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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.

Journalist: To end war ------

prosecute UK, US officials

who wage(d) it illegally

October 22nd, 10:12pm (PressTV)

The world must finally put an end to the impunity of war

criminals, by holding US and UK officials responsible

for launching the illegal war on Iraq, done without

the approval of the UN Security Council, and

prosecuting them --- under the Nuremberg

principles, US journalist Don DeBar said.

DeBar made the remarks in an interview with Press TV while

commenting on a report which has revealed that the British

military inquiries into abuse against Iraqi nationals... have

been closed without a single prosecution being brought,

even though the credibility of many "shocking and

shameful incidents" during the war in the Middle

Eastern country, have been confirmed.

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said in a statement

this week that the Service Police Legacy Investigations,

which was looking at claims of abuse in Iraq, had now

"officially closed its doors."

In March 2003, the US and Britain invaded Iraq in blatant

violation of international law and under the pretext of

finding WMDs; but no such weapons were ever

More than one million Iraqis were killed - as the result of

the US-led invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq

--- according to the California-based investigative

organization, Project Censored.

The US war in Iraq cost US taxpayers $1.7 trillion with

an additional $490 billion in benefits owed to war
veterans, expenses that could grow to more than
$6 trillion over the next four decades counting
interest, according to a study called Costs of
War Project --- by the Watson Institute for

International Studies at Brown University.

DeBar told Press TV that the Iraq war

was illegal from the very beginning.

"It is illegal for a nation to make war on another nation if it

does not have the approval of the UN Security Council, if

any of those nations are signatories to the original UN

Charter. And it’s been adopted - that happened with

the US, as a charter member of the UN -- and it was

approved by the US Senate in the 1940s.

Consequently, the US involvement in Iraq from
the beginning, and the UK involvement in Iraq
from the beginning, was illegal,” he said.

“And under the Nuremberg standards, which would then

apply, each and every death consequent – intentional

or not - to either US or UK military action there, or

condoning of the US action there, by the media

or public officials, or any act facilitating that,

is an individual war crime. And, by the way,

there’s a death penalty for that,” the

“No one will prosecute these people. That’s why I started

with the word impunity. And we might bookend with that

because that’s the problem. And until the world puts an

end to that impunity, until the world sees the major

contradiction in all international relations, is US,

UK, and EU imperialism, then it’s going to

continue until this eats our species,”

A damning White House memo had revealed details of the

so-called “deal in blood” forged by former British Prime

Minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush

The document, titled “Secret... Memorandum for the

President”, was sent by then-US Secretary of State

Colin Powell to President Bush on March 28th,
2002, a week before Bush’s summit with Blair
at his Crawford ranch in Texas.

The sensational memo, revealed that Blair had agreed to

support the war a year before the invasion even started

while publicly, the British prime minister was working
to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

The document also disclosed that Blair agreed to act as a

spin doctor for Bush and convince a skeptical public that

Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein had Weapons of Mass

Destruction, which actually did not exist.

In response, Bush would flatter Blair and give the

impression that London was not Washington’s

poodle but an equal partner in the

“special relationship.”

Powell told Bush that Blair “will be with us” on the

Iraq war, and assured the president that “"the UK

will follow our lead in the Middle East."

Blair has always denied the claim that he and Bush

signed a deal “in blood”, at Crawford, to launch a

war against Iraq that began on March 20th, 2003,

that has killed hundreds of thousands of people.

The Powell memo, however, showed how Blair and

Bush secretly prepared the Iraq war plot behind

closed doors at Crawford.

Powell told Bush: “He will present to you the strategic,

tactical and public affairs lines, that he believes will

strengthen global support for our common cause.”

People hold up a banner as they protest

against Israel at the entrance of the

International Criminal Court.

000000000000000000000000000000000

More Israeli Violations, Attacks

--------- on Southern Lebanon

November 11th, 7:35pm

(al Manar)

On Tuesday Israeli occupation forces continued their attacks on

Lebanese territory in a continuous violation of the ceasefire

agreement signed since November 2024 --- targeting areas

in the south and Bekaa, which resulted in the martyrdom

of one person and widespread fires in forests and

agricultural areas.

Early today, the occupation army carried out two large explosions

in the “Khanouq” area of the town of Aitaroun in southern

Lebanon. Al-Manar's correspondent reported that an

enemy drone dropped a bomb on the town of

Al-Dahirah in southern Lebanon.

Regarding the fires, most of those that broke out yesterday in the

areas of Jarmaq and Aishiyeh in Jezzine have subsided, while

fires have continued to rage in Rihane and Aramta. This has

necessitated efforts from the civil defense teams to

control and contain their spread.

A Lebanese citizen was martyred yesterday as a result of a drone

attack by the Israeli entity on his car on the Baisariya highway in

the Sidon district in southern Lebanon. The occupation forces

also carried out two large explosions targeting buildings in

the eastern neighbourhood of Houla town, in southern

Lebanon. The attack resulted in extensive damage

to the targeted area.

