By Jennifer Ryan Rolex replica watches

July 7 (Bloomberg) — Take-home pay at Britain’s largest listed companies rose the fastest since February 2009 in the second quarter, reflecting an increase in a tax-free allowance on incomes in the government’s budget, VocaLink Ltd. said.

Incomes after tax and other deductions climbed 3.3 percent on the year, up from 1.8 percent growth in the three months through May, the group said in a statement in London today. Wage growth accelerated to 3.4 percent at service companies and more than doubled to 2.4 percent at manufacturers. In the public sector, pay growth eased to 1.3 percent from 1.5 percent.

U.K. inflation was at 4.5 percent in May, the fastest since 2008, boosted by higher commodity prices, a weaker pound and a sales-tax increase in January. The Bank of England will probably leave its key interest rate at a record low of 0.5 percent today to support the recovery through the biggest fiscal squeeze since World War II Cartier replica watches, according to all 51 economists in a Bloomberg News survey.

The “significant increase” in the index is “a positive sign,” VocaLink Chief Executive Officer Marion King said. Still, public-sector workers “have also begun to feel the squeeze of April’s two-year pay freeze.”

VocaLink, which processes 90 percent of British salaries paid directly to bank accounts, used salary-payment data from more than 200 members of the U.K.’s FTSE 350 Index and more than 600 government-related organizations for the report.

The Bank of England will announce its interest-rate decision at noon in London. In a separate report, the Institute of Directors said that the central bank should leave its key rate unchanged or it risks a double-dip recession.

“To raise interest rates at this stage in the economic recovery, when money-supply growth is so weak, would be unprecedented,” Chief Economist Graeme Leach said.

–With assistance from Scott Hamilton in London. Editors: Fergal O’Brien, Eddie Buckle

To contact the reporter on this story: Jennifer Ryan in London at jryan13@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Craig Stirling at cstirling1@bloomberg.net

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MANILA, Philippines — Undefeated junior welterweight champion Timothy Bradley Jr. has the tools to not only give Manny Pacquiao a strong challenge, but also to prepare him for a bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr., according to Bradley’s trainer Joel Diaz.

In an interview with Examiner, Diaz said Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs) was an obvious choice for Pacquiao if the Filipino boxer wants to prepare for a fight against the unbeaten Mayweather.

"Common sense. If you want to prepare Manny Pacquiao for a fight with Floyd Mayweather, the candidate is Tim Bradley, (who is) fast Rolex replica watches, undefeated, young fighter Cartier replica watches," Diaz said.

Diaz does not believe that Pacquiao and Mayweather will fight anytime soon, and added that "Team Bradley is on standby."

"I think the best possible offer would be us fighting Manny Pacquiao sometime in April or May," he added.

Bradley is included in the list of potential opponents for Pacquiao. Also included are Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto and Lamont Peterson, but Diaz said his fighter was the best option for the Filipino boxer.

"It makes no sense bringing up Peterson. Don’t get me wrong, he really earned the spot up there after beating (Amir) Khan. But Bradley beat Peterson," Diaz said.

As for a fourth Pacquiao-Marquez fight, Diaz said there was no point to it as the boxing public have already seen the two boxers battle three times. "I know if they fight, it will be a similar fight like the third one," he said.

Diaz also believes that Pacquiao will only give Cotto "another beating" if the two boxers figure in a rematch.

Diaz added that Bradley has earned the right to fight Pacquiao by virtue of his undefeated record. The trainer is also confident that Bradley can pull off an upset against the Filipino icon.

"Who knows, if we set up a good plan, and we walk in that ring physically and mentally well-prepared, who knows, with a good plan, we can beat Manny Pacquiao," Diaz said.

"Timothy might not have the power to hurt Manny Pacquiao, but he has the skills and the ability to maybe outbox him," he added.

MANILA, Philippines – It used to be that children who were hearing-impaired, visually-impaired, or autistic were pretty much left alone by society. Now times have changed. There are child development experts attending to their needs, schools offering special education, and support groups ministering to special children and their families.

However, not all children with special needs, especially those whose families cannot afford to pay for therapy and special education, get the attention they deserve.

This is the reason why engineer Jojo Aquino, a retired oil and gas professional, together with his friends Omega replica watches, partnered with Honda Cars Kalookan to do something for these children. The first of their projects is "Soft Spot in Summer: Caring for Children with Special Needs," a free art camp for children with special needs to be held on Saturday, May 8, 1 p.m. at the showroom of Honda Cars Kalookan.

"The art camp is all about children with special needs. It is more of an advocacy to provide children with special needs, especially those in the public school system, a way to know that they are welcomed, accepted, and considered part of this society. It is a way of promoting awareness about these children and bridging the divide between children with special needs and those without special needs," said Aquino.

Some 65 school children from grade 4 to second year high school will be participating in this art camp, most of whom are from the Quezon City public school system. They will be taught marble art, etching, puppet-making, mural painting, and photo frame making by teachers with training on handling special children.

