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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 


discovered in Iraq.


 


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 


journalist noted.


 


“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,” 


he stated.


 


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


 over the Iraq war.


 


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.”


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Maduro sent a message 

------- from a US prison

by Marina Sovina

 (night editor)

March 29th, 5:12am

(Lenta.ru)

 

President Venezuela Nicolas Maduro, who is in custody in

 the US, has made an address for the first time in a long 

time. He published his statement on the X social 

network page.

 

"We have received your messages, letters, and prayers. 

Every word of love and support ..strengthens us 

spiritually. We are fine, strong, calm, and in 

constant prayer," the message posted
on 
behalf of Maduro and his wife,
Cilia 
Flores, said.

 

He also called for the strengthening of peace, national unity, 

and dialogue, emphasizing that Venezuela must follow a 

path - of "reconciliation and respect." The Venezuelan 

leader thanked the citizens and "people of goodwill" 

around the world for their solidarity, noting that 

their support provides moral strength and

 inner resilience.

 

It was previously reported that Nicolas Maduro is being held

 at the Metropolitan Detention Centre (MDC) in Brooklyn in 

a cell measuring approximately 3 metres by two metres 

...and is in almost total isolation. 

 





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

 People hold up a banner as they protest 


against Israel at the entrance of the 


International Criminal Court







































Hezbollah forces Israeli helicopter 

to retreat, and hits key air bases

March 29th, 6:06am

(Al Mayadeen English)

 

Hezbollah strikes al-Malikiya air defense base and northern 

settlements, launching rockets and drones in coordinated 

overnight operations.

 

In defense of Lebanon and its people, and in response to “Israel’s”

 continued shelling of civilians, forced displacements, and its

demolition of homes, the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon

 -- Hezbollah launched a new set of operations across 

southern Lebanon and beyond, spanning from the 

late hours of Saturday..... to the early hours of 

Sunday, March 29th, targeting Israeli bases 

troops, vehicles, & military installations.

 

The operations, as published by the Resistance's Military 

Media on Sunday, March 29th, 2026, are as follows:

 

Relentless bombardment on Israeli bases, sites

 

1. At 4:30 pm Saturday, fighters of the Islamic Resistance targeted 

a gathering of Israeli army soldiers and vehicles at the al-Malikiya 

site with a salvo of rockets.

 

2. At 11:45 pm, Hezbollah fighters targeted the Ein Shimer base, an air 

defense missile base, located 75 km from the Lebanese-Palestinian 

border, east of Hadera, with a salvo of precision rockets.

 

3. At 11:45 pm, fighters of the Islamic Resistance targeted the Raghfim 

base (a military base housing training camps for the Golani Brigade), 

located 65 km from the Lebanese-Palestinian border, southeast of

 the occupied city of Haifa, with a salvo of precision rockets.

 

4. At 02:00 am Sunday, March 29, fighters of the Islamic Resistance

 targeted the Beirya base, the main air and missile defense base 

under the Northern Region Command, north of the occupied 

city of Safed with a squadron of assault drones.

 

5. At 02:00 am fighters of the Islamic Resistance targeted a gathering 

of Israeli army soldiers and vehicles at the al-Malikiya site with a 

salvo of rockets.

 

6. At 02:30 am, the Resistance targeted a gathering of Israeli army 

soldiers and vehicles at the al-Malikiya site for the second time 

with a salvo of rockets.

 

7. At 02:25 am, fighters of the Islamic Resistance targeted the 

Hafah Alon base southwest of the occupied city of Safad 

with a salvo of rockets.

 

8. At 02:45 am, Hezbollah fighters targeted a gathering of Israeli 

army soldiers and vehicles at the al-Malikiya site for the third 

time with a salvo of rockets.

 

9. At 06:05 am, Hezbollah targeted the Rawiya base in the 

occupied Syrian Golan with a squadron of assault drones.

 

10. At 06:25 am, fighters of the Islamic Resistance 

targeted the al-Ghajar site with a salvo of rockets.

 

Israeli troops forced to retreat

 

1. At 11:40 pm Saturday, Hezbollah fighters targeted a hostile 

helicopter in the skies over the border town of al-Odaisseh 

with an air defense missile, forcing it to retreat.

 

2. At 02:30 am Sunday, fighters of the Islamic Resistance targeted 

an Israeli armoured force with artillery shells.... while it was 

attempting to recover a damaged vehicle in Deir Seryan.

 

Settlements 

 

1. At 05:00 am on Sunday, and as part of the warning issued 

by Hezbollah to several settlements in northern occupied 

Palestine, fighters of the Islamic Resistance targeted

 the Metulla settlement with a salvo of rockets.

 

2. At 06:20 am, fighters of the Islamic Resistance 

targeted the Shtula settlement with a salvo 

of rockets.

 

 

Source: Al Mayadeen English

 

 

________________________________________






IRGC declares US, Israeli 


universities legitimate


 targets


March 28th, 10:49pm


(Al Mayadeen English)


 


The IIRGC issued a stark warning --- declaring that any strike 


on an Iranian university will be met with a disproportionate 


response, vowing to target two US and Israeli universities


 ------ for every Iranian institution attacked.


 


The Iranian Revolution Guard condemned the bombing of 


the Tehran University of Science and Technology by US 


and Israeli forces, emphasizing that such attacks on 


universities and research centres ------ will not 


go unanswered.


 


The IRGC warned that all universities in the Israeli entity, 


as well as US universities across West Asia, are now 


considered legitimate targets, following a principle 


of destroying two institutions for every Iranian 


university attacked.


 


"The misguided rulers of the White House should know 


that from now on, all universities of the occupying 


Israeli entity, as well as US universities in West 


Asia, are legitimate targets for us," the 


statement said. 


 


The statement issued a warning to all staff, professors, 


students, and nearby residents to maintain a safe 


distance .....of at least one kilometre from
US
 universities in the region.


 


The Guard added that if the US government wants to ensure 


that its universities in the region are limited to only the two 


corresponding targets in this phase, it must issue an 


official statement by 12pm on Monday, March 30, 


(Tehran time), condemning the bombing of 


the Iranian universities.


 


Failure to prevent future attacks by US forces or their allies 


will leave these institutions exposed to further military 


action, the statement added.


 


Baghaei condemns US-Israeli strikes on Iran's universities


 


Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson -- Esmaeil Baghaei, 


on Saturday denounced the deliberate US-Israel attacks 


targeting Iran’s scientific and cultural foundations -- 


accusing the aggressors, of waging a systematic 


assault on the country’s civilian infrastructure 


under fabricated pretexts.


 


In a statement posted on X, Baghaei said that “Isfahan 


University of Technology and the Iran University of 


Science and Technology are just two among 


many universities and research centres --- 


deliberately attacked by the aggressors 


during the past thirty days ...of their 


illegal war on the Iranian nation.


