(Text-only) Rhondda Records Home Page

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 !

There will be no political

changes in Cuba, says

Diaz-Canel

Havana, June 27th, 1:37pm

(Prensa Latina)

President Miguel Diaz-Canel said today at the XXII Congress

of the Cuban Workers' Central (CTC), that in Cuba political

changes will never have a place in the midst of the

socioeconomic transformations undertaken.

The president, during the closing of the workers' meeting - at

the Convention Centre of this capital, assured that precisely

the transformations respond to "saving the Revolution and

its social conquests."

The measures are aimed at continuing the socialist

orientation of the economy, regardless of what

enemy propaganda claims, he said.

The malicious campaigns of the U.S.-funded media with

respect to Cuba to introduce neoliberal changes and

also to demand changes in the country's political

model - are clearly visible.

The head of state highlighted the overwhelming support in

Congress for the approved transformations. At the same

time, he stressed the need.. to create resources and

wealth... to continue socialist construction on the

island and preserve the achievements in health,

sports, and social justice, among others.

When delving into the improvement measures, the president

argued that it is a matter of implementing them well.

Moreover, they are not new, "nor do they respond,

much less to concessions, or to threats ----

from the United States".

On the subject, he remarked that "they do not respond

to a demand of the recent process of talks. It is a

sovereign decision of Cubans."

Díaz-Canel made a historical tour - of the aggressions and the

policy of asphyxiation against his country with a genocidal

blockade that is the longest in history and has led to the

complex situation that the island is facing now.

On the other hand, in the final session of the workers'

congress in the Caribbean nation, the new National

Council & Secretariat was elected, where Osnay

Colina, general secretary of the Central de

Trabajadores de Cuba, was elected.

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

Iraq sets September 30 deadline for

resistance groups, to hand over

arms ------- amid US pressure

June 29th, 5:48pm

(PressTV)

Iraq has set a late-September deadline for resistance groups

to hand over their weapons to the state, as Washington

pressures Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to expedite the

disarmament of anti-US factions.

"The end of next September will be the ultimate date for the

surrender of weapons," stated government spokesperson

Haider al-Aboudi during a press conference on Monday.

He added, "Simultaneously, the [US-led]

international coalition will withdraw."

Under Zaidi's leadership, the Iraqi government has initiated

a renewed effort to disarm armed groups and limit weapon

possession to state control. The initiative receives

substantial support from Washington, which has

long advocated for the disarmament of such

groups, many of which ....are part of the

anti-US Resistance in Iraq coalition.

Zaidi, who has received robust backing from the US

since assuming office in May, is scheduled to visit

Washington in mid-July.

Earlier in June, he met with US envoy to Iraq Tom Barrack,

where both emphasized the necessity of ensuring "the

complete disarmament and disbandment"

of non-state armed groups.

The disarmament process is also expected to coincides with

the withdrawal of the US-led coalition purportedly formed to

fight against the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group from Iraq, as

per an agreement between Washington and Baghdad.

Since the establishment of Iraq's new cabinet, several

resistance factions have expressed their willingness

to surrender their weapons, and integrate into the

state security apparatus.

The Iraqi government's deadline comes at the same time, as a

significant anti-corruption purge initiated by Zaidi, resulting
in the arrest ---- of at least 67 high-ranking officials and
lawmakers. Among those arrested was Muthanna
al-Samarrai, a prominent Sunni politician
and leader of the Azm Alliance.

"This anti-corruption narrative is distinct from its predecessors,

& safeguarding public funds is a duty that remains unaffected

by individuals or circumstances," Aboudi emphasized,

asserting that the anti-corruption campaign

"will not cease."

______________________________

Israel killing Palestinian children

in West Bank ----- at highest rate

since 1967: Report

June 29th, 4:29pm

(PressTV)

Israeli forces are killing Palestinian children and teenagers

in the occupied West Bank at the highest rate since 1967,

according to a new report by the Israeli rights group

B’Tselem.

Israeli rights group B'Tselem has released a new report

documenting around 60 cases in which Israeli forces

killed Palestinian children and teenagers in the

occupied West Bank... in 2025.

From October 7, 2023, when Israel launched its genocidal

war on the besieged Gaza Strip, to 28 June 2026, Israeli

forces killed 1,086 Palestinians in the occupied West

Bank and East al-Quds.

At least 241 of those killed were children and teenagers.

In addition, Israel continues to withhold the bodies of 18

of the 54 children and teenagers it killed in the West

Bank in 2025.

The majority of these children were

playing outside.... when they were

shot dead.

In one case, two-year-old Layla al-Khatib was sitting in

her mother’s lap inside her family home when an

Israeli soldier shot her in the head --------- in

January 2025.