These attacks come within the context of ongoing Israeli

violations of Lebanese sovereignty, amidst a suspicious

international silence regarding the repeated crimes

targeting civilians and infrastructure.”

Source: Al-Manar English Website

_____________________________________

Iraq concludes voting in 2025

parliamentary elections

November 11th, 6:31pm

(Al Mayadeen English)

Iraq completed general voting in the 2025 parliamentary

elections, with Prime Minister al-Sudani praising the

process and Muqtada al-Sadr reaffirming his

election boycott.

Iraq completed the general voting phase of the 2025

parliamentary elections on Tuesday, as polling

stations closed across all provinces at

6 p.m. local time. This followed the

special voting round held earlier

this month on November 9th,

during which, members of

the security forces cast

their ballots.

These elections determine the composition of Iraq’s 329-seat

Council of Representatives, a process that has taken place

regularly since 2005. Officials reported that the voting

proceeded under standard security and monitoring

measures, with no major disruptions recorded

during the day.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani praised the electoral

process, describing it as a step that reflects the will of the

Iraqi people and their pursuit of stability. He said the

completion of the elections represents the

government’s fulfillment of one of its

primary commitments under its

executive agenda.

Al-Sudani thanked the legislative and judicial authorities, the

armed forces in all their branches, the Election Commission,

and political forces for their roles in facilitating the vote.

He reiterated his intention, stated previously,

to seek a second term as prime minister.

Muqtada al-Sadr comments on boycott

Meanwhile, Shiite political leader Muqtada al-Sadr issued a

statement saying his movement did not seek to obstruct

the election process, despite choosing to boycott it.

He said the polls closed smoothly --- except for

what he described as a noticeable decline

in voter turnout.

Iraq parliament election's midterm turnout

reached 23.9%, with polls closing at 6 PM.

Al-Sadr framed the boycott as a stance against “selling Iraq” and

--- returning figures who had previously held power. He assigned

responsibility to those who benefit from electoral outcomes, to

work toward “restoring Iraq to its rightful path, ending foreign

interference, protecting the people from uncontrolled

weapons, and ensuring that arms remain in the

hands of the security forces, including the

Popular Mobilization Forces.”

He further called on political actors - to pursue serious efforts to

expose corruption, warning that failure to do so would damage

both democracy and the stability of the state. Al-Sadr said he

would not remain silent ------ if what he sees as systemic

problems... persist.

Iraq concludes special voting

The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) released

the final closing report for the special voting process on the

upcoming 2025 parliamentary elections on Sunday.

A correspondent for the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported that,

following the conclusion of the special voting process, "the

Independent High Electoral Commission IHEC closed

polling stations across the country," at 6pm

local time.

The Independent High Electoral Commission announced

the voter turnout for the special voting process,

confirming it had reached 82.42%.

During a press conference attended by an Iraqi News Agency

(INA) reporter, IHEC Chairman Omar Ahmed stated that "the

IHEC maintained impartiality towards all candidates."

He added that "the total number of voters in the special voting

exceeded 1.1 million " out of 1.31 million eligible for voting,

noting that "the voter turnout in the special voting

process reached 82.42%."

The electorate includes roughly 1.29 million members of the

security and military forces and around 26,500 internally

displaced persons (IDPs), according to Shafaq.

Source: Agencies

_____________________________

Sheikh Qassem: Israeli Aggression
on Lebanon Cannot Continue,

Nothing is Limitless

November 11th, 5:05pm

(al Manar)

Hezbollah’s Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem stressed

that Hezbollah will preserve power in order to confront the

Israeli enemy, stressing that the aggression cannot

continue without limits.

Addressing Hezbollah Martyr’s Day ceremony, Sheikh Qassem

indicated that it is a great occasion, marking the beginning

of the martyrdom operations by the martyr Ahmad Qassir.

“We chose Martyr’s Day...... to coincide with the operation of the

martyrdom fighter Ahmad Qassir, because his act represents a

distinguished model — a symbol for all martyrs who walk the

path of sacrifice. The martyr Ahmad Qassir made his

decision, coordinated with the brothers, and the

operation was supervised ------ by Haj Imad

Mughniyeh and Haj Abu Al-Fadl Karaki.

“They prepared the car for him - and he drove to the
headquarters of the Israeli occupation's military

governor to detonate himself as an expression
of rejection ------ of the occupation.”

Sheikh Qassem said, “The martyr Ahmad Qassir managed to

inflict heavy losses in the eight-story building, causing 76

deaths and 118 injuries, shaking the morale of the Israeli

entity and paving the way for its humiliating withdrawal

from Lebanon. When we commemorate Ahmad Qassir,

we commemorate all martyrs, for they are all self-

sacrificing fighters --- whether they carried out

martyrdom operations, fell in battle, or were

martyred in the line of duty.”

“On this day, the commemoration... is held across Lebanon. We

chose to have gatherings in 11 different locations throughout

the regions: in the South, Beirut, Baalbek, Hermel, Al-Kark,

Al-Maaisra, Deir Qanoun Al-Nahr, Haris, Mashghara,

Al-Nabatieh, Al-Ghazieh, and Kfar Rumman.”