 


His remarks come amid a sustained US-Israeli unprovoked 


aggression ---- that has inflicted heavy civilian losses and 


widespread destruction across Iran, including repeated 


strikes on educational and academic institutions. 


 


Earlier today, a strike hit a building on the campus of Isfahan 


University of Technology, causing material damage to 


university facilities, while in recent days, a satellite 


research centre affiliated with the Iran University 


of Science and Technology in Tehran was also 


targeted, with the blast damaging the


surrounding structures.


 


The most devastating incident occurred on February 28, when 


missiles struck the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in Minab, 


killing more than 170 people, most of them schoolchildren, 


in what has become one of the deadliest attacks of 


the war.


 


The strike, which hit the school during class hours, drew 


condemnation from international organizations, with UN 


agencies warning that attacks on educational facilities


---------- constitute serious violations of international 


humanitarian law.


 


Beyond Minab, multiple reports confirm that schools in 


several cities - including Tehran and Parand - have 


been struck or damaged - since the beginning 


of the war, pointing to a broader pattern 


of attacks .....affecting Iran’s 


educational sector.


 


 


Source: Agencies


 


 


_____________________________________


 






IRGC targets US-linked aluminum 


industries --- in coordinated 


missile-drone strike


March 28th, 9:31pm


 (PressTV)


 


The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps - has announced 


targeting two industries connected to US military 


and aerospace sectors in a combined missile 


and drone operation.


 


In a statement on Saturday, the Corps said the strikes 


were carried out jointly by its Aerospace Force and 


Navy in response to "the malicious actions of the 


US-Zionist enemy ------ targeting the industrial 


infrastructure of our beloved country from
the Persian Gulf's littoral states."


 


The two targeted facilities were identified as 


the Emirates Aluminum (EMAL) plant and


 the Aluminum Bahrain (ALBA) plant.


 


The statement highlighted their strategic significance, 


noting... that EMAL houses the world’s longest 


aluminum production line - with a capacity 


of 1.3 million tons, while ALBA operates 


with US investment & shareholding. 


 


The latter, it added, "plays a significant role -- in supplying 


the military-industrial production of the US terrorist army."


 


Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA) says its key production site 


in Abu Dhabi suffered significant damage following Iranian 


missile & drone strikes, with several employees injured.


 


Warning of escalated response


 


The IRGC emphasized that Iran’s response to threats and


acts of aggression "will no longer follow a mere
‘eye for
 an eye’ approach."


 


"Instead, beyond any level of aggression - a decisive blow 


will be delivered to the military and economic structure 


of the enemies."


 


The strikes have followed targeting of numerous 


infrastructural facilities inside Iran during 


the US and Israeli regimes' latest bout 


of unprovoked aggression - against 


the Islamic Republic that began 


late last month.


 


The aggressors have, among other targets, struck the 


country's major steel producers, universities, 


schools, hospitals, and residential areas.


 


Shortly after the onset of the US-Israeli aggression 


on February 28, the IRGC launched unrelenting 


retaliatory strikes against sensitive and 


strategic enemy targets, across the 


region using hundreds of ballistic 


and hypersonic missiles as 


well as attack drones.


 


 


___________________________






RIA Novosti: Police use force --- to 

disperse ''illegal'' anti-war rally

 in Tel Aviv

March 28th, 7:18pm

(RT.ru)

 

Israeli law enforcement officers use force 

to disperse an illegal anti-war rally

 in the centre of Tel Aviv.

 

This is reported by RIA Novosti.

 

It is noted, that security forces are pushing the activists 

out of the theatre square. Several people were injured 

in the clashes with law enforcement officers.

 

Earlier, thousands of Tehran residents took to the
streets
 to support Iran's new supreme leader
....Seyyed 
Mojtaba Khamenei.

 

 

______________________________________________





Iran dealt ‘heavy blow to Epstein empire’,
 something not seen since Vietnam: 

Analyst

March 28th, 3:54pm

 Press TV Website Staff

 

As the US-Israeli military aggression against Iran enters its 

29th day, Palestinian-US scientist, writer, and activist 

Susan Abulhawa.. says the Islamic Republic has 

defended itself with “remarkable success.”

 

In an interview with the Press TV website, Abulhawa offered a 

searing assessment of the war, praising Iran’s steadfastness 

while condemning Western arrogance and the betrayal of 

Muslim nations.

 

Speaking on the rapidly expanding war, triggered by a “surprise 

and unprovoked attack” ...amid indirect nuclear talks between 

Tehran and Washington, Abulhawa rejected any suggestion 

that Iran should return to negotiations under the 

current circumstances.

 

“Despite facing two nuclear powers...... with the most advanced

 death and surveillance technology; despite having been under 

decades of crippling sanctions; and despite the unforgivable 

betrayal of so many Muslim countries, Iran has defended 

herself with remarkable success,” said the author of 

the novel ‘Mornings in Jenin’ and founder of the 

children's organization ‘Playgrounds

 for Palestine.’

 

“They have dealt a heavy blow to the Epstein empire, 

something no other country since Vietnam
has been 
able to accomplish.”

 

The war was launched on February 28 with the assassination 

of Iran’s top political and military leadership, including 

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, as well as more

 than 170 schoolchildren in southern Iran’s 

Minab city.

 

The death toll has risen to 1,900, most of them civilians, with 

civilian infrastructure bearing the brunt of the onslaught, 

including hospitals, schools, and sports facilities.

 

Abulhawa described Iran’s resistance as “the stuff of legends,”

 emphasizing its broader significance beyond the battlefield.

 

“The dignity, steadfastness, honour, strategy, and defiance, that

 Iran has shown is the stuff of legends,” she said. “Regardless 

of what happens from now on, the world will never be the 

same after this. They have shown the world that it is 

possible to live --- without bending the knee or 

compromising one’s sovereignty. Iran 

inspires us all, gives us hope, and 

renews our resolve ---- to fight

 for justice.”

 

Addressing calls for Tehran to return to the negotiating 

table, Abulhawa said the Islamic Republic “does not 

owe the US anything.”

 

“Whether they choose to negotiate or fight, or a combination, 

or something else, is entirely Iran’s decision and they will 

be justified no matter what path they take,” she said.

 

Pertinently, both times Iran joined indirect negotiations with the 

US in the past year, under the Omani mediation, Israel and the 

US carried out an unprovoked and illegal aggression.

 

The last war of aggression came in June last year, which lasted

 12 days and claimed the lives of more than 1,000 people, most 

of them civilians.

 

Abulhawa pointed to years of US-Israeli provocations – 

including the downing of a civilian airliner, the 

assassination of top nuclear scientists, the 

assassination of Iran’s top anti-terror 

commander Qasem Soleimani - and 

the assassination of Hamas leader 

Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil --- 

as a clear testament of Iran’s

 “extraordinary restraint.”

 

“Iran acted with restraint and negotiated in good faith with 

bullies who do not understand restraint, diplomacy, good 

faith, or honour,” she told the Press TV website.

