Standard Bank voted Best Bank in Africa
Standard Bank voted ‘Best Bank in 2010’ in six categories
Standard Bank’s position as Africa’s leading bank has been reinforced at the 11th annual ‘Best Bank of The Year’ awards which took place on December 2nd in London.
The banking industry’s pre-eminent publication, The Banker, named Standard Bank as ‘Best Bank in Africa’ for the third year running as well as ‘Best Bank’ in five countries; South Africa, in Lesotho, in Malawi, in Uganda and in Zimbabwe.
The annual awards recognise those banks that succeed in gaining strategic advantage and delivering shareholder returns in spite of volatile market conditions and Standard Bank was applauded for its ability to adapt to changing conditions, secure important deals and succeed in an increasingly competitive landscape.
John Coyle, Chief Executive of Standard Bank Isle of Man, said: “The key objectives of the Group are mirrored in the Isle of Man and we are very proud that the Group’s efforts as an emerging markets financial services organisation have been recognised by our industry’s leading global publication.”
Locally, growth has come through targeting clients in emerging markets both directly and also by working closely with Isle of Man trust companies and international Independent Financial Advisors, whose clients require the financial services support available through Standard Bank.
“Standard Bank is particularly well-placed to connect trade and investment opportunities in Africa to not only developed markets, but also with the emerging BRIC that are helping to propel growth in world trade. Overall, the awards recognise our efforts to develop a solid banking business in key African regions going back many years to when the continent was still struggling to gain global confidence,” explained Mr Coyle.
These awards bring to over 20 the number of industry accolades received by Standard Bank Group in 2010.
The Banker Magazine’s judging report concluded that: The South African banking group has navigated though troubled waters over the past 18 months yet still managed to post sound results. A truly African bank with operations spanning 16 countries, Standard Bank continues to attract customers with products suited to the clientele’s specific needs.
It boasts total assets in excess of $173bn and employs more than 50,000 people while continuing to launch innovative products to stay abreast of the latest technologies available. The bank’s modern infrastructure platforms also allow it to significantly grow its personal customer base within a competitive cost structure.
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From Wikileaks to Openleaks
WikiLeaks will soon have a rival in online whistleblowing as a former deputy to WikiLeaks founder and CEO Julian Assange plans to launch a site called OpenLeaks.
Daniel-Domscheit Berg says that OpenLeaks will be more transparent than WikiLeaks, Reuters reported.
OpenLeaks is not yet operational, with the site bearing only a logo and the message “Coming soon!”
Domscheit-Berg accused WikiLeaks of straying from its missions.
“In these last months, the organization has not been open any more, it lost its open-source promise,” he said, according to Reuters.
Domscheit-Berg would not give details on his dispute with WikiLeaks.
WikiLeaks has faced devastating criticism since it began publishing confidential U.S. diplomatic cables. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the leaks put lives at risk, while Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called Assange a “high-tech terrorist.”
Companies including PayPal and Amazon have cut their ties with WikiLeaks, while Internet servers have refused to continue their service.
OpenLeaks will not actually publish the documents it receives from anonymous sources, according to Forbes. Instead, the source can specify organizations they would like the information to go to. OpenLeaks will then forward the information.
The site will begin trials early 2011 and turn to bigger media after that. The organization currently ahs 10 members.
“We are already drowning in applications,” Domscheit-Berg said.
WikiLeaks will soon have a rival in online whistleblowing as a former deputy to WikiLeaks founder and CEO Julian Assange plans to launch a site called OpenLeaks.
Daniel-Domscheit Berg says that OpenLeaks will be more transparent than WikiLeaks, Reuters reported.
OpenLeaks is not yet operational, with the site bearing only a logo and the message “Coming soon!”
Domscheit-Berg accused WikiLeaks of straying from its missions.
“In these last months, the organization has not been open any more, it lost its open-source promise,” he said, according to Reuters.
Domscheit-Berg would not give details on his dispute with WikiLeaks.
WikiLeaks has faced devastating criticism since it began publishing confidential U.S. diplomatic cables. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the leaks put lives at risk, while Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell called Assange a “high-tech terrorist.”
