10 Outrageous Predictions for 2012

16 Dec 2011 11:38 Africa/Lagos



Saxo Bank Releases 10 Outrageous Predictions for 2012

LONDON, December 16, 2011/PRNewswire/ --

Saxo Bank has today released its annual Outrageous Predictions. Among the unlikely events predicted by the Bank are that Australia will go into recession, Basel III and regulation will force 50 bank nationalisations in Europe and Apple shares will plummet 50 percent from their 2011 high.

In its Outrageous Predictions, Saxo Bank focuses on events that are unlikely to happen, but at the same time are far more likely than the market appreciates. The predictions are not meant as forecasts, but it is important for investors to consider events with under-recognised probabilities. Should any of them come to pass, they would have a significant impact on the markets.

Saxo Bank's Outrageous Predictions for 2012:

1. The stock of Apple Inc plummets 50 per cent from 2011 high

Going into 2012 Apple will find itself faced with multiple competitors such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft/Nokia, and Samsung across its most innovative products, the iPhone and iPad. Apple will be unable to maintain its market share of 55 per cent (three times as much as Android) and 66 per cent on the iOS and iPad.

2. EU declares extended bank holiday during 2012

The December EU Treaty changes prove insufficient to solve EU funding needs, particularly those in Italy, and the EU debt crisis returns with a vengeance by mid-year. In response, the stock market finally caves in and drops 25 per cent in short order, prompting EU politicians to call an extended bank holiday, closing all European exchanges and banks for a week or more.

3. A yet unannounced candidate takes the White House

In 1992, Texas billionaire Ross Perot managed to take advantage of a recessionary economy and popular disgust with US politics and reap 18.9 per cent of the popular vote. Three years of Obama has brought too little change and only additional widespread disillusionment with the entire US political system, and conditions for a third party candidate have never been riper. Someone with a strong programme for real change throws his or her hat in the ring early in 2012 and snatches the presidency in November in one of the most pivotal elections in US history, taking 38 per cent of the popular vote.

4. Australia goes into recession

The effects of the slowing up-and-coming Asian giant ripple through Asia Pacific push other countries into recession. If there ever was a country dependent on the well-being of China it is Australia with its heavy dependence on mining and natural resources. And as China's demand for these goods weakens, Australia is pushed into a recession, which is then exacerbated as the housing sector finally experiences its long overdue crash - a half decade after the rest of the developed world.

5. Basel III and regulation force 50 bank nationalisations in Europe

As 2012 begins, pressure will mount on the European banking system as new capital requirements and regulatory pressure force banks to deleverage in a great hurry. This creates a fire sale on financial assets as there are few takers in the market. A total freeze of the European interbank market forces nervous savers to make bank-runs, as depositors distrust deposit guarantees from insolvent sovereigns. More than 50 banks end up on government balance sheets and several known commercial bank brands cease to exist.

6. Sweden and Norway replace Switzerland as safe havens

As we saw with Switzerland, becoming a safe haven in a world of devaluing central banks presents a number of risks to a country's economy. The capital markets of both countries are far smaller than Switzerland, but the Swiss are aggressively devaluing their currency and money managers are looking for new safe havens for capital. Flows into the two countries' government bonds on safe haven appeal becomes popular enough to drive 10-year rates there to more than 100 basis points below the classic safe haven German Bunds.

7. Swiss National Bank wins and catapults EURCHF to 1.50

Switzerland's persistency in fighting the appreciation of its currency will continue to pay off in 2012. With Swiss fundamentals - particularly export related - continuing to suffer mightily in 2012 from past CHF strength, the SNB and government bear down further to prevent more collateral damage and introduce extensions to existing programmes and even negative interest rates to trigger sufficient capital flight from the traditional safe haven of Switzerland to engineer a move in EURCHF as high as 1.50 during the year.

8. USDCNY rises 10 per cent to 7.00

As marginal returns from building million-inhabitant ghost towns diminish and exporters struggle with razor-thin margins due to the advancing CNY China gets to the brink of a "recession", meaning 5-6 per cent GDP growth. Chinese policymakers come to the rescue of exporters by allowing the CNY to decline against a US Dollar - buoyed by its safe-haven status amid slowing global growth and an on-going Eurozone sovereign debt crisis - and send the pair up to 7.00 for a 10 per cent increase.

9. Baltic Dry Index rises 100 per cent

Lower oil prices in 2012 could lead to an increase in the Baltic Dry Index as operating expenses go down. Brazil and Australia are expected to expand iron ore supply, further leading to lower prices and therefore higher import demand from China to satisfy its insatiable industrial production. In combination with monetary easing this leads to a massive spike in iron ore demand.

10. Wheat prices to double in 2012

The price of CBOT wheat will double during 2012 after having been the worst performing crop in 2011. With 7 billion people on the earth and money printing machines at full throttle, bad weather across the world will unfortunately return and make it a tricky year for agricultural products. Wheat especially will rally strongly as speculative investors, who had built up one of the biggest short positions on record, will help drive the price back towards the record high last seen in 2008.

