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Rhondda Records is with you every day
bringing the news ------- that gives a
view of world events different to
the mainstream media or
social media!

Except Sundays - our day of rest.

Cuba's political victory over the US

at the UN ---- stands out in Italy

Rome, July 8th, 4:53am

(Prensa Latina)

The National Association of Italy-Cuba Friendship (Anaic),
highlighted the triumph achieved by the Government and
the people of Cuba at the United Nations, in the face of
the dirty maneuvers of U.S. imperialism, a statement
said today.

The ANAIC expressed --- "its most sincere and fraternal

congratulations to the Cuban government and people

for the extraordinary political and moral victory

obtained in the General Assembly" of that

international organization - "despite the

shameful threats, blackmail, and very

serious external pressures exerted

by the United States delegation."

These actions, according to them, "have come to light in all

their pettiness thanks to the discovery of the files sent by

Marco Rubio to numerous governments to boycott and

prevent the debate requested by Cuba," but the

dignity of the world - has not allowed itself

to be bent.

The solidarity association highlights in the text that on July 7 the

debate was accepted with the favourable vote of 136 countries,

against only nine against and 30 abstentions and regrets that

among the latter was Italy "which, with its abstention lost

for the umpteenth time, the possibility of demonstrating

independence, remaining in a very bad place at the

international level".

The two U.S. representatives showed the arrogant but weak face

of an empire in decline, they said, referring to Jeffrey Bartos, the

nation's representative for United Nations Management and

Reform, as well as the ambassador to the United Nations,

Michael Waltz.

The document emphasizes that they were "literally ridiculed in

the face of the masterful and firm reply of the Cuban Minister

of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla."

The Cuban foreign minister denounced that the U.S. blockade of

his country ..kills and suffocates silently, which constitutes a

ruthless crime, also the responsibility of the United Nations,

and explained that this policy of almost 70 years has

intensified in the last seven months, to cause a

deterioration of the quality of life and harm

to the population.

The United States is carrying out an unconventional war, which has

become bloodier and more ruthless, he stressed, and pointed out

that now the energy siege - equivalent to a naval blockade - is

added, an act of war, which prevents access to fuel supplies

to Cuba, both commercial and humanitarian.

Added to this is harassment, with "repeated threats of military

action from the highest levels of government," the Cuban

Foreign Minister remarked.

He considered -- that all these matters of high importance and

urgency deserve not only the attention, but also, the clearest

pronouncement of the United Nations and its most universal

and representative organ, the General Assembly, by virtue

of its mandate to preserve international peace and

security ------- and to ensure the enjoyment of

human rights.

As a worthy son of the Cuban Revolution, the foreign minister

of that country "knew how to remind the whole world, of the

immutable value, honour --- and unwavering resistance --- of

its people," the ANAIC said in the final part of its statement.

Beirut’s free concessions embolden

Israel, threaten Lebanon:

Amal Movement

July 9th, 11:22am

(PressTV)

A member of Lebanon’s Amal Movement - has taken a swipe at the

Beirut government for "free concessions" to Israeli officials in the

course of direct negotiations with the Tel Aviv regime, calling for

annulment of the US-sponsored framework agreement signed

on June 26 between Lebanon and Israel.

“The aggressive Zionist enemy asserts to be targeting [Hezbollah]

resistance fighters in [southern] Lebanon, whilst it is actually

targeting and bombing civilians, women and children, army

soldiers, and government institutions,” Hani Kobeissy

stated on Thursday.

The Lebanese legislator added - that Israeli occupation forces

continue to perpetrate grave crimes against Lebanon, calling

for the adoption of a unified domestic position against the

regime -- rather than granting it any further concessions

or compromising with it.

“The Lebanese nation --- cannot accept the Beirut government’s

tendency to offer unjustified and illegal privileges to the Zionist

enemy. We must be fully aware, and know --- that Zionists have

drawn up a vicious plot against our country, and seek to sow

seeds of discord within the Lebanese society, weaken state

institutions, and divide Lebanese people to occupy parts

of the country and plunder its assets,” the member of

the Liberation and Development parliamentary bloc,

Kobeissy stated.

He called upon all strata of Lebanese society... as well as political

parties and parliamentary factions to put aside their differences,

and reach a single understanding.

“We must stand united, and adopt a single and national position

that will strengthen our country in the face of an enemy that

invades, bombs and destroys our country and treats us

arrogantly,” Kobeissy noted.

