Thousands of protesters have rallied in the Spanish capital,

thousands of protesters have rallied in the Spanish capital, Madrid, against the cost of a visit by the Pope, hours before he is due to arrive.

A number of the demonstrators clashed with police after marching to the central Sol square chanting slogans.

Earlier, Spanish police arrested a Mexican student for allegedly plotting to gas the anti-Pope rallies.

The trip comes at a time of economic hardship in Spain, although organisers say the pilgrimage is self-funded.

Up to a million pilgrims from across the world have gathered in the city for the six-day World Youth Day (WYD 2011) festival, which culminates with an open-air mass on Sunday celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI.

The Pope will arrive at Madrid's Barajas airport on Thursday morning and hold meetings with young people at WYD 2011 later in the day.

More than 100 groups opposed to the Pope's visit planned to protest on Wednesday evening.

They include those who belong to the 15-M "indignant" movement - who oppose the government's austerity drive - as well as gay rights groups and others who oppose aspects of Catholic teaching.

"We are not angry about the Pope's visit, which some will agree with and others won't, but rather over the financing of it with public money, especially at a time when many services are being cut because it's necessary to curb government spending," 15-M said in a statement.

Protesters walked into the old city centre shouting "Nothing for the Pope from my taxes".

"It is costing a lot of money for the Spanish state which is going through a bad period," one protester, 55-year-old Rosa Vazquez, told Reuters news agency.

Bilal Mustafa Managing Director BoK handles over Rs 7 Billion

The Bank of Khyber (BoK) handles over Rs 7 Billion as Home Remittances till 30th June 2011 in six months, showing the confidence of the overseas Pakistanis on BOK.

This was stated by Mr. Bilal Mustafa Managing Director BoK, while inaugurating BoK Half-Yearly Manager’s Conference-2011 this morning.

The Half-yearly managers’ conference was held to review the operational activities and achievements of the bank during first six months of 2011 and to finalize the targets and operational strategy for the remaining six months of the year.

Bilal Mustafa mentioned that in order to achieve desired goals, the BoK would further increase its branch network in 2011 by adding 12 new branches. The growth in other operational areas should be further improved in order to achieve the Annual Business Targets. In this connection; a branch expansion plan is already underway, during which 5 new Islamic & 7 new conventional branches will emerge by year end.

This initiative of the management will further strengthen the bank and with the increased network of branches, the BoK would play its pivotal role in socio economic development of the country. He specially mentioned about Bacha Khan Khpal Rozgar Scheme and forthcoming “Huner Mand Scheme “ and their positive impact on socio-economic condition of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa which will lead the Province to prosperity.

He also emphasized that Branches as well as Head Office staff should work more actively to serve the customers by providing efficient services. Mr. Bilal Mustafa while reviewing the operational results as on 30th June 2011 mentioned that the BoK’s operational results shows a tremendous growth in all key areas despite depressed economic situation. He specially emphasized on Home Remittances business and mentioned that during first six months of 2011, BoK procured over Rs. 7 (Seven) billion as home remittances which was 87% higher than the corresponding period. He informed that in addition to branches, a number of dedicated payment centres are being established to facilitate home remittances beneficiaries. He said that we were already having a plan to engage more exchange companies to cater the target cliental in various parts of the Province and Overseas. The mid-year managers’ conference 2011 was also attended by Mir Javed Hashmat Executive Director BoK, Mr. Imran Samad Group Head Credit Management and Mr. M. Hamid Ayub Group Head HRD, a part from heads of various divisions of Head Office. While speaking on the occasion Mir Javed Hashmat Executive Director BoK stressed upon the managers to work more efficiently and dedicatedly to achieve excellence in operational target.


source by onlinenews

miss singapore universe 2011,Valerie Lim

Singapore - 25 year old behavior therapist, Miss Valerie Lim known for her beauty blog DWEAM was crowned Miss Universe Singapore 2011 by Tania Lim the pageant’s 2010 winner,10 July 2011.