Companies including PayPal and Amazon have cut their ties with WikiLeaks, while Internet servers have refused to continue their service.
OpenLeaks will not actually publish the documents it receives from anonymous sources, according to Forbes. Instead, the source can specify organizations they would like the information to go to. OpenLeaks will then forward the information.
The site will begin trials early 2011 and turn to bigger media after that. The organization currently ahs 10 members.
“We are already drowning in applications,” Domscheit-Berg said.
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Why Not Bottled Water?
Consumption of bottled water in the world increases by an average 12% each year, in spite of its excessively high price compared to tap water. Why do we drink bottled water? What is bottled water? Is it better than tap water? Why bottled water?
The human body ideally requires us to drink two litres of water per day and people are increasingly looking towards bottled water as a means of meeting some or all of these daily requirements. Bottled water is perceived as being safer and of better quality. Often consumers look for security from food scandals in industrialised countries or water borne diseases in developing countries. Even in countries where there is access to safe public drinking water, people spend up to 1000 times more for bottled water.
Bottled water consumption has been steadily growing in the world for the past 30 years. It is the most dynamic sector of all the food and beverage industry: consumption in the world increases by an average 12% each year, in spite of its excessively high price compared to tap water.
Facts about Bottles Water
- Bottled water uses energy and resources to create packaging for something that runs cheaply and cleanly from the faucet in your own home
- Not only is it expensive and energy demanding to make bottles, but then to ship the bottled water costs more money and isn’t eco-friendly
- 96% of bottled water is sold in single-size polyethylene terephthalate plastic bottles, which end up in city trash cans rather than recycling bins. The national recycling rate for all PET bottles, including soda bottles, is 23.1 percent
- About 4 billion PET bottles end up in the waste stream, costing cities around 70 million dollars a year in cleanup and landfill costs
- Bottled water costs around as much as a bottle of soda or juice, which obviously requires additional ingredients and processing, yet people pay for it
- Americans buy 28 billion water bottles a year, all that plastic and the energy used for manufacturing and transportation is very hard on the environment
- In addition to this, few bottles are recycled properly or reused but instead placed into the nearest trashcan
- Bottled water costs as much as $10 per gallon compared to less than a penny per gallon for tap waters
- Making bottles to meet Americans’ demand for bottled water required the equivalent of more than 17 million barrels of oil in 2006, enough fuel for more than 1 million United States cars for a year, and generated more than 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide
- Some cities are considering taxes on bottled water, others are talking about bans on bottled water at city events, and even some restaurants have stopped selling bottled water in efforts to reduce waste
- If you choose to get your recommended eight glasses a day from bottled water, you could spend up to $1,400 dollars annually! The same amount of tap water would cost around 49 cents
- Bottled water often contains more bacteria and impurities than tap water, because the EPA regulates municipal water systems more stringently than the FDA regulates bottled water
- Worldwide, 2.7 million tons of plastic are used each year to make water bottles, and in the United States, less than 20% of these bottles are recycled
- Many things in this world get wasted, fill up our landfills, harming the environment and our health- don’t let bottled water, something so unnecessary and avoidable, be one of them.
See also
What are the health effects of drinking coffee ?
Home remedies for ulcers
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What Are The Health Effects Of Drinking Coffee?
Coffee is generally known for the bad effects it is causing its heavy consumers. for the health, specially for the health of the ones who always drink it, that’s how coffee is normally known.} Cancer, heart disease and shorter lifespan, that’s just some of the accusations coffee is deemed responsible for. But recently, research have been flooding in to defend coffee. And now people, confused by studies that canceling out each other, don’t know if they should believe coffee is good or bad. And the answer is as simple as it depends. Mostly, people enjoy drinking coffee and get as much as benefits and as minimal risks it is offering.The health benefits of drinking coffee have been the focus of many studies.
You probably know that drinking coffee late at night can have a negative impact on sleep quality. Most students, on the other hand, know that drinking coffee provides an added burst of stimulation and energy. But, can drinking coffee actually be good for your health or bad? Keep reading to explore the possible health benefits of drinking a moderate amount of coffee.
