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social media!

Except Sundays - our day of rest.

U.S. Congressional Black Caucus:

Enough of barbaric policy

with Cuba

Washington, May 25th, 12:02am

(Prensa Latina)

More voices are calling today in the US - for an end to the

oil blockade on Cuba, a policy that, for the president of

the Congressional Black Caucus, Yvette D. Clarke, is

"barbaric" and deepens the humanitarian crisis on

the island.

"Enough ----- is enough! The Congressional Black Caucus will not

stand idly by, allowing this administration to continue with this

barbaric policy that generates unimaginable human suffering

in Cuba," said Clarke, a member of the House of

Representatives from New York.

The Democratic congresswoman issued a letter -- in which she

addresses President Donald Trump and his Secretary of State,

Marco Rubio, whom she urges ------- to relieve the economic

pressure on the Caribbean country.

Clarke denounced the impact of this policy of suffocation

of the current administration against the people of the

Antillean nation, which has caused "an increase in

infant mortality rates, the threat of famine and a

deterioration in the standard of living ---- of

innocent Cuban civilians."

"Under the oil blockade and the tightening of sanctions

imposed by this administration, Cubans are dying,"

the lawmaker wrote.

A press release posted on its official website underscored: that

the Congressional Black Caucus -- which has long encouraged

the United States to lead the world stage in supporting peace

and justice - rejected the administration's draconian policies,

which have led to the dire situation facing the Cuban people.

"We demand ---- that they end the oil blockade, lift sanctions

against Cuba ---- and allow the Cuban people to access the

most basic resources they need to survive on the island,"

Clarke stressed.

Last week, Arizona Democratic Senator Rubén Gallego

warned of the attempts of aggression that would be

brewing in Washington against Cuba.

"We are seeing --- how Republicans fabricate before our very eyes

a reason for another war of regime change, this time - in Cuba,"

the legislator wrote on his social network account X. Gallego,

along with his colleagues Tim Kaine (Virginia) and Adam

Schiff (California) presented a Resolution on War

Powers - to block the use of the United States

Armed Forces - in hostilities against Cuba.

President Trump's use of the U.S. military to blockade Cuba

has created a humanitarian crisis on the island and risks

leading to a massive migration crisis, a press release

on its website said.

It also continues to threaten direct military action -- and recent

reports indicate that Southern Command has been ordered to

draw up plans for possible military action, the text, released

last Thursday, argued.

"The president's approval ratings ------ are plummeting, so he's

inventing a pretext to invade and looking for a quick victory

to project an image of toughness. We must raise our

voices now -------- before we end up embroiled in

another endless war," he stressed.

The senators stressed ------ that they will continue to push

resolutions on war powers and seek bipartisan support:

"to make clear - our opposition to the use of military

force against Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, or any other

nation that does not pose an imminent threat

to the United States."

Trump reiterated in his 2024 election campaign... that, if

he won..... he would keep the United States away from

war. Even last year - he fought to win the Nobel Prize.

But since he returned to the White House, threats of

expansion and interventionism have been setting

the tone for his foreign agenda.

Now, despite having an open battlefront in the Middle

East, with Iran, the Trump administration's next

target ---- seems to be Cuba.

In the Caribbean area, the aircraft carrier Nimitz, was

deployed, but, according to Trump, it is not to try to

intimidate the island.

New Israeli aggression - on southern

Lebanon kills 31 including children

May 26th, 11:35pm

(PressTV)

The Israeli occupation regime has - once again - unleashed a

barrage of criminal air strikes on civilian areas in southern

Lebanon, martyring at least 31 people, among them

multiple women and children, and wounding ----

around 40 others.

The latest figures were issued by Lebanon’s Health Ministry

and reported by the state-run National News Agency (NNA)

on Tuesday night.

These savage attacks targeted residential neighbourhoods in

the Tyre and Marjayoun districts, in flagrant violation of the

fragile US-brokered ceasefire ------- and international law.

Lebanese officials and resistance sources confirm - that the

Israeli war machine deliberately struck towns and villages,

including Burj al-Shemali, Kawthariyat al-Ruz, Habboush,

Maarakeh, Selaa, Burj Rahal, Srifa, as-Sawana,

and Qabrikha.