Valerie Lim was crowned Miss Singapore Universe 2011 on Sunday, July 10th 2011 at the Shanggri-La Hotel. Valerie Lim is 25 year old and stands 1.79 m. She is a Behavior Therapist and will represent Singapore in Miss Universe 2011 in Brazil.

Valerie Lim was crowned Miss Singapore Universe 2011 on Sunday, July 10th 2011 at the Shanggri-La Hotel. Valerie Lim is 25 year old and stands 1.79 m. She is a Behavior Therapist and will represent Singapore in Miss Universe 2011 in Brazil.

Valerie Lim was crowned Miss Singapore Universe 2011 on Sunday, July 10th 2011 at the Shanggri-La Hotel. Valerie Lim is 25 year old and stands 1.79 m. She is a Behavior Therapist and will represent Singapore in Miss Universe 2011 in Brazil.

10 July 2011, Singapore - 25 year old behavior therapist, Miss Valerie Lim known for her beauty blog DWEAM was crowned Miss Universe Singapore 2011 by Tania Lim the pageant’s 2010 winner.

1st Runner Up for the pageant was 18 year old undergrad, Amanda Leong

 

 

ellie goulding was just amazing

Ellie" Goulding (born 30 December 1986),is an English singer-songwriter. She became only the second artist to be named the number-one predicted breakthrough act of the year in the BBC's annual poll of music critics, Sound of 2010, and become the recipient of the Critics' Choice Award at the BRIT Awards in the same year, following Adele's win of both in 2008. After signing to Polydor Records in 2009, she released her first extended-play recording in 2009, An Introduction to Ellie Goulding, and her debut studio album Lights followed in 2010. Her album went on to debut at number one on the UK Albums Chart and sold over 380,000 copies by the end of 2010.

Holy sweet damn. Just saw an SNL repeat tonight from earlier this year. Ellie Goulding was the musical guest and was just amazing. She sung this cover of Elton John's "Your Song" at the Royal Wedding apparently. EPIC. Her voice reminds me a little of Bjork but Britishy
She had met Prince William only once, the previous May at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Bangor. Unbeknown to Ellie, the Prince and Kate Middleton - 'Catherine,' Ellie corrects me - were backstage watching her set. Afterwards, Ellie was accosted by the rapper Tinie Tempah, with whom she had collaborated on the single 'Wonderman', and who introduced her to the Prince. 'Prince William was just really gushing, and, like, "I really enjoyed the show." He is so nice, just genuinely the nicest human being.' She said: "I watched a lot of films and television and I realised there was this whole other accent, like the one news presenters have, so I copied that. That's why it appears I speak quite well, but I'm not meant to."

The singer now blames panic attacks that she experienced years later on this transformation. Ellie Goulding stopped by San Francisco's famed Alamo Park to play a couple of tunes, including this gorgeous and stripped down version of "Starry Eyed." Ellie's acoustic performances (like this one) neatly spotlight her powerful, emotionally honest songwriting and her heartfelt delivery that warms me everytime.

Katrina Kaif Voted FHM's Sexiest Woman

New Dehli: Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif tops the Sexiest Women 2011 list of men's lifestyle magazine FHM.

Katrina had won the title in 2008 and 2009 too. Not only this Katrina edge out Deepika Padukone who won the title last year.

The FHM 100 Sexiest Women list is based on online and SMS voting and saw a whopping 35,000 responses this year.

"We'd love to say 2011 was a close contest, only Sheila made sure it was far from. A feat that becomes even more significant because no woman in the world across all 28 editions of FHM has ever won the Sexiest Woman in the World title three times in the last 17 years that we've been making the list. Her average is higher than Sachin Tendulkar's and she replaces Deepika Padukone who won the crown in 2010," said Kabeer Sharma, executive editor FHM India, in a statement.

Katrina seems to be the toast of the season-she was the only Bollywood actress to feature on the India Today's Elite Power list and is also the most Google-searched Indian celebrity. Monitoring Desk