Tuesday, March 3, 2009

US Global Mail Enters into Distribution Agreement with Vine Global Solutions, Inc.

Leading e-commerce company to provide fulfillment for VineMall.com

HOUSTON, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Vine Global Solutions, Inc. (http://www.vineglobal.com) announced it has signed a distribution agreement with US Global Mail (http://www.usglobalmail.com) to distribute items through the VineMall website. The agreement also includes other Internet operations which Vine Global licenses as the Vine Mall concept. VineMall.com is the only online marketplace dedicated to enabling international expansion opportunities for U.S. online merchants.

The agreement strengthens US Global Mail's status as a leading international e-commerce fulfillment company. US Global Mail's distribution network allows Vine Mall's international consumers to purchase from U.S. companies online. US Global Mail handles all necessary customs documentation. In addition, US Global Mail features a package consolidation service to provide the most cost-efficient shipping possible.

"This agreement further enhances the US Global Mail brand name as the global leader in international e-commerce fulfillment and we are excited to add Vine Global to our distribution channel," said Barry Wisnevitz, Founder of US Global Mail, Inc. "We feel we can provide Vine Global the best opportunities for success in a competitive Internet retail environment with our package consolidation features and real-time shipping system."

"VineMall.com is the only one-stop international marketplace dedicated to enabling cross-border e-commerce opportunities for U.S. merchants. Our agreement with US Global Mail provides world-class logistical solutions for our merchants," said Marc Raygoza, CEO/Founder of Vine Global Solutions, Inc. "We have been impressed with US Global Mail's proven track record and professionalism."

About US Global Mail:

US Global Mail (http://www.usglobalmail.com) is a leading U.S. mail and package-forwarding company offering service to consumers around the world. Established in 2003 and based in Houston, Texas, US Global Mail is a pioneer in international e-commerce distribution. US Global Mail utilizes the widest selection of shipping methods in the industry and offers the customer a real-time shipping experience. US Global Mail's state-of-the-art rate calculator provides fast and accurate delivery rates for all major shipping companies. Services cover packages of all allowable weights and sizes. US Global Mail maintains the highest standards in customer service and strives to continually expand features to meet ever-increasing consumer needs.

About Vine Global Solutions:

Vine Global offers a suite of e-commerce solutions that enable U.S. online retailers to quickly and cost-effectively expand into international markets. The Vine Global solution transforms any U.S.-based, English-language online store into a multinational/multilingual online store without any integration effort from the retailer's software development team. Vine Global's technology platform accounts for language translation, currency conversion, multi-currency landed cost calculation, channel conflict, product restriction management, export compliance, customs documentation, international payment fraud protection and processing, shipment tracking and door-to-door international parcel delivery.

Vine Global guarantees payment to the retailer in U.S. Dollars, effectively eliminating the retailer's risk typically associated with cross-border e-commerce sales. Our solution is equipped with proven and proprietary international fraud techniques that allow us to take on this calculated risk. As a result, U.S. retailers can sell to international customers without any software code changes to their existing online store. Vine Global is the only company today that provides a complete solution that enables and drives sales to consumer markets worldwide. 

    Contact:

    Barry Wisnevitz
    barry@usglobalmail.com
    Founder, USGlobalMail.com
   http://www.usglobalmail.com
    14781 Memorial Drive
    Houston, TX 77079
    USA
    1-866-596-8965
    1-281-596-8965

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

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Refinancing in Wake of Homeowner Plan

CHICAGO, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- President Obama's new $75 billion Homeowner Stability Initiative aims to help three-to-four million homeowners who owe more than 80 percent of their home's value. The plan focuses on "responsible" homeowners, who are still current in their payments but at risk of default. While not everyone will qualify, all consumers should take this time to ensure their credit report is accurate and that they are in good financial standing. If their credit report and score are in good shape, even those who aren't eligible for the stimulus plan may find it's the right time to refinance to take advantage of current rates.

Before refinancing, it is critical that consumers do their homework and understand how they will be viewed by lenders. The TrueCredit.com Mortgage Simulator provides consumers with a snapshot of their most up-to-date credit information as well as a personalized loan rate analysis to show them the interest rates they would qualify for that day.

In a recent New York Times article, Forrester Research Analyst Brad Strothkamp called the mortgage simulator a useful service. "What I like most about it is its independent, unbiased nature," he said.

Consumers can purchase TrueCredit.com's Mortgage Simulator by logging onto www.gotruecredit.com.

About TrueCredit.com's Mortgage Simulator

TrueCredit.com's proprietary offering delivers a listing of mortgage rates for which an applicant should qualify, based on a daily nationwide survey of rates from the Heitman Group. Rates are continuously updated, so users can check periodically to see if their rates have changed. The simulator automatically populates users' up-to-date credit score and monthly non-mortgage debt level so that consumers have a realistic analysis of their standing. Also included is a "What If" tool designed to help users determine how changing various factors, such as improving a current credit score or debt-to-income ratio, can improve borrowing power.