This latest massacre forms part of the ongoing Israeli

campaign of terror against the Lebanese people and

the Axis of Resistance, even as the Islamic

Resistance in Lebanon continues to

respond --- with precision strikes

against occupation forces.

Detailed reports from the NNA and the Public Health

Ministry’s emergency operations centre, paint a

disturbing picture of the Zionist brutality.

In Burj Shemali, 14 people were martyred, including

two children and three women, while 16 others

were wounded. Five of them were children

and six were women.

A strike on Kawthariyat al-Ruz - killed five

and wounded six, including two children.

In Habboush, four were martyred, including two

children, and 10 were wounded, including two

children and three women.

Maarakeh saw six martyrs and six

wounded, among them - one child.

Selaa reported two killed and two injured.

Additional Israeli raids struck Burj Rahal (multiple

strikes), Srifa, as-Sawana (three raids) --- and

Qabrikha in the Marjayoun district, further

terrorizing civilian populations in the

Tyre district.

Lebanese sources, including Al-Manar and Al-Mayadeen,

describe these as deliberate attacks on populated

residential zones, consistent with the entity’s

pattern of war crimes aimed at punishing

the Lebanese people for their support

of the resistance.

This escalation occurs amid Israel’s broader war on

Lebanon, which has claimed over 3,100 martyrs

and nearly 10,000 wounded since March 2026,

according to the Health Ministry.

Israel ------ expands ground attacks in southern

Lebanon, conducts raids north of Litani River

The Israeli occupation military has expanded

its onslaught in southern Lebanon. Despite

repeated ceasefire extensions, the

occupation forces persist in their

aggression -- targeting civilians,

paramedics, & infrastructure --

in a desperate bid to weaken

the Axis of Resistance.

Hezbollah --- has answered the aggression with

forceful operations, striking enemy positions

and inflicting losses on occupation troops,

thus defending Lebanon’s sovereignty

and dignity.

_______________________________________

Swarms of Hezbollah FPVs haunt IOF

soldiers --- pound vehicles, barracks

May 26th, 9:26pm

(Al Mayadeen English)

Resistance operations continue in the face of an unabated

Israeli aggression and continued attempts to advance

deeper into southern Lebanon.

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah continued to

defend Lebanon in sustained operations targeting Israeli

forces invading and occupying southern Lebanon.

In the latest developments, Resistance fighters continue to

repel Israeli forces attempting to advance to the town of

Zawtar al-Sharqiyah. In parallel, Resistance fighters

continue to target Israeli soldiers and vehicles in

southern Lebanon ---- using Ababil drones.

Following are operations carried out on May 26:

At 6:45 am, Resistance fighters - targeted an Israeli army

Hummer vehicle at the riverbed in the town of Zawtar al-

Sharqiyah using an Ababil attack drone, setting it ablaze.

At 7:00 am, Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of

Israeli army vehicles and soldiers... at the riverbed in

the town of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah with artillery shells.

At dawn on Tuesday, Resistance fighters confronted a

combined Israeli force that advanced toward Zawtar

al-Sharqiyah following air raids and heavy artillery

shelling over the preceding period. The

confrontation involved rocket fire,

artillery shells, and attack

drones --- in addition to

direct confrontations.

At 8:45 am, a Merkava tank was destroyed using an Ababil FPV

drone, with confrontations still ongoing by the time of reporting.

At 8:00 am, Resistance fighters targeted the

Biranit barracks using 2 Ababil FPV drones.

At 8:30 am, Resistance fighters targeted the power generator

at the Buranit barracks ---- using an attack drone.

At 9:30 am, Resistance fighters targeted an Israeli

army artillery position in the town of Odaisseh

using two FPV drones.

At 09:45 am, Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of

Israeli army vehicles and soldiers at the riverbed in the

town of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah with a salvo of rockets.

At 10:00 am, Resistance fighters targeted an Israeli army D9

bulldozer at the riverbed in the town of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah

using an Ababil FPV drone.

Simultaneously, Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of

Israeli army vehicles and soldiers in the town of Chamaa

with a salvo of rockets.

