Child builds tiny cart for Joe the paraplegic bunny
In animal welfare news, a young boy helps a bunny gain mobility. The O’Rourke family of Tucson, Arizona, United States, found two baby rabbits in their backyard who were in need of care and nursed them back to health. One of the lovely animal friends, whom they named Joe, could not move his back legs. To help Joe get around, the youngest member of the O’Rourke family, Liam, designed the All Terrain Bunny support system. Joe soon started to enjoy the movement which his new wheels afforded. Bravo, compassionate Liam, for your wonderful creation. All best wishes to you, Joe and fellow bunny, for many happy years ahead, delighting in this amazing life.
Minister hails Iran's health achievements
In medical news, Iran affirms progress in healthcare. According to Press TV, Iran’s Health Minister Her Excellency Marzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi reported that more than 96% of the country’s medicinal needs are produced by Iranian specialists. Her Excellency added that child and maternal survival rates have significantly increased. Our accolades and appreciation, Iran and Your Excellency Marzieh Vahid-Dastjerdi, for your dedicated efforts. May you continue to make progress in assisting your precious citizens to flourish, with Allah’s blessings.
Active childhood leads to happier adult life: Australia study
In health news, Australian researchers find that an active childhood leads to a happier life. A study by scientists from Deakin University discovered that adults who were less physically active before the age of 15 were 35% more likely to develop depression later on in life. Dr. Felice Jacka, [NFT: PhD, female ] who helped conduct the study, stated, “Your environment when you’re young really plays a major role in your health when you get older because your brain is developing, your stress response system is developing.” Dr. Jacka recommends children to have at least one hour of physical activity a day. Many thanks, Dr. Felice Jacka and colleagues, for your significant results. May all youngsters be encouraged to adopt life-affirming habits, for a joyful and healthy present and future.
Portugal elects Right-wing government as tough reforms loom
FN… Portugal elects new government. On Sunday, Portugal’s Social Democrat Party won the polls for the country’s general election, securing 38.6% of the votes. Party leader and Prime Minister-elect Pedro Passos Coelho stated that he would seek to form a coalition government with the minority Democratic and Social Center-People’s Party (CDS–PP). [NFT: Centro Democrático e Social - Partido Popular] In response, party leader Paulo Portas of CDS–PP affirmed his party's readiness to work with the Social Democrats. In light of the country's recent economic bailout and austerity measures currently in place, Social Democrat leader Coelho assured that Portugal would do everything possible to honor her commitments not to be a burden.
We respectfully congratulate the Social Democrats and Prime Minster-elect Coelho for your win of fellow citizens' vote. Blessed be your leadership in bringing prosperity and peace for all the gracious people of Portugal.
Morocco ratifies human rights protocols
FN... Citizens speak out. As people continue to push for reforms and basic freedoms along with increased human rights, they gather to be heard in countries such as Egypt, Libya, Mexico, Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen.
The Moroccan government has ratified an optional UN protocol on human rights, which is intended to support a system of government which prohibits torture and all other forms of cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment, and also provides for the creation of a committee to ensure that the principles are being upheld.
Representatives of the Palestinian Fatah and Hamas groups announced plans to meet June 14 in Cairo, Egypt for talks on forming a new interim government.
Based on a request by the electoral commission for extra time to prepare, Tunisian Interirm Prime Minister Beii Caid Essebsi stated that elections would be postponed until October to ensure that they are conducted with integrity.
Egyptians gathered in front of the Interior Ministry in Cairo as well as many police stations on Tuesday, June 7 to protest the death one year ago of Khalid Said, whose brutal beating by police became a motivating force for the peaceful revolution that has since transformed the nation. In Tuesday's demonstration, protesters spoke out about the fact that the police still have not changed, with at least three people recently having been killed due to police brutality.
On Wednesday, just after Yemenis gathered in a call for a transitional council to begin governing in place of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has left the country to recuperate from serious injuries in Saudi Arabia, Yemeni state television reported that the president was moved out of intensive care. In a gathering of his supporters on Thursday, celebratory shots fired into the air caused injury to some in the crowd.
