PREMIER LEAGUE

Doing the sums ... 19 clubs lost a combined £380million before tax

By DAN KING

Published: Today at 00:52

PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are making more money than ever – but they are splashing all the cash and MORE on wages and transfers.

England’s top flight is the most glamorous and most watched league in the world, as billions tune in to see stars such as Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.

But the sort of drama that climaxed with Man City clinching the title with a stoppage-time winner on the final day of the season comes at a hefty price.

According to Deloitte’s Annual Review Of Football Finance, the Premier League remains the richest in Europe.

Figures from the 2010/11 season reveal that total income rose 12 per cent to a record £2,271MILLION — almost £700million ahead of the nearest rival, the German Bundesliga.

Yet between them, the 19 clubs — Birmingham City did not publish accounts — made £16million LESS from day-to-day operations — and LOST an incredible £380MILLION before tax. That is because while total revenue from things such as TV rights, sponsorship and tickets climbed by £241million, spending on wages and transfers went up by a combined £411MILLION.

Only eight of the 19 clubs made a profit, despite the record income coming on the back of the biggest TV deal in the history of league football. Newcastle made the biggest profit — £33million — because of Andy Carroll’s £35million transfer to Liverpool.

Manchester City’s record losses of £197million made up more than half the Premier League deficit. A net transfer spree of £144million on stars including £27million striker Edin Dzeko and a wage bill of £173million contributed to the problem.

Chelsea, who pay the likes of John Terry well over £100,000 a week, topped the salary charts with £191million. The total spend on wages for all clubs was £1,599million. Adam Bull, consultant in the sports business group at Deloitte, said: “Despite the increase in revenue, operating profits reduced by £16million (19 per cent) to £68million in 2010/11 and combined pre-tax losses were £380million.

“Gross transfer spending by Premier League clubs increased by £210million (38 per cent) to a record level of £769million.

“The challenge remains converting impressive revenue growth into sustainable profits. This will become even more important as financial results for 2011/12 will, for the first time, count towards their UEFA Financial Fair Play break-even calculation.”

Under these FFP rules, clubs who do not break even over a three-season period — with a loss safety net of just £36million as the rules are phased in — face fines or even a ban from the lucrative Champions League.

The report also reveals the gap between the so-called big and smaller clubs has widened.

Combined commercial income went up in 2010/11 by nearly £83million but most of that was down to huge new sponsorship deals struck by Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool. Revenue from tickets went up £20million across the 19 clubs and the average attendance per game rose — but nearly half of the clubs made less money on the gate than the season before.

To combat the tough economic climate, some clubs lowered prices to keep crowds coming but that meant they ended up taking less money on their ticket sales.

A Premier League spokesman said: “Fans want to see their cash on the field, not in the boardroom. So while profits are down, crowds are up.”

Media rights cash went up 13 per cent, to £1,178million, with much of this down to improved deals with overseas broadcasters.

And the net debt of clubs fell — to £2,360MILLION. Of that, £1,500million is in “soft loans” — money lent to clubs by owners with no interest charged, including Roman Abramovich’s £819million investment in Chelsea.

The report also highlights the gulf between the Premier League and the rest of English football.

While the Premier League clubs raked in £2,271million, the 72 clubs in the Football League’s three divisions took in less than £700million between them.

So in terms of earning and splurging, the English top flight remains in a league of its own.

Wages

Chelsea .......... £191m

Man City ......... £173m

Man Utd .......... £153m

Liverpool ........ £135m

Arsenal ........... £124m

Transfers

Man City ......... £144m

Chelsea ............ £61m

Man Utd ............ £40m

Tottenham ........ £26m

A Villa ............... £18m

Pre-tax losses

Man City ......... £197m

Chelsea ............ £78m

A Villa ............... £54m

Liverpool .......... £49m

Bolton .............. £26m

Pre-tax profits

Newcastle ......... £33m

Blackpool ......... £20m

West Brom ....... £19m

Arsenal ............ £15m

Man Utd ........... £12m

Skandal seks RM300 juta Ziyi

Zhang Ziyi dan gambar kanan merupakan pegawai tertinggi kerajaan China, Bo Xilai. Mereka didakwa mempunyai hubungan sulit dan telah tidur bersama sebanyak lebih 10 kali sejak tahun 2007.

NAMA aktres China, Zhang Ziyi tiba-tiba meledak pada minggu ini. Namanya meledak bukan kerana projek filem terbaharu, sebaliknya kerana dakwaan 'projek seks' beliau bersama beberapa pegawai tertinggi kerajaan China.

Berita tersebut kini menjadi bahan utama hampir semua media China dan Taiwan. Malah berita tersebut juga kini merebak ke seluruh dunia menerusi beberapa laporan di internet.

Ziyi didakwa merupakan 'teman setia tidur' seorang pegawai tertinggi kerajaan bernama Bo Xilai, dan hal itu diakui sendiri oleh Bo Xilai kepada satu sumber.

Untuk servis pertama kali dengan Ziyi pada tahun 2007, Bo Xilai memberitahu beliau telah membayar sebanyak RM2.9 juta kepada aktres tersebut. Mereka kemudian telah tidur bersama lebih 10 kali sepanjang tahun 2007 hingga 2011.

Bo Xilai turut mengatur temu janji aktres yang terbabit menerusi filem hebat seperti Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Rush Hour 2 dan Memoirs of a Geisha itu dengan seorang lagi pegawai tertinggi kerajaan yang turut membayar Ziyi dengan jumlah RM4.9 juta untuk hubungan seks mereka.

