Sep, 27
2022
Free News Articles, General Editorial, Global Aid and Disaster Relief, NonProfit and Charities

31 dogs saved from a dog-meat breeding farm in China have arrived in the United States following year long CDC dog ban

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- China Rescue Dogs, a 501(c)(3) organization, committed to rescuing and saving dogs from the slaughterhouses, meat trade, abuse, and neglect in China, has rescued into the U.S. the first large shipments of dogs from China following the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dog ban.

"This truly was a global effort with teams from China, Canada and the United States all coming together to save these dogs from slaughter," acknowledged Jill Stewart, President and Founder of China Rescue Dogs.

The dogs were all saved in April 2022 from a dog meat breeding farm in China. Their rescue was featured by People: https://people.com/pets/china-rescue-dogs-saving-golden-retrievers-corgis/

"To know these dogs now have a second chance at life and will experience love for the first time, makes all the time spent on a project like this worthwhile," said Brandy Cherven, Vice President of China Rescue Dogs. "They were being sent to the slaughterhouse when we stepped in and saved them."

The dogs have spent the last three weeks stationed in Vancouver, Canada waiting for the final leg of their journey." Stewart adds, "We could not have accomplished this mission without the help of David MacNeil, CEO of WeatherTech, Nordstrom's, Dog is My CoPilot, and all our supporters. Dog is My CoPilot is a nonprofit that saves dogs from high kill shelters. The flight from Canada into the U.S. was their first international transport."

There are 10 other rescue organizations that have helped find these pups their forever homes. Of the 31 survivors now in the U.S., 16 are Golden Retrievers and 15 are Frenchie's and Pugs. Other dogs from the April 2022 rescue have already been adopted in Canada.

On July 14, 2021, the CDC suspended dogs imported from 113 countries, including China, due to the potential risk of spreading the canine rabies virus variant (CRVV.) Since that time, China Rescue Dogs has been saving dogs into Canada. This flight marks the first time since the CDC Dog Ban that a large shipment of dogs were granted permission to come into the U.S.

"We have worked closely with the CDC and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to guarantee that all the dogs are healthy, properly vaccinated and tested against canine rabies," said Stewart. "We are honored that our best practices of doing what is best for the dogs was rewarded with their entry into the U.S."

If you would like more information on China Rescue Dogs, or to support their mission, please go to: https://chinarescuedogs.org/.

Related link: https://chinarescuedogs.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved. ID:NEO2022

May, 06
2022
Business, Free News Articles, General Editorial, NonProfit and Charities

China Rescue Dogs Fights to Save 46 Golden Retrievers, 8 Puppies And 22 Corgis from Being Slaughtered in China

VASS, N.C. -- China Rescue Dogs, a leading International non-profit dog rescue based in the United States, is in the middle of an urgent dog rescue effort in China. Shanghai Animal Rescue reached out to China Rescue Dogs for help after they discovered a dog breed farm north of Harbin were selling all their dogs into the meat-trade. 46 adult Goldens, 8 puppies, and 22 Corgis were going to be trucked to Yulin to be slaughtered for the 2022 Yulin Dog Meat Festival.

"The living conditions at this dog breed farm are just awful," exclaimed Jill Stewart, President and Founder of China Rescue Dogs. "It is heartbreaking that this breeder was going to just discard their entire inventory of dogs to be slaughtered. We had to do something. Doing nothing was not an option."

Despite international pressure, dog slaughterhouses and eating dog meat are not outlawed in China. Even though the local government no longer sponsors the Yulin Dog Meat festival, it continues to take place every year in June. With no national animal rights laws in place in China, most dogs (and cats) have little chance at living a full life.

"Yulin happens every day in China," said Brandy Cherven, Vice President of Operations for China Rescue Dogs. "Dogs are still brutalized, tortured, and eaten due to outdated beliefs of gaining more wisdom, warding off evil spirits, or keeping cool in the summer months."

"The world needs to know about the continued brutality." said Jill Stewart, President, and Founder of China Rescue Dogs. "We just can't sit back and do nothing! Yes, there needs to be laws put in place to protect those animals from being uselessly slaughtered, but the urgency today is to save the dogs from the breed farm that are in imminent danger."

