My hero! Avril Lavigne saved from drowning by boyfriend Brody Jenner as he teaches her to surf

By Daily Mail Reporter

Knight on a shiny surfboard: Brody Jenner saved girlfriend and newbie surfer Avril Lavigne from the sea after she took a fall off of her surfboard


Pop punk singer Avril Lavigne clearly isn't averse to the odd fairytale. And she seems to have found her very own knight in shining armour in the shape of new boyfriend Brody Jenner.

Avril's beau of three months rushed to her aid, pulling her out of the surf during a lesson, after she was knocked off her board.

The Sk8er Boi singer, 25, who has been linked to 26-year-old Jenner since February, was enjoying a lesson from the reality TV star in Malibu, California when she was knocked off her board.

But dashing Jenner rushed over to the singer and helped her to the shore, where she recovered from the sea scare, according to the US magazine Star.

A source told Star magazine: 'A big wave flipped her into the water upside down.

'Brody swam over and dragged Avril to shore, but she'd had the wind knocked out of her - she'd swallowed a bunch of water and was coughing.

'When Avril realized what happened, she was so thankful Brody was there to save her.'


Winded: Boyfriend Brody was giving Avril a personal lesson in surfing when she took the fall... she wasn't exactly a natural


Sealed with a kiss: Avril gives her boyfriend a kiss as she leaves him at LAX airport to catch a plane


The Canadian singer, 25, showed she had moved on from husband Deryck Whibley last month when she was pictured for the first time with new boyfriend Brody, 26.


Avril Lavigne and ex-husband Deryck Whibley in London in February


Jenner is the son of Olympian Bruce Jenner and stepbrother to the Kardashian sisters, Kim, Kourtney and Khloe.

His relationships with Kristin Cavallari, Lauren Conrad and Playboy Playmate Jayde Nicole have featured on reality TV show The Hills.

Lavigne maintains a close friendship with Sum 41 singer Whibley, from whom she split last September after three years of marriage.

The Complicated singer is the latest famous female to be romantically linked to Jenner in recent years.

In 2006, he briefly dated fellow socialite Nicole Richie.

Jenner split from his latest girlfriend Nicole in December after 15 months together.

The pair have already tweeted their love for each other on Twitter and got matching lightning tattoos during a trip to Las Vegas.


source :dailymail

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Kylie Minogue and her model lover Andres Velencoso Segura 'on the rocks'

By Richard Simpson

On the outs? Kylie Minogue and Spanish supermodel Andres Velencoso at a party in Paris near the start of their relationship in 2008


Just a few days ago, Kylie Minogue spoke affectionately about the Spanish lover she thought could be 'the one'.

But a few days, it seems, is an awfully long time in showbusiness.

The Mail has learned that the pair's 18-month relationship has hit the rocks after a bust-up during which model Andres Velencoso Segura walked out.

Since then, Miss Minogue has attended a string of public engagements alone


'Inseperable': Kylie Minogue with Andres Velencoso earlier this year - the couple are said to have had a huge row which has put their relationship on the rocks


Matters came to a head last week, when she is said to have accused Andres of failing to give her emotional support while she launches her new album.

As the row escalated, Andres, 32, said he wanted shot of Kylie, 42, for good. Friends now fear the worst for the relationship.

A source close to the popstar told the Mail: 'They had a massive row on Wednesday of last week, at the end of which he told her it was over.

'It seems to be the same old story as has plagued many of Kylie's relationships. She worries that she is not worthy of her lover's affection - especially, as has happened this time and in the past, if she is dating a hot young male model.'

The source added: 'She and Andres had been bickering for a few days. She got quite critical of him, complaining he was not supporting her enough.

Andres had enough. He told her it was over, that he did not need that kind of stress in his life.'


Stress: Miss Minogue has a new album which is released later this year


Kylie spent her 42nd birthday in London on Friday without him, and he did not accompany her to the UK premiere of Sex and the City 2 the day before.

Over the weekend, she began promotional work in Europe for her album, Aphrodite.

Andres, who usually travels with her, was nowhere to be seen.

But the source said the pair had been in touch on the phone and Kylie was 'desperate to patch things up'.

Several days ago, launching her new album, Miss Minogue joked: 'He's much taller than me. Luckily that doesn't matter when we are lying down.'

Miss Minogue met Andres in late 2008 after her four-year relationship with French actor Olivier Martinez broke down. Before that she dated model James Gooding, who is seven years her junior.

Her publicist was not available for comment yesterday.

source: dailymail

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LCL Lost Another 130 million

Two words... go figure.

LCL was listed 2004.

The following are links to all its Q4 earnings.

2004: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/3/2004 (I would discount this one - since it's too soon after listing)

2005: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/12/2004

2006: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/12/2005

2007: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/12/2006

2008: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/12/2007

2009: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/12/2008

Now if you add up all the profit, LCL said to make... how much did you get?

3 months ago, I wrote this: LCL Hit With 334 Million Losses!

Yesterday, LCL reported earnings. It lost another 130 million!

Its retained losses is now 490.9 million!

Which means... if one adds up all of LCL earnings since listing, LCL did NOT make a single sen!

Now consider this... in the posting, How Now For LCL?, I posted a snap shot of KN's report on LCL. Here's the link to the screen shot again: click here for screen shot.Can you see the market capital of LCL back then when LCL was trading at 5.70? LCL was worth an incredible 2.34 billion back in 2007!

Error! Many apologies!

O.o

Yeah... go figure!

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How Good Is AirAsia's Latest Earnings?