The Lebanese lawmaker.. lamented the Beirut government’s free

concessions to Israel, stressing such privileges will not protect

Lebanon in any way, and will embolden it to press ahead with

its attacks and atrocities against the Lebanese nation.

“Giving concessions to Zionists through direct negotiations is not in

Lebanon's interest. These talks... will neither bear any fruit, nor will

prevent the enemy's aggression. This is what we witnessed, in the

so-called freedom agreement. All authorities must reconsider their

position, and realize that differences of opinion are pointless - as

long as our people are being massacred by the enemy,”

Kobeissy said.

He urged Lebanese factions to put aside their differences to repel

the Israeli acts of aggression, liberate southern Lebanon, and

restore the country's sovereignty.

“The real position that protects our nation is a unified and coherent

political one, which would bring together the elements of power in

Lebanon against the Zionist enemy. This is what makes Lebanon

strong, restores its rights, and liberates its occupied territories,”

Kobeissy concluded.

____________________________________________

Martyred Leader championed independent

foreign policy, good neighbourly relations:

Former FM

by Alireza Hashemi

July 9th, 11:08am

(PressTV)

The martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali

Khamenei, placed political independence at the heart of his foreign

policy vision while emphasizing the importance of cultivating good

relations with neighbouring countries ......... and remaining vigilant

against the designs of global hegemonic powers, according to

former Iranian Foreign Minister, Dr. Ali Akbar Salehi.

In an interview with the Press TV website, Dr. Salehi, who also has

served as head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, offered

a detailed reflection on the martyred Leader's diplomatic vision,

drawing on personal memories from his years in office.

Dr. Salehi emphasized that Ayatollah Khamenei viewed the country's

liberation from the political orbit of global powers, as the "foremost

achievement of the Islamic Revolution."

"He attached special importance ------ to preserving the country's

political independence," Dr. Salehi said, adding that the Leader

consistently stressed the framework of dignity, wisdom and

expediency .......as the guiding principles for realizing

that independence.

Goodwill toward neighbours

The former top Iranian diplomat recalled a meeting during the Arab

Spring, when he briefed the Leader on developments in the region

and sought guidance regarding a request from the ruler of a

neighbouring country facing internal unrest – a country

that did not have very positive relations with Iran

at the time.

"The Leader said, and I quote - exactly: 'If they seek your help, help

them,'" Dr. Salehi said, describing the response as evidence of the

Leader's goodwill toward neighbouring countries and his desire

to help resolve crises, ease the suffering of their people, and

address misunderstandings arising from grievances.

Dr. Salehi noted that the martyred Leader's foreign policy vision

rested on three interconnected pillars: preserving Iran's

independence, extending goodwill and stability to

neighbours, and maintaining constant vigilance

against the deceit of hegemonic powers.

"The view of our great martyred Leader toward foreign policy -- was

safeguarding independence for our dear country Iran, goodwill and

stability for neighbours, and simultaneously ...drawing attention to

maintaining vigilance and intelligence against the conspiracies

and deceit of global hegemonic ill-wishers," Dr. Salehi told

the Press TV website.

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, Leader of the Islamic Revolution

since 1989, was martyred on February 28, 2026, the first day of

the US-Israeli war of aggression - against the Islamic Republic

of Iran.

The funeral ceremonies underway this week, described as

the largest in Iran's modern history, have drawn millions

of mourners, and delegations from over 100 countries.

The burial is scheduled to take place at the holy shrine of Imam

Reza in Mashhad on July 9, in accordance with the martyred

Leader's will.

Relations with the US

Dr. Salehi recalled a private meeting with the Leader during his

tenure as the foreign minister, when he asked whether the

absence of relations with the United States... was a

foregone conclusion.

"The Leader replied: 'We have no problem with having scientific or

even economic relations with America, and if you can, develop

them. Our problem is entering into political negotiations –

now is not the time. When the time comes, I will

announce it,'" Dr. Salehi recounted.

The former foreign minister said he reflected deeply on that answer

and concluded that the Leader did not consider political relations

a dead end - but rather - deferred them.. until Iran could engage

---- from a position of political strength.

"He believed political engagement should occur only when the

Islamic Republic possesses enough relative political power...

to enter negotiations from a position of equality," Dr. Salehi

said, adding that this reflected the Leader's commitment

to the country’s political independence... through the

principles of dignity, wisdom and expediency.