So far, China Rescue Dogs and its rescue partners in China have saved 29 adult Goldens, 8 puppies and 22 Corgis. They have seen the emergency veterinarian and are safe in a dog sanctuary. However, they are still trying to rescue the remaining Goldens from the breed farm. The rescue mission is not over yet.

The goal is to save all the dogs from the breed farm. Once rescued, China Rescue Dogs will find them loving forever homes in North America, where they can live out the rest of their lives with love and without fear.

The rescue effort is being played out in real-time on the China Rescue Dogs Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/chinarescuedogs.

"This is why the CDC Dog Ban needs to end now," said Stewart. "Even if we are able to save all of these dogs, we still cannot bring them into the United States to be adopted."

The suspension, which was announced by the CDC last year stated that effective July 14, 2021, all dogs imported from 113 countries (including China) may not enter the U.S. for a period of at least one year. Now, almost a year later, responsible international dog rescue organizations, like China Rescue Dogs, should be allowed to resume giving dogs a second chance at life here in the U.S.

To learn more about the organization, please visit: https://chinarescuedogs.org/.

About China Rescue Dogs:

China Rescue Dogs is a 501(c)(3) organization founded by Jill Stewart, an ardent advocate of animal rights worldwide, and especially in China. Their global mission is to rescue and rehabilitate dogs from China and provide them with loving forever homes in North America.

Related link: https://chinarescuedogs.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Dec, 30
2021
Free News Articles, General Editorial, Global Aid and Disaster Relief, NonProfit and Charities

China Rescue Dogs, A Non-Profit Organization, Leads Fight to Save Dogs from Chinese Meat Trade in the face of CDC Import Ban

VASS, N.C. -- China Rescue Dogs, a leading American 501(c)(3) non-profit dog rescue, has been recognized for its efforts to save dogs from the Chinese meat trade. Over the past year, China Rescue Dogs has been rescuing and rehabilitating dogs from China and providing them with loving homes in the United States and Canada.

"Working with trusted rescues and shelters in China, our mission is to remove the dogs from imminent harm, treat the physical and psychological injuries from severe abuse and neglect, and socialize the dogs so that they can be integrated into loving family environments," remarked Jill Stewart, President, and Founder of China Rescue Dogs. "We also shine a light on the dog meat trade in China and other countries and, thereby, encourage others to advocate for the end of the dog meat trade and speak up for those who have no voice."

China Rescue Dogs' efforts were recently hampered by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention import ban, which effectively halted the imports of all dogs from 113 countries, including China. Issued without input from dog rescue groups, the ban has hurt the missions of international non-profit rescues, including the dogs they serve and forced dogs recused from China to be redirected to Canada. This has had a chilling effect on tens of thousands of animals, which only continues to grow as the ban remains in effect.

"Since the import ban, our rescue is among many others that have had to find a new normal," remarked Jill. "Our choices were limited and grim, but China Rescue Dogs has remained committed to saving dogs from China regardless of how we got it done. While rerouting dogs to Canada is the logical choice, costs have been exuberant," she added.

The growing international cargo crisis has tripled the cost of transporting dogs on cargo airplanes, which has increased China Rescue Dogs' reliance on donations from the international community. Without community support, funding shortages require organizations to make difficult choices and leave some dogs behind.

"Our shelters in China are reaching their maximum capacity, which means we will not be able to move the dogs out of China which will lead to the brutal slaughter of helpless dogs. Moreover, with the Yulin Dog Meat Festival beginning June 21st and CDC ban still in place, tens of thousands of dogs will be slaughtered. Thinking about this is gut-wrenching," said Jill.

Canada is providing immense support to this mission by opening its borders and assisting us in finding homes for these dogs. They support the organization and other U.S. rescue groups until the CDC ban is lifted or another resolution is found. "After I looked into the eyes of our dogs in China shelters, that is when we decided to reach out to our Canadian friends. Fortunately for the dogs and us, our rescue has been received with welcoming kindness," said Jill.