Sheikh Qassem said, “The best way to commemorate this

great day is by recalling the words of the Master of the

Ummah Martyrs, Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah, ‘When we

are martyred, we win’.”

He added, “Our mujahideen (fighters) have done their duty

and continued on the path of jihad, and their blood will

make us stronger.”

Sheikh Qassem emphasized that the path of resistance is

the path of liberation and dignity, and that the martyrs

have shown us the way to achieve this goal.

His eminence also said ------- that the Israeli occupation’s goal in

invading Lebanon in 1982 was not just to prevent the PLO from

launching rockets, but to occupy the country... and
establish settlements in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli enemy wanted to consecrate the idea that the

conflict in the South Lebanon --- is Lebanese-Lebanese

through and through, naming the Lahd militia as the

“Army of Southern Lebanon”, according to

Sheikh Qassem.

Sheikh Qassem pointed out - that Israel’s withdrawal from

Lebanon in 2000 was a result of the resistance’s attacks

and the sacrifices of the martyrs.

The fighters possess the power of faith and will, and this is

the fundamental strength that gives both their weapons

and their cries - an extraordinary impact’.

‘Israel’ --- did not withdraw from Lebanon through negotiations or

politics, but left without conditions, thanks to the steadfastness

of the Resistance, according to Hezbollah's Chief who added

that, from 2000 to 2023, deterrence prevailed ---- due to the
Resistance and the golden equation, which prevented

‘Israel’ from carrying out its expansionist project.

In the “The Formidable in Might” battle, Hezbollah offered great

sacrifices, prevented ‘Israel’ from achieving its goals, and

stood ---------- as a solid barrier against its invasion, his

eminence added.

” A ceasefire agreement was reached on November 27, 2024,

which included - the withdrawal of the enemy from south of

the Litani River and the deployment of the Lebanese Army.

For us, this price was acceptable — the army is our own

people, the sons of our nation.”

The legendary steadfastness of the Resistance fighters halted

the advance of 75,000 Israeli soldiers, who failed to penetrate

more than a few hundred metres, sheikh Qassem said.

He added, that Hezbollah was founded on the idea of jihad,

morality, and dignity, and that the mujahideen’s faith and

willpower were the reasons behind Israel’s withdrawal.

Despite the meager military capabilities in comparison with

those of the enemy, the resistance managed to reach its

targets, Sheikh Qassem said.

Sheikh Qassem emphasized that the resistance will continue to

defend Lebanon and its people, and that the Israeli occupation

will not achieve its goals through aggression and pressure.

He also criticized the Lebanese government for not prioritizing

the issue of sovereignty ...and for succumbing to US pressure.

“America and ‘Israel’ are interfering in Lebanon’s future, seeking to

eliminate Lebanon’s ability to resist, and to equip the army only to

confront the Resistance, not the Israeli enemy. Both America and

Israel view the agreement as granting Lebanon gains, believing

that if Israel withdraws, Lebanon would regain its sovereignty -

and that is why pressure is being exerted on the government.”

‘Israel’ aims to dominate Lebanon politically and economically,

wanting to turn it into a backyard for the expansion of

settlements ...within the framework of a so-called

‘Greater Israel’, his eminence maintained.

“Unfortunately, the government saw - in its ministerial statement -

only the issue of disarming the Resistance. But today, the matter

is no longer merely about weapons; it has become a pretext for

targeting capabilities and funds, and afterward, they will claim

the problem lies in the very existence of the Resistance —

such pretexts will never end.”

Sheikh Qassem said, “The Americans want to use Israel as a tool

to impose their will on Lebanon and to eliminate its resistance.”

He added, “The Lebanese people will not be intimidated by the

Israeli occupation, and we will continue to resist ---- until the

occupation is defeated.”

“What America demands from Lebanon are orders enforced

through Israeli pressure, and its interference in our internal

affairs is rejected. Tom Barrack openly stated that he

wants to arm the Lebanese Army - to confront its

resisting people — how can the government

accept this?”

Hezbollah Leader affirmed: that the ceasefire agreement

concerns only south of the Litani River, and ‘Israel’ must

withdraw from Lebanon and release the prisoners.

“There is no replacement for the agreement and no absolution

for the occupation through a new deal. The agreement must

first be implemented, after which - all options are open for

internal discussion on Lebanon’s strength & sovereignty,

with no external interference. The aggression cannot

last, for everything has a limit.”

Sheikh Qassem said, “We recover through our natural presence;

our society is alive and believes in resistance and liberation,

while their problem is existential. We face a real existential

danger, and therefore we have the right to do whatever is

necessary - to protect our existence.”

“The blood of our martyrs and the sacrifices of our people push us

forward. Threats will not deter us from defending our dignity, and

we will not leave the future of our generations in the hands of

the arrogant. We will not abandon our weapons, that enable

us to defend our land and our people.”