Steen Jakobsen, Chief Economist at Saxo Bank, commented: "Our Outrageous Predictions have been prepared in the spirit of encouraging investors to think outside the box and prepare for world-altering events. Thinking outside the box is rarely a comfortable exercise, but neither is dealing with an unpleasant surprise for which one has failed to prepare in any meaningful way.

"Should some of the predictions come to pass, it would make 2012 a year of tremendous change. We would like nothing more than to be proven wrong on negative views, but only if they are replaced with something better than the current central bank and government-manipulated paradigm."

To see more please visit the Outrageous Predictions [http://www.saxobank.com/lp/outrageous-predictions ] page Saxo Bank's website.

About Saxo Bank

Saxo Bank is a leading online trading and investment specialist. A fully licensed and regulated European bank, Saxo Bank enables private investors and institutional clients to trade FX [http://www.saxobank.com/en/trading-products/forex/pages/forex-trading.aspx ], CFD [http://www.saxobank.com/en/trading-products/cfds-stocks/pages/online-cfd-trading.aspx ], ETFs, Stocks, Futures, Options and other derivatives via three specialised and fully integrated trading platforms; the browser-based SaxoWebTrader, the downloadable SaxoTrader and the SaxoMobileTrader application available in over 20 languages. Saxo Bank also offers professional portfolio and fund management through Saxo Asset Management who accommodates high-net worth private clients and institutional investors and provides banking services and advice to retail clients through Saxo Privatbank. The Saxo Bank Group is headquartered in Copenhagen with offices throughout Europe, Asia, Middle East, Latin America and Australia.


PR Contact:
Kasper Elbj0rn
Head of Group Public Relations
Saxo Bank
40 Bank Street
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5DA
+45-3065-4300
http://www.saxobank.com


Source: Saxo Bank

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Half of Americans Unlikely to Vote to Re-Elect Barack Obama

President Barack Obama's killing of Osama bin Laden is not enough to re-elect him

19 May 2011 16:19 Africa/Lagos


President Obama's Job Rating Unchanged Since Early May, but Half of Americans Unlikely to Vote to Re-Elect Him

Employment/Jobs and the Economy still most important issues for government to address

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, May 19, 2011

NEW YORK, May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- While President Obama's job ratings may not have changed much from the gain they saw after the death of Osama Bin Laden, there are some shifts the White House probably should worry about as they pertain to his re-election numbers. Currently, 45% of Americans give the President positive ratings for the overall job he is doing while 55% give him negative ratings. Earlier this month, right after the death of the terrorist leader, 46% gave President Obama positive ratings and 54% gave him negative marks.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100517/NY06256LOGO)

There are two groups that give President Obama higher ratings. Among regions, 54% of Westerners give him positive marks compared to 40% of Southerners, 42% of Easterners and 44% of those in the Midwest. Almost two-thirds of those with a post graduate degree (64%) give the President positive ratings as do 49% of college graduates and half of those with some college education (50%) while just one third of those with a high school diploma or less (34%) give President Obama positive ratings.

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,184 adults surveyed online between May 9 and 16, 2011 by Harris Interactive.

Congress, which did not get much of a post-Osama killing bump, also hasn't seen their ratings change much in the past two weeks. Earlier in the month, 13% of Americans gave them positive ratings while 87% gave them negative ones. Now, 12% of U.S. adults give them positive marks while 88% of U.S. adults give Congress negative ratings for their overall job.

Also slipping downward slightly is the direction of the country. Just under two in five Americans (38%) say the country is going in the right direction, down one point from earlier this month. Slightly over three in five say the country is going off on the wrong track (62%), up one point from early May. One reason for this overall sense of dissatisfaction is still the economy. One-third of Americans (33%) say that employment/jobs are one of the two most important issues for the government to address, unchanged from January. One in three U.S. adults (29%) says the most important issue is the economy overall, up from 24% who said this in January. Rounding out the top five most important issues to be addressed is healthcare (18%), the budget deficit/national debt (17%) and gas and oil prices (12% up from 1% who said this in January).

It is this worry and concern over the economy that may be driving the numbers the White House is starting to care most about – likelihood of the American public to vote for President Obama again next November. Half of Americans (49%) say they are unlikely to vote for Barack Obama if the election for president were held today, up from 47% who said this in early May. Just over two in five Americans (43%) say they are likely to vote for him, down from 46% who said so earlier this month. Even more concerning for the re-election committee is that one in five Democrats (20%) say they are not likely to vote for the President while 7% at not at all sure.

So What?