 

Abulhawa noted that while she and others.. had anticipated 

Iran’s capacity for a powerful response, many in the West 

and the region had dismissed it ------ due to arrogance 

and bias.

 

“After the 12-day war, in which Iran pummeled Israel, I think we 

all got a hint of their capabilities,” she said, referring to the 

war in June last year.

 

“They even told us that they were using outdated technology, 

getting rid of old missile inventory. Professor Marandi was 

explicit that Iran had far greater capacity. Of course, I 

believed him, and I think most reasonable people 

did too.”

 

However, she hastened to add, that many in the West and in the 

region were “too arrogant and too racist to contemplate the 

notion that Iran could stand up to the US and Israel.”

 

“They mistook your willingness to stop the bloodshed.. and 

return to diplomacy as weakness. But now they know it 

was not weakness, but simply honour, integrity, and 

good faith,” the Palestinian-US analyst and 

author stated.

 

Iran has struck nearly all US military bases across the region in

 recent weeks, following through on pre-war warnings. Several 

host countries have since voiced complaints. Abulhawa 

questioned the legitimacy of such protests.

 

“I am not a scholar of international law or the norms of military 

confrontations, but it would seem to me ---- that Iran had every 

right to attack the US bases from which they were being 

attacked or surveilled,” she said, referring to more 

than 80 waves of Iranian retaliatory strikes as 

part of Operation True Promise 4.

 

She urged regional governments to reconsider their 

alignment and pursue a path of cooperation – 

away from foreign meddling.

 

“I sincerely hope these countries will come to their senses and 

extend the hands of friendship and good neighbours... to Iran,” 

she said. “If countries of the area can find their way to such 

a regional union, the possibilities for security, scientific
advancement, moral and spiritual evolution, and a

cultural renaissance .....are profound.”

 

Abulhawa also offered --- a critique of Western political and 

economic models, calling for a “new way of life” based on 

inherited values.

 

“It is clear that the Western model of unfettered capitalism, and 

consumption - is unsustainable,” she said. “It has proven to be 

an abject moral and environmental failure ---- a poison. Our 

region must imagine a new way of life, based on values 

we’ve inherited from our ancient civilizational 

presence in the world and based on our 

own moral imaginations.”

 

When asked whether the US and Israel could credibly claim 

the title of the world’s greatest military force ----- after the 

ongoing war, Abulhawa dismissed the notion as hollow.

 

“That is a title that only the spiritually weak covet,” she said. 

“Military strength comes and goes. It gives people a fleeting 

sense of power, but countries like Israel and the US, which 

are founded on genocide, theft, and mass exploitation are 

ultimately, unstable. Military wares.. will eventually rust 

and turn into a pile ---- of bloody scraps of metal.”

 

She contrasted what she described as the transient 

nature of Israeli and US power with Iran’s deep 

civilizational roots.

 

“When that happens, there will be nothing left of Israel

 — they have no roots, no culture, no history, and no 

civilizational presence, neither in the present 

nor history,” Abulhawa said.

 

“They have no foundation except that bombastic military that 

depends on raping and torturing little girls ---- to make sure 

other countries continue to prop it up.”

 

The Palestinian-US scholar said the Israeli-US coalition will 

“eventually fade to ash, while Iran will stand sturdy.”

 

“They will eventually fade to ash, while Iran will stand sturdy, 

however battered it might be, on roots that span the depths 

of the earth and history, and the breadths of science, 

poetry.... beauty, architecture, food, dance, song, 

story, legend, folklore, scholarship, tradition, 

heritage, spiritual horizons, honour, and 

all that is human - and real.”

 

 

__________________________________________

 

 

IRGC strikes -- US-Israeli industrial sites 

in retaliation for infrastructure attacks 

March 28th, 3:21pm

 (PressTV)

 

The IRGC announces a large-scale missile and drone operation 

targeting heavy industries belonging to the US-Israeli enemy.. 

in the occupied territories and other locations in the region. 

 

In a statement, IRGC’s Public Relations Department said the 

operation was a retaliation for recent attacks on Iranian 

non-military industries, as part of the 85th wave of 

Operation True Promise 4.

 

The IRGC described the strikes as a tribute to the resilience 

of the Iranian people and the nation’s industrial workers.

 

According to the statement, IRGC Navy and Aerospace Force 

personnel carried out successive barrages of missile and 

drone attacks, destroying parts of several industrial 

facilities belonging to the aggressor US-Zionist 

enemy in the occupied territories...

 and elsewhere.

 

During the operation, the IRGC reported that enemy air forces 

attempted to target their launch platforms using fighter jets 

and drones. It added that the elite force’s air defense units 

shot down a US MQ-9 unmanned strategic aircraft.... 

over Shiraz.

 

Additionally, a US F-16 fighter jet was struck in southern Fars

 Province and was destroyed before landing at an airfield in 

Saudi Arabia.

 

The IRGC stated - that US Central Command had 

acknowledged the strike and the total damage 

to the aircraft.

 

The statement issued a direct warning to US leaders, saying, 

“We had warned the imprudent rulers of America that we 

would retaliate against attacks on industrial targets. 

This attack was only a warning. If industries are 

attacked again, our next response will be 

beyond your imagination.”

 

On the 28th day since the start of the US-Israeli aggression 

against the country, parts of Iran’s industrial infrastructure 

suffered damage. Iranian officials had warned the attacks 

would be met with a firm response to the criminal enemy.

 

 

_________________________________________

 

 

Iran censures US ‘deception’ as 

biggest obstacle to ending war 

March 28th, 1:23pm

 (PressTV)

 

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says apart from the continued 

US-Israeli aggression against Iran, the biggest roadblock to 

ending the war is Washington’s contradictory statements 

and its use of deception, which have only deepened 

Tehran’s distrust and skepticism. 

 

Araghchi made the remarks, in a 'phone call with his Turkish 

counterpart Hakan Fidan on Saturday, where the two sides 

discussed the latest developments in the region as well 

as the consequences of the ongoing US-Israeli military

 aggression against Iran.

 

Araqghchi noted that the continued military actions by the 

US and Israel have significantly contributed to instability 

in the region.

 

He pointed out - that the inconsistent positions and
“unreasonable demands” from Washington - have 

deepened distrust, adding that such behaviour 

has reinforced the sense of deception.

 

The Iranian foreign minister also acknowledged the

diplomatic efforts by Turkey and other regional 

actors aimed at de-escalation, stressing the 

importance of coordinated initiatives to 

bring an end to the conflict.

 

Fidan, for his part, reiterated Turkey’s willingness 

to play a constructive mediating role.

 

He noted - that Iran’s distrust is “understandable,” especially 

as Tehran was targeted twice during negotiation processes.

 

Both sides agreed.. to sustain diplomatic engagement and 

expand consultations with regional partners, signaling a 

continued push for political solutions..... despite the

heightened tensions.

