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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.

Newsflash !

Image: we're back!










U.S.' fascist siege against

Cuba - condemned in Italy

Rome, June 30th, 8:51am

 (Prensa Latina) 

 

The U.S. siege of Cuba, with genocidal actions, violating the 

human rights of its people ---- is a sign of the resurgence of 

fascism, an editorial in the newspaper Il Faro di Roma 

warns today in Italy.

 

In the text signed by analysts Luciano Vasapollo and Rita 

Martufi, with the title "Cuba in the crosshairs of the new 

imperialism," the vision of the historical leader of the 

Cuban Revolution, Commander in Chief Fidel Castro, 

is highlighted, who certainly appreciated - that 

"fascism is no longer necessarily present in 

the historical forms of the 20th century."

 

Among the most important transformations of capitalism, of 

imperialism, is the fact that new political, economic, media 

and even institutional configurations are adopted, and the
expressions of the counterrevolution, change language, 

tools... and protagonists.

 

However, they keep their function intact: to defend the 

domination of capital against any attempt at popular 

emancipation, and "what is happening today, in 

Cuba must be interpreted precisely from this 

perspective" --- point out Vasapollo and 

Martufi, co-founders of the Italian 

chapter ----- of the Network of 

Intellectuals and Artists in 

Defense of Humanity 

(REDH).

 

"Contemporary fascism is no longer presented in a black shirt," 

they express in reference to the time of the emergence in Italy 

of that ideology, political movement and totalitarian system of

 government of the extreme right.

 

Today, according to the authors, it tends to "manifest itself 

under the guise........ of financial technocracy, neoliberal
authoritarianism, aggressive nationalism or economic 

deregulation" and "uses the language of security, 

free markets, or the defence of the West", 

to foment wars of all kinds.

 

In the case of U.S. pressure against Cuba, "we are not facing a 

normal confrontation between different political systems or 

a simple diplomatic dispute. Instead, we are witnessing a 

systematic offensive with characteristics reminiscent of 

modern forms of imperialist fascism," they point out.

 

It is, according to them, the blows - of "a predatory imperialism 

that uses economic blackmail, financial war, trade blockades, 

manipulation of information and permanent destabilization 

as tools of aggression against a country that continues

to assert its sovereignty."

 

In this way, the economic, commercial and financial blockade 

imposed by the United States on the island for more than 60

years, and progressively tightened --- through dozens of 

extraterritorial measures, "is not simply a measure 

of political pressure."

 

These actions constitute "a real permanent economic war, 

whose objective - is to cause suffering to the civilian 

population, shortages of medicines and energy, 

obstacles to productive development, and

 financial isolation" -- as a "strategy that 

seeks ---- to break the resistance of a 

people through material deprivation."

 

U.S. imperialism, by adopting purely fascist methods, is thus

 attempting to "transform everyday difficulties.... into an 

instrument for political overthrow," they emphasize.

 

The editorial in Il Faro di Roma --- highlights the resistance of 

the people of Cuba, a nation that "despite all the difficulties, 

continues to represent a political experience that places 

at its centre... the universal right to health, education, 

culture and international solidarity," an alternative 

system intolerable to current fascist imperialism.









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



...and a lot of clarity about Trump's lies on Iran!



























 999 999 999 999 999 999 999 999 999



China urges US to lift 

sanctions on Iran, 

& implement the 

Islamabad MoU

July 1st, 3:48pm

 (PressTV)

 

China has called on the United States to lift its unilateral 

sanctions on Iran and fully implement the recently 

signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

 

Speaking at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday, 

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun, said China 

supports continued dialogue between Tehran & Washington 

and believes US sanctions on Iran should be removed 

without delay.

 

“We have always believed... that unilateral sanctions 

on Iran should be lifted at an early date,” Guo said.

 

Beijing, he said, hopes that Washington and Tehran “will 

jointly implement the memorandum of understanding... 

and advance the negotiations --- to promote a 

comprehensive political solution to the 

situation in Iran as soon as possible."

