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Journalist: To end war ------
prosecute UK, US officials
who wage(d) it illegally
October 22nd, 10:12pm (PressTV)
 
The world must finally put an end to the impunity of war
 criminals, by holding US and UK officials responsible 
for launching the illegal war on Iraq, done without
 the approval of the UN Security Council, and 
prosecuting them --- under the Nuremberg 
principles, US journalist Don DeBar said.
 
DeBar made the remarks in an interview with Press TV while
commenting on a report which has revealed that the British
military inquiries into abuse against Iraqi nationals... have
been closed without a single prosecution being brought,
even though the credibility of many "shocking and 
shameful incidents" during the war in the Middle 
Eastern country, have been confirmed.
 
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said in a statement 
this week that the Service Police Legacy Investigations, 
which was looking at claims of abuse in Iraq, had now 
"officially closed its doors."
 
In March 2003, the US and Britain invaded Iraq in blatant
 violation of international law and under the pretext of 
finding WMDs; but no such weapons were ever 
discovered in Iraq.
 
More than one million Iraqis were killed - as the result of
 the US-led invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq
--- according to the California-based investigative 
organization, Project Censored.
 
The US war in Iraq cost US taxpayers $1.7 trillion with
 an additional $490 billion in benefits owed to war
veterans, 
expenses that could grow to more than
$6 trillion over the
 next four decades counting
interest, according to a study
 called Costs of
War Project  ---  by the Watson Institute for 
International Studies at Brown University.
 
DeBar told Press TV that the Iraq war 
was illegal from the very beginning.
 
"It is illegal for a nation to make war on another nation if it 
does not have the approval of the UN Security Council, if 
any of those nations are signatories to the original UN 
Charter. And it’s been adopted - that happened with 
the US, as a charter member of the UN -- and it was 
approved by the US Senate in the 1940s.

Consequently, 
the US involvement in Iraq from
the beginning, and 
the UK involvement in Iraq
from the beginning, 
was illegal,” he said.
 
“And under the Nuremberg standards, which would then
 apply, each and every death consequent – intentional 
or not - to either US or UK military action there, or 
condoning of the US action there, by the media 
or public officials, or any act facilitating that, 
is an individual war crime. And, by the way,
 there’s a death penalty for that,” the 
journalist noted.
 
“No one will prosecute these people. That’s why I started
 with the word impunity. And we might bookend with that
 because that’s the problem. And until the world puts an
 end to that impunity, until the world sees the major 
contradiction in all international relations, is US, 
UK, and EU imperialism, then it’s going to 
continue until this eats our species,” 
he stated.
 
A damning White House memo had revealed details of the
 so-called “deal in blood” forged by former British Prime
 Minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush
 over the Iraq war.
 
The document, titled “Secret... Memorandum for the
 President”, was sent by then-US Secretary of State 
Colin Powell to President Bush on March 28th,
2002, 
a week before Bush’s summit with Blair
at his 
Crawford ranch in Texas.
 
The sensational memo, revealed that Blair had agreed to
 support the war a year before the invasion even started
 while publicly, the British prime minister was working
to
 find a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
 
The document also disclosed that Blair agreed to act as a
 spin doctor for Bush and convince a skeptical public that 
Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein had Weapons of Mass
 Destruction, which actually did not exist.
 
In response, Bush would flatter Blair and give the 
impression that London was not Washington’s 
poodle but an equal partner in the
 “special relationship.”
 
Powell told Bush that Blair “will be with us” on the 
Iraq war, and assured the president that “"the UK 
will follow our lead in the Middle East."
 
Blair has always denied the claim that he and Bush 
signed a deal “in blood”, at Crawford, to launch a 
war against Iraq that began on March 20th, 2003, 
that has killed hundreds of thousands of people.
 
The Powell memo, however, showed how Blair and 
Bush secretly prepared the Iraq war plot behind 
closed doors at Crawford.
 
