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

Except Sundays - our day of rest.

Journalist: To end war ------

prosecute UK, US officials

who wage(d) it illegally

October 22nd, 10:12pm (PressTV)

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

criminals, by holding US and UK officials responsible

for launching the illegal war on Iraq, done without

the approval of the UN Security Council, and

prosecuting them --- under the Nuremberg

principles, US journalist Don DeBar said.

DeBar made the remarks in an interview with Press TV while

commenting on a report which has revealed that the British

military inquiries into abuse against Iraqi nationals... have

been closed without a single prosecution being brought,

even though the credibility of many "shocking and

shameful incidents" during the war in the Middle

Eastern country, have been confirmed.

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said in a statement

this week that the Service Police Legacy Investigations,

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

"officially closed its doors."

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

violation of international law and under the pretext of

finding WMDs; but no such weapons were ever

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

the US-led invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq

--- according to the California-based investigative

organization, Project Censored.

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

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

International Studies at Brown University.

DeBar told Press TV that the Iraq war

was illegal from the very beginning.

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

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

any of those nations are signatories to the original UN

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

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

approved by the US Senate in the 1940s.

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

“And under the Nuremberg standards, which would then

apply, each and every death consequent – intentional

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

condoning of the US action there, by the media

or public officials, or any act facilitating that,

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

there’s a death penalty for that,” the

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

with the word impunity. And we might bookend with that

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

end to that impunity, until the world sees the major

contradiction in all international relations, is US,

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

continue until this eats our species,”

A damning White House memo had revealed details of the

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

Minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush

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

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

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

The sensational memo, revealed that Blair had agreed to

support the war a year before the invasion even started

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

The document also disclosed that Blair agreed to act as a

spin doctor for Bush and convince a skeptical public that

Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein had Weapons of Mass

Destruction, which actually did not exist.

In response, Bush would flatter Blair and give the

impression that London was not Washington’s

poodle but an equal partner in the

“special relationship.”

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

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

will follow our lead in the Middle East."

Blair has always denied the claim that he and Bush

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

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

that has killed hundreds of thousands of people.

The Powell memo, however, showed how Blair and

Bush secretly prepared the Iraq war plot behind

closed doors at Crawford.

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

tactical and public affairs lines, that he believes will

strengthen global support for our common cause.”

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Russian communists ratify support

for Cuba in the face of US attacks

February 19th, 5:41am

(Prensa Latina)

The president of the Communist Party of Russia, Gennadi

Zyuganov, today ratified to the Cuban Foreign Minister,

Bruno Rodríguez, the permanent support of the

political organization for the island in the

face of the economic onslaught of

the United States.

In what constituted the first meeting of the last day of

work in Moscow of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of

the Caribbean nation, who is on a working visit as

a special envoy of the Communist Party of Cuba

(PCC) and the Government, the political leader

of the Eurasian giant confirmed the solidarity

of its militants ---- and the Russian people

in general.

In that sense, Zyuganov condemned that Washington's

main objective is expansion and subjugating nations

that do not align with its domination.

Likewise, he stressed that facing the sanctions imposed

on Latin American countries and those of other regions,

including Russia, is a challenge for progressive forces

around the world.

He commented to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of

the largest of the Antilles about the creation, at

the initiative of the political body -------- of an

international movement -- for the release

of the president of Venezuela, Nicolás

Maduro, and his wife Cilia Flores,

kidnapped after the US attack

against Caracas and three

other Venezuelan states

on January 3.

In this regard, he highlighted that the project is made up of

more than 400 political forces globally, and its premise is

to raise the voices of those who are committed to

respecting the sovereignty and independence

of the people.

Zyuganov noted that this year marks the centenary of the

birth of the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution,

Fidel Castro (1926-2016), an event that he assured

they will celebrate together - with Cuba's people.

Likewise, he added that a large exhibition is being

prepared at the headquarters of the State Duma

(Lower House of the Russian Parliament) with

the participation of all political parties in

Russia --------- to honour Fidel's years of

friendship and mutual commitment to

the people of the Eurasian giant,

and vice versa.

