Rights group: US, China ironing out American asylum deal for Chinese dissident | Fox News

The following excerpts are from Fox News:

• U.S. and Chinese officials are ironing out a deal to secure American asylum for a blind Chinese legal activist who fled house arrest, with an agreement likely before Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives this week, a U.S. rights campaigner said Monday.
• Bob Fu of the Texas-based rights group ChinaAid said that China and the U.S. want to reach agreement on the fate of Chen Guangcheng before the annual high-level talks with Clinton and other U.S. officials begin in Beijing on Thursday.
• "The Chinese top leaders are deliberating a decision to be made very soon, 
• maybe in the next 24 to 48 hours," Fu said, citing a source close to the U.S. and Chinese governments. Both sides are "eager to solve this issue," said Fu, a former teacher at a Communist Party academy in Beijing whose advocacy group focuses on the rights of Christians in China and who maintains a network of contacts in the country.
• "It really depends on China's willingness to facilitate Chen's exit," Fu said.

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Rights group: US, China ironing out American asylum deal for Chinese dissident | Fox News

Cardinal Martino and Lord Alton Unite in "Compassion" Plea for Blind Lawyer Chen

Note: The following is a press release in it's entirety from Dignitatis Humanae Institute

Rome, 30th April 2012

Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, Honorary President of the Rome-based Dignitatis Humanae Institute and Lord Alton, Chairman of the British Parliament's Cross-Party Working Group on Human Dignity, today met to discuss the situation of blind Chinese lawyer Chen Guangcheng.

The self-taught lawyer, who sought sanctuary in the US Embassy in Beijing over the weekend after escaping six years of house imprisonment, remains separated from his family, members of whom have been taken into custody.

As talks between Chinese and US officials continue, Lord Alton urged China to show compassion on humanitarian grounds for Chen and his family, and asked for them all to be allowed to leave for the United States, to receive medical treatment (as previously happened with the case of Fang Lizhi):

Lord Alton said: "Chen Guangcheng and his family have a number of well-known medical issues that would reasonably justify a decision, on humanitarian grounds, to allow them to travel to the United States or Europe for medical treatment."

Despite losing his sight at an early age, Chen Guangcheng managed to teach himself law and has become an international icon in his native China, and around the world. After a period in prison ended in 2010, Chen remained under house arrest until he fled to the US Embassy for sanctuary on 22 April.

Cardinal Martino added: "With a decision on Chen's future likely to be decided in the next week, the Dignitatis Humanae Institute appeals for compassion and mercy for Chen and his family."

POPE BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR MAY

Vatican City, 30 April 2012 (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for May is: "That initiatives which defend and uphold the role of the family may be promoted within society".

His mission intention is: "That Mary, Queen of the World and Star of Evangelisation, may accompany all missionaries in proclaiming her Son Jesus".

You can find more information at: www.visnews.org

The news items contained in the Vatican Information Service may be used, in part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:

V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.

Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City

Mother's Day Is May 13

Yes Mother's Day will be here sooner than you think.

Mom's do so much for us, that there is just no way we could ever do for them what they have done for us throughout our lives.

They carried us for nine months, nursed us through all kinds of sickness, helped us with our homework and helped us in our lives.

Mom has worked hard for us, so this year let's help mom relax with a nice soothing cup of coffee from Mystic Monk Coffee, the only coffee that is carefully blended and roasted by the Carmelite Monks of Wyoming.

No matter whether mom likes a dark roast, a medium roast or decaffeinated, you can be sure that mom will enjoy a great cup of coffee from Mystic Monk Coffee, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that your purchase helps to support the Carmelite Monks of Wyoming.

Also, for those warmer days let's help mom cool off with a nice glass of iced tea brewed from the great tea blends from Mystic Monk Coffee. Bold or brisk, delicate or sweet, and decaffeinated, you can find a tea that mom will love.

Does your mom already have a favorite Mystic Monk Coffee or Tea? Then let mom know you how much you appreciate her the whole year with a subscription to her favorite coffee or tea! Just choose the coffee or tea mom likes, and the good monk's will send it to her each month.