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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.

Image: we're back!







Cuba is grateful for the support

of Caricom ---- to threats of US

Havana, May 28th, 12:13pm

 (Prensa Latina) 

 

The Cuban foreign minister, Bruno Rodríguez, today 

thanked the Caribbean Community (Caricom), for

its courageous stance in defence of the island 

against the threat of US military aggression 

 

In a message posted on the social network X, the minister of 

Foreign Affairs noted that Caricom denounced the “unfair 

and cruel blockade” imposed on the island, and 

reaffirmed that Cuba is not a threat to 

any nation.

 

“We will continue to advocate together for  the Caribbean 

as a Zone of Peace”, stressed Rodriguez, after the 

pronouncement of the block in the Caribbean, 

also condemned the illegal energy siege
imposed 
by washington.

 

The pronouncement of Caricom, issued through the Council for 

Foreign and Community Relations, expressed “deep concern” 

at the tightening of the economic, commercial and financial 

illegal embargo by washington against the island, which 

aggravates the humanitarian crisis that the country 

is facing.

 

The agency noted that the restrictions in place for more than 

six decades, have had “a detrimental effect on the lives and 

livelihoods of the Cuban people”.

 

It also warned about the threats --- of a possible military 

aggression, which would cause “unnecessary human 

suffering” & destabilize the whole Caribbean region.








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
















 

 

IRGC oversees safe passage of 

another 26 vessels through

 Hormuz in past 24 hours, 

warns of ‘decisive 

response’ to any

 disruption

May 28th, 2:11pm

 (PressTV)

 

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) says 26 commercial 

ships and oil tankers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz over 

the past 24 hours after coordinating with its Navy, warning 

that any attempt to disrupt the strategic passage ---- will 

prompt a “decisive response.”

 

In a statement issued on Thursday, the public relations office 

of the IRGC Navy.... said it is exercising “smart control” over 

the strait with “full authority,” emphasizing that all vessels 

must secure permission and coordinate with the naval 

force ....before transiting the vital corridor.

 

“Smart control of the Strait of Hormuz is being carried out with 

full authority, and... during the past 24 hours... 26 commercial 

vessels and oil tankers passed through the secure corridor 

after obtaining permits and coordinating with the IRGC 

Navy,” the statement read.

 

The Navy reiterated that authorization and 

coordination are mandatory ---- for transit.

 

“As previously announced, passage through other 

routes will be considered a disruption and will be 

dealt with accordingly,” it warned.

 

According to the statement, several ships.. attempted to enter 

the Persian Gulf illegally after disabling or manipulating their 

navigation systems, prompting an IRGC intervention.

 

“Last night, several vessels attempted to enter the Persian Gulf 

illegally by manipulating or turning off their navigation systems. 

 

After several radio warnings, IRGC Navy fighters stopped two 

of them in place, while the others were forced to turn back,” 

it added.

 

The statement stressed that management of the strait rests 

solely with the IRGC Navy and that any disruption “will be 

met with our decisive response.”

 

Iran has restricted the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth 

of the world’s oil and gas flows ---- to ships belonging to the 

US and its allies that participated in or supported the US-

Israeli war of aggression against the Islamic Republic.

 

So far, the IRGC Navy has issued passage permits 

for scores of vessels in accordance with Iran’s 

instructions for navigating the waterway.

 

 

 

____________________________________________

 



IRGC targets US military base 

in response to attack on 

Bandar Abbas

 May 28th, 6:54am

Al Mayadeen English


The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps announced targeting 

a US military base in the region in response to a US 

attack on Bandar Abbas.

 

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), issued a stern 

warning on Thursday following a US military violation and 

aggression near the Bandar Abbas Airport, stressing ---- 

that any further aggression “will not go unanswered.”

 

In a statement released by its public relations office, the IRGC 

said the US military launched aerial projectiles at a location 

on the outskirts of Bandar Abbas before dawn. It added 

that Iran responded by targeting the US air base 

from which the attack originated... at 

approximately 4:50 am.

 

The operation comes as a “serious warning,” the IRGC said, 

adding that the response was intended to demonstrate 

that any aggression against Iran ---- will be met with 

retaliation, warning that any repeat attack would 

provoke “a more decisive response.”

 

“The responsibility for the consequences lies 

with the aggressor,” the statement added.

 

At the same time, the Kuwaiti military confirmed that 

“air defense systems are confronting missile and 

drone attacks.”

 

During the war, Iran repeatedly warned that any US military 

base used to launch attacks against its territory would be 

considered a legitimate target, stressing that while it 

maintains friendly relations with the neighbouring 

countries, it would not hesitate to strike the 

source of any aggression.