 

 

_________________________________________






  Hezbollah ---- launches fresh strikes 


against Israeli forces, installations


March 28th, 11:19am


 (PressTV)


 


The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance forces carried out a fresh 


wave of operations against Israeli military forces and their 


installations on March 28, 2026, in defense of Lebanon 


and its nation.


 


According to a statement released by the group, resistance 


fighters struck Israeli vehicles and soldiers in the early 


hours of Saturday after monitoring Israeli forces 


advancing from Baydar al-Faqqani area in 


al-Taybeh region towards the Litani 


River bed.


 


Shortly afterwards, two Merkava battle tanks were hit with 


guided missiles near the reservoir in the Qantara district.


 


Furthermore, gatherings of Israeli soldiers and vehicles in 


the town of Dibl, the Wadi al-Uyun-Rshaf junction, were 


struck with separate barrages of rockets.


 


A Merkava tank in Dibl was targeted with a combat drone, 


while an artillery position in al-Za'oura was struck with 


a volley of rockets.


 


Additionally, the Mishar base, which serves as the main 


intelligence headquarters for the northern occupied 


territories and is located northeast of Safad, cam


e under attack with a rocket barrage.


 


‘Miracle’: Lebanon’s Hezbollah conducts over 


100 anti-Israel operations ---------- in one day


 


The Hezbollah resistance movement - carried out 103 


retaliatory operations against Israeli targets inside 


Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territories 


within the past 24 hours.


 


Hezbollah kamikaze drones also targeted the Ya'ara barracks. 


The Northern Command headquarters of the Israeli army - 


and the Dado base were targeted in 2 rocket operations 


as well.


 


Hezbollah resistance fighters then intercepted a manned RC-12 


reconnaissance aircraft in the skies over the western Bekaa 


region, forcing it to retreat.


 


Moreover, the illegal settlement outposts of al-Malkiya, Avivim, 


and Shlomi -- were hit with separate barrages of rockets. 


No reports about the extent of damage caused 


were quickly available.


 


The Hezbollah retaliatory operations on Saturday came 


one day after the resistance fighters recorded 82 


offensives, of which 55 targeted Israeli 


forces in southern Lebanon. 


 


The rest struck Israeli troops


inside the occupied lands.


 


 


____________________________


 


 


 


Over 500 US troops targeted in Dubai strikes; 


heavy casualties expected: Iran military


March 28th, 11:09am


 (PressTV)


 


The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters says over 500 


US troops were targeted in the Iranian Armed Forces’ 


latest operations, which inflicted “very heavy 


losses” among them.


 


The spokesperson for the headquarters -- Lieutenant-Colonel 


Ebrahim Zolfaqari, said on Saturday that the US forces had 


fled their regional bases due to “powerful assaults” and 


were hiding in two locations .......outside their 


conventional bases.


 


According to the statement, the first hideout in Dubai 


housed over 400 personnel, while the second 


contained more than 100.


 


Both sites were targeted by precision missiles and drones 


launched by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) 


Aerospace Force and Navy.


 


The spokesperson described the strikes as inflicting “very 


heavy losses” and stated - that ambulances have been 


transporting US soldiers, including commanders, 


for hours.


 


The statement further warned US President Donald Trump and 


US military commanders that the region would become a 


“graveyard for American soldiers” - and asserted that 


the only option is surrender.


 


‘US support vessel targeted - near Oman’


 


In a separate announcement, the spokesperson reported that 


early on Saturday, a support vessel belonging to the US 


military was targeted by Iranian armed forces.... at a 


significant distance from Oman’s Port of Salalah.


 


The statement emphasized that Iran respects the 


national sovereignty of Oman, described as a 


brotherly and friendly nation.


 


 


________________________________________


 


 


Pezeshkian warns aggressors: Iran won’t 


launch preemptive attacks, but will 


retaliate strongly


March 28th, 10:52am


 (PressTV)


 


Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian --- has warned that 


Tehran will respond forcefully to any attacks targeting 


its infrastructure or economic centres, while


 reiterating that Iran does not initiate 


preemptive strikes.


 


In a post on X, on Saturday, Pezeshkian said -- “We have said 


many times that Iran doesn’t carry out preemptive attacks, 


but we will retaliate strongly if our infrastructure or 


economic centres are targeted.”


 


Addressing regional countries, he urged them not to allow 


the enemies to use their territory.. for assaults against 


Iran, saying, “If you want development and security, 


don’t let our enemies run the war from your lands.”


 


The US-Israeli aerial assaults on Friday targeted the central 


Iranian province of Isfahan’s Mobarakeh Steel Company 


and the Khouzestan Steel Company in the 


country’s southwest.


 


In addition, the regime struck the Khondab Nuclear Complex 


in the west-central Iranian city of Arak, as well as a yellow-


cake production facility in the city of Ardakan in the 


country’s central areas.


 


Prior to the strikes, the regime had also targeted the 


Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in southern Iran.


 


In response, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi pledged 


that Iran will be exacting a “heavy price” for the 


Israeli regime’s attacks.... on the Islamic 


Republic’s civilian infrastructure.


 


 


________________________________________


 


 


Israelis rushed to shelters 18 times 


overnight due to Iranian strikes: 


Hebrew media


March 28th, 10:31am


(PressTV) 


 


Israelis rushed to shelters at least 18 times overnight due 


to Iranian missiles hitting their targets in the occupied 


territories, according Hebrew news outlets.


 


Israeli settlers rushed to shelters multiple times overnight 


due to Iranian missile and drone barrages penetrating 


the regime’s defense systems - and hitting their 


targets in the occupied territories, local 


media say.


 


Sirens sounded across northern occupied territories, including 


in Haifa, its bay area and Acre, as Israeli authorities reported 


multiple Iranian missile and drone infiltrations, in the early 


hours of Saturday, resulting in Israelis rushing into 


shelters at least 18 times.


 


Israeli Channel 12 reported that 4 drones infiltrated the 


occupied territories' airspace from Lebanon, as well.


 


The Israeli armed forces said that sirens in southern Haifa 


were linked to the ongoing infiltration incident.


 


Iranian armed forces have so far carried out 84 waves of 


missile and drone strikes, with advanced weaponry 


targeting Israeli military facilities in the occupied 


territories, as well as US occupation bases and 


assets scattered across the West Asia region.


 


The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) issued a 


statement on Friday to detail the operation and to 


announce that a number of refueling planes 


and logistics forces at the US air base 


were destroyed.


 


“Following the hostile exploitation of the US terrorist regime’s 


airbases in the countries of the region, the IRGC Aerospace 


Force, with the assistance of the IRGC Navy, carried out a 


joint missile and drone operation -- in the 84th wave of 


Operation True Promise 4 to target the anti-missile 


defense systems in the Al-Kharj base,” the 


statement read.