About TrueCredit.com

Since 1999, TrueCredit.com has helped millions of consumers manage their own credit health. Through a suite of educational materials, free monthly newsletters and easy-to-use products, the company helps consumers understand personal credit management and empowers them to achieve greater financial well-being. TrueCredit.com's online products include credit reports, credit and insurance scores, credit monitoring, debt management tools and identity theft insurance services. TrueCredit.com is the direct-to-consumer arm of Chicago-based TransUnion Interactive, a subsidiary of TransUnion, a global leader in credit and information management. Manage your credit. Manage your life(SM). www.gotruecredit.com

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Hannah Montana Fans Get Key to Online Secrets With New Book and Interactive Website

CHAPPAQUA, N.Y., March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Kids get the key to hours of fun and entertainment with Hannah Montana Secrets Unlocked Online, new this spring from Reader's Digest. Fans will covet the collectible charm with secret password that comes with the book. It enables readers to access a special website, www.hannahwebpass.com, that's chock-full of fun online activities. Kids can read about Hannah, her friends Lily and Oliver, and even heartthrob Jake Ryan, then log on to the website, plug in the secret code, and discover a treasure chest full of pictures, posters, printables and interactive activities.

The book and website each include three separate sections -- "Fashion Focus," "School, Friends, and More," and "Family Rocks" -- that not only show what makes Hannah so cool, but also give kids a chance to explore their own fashion style, relationships, and more. Fans will want to share with each other the book's familiar Hannah Montana moments -- silly, goofy, funky, and, of course, romantic. The website extends the fun.

Online, kids can design a room, guitar, bulletin board, birthday card, or concert t-shirt, choose outfits for Hannah, edit a magazine cover or yearbook, and print out a fashion calendar or a birthday keeper. Whether fans want to read Miley's diary, find out their "crush style," or create a Hannah Montana family scrapbook, it's all there at www.hannahwebpass.com. A special bonus page even allows kids to download and print posters and stickers.

The Hannah Montana Secrets Unlocked Online book and secret website are the ultimate key to fun for Hannah Montana fans.

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Monday, March 2, 2009

Southwest Airlines Named No. 7 in FORTUNE Magazine's Top 50 Most Admired Companies in the World

Southwest is Only U.S. Airline to Make List of World's Top 50 Most Admired Companies

DALLAS, March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Southwest Airlines today celebrated with its 35,000 Employees the news that it was named as one of the Top 10 Companies in FORTUNE magazine's ranking of the World's Most Admired companies. It is the 13th consecutive year that the Dallas-based airline has been named to the Most Admired list. Southwest ranked No. 7 on the list of the 50 Most Admired Companies in the World in the March 16, 2009, issue of FORTUNE, which hit newsstands today.

"I celebrate this wonderful honor with the Employees of Southwest Airlines," said Gary Kelly, Southwest's Chairman, President, and CEO. "I'm privileged to work with the most dedicated, happy, productive, and devoted airline Employees in the world."

The honor is particularly special this year, because it is the first year FORTUNE magazine has combined both its World's Most Admired and America's Most Admired surveys into one. FORTUNE's own news release on the survey says: "the new Most Admired list is the definitive report card on corporate reputations."

The ranking is determined from surveys sent to company executives, boards of directors, and analysts of multiple industries, and each Company is rated on several criteria, including quality of management, people management, use of corporate assets, financial soundness, quality of products/services, social responsibility, longterm investment, and innovation.

In addition to being named one of FORTUNE's Top 10 Most Admired Companies in the world, Southwest, which serves only the domestic United States, also ranked third in the list of the World's Most Admired Airlines.

After 37 years of service, Southwest Airlines, the nation's leading low-fare carrier, continues to stand above other airlines--offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the most productive airline in the sky and offers Customers a comfortable traveling experience with all premium leather seats and plenty of legroom. Southwest's updated gate areas and improved boarding procedure make flying Southwest Airlines even more convenient and simple. Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 64 cities in 32 states (service to Minneapolis-St. Paul begins March 8, and service to Boston Logan International Airport will begin in Fall 2009). Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,200 flights a day and has more than 35,000 Employees systemwide.

www.southwest.com

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XFMedia Changes its Corporate Identity and Ticker Symbol to XSEL

BEIJING, March 2 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Xinhua Finance Media Limited (Nasdaq: XFML) (the "Company"), a leading media group in China, announced today that it has changed its name to Xinhua Sports & Entertainment Limited ("XSEL") following shareholder approval obtained on January 15, 2009. The Company is unveiling a new corporate identity which highlights its focus on the rapidly expanding sports and entertainment market in China. Its trading symbol on the NASDAQ Global Market will be changed from "XFML" to "XSEL" effective Monday, March 2, 2009.

Link to the new XSEL logo: http://www.xsel.com/logo/

Positioned to offer advertisers an effective platform to reach the young, upwardly mobile demographic in China, the Company has been growing its media platforms beyond finance with a particular focus on sports and entertainment. This is an extension of the continued effort to target the fastest growing and most affluent audiences in China. The new corporate name and identity more accurately reflect the Company's mission and its direction for future growth.