AirAsia reported its earnings last night and it had been a while since I made an update on this company. (past postings: AirAsia )

Before I opened its earnings, I thought about it. What was my expectation(s)? I had expected earnings to be there. Why? The Ringgit had appreciated nicely during the reported financial quarter, hence I expect huge forex gains and also debts should decline a bit because AirAsia had asked its new plane deliveries to be deferred.

This was on the Edge: Update AirAsia 1Q net profit up 10% to RM224m

So we have rm 224 million of profit.

Time to open its earnings notes.

Firstly bank borrowings.



As expected the loans did go down but the size of the debts as usual is scary.

Again, the issue of why the loans did go down was because AirAsia had deferred its delivery of new air craft problem. And in this, lies the BIG problem.

Time to look for its capital commitment notes.


Total capital commitments outstanding is an insane 24.3 Billion!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On today's Business Times

• So far, AirAsia has received 70 of its A320 aircraft on order, with another 105 aircraft to be delivered through to 2015. ( Read more: AirAsia seeks to slow down A320 deliveries )

Another 105 aircraft to be delivered through to 2015!!

Well, by 2015, I do expect AirAsia debts to explode.... unless fresh capital raising is done! (LOL! Hello AirAsia Thailand listing?)

And I did not like to see that AirAsia did not give an exact breakdown of their loans denominated in USD, RM and Euro. It would be nice to understand how much of the borrowings are in US. How much of the borrowings are in Euro.

With the info, at least we can understand more on its forex gains.

Time to look at AirAsia forex gains.

Firstly its cash flows.

Ah, yes, I do note the size of the depreciation. 115.429 million is a lot of money and thanks to it, AirAsia cash did improve a lot for the quarter. But depreciation is really needed because aircraft do depreciates extremely fast.

Anyway as you can see from the cash flow statement, unrealised foreign exchange gain is a massive 286.326 million.

Page 15, Review of Performance tells a lot.

Here are the points...

1. Ticket sales improved slightly by 2%.
2. Its ancillary income and other operating income helped boost revenue by 10%.
3. Fuel and oil expense increased by a whopping 58%.
4. Derivative loss is 21 million. (whatever happened to the words 'no more derivatives oil bets' ? see: What Lah! Didn't AirAsia Said No More Oil Bets? )
5. And forex gain is 165.985 (this one I don't understand at all. How come the forex gain here is different than what was stated in the cash flow?

Here is Airasia's Finance (Cost)/Income statement. It also shows a forex gain of 165.985 million.


Anyway, so from a net profit of rm 224 million, 165.985 million is derived from forex gain. And as we saw, last year corresponding quarter, AirAsia had a massive90.374 million in forex exchange losses.

And if we minus out 165.985 million, AirAsia profit is only a mere rm 58.015 million.

Now is a profit of rm 58.015 million justifiable the fact that AirAsia needed a massive debt of 7.186 billion to generate such a profit? And mind you, AirAsia has a current capital commitment of 24.3 billion!

Huge debts to generate such small profits.

Insanity?

I dunno. You tell me.

last but not least... in AirAsia's balance sheet..

Look at all the amount due from 'jointly controlled entity' and amount due from associates.

The sum owed is not small, yes?

I cannot understand it. AirAsia itself owes it banks so much money, and here it is, allowing its associates and jointly controlled entity to owe so much money in return.

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Jonathan Dos Santos out of squad, Giovani upset

Twenty-year-old Barcelona midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos is the odd man out as coach Javier Aguirre cut the squad from 24 to 23 today (see below for full squad).

Jonathan's father, Brazilian ex-Monterrey player Zizinho, slammed the Mexican football federation and said Aguirre had "no balls."

Director of Football, Nestor De la Torre told the press of the decision.

Stated Zizinho: "We don't do what Brazil and Argentina do. Ronaldinho, Ronaldo were on the bench for their first World Cup and look what they achieved after."

Continued Zizinho: "The shirt of Mexico doesn't serve anything ... Why is Giovani (Jonathan's brother) there? Mexican football is dirty (corrupt). I don't know what there is inside."

"My son should never again put on the shirt of Mexico. For me it's trash. I respect Giovani for being there but Jonathan should wear the shirt of Brazil or Spain, there they'll respect him.

Zizinho's main grudge appears to be that Aguirre had visited Jonathan in Barcelona and heaped praise on him as the future of Mexican football.

Zizinho also says Giovani is "gutted" that his brother won't be with him in South Africa: "He doesn't want to play in the World Cup. He wanted me to come to Germany to get him. He's destroyed."

"You think Giovani will perform at the World Cup," added Zizinho. "Both of them called me crying."

The news of the state of Giovani's mind is potentially the most damaging part of what Zizinho said. Giovani is key to Mexico's chances in South Africa.

Mexico's squad, in full: Oscar Perez (Chiapas), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Luis Ernesto Michel (Guadalajara); Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido (both PSV Eindhoven), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM), Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Jorge Torres Nilo (Atlas); Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Giovani dos Santos (Galatasaray, on loan from Tottenham); Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Adolfo Bautista, Alberto Medina (both Guadalajara), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Guillermo Franco (West Ham).

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Kenmark: MD and Deputy GM 'resigns', Share Plummets Big Time!!!

On the Edge Financial Daily: Kenmark independent directors say MD, deputy GM resigned

• Kenmark independent directors say MD, deputy GM resigned
  Written by Joseph Chin
  Monday, 31 May 2010 10:29
  
  KUALA LUMPUR: KENMARK INDUSTRIAL CO. (M) BHD [] independent directors Zainab Abu Bakar and Yeunh Wee Tiong have informed Bursa Securities that the managing director James Hwang and deputy general manager Goh Kim Chon have resigned from the company.
  
  The independent directors said on Monday, May 31 that they had on Saturday gone to the company’s premises at Port Klang and noted that the premises have been sealed.
  