The death of Osama Bin Laden brought the country together, but the question was always how long would that cohesion last. So far, the overall job ratings for the President are holding steady, but at this point in the election cycle President Obama and his advisors are not just thinking about the current job he has, but of extending it for another four years. Come next November, voters will be asking themselves if they are better off than they were in 2009. If the answer isn't yes, there could be issues for the re-election chances of President Obama.


Click here for all the details

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Pelosi Remarks after House Democrats' Meeting on Health Insurance Reform at the White House

7 Jan 2010 01:14 Africa/Lagos

Pelosi Remarks after House Democrats' Meeting on Health Insurance Reform at the White House

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi held a brief press availability with Chairman Charles Rangel, Chairman Henry Waxman, Chairman George Miller, and Chairwoman Louise Slaughter following their meeting this afternoon with President Obama at the White House to discuss health care legislation. The following is a partial transcript due to an incomplete audio recording.


"...We've had a very intense couple of days with meetings in our leadership, meetings with our staff. After our leadership meeting this morning, our staffs engaged with the Senate and the Administration's staff to review the legislation, suggest legislative language. I think we're very close to reconciliation, respectful of the challenges -- policy and otherwise -- in the House and in the Senate.


"But we would not be at this historic moment without the leadership of President Obama -- with his commitment to health care for all Americans as a right, not a privilege. So we thank him for his vision and his leadership. We also thank him for his time and his attention to the details of the legislation.


"Thank you all."


Q: Could you tell us a couple things that you're hoping that will be adopted from the House bill that you think that...


Speaker Pelosi: Any of our Chairmen wish to speak to that?


What we're talking about is affordability and accountability. And I think that in both of the bills, the makings for great legislation is evident and present in both bills. So, it's not a question of adopting this or that. It's about addressing and meeting the needs of the American people -- that this be affordable for the middle class -- and to do that we have to hold the insurance companies accountable. Any legislation would have to be judged as to how it did that. Again, with the third "A" -- providing affordable access to affordable, quality health care at lower cost for the American people.


Q: Do you anticipate that these bills will be passed by the end of the month?


Chairwoman Louise Slaughter: That's our hope.

Speaker Pelosi: It's possible, it's possible.


Chairman Charles Rangel: The President has been very patient with his time and understanding that we have to get 218 votes and we really have to be able to sell it -- not just to our Democratic Caucus, but to the American people. And we could not have asked the President to be more cooperative -- even though he's doing more listening than talking.


Speaker Pelosi: But we will bring the bill to the floor when we are ready. And hopefully that will be soon.


Q: What are the continuing areas of difference with the Senate at this point?


Speaker Pelosi: You know, we have so much area of agreement that I prefer to focus on that. I'd prefer to focus on that.


Q: How about the differences? Is the public option still a difference? Is that still a problem?


Speaker Pelosi: Again, we are walking through the bills right now -- the House and Senate and the staff of the Administration. And the staff goes through -- we have selected a few items that we want to take primary responsibility for, but the staff I am sure will -- their discussions will yield a few more areas.


It actually -- the truth is that there is so much agreement in the bills but sometimes we approach the issue differently. So we have to figure out what the best approach is to the issues.


Q: What are the few areas that you have taken responsibility for?


Speaker Pelosi: Accountability for the insurance industry, affordability for the middle class, and access for quality health care for all Americans. And we all are committed to fiscal responsibility that has to accompany this bill. Because if every person in America loved the health insurance and loved the health care that they had, we would still have to undertake this because the present system is unsustainable. We can't afford the upward spiral of medical costs in our country.


As the President has said, health care reform is entitlement reform for reasons that affect the lives of working families in America, of seniors in our country, young people, our veterans, you name it, everyone benefits by the passage of this legislation.


Thank you all very much.


Source: Office of the Speaker of the House

CONTACT: Brendan Daly or Nadeam Elshami or Drew Hammill,
+1-202-226-7616, all of the Office of the Speaker of the House


Web Site: http://www.speaker.gov/



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A Bad Day for the Obama White House A Good Day for the American People

A Bad Day for the Obama White House A Good Day for the American People
by Newt Gingrich (more by this author)
Posted 11/04/2009 ET
Updated 11/04/2009 ET


A bad day for the Obama White House but a good day for the American people

That’s the easiest way to summarize the collapse of the Democratic candidates around the country yesterday.

In Virginia and New Jersey the Republican victories last night were bigger than they were in 1993.

Voters were clearly unhappy. According to Mike Allen of The Politico, network exit polls showed that 85 percent of Virginia voters and 90 percent of New Jersey voters were worried about the economy.

Governor Haley Barbour put it best: "It's not about the President personally...the President’s policies are unpopular.”

It will be interesting to see if any congressional Democrats get that message or if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is able to push through the massive leftwing health bill this coming Saturday.

The Biggest Winner? Bob McDonnell in Virginia



The biggest winner last night was Bob McDonnell and his campaign for governor in Virginia.

McDonnell is so attractive and effective as a candidate, and so knowledgeable after years in the state legislature and four years as Attorney General, that he should be a model for all Republicans to study.