_______________________________________________

Iran condemns ------- US 'gross war crimes'

after strike hit international rail corridor

July 9th, 10:52am

(PressTV)

Tehran has strongly condemned the latest US strikes on civilian

infrastructure as "gross war crimes" after cruise missiles hit

multiple locations, including a bridge on a strategic

international rail corridor in northwestern Iran,

saying the attacks violated the UN Charter

and the ceasefire memorandum of

understanding (MoU) between

the two countries.

In a strongly-worded statement, on Thursday, the ministry said the

attacks amount to "gross war crimes" -- and flagrant violations of

the UN Charter & the war-ending memorandum of understanding
(MoU) signed between Iran and the United States.

It affirmed the unwavering determination of Iran's courageous

people to defend their territorial integrity, sovereignty, and

national security.

The US carried out “criminal” attacks against Iran over the past

48 hours under the false pretext of giving response to alleged

incidents involving several transgressing vessels in the

Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, it added.

These strikes, the ministry emphasized, not only constitute a clear

violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter but a gross breach of

paragraphs one and five of the MoU on ending the war.

They also constitute a pretext to justify Washington's continued

non-compliance with the memorandum, it noted.

The statement said the attacks came at a time, when Iran's “wise

and courageous” nation -- demonstrated its firm determination to

confront the malevolent enemies and to safeguard the country’s

power, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity, through its

magnificent and unparalleled presence in the historic farewell

ceremony for the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution,

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

"The malicious and psychopathic ruling administration of the United

States, in order to compensate.... for its inability to comprehend the

greatness and glory of Iranian patriotism and loyalty to the ideals

of the Revolution, has resorted to insults, lies, and military

aggression, including by targeting the railway route

to Mashhad," the ministry said.

The ministry further expressed disgust -- at the "vile rhetoric" of the

US president and other US officials, against the Iranian nation, and

announced that their explicit acknowledgment of non-compliance

with the June 18 MoU “constitutes yet another clear testament

to the treachery, wickedness, bellicosity, and malice” of the

United States.

It reiterated Iran’s determination to defend national sovereignty

and its territorial integrity ----- and to punish the aggressors.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran will under no circumstances

allow the treachery, bullying, and decadence of the US

ruling administration... to undermine Iran's national

rights and interests," the statement pointed out.

US strikes kill 14, hit railroad near Mashhad

as martyred Leader's funeral draws millions

An Iranian Health Ministry official says US strikes on five

provinces of the country over the past two days have

killed at least 14 people despite an MoU between

the two countries.

Earlier, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said

the US struck a railway bridge in Aq-Qala, an area

northeast of Tehran in Golestan Province.

The bridge... lies on the international China–Kazakhstan–

Turkmenistan–Incheh Borun rail corridor, which enters

Iran through its northeastern border... before linking

Gorgan to Tehran. The route forms part of China's

Belt and Road Initiative, connecting the Chinese

city of Xi'an with the Iranian capital.

Iranian media have reported that at least 65 freight trains

traveled from China to Iran via the corridor last year.

They added that foreign media reported a 3-fold

increase in rail traffic after the US imposed its

illegal blockade on Iranian ports, in April.

The report also said Russia began shipping goods to Iran

through the route in late 2025, prompting analysts to

view the strike --------- as more than a conventional

military attack.

Previous attacks on Iran's rail infrastructure... had been

repaired within days - with six railway bridges restored

in less than 96 hours following strikes earlier this year.

US attacks ....kill 14 people

The US also carried out military strikes on several coastal bases

and civilian sites in Iran’s southern Hormozgan Province and

the port city of Mahshahr on Wednesday, in an open

violation of the MoU.

Iran’s Health Ministry said on Thursday that at least 14 people

were killed and 78 others injured in US strikes on five Iranian

provinces over the past two days ----- despite a ceasefire

memorandum of understanding.

Meanwhile, the head of the Public Relations of Khorasan Railway,

Javad Me'raji-Far, told IRNA on Thursday that passenger train

services on the Tehran-Mashhad route have been disrupted

following a “criminal” attack by the US on a part of the

railway line, early this morning.

____________________________________

Iran responds to US aggression,

explosions reported in the Gulf

July 9th, 1:37am

(Al Mayadeen English)

Iran begins its response to US attacks with a reported

ballistic missile campaign targeting US-linked sites

in Qatar and Bahrain.. as Gulf tensions escalate.

Iran has begun its response to the latest US aggression,

with Iran's Fars News Agency reporting that a ballistic

missile campaign has targeted US-linked sites in

Qatar and Bahrain.

Meanwhile, Mehr News Agency reported that loud explosions

were heard near the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth

Fleet in Bahrain, with reports indicating that a large

fire had started in the base. Iran's Tasnim News

Agency reported that powerful blasts shook

US military bases --- in Kuwait.