Sheikh Qassem emphasized that America and ‘Israel’ must

despair, adding: “We are the sons of Hussein and the

children of this steadfast land, determined - and

faithful to God, and we will not hand it over to

devils. Either we live with honour, or we die

with honour.”

“We will not kneel --- and we will remain standing. You tested us

before, and if you try again we will not withdraw from the field.

We are reassured because this Resistance and its people are

undefeated; we are granted victory or martyrdom. This is an

era of steadfastness and the making of independence, and

these are three principles we follow.”

Sheikh Qassem saluted the Palestinian people and their

Resistance and their sacrifices; they are heroes who

taught the world what it means to stand for justice,

and the compass - will remain Palestine.

“Greetings to the Islamic Republic of Iran for supporting us, and

to Imam Khamenei, the loving supporter; and a salute to our

martyred commander Qassem Soleimani.,” Sheikh Qassem

concluded, “Greetings to the leadership and people of

Yemen — you are, God willing, the vanguard of

liberation — and greetings to Iraq, its

government, people, and tribes ----

who have always stood by us.”

Source: Al-Manar English Website

_________________________________________

IRGC intelligence - says dismantled

US-Israeli subversive spy network

November 11th, 4:44pm

(PressTV)

The Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolution Guards

Corps (IRGC) has announced the successful dismantling of

an anti-security network directed by US and Israeli

intelligence services.... inside the country.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the organization said the

network was identified after several rounds of surveillance,

monitoring, and intelligence operations.

The network, described as composed of “deceived and

treacherous elements,” was created in the latter half

of autumn to disrupt public security, according to

the statement.

The statement emphasized that the Zionist regime, acting as

Washington’s proxy in the region, shifted its strategy toward

destabilizing Iran in an attempt to compensate for its

“humiliating defeat” in the recent 12-day war.

According to the statement, the network was part of Tel Aviv’s

attempt to compensate for its military failures by targeting

Iran’s internal stability.

The coordinated operation was carried out across multiple

provinces, leading to the arrest of various cells of the

network - that sought to disrupt public security.

The statement pledged that further details and reports

regarding the dismantled network, will be shared
with the Iranian people, in due course.

_____________________________________

Hamas ----- slams Israeli parliament’s

first reading approval of the bill for

executing Palestinian abductees

November 11th, 11:15am

(PressTV)

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has

strongly condemned ---- the Israeli Knesset’s

approval in its first reading of a bill that

would permit the execution of

Palestinian abductees ----

calling it - an extension

of Israel’s “racist and

criminal policy.”

“The so-called Zionist Knesset’s passing of a bill in

its first reading for the execution of Palestinian

[abductees] -- is an extension of the Zionist

government’s racist and criminal policy,

and an attempt to legalize systematic

mass killing against our Palestinian

people living under occupation,”

Hamas said ------ in a press

statement on Tuesday.

Hamas says the bill is “fascist and sadistic,” slamming Israel

for openly violating international laws and conventions,

including International Humanitarian Law and the

principles of human rights.

“We call on ----- the international community, the UN, and

all rights groups --- to condemn this dangerous, racist

occupation ‘legislation,’ impose deterrent sanctions

on the rogue Zionist entity ---- and pressure it to

rescind this bill,” the group added.

The movement also demanded the establishment of

international investigation committees to visit

Israeli prisons and examine the conditions

of Palestinian abductees -- saying they

face “systematic torture and abuse”

that has led to the deaths of

dozens of them.

Last week, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry --- called the bill

a war crime and a sign of the regime’s growing extremism

and criminality against the Palestinian people.

The ministry said Israel’s judicial system and the Knesset

act as the regime’s tools to legitimize crimes against

Palestinians .......and guarantee impunity.

It said the measure is also an extension of the regime’s

genocide in Gaza.... to the occupied West Bank, with

serious implications for the abductees.

_________________________________________

US to Build Large Base in

Gaza Envelope: Report

November 11th, 10:13am

(al Manar)

The United States is advancing a plan to build a large

military base in the Gaza envelope, the Shomrim

news website reported, citing Israeli officials

who were exposed to the plan.

According to the report, the base is intended to be used

by the international forces who will operate in the Gaza

Strip to enforce the ceasefire and is expected to

house thousands of service members.

The cost of construction is estimated at half a billion dollars,

and the Americans have begun examining possible

locations in the area for the base. The initiative

is being advanced in cooperation with the

Israeli occupation government and

the occupation military.

The Israeli news website said that at the moment, the US

military presence in the occupied territories is relatively

limited, consisting of 200 soldiers operating out of the

US Central Command Civil Military Coordination

Centre (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat.

However, according to reports, the CMCC is expected to

take full control of the so-called humanitarian aid

distribution system in Gaza, a process that

was previously carried out under

Israeli supervision.

The Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in

the Territories’ (COGAT) role is expected to be

significantly limited.