 

The 14-article MoU, which ended the joint US-Israeli war 

against Iran, also provides for the release of Iran’s 

frozen assets and the lifting of restrictions on 

its oil trade.

 

Under the agreement, both sides adopted a 60-day roadmap 

aimed at reaching a final settlement in high-level talks

 in Switzerland, on June 22nd. The negotiations also 

established a High-Level Committee to oversee 

implementation, supported by specialized 

working groups on nuclear issues 

and sanctions relief.

 

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman has declared that Tehran 

will monitor the US’ compliance with the war-termination 

memorandum of understanding (MoU) --- “moment
-by-moment.”

 

Meanwhile, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi 

arrived in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Wednesday as the head 

of a delegation to discuss implementation of the agreement 

and address challenges hindering its full execution.

 

The US Department of the Treasury issued a temporary 60-day 

general license authorizing the production, delivery, and sale 

of Iranian crude, petroleum products, and petrochemicals 

through August 21st, with the waiver notification 

explicitly allowing payments to be processed 

in dollar-denominated funds.

 

 

 

____________________________________

 

 

 

US-Israeli attacks --- damaged 

44 Iranian scientific centres, 

causing nearly $2 billion

 in losses

July 1st, 3:11pm

 (PressTV)

 

The recent US-Israeli attacks damaged 44 scientific and higher 

education centres across Iran, causing more than 33 trillion 

tomans (about $1.9 billion) in material losses, according

 to a senior official at Iran's Ministry of Science.

 

Afshin Safahan, head of the ministry's Legal Affairs, Bills and 

Parliamentary Affairs Centre, said they have completed the 

documentation process for the damage inflicted on the

universities and research institutions during the 

recent war on Iran and submitted the final 

report to the government.

 

"Yesterday, we completed the documentation process -- and 

submitted the final report to the government. Based on this 

report, 44 scientific and academic centres across the 

country were damaged, and the estimated material 

losses exceed 33 trillion tomans," he was quoted 

as saying by Mehr News Agency. 

 

Safahan said documenting the damage, was one 

of the ministry's primary responsibilities during 

the aggression. 

 

Specialized teams were formed at the outset, while 

prominent legal experts from both inside and 

outside Iran were invited to contribute to 

the documentation process, 

he explained. 

 

According to him, the affected institutions were

instructed to compile photographs, documents 

and other evidence..... under a 

standardized framework. 

 

"The records were then verified, in cooperation 

with the Judiciary, attorneys and members of 

the Centre for Legal Advisors to ensure their 

legal validity," he highlighted. 

 

He stressed: that the estimated 33 trillion tomans 

in losses covers only material damage and does 

not include psychological, emotional or other 

consequences resulting from the attacks.

 

Safahan added that the ministry also held meetings 

with members of parliament, including the 

Education, Research and Technology 

Commission --- and the National 

Security Commission, to brief 

lawmakers on its response 

& strengthen cooperation 

in the attacks' aftermath.

 

 

______________________________

 

 


Qalibaf hails Iran’s World Cup team 

performance amid US restrictions

July 1st, 2:22pm

 (PressTV)

 

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has 

praised the performance of Iran’s national football team 

at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, commending the players 

for their efforts despite the restrictions imposed by

 the tournament's co-host, the United States.

 

Qalibaf made the remarks in a message issued on 

Wednesday as the national team returned to Iran 

following its World Cup campaign.

 

He praised the players' "courage" and patriotism, saying 

they "defended the name of Iran on the grand stage of 

the World Cup, carried our country's national anthem 

to the ears of the world, and displayed the proud 

flag of Iran."

 

Qalibaf also noted that the team competed while mourning 

Imam Hussein (AS) and observing the rituals of Muharram, 

as well as grieving the martyrdom of the leader of the 

Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayeed Ali Khamenei 

and fellow compatriots who were assassinated 

during the US-Israeli aggression against Iran.