Ia menjadi bertambah hangat kerana 'projek seks' Ziyi bersama Bo Xilai dan beberapa pegawai kerajaan lain serta orang kenamaan China sepanjang 10 tahun berkecimpung sebagai aktres didakwa bernilai RM300 juta!

Segala persoalan tersebut bagaimanapun belum mempunyai jawapan. Ini kerana aktres yang sepatutnya hadir ke Festival Filem Cannes di Perancis untuk mempromosi filem terbaharunya, Dangerous Liaisons tidak menghadiri majlis berprestij tersebut. Jika beliau hadir ke majlis tersebut, barangkali berita yang sedang hangat diperkatakan ini akan menemui jalan penamat dengan kenyataan yang diberi Ziyi.

Sebaliknya, aktres berusia 33 tahun itu memberi alasan bahawa ketidakhadirannya ke majlis tersebut kerana beliau kini sedang sibuk di lokasi penggambaran filem The Grangmasters.

Realitinya, menurut laporan beberapa media China, Ziyi kini tidak dibenarkan meninggalkan republik tersebut sehingga siasatan ke atas kes tersebut selesai.

Beliau juga gagal dihubungi pihak media yang mahu mendapatkan pengesahan mengenai pendedahan skandal seks tersebut.

Bagaimanapun dalam blog peribadi miliknya, Ziyi pada 30 Mei lalu hanya menulis: "Banyak orang boleh membuat angin menjadi hujan". Ia umpama satu penafian terhadap isu yang sedang dihadapi kini.

Sebelum ini, pada tahun 2010, Ziyi telah dituduh menyalah guna duit kutipan dana untuk tabung gempa bumi di Sichuan, China. Dana tersebut dilaporkan berjaya dikutip sebanyak RM3 juta, bagaimanapun Ziyi mendakwa beliau hanya mampu mengutip sebanyak RM1.2 juta sahaja.

Malah pada tahun 2009, aktres tersebut tersangkut dakwaan menipu seorang ahli perniagaan yang pada waktu itu mempunyai skandal dengannya melibatkan nilai jutaan ringgit. Padahal, pada waktu sama, beliau sedang bertunang dengan seorang jutawan bernama Vivi Nevo.

Mereka bagaimanapun berpisah pada tahun 2010.

Berlian merah jambu dijual RM55 juta

GAMBAR bertarikh 8 Mei 2012 menunjukkan seorang model memegang berlian Martian Pink di pejabat Christie's di Hong Kong.

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HONG KONG - Sebutir berlian merah jambu, Martian Pink dijual pada harga AS$17.4 juta (RM55 juta) iaitu dua kali ganda melebihi harga anggaran dalam satu lelongan pada minggu ini.

Dikategori sebagai berlian merah jambu berbentuk bulat terbesar yang pernah dilelong, Martian Pink merupakan kemuncak lelongan firma Christies' kelmarin.

Lelongan barangan kemas tersebut berjaya mengutip AS$80 juta (RM253 juta).

"Muncul dalam pasaran buat kali pertama sejak 36 tahun lalu, Martian Pink yang dijual oleh Harry Winston pada 1976 dan mencetuskan sensasi pada pameran di seluruh dunia, dibeli pada harga AS$17.4 juta (RM55 juta) selepas perang bidaan selama 10 minit," kata seorang eksekutif Christie's, Vickie Sek.

Menurutnya, berlian tersebut dibeli oleh seorang pembeli misteri. - AFP

It Mouss be love

TUG OF WAR ... Moussa Dembele

Exclusive

By SHAUN CUSTIS

Published: 30th May 2012

CHELSEA are ready to make a move for Fulham’s £10million-rated striker Moussa Dembele.

And it means Dembele could join his Belgian team-mate Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge.

Fulham had been hoping to keep Dembele, 24, who has successfully switched from a midfield role.

But he has only one year left on his contract and is not ready to agree a new deal as he is well aware of interest from the big clubs.

Manchester United are also keeping tabs on Dembele and could challenge Chelsea if they make a firm offer.

Fulham are already set to lose two more stars over the summer — striker Andy Johnson and midfielder Clint Dempsey.

Johnson, 31, who is out of contract in June, has battled injury problems and his agent, Anthony McFarlane, has hinted at a move to the lucrative United Arab Emirates league.

Top scorer Dempsey, 29, is a target for Arsenal and United.

The USA star said: “The transfer window is open until August 31. It’s no secret I would like to play Champions League one day in my career.”

Incredible collection of private supercars worth more than £50m goes on display at Shanghai's F1 track

This jaw-dropping collection of around 80 supercars worth in excess of £50million shows the incredible rise of the rich in China.

The supposed 'People's Republic' is one of the fastest growing markets for premium UK car makers such as Bentley, Jaguar and Rolls-Royce.

But these British beauties wouldn't have attracted a second glance at Shanghai's F1 track on Sunday when the Unique Motorsport Club Superclub Challenge took place.

Orient excess: A jaw-dropping haul of more than 80 supercars worth around £50million lines up on the starting grid of Shanghai's F1 track

Ultra-wealthy petrolheads from across the country showed up at the racetrack with their 200mph-plus supercars for an annual parade.

On the front row of the grid were five cars worth around £18million between them - including three Bugatti Veyron Super Sports which cost in excess of £4million each.

Making up the front five were a Swedish-built Koenigsegg Agera and track-only Pagani Zonda R.

Incredibly, the standard Bugatti Veyron, which has 1,001bhp and a top speed of 253mph, wasn't deemed good enough for the front row and was relegated to the second tier.