For his part, Rodríguez thanked the constant and historic
support of his country, by the Russian communists ----
especially during the recent economic and energy

siege applied by the White House.

Likewise, he praised their permanent position --- of

denunciation against the economic, commercial

and financial blockade, which for almost seven

decades the US Administrations have applied

to suffocate and try to intimidate Cuba.

After this meeting, the Antillean minister will speak with

the president of the Federation Council (Upper House

of the Russian Parliament), Valentina Matviyenko.

The day before, Rodríguez was received by the president

of Russia, Vladimir Putin, who assured that his country

has always been on Cuba's side in its fight for

independence, and for the right to follow

their own path of development.

The Foreign Minister arrived in Moscow on the afternoon

of February 17 accompanied by the Deputy Prime

Minister and head of Foreign Investment, Oscar

Pérez-Oliva.... and the vice minister of the

Revolutionary Armed Forces and chief

of the General Staff, general of the

Army Corps, Roberto Legrá,

among other officials.

People hold up a banner as they protest

against Israel at the entrance of the

International Criminal Court

As Iran, Russia conclude drill,

ex-US Army officer warns of

deadly surprises ---- for

US forces

February 19th, 2:46pm

(PressTV)

A joint naval exercise between Iran and Russia has

concluded with the ceremonial farewell of the

Russian helicopter carrier Stoysky, marking

the end of several days of coordinated

maritime operations in the Sea of

Oman and the northern

Indian Ocean.

Iranian military officials said the exercise was designed to

strengthen maritime security, develop naval diplomacy,

and expand practical operational collaboration

between the two countries’ naval forces.

The drill included complex maneuvers, joint navigation

exercises, and coordination between surface vessels

and aviation units, with Iranian and Russian officials

emphasizing the continuity of shared training and

operational exchange.

The exercise comes amid ongoing tensions in the region,

where an aggressive US military buildup and threats

against Iran have escalated concerns of a

potential confrontation.

The former US Army officer and military analyst Stanislav

Krapivnik, provided a detailed analysis of Iran’s military

preparedness and the ongoing integration of foreign

support on Sanchez Effect.

Rick Sanchez, host of 'Journalistically Speaking' on the

program, formerly seen on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News,

Univision and RT, dives into the potential conflict

map between Iran and the US.

“As Washington is basically camping out right at Iran’s

front door with a huge fleet, and threats are flying

around like confetti, they’re attempting to hash

things out, but what if those talks go

sideways?” Sanchez says, on

his program.

“Trump keeps saying it’ll be a bad day for Tehran if things

escalate, but will it really? According to our guest

military expert, the answer is yes – but not

just for Tehran.”

In his analysis, Krapivnik highlighted that both Russia and

China are actively preparing to support Iran in the event

of a military confrontation with the US or Israel.

“Russia and China --- are already sending signals by planning

joint drills in Iran,” Krapivnik said. “For Russia, Iran is the

gateway to the Caucasus and Central Asia; while for

China, it opens the doors...... to Central Asia and

beyond. They’re not about to let Iran crumble.”

Krapivnik noted that Iran’s previous military

operations, including the 12-day war last

year, were deliberately limited.

“Iran didn’t go all out then --- it was hitting military bases,

avoiding populated areas. But if this now escalates into

full-blown war, it’s a very different story. Israel is tiny,

and most people live in a few big cities, so missing

a target would be nearly impossible. No matter

where the bombs land, they’re bound to

hit someone.”

Krapivnik emphasized that a central focus of Russia

and China’s involvement is the development of an

integrated air defense system - in Iran.

“Iran is presenting, for both Russia and China, a platform

of integration where they may be getting battle tested,”

he explained.

“Russia has developed for Iran, in a very quick order, an

integrated air defense shield -- something Iran didn’t

have at first. Iran had S-300s, it had S-200s. The

older systems, or the S-60 systems, which by

the way ---- still work quite well against

Tomahawks, when the Tomahawks

are going to actually explode

within the system.”

He described the multi-layered nature

of the air defense network.