  "The independent directors then met up with the former executives to seek clarification and was duly notified that the MD has not been contactable since Tuesday, May 25. On Wednesday, certain suppliers had gone into the Company’s premises to recover their stock and raw material," the independent directors said.
  
  The former executives also informed that EON Bank Bhd has been duly notified of the situation and EON Bank has on Thursday, May 27, placed their security guard at the premises and EON Bank would be appointing a receiver over the assets of the company.
  
  The independent directors said they will make an appointment to meet with Bursa Securities on Monday on the matter as they were willing to co-operate with all parties concerned.

MD and deputy GM resigned, premises sealed.

Gone case?

First thing, the huge selloff on last Thursday.

Then, I noted on Bursa website is that the company has NOT made its quarterly earnings this month.

Then I noted, lots of share buybacks.

Then I notice the MD has been disposing his shares fairly often but the disposals weren't too big in nature. This was his last reported disposal: here

Its last reported earnings in Feb 2010: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/12/2009

Not looking good despite the apparent good profit shown... the typical warning signs were all there!!!

Massive spike in receivables! Trade receivables at 248.6 million???? So much? Why? How come? Any hanky panky?

Cash balance of only 2.21 million? What's it doing all the share buybacks?

Now such cash balance is not enough because look at the financial costs...

According to its quarterly earnings notes, Kenmark paid some 4.633 million in 'financial costs'.

And naturally, we have the HIGH borrowings.

How?

Kenmark is now suspended at 0.105 sen!!! Down a whopping 68.2%!!!!

===================

Old postings of Kenmark: here

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No need for the body scanners! Megan Fox exposes her underwear at airport security

By Daily Mail Reporter

Megan Fox reveals her bright pink underwear as she arrives at LAX airport on her way to Hawaii


There was no need for body scanners as sexy actress Megan Fox went through airport security yesterday, seeming more than happy to expose her underwear as she arrived in LA.

With messy hair, baggy clothes, a make-up free face and reading glasses, the Transformers star was barely recognisable.

But the hot pink, lace bra that was revealed under her unbuttoned top gave a glimpse of the famous body which has seen her become one of the world's most popular celebrities.

Fox, who turned 24 last week, was pictured arriving at LAX airport before transferring to another flight to Hawaii.

The actress, who was recently knocked off the top of FHM's Sexiest Woman in the World list by Marisa Miller, announced this week she would not return for the third instalment of Transformers.

She is to be replaced by Victoria's Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who will play female lead Mikaela Banes.


Casual: Megan was barely recognisable as she made her way through the airport


Fox is now gearing up to promote her next film, Jonah Hex.

She plays a prostitute named Leila in the comic-book adaptation, which also stars Josh Brolin, who plays a bounty hunter.

It is set to be released in June.

Last week she was spotted enjoying some downtime with on-off partner Brian Austin Green.

The 36-year-old actor, who starred in the original Beverly Hills 90210 series, took her to see the romantic drama, Letters To Juliet, at the Arc Light theatre in Hollywood, to celebrate her birthday.


source: dailymail

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King of the jungle

It is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world and this year Sundance was ruled by one man; Aussie film student turned film critic turned film director David Michôd (above). After making a string of award-winning short films, Michôd's full length debut Animal Kingdom took out the dramatic grand jury prize for world cinema and reviewers compared his work to that of Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese.

Michôd also had another film in competition at the festival, Hesher, starring Natalie Portman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Rainn Wilson, which he co-wrote with director Spencer Susser who was nominated for the dramatic grand jury prize.
``It was incredibly exciting,'' says Michôd.
``I already felt like I won before the awards were presented because for it to play the way it played and for it to go down the way it went down…it was so exhilarating.
``I didn't need a prize; I already had my wildest dreams achieved.
``I was extremely happy that Hesher got in and Spencer was going to be there too.
``It's quite extraordinary when you think it about it because out of the 12 to 13 films in competition and the 2500 entries, we had them both in.
``I was very much living in an Animal Kingdom bubble. . .and to be there with so many of the cast and crew it felt fun, like being on tour with a rock band.
``It was great to be there with Spencer and Hesher and on some weird level it felt like we owned Sundance, but I think that way because I’m self-obsessed.''

Michôd says he had already left the festival when the award was presented because he didn't know `how the film was going to be received.' It was not his first time at Sundance, as he ventured there in 2008 in a déjà vu situation when his short film Crossbow was selected along with two others he co-wrote; Spider, directed by Nash Edgerton, and I Love You, Sarah Jane, directed by Spencer Susser and starring Mia Wasikowska.
“It really felt like people were talking about us and that there was something new coming out of Australia,” he says.
“People became aware we were all working on each others films.
“It was incredibly rewarding to go through the whole trauma of making a feature film and having it land there – I wouldn’t want it to play at any other festival.”

That wish cam true and to great result, with reviews for Animal Kingdom unanimously positive so far. Michôd says he had been carrying around the idea for the film for a while, however, it was his move from Sydney to Melbourne that prompted him to put pen to paper.
``It felt like a big city to me and I read a lot of true crime writing,” he says.
“It gave this new personality to the neighbourhoods behind the stories.
``I wanted to do a big, sprawling, crime story in Melbourne.”