Ms. Fredy Bush, XSEL's Chief Executive Officer said, "Sports themed programming is the fastest growing and most profitable segment of the broadcast industry in China today. According to research conducted by Morgan Stanley, there are approximately 500 million soccer fans and 300 million basketball fans in China. Providing additional popular international sports content to these individuals as well as the sizeable untapped fans in China is a compelling business strategy and investment opportunity."

"China's media market is continuing to open opportunities that were not available just one year ago. Content is fast becoming the most valuable commodity in China. We are in the fortunate position of being able to leverage our well-established platform of media and advertising resources to deliver content across television channels, the Internet, and mobile phones," continued Ms. Bush.

XSEL's total media solution reaches approximately 250 million television viewers, a radio broadcast audience of approximately 125 million, over 480 million potential mobile phone users and an extensive university network of over 45 million students. XSEL provides Chinese audiences access to premium sports and entertainment content while also offering advertisers access to China's young, upwardly mobile demographic.

As a result of the Company's focus on sports and entertainment, it is rolling out a new corporate identity, which is derived from the concept of "spotlights", an element universally associated with the excitement of sports and entertainment. Moreover, its new corporate brand mark via its "X" shape symbolizes convergence, namely its capacity to bring together content and access, advertisers and audiences, and the best practices of East and West. The "X" also represents the Company's continued business expansion and extension. Furthermore, through the abbreviation of the new Company name "XSEL", the Company conveys to the market its ability to "excel" in China's media industry as well as its capability to help its clients "excel" in reaching their target audience in China.

The new corporate name follows a number of announcements by the Company regarding expansion into new ventures related to sports broadcasting and film production in China. Among these various initiatives, the Company acquired exclusive distribution rights in China to the All Sports Network ("ASN"). ASN's content includes the NFL, NCAA March Madness, all Pac 10, ACC, and Big 10 competitions and exclusive NHL regular and post season games. XSEL has also purchased the 2009 - 2012 seasons of the UEFA Europa League as well as rights in China to one of the largest fight sports libraries in the world featuring World Class boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Kung fu and other competitions.

About XSEL

Xinhua Sports & Entertainment Limited ("XSEL"; NASDAQ: XSEL) is a leading sports and entertainment media company group in China. Catering to a vast audience of young and upwardly mobile consumers, XSEL is well-positioned in China with its unique content and access. Through its key international partnerships, XSEL is able to offer its target audience the content they demand -- premium sports and quality entertainment. Through its Chinese partnerships, XSEL is able to deliver this content across a broad range of platforms, including television, the Internet, mobile phone, cinema, university campuses and other multimedia assets in China. Along with its in-house advertising resources, XSEL offers a total solution empowering clients at every stage of the media process linking advertisers with China's young and upwardly mobile demographic.

Headquartered in Beijing, the company employs more than 1,350 people and has offices and affiliates in major cities throughout China including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Xinhua Sports & Entertainment Limited shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market (NASDAQ: XSEL). For more information, please visit http://www.xsel.com .

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about XSEL's beliefs and expectations are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Among other things, quotations from management in this announcement contain forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks outlined in XSEL's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F.

This press release is based upon information available to the public, as well as other information from sources which management believes to be reliable, but it is not guaranteed by XSEL to be accurate, nor does XSEL purport it to be complete. Opinions expressed herein are those of management as of the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. XSEL undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

    For more information, please contact:

    Media Contact

     Joy Tsang
     XSEL
     Tel:   +86-21-6113-5999
     Email: joy.tsang@xsel.com

     Lindsay Koval
     AGG International
     Tel:   +1-212-614-4170
     Email: lindsay@aggintl.com

    IR Contact

     Edward Liu
     XSEL
     Tel:   +86-21-6113-5978
     Email: edward.liu@xsel.com

     Howard Gostfrand
     American Capital Ventures
     Tel:   +1-305-918-7000
            +1-877-918-0774, toll free
     Email: info@amcapventures.com

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Pearson - Final Results Interviews With CEO and CFO

LONDON, March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pearson, the international media company, today announced its 2008 preliminary results.

In a video interview, Marjorie Scardino, CEO, and Robin Freestone, CFO, discuss the company's strong performance in 2008. They look at the results and outlook in detail, and break down the opportunity for Pearson in its different businesses including Pearson Education, Penguin Group and the Financial Times Group.

In addition to the interviews there will also be a live analyst presentation at 09:00GMT.

The interview, transcript and live presentation are available on http://w3.cantos.com/pearson.

It's free to view. All you need to do is register at http://www.cantos.com. Cantos.com, the online financial broadcaster, features in-depth interviews, documentaries and webcasts with senior company executives. If you would like to contact us, please email enquiries@cantos.com or phone +44(0)207-936-1333.