“An integrated air umbrella ---- is a system, if it’s fully

integrated. You have it on the strategic level where

you can start picking up and possibly intercepting

enemy targets outside of the country whose

territory you’re defending.

“Then you have an inner layer where you’re starting to

defend on a strategic level inside that country. Then

you have it on a battle theatre level, then you have

it on a localized level, and then - you have it on a

pinpoint defense.”

“The Panther is on a localized level. The IGLA, or the

shoulder-fired MANPADs — those are spot defense.

That’s -- the last line of defense. If something has

got all the way through or it lifted up somewhere

very close so it’s within your range.. like a drone

or some helicopter that just pops up -- then you

do spot defense. So obviously you’re not going

to be.. taking out ballistic missiles or cruise

missiles with a shoulder-fired missile, but

you could take out a jet, for example, or

a helicopter or a large drone.”

Krapivnik emphasized the importance of coordination

between systems, explaining that Iran’s air defense

relies on real-time communication, across layers.

“It’s integrated ----- not just because it has multiple layers

----- it’s because ------ the radar systems and the systems

themselves are communicating. So if it failed to make

contact or failed to destroy the object on one layer it

passes that information off - to the next layer that

engages, that passes off to the next layer that

engages, and so on down to the point where

either they destroy it at some point, or it

blows up.”

He also pointed out historical performance

issues that influenced system design.

“By the way, the 12 Tomahawks Trump fired into Syria had

a 33% failure rate to detonate. There were 4 warheads

that were found non-detonated. A bad batch, I don’t

know. But if that says the same thing about most

of them, then the US has even bigger problems.”

Russian and Chinese contributions

Krapivnik detailed Russian contributions, noting the

delivery of aircraft and a reestablishment of Iran’s

air defense networks.

“Russia came back, built a reintegrated system, and... over

the last six months trained up Su-35 pilots and delivered

Su-35 fighters — which outrange, by the way, the F-35s,

even though it’s a generation 4++ fighter, versus the

generation 5 fighter that the F-35 represents.”

Chinese contributions, he explained, include

high-resolution radar and satellite-linked

early warning systems.

“The Chinese are bringing in their integrated radar

systems, which include very tight-beamed, low-

wavelength sections.... that can pick up —

integrated with the satellite systems —

anything within, I think, 500 to 600

kilometres -- outside of Iran. So..

anything that the US or Israel

is launching is already being

picked up and gives them

enough time to start

reacting to it.”

On response time, he said, “If you figure a cruise missile is

flying at 1,000 kilometres an hour, for example, you still

have about 30 minutes to react, before it’s in your air-

space, which is actually a lot of time for anti-aircraft

systems. Stealth aircraft are not invisible - they are

very hard on radar. The hope is.. that they’re over

target or somewhere close to target by the time

the radar system picks them up, or somebody

visually picks them up.”

He cited historical examples of successful radar-guided

defense: “Which is, by the way, how the Serbs took out

several American aircraft — B-1s. They put circles

around of people with radios, and they visually

saw them coming in because they kept using

the same flight corridor. ‘Because they’re

invisible.’ Well, no, they’re not. With the

radios that communicated back, they

got taken out with an S-300 or S-200

system because they were able to

lock on to them ------- almost

point blank.”

Krapivnik highlighted the potential shock effect on foreign

forces: “Now, the US planners are writing it off. ‘It’s not

really capable. They’re not going to be able to do

anything.’ There’s a lot of bravado that has

never been tested. So... I think there’s

going to be a very big shock and

surprise for US, Israeli, and

NATO forces if they start

initiating contact.”

Krapivnik stressed that these capabilities were

absent --- during prior US strikes in the region.

“No -- the S-400s were not. And the decapitation strike at
the beginning actually did damage quite a bit - at least

some, we don’t know exactly how much, of the radars

& some of the anti-aircraft systems. They killed key

officers that would have been in charge of getting
all that operational. Plus, Chinese systems, the

multi-phase radar systems, were not there.”

“Over the last six months, this has been brought in.... set up,

and integrated. We’ll see how well it’s integrated. Combat

is the ultimate test when your life is on the line. But if

they’re as integrated as they may be, one thing

that’s going to happen is —— China, Russia,

and Iran signed a trilateral alliance too.