 

US attacks Bandar Abbas 

 

This comes after the US military targeted the “scorched earth” 

areas surrounding the city of Bandar Abbas, as explosions 

were heard across the area without any reported 

casualties or material damage, according to 

an Iranian military source cited by 

Tasnim News Agency.

 

Shortly after, Iranian media outlets reported hearing 

three explosions east of Bandar Abbas, with air 

defense systems activated.

 

Meanwhile, Reuters quoted a US official as saying that 

the US military had carried out fresh strikes on an 

Iranian military site near the Strait of Hormuz 

and allegedly intercepted several Iranian 

drones that were deemed "a threat 

to US forces."

 

Similarly - on Monday --- the US launched an aggression 

on alleged missile sites in southern Iran, and targeted 

boats allegedly attempting to lay naval mines in the 

area, according to the US Central Command.

 

In a related escalation, a US oil tanker attempted to cross 

the Strait of Hormuz overnight after disabling its radar 

system, but was forced to retreat after the Iranian 

navy responded swiftly and opened fire on the 

vessel, Tasnim reported, citing an Iranian 

military source.

 

Washington's continued violations have raised fresh 

concerns over the stability of the current ceasefire 

and prospects for a broader regional agreement, 

with the US yet again bombing Iran ------- in the 

middle of talks.

 

Just yesterday, Tasnim reported that progress has been 

made in the talks, particularly on the release of Iran's 

frozen assets in Qatar. However, reaching a final 

formulation of the MoU between Washington 

and Tehran requires resolving outstanding 

differences, as per the same sources.

 

They emphasized -- that the mechanism for announcing the 

memorandum must be joint, warning ---- that any unilateral 

announcement by the US could be “not entirely accurate.”

 

The initial framework of the proposed understanding 

includes ending the aggression on all fronts, 

releasing Iran's frozen assets, lifting the 

maritime blockade, and reopening 

the Strait of Hormuz. 

 

The sources further indicated that, following the 

implementation of this initial phase, a 60-day 

negotiation period, extendable, would be.. 

allocated to address Iran’s nuclear file.

 

 

Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen English


















Image: Milutin Milankovic's Birth Day!


 
Today, May 28th, in 1879,

 

Milutin Milankovic, 

 

mathematician, astronomer, climatologist,

 geophysicist, civil engineer, university 

professor, popularizer of science 

and academic,

 

is born.

 

Milankovic --- gave two fundamental contributions to global 

science. The first contribution is the "Canon of the Earth's 

Insolation", which characterizes the climates of all the 

planets of the Solar System. The 2nd contribution 

is the explanation of Earth's long-term climate 

changes caused by changes in the position 

of the Earth in comparison to the Sun,  

now known as Milankovitch cycles. 

 

This partly explained the ice ages occurring in the geological 

past of the Earth, as well as the climate changes on the 

Earth ---- which can be expected in the future.

 

He founded planetary climatology, by calculating temperatures 

of the upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere --- as well as the 

temperature conditions on planets of the inner Solar System, 

Mercury, Venus, Mars, and the Moon, as well as the depth 

of the atmosphere of the outer planets. He demonstrated 

the interrelatedness of celestial mechanics... and the 

Earth sciences and enabled a consistent transition 

from celestial mechanics to the Earth sciences 

and a transformation of descriptive sciences 

into exact ones.

 

A distinguished professor of applied mathematics and celestial 

mechanics at the University of Belgrade, Milankovic was a
director of the Belgrade Observatory, a member of the 

Commission 7 ----- for celestial mechanics of the 

International Astronomical Union and vice-

president of the Serbian Academy of 

Sciences and Arts.

 

Beginning his career as a construction engineer, he retained an 

interest in construction... throughout his life, and worked as a 

structural engineer and supervisor, on a series of reinforced 

concrete constructions throughout Yugoslavia and Europe. 

 

He registered multiple patents related to this area.

 

In 1905 - he published the first paper on armoured concrete 

named Contribution to the theory of reinforced armoured 

pillars. He published the second paper ....on the same 

subject based on new results in 1906. In 1908 -- he 

published a paper titled "On membranes of same 

opposition"--  in which he proves that the ideal 

shape for a water reservoir of equally thick 

walls, is that of a drop of water.

 

 His six patents were officially recognized and his reputation

 in the profession was enormous, bringing abundant 

financial wealth.

 

In 1908, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, decided to annex Bosnia 

and Herzegovina after 30 years of occupation. This --- was the 

cause of ''a crisis'' with the neighbouring Kingdom of Serbia, 

which did not agree with this act. And, there was even a 

growing danger of war and invasion.