At 10:45 am, Resistance fighters targeted two Merkava

tanks in the town of Rsheif using 2 Ababil FPV drones.

Simultaneously, Resistance fighters targeted an Israeli army

communications vehicle at the riverbed in the town of

Zawtar al-Sharqiyah - using an Ababil FPV drone.

At 11:00 am, Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli

army vehicles and soldiers at the riverbed in the town of

Zawtar al-Sharqiyah with a rocket salvo.

At 11:45 am, Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of Israeli

army vehicles and soldiers in the town of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah

with artillery shells.

At 1:00 pm, Resistance fighters targeted communications

equipment of the Israeli army at the al-Assi site opposite

the town of Mays al-Jabal using an Ababil FPV drone.

Simultaneously, Resistance fighters targeted an Iron Dome

launcher at the Biranit barracks using an Ababil FPV drone.

Also at 1:00 pm, Resistance fighters targeted an Israeli army

artillery encampment in the town of Odaisseh with a swarm

of Ababil FPV drones.

At 1:30 pm, Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of

Israeli army vehicles and soldiers at the Biranit

barracks using an FPV drone.

At 1:45 pm, Resistance fighters targeted an Israeli army

Hummer vehicle in the city of Bint Jbeil using an

Ababil FPV drone.

At 2:00 pm, Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of

Israeli army vehicles and soldiers in the vicinity of

the water reservoir in the town of Zawtar

al-Sharqiyah with a rocket salvo.

At 2:20 pm, Resistance fighters targeted an Israeli army

Namer vehicle in the city of Bint Jbeil using an Ababil

FPV drone, achieving a confirmed hit.

At 2:50 pm, Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of

Israeli army vehicles and soldiers in the town of

Rsheif with a rocket salvo.

At 3:00 pm, Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of

Israeli army vehicles and soldiers... at the riverbed in

the town of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah with a rocket salvo.

At 3:40 pm, Resistance fighters shot down two hostile

Israeli army drones in the airspace over the towns of

Srifa and Deir Kifa using appropriate weapons.

At 4:00 pm, Resistance fighters targeted an Israeli army

Namer vehicle in the town of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah using

an Ababil FPV drone, achieving a confirmed hit.

At 4:30 pm, Resistance fighters targeted a grouping

of Israeli army vehicles and soldiers in the town of

Aadshit al-Qusayr using an FPV drone.

At 5:35 pm, Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of

Israeli army vehicles and soldiers... at the riverbed in

the town of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah using an FPV drone.

At 5:50 pm, Resistance fighters targeted tents used

by Israeli tank crews at Jal al-Hammar in the town

of Odaisseh --- using an FPV drone.

At 7:15 pm, Resistance fighters targeted a Merkava

tank near the water reservoir in the town of

Zawtar al-Sharqiyah using an Ababil

FPV drone.

At 7:40 pm, Resistance fighters targeted three Merkava

tanks and two Namer vehicles in the town of Zawtar

al-Sharqiyah with a swarm of Ababil FPV drones.

At 7:45 pm, Resistance fighters targeted a grouping of

Israeli army vehicles and soldiers in the vicinity of

the water reservoir in the town of Zawtar

al-Sharqiyah using two FPV drones.

Hezbollah fighters repel IOF advance

attempt...... to Zawtar al-Sharqiyah

In light of circulating reports about the Israeli occupation

forces' entry and control of.... Zawtar al-Sharqiyah in

southern Lebanon, Al Mayadeen's correspondent

affirmed that they are ---- entirely unfounded.

In fact, since dawn on Tuesday, Resistance fighters have been

engaged in intense - and sustained - confrontations on the

outskirts of the town, repelling --- repeated attempts by

Israeli occupation forces to advance. According to

field reports, the confrontations began following

heavy Israeli preparatory fire, including

---- intensive airstrikes and artillery

shelling across the area.

As the troops tried to advance, Resistance fighters confronted

them with coordinated rocket fire, artillery shells, and drone

operations, in addition to engaging them in close-quarters

combat. The confrontations inflicted heavy losses on

Israeli personnel and equipment, as Resistance

units maintained defensive positions and

continued confrontations - throughout

the night.