“If... this integration works, we may be seeing this all over

the Russian border areas or the Chinese border areas —

China using Russian S-300s, S-400s, S-500s, the S-550s

that are coming out right now, and Russia using the

Chinese radar systems, Iran both. So this could be

a very big game changer, this synthesis of these

two systems. We’ll see.”

Krapivnik warned of the potential dangers to US forces

stationed in the region. “Even in a war between Iran

and Israel, these THAAD systems will get hit, and

then Americans are dead ---- because they’re

manning it,” he said.

He cautioned, that as many as 1,500 US troops

could become casualties ---- defending Israel,

in a conflict with Iran.

_______________________________

Three Palestinians killed in Israeli raids

on Gaza - on the first day of Ramadan

February 19th, 11:04am

(PressTV)

Mourners grieve during a funeral in Khan Yunis in the
southern Gaza Strip on February 18, 2026, following

an Israeli attack that killed a Palestinian on the

first day of Ramadan. (Photo by AFP)

Three Palestinians have been killed by Israeli military fire

and airstrikes on the Gaza Strip as the Tel Aviv regime

continues to violate the US-brokered ceasefire.

On Wednesday... which also marked the first day of

Ramadan in Gaza, Israeli forces killed three more

Palestinians through a combination of air,
land, and sea strikes.

Medical sources at Nasser Medical Complex announced

that one Palestinian was killed by Israeli gunfire in

areas east of Khan Younis.

The hospital announced earlier that two Palestinians had

been killed by Israeli fire in the town of Bani Suheila,

also east of Khan Younis.

One of the victims was identified as 20-year-old Mohannad

Jamal Mohammad Al-Najjar, who was shot near the Bani

Suheila roundabout, east of the city.

Israeli artillery shelled the eastern neighbourhoods of

Gaza City and targeted areas east of Khan Younis,

while tanks unleashed heavy fire on the eastern

outskirts of the city.

Meanwhile, more demolitions were carried out by Israeli

forces, who razed residential buildings in Beit Hanoun

in the northern Gaza Strip.

A series of Israeli airstrikes by low-flying jets also targeted

some areas in Khan Younis and Rafah in southern Gaza.

Gaza death toll surpassed 75,000 in first

16 months of genocide: Lancet survey

A Lancet survey finds the death toll of the Israeli genocide

of Palestinians in Gaza, exceeded 75,000 in 16 months.

The Tel Aviv regime -- continues to violate the US-brokered

ceasefire on a daily basis and since the start of it, Israeli

forces have killed several hundred more Palestinians,

including 195 children and 84 women.

The Israeli genocidal war in Gaza since October 7, 2023,

has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians - and injured

nearly 172,000 more. More than 8,000 Palestinians

are reported missing.

___________________________________

Israel’s West Bank land grab

'will consolidate annexation':

UN rapporteur Albanese

February 19th, 10:50am

(PressTV)

The UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian

territories has cautioned: that Israel’s decision to

extend land expropriation in the occupied West

Bank, could solidify annexation, possibly

constituting aggression ------ under

international law ---- and deepen

what the world's highest court

has classified ----- as an

illegal occupation.

Francesca Albanese was reacting to measures ratified

by Israel’s so-called security cabinet on February 8 to

facilitate greater land registration and property

acquisition in the occupied area.

“These measures --- are not routine administrative

adjustments. They are deliberate, incremental

steps... toward a permanent annexation,

advanced piece by piece... in broad

daylight, and with total impunity,”

Albanese said in a statement

on Wednesday.

She warned that they would “deepen and entrench

an occupation that the world’s highest court

(International Court of Justice) has

determined to be unlawful.”

The rapporteur indicated that the modifications facilitate

property acquisition in settlements for both Israeli

settlers and foreigners, hastening what she

termed territorial conquest.

She stated that making land registries accessible to

the public's claims, makes Palestinian landowners

more susceptible to pressure, dispossession,

and forced transfer.

Albanese emphasized that the annexation of occupied

land is explicitly forbidden by international law,

referencing Article 2(4) of the UN Charter

and the Fourth Geneva Convention.