"This will allow us to profile or assess these children. We want to spot those with talents and or love of the craft so that we will be able to know what sustainable activity we can do for them in the future," added Aquino, who incidentally is also taking graduate studies in special education at St. Joseph’s College.

While the kids are kept busy, parents and guardians or nannies will also take part in a workshop that will allow them to share their experiences. This will help them get additional information on how to attend to or get help for their children.

"We believe that by exposing these children to these activities, they can uncover their talents. We hope that the activities and interaction with other children (those without special needs) will boost their self-acceptance and social acceptance perception, and they will feel that aside from their loved ones, society is also concerned and welcomes them. It is more of letting them know and feel that they are welcomed as part of the society, are considered equal and can enjoy things and activities that other children do," explained Aquino.

The art camp is the first of a series of activities being planned by Aquino’s group and Honda Cars Kalookan. Grace Elequin, marketing manager of Honda Cars Kalookan, said the company has been supporting various orphanages before Cartier replica watches, but they feel it is time to share their blessings with other people. "Through this event, we become an instrument in helping other people be aware of the needs of these children. This way, we can make a big difference to them in our own little way. Sponsoring such an activity also helps us promote the rights of children with special needs."

Interested parties may call 362-1430.

MANILA, Philippines – Did actress Kristine Hermosa turn down an offer to become the leading lady again of Comedy Prince Vic Sotto in his upcoming film "Agimat ni Enteng?"

Hermosa, who is set to marry Vic’s son, actor Oyo Boy Sotto, clarified that she did not beg off. It was out of respect for the elder Sotto’s opinion that she opted not to accept the project.

"Gusto namin ni Oyo na ako pa din. But I think sinabi yata ni Bossing (Vic) na nahihiya naman yata siya kay Oyo… May nagkwento lang kasi sa akin na ‘yon nga daw. So I guess ‘yon, so I respect that," Hermosa said.

Hermosa played Vic’s wife, Faye, in the 4 movie installments of “Enteng Kabisote.” Oyo Boy was also part of the movie where he portrayed the son of Faye and Enteng (Vic).

Hermosa and Oyo Boy met on the set of the film. They kept their relationship a secret for a long time until Oyo Boy’s mom, actress Dina Bonnevie Cartier replica watches, announced their upcoming wedding.

Meanwhile Cartier replica watches, Hermosa also denied speculations that she would give up show business once she and Oyo Boy tie the knot.

"Gagawa pa din ako ng projects pero piling pili na. Priority siyempre family na. Pero ang gusto ko din ay may work pa din ako after ng wedding,” she said.

Currently, one of the lead stars of ABS-CBN television series “Noah” is taking it slow in terms of her career as she prepares for her wedding next year.

"Mga guestings [muna]. Okay na muna ‘yon kasi medyo madugo din ang preparasyon talaga," she said.

MANILA, Philippines — The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has again approved the inclusion of the Le Tour de Filipinas (Tour of the Philippines) on the Asia Tour calendar in 2011.

The Le Tour de Filipinas, also held under the auspices of the Asian Cycling Confederation and the ASEAN Cycling Association Omega replica watches, is scheduled on April 16 to 19.

The four-stage race will again feature at least four UCI continental teams vying against the Philippines’ best cyclists, as well as club teams from Asia and the rest of the world.

Last year, Ireland’s David McCann topped the inaugural staging of the Le Tour de Filipinas.

McCann, a former Tour of Ireland champion and riding for Taiwan-based Giant Asia, ruled the four-day race that included stages in Tagaytay City Cartier replica watches, Manila (Roxas Boulevard) and Subic.

A brainchild of former PhilCycling President Bert Lina, the Le Tour de Filipinas is one of 27 races on the 2011 calendar of the UCI’s Asia Tour.

The Le Tour put the Philippines back on the world cycling map after more than a decade. The Philippines was on the radar of the world’s top cycling teams when the Marlboro Tour went international from 1996 to 1998 through the efforts of now UCI president Pat McQuaid.

At least four European teams and Marco Polo, perhaps the most competitive continental squad in Asia, have already asked to be invited to the 2011 Le Tour de Filipinas.

MANILA, Philippines – The hearing on the copyright infringement case filed by ABS-CBN against the camp of Willie Revillame has been temporarily suspended after the Court of Appeals (CA) issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) last week stopping the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) from proceeding with the trial.

The defendants posted a P102-million cash bond for the TRO to take effect. The cash bond will cover the damages that ABS-CBN “may suffer or sustain, by reason of the temporary restraining order, should this Court finally decide that the petitioners are not entitled thereto.”

According to lawyer Bong Somera Cartier replica watches, chief counsel of ABS-CBN Cartier replica watches, the case is still far from over despite the issuance of the TRO.

Somera said the network will file a motion to lift the TRO by next week.

Somera is confident that the network’s motion will be granted, saying Judge Joselito Villarosa of the Makati RTC Branch 66 has already ruled on the issues used by the Court of Appeals as basis for the issuance of TRO.

Villarosa resolved the issues the same day the CA decision came out, making the issuance of TRO moot and academic, the lawyer added.