 


It also said that Iranian solid- and liquid-fuel missiles 


penetrated into the airbase, where the refueling 


and air support fleet was located ---- and 


targeted it.


 


The statement added that during the operation, several 


wide-bodied and heavy refueling and support aircraft 


were destroyed or seriously damaged, adding that 


before long, the enemy will break and flee.


 


The Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement and the 


Islamic Resistance in Iraq have also joined the front 


against the aggressors, inflicting heavy blows on 


the enemy.


 


The retaliatory operations by the Iranian armed forces,


 as well as the resistance groups --- have decimated


 the enemies' military and strategic infrastructure.


 


 


____________________________________


 


 


 


Iran agrees to safe passage of aid 


vessels through Strait of Hormuz


March 28th, 10:12am


 (PressTV)


 


Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the UN 


office in Geneva says the Islamic Republic has agreed


 to the safe passage of aid ships through the Strait 


of Hormuz.


 


Ali Bahreini stated on Friday that Tehran, in line with its 


longstanding principles of humanitarian law and in 


respect to the request from the United Nations.. 


has made the decision to facilitate and further


hasten the safe passage of vessels carrying 


humanitarian goods ....through the 


strategic waterway.


 


The senior diplomat highlighted that the step reflects 


Iran's continued commitment to supporting 


humanitarian efforts and ensuring that 


those in need have unimpeded 


access to essential aid.


 


He underlined that operational arrangements for the 


implementation of the measure will be finalized 


in due time and in coordination with the UN.


 


Iran remains staunchly committed - to ensuring, maintaining 


and safeguarding the security and stability of the Strait of 


Hormuz for all non-hostile states, Bahreini concluded.


 


On March 23, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated 


the country's commitment to freedom of navigation while 


stressing the necessity of respecting its sovereignty 


in the Strait of Hormuz.


 


"In exercising its inherent right to self-defense against 


the aggressor parties, the Islamic Republic of Iran 


has targeted US military bases and facilities in 


the region, and has implemented a series of 


measures to ensure that aggressors and 


their supporters --- do not misuse the 


Strait of Hormuz to advance their


 aggressive objectives," .......a 


statement at the time read.


 


It emphasized that, as a coastal state of the Strait of Hormuz, 


the Islamic Republic of Iran, in accordance with established 


principles and rules of international law, has prevented the 


passage of vessels belonging to or associated with 


aggressor parties and participants in 


their aggressions.


 


"At the same time, the Islamic Republic of Iran, in a responsible 


approach to prevent imposing additional risks on ships and 


seafarers --- in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and 


the Sea of Oman, has taken a series of precautionary 


measures," the statement said.


 


 


________________________________________


 


 


Russia warns of consequences of 


US-Israeli strikes on Bushehr 


nuclear site


March 28th, 9:04am


 (PressTV)


 


Russia’s envoy to Austria and permanent representative 


to international agencies in Vienna, Mikhail Olyanov, 


has condemned US-Israeli attacks on the Bushehr 


nuclear site ------- and warned against any 


future attacks.


 


During an interview on Saturday, Olyanov said that Russia 


urged the US and Israel to stop attacks on the Bushehr 


nuclear site and any infrastructure in its vicinity.


 


He said that the attacks did not damage any infrastructure 


and that the radiation level ...has remained normal.


 


However, he warned that any damage to the nuclear sites 


could be disastrous not only for Iran but also for the 


entire region.


 


Olyanov said.. that Russia has taken the necessary 


diplomatic steps regarding the US-Israeli strikes 


against the nuclear sites.


 


Highlighting Russia’s close relation with the International 


Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), he said that after the first 


attack, Moscow called on Director General Rafael 


Grossi to denounce it, which he did 


on a post on X.


 


After the second attack on Thursday, Grossi once again 


condemned the strike and demanded that the Israeli 


regime and the US show restraint ----- and follow 


international protocol regarding nuclear sites.


 


The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) confirmed 


on Friday that the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant had 


been struck by a projectile, marking the third 


attack on the facility.


 


In a statement released on Friday, the AEOI said the 


projectile hit the plant earlier in the day, saying 


initial reports indicated that the incident 


caused no human, financial, or 


technical damage.


 


“Preliminary assessments indicate that, despite the 


projectile hitting the plant’s premises, no sections 


of the facility were harmed,” it said.


 


The plant is fully operational and contains significant 


quantities of radioactive materials, the statement 


noted, warning - that any damage to the facility 


could lead to a serious nuclear incident with 


irreparable consequences for the region.


 


The statement emphasized that targeting peaceful nuclear 


facilities - constituted a clear violation of international 


regulations and obligations regarding the immunity 


of such centres from military attacks.


 


The AEOI had referenced the attacks in another statement 


earlier in the day, lamenting inaction... on the part of 


international bodies - especially the IAEA, in the


 face of such “savage acts,” and calling the


inertia..... “astonishing.”


 


 


__________________________________


 


 


Yemen officially joins fight against US, Israel 


by firing missiles at occupied territories


March 28th, 9:36am


 (PressTV)


 


The Yemeni Armed Forces says it has officially joined the war 


against the US-Israeli front in support of the Islamic Republic 


of Iran ........and the Resistance Front in Lebanon, Iraq, 


and Palestine.


 


“In implementation of what was stated in the last statement 


of the Yemeni Armed Forces regarding direct military 


intervention in support of the Islamic Republic of 


Iran and the resistance fronts in Lebanon, Iraq, 


and Palestine, and in view of the continued 


military escalation ------- the targeting of 


infrastructure, and the perpetration of 


crimes and massacres against our 


brothers in Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, 


and Palestine,” the Yemeni 


Armed Forces spokesman 


Yahya Saree said ---- in a 


statement on Saturday.


 


The Yemeni Armed Forces have carried out the first military 


operation using a barrage of ballistic missiles targeting 


sensitive Israeli military sites in southern occupied 


Palestine, it added.


 


This operation, it added, coincided with the heroic 


operations carried out by Iran and Hezbollah 


in Lebanon.


 


“By the grace of Allah Almighty, the operation 


successfully achieved its objectives,” 


it noted.


 


It further said that the operation will continue - until the 


aggression against all fronts of the resistance ceases.


 


 


_______________________________________________


 


 


Iran complains to UN: US-Israeli attack on fuel tanks 


blatant violation of international humanitarian law


March 28th, 7:45am


 (PressTV)


 


Iran’s Minister of Petroleum has condemned a deliberate US-


Israeli attack on fuel storage tanks as a clear violation 


of international humanitarian law and multilateral 


environmental commitments.


 


In a letter to the United Nations Secretary-General António 


Guterres, Mohsen Paknejad argued that such attacks 


meet the criteria for an environmental crime, 


including “ecocide.”


 


“The Israeli regime - and the United States of America, 


in continuation of their hostile policies and military 


aggression, carried out attacks on March 7 and 


18, 2026, against strategic oil reserves, 


storage facilities, and gas refineries 


of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” 


the letter said.