The past two years have been challenging for everyone around the globe. The world has seen pandemic challenges no one could have predicted. U.S. International dog rescue nonprofits have experienced extreme obstacles in carrying out their missions within the past six months.

"What these past six months have personally taught is never to give up! Although we have had to deal with many obstacles, our dogs are being saved - thanks to our Canadian friends and neighbors. For that, we will always be grateful." Jill added. "I have strong faith in our mission, and I know we will continue to find ways to rescue these dogs. The path may be rocky at times, but it is worth the journey. For us, it was and is the least we can do for our China rescue dogs."

The passion for rescuing dogs from the slaughterhouses and finding them loving forever homes in North America, where they can live out the rest of their lives without fear, remains steadfast.

To learn more, please visit https://chinarescuedogs.org/.

About China Rescue Dogs

China Rescue Dogs is a 501(c)(3) organization founded by Jill Stewart, an ardent advocate of animal rights worldwide, and especially in China. Their global mission is to rescue and rehabilitate dogs from China and provide them with loving forever homes in North America. There are over a dozen other U.S. dog rescue organizations that are working with China Rescue Dogs on these rescues.

China Rescue Dogs, 769 Youngs Rd., Vass, NC 28394 USA.

Related link: https://chinarescuedogs.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Jun, 22
2021
Business, Free News Articles, General Editorial, NonProfit and Charities

China Rescue Dogs Requests Exemption from CDC’s Suspension on Imported Dogs

VASS, N.C. -- China Rescue Dogs is requesting an exemption for 501(c)(3) rescues from the recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suspension of dogs entering the U.S. from countries classified as high risk for rabies.

The suspension, which was announced on June 14, states that effective July 14, 2021, dogs imported from 113 countries which present a high risk of spreading the canine rabies virus variant (CRVV) may not enter the U.S. for a period of at least one year.

The CDC claims that this emergency action is the result of an increase over the last year of incomplete, inadequate, or fraudulent rabies certificates presented upon entry to Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). The CDC has stated that it denies entry to about 200 dogs per year, permitted or otherwise. In its Report justifying the suspension, the CDC claims that, in 2020, this number rose to 450 cases in which dogs were denied entry due to incomplete, inadequate, or fraudulent rabies certificates. This number represents less than 1% of the estimated 60,000 dogs annually imported from high-risk countries.

"No one, least of all non-profits that rescue dogs, disputes the importance of ensuring that dogs with rabies do not enter the United States," said Jill Stewart, founder of China Rescue Dogs. "However, the CDC's solution is heavy-handed, tremendously overreaching, and inhumane. There are many responsible organizations that go above and beyond governmental requirements to help ensure the health and well-being of the dogs they rescue and the adopters they serve."

501(c)(3) rescues such as China Rescue Dogs ensure the dogs they import enter the U.S. with USDA-APHIS issued Import Permits, which require a valid rabies certificate and a health certificate attesting to the age and good health of the dog. The permit also requires that the dog has been vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and parainfluenza virus ("DHLPP"). This paperwork is thoroughly reviewed and verified by the USDA and Customs Brokers, are uploaded to the CBP system for CDC review, and are reviewed a final time upon landing by CBP. Thus, three government agencies review the documentation before the dog can enter the U.S.

501(c)(3) rescue organizations who have consistently complied with these regulations and provided proper documentation, including those with USDA-issued permits, are included in the CDC's suspension.

China Rescue Dogs requests that the CDC include an exemption to the suspension for all 501(c)(3) rescue organizations, such as themselves, who have continually worked in partnership with the government by only importing dogs with a USDA-APHIS issued Import Permit, with the involvement of CBP, ensuring the validity and completeness of required rabies certificates.

Failure to provide an exemption would mean companies seeking to profit off the sale and/or exploitation of dogs will benefit, while non-profits that rescue abused, abandoned, homeless dogs, many of which are destined for the dog meat trade, will suffer.