Parked alongside the bog standard Bugatti were two Ferrari Enzos worth £1 million each and a Pagani Zonda Cinque, which would have set its owner back more than £2 million.

Money spinners: A £4million Bugatti Veyron Super Sport and a £2million Pagani Zonda Cinque lead the dizzying array of supercars around the Shanghai F1 track

Wheely special: A £1million Ferrari Enzo followed by a black Bugatti Veyron Super Sport and a white Ferrari 599 GTO. 1,600 supercars were sold in China last year - a 100 per cent increase on 2010

These stunning photographs were taken by Yang Yunfei, who was lucky enough to be invited to the exclusive event.

He said: 'It was amazing to see all of the world's exotic supercars in one place at the same time. I couldn't believe my eyes, it was like a dream.'

Supercar sales are still relatively small in China, with around 1,600 sold last year - a 100 per cent increase on 2010.

Double trouble: Two Bugatti Veyron Super Sports each capable of a staggering 268mph and worth a combined £8million lead a a Pagani Zonda, Koenigsegg Agera, Ferrari Enzo, Ferrari 599 GTO around the track

Photocall: Ultra-wealthy petrolheads from across the supposed communist state showed up at the track with their dream machines. On the front row of the grid alone were five cars worth a combined £18million

This figure is expected to rise to 2,000 this year with the likes of Lamborghini and Ferrari both announcing record sales.

It was revealed earlier this year that the average Lamborghini buyer in China is 20 years younger than in Europe.

Italian and German car companies made up the bulk of the cars but there were a number of Aston Martins representing Brand Britain.

The Gaydon-based car maker plans to open 11 dealerships across China this year alone.

It's Mount Roo-shmore

Footie star Wayne in sculpture with
Becks, Gazza and Stuart Pearce

Footie heroes ... fans voted for four players to grace Mount Rushmore-style sculpture

By FRAN WETZEL

Published: 29th May 2012

DAVID Beckham and Wayne Rooney have been turned to stone in a giant Mount Rushmore-style sculpture to celebrate England’s best players of the past 25 years.

Paul Gascoigne, who seems to be crying thanks to a water feature, and Stuart Pearce complete the line-up for the rockery unveiled in a London garden ahead of Euro 2012.

Beckham, 37, topped a poll of 2,000 sports fans to find England’s most inspirational player over that period, with 32 per cent of the vote.

Gazza, who famously wept on the pitch at the Italia ’90 World Cup, was runner-up with 25 per cent.

Crying game ... Gazza water feature makes him look as though he's shedding tears

Current England striker Wayne Rooney, 26, was third with 18 per cent, followed by Euro ‘96 legends Stuart Pearce on 13 per cent. Alan Shearer just missed out on 12 per cent.

The sculpture, dubbed Mount Score-more, took artist Adrian Hynes six weeks to create.

It is made of fibreglass and concrete, weighs 9st 7lbs and is one metre tall and 1.5 metres wide.

Pitch up in the garden ... the monument is set to go in lucky fan's garden

The sculpture was specially commissioned as part of Lotto’s “What Would You Do?” campaign.

Lotto say they hope that the monument will inspire Roy Hodgson’s Three Lions to “win big” this summer.

England fans can win the artwork in time for the kick-off in Poland and Ukraine by entering a Lotto competition on Facebook.

Finishing touches ... worker uses paint brush to perfect sculpture

A Lotto spokesman said: “What better way to celebrate England’s forthcoming Euro campaign than with a unique garden-based homage to our national team?”

I'm Eden to Chelsea! Blues beat City and United in race to sign £32m Hazard

Eden Hazard revealed on Monday night he would be joining Chelsea in a £32million deal - a massive statement of intent by the European champions.

Hazard announced on Twitter that he would be signing for Chelsea after weeks of talks with them, MAnchester United and Manchester City.

Tricky: Eden Hazard has led his suitors a merry dance

Conformation: Hazard says he will join Chelsea

The Lille playmaker, one of the most coveted players in Europe, will sign a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge once details have been finalised.

It is an amazing coup for Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who has not even appointed a manager for next season but is intent on rebuilding a team that finished only sixth in the Barclays Premier League.

The deal is a clear indication that the west Londoners will challenge the might of the Manchester clubs, especially newly-crowned champions City and their Abu Dhabi owners.

Hazard, 21, is with the Belgium squad preparing for Saturday's friendly against England at Wembley. City pulled out of the deal for Hazard last week because of his incredible salary demands, which are close to £200,000 a week, and his agent John Bico's demands for £6m.

First choice: Hazard is demanding to be an automatic first-teamer at Chelsea

Decided: Hazard lets his followers know he's made up his mind

However, Chelsea are understood to have reached a compromise agreement with his representative.

Hazard will play in a new-look Chelsea attack that is purpose built by Abramovich for the next manager.

Juan Mata, Germany international Marko Marin, who will also be coming to Stamford Bridge from Werder Bremen in a £6m deal, and Hazard are being primed for the three advanced midfield positions to provide the ammunition for Fernando Torres.

New look: Marko Marin

Hazard came to prominence with Lille during their 2010-11 title-winning season and has just been named Player of the Year in France for the second successive season.

In an attempt to lure Hazard to Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson, who will now step up his attempts to sign Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund, had offered him the famous No 7 shirt vacated by Michael Owen.

Instead the Belgian has been persuaded by Abramovich that his future lies at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea's owner wants to reestablish them as the best team in the country and this is part of his plan to create one of the most attacking teams in Europe.