She, additionally, mentioned the advisory opinion from

the International Court of Justice in July 2024, which

affirmed the unlawful nature of Israel’s settlement

policy and specified that all nations should

neither acknowledge nor support

the situation.

“Annexation does not produce stability,” she said. “It

produces systemic discrimination, dispossession,

and permanent subjugation.”

She called on states to avoid recognition, withhold

support, and implement effective measures

to end the occupation.

80+ countries condemn Israel’s ‘unlawful’

settlement expansions in West Bank

More than 80 countries condemn Israel’s decision to

expand illegal settlements in the occupied West

Bank ---- as “unlawful” and in violation of

international law.

The UN committee on Palestinian rights

‘strongly’ denounces Israeli measures

Meanwhile, the Bureau of the UN Committee on

the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the

Palestinian People on Wednesday

“strongly” condemned Israel's

land measures in the

West Bank.

In a statement, the bureau said it “strongly condemns the

decision by Israel, the occupying power, to resume land

registration procedures in the occupied West Bank

alongside countless other illegal policies and

practices... in the Occupied Palestinian

Territory, including East al-Quds.”

“Such illegal measures -- risk the further dispossession of

Palestinian landowners and the entrenchment of Israel’s

unlawful control over occupied territory,” the

statement said.

It stressed that ----- “recent actions constitute a serious

escalation that violates international law and relevant

United Nations resolutions and must be condemned,”

adding that “such so-called administrative measures

cannot disguise what this is: a de facto annexation

of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”

The rights committee further noted - that “the Occupied

Palestinian Territory, including East al-Quds, must not

be subjected to any measures aimed at altering its

legal status, demographic composition, or

territorial integrity.”

“All such policies and measures are null and void and

Israeli settlements and settlement-related policies

in the occupied territory have no legal validity

and are in grave breach of international law

------ as unequivocally reaffirmed by the

International Court of Justice,”

it said.

Calling on Israel to “immediately cease and reverse these

measures,” the bureau also urged the international

community “to take concrete steps to uphold

accountability - and protect the prospect

of a just and lasting peace.”

Since the onset of its genocidal campaign in Gaza on

October 8, 2023, Israel has escalated activities in

the West Bank, particularly in East al-Quds.

Palestinians perceive the escalation – including killings,

abductions, displacement, and settlement growth – as

a move towards... an official annexation of the land.

_____________________________________

Over 640 Dutch nationals served in Israeli

military amid Gaza genocide - may face

war crime prosecution

February 19th, 10:01am

(PressTV)

More than 640 Dutch nationals have served in the Israeli

military during the regime’s genocidal war on Gaza and

attacks on the West Bank, new data shows, with legal

experts warning that those involved could be

prosecuted ----- under international and

domestic war crimes statutes.

New figures released by the Israeli military show that at

least 645 soldiers serving in March 2025 held both

Israeli and Dutch nationality, with more than 80

holding a third citizenship, but... it is unclear

whether inactive reservists were included.

Separate data from US-based charities indicate that at

least 21 Dutch nationals traveled specifically from the

Netherlands to serve as “lone soldiers,” meaning

they joined independently without parents in

Israel. The locations of these soldiers’

service - whether Gaza, the 1948-

occupied lands, or the occupied

West Bank - remain unspecified.

According to Israeli researcher Lior Yohanani, dual

citizenship is common among Israelis, with Dutch

government estimates suggesting that roughly

12,000 Dutch colonizers reside in Israel.

Those holding Israeli citizenship aged 18–29 generally

face military conscription, but exemptions are

possible for those living abroad.

“Those who do go therefore make a conscious

choice to join,” Yohanani added.

In 2025, more than 3,700 lone soldiers from

70 countries served in the Israeli military,

showing the international involvement

in Israel’s military assaults.

Historical records obtained by investigative outlet

Investico show the number of Dutch lone soldiers

has grown over time - from fewer than ten in the

early 2000s, to 34 in 2013, and 20 in 2021.

