

 

Lewis was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1970, as one of the Forty 

Martyrs of England and Wales, and is venerated as a saint in the 

Catholic Church. The site of Lewis' execution is now occupied 

by a Catholic parish church dedicated to him, which remains 

a site of annual Christian pilgrimage upon the anniversary 

of his martyrdom. 

 

His feast day is celebrated on 27 August.











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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