About China Rescue Dogs:

China Rescue Dogs is a 501c3 organization, with a global mission to rescue and rehabilitate dogs from the meat trade in China and provide them with loving homes in the U.S. and Canada. Working with trusted rescues and shelters in China, we first remove the dogs from imminent harm, treat the physical and psychological injuries from severe abuse and neglect, and socialize the dogs so that they can be integrated into loving family environments. Then, in partnership with other rescues in the U.S. and Canada, we locate adoptive homes for the dogs and arrange transportation from China to their new forever families in the U.S. and Canada. We hope through our rescue efforts we can shine a light on the dog meat trade in China and other countries and, thereby, encourage others to advocate for the end of the dog meat trade and speak up for those who have no voice. Learn more about China Rescue Dogs at https://chinarescuedogs.org/ or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

*PHOTO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/21-0622s2p-crdogs-golden-300dpi.jpg

Caption: This is Golden. He now lives in Toledo, Ohio. He was rescued from a slaughterhouse in China and arrived in the United States in May 2021. Dogs just like Golden will no longer be allowed to enter the U.S. once the CDC suspension takes place. (Picture Credit: Sam Scaman)

Related link: https://chinarescuedogs.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

May, 05
2021
Awards and Honors, Business, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities

China Rescue Dogs receives international recognition award for saving dogs despite their need for more funding and adopters

VASS, N.C. -- China Rescue Dogs, a 501(c)(3) organization committed to rescuing and saving dogs from the slaughterhouses, meat trade, abuse, and neglect in China, is the recipient of the "Shining World Compassion Award" by The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association based out of Taiwan.

According to Supreme Master Ching Hai, leader of the organization, the award was given "for selflessly and passionately striving to save lives, for recognizing the Divine gift animals have for humans, and for your benevolence and wisdom, with high esteem we salute the great compassionate deeds of China Rescue Dogs. May Heaven always shield you and all involved as you find caring homes for the vulnerable, innocent canines."

"We are so blessed and honored to receive this award," admits a determined Jill Stewart President and Founder of China Rescue Dogs. "We hope and pray the recognition will help spotlight the dogs still in China that we are trying to rescue and rehome with their forever families."

Doing what they do is an enormous undertaking. Once the dogs are saved in China, they need shelter, food, and some need medical care. China Rescue Dogs sends thousands of dollars each month to care for these rescue pups while they wait to be transported to North America.

"Getting them here is a logistical nightmare," adds Sam Scaman, a board member for the organization. "One shipment of 20 to 30 dogs' costs upwards of fifty thousand dollars to transport."

The other pressing problem: the saved furry friends need forever families. "We have a long waiting list for Golden Retrievers," says Brandy Cherven, Director of Adoptions for China Rescue Dogs. "It's the other dogs; the often-overlooked mixed breeds that need homes. They are the innocent, the voiceless, and the forgotten. If given the chance, these dogs who were once broken, can become someone's soulmate." Those dogs are available on their website at http://www.ChinaRescueDogs.org.

"Saving dogs and finding them forever homes here in North America is expensive," adds Stewart. "We rely solely on the public for donations to rescue these beautiful babies."

China Rescue Dogs still has 250 additional dogs in China they are trying to feed, support and rescue. If you would like to help save them, you can go to http://www.chinarescuedogs.org/

*IMAGE LINK - award letter 300dpi: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/21-0505s2p-crdogs-letter-300dpi.jpg

You can also follow China Rescued Dogs on Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/crd69196083

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chinarescuedogs/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chinarescuedogs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crd_chinarescuedogs/

Recent articles about China Rescue Dogs on People.com:

https://people.com/pets/boy-riding-his-bike-to-save-meat-trade-dogs/

https://people.com/pets/200-dogs-saved-dog-meat-trade-flying-to-new-york/

https://people.com/pets/60-dogs-rescued-china-dog-meat-trade-need-donations/

https://people.com/pets/china-rescue-dogs-saves-dogs-china-dog-meat-trade/

Related link: https://chinarescuedogs.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Mar, 09
2021
Business, Free News Articles, Funding and Investment, NonProfit and Charities

A GoFundMe Page Is Now Live to Help China Rescue Dogs with Transporting Rescue Dogs

VASS, N.C. -- China Rescue Dogs is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to rescuing and saving dogs from the slaughterhouses, meat trade, abuse and neglect in China, and finds them forever homes here in the United States.