 

Milankovitch - was soon arrested by the Austro-Hungarian 

authorities because he was a reserve officer in the Royal 

Serbian Army and at first he spent 6 weeks under house 

arrest, but was eventually imprisoned and later sent to 

a prisoner-of-war camp (K. u. K. Interienirungslager) in 

Nezsider, Hungary (today Neusiedl am See, Austria). 

 

He described his first day in prison, where he waited 

to be taken to the Esseg fortress as a prisoner of 

war, in the following words:

 

''... Sat on the bed, I looked around and started synchronizing 

with my new social position. In the suitcase I had my
printed works and my notes on the cosmic problem,
there was 
clean paper too, and I started writing. It
was far past 
midnight when I stopped. I looked
around the room, 
wondering where I was.
It felt like..... I was in a 
roadhouse on
my trip through the Universe.''

 

To collect his scientific work on the theory of solar radiation 

that was scattered in many books and papers, Milanković 

began his life's work --- in 1939. This tome was entitled 

"Canon of Insolation of the Earth - and Its Application 

to the Problem of the Ice Ages", which covered his 

nearly three decades of research -- including a 

large number of formulas, calculations and 

schemes, but also summarized universal 

laws through which it was possible to 

explain cyclical climate change – 

the Milankovitch cycles.

 

Milankovic spent two years arranging and writing the "Canon". 

The manuscript was submitted to print on 2 April 1941 -- four 

days before the attack of Nazi Germany and its allies on the 

Kingdom of Yugoslavia. In the bombing of Belgrade --- on 6 

April 1941, the printing house where his work was being 

printed was destroyed; however, almost all of the 

printed sheet paper remained undamaged in 

the printing warehouse. 

 

After the occupation of Serbia on 15 May 1941, two German 

officers and geology students came to Milanković in his 

house and brought greetings from Professor Wolfgang 

Soergel [de] of Freiburg. Milankovic gave them the 

only complete printed copy of the "Canon", to 

send to Soergel, to make certain that his 

work would be preserved. 

 

Milankovic did not take part in the work of the university 

during the occupation, and.... after the war of Nazi 

aggression, he was reinstated as professor.

 

In 1955, Milankovitch retired from the position of professor 

of celestial mechanics and the history of astronomy at 

the University of Belgrade. 

 

In the same year, he published his last work... which is not 

from the natural sciences, but from his original profession 

of structural engineering. The paper was titled The 

Tower of Babel of modern technology. 

 

Milankovic -- in this work -- calculated the highest building 

possible on our Earth. He was inspired by work of Pieter 

Bruegel the Elder's Tower of Babel (older version in 

Vienna). The building would have a base radius of 

112.84 km - and a height of 21646 m. Since the 

building penetrates the Earth 1.4 km, it would

 have a height of 20.25 km above the Earth's 

surface. At the very top, there would be a 

wide platform for a meteorological and 

astronomical station.

 

In September 1957, Milutin suffered a stroke 

and died in Belgrade in 1958. He is buried 

in his family cemetery... in Dalj.

 

His honours are many and bring glory

to his name - and to Yugoslavia, as

well as Serbia.

 

 

"It is difficult for an individual to 

properly assess his spiritual 

abilities. A fool thinks 

he's smart."







 

Iran --- hails Ireland’s move 

to ban --- imports from the

illegal Israeli settlements

May 27th 11:34am

 (PressTV)

 

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs 

Kazem Gharibabadi hails Ireland’s decision to ban imports from 

illegal Israeli settlements, describing the move as a practical 

step toward holding the Israeli regime accountable for its 

violations of international law.

 

“Ireland’s decision to ban imports from the illegal settlements 

of the Israeli regime is a commendable step toward turning 

international law from rhetoric into action,” Gharibabadi 

wrote in a post published on social media platform X 

on Wednesday.

 

He pointed to a 2004 advisory opinion by the International Court 

of Justice (ICJ), which stated that the settlements had been 

“established in breach of international law” and said the 

ruling obliges states not to recognize the illegal status 

created by the settlements or support their 

continuation in any form.

 

“Therefore, buying and selling settlement products is not normal

 trade, but economic complicity in sustaining occupation and 

whitewashing an unlawful situation," he further wrote.

 

He added that Western governments that present themselves 

as defenders of international law must now match words 

with action instead of backing down under pressure 

from the Israeli regime, certain US lawmakers, 

and powerful business lobbies.

 

The remarks came as several European countries are moving 

toward tougher measures against Israeli settlements built

 on occupied Palestinian land.

 

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Arnoldus Adrianus Jetten said 

on Friday that Amsterdam would suspend all economic 

transactions linked to settlements in the occupied 

West Bank and the Golan Heights.

 

The measure is intended to “prevent Dutch society from 

contributing, through our economic activities, to illegal 

occupation & the maintenance of illegal settlements,” 

Jetten explained.