Powell told Bush: “He will present to you the strategic, 
tactical and public affairs lines, that he believes will 
strengthen global support for our common cause.”
 

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

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

000000000000000000000

 
Hezbollah: Firm Stance of Resistance 
Confronted Foreign-dictated 
Disarmament Scheme
September 15th, 12:22pm
(al Manar)
 
Political aide of Hezbollah Secretary General, Hussein Al-Khalil, 
said on Monday that the so-called issue of “arms monopoly” in 
Lebanon is another form of foreign dictates, stressing that 
such dictates contradict with both the ministerial 
statement and the inauguration address.
 
In an interview with Al-Nour radio, Al-Khalil said that “Lebanon is 
being blackmailed with livelihood conditions, reconstruction, 
and even the funding of its army by some of the 5-member 
committee” tasked to monitor the ceasefire between 
Lebanon and the Zionist entity.
 
He stated that “the great suffering we are experiencing in Lebanon 
today is that some senior officials are living under a guardianship 
regime --- in every sense of the word.”
 
“Successive governments have implemented the Taif Agreement 
since 1990 and have given the right to resistance with its army 
and people,” Al-Khalil said, noting that “some violate the Taif 
Agreement --- and interpret it as they wish.”
 
Affirming that the “Taif Agreement stipulates the necessity for the 
Lebanese authorities to confront the Israeli occupation and stop 
Israeli attacks,” he wondered: “Where the Lebanese authorities
are --- in this regard?”
 
“We said that the disarmament decision is a grave sin, because it 
places Lebanon at the mercy of the storms desired by the global 
arrogant powers,” the senior Hezbollah official 
told Al-Nour radio.
 
He stressed that the firm stance of the resistance and its allies 
prevented the authorities from implementing the foreign-
imposed dictates - regarding the disarmament of 
the resistance.
 
In this context, Al-Khalil praised Speaker Nabih Berri --- over his 
pioneering and decisive positions, underlining the importance 
of unity between Hezbollah and Amal Movement, known as 
the national duo.
 
Meanwhile, Al-Khalil hailed the great support of the resistance’s 
popular base, stressing that Hezbollah relies on a “strong and 
solid pillar, which is the large popular base which includes 
families of the martyrs and the people.”
 
He pointed to the stance of the Lebanese Army 
commander in this regard, describing his 
position ...as wise.
 
“The position of the army commander 
contributed to de-escalation.”
 
Al-Khalil affirmed, meanwhile, that there are fundamental issues 
that must be addressed, “most notably the cessation of Israeli 
attacks, the complete Israeli withdrawal from occupied 
Lebanese territory, reconstruction, and releasing 
the prisoners.”
 
“Lebanon, given its geographic location, remains in the eye of the 
storm, as it borders occupied Palestine with an Israeli enemy 
that does not stop its attacks and its large expansionist 
project,” he said, calling for unity among government, 
political powers and people to confront the occupier.
 
The Israeli enemy continues to bomb Lebanon, mainly the country’s
 south, almost daily and maintains occupation over 5 posts along 
the southern border, in violation of a ceasefire deal reached 
after a brutal 66-day Israeli war between September 
and November 2024.
 
In addition to the Israeli violations, the Lebanese State has been
 subjected to unprecedented pressure by the US, the first 
sponsor of the Zionist entity, to disarm Hezbollah.
 
 
Source: Al-Manar English Website
 
 
______________________________________
 
 
 
Iran Nuclear Chief Warns: 
Harsher Response to 
Future Attacks
September 15th, 12:16pm
(al Manar)
 
At the IAEA General Conference, Iran’s nuclear chief 
Mohammad Eslami warned that Tehran will deliver 
an even harsher response -- if the US or Israel 
repeat their attacks, stressing -- that Iran’s 
nuclear science won’t be erased by force.
 
He made the remarks at the 69th IAEA General Conference, 
which opened in Vienna with senior representatives from 
member states.
 
We expect the conference to defend Iran’s rights and 
condemn the illegal actions of the Zionist regime 
and the US, he said.
 