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CHAMP and OAG Announce Strategic Alliance to Automate the Distribution of Cargo Tariffs

CHAMP's Cargospot to publish real-time rates on OAG AFRA

BANGKOK, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- CHAMP Cargosystems (www.champ.aero), the leading provider of air cargo IT solutions, and OAG Cargo (www.oagcargo.com), the foremost data and online information services business for the global airfreight industry, today announced their global co-operation for the provision of real-time rate and booking services. This alliance will deliver a direct interface between CHAMP's Cargospot system and OAG's Air Freight Rates (AFRA) application.

Carriers utilising CHAMP's new generation Cargospot applications will now be able to distribute their rates directly to their forwarding clients via OAG's AFRA. This web-based solution allows the communication of real-time rate information between carriers and freight forwarders in a secure online environment. Carriers will have the option within Cargospot to upload their rates via the 'AFRA interface' and their latest tariffs will be automatically placed on AFRA where they will be instantly accessible to current and potential customers.

Mike Navin, Managing Director OAG Cargo Solutions, part of UBM Aviation, said: "We are excited about this initiative with CHAMP, which supports OAG's strategy for obtaining rate information directly from the source. The dynamics of our industry demand high-speed communications and data transfer between airlines, handlers and forwarders. Having an interface to link our two applications will speed up the communication process for critical real-time rate data and deliver added value to our customers."

James Fernandez, VP Sales and Marketing, CHAMP Cargosystems explains: "CHAMP's partnership with OAG is part of our strategy to extend the range of services available to our Cargospot clients. As we continue to invest in our new-generation product portfolio, finding the right partners is critical to us so that we can provide our customers with opportunities for growth and competitive advantage.

"Our clients can now have a direct interface with their customers, providing improved levels of service at lower cost. The real-time publication of tariffs is vital in today's competitive environment and Cargospot users will now be able to respond even more quickly to any movements or changes in the market."

Cargospot -- CHAMP's new generation suite of applications -- provides a modern software platform for airlines needing a complete solution to automate their cargo business or to replace a current legacy system. Cargospot is offered in both hosted and license options to suit companies of all sizes. The modules enable fast interoperability with business partners (customers, agents, and service providers) throughout the air cargo supply chain.

AFRA is a business to business tool for secure rate information between airlines and freight forwarders, and for the communication of sales quotations between forwarders and shippers. Airlines publish their rates on the system, and forwarders access the information under license. Currently it contains more than eight million tariffs including general, contract, ad hoc and net rates, and is used by freight forwarders worldwide to compare prices quickly and easily to find the right rate for a consignment.

About CHAMP (http://www.champ.aero/)

CHAMP Cargosystems is the market leader in providing integrated software solutions to air cargo carriers and their distribution partners around the world. With a comprehensive and proven portfolio CHAMP provides solutions to over 85 airlines and 200 customers worldwide, including GSAs, GHAs and Forwarders and is an IATA Strategic Partner.

In addition to the core airline business, the CHAMP portfolio includes extensive ground handling modules addressing the needs of GHA and GSA specialists. CHAMP also leverages its domain knowledge of cargo airlines and experience of ERP (enterprise resource planning) applications to deliver outsourcing consultancy and leading-edge SAP financial platforms for financial and accounting operations to airlines managing freight. CHAMP is an SAP(R) Channel Partner.

About OAG Cargo Solutions (www.oagcargo.com)

OAG Cargo Solutions provides an expanding portfolio of innovative products and services to the global air cargo community. Its air freight community portal oagcargo.com includes tools for routing and shipment planning, Dangerous Goods regulations, a real-time air freight rates database, air and road schedule data, tracking and analysis solutions and multi-media cargo schedule products. Its renowned Inforwarding service has more than 26,000 registered freight forwarding and airline users in 26 markets worldwide.

OAG Cargo Solutions is part of UBM Aviation (www.ubmaviation.com), a global data and information business for the air transport industry serving the passenger aviation, air cargo logistics, maintenance repair & overhaul (MRO) and business travel communities with flight and fleet information products, market intelligence, news and events. UBM Aviation is a division of United Business Media (UBM) Limited.

About UBM (www.ubm.com)

United Business Media Limited (UBM) is a global media and marketing services company that informs markets and brings the world's buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print, and with the information they need to do business successfully. UBM serves professional and commercial communities, from IT professionals to doctors, from journalists to jewelry dealers, from farmers to pharmacists around the world. UBM employs more than 6,500 people in more than 30 countries. UBM's businesses include CMPMedica, Everything Channel, PR Newswire, RISI, TechInsights, TechWeb, Think Services, UBM Aviation and UBM Global Trade. UBM is listed on the London Stock Exchange (UBM.L) and has a market capitalization of $2.5 billion.

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Boosting Business Confidence

The key to getting British business back on track

LONDON, Mar. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Britain's executives are being urged to honour the people who make the most crucial contribution to their businesses: their staff. Workers in thousands of firms all over the UK are currently giving their all to support companies through the recession. By acknowledging their efforts, bosses can create an upswing in staff confidence that will be passed on in turn to customers, sending them a powerful message that the business is strong, able to deliver and here to stay.