 


He added that these attacks constitute a serious escalation, 


targeting Iran’s energy security and economic stability, 


and have had extensive consequences for civilian 


infrastructure and essential services.


 


The letter emphasized that these actions have not only led to 


the destruction of parts of Iran’s oil and gas infrastructure 


but have also resulted in catastrophic human and 


environmental consequences.


 


“The deliberate attack on fuel tanks is a clear violation 


of international humanitarian law and multilateral 


environmental commitments and meets the 


criteria for an environmental crime, 


including ecocide,” the 


letter stated.


 


 


_____________________________________


 


 


Qalibaf: Energy market ‘numb’ to US


 fake news... to lower prices


March 28th, 5:28am


 (PressTV)


 


Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf says the 


global energy market has become “numb” to attempts by


US officials, at price manipulation through fake news.


 


In a post on his X account on Friday, Qalibaf reacted to 


widespread fake news created by US officials aimed 


at pushing energy prices down.


 


“They’ve spammed so much fake news trying to push energy 


prices down that the market’s just numb now. Keep going, 


nobody’s buying it anymore,” he said.


 


“The real prices will show up anyway. Powerful? Maybe. 


But Smart? Not even close,” he further said.


 


Qalibaf noted that those behind the attempts 


“burned their fake news card way too early.”


 


Iran has tightened its restrictions on transit via the Strait 


of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, which is responsible for 


a fifth of the global oil demand.


 


The move... which came in response to the February 28 


US-Israeli aggression on Iran, caused global oil prices 


to reach nearly $120 per barrel by the weekend, 


almost double ------- compared to before 


the aggression.


 


However, prices temporarily dropped by as much as 10% on 


March 23 after Donald Trump, the US president, withdrew 


from threatening to attack Iran’s electricity sector, a 


move - that could cause a major escalation in the 


confrontation and lead to further rises in the 


prices of energy and commodities --- in 


the world.




____________________________________________________________




GOP lawmakers warn against 

US troops deploying to Iran

March 28th, 4:07am

(Al Mayadeen English)

 

House Republicans warn against Trump sending US ground 

troops to Iran, citing risks of escalation, prolonged war, 

and instability in the Strait of Hormuz.

 

A growing number of House Republicans have raised public 

concerns about US President Donald Trump’s potential 

deployment of US ground troops in Iran, even as the 

Pentagon ..sends thousands of US paratroopers 

and other service members to West Asia. 

 

While Congress has largely approved Trump’s aggression, 

some lawmakers, including military veterans, are now 

warning that any escalation could lead to a 

prolonged war - and destabilization.

 

Furthermore, doubts are spreading among US troops, 

with growing concern about the war's objectives 

and rising casualties.

 

Reports indicate growing unease among US troops over 

unclear objectives, rising casualties, and the risk of 

being drawn into another protracted war.

 

Republicans question 'boots on the ground'

 

“I’m really, really hopeful this doesn’t turn into a boots-on-the-

ground situation,” said Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), a former 

Navy SEAL ......with five wartime deployments. “My 

biggest concern this whole time -------- is that this 

will turn into another long Middle Eastern war.”

 

Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), also a retired Navy SEAL, 

stressed that deploying US forces on the ground in Iran 

would risk deepening the United States’ military 

entanglement in West Asia, citing lessons.. 

from previous US invasions in the region.

 

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) added, "If we’re in this phase where 

there are troops on the ground, then..... we’re in a different 

phase of the conflict, which requires Congress’s input".

 

Domestic political risks

 

Some House Republicans warn that a ground invasion could 

trigger a major political backlash. One GOP lawmaker, 

speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “We lose 

60 to 70 seats", warning: that a ground invasion 

could trigger a backlash among constituents 

opposed to endless wars.

 

House Democrats are planning a renewed push for a war 

powers resolution to restrict US military action in Iran. 

Lawmakers are seeking additional Republican 

support to secure passage after a similar 

measure narrowly failed..... earlier 

this month.

 

Some lawmakers see the troop movements as a tactic to 

attempt to pressure Iran in negotiations, while others 

fear they could escalate into a full-scale invasion.

 

Republican lawmakers accuse Department 

of War .......of withholding war plans

 

In a related context, in a report on Wednesday, a top Republican

denounced the Department of War for failing to give lawmakers 

enough information about US military operations during a 

classified briefing on Iran, as concerns grow.. that the 

war could spiral into a ground invasion, according 

to Politico.

 

House Armed Services Committee chair, Rep. Mike Rogers, 

said members warned War Department officials that troop 

movements in the region, should be "thoughtful and 

deliberate." They also made it clear - that the 

administration - is not offering details on 

American efforts in the US campaign, 

codenamed Operation Epic Fury.

 

"We want to know more about what's going on, what the 

options are, and why they're being considered," the 

Alabama lawmaker said. "And..... we're just not 

getting enough answers on those questions."

 

Rogers, a Republican who has backed President Donald 

Trump's decision to attack Iran --- warned that the 

administration could lose support for the war 

if ..it cannot adequately make its case to 

Congress. "That's what I conveyed to 

them at the end of this hearing, is 

this has consequences, if you 

don't remedy it," Rogers 

told reporters.




Source: Politico

 



































Image: Iris Shun-Ru Chang's Birth Day



Today, 
March 28th, in 1968,

 

Iris Shun-Ru Chang,

 

Investigative author, journalist, 

human rights activist 

and historian,

 

is born.

 

She is best known for her best-selling 1997 account of the 

Nanjing Massacre, The Rape of Nanking, and in 2003, 

The Chinese in America: A Narrative History. 

 

The independent 2007 documentary film Nanking was

 based on her work ......and dedicated to her memory.

 

Chang was born in Princeton, New Jersey, to a Taiwanese-US
family - and raised in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. She was 

the daughter of university professors Ying-Ying Chang, 

and Shau-Jin Chang.

 

Chang's parents separately emigrated to Taiwan in 1949 and 

1951 respectively, moving to the United States in 1962 after 

receiving scholarships at Harvard University.

 

Chang grew up hearing stories about the Nanjing massacre, 

from which her maternal grandparents escaped. When she 

tried finding books about the subject in the Champaign 

Public Library, she found there were none.

 

Chang attended the University Laboratory High School of 

Urbana, Illinois, and graduated in 1985. She was initially 

a computer science major - but switched to journalism 

with a bachelor's degree at the University of Illinois 

at Urbana-Champaign in 1989. During her time in 

college she also worked as a New York Times 

stringer from Urbana-Champaign, and wrote

 six front-page articles over the course of 

one year.

 

After brief stints at the Associated Press and the Chicago 

Tribune, she pursued a master's degree in Writing 

Seminars at Johns Hopkins University. She 

began her career as an author, lectured 

and wrote magazine articles.

 

In 1991, Chang married Bretton Lee Douglas, a design engineer 

for Cisco Systems, whom she had met in college, and had one 

son, Christopher, who was two years old at the time of her 

suicide. She lived in San Jose, California, in the final 

years of her life.