Source: Israeli media (edited by Al-Manar)

Today, November the 11th, in 1888,

independence patriot,

Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin Ahmed bin Khairuddin

Al-Hussaini Azad, was a senior leader of the Indian

After India's independence, he became the First Minister

of Education in the Indian government. He is commonly

remembered as Maulana Azad; the word Maulana is an

honorific meaning 'Our Master' and he had adopted

Azad (Free) as his pen name.

His contribution to establishing the education foundation

in India is recognised by celebrating his birthday as the

National Education Day across India.

''Islam does not command narrowmindedness and

racial and religious prejudice. It does not make

the recognition of merit and virtue, of human

benevolence, mercy and love, dependent

upon and subject to.... distinctions of

religion and race. It teaches us, to

respect every man who is good,

whatever his religion.''

''I am a Musalman - and proud of the fact. Islam’s splendid

traditions of thirteen hundred years are my inheritance.

I am unwilling to lose even the smallest part of this

inheritance. The teaching and history of Islam,

its arts and letters and civilization, are my

wealth and my fortune. It is my duty

''I am proud --- of being an Indian. I am a part of

the indivisible unity that is Indian nationality.''

‘Worst gift ever’ ----- Global calls mount

to boycott Reebok over sponsorship

tied to Israeli settlements

November 11th, 12:06pm

by Maryam Qarehgozlou

When a global sportswear name appears on the kit of a regime

waging a genocidal war, the sneakers in shop windows stop

being just shoes — they become symbols.

Reebok, a US footwear and clothing brand, is finding itself at the

centre of a growing international storm, over its sponsorship

of the Israel Football Association (IFA).

For Palestinian athletes and human-rights campaigners, the deal

crosses a line: a multinational brand is lending prestige — and

heaps of money — to an association embedded in an

occupation that kills and displaces Palestinians

daily in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

The result has been a coordinated global call for a boycott

and a “Day of Action” on November 22, urging consumers

to turn their purchases ---- into political pressure.

Anti-Israel protesters holding a banner in Dublin, Ireland, calling on UEFA and FIFA to ‘show Israel the red card’.

Irish football body votes ---

to seek Israel’s ban: from

European competition

November 8th, 7:26pm

(PressTV)

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) ....has overwhelmingly

passed a resolution calling on the Union of European Football

Associations (UEFA) ---------- to suspend Israel from all

international competitions.

The resolution, proposed by Dublin club Bohemians, says that

the Israel Football Association (IFA) failed to enforce an

effective anti-racism policy and continues to organize

clubs in Israeli settlements in the occupied West

Bank without the consent of the Palestinian

Football Association.

The motion passed Saturday with 74 votes in favour, seven

against, and two abstentions, according to the FAI. The

association confirmed that it plans to submit a formal

motion to UEFA’s executive committee requesting

--------- Israel’s immediate suspension from

its competitions.

The Irish resolution --- follows similar calls from the Turkish

and Norwegian football associations, which urged Israel’s

suspension from international competitions.

These requests came after United Nations experts - appealed to

FIFA and UEFA to act, citing a UN Commission of Inquiry report

that concluded Israel ------ was actively committing genocide

against Palestinians.

In a letter to the UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, the experts

described banning Israel as “imperative” and urged the football

governing body and its members to “fulfil their legal and moral

obligations to uphold international law --- and move forward

with an immediate and complete ban of Israeli football.”

The letter highlighted the devastating impact of Israel’s actions

on football in Gaza as at least 421 Palestinian footballers have

been killed since the regime launched its war on the

Palestinian territory in October 2023.

__________________________________________

Microsoft - forced to block Israel’s use of its

cloud, AI... in mass spying on Palestinians

September 27th, 10:20am

(PressTV)

US tech giant Microsoft has been forced to terminate the Israeli

military’s access to some of its services ------ which the illegal

regime uses for espionage activities and data surveillance

against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza and the

occupied West Bank.

Microsoft’s vice chair and president, Brad Smith, confirmed in a

blog post that the company had “ceased and disabled a set of

services” to a unit within the Israeli ministry of military affairs

------- in response to an August 6 joint investigation by The

Guardian, +972 Magazine, and the Hebrew-language

outlet Local Call.

The investigation revealed that following a 2021 meeting between

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Israel’s Unit 8200 leader Yossi

Sariel, an agreement was reached -- to collaborate on moving

large volumes of ''sensitive'' intelligence material into the

company’s Azure platform.

The probe revealed that Unit 8200, the Israeli military’s notorious

spy outfit in charge of carrying out clandestine operations and

collecting signal intelligence, used Microsoft’s Azure cloud

computing platform to store phone call data obtained

through mass surveillance in war-torn Gaza and

the occupied West Bank.

The joint investigation said the spying unit, equipped with Azure’s

near-limitless storage capacity and computing power - had built

an indiscriminate new system allowing its intelligence officers

to collect, play back, and analyze the content of cellular calls

.....of the entire Palestinian population.

According to several sources, the enormous repository of

intercepted calls – which amounted to as much as 8,000

terabytes of data – was held in a Microsoft data centre

--- in the Netherlands.