His crime epic took a back seat while he finished film school and then got a job in Sydney working at Inside Film magazine where within two-years he became editor.
Michôd says he learnt a lot about how the business works in his time at the magazine and saw the distribution, marketing and publicity side of the filmmaking process which `filmmakers don't often get to see.' He says now that Animal Kingdom is to be released soon, he is surprised he was not more fearful of reviews given his experience writing them.
``I do think of myself as a sensitive soul and I'm surprised I didn't fear having the tables turned after having cast judgement for so long,'' he says.
``I didn't really enjoy reviewing films and I knew that if I didn't just jump out and have a crack, make Animal Kingdom, then I was never going to do it.''
As he began to gather momentum for Animal Kingdom through short film work, he also established a connection with Blue-Tongue Films, a loose-jointed Australian moviemaking collective founded by the Edgerton brothers Nash and Joel. Michôd, Spencer Susser, Nash Edgerton, Luke Doolan and Joel Edgerton (pictured in order above) make up the core of the group.
“The beauty of Blue-Tongue is it’s a collective of friends,” says Michôd.
“We’re all off making films with different production companies, but we always make sure we’re involved in each others stuff.
“It’s all about feeling like your not doing it alone, especially in the early days when you’re making shorts and none of you have any idea if there are careers awaiting you.”

Once the project was up off the ground, Michôd says `one of the most encouraging things' was how quickly people came on board.
``I felt good about it, but I didn't know it would work and I was racked with self-doubt,” he says.
“So, to have actors with such an incredible body of work jump on board quickly and enthusiastically made me think the material would work.
``It feels intimidating walking on set and all these powerful personalities and actors are waiting for you.
``But when you know the movie inside out, you know what you need to say.
``I know I wanted it to be quite simple and almost beautiful.
``I knew early on and talked about this a lot with the cinematographer that I didn't want it to be full of funky camera stuff.
``I didn't want it to feel like a rock 'n' roll crime movie that's about how cool criminals are.''

Animal Kingdom stars a who's who of Australian acting talent such as Guy Pearce, Joel Edgerton, Luke Ford, Ben Mendelsohn, James Frecheville and Jacki Weaver. It is psychological crime drama about a 17-year-old boy (Frecheville) as he tries to survive amongst his criminal family and manage a detective who is determined to save him. Animal Kingdom opens in cinemas on Thursday and you can check out the trailer below.

In the meantime, if you find the indie and oh-so-awesome film collective Blue-Tongue Films as interesting as I do, then I suggest you head over to the NY Times and read this far superior piece by Michael Cieply. Tis’ fascinating.

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Pixie shows a Lott of leg as she steps out in racy hold-ups and miniskirt and sheer top

By Sarah Bull

Racy: Pixie Lott flashes a bit of leg as she steps out the taxi as she arrives at the Radio1 studios


Pixie Lott showed her wildchild side yesterday as she stepped out wearing hold-ups and a miniskirt.

The 19-year-old singer arrived for an interview at the Radio 1 studios in the sexy outfit, which she teamed with a sheer top and messy hair.

Pixie, who has just finished supporting Rihanna on her UK tour, also spent time signing autographs for fans as she left the studios.


I love my fans! Pixie blows a kiss to her adoring fans outside the studios


Essex-girl Pixie, who shot to fame when she released her debut single Mama Do last June, has quickly made a name for herself as Britain's new pop princess.

Since she arrived in the media spotlight, she has gone from a boho-style singer to an edgier-style star, and appears to be channelling both Britney Spears and Gossip Girl star Taylor Momsen with her new look.

Asked to describe her style recently, Pixie said: 'My style isn’t based on anyone especially. My stage style is quite good fun.

'When I wear clothes or costumes, I like my legs to be free – you don’t want everything hanging out, but I like to show off my legs.


Stylish: The outfit was a departure from Pixie's usual girly style


Accessories: She teamed the outfit with wayfarer sunglasses and black lace-ups


Pixie travelled back to London after filming a music scene for Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks's music show in Liverpool.

She tweeted fans: 'Coming back from liverpool the hollyoaks show was funstuffffff on the way to the radio1 for chats...sunshine!'

But Pixie has no time to enjoy the sunshine as she has an incredibly busy summer - including performances at festivals including the V Festival and iTunes Festival.

She also has a new single coming out called Turn It Up, released on June 7, the video for which was debuted last week.


source: dailymail

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Sisters are doin' it for themselves

A thin cloud of smoke rolls down a steep, almost vertical, embankment as about 30 people try to negotiate their descent through a thick layer of jungle. Some older members of the party slip and stumble as they cautiously step over the jagged rocks that litter the forest floor. Peering out from behind a tree, I watch, as Japanese soldiers direct nuns, nurses, clergymen, Papua New Guinean natives and a bishop to what look like hastily erected wooden huts.

The group begins to file into the huts, which are held together by strips of material and more wood, and slightly elevated off the ground, as Japanese soldiers continue to bark orders. Towering over the scene are huge trees that more resemble Ents in The Lord Of The Rings than anything from the human world. I am in a prisoner of war camp, watching Australian missionaries as they take in the weathered cubbies that will become home for the next several months.

``Annnnd cut!'' screams director Brendan Maher, the man in charge of recreating this pivotal scene for Sisters Of War. Like an army of tree people, camera operators, assistant directors and make-up technicians start filing out of the jungle into the camp, busily preparing the actors and making adjustments to the set before the next scene starts. A photographer snaps a nun as she strikes various poses under an almost celestial beam of sunlight that filters through the canopy. The nun's face is familiar. It takes a second look before I realise she's former Australian Idol contestant Paulini Curuenavuli (below). Sisters of War is Curuenavuli's first foray into acting and the popstar is barely recognisable in the all-white garments, the uniform of the Roman Catholic nuns. ``Really, you couldn't ask for better light,'' says producer Andrew Wiseman as he admires the surroundings.
``It's like nature's own lighting technician.''
A veteran of the Australian film industry, Wiseman has worked on more than a dozen film and television projects and won two AFI awards for My Brother Jack (best telefeature) and After The Deluge (best mini-series). He hopes Sisters Of War, a uniquely Australian tale of extraordinary courage, will be his magnum opus.
``It's an important one that needs to be told,'' he says.
However, the story of the nuns' capture was almost lost forever.
Auctioneer Rod Miller stumbled across the lost diary of civilian nurse Grace Kruger in 1991 while he was clearing out an estate.
``He nearly threw it out,'' says Wiseman.
``Eventually he found seven other diaries and started to piece (the story) together.
``It was written in cryptic prose. Many of the women kept diaries but destroyed them in case the Japanese found them.''

