2008FEB13 - Noteworthy News - Fly In News

1. FN…Myanmar sets timeline for democratic elections. On Saturday, Myanmar leaders announced that a referendum would be held in May to make way for a general election in 2010. This would be the first democratic election in Myanmar in 20 years.

Congratulations Myanmar leaders and citizens for this truly positive step. May your evolving process bring a peaceful reconciliation throughout the country, with Heaven’s abundant blessings.

2. FN…China and Russia draft agreement to ban weapon deployment in outer space. At a UN-sponsored disarmament conference, China and Russia submitted a proposed international treaty that would prevent the placement of any weapons in outer space. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi urged other member states to seriously consider this Sino-Russian draft accord.

We respectfully laud China and Russia for your commitment to peace on Earth. May harmony and happiness reign supreme among all nations.

3. FN…Jan Eliasson receives high honor from Spain. The United Nations Special Envoy for Darfur, Jan Eliasson, has been awarded one of the highest honors from Spain’s government for his works in diplomacy and humanitarianism. The Order of Queen Isabel the Catholic was given to Mr. Eliasson for his mediation and relief efforts in Darfur.

You have our accolades and appreciation, Jan Eliasson, for this well-deserved honor. May Heaven reward your noble service to the world’s citizens with meaningful change and lasting peace for all.

4. FN…China forgives debts. Last year, China waived 374 debts for 49 countries in Africa, Asia, the South Pacific and the Caribbean. The debt relief is meant to improve the financial situation and ease poverty for the nations’ peoples.

Our sincerest thank you and Heaven bless China for your kind and generous heart. May China and the countries benefiting from your benevolence be abundantly endowed with prosperity, happiness and bright futures.

5. FN…New European space lab is inaugurated. After an eight-hour spacewalk on Monday, astronauts successfully attached Europe’s Columbus Laboratory to the International Space Station. The 7-meter long laboratory contains medical, pharmaceutical, and physics equipment to be used in future research. Of the newly established connection, German crewmember Hans Schlegel said, “It starts a new era.”

Congratulations international space crewmates on the successful addition of the Columbus Laboratory! May your missions continue to be guided in safety and bring many benefits to humankind.

6. FN…Formosa (Taiwan) receives largest group of Chinese tourists. Formosa welcomed 790 tourists who arrived by ship in the largest group from China to ever visit. Double-entry visas were also granted for the first time, as the ship docked first on Monday evening at Keelung Harbor and at Kaohsiung Harbor the following day. This visit’s success may initiate a relaxation of Formosa’s current 1,000 visitor limit.

Hats off, Formosa, for your open-door policy in welcoming Chinese visitors to enjoy your beautiful lands. May this peaceful exchange be blessed as the beginning of ever-expanding warm relations.

7. FN…US volunteers temporarily foster animals for the Humane Society. Volunteers in Vigo County, Indiana provide shelter for animals until they are ready to be adopted through the Humane Society. This fostering program benefits the animals, especially those needing care for longer periods due to illness or conditions such as pregnancy. Sheryl Shaver, a volunteer foster mom, said, “When they’ve been in the home environment, people can see what kind of dog they’re really going to be.”

Our hearts are grateful and touched, foster families, for welcoming these deserving animals with open arms to a safe haven. May the Most High bless your kindness and help all orphaned animals find their way into forever loving caregivers’ homes.

8. FN…The prime minister of Canada sends Âulạcese (Vietnamese) Tết greeting. In a letter addressed to the Aulacese community in Canada for the Lunar New Year of the Rat, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said: “The Vietnamese community is a significant part of the Canadian cultural landscape and we are grateful for your contributions to our great nation.”

Thank you, Prime Minister Harper, for your kind greetings. May all ethnic groups live together in harmony and the spirit of brotherly love. We also wish you a successful, happy New Year, Your Excellency!

9. FN…Women inmate dog trainers found to have improved chances of rehabilitation. Female inmates at the Dwight Correctional Center in Illinois, USA are engaged in training dogs to help disabled persons with simple tasks. Jennifer Lawson, who became a model inmate after working with the dogs, says they gave her “something to look forward to.” Studies have found that after their release from prison, only a very low percentage of women who worked with the dogs return.

Bravo Dwight Correctional Center for your caring approach in helping inmates. God bless the dog trainers of Dwight, and we wish you all many new beginnings of hope and goodness in life.

10. FN…Firefighters bring people to safety. Following a collision, a lorry carrying gas cylinders was left hanging at Rolle Bridge in Torrington, Devon, England. Firefighters and hazardous materials experts performed a successful rescue and remediation mission at the scene. No one was injured and no harm came to the environment.

A hero’s thank you, firefighters of Devon, for promptly bringing everyone to safety. Your honorable work is much admired by us all. May God’s protection and love be ever present in your life and service to others.

11. FN…Volunteers help with safe toad crossing. Concerned about the safety of the little animals, a group of volunteers in the United Kingdom are helping hundreds of toads to cross busy roads as they make their way to breeding ponds. The group is appealing for more volunteers to assist in staffing the toad patrols.

A hearty thanks, volunteers, for your compassion toward our fellow beings, the toads. May our animal co-inhabitants continue to enrich our diverse ecology with their unique presence for many years to come.

12. FN…Carnival in Basel, Switzerland commences. The Basel festival is held over three days of celebration, starting on the Monday following Mardi Gras. The tradition of the ancient masked carnival, called Fasnacht, dates back to the 14th century.

Hats off festival organizers for continuing this time-honored tradition! We wish Basel carnival-goers much fun, merriment and many happy returns with family and friends.

13. FN…Mercury poisoning slows demand for dolphin and whale meat in Japanese coastal village. People in the remote southern village of Taiji are showing a concern for their communal health following reports of extraordinarily high levels of mercury. Researchers at the Health Sciences University of Hokkaido found levels many times higher than the Japanese maximum of 0.4 parts per million. Mercury and industrial pollutants in pilot whales were also found to be dangerously high.

Our appreciation, scientists and villagers, for your efforts to halt the harming of whales and dolphins through your research. May God protect our ocean friends with safe and healthy lives.

14. FN…Myanmar celebrates Union Day. On Sunday, Myanmar’s diverse ethnic groups joined to commemorate their declaration of unity. This year also marks Myanmar’s 60 anniversary of her independence.

Our warmest wishes Myanmar and all your beautiful citizens living in shared harmony and understanding. We pray your future is bright and blessed abundantly with further democracy, peace and happiness.

15. FN…Sightless Alsatian puppy finds loving home. A couple in Norfolk, United Kingdom, decided to bring home a sightless ten-week-old Alsatian puppy they called Chance, where he began his new life in the company of their ten-year-old blind cat, Louis. Chance and Louis have already become best friends. Speaking of Chance, caregiver Mr. Crossman said: “He's a very bright boy. You have to be his eyes and ears, using voice commands to encourage and guide him.” Mr. Crossman concluded, “People should rescue disabled animals, as they are just as rewarding.”

Welcome to your new life, little Chance! Thank you and God bless the Crossman family for your generous hearts. May you all enjoy many years of joyous and fulfilling times together.

2008FEB13-ep517-Fly-In-News.mp3