Nicole Scherzinger wows on her first day as X Factor judge - The Sun
The former Pussycat Dolls singer, 33, who was a guest judge on the show in 2010, was confirmed as Kelly Rowland's replacement last week.
She signed a £750,000 deal to become the fourth panel member.
At the time Nicole said: “I’m so excited to join the UK X Factor family. It's where I got my start, so it feels great to come full circle.
"I can’t wait to see what talent the UK has to offer and to help inspire and bring out the best in these artists.”
Nicole has also been a judge on X Factor USA, but boss Simon Cowell sacked her after the first season in a huge shake-up of the talent show.
Fellow judge Tulisa Contostavlos also took to the red carpet at the Newcastle auditions today, but failed to compete with Nicole in the glamour stakes.
The 23-year-old looked sweet in a candy-striped strapless number.
But Nicole stole the show in a teal one-shoulder dress with gold belt detail, which whipped up in the wind showing off her underskirt.
Nicole joins Tulisa, Louis Walsh and head judge Gary Barlow on the panel.
BJP-RSS want Kalam for president; he may decide today - Hindustan Times
Kalam's decision can change the whole political equation, as if in case he agrees to contest for the poll, NDA may decide to support him.
NDA ally JD (U) on Monday remained non-committal on their decision to back BJP candidate. "NDA is trying to create consensus. we have time till June 30. We have time, we'll take it and decide", said party leader and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.
On Friday before UPA announced its presidential candidate, Kalam had said that he will take reight decision at right time.
"It is a good idea, will take right decision at right time," APJ Abdul Kalam told reporters on his name being suggested for President.
TV news channels report, Kalam is being pressurised by several political parties to contest polls.
After being snubbed by the UPA, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee is still keen on Kalam's name for presidential poll.
After UPA announced its decision to back Pranab, Mamata Banerjee said the game is not over yet. She even launched a facebook page seeking support to back Kalam.
"I have said. I won't say anything more. In my life, I do what I say and if someone thinks the game is over, it's not that", she told reporters.
Mamata is expected to formally announce party's candidate for presidential polls. Mamata has issued specific diktat to ensure no cross-voting. A formal announcement will be made on Monday evening.
BJP led NDA on the other hand is still divided on whom to support. On Sunday, BJP sought to bring around their NDA allies to support former Lok Sabha speaker PA Sangma as a common non-Congress candidate against the UPA’s Pranab Mukherjee in the presidential elections, but failed to overcome the differences.
While the Shiv Sena skipped the meeting, Janata Dal (United) leader Shivanand Tiwari said a contest against Mukherjee was best avoided. But party chief and NDA convenor Sharad Yadav said Advani should get time to work on a consensus over Sangma.
Whole scenario now depends on Kalam's decision as Sangma emerged as BJP's choice only after APJ Abdul Kalam remained non-committal.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS:
* Senior BJP leader Advani calls up former President APJ Abdul Kalam
* BJP sends Sudheendra Kulkarni to Kalam's residence to persuade him to contest poll
* JD(U) remains non-committal
* SAD declares support for nominee selected by the BJP
Vodafone gets go-ahead for $1.6 billion takeover of CWW - Reuters
LONDON |
LONDON (Reuters) - Mobile phone group Vodafone's 1.04 billion-pound ($1.6 billion) agreed offer for Cable & Wireless Worldwide looked certain to succeed on Monday after the British fixed line network operator's biggest shareholder dropped its opposition.
Institutional investor Orbis said it would now support the 38 pence-a-share offer after CWW revealed that holders of 59 percent of its shares had already backed the takeover that will make Vodafone Britain's second largest telecoms operator behind BT.
The announcement appeared to seal the fate of a company that traces its history back to the 19th century, serves many British blue chip companies and government departments and which has cables spanning the globe.
Vodafone, already ranked as the world's biggest mobile company, has said CWW will strengthen its integrated corporate services business, both in Britain and internationally. CWW's 20,500 kilometers of optical fiber will also help take the strain of Vodafone having to satisfy the fast-growing appetite of smartphone users for mobile data services without having to rent fixed line capacity, as it does now, from the likes of BT.