“Early on Friday, June 13, the Zionist regime launched a military 
attack on my country. Israel targeted safeguarded nuclear 
facilities,” the Iranian nuclear chief said. “The whole 
world witnessed - that the proud armed forces of 
Iran - shattered the awe and hegemony of the 
criminals and gave crushing responses to 
the [Israeli] regime and the US. If they 
commit a mistake again, Iran’s
 response will be even 
more crushing.”
 
The head of the Atomic Energy Organization stated that nuclear 
science and knowledge in Iran will not be destroyed by military 
operations, aggression, and terror, saying, “The goal of the 
child-killing Zionist regime’s operations.. is not only to 
destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities, but has always 
sought to destroy the path of diplomacy 
and peace.”
 
He called Israel’s attacks on Iran an unprecedented violation 
in the IAEA’s history and a blatant breach of Article 2(4) of 
the UN Charter, as well as multiple UN Security Council 
and IAEA resolutions.
 
Eslami further criticized the UN Security Council and IAEA Board 
of Governors for failing to adopt a firm stance against these 
attacks due to US political pressure, arguing that this 
has seriously harmed the non-proliferation 
and safeguards system.
 
“Iran’s cooperation with the Agency has been extensive and 
consistent. The latest Director General’s report before the 
aggression (GOV/2025/25) — despite our serious 
considerations regarding its content — also 
does not establish any violation of Iran’s 
safeguards, obligations...... or any 
diversion in nuclear material. 
 
''The report explicitly confirmed that there is 
------- no evidence of a nuclear weapons 
development program in Iran.”
 
He added that regrettably, in his so-called comprehensive report, 
the IAEA Director General made not even a single reference to 
the “Final Assessment” of 2015 and the Board of Governors’ 
resolution GOV/2015/72, in which the Board legally and 
explicitly declared all past issues closed.
 
 “It is as if the Agency has completely ignored such a resolution. 
“Even the Agency itself referred to this resolution in a letter to 
Iran regarding verification activities. If this is not an 
unprofessional and biased approach, then 
what is?”
 
“Despite our formal correspondence and the submission of a 
request to strongly condemn attacks on Iran’s safeguarded 
nuclear facilities ---- documented in INFCIRC/1301 ---- the 
Agency failed to condemn these illegal actions, could 
not protect the integrity of its safeguards system, 
and failed to fulfill its Statutory mission. This 
silence and inaction.... will remain a 
disgraceful stain in the history 
of the Agency.”
 
“The recent Director General’s report confirms --- that, as a direct 
result of the aggressive actions carried out by the United States 
and the Israeli regime - against safeguarded nuclear facilities, 
inspections and verification activities have been suspended. 
It must therefore be emphasized that the principal cause of 
the suspension of inspections and verification activities of 
the Agency -- is the unlawful use of force against Iran’s 
nuclear facilities by the US and the Israeli regime. 
 
''Our Parliament --- due to national security considerations and 
in response to the profound shift in the security environment 
created by these military aggressions ------ approved the 
suspension of activities related to Agency safeguards. 
This does not mean withdrawal from the NPT. Iran 
remains a state party to this Treaty; however, 
the continuation.. of cooperation with the 
Agency - will be pursued through new 
arrangements ---- once the security 
concerns of the nation ----- and its 
nuclear facilities are addressed.”
 
 
 
Source: IRNA
 
 
 
___________________________________
 
 
 
Relentless Assault on Gaza City 
Claims Dozens ------- as Israeli 
Shelling Intensifies
September 15th, 11:53am
(al Manar)
 
A severe escalation of Israeli bombardments - has gripped Gaza
 City since dawn on Monday, claiming the lives of at least 28 
Palestinians across the Strip and unleashing a new wave 
of terror and destruction in the besieged enclave.
 