Reports IOF entry, control of Zawtar
al-Sharqiya ------- outright false

After reports spread regarding the IOF's entry to and capture of

the town of Zawtar al-Sharqiya, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent

in southern Lebanon confirmed that they are - outright false.

On that note, our correspondent reported that confrontations

between Resistance fighters and Israeli occupation forces

are taking place along the riverbanks and surrounding

terrain, where Resistance units are actively targeting

supply routes and military vehicles using drones,

rocket salvos, and artillery fire.

According to the field reports, close-quarters combat

is still ongoing between the Resistance and Israeli

occupation forces, on the outskirts of the town.

The correspondent ----- also reported drones launched from

Lebanon toward northern occupied territories, noting that

Resistance operations continue to target gatherings and

positions of the Israeli occupation forces, including

direct strikes on command centres.

He added that the successive operations reflect a high

level of surveillance, tracking, and fire coordination,

by the Resistance --- despite the ongoing Israeli air

and intelligence blockade over southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah publishes footage of operations

Hezbollah's Military Media also published footage

documenting operations carried out recently

against Israeli assets, soldiers, and more,

in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah published footage of an operation on May 22

targeting an IOF Merkava tank using an Ababil FPV

in the town of Markaba, southern Lebanon.

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon also released footage of

an operation - dated May 26, 2026 - targeting an Israeli

military Humvee in the town of Bint Jbeil in southern

Lebanon, with the Ababil FPV drone.

In the background of the drone setting, the fighters showed

a banner, saying this operation is dedicated to the martyrs

of the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab.

Source: Islamic Resistance

in Lebanon - Military Media

____________________________________________________

Russia -- warns Western agencies

planning to use Daesh terrorists

against Iran

May 26th, 6:57pm

(PressTV)

The US and its allies are known to use Daesh and other militant

groups to further their agenda of destabilizing Muslim nations

across West and central Asia.

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) chief ---- Aleksandr

Bortnikov has warned that Western intelligence agencies

are planning to use Daesh-affiliated Takfiri militants in

Syria .....as a proxy force against Iran.

The FSB chief said -- militants who previously fought for Daesh

and other designated terrorist groups were being transferred

from detention facilities in Syria - to special camps in Iraq.

“The history of the Daesh militant group began in similar Iraqi

prison complexes under the protection of Western coalition

intelligence agencies,” he said.

He further warned that the US-Israeli aggression against Iran

represents a broader Western war - against Muslim nations.

“Undoubtedly, the escalation of the Iranian conflict and

the involvement of an increasing number of parties in

it is threatening to destabilise the entire Islamic

world,” Bortnikov stated, RT reported.

He made the remarks during a meeting of security chiefs

from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)

in Russia’s Irkutsk region on Tuesday.

Bortnikov also said: such militants could be used not only

across West Asia but also ----- in their countries of origin.

He warned - that the actions of Western intelligence

agencies pose a risk to CIS member states, noting

that released militants include individuals from

CIS countries who fought with Daesh and

other groups and later ended up in

Syrian prisons.

The CIS was established in 1991 following the dissolution

of the Soviet Union to promote economic, political, and

security cooperation among member states.

It currently includes nine countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan,

Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan,

Moldova, and Uzbekistan.

Top Daesh commanders ...resurface in Raqqah

amid growing insecurity in Syria under Jolani

Local sources in the Syrian city of Raqqah report the

renewed presence of infamous Daesh commanders

inside the city.

The developments come as the US, Israel, and their

Western and regional allies equipped militant and

banned groups in a bid to destabilise Iran ahead

of an unprovoked and illegitimate escalation in

late February.

From the outset, the US and the Israeli regime

operated on what observers describe as a

deeply flawed assessment ---- of Iran’s

national and military capabilities.

_________________________________

Hajj message: Leader... invites Muslim

nations to shape new regional order

says US era is over

May 26th, 8:18am

(PressTV)

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba

Khamenei urges Muslim countries to deepen cooperation

and shape a new regional and global order....... beyond

US dominance.

"The [global] Muslim Ummah (Nation) and the nations of the

region possess many shared capacities and common

interests that will shape the new order and the

future architecture of the region and the

world," Ayatollah Khamenei wrote
in a message on Tuesday.