He is a solid conservative who knew how to appeal to suburban voters, how to deflect the Washington Post’s attacks, and how to appeal to minority voters.

The results were overwhelming in Virginia. Republican enthusiasm was up, and after a year of the Obama presidency, Democrats were demoralized.

The result was a turnout in which 47 percent of voters identified themselves as Republicans and 36 percent identified as Democrats. This is an enormous change for a state which one year ago gave President Obama 53 percent of the vote.

The Fallout in Virginia: Four Democratic Seats are Now at Risk

Four Democratic congressmen from Virginia are now at risk because their districts went for Bob McDonnell last night.

• In Rep. Glenn Nye’s (D) 2nd District, McDonnell was winning by a whopping 63 percent to 37 percent with 130 out of 161 precincts reporting.
• In Rep. Tom Perriello’s (D) 5th District, McDonnell was winning by 61-39 with over 90 percent of the vote counted.
• In Rep. Rick Boucher’s (D) 9th District, McDonnell was ahead 68-32 with 295 out of 336 precincts in.
• In Rep. Gerald Connolly’s (D) 11th District, McDonnell was up 56-44 with 68 of 168 precincts reporting.

And not just Virginia House members should take note. Virginia Senators Jim Webb (D) and Mark Warner (D) need to look carefully at the impact of the energy tax in the cap and trade bill on Virginia voters.

Chris Christie’s Victory Margin was Four Times Christine Whitman’s

In a more Democratic state than Virginia, former federal prosecutor Chris Christie’s (R) win yesterday in New Jersey was an equally impressive Republican victory.

Christie won by over 100,000 votes, which is four times moderate Republican Christine Todd Whitman’s margin in 1993.

As for the Democrats, incumbent Governor Jon Corzine's 44 percent of the vote was a huge drop from President Obama’s 57 percent of the vote in New Jersey just a year ago.

Troubling News From New York 23

The news wasn’t all good last night.

Both conservative activists and Republican leaders need to think long and hard about the only bad result of the night in New York’s 23rd congressional district.

The Democrat beat the conservative candidate 49 percent to 44 percent, with the Republican getting only 5%.

Conservatives can take comfort in having driven a liberal Republican out of the race. But everyone on our side has to be troubled that a Republican seat went to a Democrat and Speaker Pelosi is one vote stronger because of our division.

The National Conservative Movement Has to Be Recognized and Respected

In retrospect it is clear Dede Scozzafava should never have been nominated because she was far too liberal to be acceptable.

Republican leaders in New York must recognize that Mike Long and the Conservative Party in that state have to be consulted before decisions are made. The national conservative movement is a force that has to be recognized and respected.

I certainly heard from enough friends to know that my decision to support the unanimous vote of the 11 New York county chairs was very unpopular with conservative activists.

In New York, after two failed special elections, it is clear the state party has to fight to change the election law so there are primaries in special elections. The insider nominating process is simply unacceptable to grassroots populists and guarantees a sense of illegitimacy.

“When the GOP is United, There Is No State In America We Cannot Win”

However, all of us who oppose the Left need to realize that civil war within the GOP will reelect Barack Obama and make Nancy Pelosi speaker for life.

As pollster Frank Luntz said, "When the GOP is united, there is no state in America that we cannot win -- even the most Democratic states like New Jersey. But when the GOP is divided, even the most Republican districts are in jeopardy."

Building a unified, center-right coalition on a nationwide basis will be the greatest challenge Republicans face in the next three years. But we did it in 1980. We did it again in 1994.

We can do it in 2010 and 2012.

Troubling Big Money Facts

It is an inescapable conclusion that Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) would not have been reelected without having spent $90 million of his own money buying New York City Hall from the voters.

It is also obvious that Governor Corzine of New Jersey would not have been competitive without having spent $30 million (bringing his total purchase of elected offices to $120 million for one Senate and two gubernatorial races).

The current campaign finance rules create the real danger of an oligopoly of rich people buying office.

We need to replace current campaign laws with a simple system that allows everyone to raise unlimited money from individuals as long as it is reported on the internet every night.

This simple system will allow middle-class candidates to raise the money to match rich candidates and level the playing field.

The American People Still Support Marriage

In Maine voters rejected by 53 percent an effort to redefine marriage.

Once again the people rejected the elites in this fight over the nature of marriage.

Good Local Results for the GOP

Generally it was a good night for Republicans in local races as well.

In my favorite race, good friend Barbara Comstock won her state legislative race in Virginia, beating an incumbent Democrat by 192 votes to become the only Republican legislator inside the beltway in Northern Virginia.

As the Wall Street Journal’s John Fund noted, Republicans also won control of New York’s Nassau County legislature, and the race for county executive will go to recount.

Also in New York, the longtime Democratic County Executive of Westchester County, Andy Spano, lost to Republican Rob Astorino by 58 percent to 42 percent.