Sources familiar with the matter, said Microsoft told Israeli officials

late last week that Unit 8200 had violated the company’s terms of

service by storing the vast trove of surveillance data in its Azure

cloud platform.

The decision brings to an abrupt end a three-year period

in which the spy agency operated its surveillance

program using Microsoft’s technology.

Although the initial focus of the spying system was the occupied

West Bank, where an estimated three million Palestinians live

under Israeli military occupation - intelligence sources were

reported to say the cloud-based storage platform had been

used in the Gaza war......... to facilitate the preparation of

deadly airstrikes.

The revelations highlighted how Israel, in cahoots with major US

technology companies, used their services and infrastructure

----- to bomb Gaza, killing tens of thousands of Palestinians,

mostly civilians, and creating a humanitarian crisis.

US technology giant Microsoft plays a significant role and is

complicit in the Israeli regime’s genocidal war on the Gaza

Strip by providing the occupying entity with advanced

artificial intelligence (AI) tools, finances, and

workforce, says a recent report.

Last month, Quds News Network said in a report - that Microsoft is

among the most prominent global technology companies that has

established a strong and influential presence, in the Israeli war

on Gaza.

Microsoft was reported to have employed over 1,000 former Israeli

soldiers and officers in its offices within the occupied territories,

with many also working in its global branches.

Investigations based on leaked employee records reveal

that more than 300 former Israeli spies currently work

at Microsoft, according to the report.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been committing genocide

in the Gaza Strip by killing, starving, and displacing

Palestinians, ignoring international calls and

orders from the International Court of

Justice - to halt it.

The genocide has left 65,549 dead and 167,518 injured, most of

them children and women. Over 11,000 people are missing, in

addition to hundreds of thousands of displaced persons and

a famine that has claimed more than 210 lives.

_______________________________________________

UN blacklist updated: 68 more companies

linked to illegal activities - in Israel

September 26th, 6pm

(africanews)

The United Nations has significantly expanded -------- its blacklist of

companies accused of contributing to human rights violations

against Palestinians ---- through their activities in
Israeli settlements.

The UN added 68 new companies from 11 countries

to its database, bringing the total to 158 firms.

The list, first established just under a decade ago,

predominantly features Israeli companies - but

also includes major Western companies from
the US, Germany, Spain, and many others.

The update - primarily targets firms in construction,

real estate, mining, and quarrying - ruling their

operations supportive... of settlements that

are illegal ------ under international law.

Notable additions, include Germany's Heidelberg

Materials and Spain's Ineco, while travel giants

like Expedia and Airbnb - remain listed.

This update arrives at a politically sensitive time, as

some European nations have recently recognized a

Palestinian state in protest of Israel's military

actions in Gaza.

It also follows Israeli threats of the annexation

of the West Bank and its approval of more

new ''settlements''.

The UN human rights office stated it urges businesses to

conduct due diligence ---- to avoid human rights abuses.

However, the list is a symbolic tool from the UN Human

Rights Council, says africanews ---- lacking power to

enforce compliance.

Rhondda Records adds: unless others find

the UN list -- and boycott those firms on it.

_________________________________________

Edinburgh --- to become first Scottish city

to boycott Israeli regime over genocide

September 26th, 3:35pm

(PressTV)

Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, has aimed to become the first

Scottish city to boycott the Israeli regime over its ongoing

genocidal war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

City Councillors voted on Thursday in favour of a motion.. which

moves the capital closer to implementing Boycott, Divestment

and Sanctions (BDS) against the Zionist regime: in opposition

to the Gaza genocide.

Green Councillor Ben Parker said the Council.. took a step towards

ensuring that no public money is being used to support the regime.

“The people of Edinburgh have repeatedly voiced their solidarity

with the people of Palestine, and Green Councillors have long

been trying to find ways to turn that solidarity into practical

actions against the Israeli regime," Parker said.

“BDS is one way of doing this, but local councils have previously

been blocked from taking this action against Israel ...due to an

outdated piece of legislation," he added.

“As we approach two years of continued bombardment, torture and

mass starvation of Palestinians, it seems bizarre to be debating

motions about regulations and process," Parker said.

“But we’re hoping that the move by the Scottish Government will

allow Edinburgh to follow suit and take real, practical steps

towards a free Palestine --- so, we need clarity on exactly

what it means for local government procurement rules."

Meanwhile, former co-leader of the Scottish Greens, Patrick Harvie,

said, "We fully support our Green Councillors motion, and we hope

that Edinburgh will lead the way in taking action to boycott Israel."

“There is a role for every level of government in taking action and

showing true solidarity with the Palestinian people who are

subjected to horrific killing and dehumanisation by

Israeli military forces," he said.

“Scotland must divest from any Israeli-linked companies and arms

dealers who profit from the state-sanctioned genocide in Gaza,"

he stated.

“The Scottish Government has already voted in favour of our

proposals, and now they must explain how they will carry

them out, and how they will work with local councils

to enable them to do the same.”