It was not until Miller began working with writer John Misto that the story began to take shape. The wartime diaries formed the basis of the material for Sisters Of War. Interviews were also conducted with Sister Bernice Twohill, former army nurse Lorna Whyte and other survivors. Wiseman says the crux of the story is the friendship that developed between Sister Bernice and Lorna during their time in captivity. Fresh from her role in the big-budget mini-series The Pacific, Claire van der Boom stars as Sister Bernice, with NIDA graduate Sarah Snook as Lorna. Scottish-born actor Gerald Lepkowski, last seen in Beneath Hill 60, is the group's leader, Bishop Leo Scharmach. He leads the group out of the jungle and down into a valley as the director calls `cut' on another take.
The 40ha Tamborine property where the scene is set has been used for film and TV productions including Daybreakers, Nim's Island, Scooby-Doo, Sea Patrol, Elephant Princess and Kokoda.Wiseman filmed a two-part television documentary, also called Kokoda, at the site and says he knew it would be the perfect location for his new production's nuns' mission, prisoner-of-war camp and some serious stunts.
``There is bombing, aerial shots, explosions... but I can't give away too much,'' he says.
``It's a project where we've had many consultants, both Australian and Japanese military experts and nurses.
``We're trying to put together as many resources as we can to make history breathe.
``Just because it's on the small screen, that doesn't diminish its value.''

The TV movie's $4 million budget is bigger than that of most Australian films. It's obvious the money has been put to good use, with set designers recreating the nuns' dormitories and the hospital in which they treated injured soldiers.
``A lot of the props for inside the buildings had to be specifically sought out to fit the time and place perfectly,'' says Wiseman as he shows off his new hospital.
``The costumes, too, are all authentic, with some of them coming from The Pacific shoot, which was handy.''
The crew set up an exterior scene to film prisoners walking along a dirt road on their way to camp. A technician uses what looks like a giant vacuum cleaner to blow smoke across the path for dramatic effect. Between takes, Lepkowski (above, far right) wanders over to greet us and discuss his character, Bishop Leo Scharmach.
``Ultimately he's a good man but it's complex,'' he says.
``He has to make a lot of compromises and collateral damage to keep his nuns alive.
``He was a tough cookie, this bishop. He did get worn down but he was still quite principled.''
Lepkowski feels a deep respect for the bishop who served as a stretcher bearer in WWI before surviving his prisoner of war experience in WWII. He says the bishop returned to Papua New Guinea to rebuild his mission after the war.

Filming on Tamborine will wrap this week as interior shots at the Village Roadshow Studios, at Movie World, continue.When the production caravan packs up and leaves, the Tamborine property will return to what it was a peaceful, sprawling slice of nature; passers-by unaware of the role it has played in retelling one of WWII's forgotten stories.

Sisters Of War will screen on ABC1 later this year.

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Charlotte Church cuts a solemn figure as she shops with her mum after Gavin split

By Daily Mail Reporter

Glum: A solemn-looking Charlotte Church with her mother on a shopping trip in Cardiff on Sunday


Looking downcast, and accompanied by her mother, Charlotte Church embarks on a family shopping trip as news of her split from fiancé Gavin Henson spread.

The young woman once dubbed Voice of an Angel appeared pensive as she took her two young children to McDonald's in Cardiff before attending a a family gathering.

Ms Church and Henson have split after five years together, just weeks after announcing their engagement.

The couple, who have two children together, are said to be 'distraught' after agreeing to go their separate ways after a tumultuous relationship.

Nobody else was believed to be involved.

A spokesman confirmed the split, but would not reveal further details.

The Welsh songstress, 24, and 28-year-old rugby star Henson have already agreed the details of their split, which will see Church keep their £1.2million home in Wales.

According to the News of the World, Henson will find a new home nearby so he can regularly visit their children, Ruby, two, and Dexter, one.

A source said: 'It is an incredibly sad state of affairs. Both Gavin and Charlotte are deeply distraught.

'But after a lot of soul-searching, they realised this is the best course of action for them and the children. It was a mutual decision.'

The break-up comes just six weeks after the 'absolutely joyous' couple announced in a magazine spread that Henson had popped the question the day after Church's 24th birthday.

But concerns about the future of their relationship were raised after the engagement when they were spotted arguing at a London hotel.

Then, two weeks ago, the Voice of an Angel singer was pictured slumped over the table of a bar following a mammoth drinking session.

The singer, who lost a stone recently and revealed a glamorous new makeover ahead of her TV comeback, was said to have rowed repeatedly with Henson in recent months.


Split: Charlotte Church and Gavin Henson have separated after five years together


Troubled: The split comes less than a month after Church was pictured drunk and slumped over in an East London bar


According to the News of the World, the breaking point came when Henson flew to Norway in March to appear in a celebrity reality show.

Church was said to be furious as she wanted him at home as she prepared for her TV comeback on BBC1's Over the Rainbow.

The couple began fighting upon his return, marking the beginning of the end of their five-year relationship.

'In the end Gav was taking refuge on their yacht in Swansea because they were quarrelling too much in front of the kids,' the source said.