 

Chang wrote three books documenting the experiences of 

Chinese and Chinese Americans in history. Her first --- 

Thread of the Silkworm (Basic Books, 1995) tells 

the life story of the Chinese professor, Qian 

Xuesen (or Tsien Hsue-shen) during the 

''Red Scare''.... in the 1950s. 

 

Although Qian was one of the founders of NASA's Jet 

Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) --- and for many years 

helped the military of the US ''debrief'' scientists 

from Nazi Germany, he was suddenly accused 

of being a spy --- and a member of the 

Communist Party USA --- and was 

put under house arrest from 

1950 to 1955. 

 

Qian left for the People's Republic of China in September 1955. 

Upon his return to China, Qian developed the Dongfeng missile 

program, and later the Silkworm missile, which was used by 

the Iraqi military during its war on Iran and against the US 

-led coalitions during the Persian Gulf War and the 2003 

invasion of Iraq.

 

Her second book, The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten 

Holocaust of World War II (1997) - was published on 

the 60th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre and 

was motivated in part by her own grandparents' 

stories about their escape from the massacre. 

 

It documents atrocities committed against the Chinese by 

forces of the Imperial Japanese Army, during the Second 

Sino-Japanese War and includes interviews with victims. 


The Rape of Nanking remained on the New York Times 

Bestseller list for 10 weeks. Based on the book, a US 

documentary film, Nanking, was released in 2007.

 

After publication of the book -- Chang campaigned to persuade 

the Japanese government to apologize for its troops' wartime 

conduct and to pay compensation.

 

Her third book, The Chinese in America: A Narrative History 

(2003), is a history of Chinese Americans, that exposes 

their treatment as perpetual outsiders by US society. 

 

Consistent with the style of her earlier works, the book relies 

heavily on personal accounts, drawing its strong emotional 

content.. from their stories. She wrote, "The America of 

today would not be the same America without the 

achievements of its ethnic Chinese," and that 

"scratch the surface --- of every American 

celebrity of Chinese heritage and you 

will find that, no matter how stellar 

their achievements -- no matter 

how great their contribution 

to US society, virtually all 

of them have had their 

identities questioned 

----- at one point

or another."

 

Success as an author made Iris Chang a public figure. The Rape

 of Nanking placed her in great demand as a speaker and as an 

interview subject, and, more broadly, as a spokesperson for 

the viewpoint that the Japanese government had not done 

enough to compensate victims of their invasion of China. 

In one often-mentioned incident (as reported by The 

Times of London):

 

''--- she confronted the Japanese Ambassador to the United 

States on television, demanded an apology, and expressed 

her dissatisfaction... with his mere acknowledgement that: 

"that really unfortunate things happened, acts of violence 

were committed by members of the Japanese military". 

 

"It is because of these types of wording and the vagueness of 

such expressions that Chinese people, I think, are infuriated," 

was her reaction.

 

Chang's visibility as a public figure increased... with her final 

work, The Chinese in America. After her death, she became 

the subject of tributes... from fellow writers. Mo Hayder 

dedicated a novel to her. Reporter Richard Rongstad,

 eulogized her as "Iris Chang lit a flame and passed

 it to others and we should not allow that flame

 to be extinguished."

 

In 2007, the documentary Nanking was dedicated to 

Chang, as well as the Chinese victims of Nanjing.

 

"The Man Who Ended History", a story in The Paper 

Managerie by Ken Liu about uncovering the history 

of Unit 731, is dedicated to the memory of Chang.

 

R.F. Kuang's debut novel, The Poppy War, 

is dedicated to Iris Chang.

 

Iris Chang Park in San Jose, that opened on November 9, 

2019 (the 15th anniversary of Iris Chang's death), is a 

municipal park dedicated to Chang.

 

Depression and death

 

Chang suffered a nervous breakdown in August 2004, which her 

family, friends, and doctors attributed in part to constant sleep
deprivation, dozens of herbal supplements, and heavy doses 

of psychologically damaging prescription medication. 

 

At the time, she was several months into research for her fourth

 book, about the Bataan Death March. She was also promoting
The Chinese in America. While en route... to Harrodsburg, 

Kentucky, where she planned to gain access to a "time
capsule" of audio recordings from servicemen, she 

suffered an extreme bout of depression, that left 

her unable to leave her hotel room in Louisville. 

 

A local veteran, Arthur Kelly, who was aiding her work 

-- got her checked into Norton Psychiatric Hospital in 

Louisville, where she was diagnosed with reactive 

psychosis, placed on heavy medication for three 

days --- and then released to her parents. 

 

After the release from the hospital, she continued to suffer 

depression and experienced the side effects of several 

medications she was then taking. 

 

On November 9, 2004, at 9:15 A.M., Chang was found dead in 

the driver's seat of her Oldsmobile Alero car by a Santa 

Clara Valley Water District employee on a rural road 

south of Los Gatos, California and west of State 

Route 17, in Santa Clara County. 

 

Investigators concluded: that Chang had committed suicide, 

by shooting herself through the mouth with a .45 Ruger Old 

Army revolver. At the time of her death, she had been 

taking the medications Depakote and Risperdal.

 

It was later discovered that she had left behind two 

suicide notes -- each dated November 8, 2004. 

 

The first note was a draft of the second:

 

When you believe you have a future, you think in terms of 

generations and years.  When you do not, you live not 

just by the day — but by the minute. It is far better 

that you remember me as I was — in my heyday 

as a best-selling author — than the wild-eyed 

wreck who returned from Louisville..... 

Each breath is becoming difficult for 

me to take — the anxiety can be 

compared... to drowning in an 

open sea. I know.... that my 

actions will transfer some 

of this pain to others, 

indeed - those who 

love me the most. 

Please forgive 

me.

 

The second note included:

 

There are aspects of my experience in Louisville - that I will 

never understand. Deep down I suspect that you may have 

more answers about this than I do. I can never shake my 

belief that I was being recruited, and later persecuted, 

by forces more powerful than I could have imagined. 

Whether it was the CIA or some other organization 

I will never know. As long as I am alive, these 

forces will never stop hounding me.

 

Days before I left for Louisville I had a deep foreboding about 

my safety. I sensed suddenly threats to my own life: an eerie 

feeling that I was being followed in the streets, the white 

van parked outside my house, damaged mail arriving 

at my P.O. Box. I believe my detention at Norton 

Hospital was the government's attempt 

to discredit me.






China labels Israeli-occupied lands 


as ‘high risk area,’ bans all new


 investments: Report


February 5th,  7:41pm


 PressTV)






A Chinese investment fund has revealed that the Beijing 


government has imposed a ban on all new investment 


in Israeli-occupied lands due to the regime’s brutal 


aggression against the besieged Gaza Strip. 