The Greens hope to use the international sanctions and boycotts to

pressure the Israeli regime into ending the genocidal war against

Gaza ---- and uphold its responsibilities to international law.

Scottish Conservatives, who are opposed to the move,

labelled the motion as “warped” and “anti-Semitic”.

Jackson Carlaw, a former leader of the Scottish Conservatives,

claimed Edinburgh residents expect the city Councillors to be

focused on menial jobs -- like emptying their bins and filling

potholes, instead of putting forward legislation aimed at

ending the suffering and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Since the Israeli regime launched its genocidal war on Gaza in

October 2023, at least 65,502 Palestinians, mostly women

and children, have been killed.

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former war

minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against

humanity in Gaza.

The Israeli regime also faces a genocide case at

the International Court of Justice (ICC) for its

crimes in the besieged Palestinian land.

__________________________________________

Eurovision body to vote

- on Israel's expulsion

by Steven McIntosh

Entertainment reporter

September 26th, 12:54pm

(by the state owned BBC)

The organisation behind the Eurovision Song Contest has

confirmed it will hold a vote on whether or not Israel

should be allowed to participate next year.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed it will

invite 68 member countries to give their view at a

general assembly meeting in early November.

A decision will be taken by a simple majority, meaning that

if more than 50% of members vote to exclude Israel,

the country will not take part in 2026.

Israel's continued participation in Eurovision has been

controversial due to the ongoing ''war'' in Gaza, and

several countries have already called for

their exclusion.

The EBU confirmed all 68 member countries will be

invited to vote, including broadcasters who don't

take part in Eurovision, such as Tunisia, Egypt,

Turkey, Algeria, Jordan and Lebanon.

Recently, countries including Ireland, the Netherlands,

Slovenia, Iceland and Spain, have all said they will

drop out of Eurovision ...if Israel is not banned.

The Irish broadcaster, RTÉ, said that Ireland's participation

in the event "would be unconscionable given the ongoing

and appalling loss of lives in Gaza".

The Dutch public broadcaster, Avrotros, said it too could

no longer justify Israel's inclusion "given the ongoing

and severe human suffering in Gaza".

However, Israel's public broadcaster Kan said it should be

allowed to take part, adding it was "one of the contest's

longstanding, popular and successful participants".

In the UK, Eurovision is broadcast by the BBC. Last week,

the corporation's director-general Tim Davie said he was

"aware of the concerns" ....around Israel taking part.

Rhondda Records adds:

It's amazing that a violent colonizing apartheid state

managed to sneak into this European competition,

as Israel........ is such a long way from Europe.

__________________________________________________

Chile rejects new purchases of weapons

and military equipment ------ from Israel

September 24th, 11:45am

(Prensa Latina)

The Minister of Defense of Chile, Adriana Delpiano, affirmed today

that there will be no more purchases of weapons and military

equipment from Israel when current contracts expire, and

pointed out the importance of diversifying this line.

The official announced ----- that there are meetings with

representatives from other countries, including Spain

and the UK, to convert them into new suppliers.

Delpiano said it is “an issue that has nothing to do with

the quality of the weapons being fulfilled, but has to
do ....with another situation».

During his recent June 1 Public Account, President Gabriel

Boric said the country will no longer depend on Israeli

industry ------ in all fields.

Along these lines...... he reported that he instructed the head of

Defense to develop an urgent technological diversification plan.

During a conversation with Diario de Cooperativa, the minister said

this Wednesday that when certain equipment is purchased, there

is a dependency in terms of technical assistance, and the

purchase of spare parts and devices.

He made reference to the Israeli radars used by the Chilean

Armed Forces and assured that there are other nations

interested in working with Chile in the future, when

the current contracts end.

He added that in December the Space Centre will be

inaugurated, where they will build satellites without

Israeli technology, but based on elements

tendered in various countries.

A recent publication by academic Gabriel Rivas in the Centre

for Journalistic Investigations indicates that, of Chile's total

military spending, only a small proportion goes to the

import of supplies from the Middle Eastern State.

However, they include sensitive equipment such as drones,

Galil assault rifles, multiple launch systems, anti-tank

guided missiles, radars, missile boats, and others.

___________________________________________________

Spain approves embargo on

arms trade with Israel

September 23rd, 11:11am

(Prensa Latina)

The Council of Ministers of the Government of Spain today

approved implementing the arms embargo on Israel, a

measure that is added to others, in rejection of the

genocide in Gaza.

It was the Minister of Economy, Commerce and Business, Carlos

Body, who was in charge of commenting on the announcement

to the media regarding the Royal Decree Law, which

coincidentally was accompanied in parallel by a

minute of silence for the victims of Gaza in

the Congress of Deputies..

“(...) urgent measures are adopted against the genocide in Gaza

and to support the Palestinian population (...) We consolidate

the total arms embargo on Israel’, the Corps highlighted.

In this way, the total arms embargo on Israel is legally established

and prohibits the trade of products from the occupied Palestinian

territories, which establishes that exceptions can be applied to

safeguard the general national interest, he added.

