Two bombs exploded in the Pakistani city of Lahore on Tuesday, one outside a government office, killing at least 20 people, police and officials said. Well over 500 people have been killed in Pakistan this year in a campaign of suicide bombings, which intensified after troops stormed a radical mosque in Islamabad in July.
Ethnic minorities and indigenous groups will suffer disproportionately from the effects of climate change, according to a report published on Tuesday. The study by Minority Rights Group International found that even though minorities and indigenous peoples were hardest hit, they were often the last to receive help and relief.
Back in the wild Sixties and Seventies, a Formula One hotshot would arrive bleary-eyed at his hotel, check out the nearest club and order a large drink or three. In 2008, his corporate-conscious counterpart is more likely to check into the gym and order an early call. ”I have busy testing days, busy marketing days and I have training days,” said Lewis Hamilton.
World number three Ernie Els has pulled out of this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando because of fatigue, PGA Tour officials said on Monday. According to his management company, the South African wanted a break to help prepare for next month’s US Masters, the first Major of the year.
World number one Roger Federer enjoyed a special moment on Monday when he beat Pete Sampras in an electrifying exhibition match in New York’s Madison Square Garden. ”It was like a dream come true for me,” Federer said. ”Playing my childhood hero here at the Garden. I had never played here. It was great. We had lots of fun.”
Australia have scrapped their upcoming cricket tour to Pakistan over security fears, their cricket boards said in a statement on Tuesday, after bombs killed 20 people in the eastern city of Lahore. ”I can confirm they have conveyed to us that they have cancelled the tour,” Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer Shafqat Nagmi said.
Tearaway South Africa speedster Dale Steyn is smacking his lips in anticipation of a battle royal with India’s batsmen in the upcoming three-Test series. Steyn (24) taught Bangladesh a few lessons in fast bowling in the recent two-Test series, from which he bagged 14 wickets, and is now training his guns on India, who have recently returned from their Australia tour.
About 60% to 70% of the South African home finance market is now facilitated by originators, who have managed to secure interest rate concessions of 1% to 2,5% for their clients. They handle the shopping around for you, as well as the administration and insurance.
If political uncertainty, power cuts and the economic slowdown is making you stay out of the market; think again. You can still make money out of South African equities when the going gets tough. Last year, Investec launched RandHedge as part of its exchange-traded fund "Z-shares" range.
The amount that people are paying to service their debt has risen to an all-time high of 80% of disposable income, according to figures recently released by the South African Reserve Bank. Ian Wason, MD of Bond Busters, attributes much of this to the lengthy introduction of the National Credit Act.