Iranian media also reported the activation of sirens

at Jordan's Muwaffaq Salti Airbase, where US

forces are stationed.

Around an hour after the initial attacks were reported, Fars

News Agency reported that multiple explosions had been

heard again --- at US military bases in Kuwait.

The developments follow Iranian officials' repeated

warnings that US attacks against Iran would be

met ---- with a decisive response.

Regional alerts activated after Iranian response

The Iranian operation comes after the US launched

a new wave of attacks against Iran, targeting

multiple locations across the country.

Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Tehran, reported that

the latest US aggression was the largest against

Iran since the signing of the memorandum of

understanding, adding that the heaviest

strikes --- targeted Chabahar Port,

in southern Iran.

US attacks struck civilian infrastructure, including

Chabahar Port, where strikes hit two maritime

piers and a navigation control tower, while

shrapnel from US projectiles struck

Imam Ali Hospital.

Attacks were also reported in several other areas,

including Bushehr Province, Sirik, Jask, Abu

Musa Island, and transport infrastructure

in northern Iran.

Following the reported Iranian response - Kuwait

activated its air defense systems, while Bahrain

activated sirens and reported explosions.

Qatar raised its security threat level

and urged residents to remain in

homes and safe locations.

Washington says ceasefire
has “temporarily ceased”

The escalation comes after a US official told CNN

that the ceasefire with Iran has "at least

temporarily ceased" amid renewed

military operations.

The official said the situation remains "very dynamic"

and that additional strikes ..have not been ruled out

as Washington monitors developments. The official

said the latest US strikes --- targeted missiles and

drones that could threaten US assets, including

aircraft carriers, as well as locations near the

Strait of Hormuz.

The remarks followed US President Donald Trump's

announcement ---- that the memorandum of

understanding with Tehran ---- was "over"

while stating that talks could continue.

Iran warns: of broader response

An informed Iranian security source told Al Mayadeen

that Tehran had warned ---- that any attack would be

met with an immediate response, on a wider scale.

"If Trump wants higher oil prices, we welcome that,"

the source said, following the renewed US attacks.

The source's remarks came as Iranian officials

continued warning that aggression against

Iran would not go unanswered, with

Tehran stressing: that it would

respond ---- to attacks on

its territory.

Source: Agencies

Today, July the 9th, is the

Independence Day.... of
the Argentine Republic

The Independence Day of the Argentine Republic is celebrated

every year on July 9. This date originates in commemoration

of the signing of the Argentine Declaration of Independence,

on Tuesday, July 9, 1816, in the house of Francisca Bazán

de Laguna. In 1941, the building was declared a National

The decision to become independent was taken by the Congress

of Tucumán, which chose the city of San Miguel de Tucumán

from the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, which

proclaimed the political independence of the country

from the Spanish Monarchy and also renounced all

First Historic Celebrations

After the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and

according to General Lamadrid, it was proposed to hold

a party to celebrate the event; this would take place

on the evening of the following day, 10 July, in the

courtyard of the same house of the hostess,

Doña Francisca Bazán de Laguna.

Nevertheless, it was on 9 July 1816 that the people of San

Miguel de Tucumán celebrated the event with great

fanfare on the outskirts of the city, where more

than five thousand people attended.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the centenary of independence

was celebrated in almost all Latin American countries, in Argentina

--- in 1916. However, the crisis of 1890, which had slowed national

growth, created political and economic tensions within a country

struggling with the crisis of the early 20th century --------- while

receiving a flood of immigrants from Europe.

The national state programmed the celebrations as a great

spectacle, in a country where cattle and crops were the

source of its wealth, but, as historian Luis Alberto

"Beyond the pomp of the celebration, a deep concern for the

direction of the nation invaded the reflective spirits, won

over by a growing pessimism".

In this way, the centenary celebration made the conflicts

visible by placing them in the public space, where they

could no longer be masked.

In this way, the nation prepares the celebrations from the point

of view of a class that is established in the territory, which

contrasts with the migratory and indigenous reality, thus

revealing the confrontation of the nation as a political

project with its limits: Indians and immigrants ---

within a nation conceived by whites.

In 2016, the bicentenary of Argentina's independence was

celebrated, for which various preparations were made

throughout the country. One of these was the

refurbishment and enhancement of

the Casa de Tucumán.