'Now Charlotte is throwing herself into her pop career. She is in the studio working on a new album, and will be spending a lot more time in London. And Gav just wants to get his rugby boots back on.'

As Church focuses on her career, Henson is said to be on a boys holiday in LA, where he has been since May 19.


Heading for a split: The couple spend quality time with their two children, Ruby and Dexter, last month


Happier times: Church and Henson enjoyed a holiday in Antigua in 2005


Another source of tension in the relationship was Henson's rugby career. He was said to have blamed his fiancé for his career stalling.

He took unpaid indefinite leave from rugby last year, blaming injury and his desire to concentrate on being a good father.

'One thing they do share together is complete devotion to their two children. That won't change at all - and Gav will continue to play a very active role in their lives,' the source said.

'He is devastated about the break-up, especially because of the impact on the two little ones.'


Tough time: The Welsh couple are said to be 'distraught' after ending their relationship


Henson, 28, proposed to Church after whisking the Welsh singer away on a helicopter ride to Truro, Cornwall, for lunch.

He said he picked the morning after her birthday celebrations, when she was feeling a bit 'sketchy', because she was more 'lovey'.

He then presented her with a two carat heart-shaped diamond ring.

Both said they wanted more children, with Church hoping to have six by the time she was 32.

But instead of planning on expanding their family, the pair now have to debate over how to split their amassed £11million fortune.

A spokesperson for the couple was not available for comment.


source :dailymail

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Zelan Hit By Massive Losses

In the posting, So What Is OSK Saying Now About MMC, one of the stuff mentioned was the continued losses in Zelan.

Zelan announced its earnings last Thursday, 27th May 2010.

I was expecting losses from Zelan but the size of the losses were staggering! 184 million in losses for the quarter and over 254 million in losses for the fiscal year!

What was glaring for me in Zelan's balance sheet was its trade receivables. It stands at a whopping 621 million and needless to say the massive decline in cash balances as shown in the balance sheet snap shot below.


Back in 2008, it changed it's financial year end. See earnings report on May 2008: Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/3/2008

See how Zelan's receivables simply exploded when once compares Zelan's receivables ending at 31st March 2008 with 31st Jan 2007? 31st Jan 2007, Zelan's receivables was at 206 million. At 31st March 2008, receivables blew up to 805 million!

A year later in 2009, Zelan recorded its first annual fiscal losses. Quarterly rpt on consolidated results for the financial period ended 31/3/2009

It's receivables 'fell' or 'improved' to some 705 million. And cash balances is now at 92 million.

Today receivables is at 621 million. Cash balances at 43 million.

How?

On one hand, we can say Zelan's receivables have indeed been 'improving' since May 2008. But at 621 million, the receivables is a lot. the size of the receivables is a worry. Why? Because the longer it remains in the balance sheet, the receivables do have to be reevaluated and if it cannot be collected, it has to be reclassified as bad debts and ultimately Zelan would be hit by bigger losses caused by provision for bad debts. (Yeah, some would ask how did the amounts receivables got so big in the first place?)

And due to the size of the losses, Zelan the stock, is getting hit big time. At this moment of time, Zelan last traded at 47 sen.

Here's Zelan's most recent 3 year stock chart.

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Did Berkshire Get Insider Info On Its Disposal Of Shares In Moody's?

Saw the following news clip on the Edge Financial Daily: Berkshire confirms Buffett subpoenaed to testify

• NEW YORK: Berkshire Hathaway Inc confirmed on Friday, May 28 that Warren Buffett will testify under subpoena before a US panel examining the causes of the 2008 financial crisis.
  
  Buffett, 79, rebuffed earlier requests by the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission to submit to voluntary questioning, resulting in Tuesday's subpoena, Berkshire said.
  
  Carrie Kizer, an assistant to Buffett, confirmed the accuracy of a Fortune magazine article on Thursday that revealed the subpoena and Buffett's resistance to testifying.
  
  Buffett, Moody's Corp Chief Executive Raymond McDaniel, and five other current and former Moody's officials will testify on June 2, as the commission examines credit ratings and how investors use them.
  
  The Congressionally appointed commission is examining the causes of the worst financial crisis since the 1930s and is trying to find flaws that could be remedied through reforms. It is slated to issue a report by December 15.
  
  Moody's is the parent of credit rating agency Moody's Investors Service. Berkshire had a 13% stake in Moody's as of March 31, regulatory filings show.
  
  Buffett is the world's third-richest person, with most of his fortune coming from Berkshire. He has since 1965 run the Omaha, Nebraska-based conglomerate, which now has roughly 80 companies and tens of billions of dollars of investments.

This is the CNBC version: Buffett to Appear Before Financial Crisis Panel

On ZH: Buffett Has "No Comment" On His Sale Of $30MM In MCO Shares Just After Moody's Wells Notice Receipt

• As Zero Hedge first pointed out on Saturday, Moody's is in very big trouble - in its 10Q, in the very last paragraph of the very last page, the company indicated that on March 18, it had received a Wells Notice and a recommendation by the SEC to pursue a Cease and Desist order against the agency's NRSRO status, in effect killing its business model. This was not lost on the market, which punished Moody's stock by 10% yesterday even as every other stock went vertical. When all is said and done the 10% could well become 100%, and as far as the market is concerned nobody would shed a tear: the conflicted rating agency model is long dead, and the independent third party vendors are the only ones that add any actual value at this point. However, far more interesting are the actions by Moody's CEO Raymond McDaniel and key shareholder and kindly grandfather, Warren Buffett, both of whom sold millions worth of Moody's share and stock, the day of, and just after, the Wells notice receipt. The New York Times has reported that Buffett, who recently has not had a problem commenting on pretty much everything, and was vociferously defending not only arch monopolist Goldman Sachs at his annual ukulele outing in Borsheims, but Moody's as well, has had "no comment" on his sales. Perhaps it is time for someone to take Mr. Buffett to task, instead of just to his word: sure, it could be just a coincidence... or three - he sold over $30 million in MCO stock on March 19, March 24 and March 26. Or it might not. However, now that it has become far too clear that nobody in the finance business has a shred of integrity and honesty left, perhaps it is time an independent and impartial jury to decide if any impropriety based on material, non-public insider information, was committed.