 

Meanwhile, a report by Palestine’s Colonization and Wall 

Resistance Commission (CWRC) --- has described 2025 

as a “year of bloodshed” in the occupied West Bank, 

documenting over 23,800 attacks by Israeli forces 

and settlers ---- against Palestinians.

 

In early 2026, Israel's so-called internal security service, Shin 

Bet downgraded the classification of settler violence against 

Palestinians in the occupied West Bank from “terror attacks” 

to “serious incidents,” narrowing the definition of terrorism 

to cases involving explicit intent to kill and reducing the 

priority of investigations.

 

Since October 7th, 2023, when the Israeli regime launched its
genocidal assault on Gaza --- Israeli forces and settlers have 

killed at least 1,155 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank

--- wounded nearly 11,750 others, and abducted around 

22,000 people, according to official figures.



Image: No thanks to Israeli goods App

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

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


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

His namesake is stammering his way in the opposite direction.



VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV




ROGER WATERS
TO MUSICIANS:-
"BOYCOTT ISRAEL"


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

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

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


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

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


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


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

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



____________________




AT THE FACTORY


Tickets from


www.wegottickets.com/thefactory

www.ticketweb.co.uk

browse venues in Wales

www.ticketlineuk.com

02920 230130

Cash tickets from:

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


For more details visit


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


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



Daytime Delights...

Starts at 1pm

The Parc & Dare, Treorchy


Lunchtime Concerts in the Lounge Bar.


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


Ticket information:

The Cultural Services Booking & Information Line:

08000 147 111
or book online at

www.rct-arts.co.uk 


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



Mid Rhondda Modelling Club...


7pm - 9pm


Tonyrefail Comprehensive School
Mid Rhondda Modelling Club

has been running for over 30 years.

We meet on a regular basis

& enjoy making models for display.

We encourage both Gentlemen

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

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



Ticket information

£1 contribution every week. Under 16's free


Telephone Mr. Davies on 01443 686658



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



 Comedy In The Laughter Lounge


The Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy.


COMEDY IN THE LAUGHTER LOUNGE


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

rising comedians on the circuit.

Laugh? You'll snort like a pig!



Hilarious - TimeOut.



www.rct-arts.co.uk







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

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

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

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


______________________________________


Get Involved!

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

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


or this one:

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



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

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


_______________________________________




IF - YOU THINK you HAVE
BEEN UNFAIRLY BARRED:


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

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

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

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

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

https://www.electoralreform.co.uk

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

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




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


PONCY LABOUR MPS PROBLEM?

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

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

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

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


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

- and their anti-Corbyn slant is hobbling Labour.


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

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


CHRIS BRYANT - SUPPORT THE MEMBERS'

LEADERSHIP CHOICE & POLICIES - OR GO!

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


Chris Bryant's voting record:
from TheyWorkForYou.com

On Tuition Fees:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


On Human Rights:

Consistently voted for introducing ID cards

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

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


On the Environment:

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


On Special Interests:

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

Generally voted against a
statutory register of lobbyists


On War or Peace:

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

Consistently voted for the Iraq war

Consistently voted against an
 investigation into the Iraq war

Generally voted for replacing Trident
 with a new nuclear weapons system

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

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


On Independence:

Generally voted for more EU integration

____________________________
   

Chris Bryant Labour MP
From Wikipedia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


His pay, allowances and some expenses:

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


His MP's expenses story:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Image: Russian scientists and Scottish ones



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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

The research paper is published
in the Optics Express journal.


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

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


Image: BRICS

Image: March 26 London anti cuts demo




KILLING THE ELDERLY BY CLOSING CARE HOMES


Did you know that each time a local authority

closes a care home for the elderly, within 8

months, around half the residents are dead?

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


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

EDM 2251: The contents


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

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

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

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


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


MAKING THE CONNECTION IN WALES


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

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

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


So it's Broadband Heaven for England...

and crapola for Wales' broadband - the

slowest, worst Broadband in the UK !!!


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


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

free 'wireless' broadband?

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




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



Image: China's rapeseed blossoms this Spring.

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


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


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


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


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


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

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

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


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


A BIG DROP OF HONEY !!!


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


Waves of bees flit across vast fields of flowers.

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


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

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


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

It mainly
produces honey, propolis and
propolis powder.


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

Some earn 200,000 yuan annually, Zhu says.

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

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



Image: retirement China style




CHINA's PREMIER POINTS WAY FORWARD

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


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

China's premier points the way forward for Wales:

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


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


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

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


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


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


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

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

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



Image: unemployment in Wales


FARMING AND SCIENCE

COULD REGENERATE WALES



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

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

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


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


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


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


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


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


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

 the Altzeim project in Gwent.

 What have we got to lose?




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