While joining the Israeli military is not illegal under Dutch

law, recruitment inside the Netherlands is prohibited. A

leaked 2019 Israeli Justice Ministry memo... revealed

officials were aware of these legal sensitivities and

commissioned a Dutch law firm to review

the regulations.

Dutch legal experts warn that dual nationals could face

prosecution under the Netherlands’ International

Crimes Act, if involved in war crimes.

Marieke de Hoon, associate professor of international

criminal law at the University of Amsterdam, said the

law covers genocide, crimes against humanity, and

war crimes, and exposure could be higher --- for

those serving in the occupied West Bank.

She pointed to a 2024 International Court of Justice

advisory opinion -- describing Israel’s occupation

policy as apartheid, adding, “If after that ruling

you decide to stand as [an Israeli] soldier at a

checkpoint in the West Bank ... the argument

can be made, that you are participating in a

crime against humanity - namely apartheid.”

De Hoon stressed that Dutch prosecutors have the

authority to investigate and prosecute cases, if

sufficient evidence emerges.

According to the released figures by the regime, 50,632

Israeli troopers hold an additional foreign citizenship.

As per the data, 12,135 soldiers hold US citizenship,

the largest group by a significant margin, followed

by more than 6,100 French nationals and over

5,000 Russian nationals.

Macron says the French nationals fighting for Israel “can

not be genociders” amid Gaza genocide investigations.

_______________________________

Any new US strike on Iran is

‘playing with fire’, Russia’s

Lavrov warns

February 19th, 9:46am

(PressTV)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned that

any new US strike on Iran is “playing with fire” and will

have “serious consequences.”

Lavrov made the remark, in an interview with Saudi

Arabia's al-Arabiya television aired on Wednesday,

one day after Iranian and US negotiators held

indirect talks in the Swiss city of Geneva

over Tehran's nuclear program.

"The consequences ----- are not good. There have already

been strikes on Iran on nuclear sites under the control

of the International Atomic Energy Agency,'' he said.

“From what we can judge, there were real risks of

a nuclear incident… Everyone understands: this

----- is playing with fire,” the top Russian

diplomat emphasized.

Iran and the US... held the second round of indirect nuclear

negotiations at the Omani consulate general in Geneva on

Tuesday. As in the previous round in the Omani capital of

Muscat, the agenda of the talks focused primarily on a

nuclear issue, and the lifting of illegal US sanctions.

Following the talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas

Araghchi said the two sides agreed on a set of

guiding principles..... to clear the path for

future talks.

Separately, a senior US official, who spoke to Reuters on

Wednesday, said Iran is anticipated to present a written

proposal for resolving its dispute with the US after the

Geneva talks.

This comes...... as US national security officials are

conducting a review of regional military readiness,

with forces expected to be fully deployed by the

middle of March.

The US maintains that Iran must cease its nuclear

program, whereas Tehran asserts that it is not

pursuing nuclear weapons and says it is

entitled to peaceful nuclear energy.

Elsewhere in his interview, Lavrov said key regional

players -- especially Arab nations and the Persian

Gulf littoral states -- are keen to avoid a further

escalation of tensions.

He added that Arab countries were sending signals to

the US "clearly calling for restraint and a search for

an agreement that will not infringe on Iran's lawful

rights and ... guarantee that Iran has a purely

peaceful nuclear enrichment program".

The Russian foreign minister cautioned - that a renewed

confrontation could undo the recent diplomatic gains,

including the improved relations between Iran and

neighbouring countries like Saudi Arabia.

He said Moscow remained in close contact with Tehran

and believed that “Iran sincerely wants to resolve this

problem, on the basis of observing the Nuclear Non-

Proliferation Treaty."

He emphasized that any agreement

must respect Iran’s lawful rights.

Iran says that its right to the peaceful use of nuclear

energy is an inherent and inalienable right, and no

form of pressure or political stance can

undermine this right.

Tehran was among the original signatories of the NPT,

signing the treaty on July 1st, in 1968. The Iranian

Parliament ratified the NPT in February 1970,

and the treaty entered into force for

Iran, thereafter.