In spite of the negative headlines on employment, a surprising seven in ten firms say the spirit of their staff has not been dampened by the current economic climate, according to recent research that polled 1200 business leaders and entrepreneurs at The National Business Awards.

The research shows that the majority of firms believe that the quality of the nation's workforce is the reason why UK plc will survive the recession. With that in mind, bosses are being encouraged to acknowledge the contribution of their employees by entering the 2009 National Business Awards Regional Programme, sponsored by Orange.

In a period of economic uncertainty, it is vital that businesses do all they can to reinstate consumer and staff confidence. While winning an award or reaching the finals is highly prestigious, just entering can be enough to inspire those around you.

Mike Faulkner, Group Director, The National Business Awards, sponsored by Orange said: "In the current economic climate there has never been such a heightened need to instil confidence in consumers. There is no better way for a business to send a positive message to its customers than gaining recognition in The National Business Awards. We expect 2009 to be a bumper year for entries and look forward to a robust and hard fought contest across the UK."

Paul Tollet, Vice President of Orange Business, UK added: "Orange is proud to be sponsoring The National Business Awards for an eighth consecutive year and recognising the resilience and adaptability of British business. In spite of this difficult economic climate, those organisations that are truly exceptional will buck the market trends and remain successful."

In order to make entering The Awards as straight forward as possible, new for 2009, is the ability to complete the entries entirely digitally at www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk/regionals. The Regional Awards programme is now open for registrations and the closing date for submission of entry forms is Tuesday 7th April 2009.

Made up of nine categories, shortlisted finalists will be announced on 6th May 2009, before preparing to make their presentations in person before an independent, expert judging panel in June. Winners will be unveiled at glittering gala award dinners throughout July. Scotland and regional winners will then advance to The National Business Awards finals competing with public and private organisations from all over the country culminating in The National Business Awards gala dinner in November.

To obtain further information or to enter the 2009 programme visit www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk, telephone 020 7234 8753 or email nbapressoffice@ubm.com

*Photography is available upon request

    For further information please contact:

    The National Business Awards
    Henriette Svensen, PR Manager
    Telephone: 020 7234 8753/0750 091 7628
    Email: henriette.svensen@ubm.com
    Visit: www.nationalbusinessawards.co.uk

Editors Notes:

THE NATIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS - REGIONAL PROGRAMME 2009

The 1200 business leaders polled at The National Business Awards also concluded that:

  • Businesses believe that the most important thing organisations need to do to make UK Plc more successful long term is:
    • 51% - Invest In Skills and Training
    • 34% - Support innovation
    • 8% - Encourage more relaxed governance
    • 7% - Invest in greener business practices

  • Asked how well prepared they thought the UK economy is to weather the storm compared to other world economies, businesses said:
    • 30% - Better
    • 32% - The same
    • 37% - Less

  • Businesses think the best attribute that the UK can offer successful business is:
    • 51% - Great talent pool from which to recruit
    • 21% - Its reputation as a world superpower in business
    • 28% - Its geography and language

The National Business Awards, sponsored by Orange, has considerable success in embedding its reputation for managing and delivering a robust and rigorous process delivering the United Kingdom's most respected business recognition platform, with its particular emphasis on success, innovation and ethical business.

The 2009 Awards categories now open for entries are:

  • The Orange Best Use of Technology in Business Award
  • The Health Work Well-being Award for Small Business
  • The 3i Growth Strategy of the Year Award
  • The Business Innovation of the Year Award
  • The Badenoch & Clark Business of the Year Award
  • The Customer Focus Award
  • The Employer of the Year Award
  • The Entrepreneur of the Year Award
  • The Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award

About United Business Media

The National Business Awards is owned by United Business Media the leading global business media company. We inform markets and bring the world's buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print, and with the information they need to do business successfully. We focus on serving professional commercial communities, from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewellery traders, from farmers to pharmacists around the world. Our 5,000 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into specialist teams that serve these communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently. For more information, go to www.unitedbusinessmedia.com.

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Sunday, March 1, 2009

NEWSWEEK International Editions: Highlights and Exclusives, March 9, 2009 Issue

COVER: Radical Islam Is a Fact of Life. How to Live With It. (All overseas editions). Newsweek International Editor Fareed Zakaria argues that in order to prevail, the West must learn to distinguish between those Islamic groups who have nihilistic philosophies and expansionist aims and those looking to apply their values at home. "Anything that emphasizes the variety of groups, movements and motives within that world strengthens the case that this is not a battle between Islam and the West," Zakaria writes. "[Osama] Bin Laden constantly argues that all these different groups are part of the same global movement. We should not play into his hands, and emphasize instead that many of these forces are local, have specific grievances and don't have much in common." Zakaria, however, stresses that this "does not mean we should accept the burning of girls' schools, or the stoning of criminals. Recognizing the reality of radical Islam is entirely different from accepting its ideas."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187093