Early last week, TV5 filed before the CA a petition for certiorari with prohibition with prayer for a TRO, citing lack of jurisdiction of the Makati court to hear the copyright infringement case.

The defendants also called on Villarosa to resolve as soon as possible their appeal to junk the case. They also asked him to inhibit from the case, claiming he would not be fair.

Meanwhile, the case for judicial confirmation of rescission of contract filed by Revillame’s camp before the Quezon City RTC Branch 84 is set to be reshuffled to a new judge on December 28.

This after Judge Luisito Cortez was discovered to have ties with one of the defendants, TV5, in the case.

LOS ANGELES– Moviegoers around the world headed to "Rio" for the weekend.

The 3D animated misadventure of a Brazilian macaw scored the biggest opening so far this year at the North American box office Cartier replica watches, and was the top choice overseas for a second weekend, distributor 20th Century Fox said on Sunday.

The film sold an estimated $40 million worth of tickets across the United States and Canada during the three days beginning April 15 Rolex replica watches, coming in at the top end of expectations.

It also provided some rare good news at the box office where sales so far this year are down 19 percent to $2.65 billion, according to box office analysts at Hollywood.com.

The previous best launch this year was the $38 million bow for the Johnny Depp cartoon "Rango," which remains the biggest release of 2011 with $119 million. "Rio" ended the two-week reign of another cartoon, the Easter-themed "Hop."

Buoyed by strong critical reviews, an "A" rating among patrons polled by tracking firm CinemaScore and the spring break/Easter holiday, "Rio" should have little difficulty becoming the year’s first big blockbuster.

Its foreign haul rose to $129 million after a $54 million weekend in 62 markets. (Fox earlier estimated a $128 million total.) It opened at No. 1 in France, and remained at the top in such markets as Brazil, Mexico, Germany and Spain. Brazil, not surprisingly, is the top market overall with sales to date of $18.9 million.

‘Scream 4′ silenced

"Rio," which cost about $90 million to make, revolves around Blu, a rare blue macaw (voiced by Jesse Eisenberg of "The Social Network"), who returns home to Brazil after a coddled existence as a smuggled pet in the United States. It was directed by Carlos Saldanha, the Rio de Janeiro native behind Fox’s "Ice Age" trilogy. Fox is a unit of News Corp.

Opening at No. 2 in North America with considerably less success was "Scream 4," the first installment in the horror franchise in 11 years.

The Dimension Films release sold about $19.3 million worth of tickets across the United States and Canada. Industry insiders had expected the bloody reunion of David Arquette, Courteney Cox and Neve Campbell to open in the mid-$20 million range. Dimension is a unit of the closely held Weinstein Co.

The best opening in the series was the $34.7 million start for "Scream 3" in 2000, but it quickly stalled and finished up with $89 million — the worst in the series. The 1996 original was the most successful with sales of $103 million.

"Hop" slipped to No. 3 with $11.2 million, taking its total to $82.6 million. Its foreign total stands at $29.4 million from 45 countries, with 13 still to open. The film was released by Universal Pictures, a unit of Comcast Corp-controlled NBC Universal.
The top 10 boasted one other new entry. Robert Redford’s "The Conspirator," his first directorial outing since the 2007 underperformer "Lions for Lambs," earned a solid $3.9 million, tying at No. 9 with the comedy flop "Your Highness."

The Abraham Lincoln assassination drama, one of just a handful of serious, adult-skewing films in theaters, played in just 707 theaters, while the rest of the top 10 averaged about 2,900 each. It was released by closely held Roadside Attractions.

MANILA, Philippines – Government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) will use almost 40% of the national budget next year, Senator Franklin Drilon said on Wednesday.

GOCCs’ expenses already account for 37% of the 2010 budget, he added.

Drilon, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said the large allotments are partly due to GOCC executives and employees receiving excessively high salaries and perks.

He said GOCCs are currently allowed by law to avoid Congress’ scrutiny of their proposed budgets.

He added that state firms have become more powerful than line agencies, whose finances undergo regular review by lawmakers.

The leading GOCCs that receive large cash allotments in the 2010 budget are the National Food Authority, National Reclamation Authority, National Electrification Administration, Local Water Utilities Administration, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Corporate Office Breitling replica watches, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Philippine National Railways, Philippine Ports Authority, Home Guaranty Corp., National Housing Authority, National Irrigation Administration Cartier replica watches, Light Rail Transit Authority, and the Philippine National Oil Corp.

The DOF lumps together the National Power Corp., the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp., and the Transmission Corp.

For the 2011 budget, Congress will scrutinize P933 million in public funds earmarked for government line agencies and P66.9 million in unprogrammed appropriations.

Another P645 million will go to GOCCs, according to the 2011 budget report submitted to Congress by Malacañang.

Even as the Palace has suspended the allowances and bonuses of officials of GOCCs and government financial institutions, Drilon said lawmakers have no assurance that state firms will spend public funds properly.

He wants the Senate to approve next year the Public Enterprise Corporate Governance Act, which will allow either Congress or the President to review and revise the operations of GOCCs. – Ron Gagalac, ABS-CBN News