 

“In a situation where you were under all-out pressure, you 

fought with all your might and demonstrated the will, 

empathy, and commendable Iranian spirit,” 

Qalibaf said. 

 

He appreciated the “valuable efforts” of the Iranian players,

 the technical staff, and all those involved in the national 

team, saying “Return home with pride.”

 

Iran remained unbeaten in the group stage of the 2026 

FIFA World Cup but failed to collect enough points to 

advance to the knockout rounds.

 

The team captain Mehdi Taremi described the tournament 

as "a disaster World Cup" because of the restrictions 

imposed by the United States, saying FIFA failed
to address the team's difficulties.

 

"I mean, FIFA, they have to solve every problem here.... but 

unfortunately they could not solve it since the beginning," 

Taremi told a news conference on Friday, after Iran's 

draw against Egypt.

 

He said the team had been left without essential support staff. 

"We did not have our logistics people here. We always 

complained about these things.. but no one helped. 

No one," he said.

 

His remarks came after the US administration denied visas 

to key members of Iran's support staff and imposed 

severe travel restrictions on the team.

 

Under the restrictions, Iran was required to return to its base

 in Tijuana, Mexico, immediately after each match, after its 

original base camp in Arizona was ''relocated''.

 

 

______________________________________________

 

 

 

Hezbollah MP: US-sponsored 

Lebanon-Israel framework 

agreement 'null and void'

July 1st, 2:15pm

 (PressTV)

 

A Lebanese legislator from Hezbollah's political wing 

has sharply criticized the US-sponsored framework 

agreement between the Beirut government and 

the Tel Aviv regime, describing the deal as 

"null and void".

 

Ibrahim al-Moussawi, a member of the Loyalty to the 

Resistance Bloc, stated on Wednesday that "in the 

face of the immense sacrifices, steadfastness, 

loyalty, selflessness, morality, courage and 

valour offered by our fighters and martyrs 

... we find in the Lebanese authorities 

a bottomless depth of depravity 

and baseness."

 

The lawmaker lamented that the Lebanese authorities 

have "offered themselves cheaply and for nothing, 

submitting to American dictates and serving 

the Zionist project."

 

"This came after a regional equation imposed by the 

Islamic Republic of Iran, which serves Lebanon's 

interests - in terms of a ceasefire and the 

withdrawal of the Israeli enemy," 

Moussawi added.

 

"The framework agreement is an agreement of humiliation, 

shame, subservience and surrender. It is null and void, 

worthless ---- because it was born illegitimate.

 It violates the law, the constitution, and
the National Pact," he said.

 

On Friday, a US-sponsored framework agreement was signed 

by Beirut and Tel Aviv, which is intended to enable a gradual 

Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and to diminish 

hostilities along the border.

 

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, since March 2nd, 

Israel has been engaged in a military offensive in Lebanon 

that has resulted in the deaths of over 4,240 individuals, 

injured more than 12,190 others, and displaced more 

than 1 million people.






























Image: Founding Day of the Communist Party of China

 

 Today, July 1st, in 1921, 

 

the Communist Party of China,

 

is born.

 

Marxism–Leninism is the official ideology of the CCP.

 

According to the CCP, "Marxism–Leninism reveals 

the universal laws governing the development 

of history of human society."

 

To the CCP, Marxism–Leninism provides a "vision 

of the contradictions in capitalist society and 

of the inevitability of future socialist and 

communist societies".

 

According to the People's Daily, Mao Zedong Thought 

"is Marxism–Leninism applied & developed in China".

 

''Mao Zedong Thought was conceived not only by 

Mao Zedong, but by leading party officials,'' 

according to Xinhua News Agency.

 

 

Xi Jinping:

 

''First of all: Socialism with Chinese characteristics - is 

socialism, not any other "ism." The guiding principles 

of scientific socialism thus cannot be abandoned. 