China Rescue Dogs has two hundred forty (240) dogs that will be arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport from China over the next few months. These pups will then live the rest of their lives with their forever families, surrounded by love and affection. The first two groups of dogs are scheduled to arrive at JFK on March 18 and 20. 2021.

Once these rescue dogs arrive in the New York, they need to be transported to their forever homes across the country. Currently, China Rescue Dogs rents multiple cargo vans for this purpose. This is an enormous expense - since that money could go towards saving more dogs.

So, Sam Scaman, a small business owner and China Rescue Dogs volunteer, started a GoFundMe page to help the organization purchase a bus. According to Scaman, "Everyone in the organization is a volunteer. All the donated money goes to rescuing dogs. Crowd sourcing additional donations for a bus, only makes sense."

"Our mission is to save as many dogs as we can," said Jill Stewart, President and Founder of China Rescue Dogs. "The price of a reliable used bus is the equivalent to us saving 30 dogs. If people can help, we encourage them to go to the GoFundMe page."

LEARN MORE: https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-them-deliver-rescue-dogs

The organization is interested in a used 2012 Ford F650 bus being sold by Midwest Transit Equipment in Kankakee, Illinois. It is a 41-passenger bus, but the seats would be removed to build custom shelving bins for the safe placement of the dogs in their crates.

China Recue Dogs is an organization founded by Jill Stewart, an ardent advocate of animal rights worldwide, and especially in China. Their global mission is to rescue and rehabilitate dogs from China and provide them with loving forever homes in North America. There are over a dozen other U.S. dog rescue organizations that are working with China Rescue Dogs on these rescues.

"Funding is crucial," admits Stewart. "We never say no to any dog - mixed breeds, banned breeds, disabled dogs and seniors. We try to rescue them all. Unfortunately, we cannot do that without the public's continued support."

About China Rescue Dogs

China Rescue Dogs is a 501(c)(3) rescue with the purpose of rescuing and rehabilitating dogs from the meat trade, abuse and neglect in China and providing them with loving homes in the U.S. and Canada. To learn more about their work, visit https://chinarescuedogs.org/.

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/2xJQuQvkjXk

Recent articles about China Rescue Dogs on People.com:

https://people.com/pets/200-dogs-saved-dog-meat-trade-flying-to-new-york/

https://people.com/pets/60-dogs-rescued-china-dog-meat-trade-need-donations/

https://people.com/pets/china-rescue-dogs-saves-dogs-china-dog-meat-trade/

IMAGE LINKS FOR MEDIA:

Picture 1: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/21-0309-crdogs-beauty-300dpi.jpg

Caption: This beautiful dog will be the United States soon, where he can meet his forever family and live the rest of his life surrounded by love.

Picture 2: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/21-0309-crdogs-van-300dpi.jpg

Caption: This is the bus China Rescue Dogs is looking to purchase. 2012 FORD STARTRANS COMMERCIAL CUTAWAY DRW. Capacity is 41 Passengers DIESEL fueled with HYD Brakes and a CUMMINS Engine.

Related link: https://chinarescuedogs.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Feb, 22
2021
Business, Free News Articles, General Editorial, NonProfit and Charities

Over 200 dogs from China saved from slaughterhouses, meat-trade, abuse, and neglect will soon arrive in the United States on their way to forever homes

VASS, N.C. -- China Rescue Dogs, a 501(c)(3) organization committed to rescuing and saving dogs from the China and adopting them into homes in the U.S. and Canada, is calling on the public to help them save over 200 additional dogs.

One hundred forty-five (145) newly rescued dogs will arrive via three cargo planes on March 3rd, 4th and 5th, 2021 at (JFK) John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. An additional sixty (60) will, hopefully, arrive in the United States at the end of March - but it all depends on donations.