The message, issued on the occasion of the Day of Arafah, the

second day of the Hajj pilgrimage, said Muslim nations are

entering an historical phase - in which regional realities

are changing irreversibly and US military influence

is steadily diminishing.

"The hands of time will not turn back, and the nations

and lands of the region will no longer serve as

shields for US bases," the Leader stated.

He added that the United States "will no longer have a safe

haven for its mischief and for establishing military bases

in the region" and is "growing more distant from its

former status - day by day."

"The future belongs to the Muslim Ummah

and the new Islamic civilization."

Resistance Front's triumphs:

and Israel's nearing demise

The message highlighted the role played by the regional

Resistance Front, describing it as a unified movement

extending "from Iran to Lebanon and Palestine and

Iraq and Syria, from Africa and Yemen to

Afghanistan and Pakistan."

It noted how these forces have confronted US influence,

challenged Israeli occupation, and fought the Daesh

Takfiri terrorist group.

Ayatollah Khamenei, meanwhile, identified the Israeli

regime as a "cancerous tumour" and an "unstable

regime" nearing "the final stages of its

cursed life."

It additionally reiterated a prediction by the martyred Leader

of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei,

who once predicted that the regime would not survive

to see another 25 years.

'Iran rendered Israel helpless, served

a hard slap ---- to US during war'

Elsewhere in the massage, the Leader celebrated Iran's

decisive blows to the US and Israeli regime during the

duo's latest bout of unprovoked aggression against

the Islamic Republic.

"The Islamic Republic --- succeeded in rendering the Zionist

regime helpless under its heavy blows, delivering a hard

slap to the aggressive America, and thwarting the

enemy’s goal of forcing Iran into surrender,"

the message read.

Ayatollah Khamenei praised the Iranian Armed Forces and

allied resistance groups, particularly in Lebanon, for

achieving "remarkable victories" in the face of the

aggression that was being waged -- by "the fully

armed American-Zionist terrorist armies."

It specifically referred to the deployment of missiles and

drones "on land, in the air, and at sea" against "the

Great Satan, meaning the US, and its trained

animal, the Zionist regime."

Iranian nation 'astonished the world'

The message pointed to the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei

during the early stages of the aggression, noting that after the

"heartbreaking martyrdom" of the "great leader," the Iranian

public .........entered a new phase of mobilization.

The nation, it added, "astonished the world" - through its mass

participation on the streets in support of the country's Armed

Forces and defense of the homeland ......as well as via its

display of resilience following the martyrdom.

Hajj 'a path of spiritual and political transformation'

The message described Hajj - as a continuous path of

devotion, rejection of false powers, self-purification,

and defense of truth and justice.

According to the Leader, the Iranian nation embarked on

such a path during the 1979 Islamic Revolution - by

rejecting "subservience" and rallying around

"pure Muhammadan Islam."

The message highlighted the religious zeal that invigorated

the Iranian nation in its efforts to overthrow the former

tyrannical US-backed regime. The same zeal - also

reinforced the country in its defensive efforts in

the face of the Western-backed imposed war

of the 1980s ------- and decades of foreign

pressure and sanctions, Ayatollah

Khamenei added.

'Muslim world's common slogan:

Death to USA, Death to Israel'

Addressing Iranian pilgrims directly, the message said

they bear "an effective and prominent role" ...in

conveying the saga of "victory in the face

of the third imposed war" to Muslims

from other countries during the

Hajj pilgrimage.

It also called for prayers for Muslim unity, the

liberation of Palestine, and victory over the

global arrogance.

The message also emphasized the concept of "bara’ah,"

or the disavowal of enemies and oppressors, saying

the principle extends beyond Hajj rituals into the

political and social life of Muslims worldwide.

"Death to the US and Death to Israel - will be the

common slogan of the Islamic Ummah and the

oppressed of the world, especially the youth."

Today, May 26th, in 1949,

socialist, anti-fascist

Jeremy Bernard Corbyn has been the Member of Parliament

(MP) for Islington North, since 1983. He currently sits as an

independent and is the parliamentary leader of Your Party

...which he co-founded with Zarah Sultana in July 2025.