WHAT DO YOU GET FOR £32m

Name: Eden Hazard

Age: 21

Nationality: Belgian

International record: A27 G2 A8 (appearances, goals, assists)

League record Total:

P 147: G36 A34

11/12: P38 G20 A15

10/11: P38 G7 A10

Achievements:

Sept 2008: Becomes youngest goalscorer in Lille history

Oct 2008: Makes Belgium debut

17 May 2009: Named France's Young Player of the Year

May 2010: Becomes first player to retain Young Player of the Year award. Named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.

May 2011: Named French Player of the Year after helping Lille to their first League and Cup double since 1946. Named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.

May 2012: Named French Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich, who Chelsea beat in the Champions League final, have reacted to an agonising end to their season by moving for Edin Dzeko and vowing to compete with City for Javi Martinez.

Bayern officials initially distanced themselves from Dzeko, after Sportsmail exclusively revealed in March that City manager Roberto Mancini had decided to offload the former Wolfsburg striker at the end of the season.

They have had a change of heart, though, after deciding they need another proven finisher.

With the Bosnia striker recently accepting that his days at City were numbered, a return to the Bundesliga looks certain, provided Bayern can come close to matching a likely £20million-plus asking price.

Finance is unlikely to prove a stumbling block, after a clear signal that Bayern are ready to spend lavishly to reclaim their place at the top of German football.

Bayern buying a winner: Edin Dzeko will leave City as a champion

Sporting director Christian Nerlinger attended Friday night's Spanish Cup final in Madrid to check on the form of Martinez.

Meanwhile, Schalke are keen to sign Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou, 26, on a free transfer.

Toxic honey farming is a real cliffhanger

Hunter ... ancient tribe scale mountainside to reach honeycomb

Caters

By JO SAYER

Published: 28th May 2012

AN ANCIENT tribe scale 250ft up a mountain and risk their lives harvesting honey from the world’s largest bee.

The Rai people, from Nepal, fashion ladders out of braided bamboo to access the prized nests of the Himalayan honey bee.

With no safety equipment, the "honey hunters" come under attack from swarms of the insects as they use a long stick to retrieve the honeycomb.

An adult male bee can get up to 3cm long — just smaller than a Cadbury Creme Egg.

Once the climbers locate the nest, the men spend a pain-staking four hours harvesting the honey by hand.

Photographer Eric Tourneret, 47, who followed a group on a rare trip, said: “It is very dangerous work.

Don't look down ... with no safety equipment, the tribe tie their feet to their homemade ladders

Caters

“Many, many people die doing it. The practice is dying out as the bees slowly become extinct.

“It is now just a ceremonial thing as opposed to a day job.

“Even though the honey is probably some of the world’s most expensive, the Rai people refuse to sell it, instead sharing it among the four villages in their area.”

Swarm ... the world's largest bees attack as their nests are prodded

Caters

Despite being one of the most sought after in the world, the honey — called toxic rhododendron — is poisonous thanks to a toxin in the pollen and nector of the rhododendron flowers used to make it.

It can cause agonising cramps if ingested unknowingly.

But the Rai people believe it has therapeutic healing powers, and leave their homes in the Bung valley every spring to brave the cliffs in the search of bees’ nests.

Pain-staking ... the honey takes four hours to harvest by hand

Caters

They prefer not to sell the honey even though it reaches high prices in nearby South Korea.

Using sharpened bamboo poles to slice their way through the honeycomb, the catchers then drop it to the ground for other members to collect.

To prevent them from falling, their feet are tied to the homemade bamboo ladders.

Eric, from Paris, France, added: “I used one to climb up alongside the Rai people and photograph them close up.

Prize ... honeycomb is dropped onto the floor in a basket

Caters

“Despite wobbling a bit, they feel a lot stronger than a normal metal one we use in the west.

“These people are very wise and know how to make nature work in their favour.

“Even though it is a dangerous activity, none of them looked at all fazed by the climb and process, having been taught the skill by their fathers and their grandfathers before them.”

Rare Aston sells for £1.23million

Rare ... Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato Santion II Coupe.

Caters

By ANDREW SNELL

Published: 28th May 2012

A RARE Aston Martin has sold for a record £1.23MILLION at auction.

The vintage motor — a DB4GT Zagato Santion II Coupe — was once owned by the manager of rock star Phil Collins, and was just one of 46 cars which went under the hammer.

In total, sales at the specialist Aston Martin auction fetched a whopping £6.5million.

The second highest price was £611,900 for a 1962 DB4 Vantage Convertible.

Other famous Astons which went at the sale included a 1994 Virage Volante soft-top convertible once used by the Prince of Wales .

The royal motor sold for £122,000, having been estimated to sell for £50,000 to £70,000.

And a car once owned by world boxing champion Lennox Lewis — a 1994 Virage Limited Edition Coupe — sold for £18,290.

Pricey - 1994 Virage Limited Edition Coupe once owned by Lennox Lewis

Caters

The auction — which attracted 2,000 people — was the best sale result for auction house Bonhams since it started the events at Aston Martin’s Works facility in Newport Pagnell, Bucks.

James Knight, International MD of Collectors Cars at Bonhams said: “This sale once again shows the steady rise of interest in Aston Martin cars that we have seen since we started these sales here.

“With only four DB4GT Zagato Sanction IIs made, this represented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire one of these fabulous cars, which will become increasingly collectible.”

Sale ... 1985 V8 Vantage

Eden Hazard to join Chelsea

HERE I COME ... Lille forward Eden Hazard has revealed he is on his way to the Premier League

By MARTIN BLACKBURN

Last Updated: 29th May 2012

CHELSEA have won the race to sign Belgian star Eden Hazard in a £32million deal.

