With two water buffalo dragging wooden sleds laden with sacks of dried coconut meat, farmer Bienvenido Belga descended the slope of the Philippines’ simmering Mayon volcano as an evacuation of tens of thousands moved into full swing. But then Belga hitched up his two bullocks and began another arduous ascent back up the mountain.
In case anyone was wondering about the incredible upsurge in credit advertising recently, the ombudsman for banking services believes that credit providers are making hay while the sun shines before the final phase of the National Credit Act. “We suspect, from what we have heard", said advocate John Simpson, complaints investigation manager for the banking ombudsman.
I have an idea for a new reality TV show. Train the cameras on the Department of Arts and Culture, particularly on its most senior management.Perhaps it could turn out to be our new daily soap, <i>The Rich and the Useless</i> writes Mike van Graan.
There have been recent, well-publicised cases of identity theft that have resulted in the victims’ bank accounts being ravaged. This happens when criminals get access to confidential data like user names and passwords, and use them to take control of deposit accounts.
<i>The Block</i> reflects more than current decor trends; it exposes the contradictions that creep into the way we plan and inhabit our homes, writes Hannah le Roux.
Elder statesman Neil Young has produced a blistering assault on George Bush with his new album titled <i>Living with War</i>, writes Lloyd Gedye.
An ambitious “high performance programme”, aimed at identifying young, talented soccer players and enabling them to reach their full potential, has swung into action. Part of the programme will focus on strengthening the life skills of the players, and teachers will be enlisted to help achieve this.
A diverse group has gathered at the Naziema Isaacs library in Khayelitsha outside Cape Town in response to a notice about a writers’ workshop. It represents a cross-section of the community: 12 year olds in school tracksuits; teenage girls; young men with funky hairstyles; a matron with a genial face alongside older men in formal jackets.
Though warm and frothy ale is an enduring symbol of Britain, there’s a fight on to save the traditional British pint from being flushed away by a fizzy tide of bland, mass-produced Euro-lager. Real ale, made the time-honoured, natural way, is an endangered species that enthusiasts say is being muscled out of British pubs by international brewing giants.
Amini revolution seems to be taking place as customers leave the rarified air of banking halls to bank in a supermarket. Retailer banking is an idea that is catching on with an increasing number of customers, who are weary of high bank charges. Apart from the cost savings, there is also the revolutionary idea of a bank keeping retail hours.