Yes, many are not taking it too kindly that Buffett sold millions worth of Moody's share and stock, the day of, and just after, the Wells notice, a Cease and Desist order against the agency's NRSRO status, in effect killing its business model. Yes, Wells notice effectively put the end in Moody's!

Yup. In short, did Berkshire got insider information in its disposal of shares in Moody's?

Here's an older article on NyTimes: Buffett Is Unusually Silent on Rating Agencies

• ...But on the subject of the conflict of interest built into the rating agencies’ business model, Mr. Buffett has been uncharacteristically silent — even though that conflict is especially glaring in his case because one of the companies that Moody’s rates is Berkshire. (Its Aaa rating, for the record, is the same as the one from Standard & Poor’s. Fitch downgraded Berkshire for the first time last week.)
  
  Mr. Buffett also seems to have said nothing about a problem that some contend is just as serious and endemic: because ratings are required in so many transactions, the agencies’ inaccurate ratings have no effect on their own bottom lines. And a company that is paid regardless of its performance is a company that will eventually underperform, says Frank Partnoy, a professor of law at the University of San Diego.
  
  “Imagine if you had a rabbi and said, ‘All the laws of kosher depend on whether this rabbi decides if food is kosher or not,’ ” Mr. Partnoy, a former derivatives trader, told The Times. “If the rules say ‘You have to use this rabbi,’ he could be totally wrong and it won’t affect the value of his franchise.”
  
  The rating agencies have been mislabeling the goods for a long time. “A lot of investors have been eating pork recently,” Mr. Partnoy says, “and they’re not too happy about it.”
  
  Mr. Buffett declined to be interviewed, The Times said. Of course, he has bigger problems on his mind than a company that makes up less than $2 billion of his $127 billion empire....
• “Warren deserves credit for his candor in admitting mistakes,” Alice Schroeder, author of “The Snowball,” a biography of Mr. Buffett, told The Times. “But he chooses which mistakes to discuss. It also pays to listen for the ‘dog that didn’t bark.’ ”
  
  One of those nonbarking dogs, she says, is Moody’s.
  
  “He hasn’t discussed publicly what he might be doing to influence the management at this time of crisis,” she told The Times. “Last spring, he knew the rating agencies were deeply involved with the financial crisis. Since he didn’t sell Moody’s then, he should explain what he’s doing to influence the management.”....

What one should note is that Bershire had started selling Moody's a long time ago.

July 2009: here is a document on SEC showing Berkshire disposal of Moody's shares

That's some 8 million shares disposed back then.

Sept 2009: sec link here

Oct 2009: sec link here

Dec 2009: sec link here

I could go on an on... here's a newsclip on Businessweek: Buffett Sells Moody’s Stock for Sixth Time Since July

• .. By Andrew Frye and Matthew Leising
  
  Dec. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. cut its stake in Moody’s Corp. for the sixth time since July after the ratings company was hit by profit declines, lawsuits and criticism from regulators.
  
  Berkshire sold 87,992 shares on Dec. 18 for $26.77 apiece and remains Moody’s biggest shareholder, according to a regulatory filing yesterday. Omaha, Nebraska-based Berkshire’s stake is down about 34 percent from the 48 million shares it owned at the end of June.
  
  Buffett buys stocks that he says have lasting competitive advantages and superior management. His stake in the rating firm, whose founder John Moody created credit grades a century ago, dates from 2000 and had a value of more than $3.5 billion at its high in 2007. Moody’s has since dropped by more than half amid criticism that inflated credit ratings during the housing boom exacerbated the recession.
  
  “Moody’s reputation has certainly been tarnished,” said Meyer Shields, an analyst with Stifel Nicolaus & Co. who has a “hold” rating on Berkshire shares. “My sense is he just thinks there’s less value.”...

How? Do you think the criticism is a bit too harsh? Berkshire had started disposing Moody's since 2009 and Berkshire had 48 million shares in Moody's to begin with and probably one should understand the difficulty in disposing 48 million worth of shares.

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Mexico 5 -1 Gambia - Goals, not sandwiches

On billboards, in TV adverts, in the newspaper and on the radio. Various prominent members of the Mexico squad have been encouraging Mexicans to "make sandwiches" in a marketing blitz by bread manufacturer Bimbo (see video below).

After a dry patch in front of goal that saw Mexico score just five in the last six friendlies against mainly inferior opposition, a group was started on Facebook which now has almost 100,000 members. The message: Make goals, not sandwiches pendejos!

Against a Gambia team ranked 93 in the world, Mexico finally did that; Chicharito buttering the bread (twice), 'Bofo' Bautista adding two fillings and Alberto 'Venado' Medina cutting it into little pieces like your mum used to.

(Apologises for the sandwich analogy)

Worringly, Gambia's goal came from a corner and Mexico still look vulnerable defending balls hoisted into the box.

Aside from a couple of nasty challenges by the Gambians (??), it was a stroll in the park for Mexico, with Gambia only showing glimpses of quality.