The Lille flier, 21, had been a top target for Manchester City and United.

But last night Hazard tweeted: “I’m joining the European champions.”

The capture of Hazard is a clear sign Blues owner Roman Abramovich will continue to pump money in following their glory night in Munich.

City were believed to be in pole position to sign one of the hottest young talents in Europe after watching him several times.

But they went cool on him as they were concerned about his £170,000-a-week wage demands plus the agent’s fee.

Hazard also made it clear he would like to play just off a frontman and City already have title hero Sergio Aguero in that position.

That made it a straight shootout between Chelsea and United — and Hazard has chosen the Blues.

Ramai kakitangan awam tidak mampu miliki rumah sendiri

Cuepacs

MACHANG - Kongres Kesatuan Pekerja-pekerja Di Dalam Perkhidmatan Awam (Cuepacs) mendapati kira-kira 60 peratus penjawat awam yang berpendapatan bawah RM3,000 sebulan, terutama di Lembah Klang, tidak mampu memiliki rumah sendiri.

Setiausaha Kewangan Cuepacs, Jaapar Mansor berkata, fenomena itu akan berterusan jika kerajaan tidak mengambil langkah tertentu, termasuk mengurangkan kadar faedah pinjaman dan menaikkan gaji kakitangan awam terbabit.

"Kadar faedah pinjaman perumahan 4 peratus yang dikenakan institusi kewangan ke atas penjawat awam pada masa ini wajar diturunkan kepada 1 peratus," katanya kepada Bernama di sini, semalam.

Beliau tidak menolak kemungkinan penjawat awam yang berpendapatan di bawah RM3,000 sebulan hanya mampu menyewa atau memiliki rumah kos rendah bertaraf Program Perumahan Rakyat Termiskin (PPRT).

Jaapar yang juga Pengerusi Cuepacs Selangor berkata, saranan supaya kerajaan menurunkan kadar faedah pinjaman perumahan itu adalah antara tuntutan yang pernah dikemukakan kongres itu kepada kerajaan sebelum ini.

"Walaupun ia bukan merupakan tuntutan utama Cuepacs, namun ia akan terus diperjuangkan oleh penjawat awam melalui kongres itu," katanya .

Kongres itu juga sedang melancarkan gerakan mengesan penjawat awam yang belum memiliki rumah di seluruh negara untuk dijadikan garis panduan untuk tindakan yang akan diambil demi kebajikan anggotanya.

Sementara itu, beliau berkata Cuepacs mahu kerajaan mempercepatkan cadangan penubuhan Suruhanjaya Mengkaji Skim Gaji dan Elaun Penjawat Awam seperti yang diumumkan Perdana Menteri 8 Mac lalu.

Kongres juga akan terus mengadakan gerakan penerangan kepada anggotanya ke seluruh negara mengenai peluang yang dinikmati mereka melalui penambahbaikan Skim Saraan Baru (SSB). – Bernama

Muda di hati

BUKAN BERSANTAI...Walaupun sudah berusia 64 tahun, aktor kelahiran Austria ini perlu sentiasa aktif.

Arnold berpakaian kulit lengkap.

DIA dulu dikenali sebagai “cyborg” masa hadapan yang mempunyai otot seperti besi dan tidak dimamah usia.

Tapi sayangnya, kehidupan di layar perak tidak sama dengan realiti, dan Arnold Schwarzenegger nampaknya sudah seperti seekor silver fox (rubah berbulu perak.

Aktor Terminator itu dilihat menunggang motosikalnya yang mempunyai kereta sisi, ketika keluar bersiar-siar di Santa Monica.

Lengkap berjaket kulit, aktor aksi itu masih terasa muda di hati dan masih belum bersedia untuk bersantai dengan releks menikmati matahari di pantai.

Malah, hanya janggutnya yang berwarna putih itu menunjukkan usia sebenarnya, manakala cermin mata hitam dan helmet ala tenteranya pula membuatkan dia kelihatan lebih “bersahaja” walaupun berusia 64 tahun.

Aktor kelahiran Austria itu tidak menunjukkan tanda-tanda untuk mengurangkan kariernya, sebaliknya beberapa filemnya ditunggu untuk tayangan hingga 2014.

Arnie baru saja selesai penggambaran “The Expendables 2”, dan tidak lama lagi akan dilihat bersama aktor Forest Whitaker di dalam filem Last Stand dan Sylverster Stallone dalam filem “The Tomb.”

Awal bulan ini, ada pengumuman mengatakan dia akan bergandingan bersama direktor David Ayer untuk filem “Ten.”

Ia mengenai kisah anggota elit pasukan pertugas DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) atau Pentadbiran Penguatkuasaan Dadah yang membuat sesuatu di luar operasi biasa dan mencuri berjuta dolar daripada organisasi dadah. -DM

Bilionair cinta alam sekitar

ECLIPSE... Kapal layar terbesar dunia itu dimiliki oleh ahli perniagaan Russia Roman Abramovich, berlabuh di persisiran Antibes, dekat Nice, di selatan Perancis.

BUAT masa ini dia adalah lelaki kesembilan terkaya di Russia dan yang ke 68 dalam senarai lelaki terkaya di dunia dengan kekayaan AS$12.1 bilion (RM38.2 bilion).

Namun begitu, dia menunjukkan sisi mencintai kehijauan apabila dia memandu kereta elektrik kecil Cap d’Antibes, di C�te d’Azur, di selatan Perancis.

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  MEMANDU...Roman Abramovich membawa kereta kecil Cap d’Antibes untuk bersiar-siar.