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090301/NYSU003 )

COVER: Losing Hand. (Japan only). Tokyo Bureau Chief Christian Caryl reports on Japan's dramatic leadership deficit. Despite the embarrassment caused by Shoichi Nakagawa, Japan's finance minister who resigned last month, Prime Minister Taro Aso, the man responsible for appointing Nakagawa, is still on the job--despite approval ratings in the single digits and an apparent lack of any coherent plan for rescuing the world's second-largest economy. Aso's propensity for gaffes and his failure to find a modus vivendi with the emboldened opposition have condemned Japan to paralysis at just the moment when it's in dire need of strong leadership. Many blame Aso's failings on his predecessors and Japanese traditions that value seniority over performance. But pretty much everyone agrees the biggest problem is the LDP itself, which has singlehandedly ruled Japan since the party's founding in 1955.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186965

Politics Takes a Right Turn in Jerusalem. In his first foreign media interview since being asked by Israeli President Shimon Peres to form Israel's next government, Prime Minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu tells Special Diplomatic Correspondent Lally Weymouth that he believes it is possible to halt Iran's nuclear program without having to resort to military action, but it shouldn't be ruled out. "I think this regime is vulnerable to pressure that ought to be intensified. But none of these sanctions and other measures that are contemplated would have much of an effect if the Iranians believe that a military option is off the table," he says.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187077

Avigdor Lieberman. Weymouth also interviewed Avigdor Lieberman, whose Yisrael Beytenu party was a surprise winner in Israel's recent election. Last week Lieberman sat down for his first foreign interview and discussed his proposal of a loyalty oath for all Israelis. "The dividing line for Yisrael Beytenu is who supports terror and who fights terror. We cannot accept that there are people in Israel that even during even the war openly supported Hamas," he says. This proposal, he adds, is not only meant for Israeli Arabs but Jews as well. "[I propose] to outlaw these parties and these political leaders [who supported Hamas]," Lieberman says. "Secondly, there must be some kind of national or military service for all Israelis. We take all our examples from Europe or the United States."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186953

Anti-Semitism in Araby. Josef Joffe, a senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Abramowitz fellow at the Hoover Institution, examines Hillary Clinton's peacemaking trip to Israel and the West Bank this week, another chapter in "the longest-running show in American diplomacy." The reasons for the slow pace are familiar: the status of Jerusalem, problems with security, Jewish settlements, civil war among the Palestinians, etc. But one other key problem is stubbornly ignored: "the fact that no Arab regime has shown itself willing to truly prepare its people for peace with Israel, which would mean accepting the lasting presence of Jews in their midst." Anti-Semitism is a very real part of Arab life today. "Whereas this darkest of creeds is no longer tolerated in polite society in the West, in the Arab world, Jew hatred remains culturally endemic."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186974

Waiting for Barack. Denis MacShane, a Labour M.P. and Britain's minister for Europe under Tony Blair, writes that "all of Europe looks anxiously to Washington for answers to the world's intractable problems: a banking freeze-up, a job meltdown, a Middle East with no solution in sight, an Iran racing for nuclear arms, a quagmire in Afghanistan, a Russia that treats the European Union as a playpen for the Kremlin's divide-and-rule diplomatic games." Yet Barack Obama is the first president in decades with no experience or knowledge of Europe, and this is a time when Europe is disunited and quarrelsome on economic, security and foreign-policy issues.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186966

What Hillary Didn't Do in Asia. Kishore Mahbubani, dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (National University of Singapore), writes that Hillary Clinton's recent trip to Asia provides some early clues on how she'll manage the task of engaging in long-term strategic thinking on major geopolitical challenges. "There's no doubt she did a competent job. Clinton followed the advice of her briefing books, making Japan her first stop to reassure this nervous and insecure ally. Then she went to Indonesia, probably at Obama's instigation, to rebuild America's image in the world's most populous Islamic country. South Korea was an essential stop to send the usual tough signals to North Korea. And then came China, her most important destination." Yet, there's little evidence Clinton has engaged in any serious strategic thinking about U.S.-China relations. During her trip, she refrained from asking any big questions.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186967

How to End a Genocide Debate. Contributor Grenville Byfordreports on the 1915 massacre of Armenians in what is now Eastern Turkey, and the ongoing debate over whether it was "genocide." "In all probability, Turkey and Armenia can only resolve the genocide dispute if they recognize that 'was it a genocide?' may be the ultimate question, but it is not the most important one today," he writes. Two questions outrank it: what common facts can Turks and Armenians be brought to accept, and is the common ground sufficient for both sides to start binding up the wounds? As important as the final answer, however, is the development of empathy across the divide.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186973

WORLD VIEW: A Deal With Syria Is Possible. Contributor Richard N. Haass writes that there may be an opportunity now to make peace between Israel and Syria. Damascus is signaling that it's ready to negotiate a separate peace with Israel and it needs America's help to do it. "Any accord between Israel and Syria would require a push from the outside. Turkey has been hosting talks between the two countries, but it cannot succeed on its own. The United States needs to become a participant ... President Obama correctly views dialogue as a tool, not a reward. It is time to put the tool to use, and to see what can be built."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186954

THE LAST WORD: Alexander Medvedev, deputy chief executive of energy giant Gazprom. Senior Editor Michael Freedmanmet with Medvedev to discuss the economic crisis, foreign investment in the Russian energy sector and the Ukraine gas dispute. "We value our reputation very highly. That's why we have done everything possible to prevent the crisis. Unfortunately we became hostages of the political situation in Ukraine and a commercial dispute went out of the commercial terms."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186975

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NEWSWEEK: Media Lead Sheet/March 9, 2009 Issue (on newsstands Monday, March 2).