The report also reveals... that in nearly one-quarter of the

documented cases from 2025, Israeli forces deliberately

prevented medical teams or local residents from

reaching wounded children and teenagers,

blocking life-saving assistance.

Nearly one in every four Palestinians killed by Israel in

the West Bank during this period - was a minor. This

represents the highest rate of child and teenager

killings in the West Bank since Israel occupied

the territory in 1967.

According to B'Tselem, these killings are not the result of

isolated mistakes or rogue violations of military orders.

They stem from an official Israeli policy - that deliberately

broadens the conditions under which soldiers may open

fire, including on children, and provides full backing to

those who use lethal force.

“The system does not merely back the shooters –

it effectively gives them a license to kill,” said

B'Tselem Executive Director, Yuli Novak.

She pointed to recent remarks by Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, head

of the army’s Central Command in the West Bank, who

boasted that “we are killing like we haven’t killed

since 1967.”

Bluth also claimed that “96% of those killed were

involved in terrorism,” a statement B'Tselem

dismissed as a “blatant lie.”

The group’s analysis of the minors killed in 2025

found no evidence that any of them posed a

threat or belonged to any militant group.

Despite the scale of the killings, B'Tselem is not aware of a

single indictment filed in Israeli-occupied territories since

October 2023 against any soldier or settler for the killing

of Palestinians in the West Bank, including cases

involving children and teenagers.

Data from the Israeli rights group Yesh Din confirms

that no Israeli has been indicted for killing a

Palestinian ....since October 2023.

A separate UN independent international commission of inquiry

report released last week concluded that “Israeli authorities

and forces have deliberately targeted Palestinian children”

---- amounting to genocide, crimes against humanity, and

war crimes in Gaza, and war crimes in the West Bank.

The aggression has not been limited to Gaza, where

more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed

(including 21,000 children).

In the West Bank, Israel has loosened its rules

of engagement .....and entrenched a system

of impunity.

By failing to hold Israel accountable for its mass killings

in Gaza, the ''international community'' has effectively

granted it a green light -- to pursue the same deadly

policy in the West Bank.

______________________________

Gaza couples - marry

amid ruins in Jabalia

June 29th, 4:28pm

by Minas Al Jabbour

Press TV, Gaza City

With up to 200 wedding halls destroyed across Gaza,

northern Gaza is sending a powerful message

of defiance.

In the heart of a devastated Jabalia camp, a charity

foundation has hosted a mass wedding for 150

couples. Minas Al Jabbour reports ---- from

Gaza City.

________________________________

Joint Iran-Oman committee

discusses Strait of Hormuz

coordination

June 29th, 3:53pm

(Al Mayadeen English)

Iran and Oman hold their first meeting of the joint Strait

of Hormuz committee to discuss future management,

maritime coordination, and navigational security.

The Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs ---- announced that the

joint Oman–Iran committee held its first meeting in Muscat

to exchange views on the future management of the

Strait of Hormuz and to discuss ways to enhance

coordination in line with the shared interests

of both countries.

According to the foreign ministry, the meeting addressed

frameworks for cooperation in maritime navigation,

given that both countries are littoral states of

the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International

Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said the first meeting of the

joint Strait of Hormuz committee with the Omani side

was held during his visit to Muscat.

According to Gharibabadi, the discussions emphasized - a

governance framework that duly considers the rights and

interests of all littoral states bordering the strategic

waterway.... within the framework of Article 5 of

the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

“While reviewing current issues related to the strait, we

exchanged views on the future management of the

strait within the framework of Article 5 of the

Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding

and the sovereign rights of littoral

states,” he said.

"The talks focused on cooperative management mechanisms

that uphold the legitimate rights of the coastal nations while

ensuring the strait remains a secure and stable passage,"

Gharibabadi added.

What is Article 5?

An excerpt of Article 5 of the MoU states that the Islamic

Republic of Iran will conduct dialogue with the Sultanate

of Oman to define the future administration and maritime

services in the Strait of Hormuz, in discussion with other

Gulf littoral states --- in line with the applicable

international law.. and the sovereign rights

of littoral states of the Strait of Hormuz.

The development follows earlier high-level engagements

between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and

his Omani counterpart, Badr al-Busaidi. The two top

diplomats previously agreed to launch a bilateral

dialogue aimed at defining the future of the

navigation services and administrative

oversight in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran and Oman had earlier reached a consensus to

establish the joint committee as part of their

ongoing follow-up to the MoU.

Source: Al Mayadeen English

_________________________________

Hezbollah Issues New Warning:

over Fresh Israeli Violations

June 29th, 11:20am

(al Manar)

Hezbollah issued a new warning, early on Monday

over continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire

in southern Lebanon, stressing that the

resistance group... is tracking

developments closely, and

reserves the right ------ to

defend the homeland

and its people.