• MEWAH... Harga Eclipse pada asalnya adalah RM1.63 bilion tetapi meningkat hingga hampir RM4.95 bilion kerana hiasan dalam mewah dan sistem keselamatan yang diletakkan di kapal itu.

Roman Abramovich dilihat seronok menikmati matahari sambil memandu kereta kecil elektrik bersiar-siar di bandar itu baru-baru ini.

Lelaki berusia 45 tahun itu kelihatan releks sambil memandu kereta tanpa pintu bersama rakannya.

Pemilik Kelab Bola Sepak Chelsea itu kelihatan sangat bersahaja menayangkan sisinya yang santai sambil mengenakan cermin mata gelap berwarna biru.

Dia turut mengenakan sepasang seluar pendek yang dipadankan dengan baju T polo dan kasut Toms hitam.

Pemandu yang sangat berhati-hati itu mengambil kesempatan atas saiz kereta yang kecil dan meletakkan kenderaan itu antara dua kereta normal lain.

Bapa kepada tujuh anak itu bersiar-siar ke tepi pantai dan membuat satu panggilan sebelum kembali ke kereta dan memandunya pergi.

Kereta kecil itu bukanlah seperti kereta mewah yang biasanya digunakan oleh bilionair itu.

Pada 2004, dia membeli dua kereta limosin Maybach 62 yang dibuat khusus, di mana kedua-duanya kalis bom dan peluru dan dikatakan berharga 1 juta pound (RM4.95 juta).

Abromovich juga memiliki Ferrari FXX berharga AS$2.2 juta (RM6.94 juta), iaitu antara 29 yang hanya dibina untuk perlumbaan dan juga sebuah Bugatti Veyron serta beberapa kereta sport mahal yang lain.

Perbelanjaan terbesarnya setakat ini adalah kapal layar mewah sepanjang 560 kaki yang dinamakan Eclipse.

Kapal itu direka oleh Hermidas Atabeyki dan dibina di Jerman oleh syarikat Blohm dan Voss.

Kapal itu dikatakan berharga 1 bilion pound (RM4.95 bilion) dan mempunyai kolam renang, pad helikopter, ruang disko, kira-kira 30 kabin, kapal selam mini dan juga sistem pertahanan peluru berpandu.

Bilik tidur utama Abramovich dilengkapi dengan perisai dinding, tingkap kalis peluru dan sistem laser untuk menghalang gambar jarak jauh diambil.

Ketika ditempah, harga asalnya adalah sekitar 330 juta pound (RM1.63 bilion) tetapi pada masa ia diserahkan kepadanya, harganya meningkat hingga ke 1 bilion pound (RM4.95 bilion) kerana hiasan dalaman yang mewah dan sistem keselamatannya. - DM

Majestic kingfisher enjoys taking a dip

Feathered feat ... kingfisher swoops on prey

A BEAUTIFUL blue kingfisher dive-bombs straight as an arrow into a lake — and soars majestically back into the air clutching its catch.

Becks’ pay slashed by 2m bucks

Settled in California ... David Beckham

But he still makes £29million

FOOTIE’S David Beckham has taken a wage cut of more than two million dollars — a 40 per cent drop.

It means the LA Galaxy star has been knocked off the top of the US soccer pay league by old pal Thierry Henry, who plays for New York Red Bulls.

Becks, 37, had been on more than £4million ($6.5million) a year.

But he accepted a £2.5million deal after deciding to settle in California with wife Victoria, 38, and their four kids.

However, he gets a cut from Galaxy ticket sales and merchandising. And he still nets £29MILLION a year through ad deals, clothes lines and business interests, according to a Forbes rich list.

Ex-England captain Becks could have earned more by joining Paris Saint-Germain. But he has an £11million mansion in Beverly Hills — and put his sprawling Hertfordshire pad up for sale earlier this year.

David Beckham is pretty in pink

Flamingo pose ... Beckham's boots were the same colour as the pink waterbird

DAVID Beckham famously wore a sarong skirt — and now he’s wearing pink boots.

Perhaps it is no surprise that Becks is favouring female fashion, especially as his wife Victoria is quickly establishing herself as one of the world’s leading fashion designers for women.

Or maybe the pink boots are a nod towards baby daughter Harper Seven. Family man David has the names of all his children stitched onto his boots.

Either way, the colourful footwear made sure all eyes were on the LA Galaxy captain as he warmed up ahead of his team’s game against San Jose Earthquakes.

In the pink ... Beckham's LA Galaxy were recently crowned Major League champions

The match ended in upset as the Earthquakes pulled off a 3-2 victory against the Major League champions.

Beckham’s hot pink boots sadly did not guarantee a red hot performance and it was his foul which gave the Earthquakes the free kick they needed to equalise.

And Golden Balls, 37, was still sporting the dodgy Colonel Sanders-style ’tache and beard which earned a dig from Barack Obama when Galaxy were honoured at the White House last week.

Becks is clearly proud of his face-off with the President.

Hot to trot ... Beckham warms up

He revealed: “Obama said, ‘David, why all the facial hair, man?’ I just laughed it off.

“To even be in the White House was a big honour but to get a little bit of stick off the President was huge.”

Meterai bukti kota Baitul Laham wujud

GAMBAR yang disiarkan dalam laman web Pihak Berkuasa Antikuiti Israel kelmarin menunjukkan meterai kuno yang tertera nama Baitul Laham. - Agensi

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BAITULMUQADDIS - Sepasukan ahli arkeologi Israel menemui sebuah meterai (cop mohor) berusia 2,700 tahun yang tertera perkataan Baitul Laham dalam bahasa Ibrani, kata Pihak Berkuasa Antikuiti Israel kelmarin.