Under the NPT, Iran is recognized - as a non-nuclear-

weapon state and agreed not to develop or acquire

nuclear weapons, while in return retaining the

right --- to pursue peaceful nuclear energy

under international safeguards.

_______________________________________

Iranian, Russian naval forces rescue

hijacked ship in mock operation

during naval drills

February 19th, 10:04am

(PressTV)

Iranian and Russian forces --- perform a mock operation to

rescue a hijacked ship.... during combined naval drills, in

Bandar Abbas port, southern Iran, on February 19, 2026.

Iranian and Russian forces have successfully performed

a mock operation to rescue a hijacked vessel, during

combined naval drills.

The naval personnel of the Iranian Army and the Islamic

Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), as well as the Russian

Navy, performed the mock rescue operation on

Thursday in the waters of Bandar Abbas,

in southern Iran.

The operation began after commercial ships sent

emergency messages to the Bandar Abbas

Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre.

Then, an SH-3 helicopter belonging to the Islamic

Republic of Iran Navy and a Bell 412 chopper of

the IRGC Navy ---- searched the area.

Later, Iran’s Alvand destroyer, the command ship in the

exercises, dispatched combat vessels stationed in

the area .....to carry out the rescue operation.

Finally, special Iranian and Russian naval forces took

back the vessel after a simultaneous heliborne and

surface assault --- and arrested the pirates.

The drills come - amid heightened regional tensions and

repeated US threats to attack Iran if it does not accept

nuclear demands, among others.

The United States has dispatched a number of warships to

regional waters near Iran, prompting authorities in Tehran

to warn that even a single shot fired at the country would

be met ---------- with a far-reaching and massive response,

targeting US assets in the region.

During the joint maritime exercise, the two countries’

naval units also successfully carried out a Photo Ex

(aerial photography) exercise, & tactical formation.

Participating Iranian units included the Alvand destroyer,

Neyzeh and Khanjar missile-launching vessels, an SH3D

helicopter, landing craft, special operations teams, and

RIB and Raad assault boats from the Army, as well as

the Shahid Sayyad vessel, Tondar-class craft,

assault boats, special operations teams ---

and a Bell 412 helicopter from the IRGC.

Russia deployed the Bravyi helicopter carrier,

alongside two F4 fighter jets from the

Iranian Air Force.

Today, February 19th, is the day of the

Commemoration of Vasil Levski

In a declaration delivered on behalf of the parliamentary

group of the BSP – United Left, MP Galin Durev stresses

--- that Vasil Levski left not only the idea of liberation

but also a moral compass for statehood, for a just,

democratic, pure and sacred republic -- where
the law stands above personal interest.

“Today Bulgaria, once again, pauses in silence --- before the

name of Vasil Levski -- the Apostle of Freedom -- the man

who turned the dream of a free and dignified homeland
--- into a national covenant.

“Years pass... and generations change, but Levski’s image

remains unchanged: pure, incorruptible and demanding.

He doesn't belong to one era or one political force. He

belongs to the conscience of the Bulgarian people.

He is the measure --- the highest standard --- of

national dignity and patriotism.”

Vasil Levski was a Bulgarian revolutionary who is, today,

a national hero of Bulgaria. Dubbed the Apostle of

Freedom, Levski ideologised and strategised a

revolutionary movement to liberate Bulgaria

from Ottoman rule. Levski founded the

Internal Revolutionary Organisation,

and sought to foment a nationwide

uprising --- through a network of

secret regional committees.

In the spirit of Garibaldi -- Levski planned to assist other
oppressed peoples of the world in their liberation,
once Bulgaria was re-established.

He also advocated "strict and regular accounting"

in his revolutionary organisation, and did not

tolerate corruption.

Levski was betrayed by a priest - and sent to Sofia on

4 January, 1873. There, he was taken to trial. While

he acknowledged his identity -- he did not reveal

his accomplices, or any details related to his

organisation --- taking full blame.

The Ottoman authorities ---- sentenced Levski to death by

hanging. The sentence was carried out in 1873 in Sofia,
where the Monument to Vasil Levski ...now stands.