A preliminary International Criminal Court investigation has found evidence of Libyan Colonel Muammar Gaddafi being linked to orders of sexual assault by security forces on a large number of Libyan women. Meanwhile, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt announced that Sweden would extend her participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) campaign to halt the Libyan leader’s military attacks as thousands of government forces attacked the city of Misurata on Wednesday, leaving at least 13 activists killed.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay spoke out Thursday against the Syrian government’s use of brutal assault on its citizens’ most basic human rights. Pope Benedict also met with the new Syrian ambassador to the Vatican, Mr. Hussan Edin Aala, urging that Syria respect her people’s dignity. Meanwhile, as of Thursday, an estimated 1,600 nationals had fled for their safety across the border into neighboring Turkey with thousands more who have gone to Lebanon.
In sadness for the loss of cherished lives and suffering endured, we pray for all strife to end and that citizens in every country may decide to live together in dignity, freedom and peace.
Celebrated European author Jorge Semprún dies
FN… Acclaimed European writer remembered. Jorge Semprún, renowned author, political activist and diplomat passed away in Paris at the age of 87. Born in Spain, Mr. Semprún became active in the French Resistance during the Second World War, and his writing reflected a deep sense of social conscience. His work received numerous awards, including an Oscar nomination for his screenplay adaptation for the movie "Z" and the inaugural Ovid Prize in recognition of his focus on tolerance and freedom of expression. He was also appointed Minister of Culture for Spain. Among the many paying tribute to his life was UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, who stated, “Jorge Semprún (was) truly a great man of peace and a champion in the struggle against oppression. (He) vividly demonstrated the power of culture to defend human dignity, which became his life’s work. UNESCO is deeply indebted to the legacy of Jorge Semprún.”
We join in condolences to the family and loved ones of the noble Jorge Semprún. May his soul rest serenely in Heaven's love and light.
5.3-magnitude earthquake hits China's Xinjiang, no casualties
FN… Earthquake leaves damage in China as others rattle New Zealand, Fiji, USA, Indonesia, Pakistan and Peru. On Wednesday morning, June 8, a 5.3-magnitude temblor, followed within minutes by a 4.2 and then a 4.1-magnitude tremor, hit the remote region of Turpan Prefecture's Toksun County in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Centered 101 kilometers southeast of Ürümqi, the quakes caused several big rocks to tumble down from a mountain onto a highway, injuring eight people. In Kerjian Town, 50 families were moved into tents provided by quake relief teams after their homes were severely damaged, with the government announcing that relief funds would also be allocated.
Meanwhile, in other parts of the world, on Monday, June 6, a New Zealand’s city of Christchurch was rattled by two aftershocks from the devastating February 22 quake. The first, registering at 3.7-magnitude, was followed about an hour later by a magnitude-5.0 tremor which caused items to fall off shelves. Also on Monday, the Fiji region experienced a 5.8-magnitude quake 327 kilometers northeast of Lambasa in Vanua Levu. Before dawn on Tuesday, a 3.9-magnitude quake rattled Missouri, USA, waking thousands of residents in Washington County as it struck 84 kilometers southwest of St. Louis. Also that morning in Indonesia, a quake registering 5.0 on the Richter scale rattled the Nias regency of North Sumatra province, its epicenter situated 15 kilometers southwest of Gunungsitolo. On Tuesday afternoon, a 4.7-magnitude quake hit Pakistan, 110 kilometers northwest of Sargodha in Punjab province. That evening, southern Peru was startled by a strong 6.0 quake 131 kilometers northeast of Tacna, which was felt in parts of neighboring Bolivia and Chile. There were fortunately no reports of significant damage or casualties for any of these events.
Our appreciation for the initiatives of the Chinese relief personnel and for the general safety of all those in the quake-shaken regions. With Heaven’s grace, may such dangerous events quickly be curbed through humanity’s conscientious, eco-stabilizing actions.
Florida wildfires continue to grow
FN... Fires rage in Florida, USA. With more than 3,000 blazes that have ignited across the central and northern parts of the state since January, nearly 200,000 acres have now been consumed with more under constant threat as a prolonged drought continues. As of Wednesday, June 8, there were 52 active fires in St. Johns, Flagler and Volusia counties, with another 50 that ignited on Wednesday afternoon in the far north along the border with Georgia from a combination of lightning and lack of rain. Division of Forestry spokesperson Todd Schroeder said that conditions are now so dry, just one spark can burn hundreds of acres. Besides forest and brush fires, blazes are also consuming dried swamp areas, which burn more slowly and emit heavy smoke. In some areas, poor visibility has resulted in road closures with hundreds of firefighters deployed in efforts to contain the flames.