These dogs were saved from the inevitable just before Chinese New Year. Many were saved off meat trucks, from slaughterhouses and rescued from abuse, and neglect. They have been stranded in China until the New Year celebrations come to an end.

"What was once the end of their lives, is now a new beginning for these beautiful babies," said Jill Stewart, President and Founder of China Rescue Dogs. "They all have been quarantined, micro-chipped, and received all the necessary vaccinations. Now, it is time for them to live the rest of their lives being safe and happy with their forever families."

China Recue Dogs is a 501(c)(3) organization founded by Jill Stewart, an ardent advocate of animal rights worldwide, and especially in China. Their global mission is to rescue and rehabilitate dogs from China and provide them with loving forever homes in North America. There are over a dozen other U.S. dog rescue organizations that are working with China Rescue Dogs on these rescues.

As Stewart reflects on the progress of the mission to save dogs, she is thankful for everyone's support. "Without People.com and its readers, we would not have been able to save 60 dogs at the end of January. Those dogs are now living in their forever homes and I become so emotional knowing how much joy and unconditional love they are now bringing to their new families."

Sam Scaman Marketing Director for China Recue Dogs, admits, "Although money can't buy love - it can buy a rescue! It's true, the larger dogs are more costly to transfer via cargo, but China Rescue Dogs does offer exceptions and scholarships to senior citizens that are living on a fixed income." Scaman adds, "We have placed many of our rescue dogs with elderly single parents. The close bond and companionship with a rescue dog and a senior citizen can work better than the strongest medicine -- especially during a pandemic. I think every lonely senior needs a rescue dog companion so they can both rescue each other."

Stewart, along with her small team of volunteers are calling donors and fund-raising for this new life saving project. They now need to raise an additional $30,000 so they can bring in all two hundred (200) dogs and not have to turn any away.

"Funding is crucial," admits Stewart. "We never say no to any dog - mixed breeds, banned breeds, disabled dogs and seniors. We try to rescue them all. Unfortunately, we cannot do that without the public's continued support."

Everything the organization does relies on donations and volunteers. Ryan McDonnell, Vice President of China Rescue Dogs confirms, "all of us are volunteers - even our vet partner Bay Street Animal Hospital in Staten Island, NY. They come to every flight arrival at JFK and make sure all the dogs are healthy as soon as they land."

"What makes this project even more challenging are the number of states we transportation these dogs to," says Stewart. "From the east coast to the west coast, we have forever families waiting for their new babies to arrive. Delivering these babies to their new homes is worth the effort but is still expensive."

About China Rescue Dogs

China Rescue Dogs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit rescue with the purpose of rescuing and rehabilitating dogs from the meat trade, abuse and neglect in China and providing them with loving homes in the U.S. and Canada. To learn more about their work, visit https://chinarescuedogs.org/.

Recent articles about China Rescue Dogs on People.com:

https://people.com/pets/200-dogs-saved-dog-meat-trade-flying-to-new-york/

https://people.com/pets/60-dogs-rescued-china-dog-meat-trade-need-donations/

https://people.com/pets/china-rescue-dogs-saves-dogs-china-dog-meat-trade/

For more information about China Rescue Dogs or for media inquiries, please contact:
Jill Stewart
Phone: 919-619-4374
Email: jill@chinarescuedogs.org

Ryan McDonnell
Phone: 330-819-7605
Email: ryan@chinarescuedogs.org

IMAGES FOR MEDIA:
[1] https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/21-0222s2p-crd-jill-stewart-300dpi.jpg
Caption: Jill Stewart President & Founder of China Rescue Dogs, welcomes a flight of dogs into JFK airport in January 2021.

[2] https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/21-0222s2p-crd-adopt-me-300dpi.jpg
Caption: This beautiful dog is hoping for the funding needed to bring him to the United States where he can meet his forever family and live the rest of his life in safety and freedom.

[3] https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/21-0222s2p-crd-dogs-in-china-300dpi.jpg
Caption: Dogs in China awaiting to be adopted by a forever family here in the United States.

Related link: https://chinarescuedogs.org/

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.