Luis Michel was given the nod in goal and did what he had to do competently. Against South Africa in the opening game of the World Cup, most Mexican pundits are saying it is a straight race between the other challengers for the no. 1 jersey: Guillermo Ochoa and the experienced Oscar 'Conejo' Perez.

Jonathan Dos Santos was given his chance to impress in midfield but was largely anonymous and he now becomes one of the favourites to be sent home (Mexico has 24 players currently in the squad and one still has to be axed).

The position of Rafa Marquez still seems to be up in the air for coach Javier Aguirre who alternated him today between a defensive midfield and centre back role.

Indeed the Mexican formation is still to be set in stone, with Aguirre flirting with the idea of playing three at the back.

Chicharito, who got his British work permit approved ahead of his move to Manchester United this week, played well, looked sharp and scored two poacher's goals. 'The little pea' seems to be gaining confidence at the right time before South Africa.

Arsenal's Carlos Vela, who one opinion piece writer berated for smiling when he fails to score, again failed to score despite a handful of half-chances. And he smiled.

Mexico did what was expected in the end despite blowing a few opportunities in front of goal.

The Facebookers and Twitterers may well be a little bit quieter in the next few days, at least until Mexico play Italy on Thursday.

The BIMBO bread advert can be seen here: http://bit.ly/9Zm9oV - don't know why it won't upload.

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100 votes in ...

... and readers of this blog say Mexico will get to the Quarter Finals, at least according to 32 percent of voters in the poll "How far will Mexico get in the World Cup?"

Surprisingly, the second most popular option was Mexico to win the whole thing, a reflection, perhaps, of a partisan readership.

Not being one to quash dreams but according to www.oddschecker.com Mexico are between 60/1 and 100/1 in lift the trophy on July 11. A Mexico victory would be the most remarkable in the history of the competition.

The other votes were spread quite evenly between the group stage, round of 16, semi-final and final.

I think most that voted for World Champions would secretly be happy with a Quarter Final finish.

Thanks for voting.

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Laura Robson's verbal volley against the 'sluts' of ladies' tennis

By Keri Sutherland

Laura Robson poses for Vogue. The 16-year-old claims some fellow players 'are sluts. They go with every guy and make such a bad name for themselves'


Tennis prodigy Laura Robson has branded her female rivals ‘sluts’, who make a ‘bad name for themselves’ because they date so many men.

The 16-year-old, who won the ­junior girls’ Wimbledon title in 2008, claims she prefers turning in early to wild nights out, dislikes drinking and hates smoking.

But she said of her fellow players: ‘Some of the tennis girls, they’re sluts. They go with every guy and make such a bad name for themselves – and you don’t want to be known for stuff like that. You want to be more discreet.’

The British player takes her sport seriously and is training at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Paris. She said: ‘We’re tucked in by 10pm. My coach knows I’m sensible. I don’t like the taste of alcohol and I hate smoke. Some go to nightclubs, but I’m not interested.


Laura at the Hopman Cup


Yes there are moments when you speak to your old friends, and they’re all going out to parties every weekend, and I’m stuck in Paris boring my brains out.’

But she added: ‘It’s so much fun (here). We all know each other so well. I’m known as the Gossip Queen, but I’m careful never to repeat a word.’

The 5ft 11in brunette has, however, pleaded ‘guilty’ to a crush on retired Russian player Marat Safin, whom she once pretended to a journalist was her date to the junior Wimbledon dinner.

She said: ‘He’s phenomenally good-looking. But he’s old – he’s 30.’

Laura, who was born in Australia but has lived in Britain since she was six, speaks about her career in the July edition of Vogue, which features her first photoshoot.
She denied taking part in locker-room gossip at matches.

Laura said: ‘Actually, we talk about the towels. Yes, towels. There are new ones at Wimbledon every year.’


The interview with Laura appears in the July issue of Vogue

But she acknowledged that image is increasingly important.

‘Now you’ve got Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic, so it’s changing – everyone’s doing photo shoots. It’s more glamorous.’

While adhering to her strict regime, she relaxes with her best friend, Canadian player Eugenie ­Bouchard. She has a video stored in her Blackberry of them dancing in their underwear to a Miley Cyrus song, with Adidas pants on their heads.

Another prized Blackberry picture is of her with her ‘date’ Andy Murray – then newly single – at the end-of-tournament dinner for the Australian Hopman Cup in which they reached the doubles final in January.

She quipped: ‘The winning trophy had 52 diamonds on it. We (the Great Britain team) would have got it if only he’d won his singles match, so we can blame Andy for that – now he owes me diamonds.’

source :dailymail

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Rihanna lounges around a pool in a string bikini as she takes time out in Tel Aviv

By Mail Online Reporter

Sun lover: Rihanna basked in the heat as she relaxed by her hotel pool in Tel Aviv, Israel


Rihanna spent yesterday touring around the holy city of Jerusalem in a very modest outfit indeed.

But less than 24 hours later, the pop star promptly let her guard down after arriving in Tel Aviv.

The Rated R singer was spotted sunning herself by her hotel pool in Israel today in a string bikini.

The 22-year-old attracted more than a few admiring glances as she cooled off in the water with fellow hotel guests.


Cooling off: The singer, who was wearing a string bikini, enjoyed a quick swim


Later, she changed into khaki and a sheer top that exposed her midriff as she headed off to do some volunteer work at a local community centre.

She is in the city for the next leg of her Last Girl On Earth world tour, and is set to perform on Sunday night.

Yesterday Rihanna took a whirlwind tour of Jerusalem, covering up in a demure maxi dress and sarong, with barely a scrap of flesh showing.

The singer chose the brightly coloured outfit for a day touring some of most holy sites.


Time out: Rihanna enjoyed a relaxing day ahead of her performance in the city on Sunday night


source: dailymail

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