In a statement, Hezbollah Military Media detailed multiple

incidents, including airstrikes on residential buildings in

Nabatieh and Mayfadoun, drone strikes on open land in

Froun, & the bombing of homes in Taybeh & Haddatha.

It also cited an explosion in Majdal Zoun, the use of stun

grenades near civilians - in Burj Qalawiya and Barashit,

and the dropping of suspicious objects over Nabatieh

Al-Fawqa and Kfar Tebnit.

“The Islamic Resistance reiterates that the enemy’s

actions constitute a blatant violation of the cease-

fire to which the Islamic Resistance has adhered

---- thus far,” the statement said.

“It is monitoring and documenting these violations

and reserves its right to defend its homeland

and people.”

Source: Al-Manar English Website

Today, June the 29th, is

The Seychelles --- has a very short human history: the first
humans settled on the islands only at the end of the 18th
century; before then the entire archipelago, was totally

uninhabited. Having first become a French colony and

then a British one.... the Seychelles saw the arrival..

along with the settlers... of numerous slaves from

various parts of Africa. This mix of nationalities

gave birth to a multicultural and multi-ethnic

nation, which now boasts an unspoiled

ecosystem...... and an incredible

variety of plant and animal

species, thanks to its

The Seychelles remained part of France, until 1814, when it

passed to the British. It is still possible to observe strong

French influences in the reality of the Seychelles, not

only in surnames and geographical names, but also

in the cuisine and language. In fact, French is one

of the official languages of the country ...and

represents the basis of Seychelles Creole.

In music & traditional dances, however,

the African imprint....... given by the

slaves of the time, is stronger.

After the Napoleonic wars - with the Treaty of Paris (1814) - the

Seychelles were ceded to Great Britain, albeit with the usual

French practices still in force. Having become British on

paper, in practice the islands maintained the culture

that had originated from the original slaves and

settlers; the French language also remained

dominant. Slavery still dealt with the

cultivation of coconut palms,

When slavery was abolished throughout the British territories

in 1835, several hundred freed African slaves arrived in the

Seychelles and went to work on the remaining plantations

in exchange for food rations and wages. They also helped

make the population of the Seychelles extremely diverse.

Another factor that contributed to the multiculturalism of

the Seychelles was the role that the islands played

during British control - as a place of exile for

political prisoners. Over the years.. the

Seychelles.. saw prisoners arriving

from places like Zanzibar, Egypt,

Cyprus and Palestine, to

The first elections in the Seychelles were held in 1948, after the

Seychelles had been partially separated from the British Crown.

At this time, stronger political awareness developed, which was

reflected in the following years by the increasing formation of

political parties - in 1967 the first completely independent

Seychellois elections were finally held. The Seychelles

remained with the British.... until 1976, when it

became an independent republic within

The Seychelles today

Thanks to their history, the Seychelles are now a dream holiday

destination, and a truly unique place in the world, not just

thanks to their cultural and ethnic diversity, but also

due to their enormous natural variety.

It is undeniable that the human settlement of the Seychelles

has damaged the ecosystem of the islands; several animal

species disappeared and part of the original vegetation

was destroyed in favour of timber production and

plantations (especially coconut and cinnamon).

These once profitable industries have declined over the years,

and the main sources of income in the Seychelles now are

tourism and fishing.

Today, sustainable tourism and rigorous nature conservation

and marine ecosystem conservation projects --- play an

important role in the Seychelles and ensure that

this paradise - is preserved.

1,150 health professionals, organizations

launch petition ---- to boycott Israeli

medical association over

Gaza genocide

June 26th, 4:20pm

(PressTV)

More than 1,150 health professionals and medical organizations

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

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

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

Gaza Strip.

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

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

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

abduction, and torture of Palestinian doctors, nurses, and

first responders.

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

and the Health Advisory Council of Jewish Voice for Peace,

the petition also calls for the WMA to suspend the Israeli

body for its blatant failure.. to uphold core medical

ethical standards.

Among the hundreds of signatories are Spain’s Health Workers

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

the Health Alliance for Democracy in the Philippines.

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

leading medical journal, states that the IMA has violated

medical ethics and international humanitarian law... in

the besieged strip.

The Lancet noted that it could not find any public statements

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

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

for a ceasefire, or responding to UN reports documenting

genocide against the Palestinian people.

Instead, the IMA has repeatedly echoed Israeli regime talking

points, including the unsubstantiated claim that the Hamas

resistance movement uses hospitals as command centres.

