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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.

Cuban Telephone Company

stars *** in Book Saturday

Havana, May 30th, 12:05am

(Prensa Latina)

The cultural space Sábado del Libro will host today, in this

capital two new publications that explore the universe of
telecommunications from the perspective of historical

communication --- and children's graphic narratives.

The volumes De teléfonos te hablamos, by the researcher

Lucía Sanz, and Tonito., the comic strip, by cartoonist

Alexis Gutiérrez, reached the public at 11:00 a.m.

local time .....on Calle de Madera, in Havana's

historic centre, under Ediciones Conexión.

The presentation - organized by the Cuban Book Institute -

proposes a dual approach to telephony ..that moves from

informative essays to a technical-children's supplement.

It will be a space designed to familiarize the little ones

with the world of communications through pleasant

language.... and illustrated cartoons.

De teléfonos te hablamos collects a biographical sketch of

the pioneers of telephony: their origins, achievements
and the obstacles they faced, in a text born from

a collaboration in 2020 with the Casa Editora

Abril and now recovered ..for the circuit

of fairs and public presentations.

Tonito the comic strip is part of the strategy of Ediciones

Conexión, of the Telecommunications Company of Cuba

S.A. (ETECSA), to build bridges between technical

knowledge ....and new generations of readers.

The event, with free access for all those interested,

is part of the usual program that every Saturday

transforms Calle de Madera into a meeting

point between authors, publishers and

the reading public.

Iranian stock market -- reports

historic trade as shares surge

May 30th, 2:07pm

(PressTV)

Iran's stock market reports a first-ever

period of growth.......... for all shares.

The Iranian stock market has witnessed - an historic, all-out

surge in trading across all listed shares, driven by positive

news that companies and businesses may resume or

expand operations following a halt caused by the

US-Israeli aggression against Iran.

Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday that during a

portion of the trading hours at Tehran Stock Exchange

earlier in the day, no single trading index offered by

companies for their shares was in a negative zone

– a first in the history of the Iranian stock market.

"Today --- the capital market experienced one of its most

unique trading days," the report said, adding that even

veteran traders at the TSE --- described the situation

as unprecedented.

According to the report, the best performers on Saturday

were the National Iranian Copper Company and iron ore

mines located in central and southeast Iran, followed

by banks and the state-run life insurance company.

Improved investor expectations, increased optimism about

economic and political stability, and an influx of liquidity

into the stock market were cited as the main reasons

behind the exceptional and historic surge.

However, experts are waiting to see how the TSE performs

in the coming days, and whether it can truly recover after

weeks of stagnation caused by the military tensions

surrounding Iran, the report added.

The growth in Iran's local stock market comes amid reports

that Iran and the US have moved closer to signing an initial

deal aimed at .....ending US-Israeli aggression against Iran.

According to the reports, under the deal, the US would commit

to withdrawing its forces from regional waters surrounding

Iran and lifting a maritime blockade imposed on the

country, in return for Iran gradually easing its

restrictions on cargo transit through the

Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf.

_________________________________________

IRGC Navy: 20 commercial ships transit

Hormuz in 24 hours ---- after obtaining

permission

May 30th, 1:55pm

(PressTV)

The IRGC Navy has announced: that 20 commercial vessels

transited the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours after

obtaining permission and coordinating with the force.

Speaking to the Iranian State Broadcaster (IRIB) in Hormozgan

Province, the IRGC Navy's Public Relations Office said that 20

commercial ships transited the strategic waterway during

the last day ...following coordination with the force.

The IRGC Navy emphasized that: "intelligent control and

monitoring of the Strait of Hormuz is being carried out

with full authority, and any violation will be met with

a crushing response."

Early this month, Iran officially launched a new mechanism

for governing maritime traffic through the strategic Strait

of Hormuz.

Under the newly implemented system, which Press TV first

reported, all vessels intending to transit the Strait will

receive an email from the official address

info@PGSA.ir outlining the rules and

regulations for passage.

Iran shut down the Strait to its enemies and their allies

after the illegal, unprovoked US-Israeli aggression.

The Iranian authorities began enforcing much stricter

controls following US President Donald Trump’s

announcement of a ''blockade'' ..targeting

Iranian vessels and ports.

Tehran says the measures - violate the terms of a

Pakistan-brokered ceasefire that took effect on

April 8 and was later extended - unilaterally -

by Washington.