COVER: "Radical Islam is A Fact of Life. How To Live With It." (p. 24). Newsweek international Editor Fareed Zakaria argues that radical Islam is a fact of life, which we must learn to deal with. In order to prevail, the West must learn to distinguish between those who have nihilistic philosophies and expansionist aims and those looking to apply their values at home. "Anything that emphasizes the variety of groups, movements and motives within that world strengthens the case that this is not a battle between Islam and the West," Zakaria writes. "[Osama] Bin Laden constantly argues that all these different groups are part of the same global movement. We should not play into his hands, and emphasize instead that many of these forces are local, have specific grievances and don't have much in common." Zakaria, however, stresses that this "does not mean we should accept the burning of girls' schools, or the stoning of criminals. Recognizing the reality of radical Islam is entirely different from accepting its ideas. We should mount a spirited defense of our views and values. We should pursue aggressively policies that will make these values succeed. Such efforts are often difficult and take time--rebuilding state structures, providing secular education, reducing corruption--but we should help societies making these efforts. The mere fact that we are working in these countries on these issues--and not simply bombing, killing and capturing--might change the atmosphere surrounding the U.S. involvement in this struggle."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187093

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090301/NYSU003 )

INTERVIEW: "Politics Takes a Right Turn in Jerusalem" (p. 30). In his first foreign media interview since being asked by Israeli President Shimon Peres to form Israel's next government, Prime Minister- elect Benjamin Netanyahu tells Special Diplomatic Correspondent Lally Weymouth that he believes it is possible to halt Iran's nuclear program without having to resort to military action, but it shouldn't be ruled out. "I think this regime is vulnerable to pressure that ought to be intensified. But none of these sanctions and other measures that are contemplated would have much of an effect if the Iranians believe that a military option is off the table," he says.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187077

"Avigdor Lieberman" (p. 31). Weymouth also interviewed Avigdor Lieberman, whose Yisrael Beytenu party was a surprise winner in Israel's recent election. Last week Lieberman sat down for his first foreign interview and discussed his proposal of a loyalty oath for all Israelis. "The dividing line for Yisrael Beytenu is who supports terror and who fights terror. We cannot accept that there are people in Israel that even during even the war openly supported Hamas," he says. This proposal, he adds, is not only meant for Israeli Arabs but Jews as well. "[I propose] to outlaw these parties and these political leaders [who supported Hamas]," Lieberman says. "Secondly, there must be some kind of national or military service for all Israelis. We take all our examples from Europe or the United States." A video of this interview is also available on Newsweek.com.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186953?tid=relatedcl

POLITICS: "Obama's Pelosi Problem" (p. 34). White House Correspondent Holly Bailey reports on the friction between the White House and Congress over courting support for the stimulus package. While President Barack Obama worked to win over Republicans, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was going in the opposite direction. Pelosi didn't share the president's dream of brotherly love breaking out in the Capitol. To the ire of Republicans, and some Democrats, Pelosi maneuvered to put the stimulus package on the fast track, cutting short debate on the bill and cutting Republicans out of the discussion.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186961

THE WHITE HOUSE: "The Busiest Woman in Washington" (p. 38) Editor-At-Large Evan Thomas and Political Correspondent Katie Connolly profile Desiree Rogers, the First Family's social secretary, gatekeeper and imagemaker, whose top job is to cast the Obamas as occupants of a "People's House." A New Orleans native, Rogers describes her job as "one cornerstone of building the Obama presidency brand."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186963

DANIEL GROSS: "Reining In Bubbles So They Won't Pop" (p. 44). In an adaptation of Senior Editor Daniel Gross'snew book, "Dumb Money: How Our Greatest Financial Minds Bankrupted the Nation," Gross breaks down some of the reasons why our advanced financial system suffered such a catastrophic failure and looks at whether it's possible to keep this from happening again. "There's plenty of blame to go around: poor regulation, eight years of a failed Republican economic philosophy, Wall Street-friendly Democrats who helped stymie reform, misguided bipartisan efforts to promote home ownership, Wall Street greed, corrupt CEOs, a botched rescue effort, painfully fallible central bankers," Gross writes. "Everybody--individuals, companies, institutions, and governments--got caught up in the stupidity."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186949