For many people, the first noticeable effect of drinking coffee is an increase in short term memory. Something in the make-up of coffee beans has the ability to help people’s memory retention. Students preparing for exams are thrilled by this knowledge. The research also suggests that people who drank moderate amounts of coffee displayed slightly better test scores than people who drank none. Other studies have shown an increase in cognitive memory among those over the age of 80. Drinking coffee can actually lower the risks of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease too.
Other studies have linked drinking coffee to lower risks of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Some studies show that drinking two cups of coffee daily can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by as much as 50%. Unfortunately, the same effect can also lead to hypoglycemia, or very low blood sugar levels, in susceptible patients. Hypoglycemic symptoms are not at all pleasant and may include clammy skin, weakness, heart palpitations, and sweating. People who have hypoglycemia should avoid drinking coffee altogether.
Despite a lack of formal study it is widely believed that caffeine increases the risks of high blood pressure. Since coffee is a stimulant it can lead to feelings of anxiety or irritability in those who drink too much. For some people, it becomes more difficult to resist stress after drinking coffee. In these cases people will feel anxious or stressed about things that do not ordinarily bother them. Symptoms of stress in this situation may include irregular heartbeat, higher blood pressure, or an increased heart rate. This is particularly true of heavy coffee drinkers.
Despite the fact that there are noteworthy benefits for drinking coffee there still remain a few negative effects to watch out for. Drink coffee in moderation to avoid those risks. If you enjoy in moderation you can enjoy all the potential benefits while eliminating many of the risks.
Do you have a signature fragrance that you wear every day or just on special occasions? The fragrance you wear is part of your overall style.
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Home Remedies for Ulcers, Causes and Prevention
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Home Remedy for ulcers, preventive measures and causes
An ulcer is an erosion (wound) on the surface of an organ or tissue. In the esophagus, stomach, most ulcer, duodenum, in this case, they called for the stomach ulcer.
Causes
The problems begin in most cases, a spiral-shaped bacteria, it seems for any purpose, to dig, hole, live in our stomach. This is as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori infection for short), is well known bacterium: it is about half the people found in the United States under 60 years of age. Helicobacter pylori causes most people never question, but an unfortunate few, wrong cave through the stomach mucosa layer of protection. Bacteria and gastric acid will stimulate the sensitive lining below, leading to ulcer formation. In some cases, H. pylori is not a bad man, but. People who NSAIDs (NSAIDs) and aspirin pain a long time to develop ulcers.
Can also be inherited an important role in gastric ulcer treatment. People who seem to have a family history of ulcer must have a higher likelihood of acquisition conditions, and with O blood type. In addition, liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis and a condition of emphysema may increase susceptibility to ulcers. This may cause stomach and pancreatic cancer, these wounds formed. SymptomsUlcers can have a similar mild symptoms, heartburn or pain to the upper body radiation. The most common symptoms of ulcers in the stomach above the navel, which can burn the feeling of hunger.
Pain is about 30-120 minutes after eating or in the middle of the night when the stomach is empty. At this point, acidity of gastric juice are more likely to stimulate the nerve endings in the unprotected exposure to ulcers. Usually, eat, or drink, or take one of Gastric acid pain subsided. Some nausea, vomiting and constipation. Blood in the stool fade (they are black), blood vomiting, extreme weakness, fainting, thirst is a sign of internal bleeding, and may appear in advanced cases. Although usually not life-threatening ulcers, which may cause serious harm if not treated in time. Ulcer can erode nearby blood vessels, causing internal bleeding or leakage of blood (a lot of internal bleeding). A perforated ulcer can penetrate the adjacent organs, causing infection there. DiagnosisPhysicians diagnosis is based mainly on the basis of X-rays after the gastric ulcer patients have a specific chalky substance called barium swallow. To gastrointestinal barium X-ray shows the doctor to see any abnormalities.