The Strait of Hormuz is responsible for a fifth of the

global oil supply, and Iran’s restrictions have

caused a major surge in international oil

and commodity prices.... since they

were imposed in April.

Iran says it is ready to gradually reopen the strait - if

it receives concrete guarantees about a permanent

end to US-Israeli aggression and the lifting of all

Washington’s sanctions and the blockade of

the country.

However, the authorities have indicated that the

situation in the strait will never return to what

it was before the war - and that restrictions

and bans will continue to be applied to

ships owned by, or linked to,

hostile regimes.

__________________________________________

Israeli forces push deeper into

southern Lebanon, warn

residents to leave

May 30th, 1:38pm

(PressTV)

Israeli occupation forces have significantly expanded

their military aggression in southern Lebanon,

advancing deeper into territory north
of the Litani River.

The occupation forces have also issued a new wave

of displacement orders to residents in southern

Lebanon, and escalated the war against

the people of Lebanon - despite an

existing ceasefire agreement.

According to reports on Saturday, Israeli troops have

pushed beyond the towns of Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh

and Mayfadoun, and are now positioned on the

outskirts of Choukine, whose residents were

ordered to evacuate on Friday.

The expanded offensive, which has been underway for

several days, has intensified notably over the past

48 hours.

Israeli forces have also advanced northward along a

strategic ridgeline overlooking the Litani River. The

elevated terrain, which rises approximately 900

metres above sea level, overlooks the city of

Marjayoun and the S. Eastern approaches

to Nabatieh.

Further east - Israeli troops have reportedly moved north

of the town of Dibbine, an area considered a stronghold

of the Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah.

Israel claims the offensive is intended to push Hezbollah

forces farther away from the border and reduce the

“threat” posed by continued cross-border attacks

targeting the northern and central areas of

''Israeli'' territory.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military issued another forced

displacement order on Friday, directing residents of

six southern Lebanese villages -- Marwaniyah,

Lubya, Midoun, Ansariyah, Zafta & Teffahta

-- to immediately leave their homes and

move north of the Zahrani River.

In a post on his X account, Israeli military Arabic-

language spokesman Avichay Adraee warned

residents that remaining near Hezbollah

personnel, facilities or military

equipment - would place

their lives at risk.

The latest evacuation notice - marked the third displacement

order issued by Israel in southern Lebanon on the same day.

Earlier warnings were directed at residents of Jdeidet Ansar,

Zrariyeh, Mazraat Kauthariyet el-Rez, Mashgharah,

Mayfadoun, Choukine and Zebdine.

Despite a ceasefire intended to curb hostilities along

the Israel-Lebanon border, tensions have continued

to escalate. Ongoing exchanges of fire between

Hezbollah and Israeli forces, combined with

Israel’s expanding ground attacks and

repeated evacuation orders, have

heightened concerns... about

a broader escalation in

southern Lebanon.

Israel has continued its attacks on Lebanon,

despite a ceasefire that took effect on April

17 and was ....extended for 45 days.

Since March 2nd, Israel has been conducting an

expanded offensive on Lebanon -- killing more

than 3,355 people, injuring over 10,100, and

displacing over 1.6 million individuals.

__________________________________________

Hezbollah lures IOF force into ambush

in Ghandouriyeh, forces retreat

May 30th, 11:51am

(Al Mayadeen English)

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon --- Hezbollah announced a

series of operations against Israeli forces invading southern

Lebanon, in addition to missile & rocket launches targeting

occupied territories. Notably, the Resistance announced a

significant ambush targeting an Israeli combined force in

southern Lebanon.

At an unspecified time before dawn on Friday, May 29, 2026,

Hezbollah fighters engaged an Israeli Hermes 450 - Zik -

drone in the skies above Zawtar al-Sharqiyah town

with a surface-to-air missile.

At 1:45 and 3:35 am, Hezbollah fighters targeted

the town of Kiryat Shmona with rocket barrages.

Hezbollah announces ambush,
confirming casualties

At dawn on Saturday, after precise monitoring of enemy

movements, Hezbollah said its fighters ambushed a

combined Israeli military force.. attempting to

advance toward the eastern outskirts of

the town of al-Ghandouriyeh.

In details of the fourth statement today, the Resistance

fighters detonated explosive devices against the force

while simultaneously targeting it with artillery shells

and rocket barrages, prompting the enemy to

evacuate its casualties.... under a heavy

smokescreen.... before bombing the

surrounding area with airstrikes

and artillery.