Ia dipercayai bukti terawal kewujudan kota Baitul Laham seperti yang disebut dalam kitab Injil.

Penganut Kristian percaya bahawa Nabi Isa dilahirkan di kota Baitul Laham.

Diperbuat daripada tanah liat, meterai itu ditemui semasa kerja ekskavasi di Kota Nabi Daud, berhampiran Bandar Lama di sini.

Pengarah ekskavasi berkenaan, Eli Shukron berkata, artifak berdiameter 1.5 sentimeter itu dihasilkan antara 700 hingga 800 tahun Sebelum Masihi ketika raja-raja Yahudi memerintah kerajaan Judah atau 700 tahun sebelum kelahiran Nabi Isa. - Agensi

Interesting web : www.gepp.my/epages.

Out of Luc: Chelsea have £32m bid for Brazil winger Lucas Moura rejected

Boy from Brazil: Lucas Moura is the latest hotshot to be linked with Chelsea

Chelsea have had a £32.3million bid for Sao Paulo winger Lucas Moura turned down, according to the Brazilian club's president.

The Blues won the Champions League last Saturday to complete a double for interim boss Roberto Di Matteo who also led the team to FA Cup glory.

But when owner Roman Abramovich demands the club challenge for the Premier League title each and every season, their final position of sixth was clearly not good enough - especially given they were a massive 25 points off winners Manchester City and five points off Tottenham in fourth.

But plans are already afoot to make sure Chelsea mount a serious challenge for the title next season - starting with the move for Moura.

The highly-rated 19-year-old is already a full Brazilian international having played 11 times for the Selecao already.

Planning ahead: Roman Abramovich doesn't yet know who his manager will be next season, but he is already looking for new players

Inter Milan and Real Madrid have been tracking the player but it seems Chelsea have now made the first move.

Club president Juvenal Juvencio says he has already rejected the offer, but says: "At the moment, Chelsea are the closest team to Lucas.

"Inter made an offer of £20.2m, but this was not considered sufficient by us.

"Real Madrid is one of these [interested clubs] - there have been contacts with the president Florentino Perez, who admires the player.

"Lucas is a big player who will triumph in Europe, but Sao Paulo will only sell him for an enormous offer."

Drogba berunding dengan Shenhua

Kelab Shanghai Shenhua akan meneruskan rundingan dengan Didier Drogba seperti yang dirancang. - AFP

SHANGHAI - Kelab Shanghai Shenhua akan meneruskan perundingan dengan Didier Drogba seperti yang dirancang dan ia menghangatkan lagi spekulasi penyerang itu bakal berpindah ke China selepas mengumumkan meninggalkan Chelsea.

Shenhua yang dimiliki hartawan permainan video, Zhu Jun telah pun mengikat bekas rakan sepasukan Drogba dalam skuad Chelsea, Nicolas Anelka pada Disember tahun lalu.

Kelab itu telah memulakan perundingan dengan bintang antarabangsa Ivory Coast terbabit sejak Januari lepas.

"Sehingga sekarang, perbincangan dengan Drogba masih diteruskan seperti yang dirancang," kata Zhu kepada Oriental Sports Daily.

Drogba, 34, mendedahkan, dia meninggalkan gergasi Liga Perdana Inggeris, Chelsea kelmarin, sehari selepas pasukannya melakar kemenangan dalam perlawanan akhir Liga Juara-Juara menentang Bayern Munich.

Drogba menjaringkan gol penyamaan dan juga penentuan sepakan penalti yang meletakkan kelabnya sebagai juara.

Sejak menyertai Chelsea dari Marseille pada 2004, pemain itu meledakkan 157 gol dalam 341 penampilan, membantu kelabnya memenangi 10 trofi.

"Ia satu keputusan yang sukar untuk saya lakukan dan saya amat bangga dengan pencapaian kami, tetapi sudah tiba masanya saya mencari cabaran baru," katanya dipetik dalam laman web Chelsea.

Drogba menjadi bintang terbaru yang bakal ditandatangani kelab China yang berbelanja besar itu dalam Liga Super, selepas jurulatih pemenang Piala Dunia, Marcello Lippi menyertai Guangzhou Evergrande, minggu lepas.

Namun, perpindahan Anelka diiringi dengan masalah. Minggu lalu, pemain tersebut mengancam untuk meninggalkan Shenhua selepas kelab itu merancang untuk mengambil ketua jurulatih baru, menurut media tempatan.

"Jika tiada seorang pun yang menyokong saya dan mereka terus bermain muslihat di belakang saya, saya bersedia memutuskan sama ada untuk bersara atau tidak," kata pemain Perancis itu kepada Xinmin Evening News.

Pemilik kelab, Zhu telah pun menulis kepada ejen dan peguam Anelka bagi mendapatkan penjelasan, lapor Oriental Sports Daily. - AFP

Meet the couple who live with a pair of pet buffalo

Sofa so good ... RC and Sherron say their pets are perfectly safe

HERD the one about the couple who live with a pair of BUFFALO?

RC Bridges, who is nicknamed The Buffalo Whisperer, and his wife Sherron share their home with Wildthing and his new pal Bullet.

The beasts, who weigh 2,400lb and 900lb respectively, relax in the living room and around the house and even take a ride in the family car.

Buffaloes can be very dangerous animals, with curved sharp horns which grow up to two feet long, and they are able to run as fast as 40mph.

But RC says: “I knew they were crazy animals but it actually turned out way better than I thought it would be.