The second diagnostic technique known as upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (also known as gastroscopy). Doctors put an endoscope (a flexible lighting, tubular musical instrument), down through the mouth and esophagus, directly to the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and lining. Endoscopy and biopsy (samples of tissue for analysis) to confirm an obvious tumor is not a true cancer. Helicobacter pylori and endoscopic biopsy or blood or breath test, can be diagnosed. H. pylori can be the use of antibiotics and acid-blocking drugs or bismuth subsalicylate (better known as Pepto Bismol treatment known) result in mix TreatmentMost ulcers. Unfortunately, although this information has been widely disseminated in medical journals, some doctors are still sore as a command to send more patients home to work in the wine slowly, eating diet food. If you have ulcer symptoms, the requirements to determine whether H. pylori can test your doctor’s mistakes, so if your prescription drugs are the right conditions, you will get it. Ulcer treatment, including to reduce inflammation, so that natural healing progress. Antacids resist stomach acid, relieve symptoms, but they also lead to complications. For example, sodium bicarbonate, a main component of antacids contain large quantities of sodium increased, kidney disease or high blood pressure can be. Problems on the treatment of ulcers, the doctor may prescribe other drugs to promote healing. Sucralfate coats the stomach, gastric acid protect it. Cimetidine, ranitidine and other H2 – receptor antagonist inhibiting gastric acid production. Antibiotics and antacids, are prescribed ulcer is H. pylori infection. Although recent studies have shown that diet foods are necessary for ulcer management, and such a diet, sometimes recommended, until the acute symptoms disappear. Many doctors recommend, the only know the food to avoid stomach upset.
Within two minutes up to 6 weeks after treatment, ulcer healing begin. To prevent relapse, patients should continue to avoid all alcohol and cigarettes food or drugs, appears to cause the digestive tract in the stimulus. Because drug therapy and nutritional therapy can not be an ulcer, surgical repair is necessary. Surgery is appropriate recurrence of ulcers or life-threatening, such as a perforated ulcer. In some cases, doctors remove part of the stomach to reduce and vagus nerve (control digestive secretions) the production of gastric acid part. Ulcers, usually after surgery without recurrence. Recently, endoscopic ablation (burning of tissue through the endoscope), direct injection of drugs, laser, and quite successfully to stop bleeding, reduce the size of the lesions and to correct strictures (scarring of the bile duct with stenosis). These programs have saved many people from the operation. Once they left the surgery, patients can watch their diet and to help their ulcers. Maybe in the near future, the family to take remedial measures, ulcers in the WWW service.
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Christmas Gift Ideas for Him
Going Crazy wonder how you’re going to do the right gift for? It can be your husband, boyfriend or just to be your father’s good old easy. Are you still undecided what to get him? Now, do not worry. It is not hard to find that great gift for him. Season Sun continuing to read on, because I want to share with you some of the best gifts for Christmas.
One of the most popular gifts for men are gadgets or boys toys. There are lots of different things to choose from and always siomething new on the market. For those for whom money is no object, there is a huge variety of electronic gadgetry to suit all budgets. If you are on a budget, don’t worry, there’s a huge range of things that he will love. How about a digital key finder. How many times have you heard Dad say ‘where did I put my keys’? Well, now you have the answer.
Gift experience days make brilliant and unusual Christmas presents, particularly for the more adventurous. He might enjoy a day at the race track, driving the latest sports cars. If your man is mad about sport, many teams hold open days, could spend a day touring his teams home stadium. Whatever he’s into there’s sure to be an “experience day” to suit.
This is the type of gift that could be bought by a number of people to keep expenses down. Look around the web for more ideas.
Personalised presents show just how much you care about the man in your life. It’s a great idea for gifts from the family. Anything from homemade and not expensive xmas gifts to something unusual and unique. Home made calendars with family photos would make a superb gift for Dad, something for him to look at all year. Or have a name or slogan put on items such as mugs, towels, key rings etc.
For the more unusual Christmas gift, name a star gift packs certainly have the wow factor.
Food and drink may be one of your choices for a Christmas gift. It could be your man’s favvourite speciality drink or food. Many men have a sweet toothe and love chocolates. You could buy a single giftwrapped item or go for the wow factor with an impressive hamper or food basket. This could be a wonderful surprise gift for the man in your life. Gift wrapped, homemade buscuits, cakes jams and sweets, are fun to make with the kids. You may even have favourite recipes that loved ones would appreciate and are a good present for someone who cannot be with you for Christmas feel part of family or friends.