Corbyn had previously been a member of the Labour Party

from 1965, until his automatic expulsion in 2024, for

standing for election as an independent MP, and

served as Leader of the Opposition.. and the

Leader of the Labour Party from 2015 to

2020 as a member of the Socialist

Campaign Group caucus. He

identifies as a socialist

on the political left.

Born in Chippenham, Wiltshire, Corbyn joined the Labour
Party as a teenager. Moving to London, he became a
trade union representative.

In 1974, he was elected to Haringey Council ....and
became Secretary of Hornsey Constituency
Labour Party - until elected as the MP
for Islington North in 1983.

A vocal opponent of the illegal Iraq War, he chaired

the Stop the War Coalition from 2011 to 2015, and

received the Gandhi International Peace Award

and Seán MacBride Peace Prize.

Following Ed Miliband's resignation - after the party had lost the

2015 general election, Corbyn won the 2015 party leadership

election to succeed him. The Labour Party's membership

increased massively, after his election.

A right-wing back-lash led to his resignation and the

coming to power of Keir Starmer - easily the most

unpopular Labour leader --- ever. Millions left the

party or were expelled in a purge of socialists.

Jeremy's parents were Labour Party members and

peace campaigners who met in the 1930s at a

committee meeting ---- in support of the

Spanish Republic.. at Conway Hall

during the Spanish Civil War.

While still at school, Corbyn became active in the League

Against Cruel Sports and the Labour Party Young

Socialists within The Wrekin. He was also a

member of the left youth organisation

He joined the Labour Party at the age of 16. Corbyn joined

the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in 1966, while at

school ..and later became one of its three vice-chairs

and subsequently vice-president. He campaigned

against the Vietnam War.

At 19, he spent two years doing Voluntary Service Overseas

in Jamaica as a youth worker and geography teacher. He

visited Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay throughout

1969 and 1970. While in Brazil --- he participated in a

student demonstration in São Paulo --- against the

Brazilian military government. He also attended

a May Day march ---- in Santiago, where the

atmosphere.. around Salvador Allende's

Popular Unity alliance which swept to

power in the Chilean elections of

1970 --- the first socialist party

to be elected in the Western

world --- impressed him:

"I noticed something very different from anything I had

experienced... what Popular Unity and Allende had

done was weld together the folk tradition, the

song tradition, the artistic tradition and

the intellectual tradition".

The government faced a right-wing back-lash --- and

the seat of government and the President's house

were bombed by airforce pilots - killing Allende.

The Pinochet regime afterwards became the most hated
in Chile's history --- murdering and ''disappearing''

those who identified as socialists or leftists.

The US co-ordinated the coup and backed

General Pinochet's malicious rule.

In December 2019, a study by Loughborough University found

that British press coverage was twice as hostile to Labour

and half as critical of the Conservatives during the 2019

general election campaign, as it had been during the

In an interview with Middle East Eye, in June 2020, Corbyn

described the media's treatment of himself while he was

Labour leader as obsessive and "at one level laughable,

but all designed to be undermining". He said that the

media coverage had diverted his media team from

helping him to pursue "a political agenda on

homelessness, on poverty in Britain, on

housing, on international issues" to

"rebutting these crazy stories,

abusive stories, about me

....the whole time".

He said he considered suing as a result of

the media treatment but was guided by

advice from Tony Benn, who told him:

"Libel is a rich man's game ---- and you're not

a rich man. Go to a libel case – even if you

win the case, you'll be destroyed

financially, in doing so."

''People apply for a job --- are asked to work for three or

four weeks on probation and are then told to go and

are replaced by colleagues. There are shops even

in the West End of London - using large numbers

of totally unpaid staff --- on a permanent basis.''

''Many people in my constituency come to see me, absolutely

distraught at the prospect of losing their private rented flat

because of the imposition of a housing benefit cut. Social

cleansing is going on in all of central London, because

of the benefit cap. That --- is a disgraceful situation.''

"Life is life. Some of the wisest people

you meet are sweeping our streets."

"I want a world of peace. I’m not

interested in bombs. I’m not

interested in wars. I am

interested in peace."

"We can create a new kind of politics:

kinder, more respectful, but

"There's no such thing as a

'free market' - somebody

"You should never be so high and mighty

you can’t listen to somebody else and

learn something from them."