Levski's death, intensified the crisis in the Bulgarian
revolutionary movement and most IRO committees

Nevertheless, five years after Levski's hanging, the

Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, secured the

liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in

the wake of the April Uprising of 1876.

The Treaty of San Stefano of 3 March 1878

established a Bulgarian state --- as the

autonomous Principality of Bulgaria.

"We will be free in complete liberty where the Bulgarian

lives: in Bulgaria, Thrace, Macedonia; people of

whatever ethnicity live in this heaven of ours,

they will be equal in rights, to the Bulgarian

in everything. We will have a flag that says

'Pure and sacred republic'... It is time, by

a single deed ------- to achieve what our

French brothers have been seeking."

"We're not driving away the Turkish people nor their faith,

but the emperor and his laws (in a word, the Turkish

government), which has been ruling not only us,

but the Turk himself, in a barbarian way."

"If I shall win, I shall win for the entire people.

If I shall lose, I shall lose only myself."

"We yearn.. to see a free fatherland, and [then]

one could even order me to graze the ducks,

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.

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

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

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

His namesake is stammering his way in the opposite direction.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

ROGER WATERS
TO MUSICIANS:-
"BOYCOTT ISRAEL"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

____________________

www.wegottickets.com/thefactory

www.ticketweb.co.uk

browse venues in Wales

www.ticketlineuk.com

02920 230130

Cash tickets from:

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

For more details visit

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

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

Daytime Delights...

Starts at 1pm

The Parc & Dare, Treorchy

Lunchtime Concerts in the Lounge Bar.

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

Ticket information:

The Cultural Services Booking & Information Line:

08000 147 111
or book online at

www.rct-arts.co.ukÃ‚Â

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

Mid Rhondda Modelling Club...

7pm - 9pm

Tonyrefail Comprehensive School
Mid Rhondda Modelling Club

has been running for over 30 years.

We meet on a regular basis

& enjoy making models for display.

We encourage both Gentlemen

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

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

Ticket information

£1 contribution every week. Under 16's free

Telephone Mr. Davies on 01443 686658

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

Comedy In The Laughter Lounge

The Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy.

COMEDY IN THE LAUGHTER LOUNGE

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

Laugh? You'll snort like a pig!

Hilarious - TimeOut.

www.rct-arts.co.uk

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

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

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

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

______________________________________

Get Involved!

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

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

or this one:

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

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

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

_______________________________________

IF - YOU THINK you HAVE
BEEN UNFAIRLY BARRED:

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

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

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

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

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

https://www.electoralreform.co.uk

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

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

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

PONCY LABOUR MPS PROBLEM?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chris Bryant's voting record:
from TheyWorkForYou.com

On Tuition Fees:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On Human Rights:

Consistently voted for introducing ID cards

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

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

On the Environment:

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

On Special Interests:

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

Generally voted against a
statutory register of lobbyists

On War or Peace:

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

Consistently voted for the Iraq war

Consistently voted against an
investigation into the Iraq war

Generally voted for replacing Trident
with a new nuclear weapons system

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

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

On Independence:

Generally voted for more EU integration

____________________________

Chris Bryant Labour MP
From Wikipedia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

His pay, allowances and some expenses:

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

His MP's expenses story:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The research paper is published
in the Optics Express journal.

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

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

KILLING THE ELDERLY BY CLOSING CARE HOMES

Did you know that each time a local authority

closes a care home for the elderly, within 8

months, around half the residents are dead?

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

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

EDM 2251: The contents

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

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

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

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

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

MAKING THE CONNECTION IN WALES

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

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

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

So it's Broadband Heaven for England...

and crapola for Wales' broadband - the

slowest, worst Broadband in the UK !!!

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

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

free 'wireless' broadband?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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A BIG DROP OF HONEY !!!

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

Waves of bees flit across vast fields of flowers.

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

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

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

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

It mainly produces honey, propolis and
propolis powder.

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

Some earn 200,000 yuan annually, Zhu says.

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

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

CHINA's PREMIER POINTS WAY FORWARD

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

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

China's premier points the way forward for Wales:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FARMING AND SCIENCE
COULD REGENERATE WALES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What have we got to lose?