Orbis had criticized Vodafone's offer, saying it undervalued the assets, but it gave up the fight ahead of a CWW shareholder meeting held on Monday to approve the takeover via a scheme of arrangement. The result was expected later on Monday afternoon, a CWW spokesman said.
The Bermuda-based fund manager, which holds 19 percent, said that it had taken a pragmatic decision that Vodafone would likely adjourn the meeting in order to obtain the necessary support of 75 percent of shareholders, even without Orbis's backing.
"This is not in the interests of any CWW stakeholder," Orbis said in a statement. "Accordingly, Orbis intends to vote in favor of the scheme at the meetings today."
The news sent shares in Cable & Wireless Worldwide up 8 percent to 37.8 pence. Vodafone shares were up 0.2 percent.
Analyst Nick Brown at Espirito Santo Investment Bank said Vodafone had successfully pitched its offer to win the backing of CWW's board and other shareholders. Once it has 75 percent backing Vodafone can take full control under the scheme of arrangement.
"Vodafone has taken advantage of CWW's shares trading at quite a depressed multiple at the time they came in with their bid," he said.
"We believe that the value to Vodafone is around 50 pence if not north of that, depending on what they do with the company."
VODAFONE STRATEGY
The mobile operator swooped on CWW after investors lost faith in the communications company following its split from the Caribbean-focused Cable & Wireless Communications in March 2010.
CWW has had a tumultuous period since the demerger, and has issued a string of profit warnings as it was wrong footed by government cuts, increased competition and a faster than expected decline in voice traffic.
Its management has been held at least in part responsible by investors and analysts.
John Pluthero, the former Cable & Wireless executive who took more than 10 million pounds in bonuses from the group, was installed as chief executive a year ago, but he was in turn ousted when the company suspended dividends and issued 624 million pounds of writedowns in November.
Shares in CWW, which hit a high of 98.5 pence after the split, valuing the group at $4.25 billion, fell to 13 pence, increasing speculation that it would be prey to a takeover offer.
Former Vodafone executive Gavin Darby took over as chief executive with a brief to put the group on a firmer footing and improve its weak cash generation.
But the board said the turnaround plan would need additional investment and would need to be implemented in challenging trading conditions, leading it to conclude that cash from Vodafone was a better prospect.
Vodafone's interest sparked India's Tata Communications to also take a look at the business, but it withdrew after failing to reach agreement with CWW's board on an offer price, leaving Vodafone as sole bidder.
Vodafone will still require regulatory clearances, although it has said it is confident it will be approved.
(Editing by Greg Mahlich)
England look to Rooney for last eight berth - Football
Published: 18 Jun 2012 - 11:48:25
England hope the entrance of Wayne Rooney will seal the exit of Ukraine as Roy Hodgson's side aim to wrap up qualification for the Euro 2012 quarter-finals on Tuesday.
A 3-2 victory over Sweden on Friday has sent confidence coursing through English ranks, with goals scored by Andy Carroll, Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck suddenly giving Hodgson a range of options in attack.
But it is the return of Rooney from suspension that will give England an extra jolt of optimism as they seek the point they need to clinch a place in the last eight at Donetsk's Donbass Arena.
A fully-fit Rooney is champing at the bit to enter the fray after serving his two-match ban for being sent off in England's final qualifier last year.
"Obviously I'm delighted to be back part of the team and the squad and to be involved again," the Manchester United star said Sunday.
"The lads have done great to put us in the position we are in now and hopefully I'll get a chance to play and try and shine and help us get through the group."
Rooney has ruled out England playing for a draw despite the fact that a point would be enough to secure their passage to the last eight.
"The same as the first two games, we'll go into the game wanting to win and wanting the three points," he said.
"If we have to take a point then we'll happily do that, but we're going into the game trying to get the three points."
Rooney is also convinced England have the ability to mount a successful challenge at the Euros.