At 5:55 am, Hezbollah said its fighters targeted the Meron air

surveillance and operations management base in northern

occupied Palestine --- with a top-tier rocket barrage.

Israeli media report damage in Kiryat Shmona

Israeli Channel 12 reported that a rocket launched from

Lebanon ---- landed in the centre of Kiryat Shmona.

Commenting on the attack, other Israeli media outlets

stated that Hezbollah is increasing its rate of fire,

launching nightly barrages toward Kiryat

Shmona and al-Jalil.

The Israeli Army Radio also said that Hezbollah

expanded its firing range in the morning

to include the Meron area in the

Upper al-Jalil.

Source: Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Military Media

Today, May 30th, in 1938,

novelist and educator,

Billie Dean Letts --- was a professor at

S. Eastern Oklahoma State University.

Letts was born as Billie Dean Gipson in Tulsa, Oklahoma,

the daughter of Virginia M. (née Barnes), a secretary,

and William C. Gipson.

She married Dennis Letts, a professor and actor, in 1958.

The couple had three children: Dana, Tracy (playwright),

and Shawn (a jazz musician/composer).

Dennis Letts served as editor for his wife's novels.

He died of lung cancer in Tulsa on February 22,

Letts died in a Tulsa hospital from pneumonia on August 2,

2014, aged 76. She had recently been diagnosed with

acute myeloid leukemia.

Where the Heart Is (1995)

The Honk and Holler Opening Soon (1998)

Shoot the Moon (2004)

Made in the U.S.A. (2008)

''You ever think about this? Every year you live, you pass

the anniversary of your death. Now you don't know

what day it is, of course.''

''Bigotry and racism reflect the most vile kind of thinking

and behaviour in our society. My greatest hope - is that

my stories might lead readers to greater acceptance,

tolerance, and compassion for one another.''

''...tell them that we have some good in us, too. And the

only thing worth living for is the good. That’s why

we’ve got to make sure we pass it on.''

Iran --- hails Ireland’s move

to ban --- imports from the

illegal Israeli settlements

May 27th 11:34am

(PressTV)

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs

Kazem Gharibabadi hails Ireland’s decision to ban imports from

illegal Israeli settlements, describing the move as a practical

step toward holding the Israeli regime accountable for its

violations of international law.

“Ireland’s decision to ban imports from the illegal settlements

of the Israeli regime is a commendable step toward turning

international law from rhetoric into action,” Gharibabadi

wrote in a post published on social media platform X

on Wednesday.

He pointed to a 2004 advisory opinion by the International Court

of Justice (ICJ), which stated that the settlements had been

“established in breach of international law” and said the

ruling obliges states not to recognize the illegal status

created by the settlements or support their

continuation in any form.

“Therefore, buying and selling settlement products is not normal

trade, but economic complicity in sustaining occupation and

whitewashing an unlawful situation," he further wrote.

He added that Western governments that present themselves

as defenders of international law must now match words

with action instead of backing down under pressure

from the Israeli regime, certain US lawmakers,

and powerful business lobbies.

The remarks came as several European countries are moving

toward tougher measures against Israeli settlements built

on occupied Palestinian land.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Arnoldus Adrianus Jetten said

on Friday that Amsterdam would suspend all economic

transactions linked to settlements in the occupied

West Bank and the Golan Heights.

The measure is intended to “prevent Dutch society from

contributing, through our economic activities, to illegal

occupation & the maintenance of illegal settlements,”

Jetten explained.

Meanwhile, a report by Palestine’s Colonization and Wall

Resistance Commission (CWRC) --- has described 2025

as a “year of bloodshed” in the occupied West Bank,

documenting over 23,800 attacks by Israeli forces

and settlers ---- against Palestinians.

In early 2026, Israel's so-called internal security service, Shin

Bet downgraded the classification of settler violence against

Palestinians in the occupied West Bank from “terror attacks”

to “serious incidents,” narrowing the definition of terrorism

to cases involving explicit intent to kill and reducing the

priority of investigations.

Since October 7th, 2023, when the Israeli regime launched its
genocidal assault on Gaza --- Israeli forces and settlers have

killed at least 1,155 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank

--- wounded nearly 11,750 others, and abducted around

22,000 people, according to official figures.

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?