The aggression has concentrated its fury on the northern regions, 
with intense shelling, airstrikes, and the use of controversial 
toxic smoke bombs reported...... in multiple residential 
neighbourhoods. The violence ---- aims to force the 
remaining residents to flee under fire, according 
to on-the-ground reports.
 
Carnage in Residential Areas and Displacement Camps
 
The brutality of the assault was starkly evident in central Gaza City.
Six Palestinians - including 3 children - were martyred when Israeli 
occupation forces bombed a displacement tent behind the Capital 
Mall in Al-Rimal neighbourhood. In a separate attack on Al-Jalaa 
Street, a strike on two houses resulted in ten fatalities and 
numerous injuries.
 
Further north, the vicinity of the Sheikh Radwan Pool, was a scene 
of chaos, targeted by artillery shelling and “booby-trapped robots” 
detonated by the Israeli army. An airstrike in the same area killed 
five people.
 
Tactics of Terror and Forced Displacement
 
The Israeli occupation military’s tactics - appear explicitly designed 
to accelerate a forced exodus. Palestinian media reported the use 
of “toxic smoke bombs” on residential areas --- to compel people 
to leave.
 
This strategy is most evident in the Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood, 
south of Gaza City, which has been subjected to a relentless 
barrage. Over the past hours, the area has seen massive
bombing operations, the detonation of multiple 
booby-trapped robots, and ground incursions 
by Israeli forces, creating a state of panic.
 
Violence Spreads Across the Strip
 
The aggression is not confined to the north. Israeli artillery struck 
individuals collecting firewood near the al-Maghraqa area, killing 
one and underscoring the peril of daily survival.
 
The eastern neighbourhoods, like al-Shuja’iyya, faced heavy 
machine gun fire from Israeli vehicles, alongside artillery 
shelling. Meanwhile, in the central Gaza Strip, artillery 
hit the Nuseirat refugee camp and an airstrike 
struck east of Deir al-Balah.
 
Even the south, including parts of Khan Yunis and the supposed 
“safe zone” of al-Mawasi --- saw Israeli raids and reports of 
casualties from gunfire, shattering any notion of refuge 
for Gaza’s beleaguered population.
 
Health Ministry: Gaza’s Patients Trapped by Hunger
 
Palestinian Ministry of Health has said that patients and
the wounded in the Gaza Strip are trapped within a 
“triangle of terror”: hunger, bombardment, and 
deprivation of medical care.
 
In a statement issued on Monday, the ministry warned that the 
current status of essential medicines and medical supplies 
has surpassed crisis levels ----------- and reached 
catastrophic proportions.
 
It emphasized that medical teams in hospitals cannot continue 
working with depleted stocks of essential drugs and supplies.
 
 
 
Source: Al-Manar and agencies
 
 
 
____________________________________
 
 
 
Doha Hosts Emergency Summit as 
Arab-Islamic Bloc Condemns 
Israeli Aggression
September 15th, 10:49am
(al Manar)
 
An emergency Arab-Islamic summit commenced in Doha 
on Monday, convened in a powerful show of solidarity 
following what participants have labeled a cowardly
 Israeli aggression that struck the Qatari capital 
last Tuesday.
 
The high-stakes gathering, which brings together leaders 
from across the region -- is poised to issue a strong 
collective statement condemning the attack that 
targeted the residential headquarters of several 
leaders of the Islamic Resistance Movement
(Hamas). The summit underscores a firm 
rejection ---- of the violation of Qatar’s 
sovereignty, and its pivotal role as a 
mediator in the ongoing war on the 
Gaza Strip.
 
A Summit of “Solidarity and Consequence”
 
In a statement, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs framed the 
summit as a pivotal moment, noting it “reflects the broad Arab 
and Islamic solidarity with the State of Qatar in confronting 
the cowardly Israeli aggression” --- and the “categorical 
rejection of these countries of the state terrorism 
practiced by Israel.”
 