"I think we're good enough (to win it)," Rooney said.
"We've got the players to. I know, obviously, everyone doesn't want us to build up expectations but I firmly believe that we've got the players.
"Obviously, you need a bit of luck as well but I believe we've got a good opportunity. We've always believed."
England's preparations suffered a setback late Sunday after it emerged that Walcott, who had been strongly tipped to replace James Milner in the starting line-up, had pulled up in training with a hamstring problem.
"Unfortunately Theo had a slight setback in training, and that's the major concern with him," Hodgson said.
"He felt the hamstring that, of course, kept him out for so long at the end of last season and we were slightly concerned about that when he came to us. But we've been lucky that nothing occurred with that (since then)."
Hodgson meanwhile is confident his team will be able to cope with an intimidating atmosphere in Donetsk.
Hodgson believes England will benefit from the experience of last Friday in Kiev, where an estimated 20,000 Swedish fans drowned out England's smaller band of around 4,000 supporters to create a hostile atmosphere.
"We're getting used to playing away from home," Hodgson said. "We've already played in an away game, we have to prepare for another away game.
"That's what happens -- when you get drawn into a pool with the host nation you have to accept you're literally playing away from home."
Ukraine captain Andrei Shevchenko meanwhile said the hosts would have to raise their game after the bubble of euphoria created by their opening win over Sweden was punctured so clinically in last Friday's 2-0 defeat to France.
"We knew it was a very difficult game and the French played really well, especially in the second half. But we still have a chance," Shevchenko said.
"We know that if we can beat England we'll qualify for the knockout stage. (But) we'll have to play much better than we did against France if we want to beat England. They are definitely one of the most dangerous teams here.
"They had a good result against France and they beat Sweden, so they've had a great start. Home advantage helps us a lot."
Shevchenko, who faces a late fitness test on Monday after damaging a knee in training, also warned his side against focusing excessively on the threat posed by the returning Rooney.
"I know he's a very good player and someone who can change the team," Shevchenko said.
"But the whole England team is very good. They are most dangerous from set-pieces, corners and free-kicks. We will have to watch that."
Related England News
Ronaldo off the menu for united Portuguese - Football
Published: 18 Jun 2012 - 13:48:00
Cristiano Ronaldo answered his critics with the double that sent Portugal into the Euro 2012 quarter-finals on Sunday but the line coming from the dressing room and himself was it was thanks to team spirit that they had prevailed.
Ronaldo's double - his first goals of the tournament - saw the 2004 finalists beat the Dutch 2-1 and send them crashing out of the tournament two years after they reached the World Cup final.
The Portuguese will play Group A winners Czech Republic - who beat Portugal on their way to the Euro 1996 final - in Thursday's quarter-final.
Both Ronaldo and his colleagues, who boycotted speaking to the foreign press angered at what they see as unwarranted criticism of their captain and the squad, said it was their unity which had given them the strength to prevail since losing 1-0 to Germany in the opening game.
In that they set an example to the Dutch, who loaded with more individual talent did not help their cause by being split down the middle.
Coach Paulo Bento had given the players their lead in refusing to talk about his captain Ronaldo's performance preferring to reflect on how proud he was of the team effort.
"What is important, is not the player, but the team," said Bento, who received an early birthday present as he turns 43 on Wednesday.
"I am very proud of what this team has done, to have achieved our goal is wonderful."
Ronaldo, who dedicated his two goals to his son Cristiano who was celebrating his second birthday, had reacted angrily after the 3-2 win over Denmark last Wednesday when Danish fans had chanted the name of his nemesis in the Spanish league, Lionel Messi.
However, having answered his detractors with his two-goal performance - the first time he has ever claimed a double at a major tournament - he too did not want to talk about himself.
"The team was spectacular," said the 27-year-old.
"We deserve this qualification because we believed in it right until the end and all the players deserve to be congratulated," he told Portuguese television.
Defender Joao Pereira, whose superbly weighted pass had set up Ronaldo for his first goal, positively purred about the team's all round performance and team spirit.