EU approves new sanctions against Israeli

settlers ------ over violence in West Bank

May 11th, 5:43pm

(PressTV)

The EU agreed to impose new sanctions against Israeli

settlers ------ over the increasing violence against

Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

EU foreign ministers, who gathered in Brussels for a meeting

of the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday, also approved a

new round of sanctions against Israeli organizations

supporting illegal settlement activity in the

occupied West Bank.

“It's done! The EU is sanctioning today the main Israeli

organizations guilty of supporting the extremist and

violent colonization of the West Bank, as well as

their leaders. These most serious - and

intolerable - acts must cease without

delay," French Foreign Minister

Jean-Noel Barrot, said, on

social media platform X.

Barrot said, “The hope that France revived last year in New

York, that of two recognized and respected States living

side by side in peace and security, we will let no one

undermine it."

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also confirmed the decision,

saying EU foreign ministers "gave the go-ahead to sanction

Israeli settlers over violence against Palestinians."

"It was high time we moved from deadlock to delivery.
Extwemisms and violence carry consequences,"

Kallas saids - on X.

The decision sparked outrage from Israeli foreign minister

Gideon Sa'ar, who called it “arbitrary --- and political”.

“The European Union has chosen, in an arbitrary and political

manner, to impose sanctions on Israeli citizens and entities

because of their political views ...and without any basis,”

Sa’ar sneered... in a post on social media platform X.

He defied the decision, saying Israel will continue

to support the (illegal) settlements in the

occupied West Bank.

Violence by Israeli forces and settlers has escalated across

the occupied West Bank since October 2023, when Israel

launched the genocidal war against Gaza, including

killings, abductions, home demolitions, and

settlement expansion.

Since then, at least 1,155 Palestinians have been killed,

and about 11,750 others injured, and nearly 22,000

arrested in the occupied West Bank.

_____________________________________

FIFA World Cup boycott ‘self-evident’

under Trump’s ‘racist, vile’ regime:

Activist

April 14th, 9:03am

by Mohammad Ali Haqshenas

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

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

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

but inevitable, according to an activist and artist.

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

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

singer and composer, said there were "enough reasons"

for the world to boycott the FIFA World Cup to be

co-hosted by the US before the announcement

of recent restrictions placed on travel.

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

them. Even before new restrictions were announced in January

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

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

partial restrictions.

“Without exception, all of the nations banned

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

populations,” he told the Press TV website.

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

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

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

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

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

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

These concerns are no longer theoretical. Campaigns urging fans,

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

hosted tournament have gained momentum across Europe,

Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia.

The possibility of a direct boycott by a competing nation

has also become a reality in the wake of the Trump

regime’s acts of aggression abroad.

Iran could essentially boycott the World Cup in response to the

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

February 28 and targeted the country's nuclear facilities,

schools, hospitals, and bridges, as well as its

sports infrastructure.

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

Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali stated recently,

"Our players do not have security, and fundamentally

the conditions for participation do not exist."

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

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

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

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

the event.

Trump administration has also barred travelers from Iran and

three other World Cup-participating countries, and multiple

Iranian delegates already had their visas denied before

December’s group-stage draw.

Activist groups cite visa denials, expanded anti-immigration

policies, internal security crackdowns, and US military

aggression abroad. Some governments.. have quietly

raised concerns about whether fans and journalists

can enter — and remain — safely.

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

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

successful publicity event,” he noted.

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

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

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

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

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

standing with his own MAGA zealots,” he stated.

The argument extends well beyond immigration. Dowling

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

remember Trump campaigned to win the Presidency

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

regime changes’.”

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

under a year he has bombed several countries, and

militarily threatened five others, including long-

standing allies.”

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

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

face of International Law and Human Rights."

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

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

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

question about boycotting the World Cup in the US.”

He drew a direct comparison. “The existential threat coming

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

planet, and since Russia has experienced a boycott,

it seems perfectly logical - if not blindingly obvious

that the USA should be boycotted, internationally

isolated and sanctioned.”

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

order’ if the most powerful nation in the world consistently

flaunts any rule they choose to?”