In recent months, there has been a growing international

campaign to suspend Israel from the WMA and boycott

Israeli doctors and medical institutions.

A report by the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor,

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

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

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

institutional cover from the IMA, which not only failed to

condemn the targeting of the health system but also

lobbied to block international ceasefire calls,

prioritizing military alignment ---- over its

humanitarian duty to protect life.”

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

the largest Muslim civil rights organization in the US, welcomed

international medical groups’ calls for Israel’s suspension from

the WMA.

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

practicing physicians, published an open letter explicitly

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

describing the territory’s health infrastructure as a

“legitimate target.”

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

Al-Shifa Hospital was among dozens of medical facilities

in Gaza that were repeatedly bombed and raided by

Israeli forces. Scores of hospitals and health

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

rendered inoperable.

In December 2024, Israeli troops stormed

Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza.

According to Euro-Med Monitor, medical staff and

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

executed during the raid.

The hospital director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, was

abducted and remains in Israeli custody, where

he is subjected to severe mistreatment ----

and torture.

The Israeli genocide in Gaza has effectively annihilated

the Strip’s entire medical system. Airstrikes combined

with a criminal blockade have pushed the remaining

hospitals to the brink of total collapse, leaving

critically injured patients...... without

adequate care.

With severe shortages of medicine, equipment, and fuel,

doctors in Gaza warn that many more lives will be lost

as the Zionist regime’s siege continues to strangle

the healthcare system.

The systematic targeting of civilian infrastructure, medical

facilities, and densely populated areas by the Israeli

occupation has been widely documented ---- as

constituting genocide.

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

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

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

His namesake is stammering his way in the opposite direction.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

ROGER WATERS
TO MUSICIANS:-
"BOYCOTT ISRAEL"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

____________________

www.wegottickets.com/thefactory

www.ticketweb.co.uk

browse venues in Wales

www.ticketlineuk.com

02920 230130

Cash tickets from:

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

For more details visit

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

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

Daytime Delights...

Starts at 1pm

The Parc & Dare, Treorchy

Lunchtime Concerts in the Lounge Bar.

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

Ticket information:

The Cultural Services Booking & Information Line:

08000 147 111
or book online at

www.rct-arts.co.ukÃ‚Â

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

Mid Rhondda Modelling Club...

7pm - 9pm

Tonyrefail Comprehensive School
Mid Rhondda Modelling Club

has been running for over 30 years.

We meet on a regular basis

& enjoy making models for display.

We encourage both Gentlemen

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

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

Ticket information

£1 contribution every week. Under 16's free

Telephone Mr. Davies on 01443 686658

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

Comedy In The Laughter Lounge

The Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy.

COMEDY IN THE LAUGHTER LOUNGE

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

Laugh? You'll snort like a pig!

Hilarious - TimeOut.

www.rct-arts.co.uk

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

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

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

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

______________________________________

Get Involved!

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

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

or this one:

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

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

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

_______________________________________

IF - YOU THINK you HAVE
BEEN UNFAIRLY BARRED:

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

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

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

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

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

https://www.electoralreform.co.uk

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

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

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

PONCY LABOUR MPS PROBLEM?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chris Bryant's voting record:
from TheyWorkForYou.com

On Tuition Fees:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On Human Rights:

Consistently voted for introducing ID cards

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

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

On the Environment:

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

On Special Interests:

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

Generally voted against a
statutory register of lobbyists

On War or Peace:

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

Consistently voted for the Iraq war

Consistently voted against an
investigation into the Iraq war

Generally voted for replacing Trident
with a new nuclear weapons system

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

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

On Independence:

Generally voted for more EU integration

____________________________

Chris Bryant Labour MP
From Wikipedia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

His pay, allowances and some expenses:

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

His MP's expenses story:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The research paper is published
in the Optics Express journal.

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

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

KILLING THE ELDERLY BY CLOSING CARE HOMES

Did you know that each time a local authority

closes a care home for the elderly, within 8

months, around half the residents are dead?

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

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

EDM 2251: The contents

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

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

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

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

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

MAKING THE CONNECTION IN WALES

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

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

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

So it's Broadband Heaven for England...

and crapola for Wales' broadband - the

slowest, worst Broadband in the UK !!!

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

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

free 'wireless' broadband?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A BIG DROP OF HONEY !!!

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

Waves of bees flit across vast fields of flowers.

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

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

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

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

It mainly produces honey, propolis and
propolis powder.

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

Some earn 200,000 yuan annually, Zhu says.

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

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

CHINA's PREMIER POINTS WAY FORWARD

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

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

China's premier points the way forward for Wales:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FARMING AND SCIENCE
COULD REGENERATE WALES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What have we got to lose?