"We showed that we are a totally united team," he said.
"Despite what comes out in the press, we are all rowing in the same direction and that is clear from what happened on the pitch, where we surpassed ourselves, beating them after falling behind."
Midfielder Miguel Veloso echoed his compatriot's comments.
"Our secret of our side was we know how to defend together, how to suffer together, and then we are both humble and unified which we plainly showed on the pitch."
Related Portugal News
UPDATE 2-AXA private equity raises $8 bln for bank asset buys - Reuters UK
* Expects $40-$50 billion of bank assets to come to market
* Raises largest specialist secondaries fund at $7.1 mln
* Initially targeted $3.5 billion
* AXA earlier bought portfolios from Citi, Barclays (Adds quote)
By Douwe Miedema and Simon Meads
LONDON, June 18 (Reuters) - AXA Private Equity has raised a larger than expected $8 billion from investors, much of which it will use to take assets off the hands of banks cutting down their exposure in the face of growing pressure from regulators.
Banks, which urgently need to fortify their capital buffers, are in a rush to offload private equity assets they spent billions on in the heady days before the financial crisis, causing a flurry in so-called secondary sales.
"AXA Private Equity predicts a significant increase in activity in the secondary market over the next two years," the investment arm of French insurance group Axa, said in a statement on Monday.
The firm expects between $40 billion and $50 billion of bank assets to come up as a result.
New rules for capital known as Basel III make it much more costly for banks to hold risky assets, and they need to free up all the capital they can to support profits in their core lending and investment banking businesses.
Private equity portfolios - which expose the banks to any weakness in the companies that are part of them - are among the assets requiring higher capital buffers, making them an obvious target to shed for many banks.
Axa Private Equity had initially been after some $3.5 billion for its fund but ended up raising more than double that amount at $7.1 billion. An additional $900 million will go towards its primary fund of funds, the group said.
Traditionally, private equity houses buy companies with large amounts of debt financing. They then aggressively cut costs, improve performance, and sell it on for a profit, usually through a stock market flotation.
If they find no outside buyers, they often flip assets between rivals. The model for AXA Private Equity's secondaries fund is slightly different in that it takes investment portfolios off the hands of banks.
Last year, AXA bought a $740 million portfolio of private equity holdings from Barclays and earlier acquired a bumper $1.7 billion portfolio from Citigroup.
Its fundraising success follows U.S. Group Lexington Capital, which last year raised $7 billion, then the largest ever fund raised by a secondaries specialist. Rival Coller Capital is seeking to raise some $5 billion.
"The banks continue to sell ... There is no lack of dealflow, and there is no lack of demand for that dealflow," said Thomas Liaudet, partner at private equity advisory firm Campbell Lutyens.
BIG DEALS VANISH
Deal-making in the private equity industry - once home to conspicuous multi-billion deals such as KKR's 11 billion pound ($17 billion) acquisition of Alliance Boots and Terra Firma's 4 billion pound purchase of EMI - has been tepid ever since the onset of the financial crisis.
In the absence of finding new deals, as bank lending for the debt-heavy leveraged buy-outs has dried up, many firms have spent more of their time buying mid-sized companies from rivals. May saw a flurry of such deals.
Silver Lake and Partners Group bought Swiss tax-free shopping business Global Blue from rival Equistone, while two private equity groups are in the hunt for Europe's biggest frozen food company Iglo Group, now owned by buy-out firm Permira.
The former head of Britain's biggest mobile phone company Everything Everywhere approached private equity groups six months ago about an 8 billion pound buyout, but found no takers, sources said this weekend.
Not only have buy-out firms lost their access to funding, it is also harder for them to sell companies to stock markets, which are virtually shut for new entrants because of the weak global economy and the euro zone debt crisis.
The owners of German chemical company Evonik, for instance, are set to scrap plans for what could have been Europe's biggest initial public offering in more than a year, people familiar with the matter told Reuters on Sunday ($1 = 0.6393 British pounds) (Editing by Hans-Juergen Peters)
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