(Ed Cox, the new and brilliant New York state Republican chair is off to a good start).

In New Jersey, Republicans won control of the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders with John Curley beating Sean Byrnes by a 58-38 margin. Republicans in New Jersey also held their majority on the Burlington County Board of Freeholders, winning two open GOP seats.

And in Michigan, state Senate District 19 was called with 65 percent of the vote reporting. Republican Mike Nofs bested Democrat Marty Griffin by 64-39. This had been a Democratic state senate seat.

Also Winners: Barbour, Ayers and Steele

Two other big winners last night deserve our congratulations and thanks: The Republican Governors Association (RGA) and the Republican National Committee (RNC).

At the RGA, Chairman Haley Barbour and Executive Director Nick Ayers did a superb job.

At the RNC, Chairman Michael Steele provided terrific support to candidates and campaigns everywhere.

All in all, a good night for the American people.

Your friend,



Newt’s Quick Links• A Best-Seller -- Bill Forstchen and I were excited to learn that our new novel on the American Revolution, To Try Men’s Souls, will debut on the NY Times Bestseller list this weekend. Visit www.totrymenssouls.com for video and more info about the book. • Cap and Trade = Balloon Boy? -- As Senators Boxer and Kerry try to convince the country that cap and trade will create millions of new jobs, we couldn’t help but think of something else: Balloon Boy. Their premise, just like that of the parents in Colorado, is a complete hoax. In reality, a massive energy tax at a time of 10% unemployment will lead to fewer jobs. To make that point, we put together this spoof video.• Americano Update -- An interesting OpEd in The Americano by Adolfo Franco on whether big labor unions are pushing President Obama into another Mexican-American War. • Rally Thursday Against Obama/Pelosi-care - If you haven't heard, Speaker Pelosi will try to ram through the House a $1.3 trillion, 1990-page government-run health care bill this week. Some members of Congress opposed to this big government takeover are holding a rally in Washington, D.C., and across the country Thursday at noon. Learn more here.

Mr. Gingrich is the former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and author of "Real Change: From the World That Fails to the World That Works" and "Winning the Future" (published by Regnery, a HUMAN EVENTS sister company).

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Clinton African Trip Bolsters U.S. Oil Game Plan, says Gold Star Resources CEO

Click Here To Support & Sponsor the First Startup Weekend in West Africa


Hillary Clinton

4 Aug 2009 12:45 Africa/Lagos

Clinton African Trip Bolsters U.S. Oil Game Plan, says Gold Star Resources CEO

China and U.S. Race To Offer 'Infrastructure Aid In Exchange for Oil' Policies

VANCOUVER, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- "U.S. United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton's trip beginning today through August 11th in Africa is part of President Barack Obama's White House energy resources strategy to offset China's growing economic clout on the African continent," said Patrick Morris, President and CEO of Gold Star Resources Corp. (TSX-V; GXX; OTC Bulletin Board: GXXFF), a Canadian-based company focused on the strategic acquisition of highly prospective oil and gas projects in West Africa. "China has been aggressively offering infrastructure aid in exchange for oil in Africa and the White House clearly wants to offset that Chinese game plan with one of its own. U.S. President Barack Obama's Ghana visit last month and his Secretary of State's extended visit this week have proven the importance of Africa to America's energy security policy."


According to Morris, "Last week's Strategic and Economic Dialogue held in Washington, D.C. between the Obama White House and China officials included discussions about China's aggressive aid to African nations. China's economic trade in Africa hit $107 billion in 2008 and there are now 750,000 Chinese workers living and working in Africa. Sources in both Washington, D.C. and Africa have confirmed that U.S. Secretary of State Clinton's subtle diplomatic strategy is to offer African leaders infrastructure assistance in exchange for oil resources and increased energy investments on the African continent. This could portend an explosion of offshore and onshore oil and gas exploration especially in West and East African as a direct result of this shift in U.S.-Africa relations."


Clinton is expected to visit Liberia during this week's African policy trip. Gold Star Resources Corp. recently acquired International Resource Strategies Liberia Energy, Inc. whose sole asset is the onshore 1,366 sq. km. hydrocarbon reconnaissance license NR-001 within the Roberts Bassa Basins of south coastal Liberia. The company also signed a Letter of Intent with Bengal Bight Ghana Ltd., a Ghanaian company, to acquire 100% interest in the hydrocarbon rights of Bengal's 1,000 sq. km. Tiampoum mining concession in Cote d'Ivoire, near the border with Ghana.


"U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Liberia is timely and will greatly enhance infrastructure investing in that West African nation," said Morris. "Liberia's political climate has become increasingly stable in recent years and the government is encouraging international investment in oil and gas exploration. Gold Star's own energy exploration strategy includes securing a portfolio of 'onshore' sections of land along the West African coast. Clinton's travel plans to Liberia, of course, greatly interests us."