Throughout time, several places, streets, ships, bonds and

companies took the name of "9 de Julio" in honour of the

national date - such is the case of the July 9 Avenue in

Buenos Aires city, July 9 in Resistencia city, and July

9 in Formosa city, 2 cruisers of the Argentine Navy,

the football team Club Atlético 9 de Julio in the

city of Rafaela or the town of Nueve de Julio

in the province of Buenos Aires..... and the

town of July 9 Corrientes, among others.

1,150 health professionals, organizations

launch petition ---- to boycott Israeli

medical association over

Gaza genocide

June 26th, 4:20pm

(PressTV)

More than 1,150 health professionals and medical organizations

have signed a petition --------- demanding a boycott of the Israeli

Medical Association (IMA), saying it is directly complicit in the

ongoing genocide against Palestinians ------ in the besieged

Gaza Strip.

The signatories, are urging the World Medical Association (WMA)

to expel the IMA over its complete silence on Israel’s systematic

destruction of Gaza’s health infrastructure, as well as the killing,

abduction, and torture of Palestinian doctors, nurses, and

first responders.

Led by the People’s Health Movement (PHM), Doctors for Gaza,

and the Health Advisory Council of Jewish Voice for Peace,

the petition also calls for the WMA to suspend the Israeli

body for its blatant failure.. to uphold core medical

ethical standards.

Among the hundreds of signatories are Spain’s Health Workers

for Palestine, the US-based Doctors Against Genocide, and

the Health Alliance for Democracy in the Philippines.

The petition, recently published in The Lancet, the world’s

leading medical journal, states that the IMA has violated

medical ethics and international humanitarian law... in

the besieged strip.

The Lancet noted that it could not find any public statements

from the IMA ---- condemning Israeli attacks on Gaza’s health

system, criticizing the regime’s conduct in the war, calling

for a ceasefire, or responding to UN reports documenting

genocide against the Palestinian people.

Instead, the IMA has repeatedly echoed Israeli regime talking

points, including the unsubstantiated claim that the Hamas

resistance movement uses hospitals as command centres.

In recent months, there has been a growing international

campaign to suspend Israel from the WMA and boycott

Israeli doctors and medical institutions.

A report by the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor,

in April 2026 highlighted the IMA’s failure to condemn the

Israeli military’s repeated attacks on Gaza’s hospitals.

The report stated: “This incitement .....was supported by

institutional cover from the IMA, which not only failed to

condemn the targeting of the health system but also

lobbied to block international ceasefire calls,

prioritizing military alignment ---- over its

humanitarian duty to protect life.”

In mid-June --- the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR),

the largest Muslim civil rights organization in the US, welcomed

international medical groups’ calls for Israel’s suspension from

the WMA.

In late 2023, a group of Israeli doctors, including dozens of

practicing physicians, published an open letter explicitly

calling for the bombardment of Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital,

describing the territory’s health infrastructure as a

“legitimate target.”

The IMA.... took no disciplinary action against them.

Al-Shifa Hospital was among dozens of medical facilities

in Gaza that were repeatedly bombed and raided by

Israeli forces. Scores of hospitals and health

centres ---- were destroyed ---- or

rendered inoperable.

In December 2024, Israeli troops stormed

Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza.

According to Euro-Med Monitor, medical staff and

displaced civilians sheltering there --------- were

executed during the raid.

The hospital director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, was

abducted and remains in Israeli custody, where

he is subjected to severe mistreatment ----

and torture.

The Israeli genocide in Gaza has effectively annihilated

the Strip’s entire medical system. Airstrikes combined

with a criminal blockade have pushed the remaining

hospitals to the brink of total collapse, leaving

critically injured patients...... without

adequate care.

With severe shortages of medicine, equipment, and fuel,

doctors in Gaza warn that many more lives will be lost

as the Zionist regime’s siege continues to strangle

the healthcare system.

The systematic targeting of civilian infrastructure, medical

facilities, and densely populated areas by the Israeli

occupation has been widely documented ---- as

constituting genocide.

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

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

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

His namesake is stammering his way in the opposite direction.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

ROGER WATERS
TO MUSICIANS:-
"BOYCOTT ISRAEL"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

____________________

www.wegottickets.com/thefactory

www.ticketweb.co.uk

browse venues in Wales

www.ticketlineuk.com

02920 230130

Cash tickets from:

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

For more details visit

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

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

Daytime Delights...

Starts at 1pm

The Parc & Dare, Treorchy

Lunchtime Concerts in the Lounge Bar.

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

Ticket information:

The Cultural Services Booking & Information Line:

08000 147 111
or book online at

www.rct-arts.co.ukÃ‚Â

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

Mid Rhondda Modelling Club...