Someone you nose? ... pet sniffs buffalo head mounted on wall

“I always dreamed of training a buffalo, but I never thought about training two.

“They’re like my buddies. Bullet likes to be with me at all times, she’ll even give up food to be close to me.”

RC, who is a cowboy and horse trainer, has worked with buffaloes most of his life.

After losing an eye in 2004 he had to sell his herd, except for one young male who he decided to keep as a pet.

Cattle drive ... buffalo stands on RC's truck

Wildthing, who is now seven, even acted as best man when his owners renewed their wedding vows in 2006, after five years of marriage.

RC, 63, said: “He carried the rings on his horns and threw them off one at a time for us to catch.”

Bullet, a female who is three-and-a-half, joined the family after her previous owner found her too hard to control.

RC said: “Her owner told me if I could catch her, I could have her. She kept getting out of the pen and the sheriff’s department was mad about it.

Under one hoof ... Wildthing and Bullet in the Bridges' living room

“Well, I just caught her, put her in a trailer and brought her home.”

RC's photographer wife Sherron, 39, who is part Native American, makes traditional-style clothes and headdresses using the animals’ hair.

She said: “We love our buffaloes. I think if either one of them died, RC would probably go along with them."

And RC insists his friends and relatives still visit the families home in Texas, where they also keep a pet wolf called Jewell Spirit.

He said: “They’re not afraid to come over because I keep everything safe. But most of them think I’m going to get hurt or killed.

Big pals ... RC hugs one of his pets

“I don’t think you can ever take all of the wildness out of the buffaloes, though. I’ve been hurt a lot, so I guess its just part of the game.”

Nevertheless, the couple’s two grown-up children, son Will and daughter Taylor, are proud of the family pets and have even broken world records with them.

RC said: “My son was the first person to ever ski behind a buffalo, on water skies and on sand.

“And my daughter was the first person to ever snow sled behind a buffalo.”

Spain, Germany, Holland favourites in Euro: Ronaldo

Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo has declared that Spain, Germany and Netherlands are the favourites to win the European Championships this summer. The tournament gets underway on June 8 and the 27-year-old touted the trio of nations as the main contenders to lift the trophy.

"Spain have a good chance. Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, why not? But the first three have the great chance to win: Spain, Germany and Netherlands," Ronaldo said at a Castrol event which was attended by Goal.com. "We don’t have a lot pressure. The pressure is for Spain, Germany, Netherlands. But not Portugal. We have to enjoy it, to do the best we can, and let’s see what is going to happen. It will be very difficult."

The prolific Real Madrid forward continued by discussing his thoughts on the tough draw his country have been handed, alongside Germany, Netherlands and Denmark in Group B. "For me it’s the most difficult group in the Euros. It will be very tough for Portugal, but for the other teams too.

"They [Germany] are one of the best teams in the world, as are Netherlands. But I think it [progression] is possible, everything is possible in football. "We are not scared of them, but we respect them because Germany always have strong and compact teams, and it will be tough."

"[Netherlands are] a tough team, but in another way. It will be interesting because Portugal want to play against good teams because the concentration is different when you play against other teams. They're a great team. They are special.

"We know that if we progress we could catch good teams [in the quarter-finals], but this is the most difficult group.

"Can you imagine Holland or Germany out in the group? It will be a surprise! But it can happen!" Portugal kick off their campaign in Poland and Ukraine against Germany at Arena Lviv on June 9 and Ronaldo declared himself pleased with his nation's squad. We are a young group, a fantastic group, with a good and funny coach. It’s really good to be part of this national team, I really enjoy it and I love being there with them."

'Nazmi buka lembaran baru'

NAZMI bersama bapanya, Mansor ketika di Portugal.

KEJAYAAN pemain muda negara, Mohd Nazmi Faiz Mansor mengikat kontrak tiga tahun bersama kelab Divisyen Satu Portugal, S.C Beira Mar akan membuka lembaran baru kepada pembangunan pemain muda di negara ini.

Bagi pengendali Harimau Muda, Ong Kim Swee, berita terbaru mengenai Nazmi ini begitu menggembirakan dan cukup bagus untuk pendedahan pemain muda itu di peringkat tertinggi.

“Ini satu perkembangan yang cukup baik kerana sebelum ini hanya pemain senior saja yang mendapat peluang di peringkat lebih tinggi.

“Perkhabaran positif Nazmi ini akan membuka lembaran baru kepada aspek pembangunan pemain muda di negara ini untuk terus melahirkan lebih ramai pemain muda berkualiti,” katanya ketika dihubungi di Slovakia, semalam.

Menurut laman web rasmi kelab berkenaan, tonggak Harimau Muda yang beraksi di saingan Liga Singapura itu, memikat perhatian panel pemilihan dan terus ditawarkan kontrak tiga tahun untuk menyarung jersi kelab itu.

Namun, di sebalik kejayaan Nazmi memikat kelab Portugal itu, Kim Swee menegaskan semua pihak tidak boleh terus ‘dibuai mimpi indah’, sebaliknya usaha pencarian dan pembangunan pemain muda harus dilipat gandakan.

“Daripada penubuhan Harimau Muda kira-kira empat tahun lalu, kini kita sudah boleh lihat hasilnya. Tapi pembangunan pemain muda tidak boleh berhenti begitu saja.

“Saya akan berjumpa dengan ejen Nazmi (Marco Guimaere) malam ini (semalam). Selepas pertemuan itu, baru kita akan dapat tahu lebih lanjut mengenai kontrak yang ditawarkan kepada Nazmi,” katanya.