Source: Gold Star Resources Corp.

CONTACT: Patrick Morris, President and CEO of Gold Star Resources Corp.,
+1-604-641-4450, pm@goldstarresources.com

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Michelle Obama and Her Mother On the Cover of ESSENCE Magazine!

7 Apr 2009 13:26 Africa/Lagos

ESSENCE Magazine's White House Exclusive!

SPECIAL MAY COVER STORY FEATURES FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA AND HER MOTHER

NEW YORK, April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- ESSENCE's May issue celebrates Mother's Day in a special way -- with two of the most popular mothers in the world! In their first interview together, First Lady Michelle Obama and her mother, Marian Shields Robinson, 71, did a sit down interview in the White House during their first photo shoot together to speak to ESSENCE editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray about retaining their family values, what it takes to raise good kids and being role models for the Black community. They were photographed exclusively for ESSENCE at the White House on February 24th.


(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090407/NY95539 )


In the article, A Mother's Love, Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Robinson also share their personal thoughts on some of the challenges facing families today and provide practical tips for parents everywhere. In addition, the issue features a special Mother's Day message from President Barack Obama on why he is thankful for his wife and mother-in-law.


"We wanted our ESSENCE readers to see first-hand the dynamic bond between First Lady Michelle Obama and Mrs. Robinson. Both of these ladies are phenomenal women in their own right, and are each others' greatest fans. Their relationship is inspiring -- and they are a wonderful example for mothers and daughters everywhere," said Burt-Murray.


Some of the quotes from the cover story include...

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA ON...


-- ADVANCING THE ROLE OF WOMEN WORLDWIDE: "We have to talk about flex
hours and exercise and nutrition and health and what that means. And
we have to talk about values, and about our relationships with men.
All of those are part of the conversation that I think we need to
have, not just in this country but around the world."


-- COMBATING STEREOTYPICAL IMAGES OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN: "The women
in videos and the stereotypes are just not the truth of who we are as
a community. We already know that because we are living these lives
every single day. It's nice to have this reminder in the White House,
but I would say we don't need it...all you need to do is look around
your own community and you will see this same family in churches and
in schools."

MRS. MARIAN ROBINSON ON...


-- ADVICE ON RAISING CHILDREN: "The main thing that I think needs to be
taught to children is the ability to think and make decisions. You
don't have to have a lot of information, but you have to know how to
get through the process. If you make mistakes you don't [just] decide
I will never do that again."


-- ENJOYING LIFE IN THE WHITE HOUSE: "...I really am. You want to know
why? Because my children are good parents. It makes it very easy to be
a grandmother when your children are good parents."


Visit Essence.com for more on this story and behind-the-scenes images from this photo shoot, and pick up the May 2009 issue of ESSENCE on newsstands now.


Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090407/NY95539
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN10
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: ESSENCE Magazine

CONTACT: Dana Baxter, +1-212-522-1634, dbaxter@essence.com, Sheila
Harris, +1-212-522-1089, sharris@essence.com, both of ESSENCE Magazine


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Pope Benedict XVI Loves Americans -- and Millions of Americans Love Him

Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
Pope Benedict XVI greeted worshipers at a Mass at Yankee Stadium on Sunday. In his homily, he urged American Catholics to concede the authority of the church. More Photos >

Pope Benedict XVI Loves Americans -- and Millions of Americans Love Him
by Newt Gingrich (more by this author)

Posted 04/22/2008 ETUpdated 04/22/2008 ET

I witnessed firsthand this week that Pope Benedict loves America and Americans.
The first great moment of connection came at the end of the White House welcoming ceremony when Pope Benedict XVI said simply, "God Bless America."

The people on the White House lawn were electrified by this simple three-word closing.
They had all been shocked in recent weeks to see a different kind of religious figure saying vicious things about America. The stark and compelling contrast had enormous impact -- both for the immediate crowd and for the millions watching on television.
Callista and I were very fortunate to have four opportunities to experience the magnetism and impact of Pope Benedict XVI last week.

The Largest White House Welcome in History
We were at the White House welcoming ceremony (there were 13,000 of us, the largest welcome at the White House in history).

Callista sings in the Basilica Choir and was fortunate enough to be part of the Vespers (evening prayers) Wednesday afternoon in an intimate setting in the Crypt Church of the Basilica. As a spouse I got to attend in the upper Church and see the Pope enter and exit and watch both Vespers and his talk to the assembled Cardinals and Bishops.

Then we attended the Mass at Nationals Stadium with 45,000 other enthusiastic participants.
Finally, by grace, we had an opportunity to attend the Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.

Callista took some fantastic photos of Benedict, including a shot of him with President Bush. You can view her photo album of the Papal visit here.