SHARON BEGLEY: "Why Doctors Hate Science" (p. 49). Senior Editor Sharon Begley writes about why doctors are reluctant allow science to guide their practices and to listen to scientists conducting "comparative-effectiveness research" that determines which treatments, including drugs, are more medically and cost-effective for a given ailment than others. "The power of medical culture explains only part of the resistance to following practices that have been shown scientifically to be superior to others. Some doctors insist that results of such studies do not apply to their patients, since every patient is different," Begley writes. Money, however, also matters. "In one infamous case in the mid-1990s, a federal agency concluded that spinal fusion doesn't help back pain, a decision that threatened insurance coverage for it. Surgeons, who stood to lose piles of money, got Congress to decimate the agency's budget, forcing it to pull back from making recommendations."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187006

EDUCATION: "Rethinking Race In the Classroom" (p. 52). National Correspondent Allison Samuels writes about why in the age of Obama, the call to banish "Huck Finn" and abolish Black History Month is wrong. "There's a case to be made that, in the age of Obama, it is more important than ever to study works like 'Huck Finn,'" Samuels writes. "As adamant as some African-American teachers and professors are about keeping the books in the classroom, some black parents feel very differently," she writes. "Parents, teachers and mentors are all responsible for arming students with the right tools for the future. And when our children end up learning only half the story, no one wins."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187009

MOVIES: "Till Death Do Us Part" (p. 60). Senior Editor Devin Gordon reviews the long-awaited, "Watchmen" movie. Zack Snyder's film adaptation of the graphic novel is meticulous, even slavish, in its recreation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons's imagery. "'Watchmen' loyalists are already rejoicing. But is that a good thing?" writes Gordon. "Speaking as an admirer, but not an apostle, of the graphic novel, I thought the 'Watchmen' movie was confusing, maddeningly inconsistent and fighting a long, losing battle to establish an identity of its own."

http://www.newsweek.com/id/186958

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NEWSWEEK Cover: Radical Islam Is A Fact Of Life. How To Live With It.

Fareed Zakaria Writes, "It is crucial that we adopt a more sophisticated strategy toward radical Islam"

Not All Islamic Fundamentalists Support Jihad or are Potential Terrorists

NEW YORK, March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- In the March 9 Newsweek cover, "Radical Islam Is a Fact of Life. How to Live With It" (on newsstands Monday, March 2), Newsweek International Editor Fareed Zakaria argues that radical Islam is a fact of life, which we must learn to deal with. He emphatically does not say that we should accept the medieval values of the Islamists, or that we should not continue trying to destroy Al Qaeda. But to prevail in a generational cultural struggle, the West must learn to distinguish between those who have nihilistic philosophies and expansionist aims and those looking to apply their values at home.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090301/NYSU003 )

Reports from Nigeria to Bosnia to Indonesia show that Islamic fundamentalists are finding support within their communities for their agenda, which usually involves the introduction of some form of Sharia-Islamic law--reflecting a puritanical interpretation of Islam. No music, no liquor, no smoking, no female emancipation. "The groups that advocate these policies are ugly, reactionary forces that will stunt their countries and bring dishonor to their religion. But not all these Islamists advocate global jihad, host terrorists or launch operations against the outside world--in fact, most do not," Zakaria writes. "Consider, for example, the most difficult example, the Taliban. The Taliban have done all kinds of terrible things in Afghanistan. But so far, no Afghan Taliban has participated at any significant level in a global terrorist attack over the past 10 years--including 9/11." Zakaria also points out that while some elements of the Taliban are closely associated with Al Qaeda, "the Taliban is large, and many factions have little connection to Osama bin Laden. Most Taliban want Islamic rule locally, not violent jihad globally," he writes.

This is why "it is crucial that we adopt a more sophisticated strategy toward radical Islam," Zakaria writes. "This should come naturally to President Obama, who spoke often on the campaign trail of the need for just such a differentiated approach toward Muslim countries." The Washington Institute, a think tank often associated with conservatives, also agrees with this view. Its report due to be released this week recommends that the United States use more "nuanced, noncombative rhetoric" that avoids sweeping declarations like "war on terror," "global insurgency," even "the Muslim world."

"Anything that emphasizes the variety of groups, movements and motives within that world strengthens the case that this is not a battle between Islam and the West," Zakaria writes. "Bin Laden constantly argues that all these different groups are part of the same global movement. We should not play into his hands, and emphasize instead that many of these forces are local, have specific grievances and don't have much in common. That does not mean we should accept the burning of girls' schools, or the stoning of criminals. Recognizing the reality of radical Islam is entirely different from accepting its ideas. We should mount a spirited defense of our views and values. We should pursue aggressively policies that will make these values succeed. Such efforts are often difficult and take time--rebuilding state structures, providing secular education, reducing corruption--but we should help societies making these efforts. The mere fact that we are working in these countries on these issues--and not simply bombing, killing and capturing--might change the atmosphere surrounding the U.S. involvement in this struggle."

(Read cover article at www.Newsweek.com)

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