The mood was set during a preparatory meeting of foreign ministers
 held on Sunday --- where diplomats drafted the condemnation to be 
presented to the leaders. In his address, Qatari Prime Minister and 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman 
Al Thani declared that the international community’s inability 
to hold Israel accountable -------------  only encourages its 
continued aggression.
 
“The aggression must not be tolerated,” he stated, calling 
for “concrete measures to halt the enemy’s aggression.”
 
 Unified Condemnation from Regional Leaders
 
Echoing this sentiment, the Arab League Secretary-General, Ahmed 
Aboul Gheit delivered a scathing condemnation, characterizing the 
attack as an act that “combines cowardice, treachery, and 
foolishness.” He emphasized that the solidarity stems 
from deep appreciation for Qatar’s “important, 
necessary, and valued role” in mediating
 a truce alongside Egypt.
 
Speakers throughout the preparatory meeting unanimously 
emphasized -- their categorical rejection of the Israeli 
operation and urged the summit’s leaders to adopt
 “deterrent measures” against Israel.
 
Beyond the Immediate Crisis
 
While the immediate catalyst is the recent attack, the 
extraordinary summit..... is also seen as a critical 
juncture to strengthen Arab-Islamic solidarity 
and propel joint action to confront broader
 regional challenges.
 
The significance of the event --- is reflected in the intense media 
spotlight, with over 200 local and foreign journalists and media 
professionals converging on Doha to cover the proceedings.
 
The Israeli attack that targeted the residential headquarters of 
Hamas leaders in Doha last Tuesday was widely condemned 
by Arab and international observers, as it constitutes a 
violation of Qatar’s sovereignty, a breach of relevant
international laws and conventions, and an attack 
on a state... that plays a mediating role in the 
truce between the Palestinian resistance 
and the Israeli occupation.
 
 
 
Source: Agencies (edited and 
translated by Al-Manar 
English Website)
 




Over 1,300 Artists Pledge Boycott 
of Israeli Film Institutions ---- 
as Gaza War Escalates
September 9th, 5:58am
(teleSUR)
 
More than 1,300 artists, among them Mark Ruffalo, Riz 
Ahmed, and Tilda Swinton, have pledged to cut ties 
with Israeli film institutions accused of complicity
 in violations against Palestinians.
 
More than 1,300 artists, including high-profile Hollywood actors 
and filmmakers, have pledged to withdraw from Israeli film 
institutions accused of supporting violations against 
Palestinians, as Israel’s war on Gaza enters its 
23rd month.
 
The initiative, announced Monday, brings together figures such 
as Olivia Colman, Ayo Edebiri, Mark Ruffalo, Riz Ahmed, Tilda 
Swinton, and Javier Bardem. Their statement condemned 
what they called the “unrelenting horror” in Gaza, where 
Israeli attacks have killed over 64,000 Palestinians and 
devastated most of the enclave.
 
“Inspired by Filmmakers United Against Apartheid who refused 
to screen their films in apartheid South Africa, we pledge not 
to screen films, appear at or otherwise work with Israeli film 
institutions – including festivals, cinemas, broadcasters and 
production companies – that are implicated in genocide and 
apartheid against the Palestinian people,” the 
declaration read.
 
The signatories defined complicity as “whitewashing or justifying 
genocide and apartheid, and/or partnering with the government 
committing them.” The pledge also cited International Court 
of Justice findings that the genocide case against Israel is 
legally plausible -------- and reaffirmed the illegality of the 
occupation of Palestinian territory.
 
Human rights groups, academics, and UN experts have repeatedly
 accused Israel of committing genocide, one of the gravest war 
crimes defined by the United Nations as acts carried out “with 
intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical,
 racial or religious group.”
 
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Mike Lerner described the initiative 
as a “non-violent tool” to challenge impunity. “It is the 
responsibility of every independently minded artist 
to use whatever powers of expression they 
possess to support the global resistance 
to overcome this horror,” he said.
 