Three Big Impressions from the Papal Visit
Three big things hit me from the Papal visit:
First, the Pope seemed to gain energy and strength from the enthusiasm and love of his American audiences. The very strength of the reception became his strength. I am certain he returned to Italy a stronger and more dedicated evangelist for his belief that Christ is Hope.
Second, many -- probably most -- Americans were eager to have a religious leader who appreciated their country, liked them, and clearly wished them well in a positive message of love, salvation, and hope.

Third, my impression of the Pope has grown far beyond the original reports of his intellectual strength and his dedication to rebuilding faith and reason (in contrast to the secular dictatorship of rationality which he had experienced in Nazi Germany and had seen in the Soviet tyranny). The leader we saw was the embodiment of leadership and conviction whose presence made an enormous impact on those who experienced it. The pope is clearly not going to be simply an interim leader between Pope John Paul II and some future younger leader. Pope Benedict XVI is going to be an historic force for the reassertion of faith and reason in the lives of Catholics and people of all faiths.

Fittingly, Benedict XVI's last official words in the U.S. were "God Bless America." After personally experiencing the Pope's visit last week, I can say with confidence that America returns the love.

The Gingrich-Pelosi Climate Change Ad: Why I Took Part
Many of you have written to me to ask why I recently taped an advertisement with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for The Alliance for Climate Protection, a group founded by former Vice President Al Gore.

I completely understand why many of you would have questions about this, so I want to take this opportunity to explain my reasons. First of all, I want to be clear: I don't think that we have conclusive proof of global warming. And I don't think we have conclusive proof that humans are at the center of it. But here's what we do know. There is an important debate going on right now over the right energy policy, the right environmental policy, and making sure we do the right things for our future and the future of our children and grandchildren. Conservatives are missing from this debate, and I think that's a mistake. When it comes to preserving our environment for future generations, we can't have a slogan of "Just yell no!"

I have a different view. I think it's important to be on the stage, to engage in the debate, and to communicate our position clearly. There is a big difference between left-wing environmentalism that wants higher taxes, bigger government., more bureaucracy, more regulation, more red tape, and more litigation and a Green Conservatism that wants to use science, technology, innovation, entrepreneurs, and prizes to find a way to creatively invent the kind of environmental future we all want to live in. Unless we start making the case for the latter, we're going to get the former. That's why I took part in the ad.

Italy Makes It Three: The Right Makes Gains in Europe
Finally, in news studiously ignored by the mainstream media, parliamentary elections in Italy last week routed the Communists and the Greens and marked the third big victory for the Right in Europe after the elections of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The elections were a history-making win for the party of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. For the first time since the end of World War II, no one will represent the Communist Party in the Italian parliament. The Greens were also voted out.

Michael Ledeen, my colleague at the America Enterprise Institute, points out another significant feature of the elections: "Berlusconi is an outspoken, even passionate admirer of George W. Bush and the United States of America. Reminds one of the elections that brought Sarkozy to the Elysee, doesn't it? Best to keep that quiet, or somebody might notice that hatred of America doesn't seem to affect the voters in Italy, France or Germany."

The scale of Berlusconi and the center-right's victory in Italy opens the door to significant reform for the first time in decades. Could real change be coming to Europe?

Your friend,

Newt Gingrich

P.S. -- Another item you likely didn't see in the mainstream media this week was a ruling by three federal judges in New Jersey forbidding the East Brunswick, New Jersey football coach from bowing his head and going down on one knee during voluntary, student-led prayer before games. The East Brunswick Board of Education had charged that the football coach's actions were an unconstitutional endorsement of religion and a violation of their policy against employees engaging in prayer -- even if the coach didn't speak the words of the prayer along with his team. The ruling is being supported and applauded by all the usual suspects engaged in driving religion from all but the narrowest spheres of American life. To fight back, arm yourself with Rediscovering God in America, available as both a book (in your choice of unautographed, autographed, or personalized) and DVD.

Press Schedule of President Bush for Monday, March 31, 2008

29 Mar 2008 20:17 Africa/Lagos


Press Schedule of President Bush for Monday, March 31, 2008

WASHINGTON, March 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
Intown Travel Pool
Wires: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg
Wire Photos: AP, Reuters, AFP
TV Corr & Crew: NBC
Print: Baltimore Sun
Radio: SRN
Magazine Photo: Time
Independent Pool: AP


6:00 am INTOWN TRAVEL POOL gathers in the Brady Press Briefing Room
EDT

7:00 am THE PRESIDENT and Mrs. Bush depart The White House via Marine
One
South Lawn, The White House
OPEN PRESS
(Pre-set: 6:30 am; final call: 6:45 am)

Briefing Schedule:
There will be no gaggle and no briefing.