We are deeply thankful for the valiant work of the firefighters on behalf of public safety and the environment. May such damaging events subside through our care and renewed respect for all life.
Time for Earth’s spiritual ascension
FN… Time for Earth’s spiritual ascension. In her book, “From Crisis to Peace: The Organic Vegan Way Is the Answer," Supreme Master Ching Hai spoke of the possibility of humanity’s “leap into the Golden Era,” in which all crises and conflicts would subside. During a videoconference with Supreme Master Ching Hai at the Expo Ser in Mexico City, Mexico on June 4, a participant asked whether such a vision for the planet’s ascension is just a matter of time, and what it would require from humankind.
Videoconference with Supreme Master Ching Hai
“From Crisis to Peace: The Universe is Blessing Us”
June 4, 2011 – Mexico City, Mexico
Supreme Master Ching Hai: There is no time or opportunity better than this to catch up with the higher, more spiritually developed planets. So please use your free will today to walk the way of the developed and the saintly. If we want to ascend we have to also live their way, of the ascended being. First, be vegan; no harm to other living beings. And join and meditate with us for World Vegan and World Peace. This will elevate us as an individual, society, and planet. And what awaits us upon our elevation is a peace so wondrous, blissful and happy, that it will be beyond our greatest imagination.
VOICE: With appreciation for the Expo Ser organizers of this conference, we are also grateful for Supreme Master Ching Hai's hope-giving message and guidance on how we can evolve together as a planet. May we all adopt the ennobling vegan way to join the elevated ranks of our galaxy and create a joyful Eden on Earth.
Please tune in to Supreme Master Television for the full re-broadcast of this live videoconference at a later date on Words of Wisdom, with multi-language subtitles.
All information concerning the scientific evidence of climate change and its solution is in Supreme Master Ching Hai’s book, “From Crisis to Peace: The Organic Vegan Way Is the Answer.” Freely available to read at www.Crisis2Peace.org.
Please take my cornea, Habibie says
Former Indonesian president BJ Habibie, whose late-wife Hasri Ainun Habibie was the chief of the Indonesian Eye Bank, registers to be a cornea donor as he calls on fellow Indonesians to do the same, citing the many who would benefit through restored vision.
China orders suspension of death sentences
Following a reduction of the types of charges resulting in capital punishment sentences, the Supreme People's Court of China authorizes a two-year moratorium on all non-immediate death sentences.
Australia’s new overseas volunteer program
Australia’s Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd announces the launch of Australian Volunteers for International Development, a program that combines four others, making it easier for Australians to volunteer in overseas in developing countries.
Prices stay up as Europe battles drought
SAVE OUR PLANET... Average global cereal costs increased by 71% this year due to Europe's prolonged lack of rain, with continued drought raising concern for even higher food prices, potentially bringing further unrest to developing nations.
Venezuela Announces Protection Measures for Wildlife
SAVE OUR PLANET... Venezuelan courts announce new wildlife protection measures that include a widespread ban on hunting in protected areas as well as prohibiting possession or commercialization of songbirds and other animals.
Lucky kookaburra Gorilla - who survived a 700km trip stuck to the front of a car - heading home for a romantic reunion
A courageous Australian Kookaburra bird, who miraculously survived being struck by a car in New South Wales, was treated and is being flown home by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, with the help of donations, to reunite with his lifelong avian partner.
Bill Clinton: universal health coverage saves money
Speaking at a global conference in New York, USA, former US President Bill Clinton urges his nation's adoption of a universal healthcare program such as ones already in place in countries like Canada, Germany and France, saying that the US could save over US$1 trillion yearly by doing so.
Soyuz successfully launched to ISS
The Russian Soyuz TMA-02M spacecraft lifts off from Kazakhstan carrying a three-member crew of US, Russian and Japanese nationals, headed to the International Space Station where the team will stay until November conducting research.