The boycott reflects a shift within an industry long known for 
pro-Israel narratives. Hollywood.. once produced films such 
as the 1960 feature Exodus that glorified Israel’s founding, 
and has frequently embedded positive references to the 
country in mainstream productions. Yet recent years 
have seen actors and directors, openly criticize 
Israeli policies, often at a professional cost.
 
In 2023, Susan Sarandon, who signed the current pledge, was 
dropped by her talent agency after attending a Palestine 
solidarity rally. Actress Melissa Barrera, another 
signatory, lost her role in the Scream franchise 
following social media posts critical of Israel.
 
At the same time, Palestinian stories are gaining visibility. In 
March, the Israeli-Palestinian co-production No Other Land,
 documenting the destruction of Masafer Yatta in the 
occupied West Bank, won the Academy Award for 
best documentary feature. In September, The 
Voice of Hind Rajab — recounting the final 
calls of a five-year-old Palestinian girl.. 
before she and her family were killed 
by Israeli forces — received a 23-
minute standing ovation at the 
Venice Film Festival.
 
The artists’ statement concluded: “As filmmakers, actors, film 
industry workers, and institutions, we recognise the power 
of cinema to shape perceptions. In this urgent moment of 
crisis, where many of our governments are enabling the 
carnage in Gaza, we must do everything we can, to 
address complicity in that unrelenting horror.”
 
The collective action -- adds cultural weight to mounting calls for 
accountability, as artists mobilize their influence to challenge 
Israel’s conduct in Gaza and spotlight Palestinian voices on
 the global stage.
 
 
_________________________________________



Spain to ban ships, planes 
carrying arms for Israel 
over Gaza genocide
September 8th, 11am
(PressTV)
 
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced 
new measures aimed at mounting pressure on the 
Israeli regime to halt its ongoing genocide of 
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
 
Sanchez said on Monday that Madrid aims to heap pressure 
on the Tel Aviv regime --- by banning ships and planes 
carrying weapons for Israel and transporting fuel 
from calling at Spanish ports or entering 
Spanish airspace.
 
In addition, Madrid will increase aid to the Palestinian Authority 
and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine 
Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) by €10 million, & commit 
€150 million in additional humanitarian aid for Gaza in 2026.
 
Madrid will also impose an embargo on goods made in Israeli 
settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
 
Sanchez said in a televised speech on Monday, that these 
measures are aimed at stopping “the genocide in Gaza, 
pursuing its perpetrators and supporting the 
Palestinian population.”
 
“What Israel is doing is not defending itself, it is 
exterminating a defenseless population,” 
Sanchez declared.
 
He said he hoped the new measures --- would serve to add 
pressure on Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, 
“to alleviate some of the suffering that the Palestinian
 population is enduring.”
 
“We know these measures will not be enough to put an end 
to the war crimes ---- but we hope they serve to apply 
pressure to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 
and alleviate the suffering of the 
Palestinian people.”
 
Sanchez warned --- that Madid will ban anyone 
who has participated directly in the genocide 
of Palestinians in Gaza from entering 
the country.
 
The Spanish prime minister said Madrid will continue to try
 its best to stop the ongoing genocide in Gaza. “Spain 
alone cannot stop the war, but that doesn’t mean 
we can’t try.”
 
US ambassador calls Israeli genocide
 in Gaza 'heaven vs. hell' battle
 
The US ambassador to Israel has described the genocide in 
Gaza as a “battle of the ages” and a “heaven vs. hell” battle.
 
The United States has been the main supplier of direct and 
indirect aid to the Israeli genocide in Gaza --- supplying Tel 
Aviv with funds, arms, ammunition and diplomatic support.
 
The US ambassador to Israel has even gone as far as justifying 
the Gaza genocide as a holy war against Muslims. The top 
American diplomat in the occupied Palestinian land 
resonates Crusades-era remarks, claiming it is
 the spiritual duty of a pious Christian to join 
in the conflict, likening it to a “heaven 
vs. hell” battle.
 
Since Tel Aviv launched the genocide... in October 2023, 
some 64,400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, 
have been killed.
 