*The President's daily schedule is also available by calling 202-456-2358.*


CONTACT: White House Press Office, +1-202-456-2580


PR Newswsire -- March 29
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:


Source: White House Press Office

Web site: White House

Radio Address by President Bush to The Nation On the Economy

29 Mar 2008 15:06 Africa/Lagos


Radio Address by President Bush to The Nation

WASHINGTON, March 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

The following is the radio address by President Bush to the Nation:


THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. It's not every day that Americans look forward to hearing from the Internal Revenue Service, but over the past few weeks many Americans have received a letter from the IRS with some good news. The letters explain that millions of individuals and families will soon be receiving tax rebates, thanks to the economic growth package that Congress passed and I signed into law last month.


Americans who are eligible for a rebate will get it automatically by simply filing their taxes. If you are not a tax filer, you should visit your local IRS office to fill out the necessary paperwork so you can get your rebate on time.


The growth package also contains incentives for businesses to invest in new equipment this year. On Wednesday I visited a printing company in Virginia that has decided to use these incentives to purchase new software. As more businesses begin taking advantage of these incentives, investment will pick up and so will job creation. And together with the individual tax rebates, these incentives will help give our economy a shot in the arm.


For many families, the greatest concern with the economy is the downturn in the housing market. My Administration has taken action to help responsible homeowners keep their homes. In October, we helped bring together a private sector group called the HOPE NOW Alliance. HOPE NOW has helped streamline the process for refinancing and modifying mortgages, and it runs a national hotline to connect struggling homeowners with mortgage counselors.


On Friday, I visited an impressive mortgage counseling center in New Jersey. At the center, I met with homeowners who have been able to get help, thanks to HOPE NOW. One of them is Danny Cerchiaro. Danny owns a home in New Jersey that also serves as a studio for his movie production company. When Danny and his wife learned that their adjustable rate mortgage was resetting to a higher rate this past summer, they became concerned about their financial security. So Danny called HOPE NOW for help. Less than two months later, he was able to get a more affordable fixed-rate mortgage. And today Danny calls the mortgage counselor who helped him, "the magic lady."


Theresa Torres from Kansas City is another homeowner who has been helped. Theresa called HOPE NOW after she and her husband fell behind on their mortgage payments in December. A mortgage counselor helped Theresa modify her mortgage. Today she no longer worries about losing her home.


There are hundreds of thousands of homeowners like Theresa and Danny who could benefit from calling HOPE NOW. If you're a homeowner struggling with your mortgage, please take the first step toward getting help by calling the hotline at 888-995-H-O-P-E. That's 888-995-H-O-P-E.


HOPE NOW can help homeowners find the right solution for them. One solution for some homeowners is a new program we launched at the Federal Housing Administration called FHASecure. This program has given the FHA greater flexibility to offer struggling homeowners with otherwise good credit histories a chance to refinance. So far this program has helped more than 130,000 families refinance their mortgages. And by the end of the year we expect this program to have reached nearly 300,000 homeowners in all.


This is a good start, and my Administration is committed to building on it. So we're exploring ways this program can help more qualified homebuyers. The problems in the housing market are complicated and there is no easy solution. But by supporting responsible homeowners with wise policies, we'll help them weather a difficult period, we will help get our economy back on track, and we will ensure America remains the most prosperous Nation in the world.


Thank you for listening.


END


Source: White House Press Office

CONTACT: The White House Press Office, +1-202-456-2580


Web Site: White House

Press Schedule of President Bush for Sunday, March 30, 2008

29 Mar 2008 19:33 Africa/Lagos


Press Schedule of President Bush for Sunday, March 30, 2008

WASHINGTON, March 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

Intown Travel Pool
Wires: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg
Wire Photos: AP, Reuters, AFP
TV Corr & Crew: Fox
Print: Austin American Statesman
Radio: NPR
Magazine Photo: Newsweek
Independent Pool: C-SPAN

5:50 pm INTOWN TRAVEL POOL gathers in the Brady Press Briefing Room
EDT

6:50 pm THE PRESIDENT and Mrs. Bush depart The White House en route
Nationals Park
INTOWN TRAVEL POOL accompanies in motorcade

7:00 pm THE PRESIDENT and Mrs. Bush arrive Nationals Park

7:05 pm THE PRESIDENT and Mrs. Bush visit Team Clubhouses
Nationals Park | Washington, DC
CLOSED PRESS

8:15 pm THE PRESIDENT and Mrs. Bush attend Washington Nationals Opening
Home Game
Nationals Park | Washington, DC
OPEN PRESS

Note: THE PRESIDENT will throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch

Note: Credentialing for the game must be done through the Washington
Nationals

9:50 pm THE PRESIDENT and Mrs. Bush depart Nationals Park en route The
White House
INTOWN TRAVEL POOL accompanies in motorcade

10:00 pm THE PRESIDENT and Mrs. Bush arrive at The White House

Briefing Schedule: There will be no gaggle and no briefing.


*The President's daily schedule is also available by calling 202-456-2358. *


CONTACT: White House Press Office, +1-202-456-2580


PRNewswire -- March 29
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:


Source: White House Press Office

Web site: White House