Likewise, he stressed - that the Royal Decree-Law is ‘a forceful and

pioneering step’ and another example of the political commitment

of the Government and Spain's leadership to be able to achieve a

just peace and lasting in the area, and that ‘the genocide stops”.

Going deeper into the issue, the Corps explained that the

consolidation of the total arms embargo on Israel, the

ban on exports to Israel and imports originating in

Israel of all defense material and dual-use

products or technology - are essential.

In addition --- the denial of the transit request for aircraft fuels

with possible military use in Israel, which were not included

until now in the Foreign Trade Control Regulation, they are

today... included.

Another aspect is the prohibition of importing products originating

from illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory

and finally the prohibition of advertising for the marketing of

goods originating from these settlements..... of services

provided in them.

The head of the Economy pointed out that the Government is

committed to reporting to Congress every quarter, of which

he trusts that he will give his support to this package of

sanctions within a deadline of 30 days.

On the other hand, Spain firmly maintained this Tuesday its will to

preserve the security and protection of the humanitarian flotilla

that brings humanitarian aid to Gaza ------- while rejecting

Israel's threats.

In a statement released by the Spanish Foreign Ministry and

endorsed from New York by the Minister of Foreign Affairs,

José Manuel Albares, the Iberian nation confirmed that

it will provide all diplomatic and consular protection

to the Sumud Global Flotilla.

The diplomat recalled the peaceful and humanitarian nature

of this civil society initiative and assured that “we will

react to any act that violates their freedom of

movement, their freedom of expression

and international law”.

_______________________________________

Over 1,300 Artists Pledge Boycott

of Israeli Film Institutions ----

as Gaza War Escalates

September 9th, 5:58am

(teleSUR)

More than 1,300 artists, among them Mark Ruffalo, Riz

Ahmed, and Tilda Swinton, have pledged to cut ties

with Israeli film institutions accused of complicity

in violations against Palestinians.

More than 1,300 artists, including high-profile Hollywood actors

and filmmakers, have pledged to withdraw from Israeli film

institutions accused of supporting violations against

Palestinians, as Israel’s war on Gaza enters its

23rd month.

The initiative, announced Monday, brings together figures such

as Olivia Colman, Ayo Edebiri, Mark Ruffalo, Riz Ahmed, Tilda

Swinton, and Javier Bardem. Their statement condemned

what they called the “unrelenting horror” in Gaza, where

Israeli attacks have killed over 64,000 Palestinians and

devastated most of the enclave.

“Inspired by Filmmakers United Against Apartheid who refused

to screen their films in apartheid South Africa, we pledge not

to screen films, appear at or otherwise work with Israeli film

institutions – including festivals, cinemas, broadcasters and

production companies – that are implicated in genocide and

apartheid against the Palestinian people,” the

declaration read.

The signatories defined complicity as “whitewashing or justifying

genocide and apartheid, and/or partnering with the government

committing them.” The pledge also cited International Court

of Justice findings that the genocide case against Israel is

legally plausible -------- and reaffirmed the illegality of the

occupation of Palestinian territory.

Human rights groups, academics, and UN experts have repeatedly

accused Israel of committing genocide, one of the gravest war

crimes defined by the United Nations as acts carried out “with

intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical,

racial or religious group.”

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Mike Lerner described the initiative

as a “non-violent tool” to challenge impunity. “It is the

responsibility of every independently minded artist

to use whatever powers of expression they

possess to support the global resistance

to overcome this horror,” he said.

The boycott reflects a shift within an industry long known for

pro-Israel narratives. Hollywood.. once produced films such

as the 1960 feature Exodus that glorified Israel’s founding,

and has frequently embedded positive references to the

country in mainstream productions. Yet recent years

have seen actors and directors, openly criticize

Israeli policies, often at a professional cost.

In 2023, Susan Sarandon, who signed the current pledge, was

dropped by her talent agency after attending a Palestine

solidarity rally. Actress Melissa Barrera, another

signatory, lost her role in the Scream franchise

following social media posts critical of Israel.

At the same time, Palestinian stories are gaining visibility. In

March, the Israeli-Palestinian co-production No Other Land,

documenting the destruction of Masafer Yatta in the

occupied West Bank, won the Academy Award for

best documentary feature. In September, The

Voice of Hind Rajab — recounting the final

calls of a five-year-old Palestinian girl..

before she and her family were killed

by Israeli forces — received a 23-

minute standing ovation at the

Venice Film Festival.

The artists’ statement concluded: “As filmmakers, actors, film

industry workers, and institutions, we recognise the power

of cinema to shape perceptions. In this urgent moment of

crisis, where many of our governments are enabling the

carnage in Gaza, we must do everything we can, to

address complicity in that unrelenting horror.”

The collective action -- adds cultural weight to mounting calls for

accountability, as artists mobilize their influence to challenge

Israel’s conduct in Gaza and spotlight Palestinian voices on

the global stage.

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?