Home made sweets are a good present for someone who cannot be with you for Christmas feel part of family or friends.
Finally, a gift that you can give that he will receive all year round, sounds too good to be true. A magazine subcription is rarely thought of as a Christmaspresent for men, but just think about the pleasure he would have for the next 12 months, reading his choice of hobby or interest magazine. Wnat a great way to show the man in your life that you care 12 months of the year.
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Saving Money on Christmas Gifts
How to save money this Christmas
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Top ten YouTube videos of 2010
Top watched videos on YouTube video service.
With more than 700 billions video views and more than 13 million hours of video, or approximately 1,500 years during the year 2010.
“This year’s big local trends and global lists offer a glimpse at the tremendous growth YouTube has experienced as a company and as an online community in 2010.”
Global List of YouTube’s Ten Most Watched Videos of 2010
number 1
number 2
number 3
number 4
number 5
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Jub Jub says he was not drag racing
Jub Jub pleads not guilty….Hip hop star Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye’s lawyer Ike Motloung on Monday said his client was not involved in drag racing when his car and that of co-accused Themba Tshabalala collided with school children in Soweto.
While cross-examining the State’s first witness, accident investigator Penelope Charmaine Shivambu in the Protea Magistrate’s Court, Motloung disputed allegations that Maarohanye was driving on the wrong side of the road shortly before the accident.
“I put it to you that my client was driving on the left hand lane and the blue Mini Cooper (driven by Tshabalala) clipped the back of my client’s car causing it to lose control,” he said.
Shivambu disputed this, saying that skid marks on the road and scratches on the rims of both cars gave a different impression.
She insisted Maarohanye had been driving in the right-hand lane and veered into the left lane to try and avoid an oncoming car. She said although witnesses at the scene told her that the two cars collided before losing control, markings on both cars told a different story.
Support for claims cars had been racing
She maintained that evidence showed the two cars did not collide, but lost control when they hit the pavement.
Eyewitnesses, Shivambu said, claimed the two cars were driving parallel to each other at a high speed. This she said was the reason given by witnesses to support claims the two cars had been racing.
Maarohanye has pleaded not guilty to 10 charges levelled against him.
Both he and Tshabalala face four murder charges following the accident in March this year in which four schoolchildren were killed and two others critically injured.
Their Mini Coopers veered off a road in Soweto and crashed into a group of schoolchildren, allegedly while they were drag racing, and allegedly while they were under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
The two face four counts of murder with alternate charges of culpable homicide, two counts of attempted murder with an alternate charge of reckless or negligent driving, use of drugs – mainly cocaine and morphine – and driving while under the influence of drugs. They are also charged with failure to ascertain the extent of injuries caused by the accident.
Motloung told the court his client denies he intended to kill or attempted to kill anyone. He also denies having driven recklessly, taking drugs or participating in drag racing.
The trial continues.
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South Africa finance sector in good health
Looking good with the South African financial sector…
The World Bank and International Monetary Fund have given South Africa’s financial sector the thumbs-up following an assessment of the country’s adherence to international banking, insurance and securities markets regulatory standards.
The Report on Observance of Standards and Codes (ROSC) was compiled by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in terms of their Financial Sector Assessment Programme (FSAP), South African National Treasury spokeswoman Kershia Singh said in a statement on Wednesday.
“ROSC assessors found the supervision of South African banking, insurance and securities markets to be of a high standard and that the regulatory framework is generally sound, as seen in the ability of the South African financial sector to weather the global financial crisis relatively well,” Singh said.
“Furthermore, the ROSC found that South Africa has made substantial progress in addressing recommendations made in earlier FSAPs.”
Financial stability and compliance
The ROSC assesses countries’ financial stability and compliance in terms of three key standards: the Basel Core Principles for banking supervision; International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) principles for securities markets regulation; and Insurance Core Principles of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) for insurance regulation.
Singh said South Africa was committed to regular ROSCs and assessments of financial sector regulation, which were made public.
The Financial Stability Board had concluded that South Africa’s authorities adhered to regulatory and supervisory standards on international co-operation and information exchange, she said.
Sapa