Netanyahu, who faces an international arrest warrant 
for the Gaza genocide and numerous war crimes and 
crimes against humanity ------ claims that he is 
''eradicating terrorists''.
 
 
_________________________________________________


Scottish Parliament Backs
 Full Boycott of Israel 
Over Gaza War
September 5th, 7:02am
(teleSUR)
 
The Scottish Parliament has approved a sweeping 
boycott of Israel and related companies, 
combining sanctions ---- with new 
humanitarian commitments
 for Gaza.
 
The Scottish Parliament has voted to impose an immediate
 and total boycott of Israel and companies linked to its 
military campaign in Gaza, underscoring a rare 
parliamentary stand in Europe against the 
ongoing war.
 
The motion, introduced by the Scottish Green Party, was 
approved with 62 votes in favour and 31 against. Many 
Labour and Liberal Democrat members abstained (sic)
while the Scottish Conservatives opposed it. 
 
The resolution calls on both the Scottish and UK governments 
to adopt boycotts, divestment strategies and sanctions 
targeting Israel and businesses deemed complicit
 in its actions.
 
The measure was supported by the Scottish Greens and the 
Scottish National Party (SNP), and included an amendment 
from External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson, calling 
for recognition of an independent Palestinian state.
 
Green MSP Patrick Harvie, who tabled the motion, said he 
hoped the vote would influence broader European debate. 
 
“Palestinians are starving and being massacred daily, as 
part of a campaign of collective punishment and ethnic 
cleansing. It is our duty to act, he told The National.
 
First Minister John Swinney pledged concrete steps alongside 
the boycott, announcing that Scotland will block public 
funding to companies supplying arms to Israel. He 
also committed £400,000 to the “Gaza HOPES 
Field Preparation Centre” in Scotland, to 
support the establishment of a rapid-
deployment field hospital for Gaza.
 
“We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe of historic
 proportions,” Swinney said. “The world.. cannot wait for
definitive judicial ruling to act. A genocide is taking
place
 and recognizing that reality, comes with the 
responsibility to act. The people of Scotland ---
expect no less.”
 
Following the vote, the Palestinian flag was raised 
outside St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh, in a 
symbolic act of solidarity.
 
Since October 2023, Israel’s assault on Gaza has killed 
64,231 Palestinians and injured 161,583, the majority 
women and children, according to figures cited in 
the debate.
 
By adopting a full boycott and pledging humanitarian 
support, Scotland has placed itself among the first 
European governments --- taking direct political 
action against Israel’s war in Gaza.
 
 
Source: HispanTV

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of the genocidal colonial apartheid state of Israel.

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Stan Bootle's Birth Day

 
Today, September 15th, in 1929,
 
Stan Bootle,
a.k.a. Stan Kelly and 
Stan Kelly-Bootle....
 
folk singer and composer, football agent, 
documentary-maker, humourist, writer,
computer programmer, 
lexicographer
and historian 
of ''Scouse''.... 
 
is born.
 
Stan, the son of a plumber, was a star pupil at Liverpool Institute 
who, after doing national service in the army, went to Downing 
College, Cambridge, completing a science and mathematics 
degree and then one of the first graduate diplomas in 
computer sciences, in 1954.
 
He progressed to programming on the EDSAC computer system, 
worked for IBM, lectured at Warwick University, and in 1970 
became head of university systems at Sperry Univac.
 
But Stan... had another life - as under his alternative name, Stan
Kelly, he sang alongside some big names of British folk music 
and composed several songs, most notably Liverpool Lullaby 
("Oh you are a mucky kid ..."), recorded by both Judy Collins 
and Cilla Black. In 1959 he co-produced the award-winning 
Morning on the Streets, a film about life in Liverpool.
 