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

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

‘No more foreign wars’ - because it looks increasingly

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

Dowling believes internal unrest - may be politically useful.

“I suspect he’s continually provoking dissent and protest

in the US in order to declare a national emergency and

invoke the Insurrection Act, thereby cancelling the

midterm elections --- which he would otherwise

lose and then face immediate impeachment

and probably jail.”

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

cancelling the midterms, he’ll undoubtedly seek a way

to cancel the 2028 election.”

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

authoritarian grip and the casual willingness of the Trump

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

those of a different colour, or those in opposition to

them are reasons enough to boycott the football.”

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

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and several European

officials recently suggested fans would be safer

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

the way to the stadiums in the US.

Dowling’s criticism sharpened - when it

turned to FIFA’s conduct under Trump.

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

body presented to Trump, only days before he bombed

Venezuela to steal their oil.”

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

military assaults on other nations in the

previous months of 2025.”

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

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

inexplicably made themselves part of that

ridiculous hypocrisy.”

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

travel and the visa policies imposed by the US extend almost

exclusively to nations that have predominantly non-white

populations,” Dowling stated.

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

consistently deny their racism, but one only needs

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

match the rhetoric.”

He described a governing style built on misinformation, referring

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

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

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

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

The goal, Dowling argues, is distraction.

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

their objectives had they not started to attack their own white

population in democratic states, particularly recently --- in

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

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

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

non-whites that are being killed.”

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

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

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

the Trump regime?”

For Dowling, the conclusion needs no embellishment.

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

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

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

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

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

His namesake is stammering his way in the opposite direction.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

ROGER WATERS
TO MUSICIANS:-
"BOYCOTT ISRAEL"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

____________________

www.wegottickets.com/thefactory

www.ticketweb.co.uk

browse venues in Wales

www.ticketlineuk.com

02920 230130

Cash tickets from:

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

For more details visit

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

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

Daytime Delights...

Starts at 1pm

The Parc & Dare, Treorchy

Lunchtime Concerts in the Lounge Bar.

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

Ticket information:

The Cultural Services Booking & Information Line:

08000 147 111
or book online at

www.rct-arts.co.ukÃ‚Â

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

Mid Rhondda Modelling Club...

7pm - 9pm

Tonyrefail Comprehensive School
Mid Rhondda Modelling Club

has been running for over 30 years.

We meet on a regular basis

& enjoy making models for display.

We encourage both Gentlemen

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

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

Ticket information

£1 contribution every week. Under 16's free

Telephone Mr. Davies on 01443 686658

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

Comedy In The Laughter Lounge

The Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy.

COMEDY IN THE LAUGHTER LOUNGE

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

Laugh? You'll snort like a pig!

Hilarious - TimeOut.

www.rct-arts.co.uk

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

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

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

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

______________________________________

Get Involved!

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

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

or this one:

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

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

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

_______________________________________

IF - YOU THINK you HAVE
BEEN UNFAIRLY BARRED:

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

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

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

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

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

https://www.electoralreform.co.uk

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

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

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

PONCY LABOUR MPS PROBLEM?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chris Bryant's voting record:
from TheyWorkForYou.com

On Tuition Fees:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On Human Rights:

Consistently voted for introducing ID cards

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

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

On the Environment:

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

On Special Interests:

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

Generally voted against a
statutory register of lobbyists

On War or Peace:

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

Consistently voted for the Iraq war

Consistently voted against an
investigation into the Iraq war

Generally voted for replacing Trident
with a new nuclear weapons system

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

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

On Independence:

Generally voted for more EU integration

____________________________

Chris Bryant Labour MP
From Wikipedia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

His pay, allowances and some expenses:

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

His MP's expenses story:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The research paper is published
in the Optics Express journal.

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

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

KILLING THE ELDERLY BY CLOSING CARE HOMES

Did you know that each time a local authority

closes a care home for the elderly, within 8

months, around half the residents are dead?

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

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

EDM 2251: The contents

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

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

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

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

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

MAKING THE CONNECTION IN WALES

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

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

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

So it's Broadband Heaven for England...

and crapola for Wales' broadband - the

slowest, worst Broadband in the UK !!!

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

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

free 'wireless' broadband?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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?