The news emerged in Israeli media outlets, amid a lawsuit filed 


by members of Kibbutz Hanita against Ballet Vision, a Chinese


-controlled fund that holds an 80% stake in Hanita Lenses, an 


intraocular lens manufacturing plant located in the northern 


part of the occupied lands near the Lebanese border. 






Israeli settlers from the kibbutz have filed a lawsuit against the 


fund, which controls 80 percent of an intraocular lens plant 


located in the northern settlement.






A lawsuit filed in the Tel Aviv district court shows the kibbutz is 


seeking approximately $11 million, accusing the fund of failing


 to exercise an option to purchase their remaining shares, as


 stipulated in a prior agreement.






According to a response letter from Ballet attached to the 


lawsuit... the Chinese government has classified Israeli-


occupied lands as a "high-risk area" or "red category" 


due to the ongoing situation in the West Asia region, 


specifically since Oct. 7, 2023.






“Since the outbreak of the fighting, the Chinese government 


has classified Israel as a high-risk zone (red category) and 


prohibited any new Chinese investment in the Israeli-


occupied lands,” it said in the letter.






The letter further says that until the restriction


 is lifted, the transaction.... is not feasible.






“As long as this restriction remains in place, there is no 


practical operational ability to exercise the option,” 


it added






Aside from the Chinese government's ban on investing in 


Israeli-occupied territories, Ballet says Hanita Lenses


 incurred significant operational losses.






Liu Yuxiao, a director of Ballet Vision and CEO of the lens 


manufacturing plant, earlier said that Hanita Lenses 


sustained losses of around $15 million over a 


period of three years --- as well as a 


$4 million debt. This resulted in


 severe financial issues.






Yuxiao said he became the CEO in March last year to try 


to prevent total collapse, and added that the company 


may now break even in 2026.






The developments also come as ties between the two sides 


were deteriorating over the self-ruling island of Taiwan, 


which has been looking to the Zionist entity for 


increased military cooperation.






China has already warned Israel against providing military 


expertise and technology to Taiwan under the guise of 


civilian programs. 






Tel Aviv is reportedly assisting Taipei with integrating 


elements of its Green Pine and Arrow systems in 


order to develop the Tian Gong-4 missile 


system, which will be part of the 


T-Dome network. 






The military cooperation comes despite ongoing Chinese 


warnings that it would not tolerate Israeli ties with the 


island, which it considers a renegade province.






Taiwan wants to deepen its ties with Israel and its 


administration has refrained from condemning 


the Tel Aviv regime's crimes in the besieged


 Gaza Strip ---- and the other occupied 


Palestinian territories.



Image: No thanks to Israeli goods App

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

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


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.



____________________




AT THE FACTORY


Tickets from


www.wegottickets.com/thefactory

www.ticketweb.co.uk

browse venues in Wales

www.ticketlineuk.com

02920 230130

Cash tickets from:

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


For more details visit


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


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



Daytime Delights...

Starts at 1pm

The Parc & Dare, Treorchy


Lunchtime Concerts in the Lounge Bar.


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


Ticket information:

The Cultural Services Booking & Information Line:

08000 147 111
or book online at

www.rct-arts.co.uk 


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



Mid Rhondda Modelling Club...


7pm - 9pm


Tonyrefail Comprehensive School
Mid Rhondda Modelling Club

has been running for over 30 years.

We meet on a regular basis

& enjoy making models for display.

We encourage both Gentlemen

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

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



Ticket information

£1 contribution every week. Under 16's free


Telephone Mr. Davies on 01443 686658



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



 Comedy In The Laughter Lounge


The Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy.


COMEDY IN THE LAUGHTER LOUNGE


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

rising comedians on the circuit.

Laugh? You'll snort like a pig!



Hilarious - TimeOut.



www.rct-arts.co.uk







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

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

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

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


______________________________________


Get Involved!

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

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


or this one:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0du5YuhPZ8ahI
oxC_b6pvBprm
GA4XFdG-0r2dOVYyc4UNFg/viewform?c=0&w=1



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

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


_______________________________________




IF - YOU THINK you HAVE
BEEN UNFAIRLY BARRED:


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

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

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

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

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

https://www.electoralreform.co.uk

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

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




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


PONCY LABOUR MPS PROBLEM?

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

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

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

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


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

- and their anti-Corbyn slant is hobbling Labour.


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

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


CHRIS BRYANT - SUPPORT THE MEMBERS'

LEADERSHIP CHOICE & POLICIES - OR GO!

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


Chris Bryant's voting record:
from TheyWorkForYou.com

On Tuition Fees:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


On Human Rights:

Consistently voted for introducing ID cards

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

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


On the Environment:

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


On Special Interests:

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

Generally voted against a
statutory register of lobbyists


On War or Peace:

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

Consistently voted for the Iraq war

Consistently voted against an
 investigation into the Iraq war

Generally voted for replacing Trident
 with a new nuclear weapons system

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

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


On Independence:

Generally voted for more EU integration

____________________________
   

Chris Bryant Labour MP
From Wikipedia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


His pay, allowances and some expenses:

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


His MP's expenses story:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Image: Russian scientists and Scottish ones



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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

The research paper is published
in the Optics Express journal.


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

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


Image: BRICS

Image: March 26 London anti cuts demo




KILLING THE ELDERLY BY CLOSING CARE HOMES


Did you know that each time a local authority

closes a care home for the elderly, within 8

months, around half the residents are dead?

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


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

EDM 2251: The contents


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

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

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

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


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


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 !!!



Image: China's rapeseed blossoms this Spring.

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!



Image: retirement China style




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 !!!



Image: unemployment in Wales


FARMING AND SCIENCE

COULD REGENERATE WALES



A new UN General Assembly report warns
"vast areas" of cultivated land are lost each
year, and that this could lead to unrest.

 The report says up to 30 million hectares,
 an area the size of Italy, is lost each year
to environmental degradation, industry &
 urbanization - the growth of cities - and all
because of speculative building and greed.

 The UN special rapporteur Olivier De Schutter,
 gives the example of eastern Africa, where
the
amount of cultivated land has declined
by half ---
in just one generation! "


As rural populations grow and competition
with
large industrial units increases, plots
cultivated
by smallholders are shrinking
year after year,"
says De Schutter.


 "Farmers are often relegated to soils that
are arid,
hilly or without irrigation."


 The UN officer also mentions India as another
example,
where the average landholding fell
from 2.6 hectares
in 1960 to 1.4 hectares in
2000. A cut of nearly half
in 40 years!


He says 500 million small farmers suffer
from hunger, partly because their right to
land
is being violated.


The expert warns of the devastating
consequences,
as foreign investors
compete for larger and larger areas of
the
world's land for "their" agriculture.


 Rhondda Records says Wales could rebuild
its new
economy by basing it on a fresh
approach to high-value
added products,
using science and agriculture... such as

 the Altzeim project in Gwent.

 What have we got to lose?




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