With the musicologist Fritz Spiegl, Kelly recorded the sounds of 
Liverpool FC's famous terrace, the Kop, and collaborated on 
several How to Speak Scouse/Lern Yerself Scouse books, 
which reflected the city's popularity at the time. He was 
also, briefly, the agent for Kevin Keegan and other 
Liverpool football players -- and produced the 
first football recorded information phone
 service, Soccer-Dial.
 
The tension of being the corporate "Bootle", and the creative "Kelly"
resolved itself with his third persona, Stan Kelly-Bootle, who -- as a 
freelance operator could maintain an interest in all 3 of his worlds:
computers, music - & football. Moving to San Francisco in the late 
70s, Stan was among the first Britons to make his presence felt 
in Silicon Valley, California, as a technical consultant, prolific 
columnist and writer of books..... including the highly 
successful Computer Contradictionary, in 1995. 
He established contacts with the US's folk 
music establishment --- meeting or 
performing with.... Tom Clancy, 
Pete Seeger and Tom Lehrer, 
a fellow mathematician.
 
On his return to Britain -- in 2004, SKB, as he was known, continued 
to write for both US and British journals, his most popular column 
being Devil's Advocate in Unix Review, and re-established his 
connections with the English folk scene, performing at 
festivals around the country.
 
 
''Computer Contradictionary' .....one entry:
 
multimedia n. An application attacking all five senses 
of the user - sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch -
but especially, smell.



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

His namesake is stammering his way in the opposite direction.



VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV


ROGER WATERS
TO MUSICIANS:-
"BOYCOTT ISRAEL"


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

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

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


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

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


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


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

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



____________________



AT THE FACTORY

Tickets from

www.wegottickets.com/thefactory

www.ticketweb.co.uk

browse venues in Wales

www.ticketlineuk.com

02920 230130

Cash tickets from:

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

For more details visit

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


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


Daytime Delights...

Starts at 1pm
The Parc & Dare, Treorchy

Lunchtime Concerts in the Lounge Bar.

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

Ticket information:
The Cultural Services Booking & Information Line:
08000 147 111
or book online at
www.rct-arts.co.uk 


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


Mid Rhondda Modelling Club...


7pm - 9pm

Tonyrefail Comprehensive School
Mid Rhondda Modelling Club
has been running for over 30 years.

We meet on a regular basis
& enjoy making models for display.

We encourage both Gentlemen
and Ladies to attend,
and also young people aged 12+.
However, Young people under 16,
must be accompanied by an adult.


Ticket information
£1 contribution every week. Under 16's free

Telephone Mr. Davies on 01443 686658


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


 Comedy In The Laughter Lounge

The Park & Dare Theatre, Treorchy.

COMEDY IN THE LAUGHTER LOUNGE

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

rising comedians on the circuit.

Laugh? You'll snort like a pig!


Hilarious - TimeOut.

www.rct-arts.co.uk



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

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

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

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


______________________________________

Get Involved!

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

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


or this one:

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



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

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


_______________________________________




IF - YOU THINK you HAVE
BEEN UNFAIRLY BARRED:


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

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

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

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

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

https://www.electoralreform.co.uk

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

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


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


PONCY LABOUR MPS PROBLEM?

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

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

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

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


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

- and their anti-Corbyn slant is hobbling Labour.


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

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


CHRIS BRYANT - SUPPORT THE MEMBERS'

LEADERSHIP CHOICE & POLICIES - OR GO!

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


Chris Bryant's voting record:
from TheyWorkForYou.com

On Tuition Fees:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


On Human Rights:

Consistently voted for introducing ID cards

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

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


On the Environment:

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


On Special Interests:

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

Generally voted against a
statutory register of lobbyists


On War or Peace:

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

Consistently voted for the Iraq war

Consistently voted against an
 investigation into the Iraq war

Generally voted for replacing Trident
 with a new nuclear weapons system

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

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


On Independence:

Generally voted for more EU integration

____________________________
   

Chris Bryant Labour MP
From Wikipedia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


His pay, allowances and some expenses:

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


His MP's expenses story:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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.


BRICS

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 !!!


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!



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 !!!



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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