Our Party has always emphasized adherence to 

the basic principles of scientific socialism, but 

adapted to the particular conditions of China. 

This means - that socialism with Chinese 

characteristics is socialism, not some 

other doctrine.''

 

 

''It was Marxism–Leninism, and Mao Zedong Thought, 

that guided the Chinese people out of the long night 

and established a New China, and it was socialism 

with Chinese characteristics, that led to the rapid 

development of China.''

 

 

''Why --- did the Soviet Union disintegrate? Why did the Communist

Party of the Soviet Union fall from power? An important reason 

was that the struggle in the field of ideology --- was extremely 

intense, completely negating the history of the Soviet Union, 

negating the history of the Communist Party of the Soviet 

Union, negating Lenin, negating Stalin, creating 

historical nihilism and confused thinking. 

Party organs at all levels had lost their 

functions, the military was no longer 

under Party leadership. In the end.. 

the Communist Party of the Soviet 

Union, a great party ------ was 

scattered, the Soviet Union, 

a great socialist country..

disintegrated. This, is 

a cautionary tale!''








1,150 health professionals, organizations

launch petition ---- to boycott Israeli 

medical association over 

Gaza genocide

June 26th, 4:20pm

 (PressTV)

 

More than 1,150 health professionals and medical organizations 

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

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

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

Gaza Strip.

 

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

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

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

abduction, and torture of Palestinian doctors, nurses, and 

first responders.

 

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

and the Health Advisory Council of Jewish Voice for Peace, 

the petition also calls for the WMA to suspend the Israeli 

body for its blatant failure.. to uphold core medical 

ethical standards.

 

Among the hundreds of signatories are Spain’s Health Workers 

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

the Health Alliance for Democracy in the Philippines.

 

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

leading medical journal, states that the IMA has violated 

medical ethics and international humanitarian law... in 

the besieged strip.

 

The Lancet noted that it could not find any public statements 

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

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

for a ceasefire, or responding to UN reports documenting 

genocide against the Palestinian people.

 

Instead, the IMA has repeatedly echoed Israeli regime talking 

points, including the unsubstantiated claim that the Hamas 

resistance movement uses hospitals as command centres.

 

In recent months, there has been a growing international 

campaign to suspend Israel from the WMA and boycott 

Israeli doctors and medical institutions.

 

A report by the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor,

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

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

 

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

institutional cover from the IMA, which not only failed to 

condemn the targeting of the health system but also 

lobbied to block international ceasefire calls, 

prioritizing military alignment ---- over its 

humanitarian duty to protect life.”

 

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

the largest Muslim civil rights organization in the US, welcomed 

international medical groups’ calls for Israel’s suspension from 

the WMA.

 

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

practicing physicians, published an open letter explicitly 

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

describing the territory’s health infrastructure as a 

“legitimate target.”

 

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

 

Al-Shifa Hospital was among dozens of medical facilities 

in Gaza that were repeatedly bombed and raided by 

Israeli forces. Scores of hospitals and health 

centres ---- were destroyed ---- or 

rendered inoperable.

 

In December 2024, Israeli troops stormed 

Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza.

 

According to Euro-Med Monitor, medical staff and 

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

executed during the raid.

 

The hospital director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, was 

abducted and remains in Israeli custody, where 

he is subjected to severe mistreatment ---- 

and torture.

 

The Israeli genocide in Gaza has effectively annihilated 

the Strip’s entire medical system. Airstrikes combined 

with a criminal blockade have pushed the remaining 

hospitals to the brink of total collapse, leaving 

critically injured patients...... without 

adequate care.

 

With severe shortages of medicine, equipment, and fuel, 

doctors in Gaza warn that many more lives will be lost 

as the Zionist regime’s siege continues to strangle 

the healthcare system.

 

The systematic targeting of civilian infrastructure, medical 

facilities, and densely populated areas by the Israeli 

occupation has been widely documented ---- as 

constituting genocide.



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_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.


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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