7pm - 9pm

Tonyrefail Comprehensive School
Mid Rhondda Modelling Club

has been running for over 30 years.

We meet on a regular basis

& enjoy making models for display.

We encourage both Gentlemen

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

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

Ticket information

£1 contribution every week. Under 16's free

Telephone Mr. Davies on 01443 686658

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

Comedy In The Laughter Lounge

The Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy.

COMEDY IN THE LAUGHTER LOUNGE

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

Laugh? You'll snort like a pig!

Hilarious - TimeOut.

www.rct-arts.co.uk

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

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

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

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

______________________________________

Get Involved!

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

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

or this one:

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

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

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

_______________________________________

IF - YOU THINK you HAVE
BEEN UNFAIRLY BARRED:

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

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

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

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

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

https://www.electoralreform.co.uk

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

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

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

PONCY LABOUR MPS PROBLEM?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chris Bryant's voting record:
from TheyWorkForYou.com

On Tuition Fees:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On Human Rights:

Consistently voted for introducing ID cards

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

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

On the Environment:

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

On Special Interests:

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

Generally voted against a
statutory register of lobbyists

On War or Peace:

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

Consistently voted for the Iraq war

Consistently voted against an
investigation into the Iraq war

Generally voted for replacing Trident
with a new nuclear weapons system

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

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

On Independence:

Generally voted for more EU integration

____________________________

Chris Bryant Labour MP
From Wikipedia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

His pay, allowances and some expenses:

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

His MP's expenses story:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The research paper is published
in the Optics Express journal.

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

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

KILLING THE ELDERLY BY CLOSING CARE HOMES

Did you know that each time a local authority

closes a care home for the elderly, within 8

months, around half the residents are dead?

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

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

EDM 2251: The contents

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

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

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

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

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

MAKING THE CONNECTION IN WALES

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

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

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

So it's Broadband Heaven for England...

and crapola for Wales' broadband - the

slowest, worst Broadband in the UK !!!

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

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

free 'wireless' broadband?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A BIG DROP OF HONEY !!!

Spring is beekeeping and honey-processing
season in Yunnan province, in China.

Waves of bees flit across vast fields of flowers.

Local beekeepers and many from other places,
such as Sichuan and Fujian provinces - set up
their base in tents among the rapeseed farms.

The 430,000 hectares of rapeseed blooms in
Luoping attract myriads of bees, which
produce 15 - 20 million tons of honey a year.

Local people now look to brand their county
as a honey production base & increase sales
to outside markets.

Luoping Tianyuanmiyu Bee Industry Co Chair,
Zhu Hongkun, founded his enterprise in 2009.

It mainly produces honey, propolis and
propolis powder.

His company works with 270 plus beekeepers,
who each earn 80,000 yuan a year on average.

Some earn 200,000 yuan annually, Zhu says.

Who says beauty endowed by nature isn't worth a fortune?

The whole of the uplands of south Wales could
be as beautiful & productive, if used wisely!

CHINA's PREMIER POINTS WAY FORWARD

As the Tories threaten a "bonfire of the Quangos",
perhaps Wales should take note. Now extracting
all our mineral wealth has been stopped (apart
from sand and rock) we find ourselves "in" the
1st World of the UK, but with a 3rd World
economy, only just kept going by quangos
which promise much... but deliver little...
and rely on weak public support.

We could WAKE UP & understand that we either
do something, or stay as begging bowl cases.

China's premier points the way forward for Wales:

"Industrial restructuring is the key... only by
developing energy-efficient, indigenous innovative
and high value added products can our companies
and economy, achieve sustainable development."

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

WHILE FRANCE, GREECE, IRELAND, ETC, STRUGGLE TO
STOP THE PENSION AGE RISING HIGHER AND HIGHER...

An online survey on qq.com, a popular Chinese
news portal, finds that 91% of its over 800,000
respondents, are against raising the current
official Chinese retirement age.

745,123 of those surveyed say they oppose
raising retirement ages -- 72,456 support it.

China's scholars & the public have been debating
whether to raise the retirement age, for the past
few years, but the issue rose to prominence after
remarks by an official.

Wang Xiaochu, the official vice minister of the
Ministry of Human Resources & Social Security,
said at a press conference that the government
was "studying the matter"...

The retirement age in China is generally set
at 60 for men and 50-55 for women.

Wow! Bet you didn't know that !!!

FARMING AND SCIENCE
COULD REGENERATE WALES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What have we got to lose?