June 25th, 2010
There is nothing like gazing at glittering stars at night. However, most people think the view of the sky at night is hampered by all the artificial light around. A recent survey has confirmed this.
For this reason, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has supported calls to reduce the usage of street lights and neon signs, among others, in order to lessen the problem.
With the help of the British Astronomical Association, the CPRE surveyed 1,745 people in the United Kingdom, and 83% of them said that they have been disturbed by this light pollution problem.
Around 50% of the respondents added that light pollution has been disturbing their sleep.
The CPRE added that artificial light not only distracts us from the magnificence of the night sky, it also damages the environment and wastes a lot of money.
Respondents expressed various comments through the survey, from regret and sadness to anger and frustration.
For several years, campaigners have promoted efforts to solve the problem. Supporters have also pointed out the importance of businesses, councils and homeowners in taking steps to reduce levels of light pollution.
“The costs of not acting are clear: unnecessarily high energy bills for councils, and therefore, for local taxpayers, more carbon emissions, disrupted sleeping patterns for people, disturbance to wildlife, and a night sky bereft of the majesty of the Milky Way,” said Emma Marrington, CPRE’s rural policy campaigner.
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June 23rd, 2010
Amancio Ortega Gaona is a Spanish businessman who established one of the largest fashion companies in the world. He is the wealthiest individual in Spain, and the 10th richest man in the world, as ranked by Forbes Magazine. He has an estimated net worth of over $25 billion. The 73-year old self-made billionaire accumulated immense wealth from scratch as a mogul in the fashion industry. He is the founder, chairman and majority owner of the INdustrias de DIseño TEXtil, or simply called the Inditex Group.
Amancio Ortega’s Inditex is a Spanish conglomerate made up of different companies engaged in textile design, development, manufacturing and distribution. He controls one of the world’s largest fashion groups after LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, which is led by French business tycoon Bernard Arnault.
Born in Leon, Spain on March 28, 1936 to a railroad worker and a maid, Amancio Ortega’s humble beginnings pushed him to work hard throughout his life. He started to work at the young age of 14 as a gofer in different shirt stores in A Coruña, Spain. He eventually pursued his own enterprise when he established Confecciones Goa, a textile company that manufactured dressing robes.
In 1975, Amancio Ortega opened his first store in what would become the extremely popular and innovative chain of fashion stores called Zara. The rest, as they say, is history. He has expanded his business and acquired several other brands along the way. From a single Zara store in A Coruña, Spain, he established a conglomerate of various fashion brands with over 4,350 stores employing more than 14,000 individuals all over the world.
The Inditex group is composed of several distinct brands, including Zara, Bershka, Pull and Bear/Often, Massimo Dutti, Stradivarius, Oysho, Uterque and Zara Home. Amancio Ortega has been hands-on in leading the company by being part of the production and design processes of the company.
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June 10th, 2010
Mukesh Ambani is a 52-year old Indian business mogul. He is the current chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Limited, the largest private sector conglomerate in terms of market value in India. He is also the biggest shareholder of the Fortune 500 company, owning 48% of the corporation’s stocks. Presently, he is the fourth richest man in the world, with a net worth of $30 billion as estimated by Forbes Magazine.
The Indian billionaire acquired the entrepreneurial spirit and industriousness that led him to business success from his father, Dhirubhai Ambani, the founder of Reliance Industries. Dhirubhai Ambani turned the organization into India’s most massive conglomerate. Mukesh Ambani has followed his father’s footsteps since high school, when he would spend most of his time in his father’s office during the weekends.
He attended college at the University Institute of Chemical Technology, University of Mumbai, where he took up chemical engineering. He also pursued a Masters in Business Administration at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford University.
Mukesh Ambani joined Reliance in 1981. After their father died, he and his younger brother Anil took over Reliance Industries and ran the company together until 2006. Differences in interests and disputes over company control led the brothers to divide the conglomerate’s assets and operations. Mukesh Ambani took over the oil, gas and petrochemicals businesses.
Since then, he has led Reliance Industries and helped turn it into India’s most valuable company. He pushed for expansion as the company diversified into several ventures, including petrochemicals, petroleum refining, oil and gas exploration and production. He led Reliance’s initiative to create the biggest grassroots petroleum refinery in the world located in Jamnagar, India. Reliance Industries became the only Indian company to be included in Forbes Magazine’s list of “world’s 100 most respected companies.”
Tags: india, mukesh ambani, reliance industries
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May 12th, 2010
As CEO of MasterCard Inc Robert Selander prepares for retirement, the company has chosen Chief Operating Officer and President Ajay Banga to be the new chief executive officer. He will officially become the new CEO in July 2010.
Ajay Banga, 50, entered the credit card company in August 2005. Prior to MasterCard he was with Citigroup Inc and served senior management roles.
As for Selander, he will retain his role on the board and take the role of vice chairman until his retirement, which will start at the end of 2010. He has been the firm’s CEO since 1997.
According to Chairman Richard Haythornthwaite, the company is fortunate to have a leader that possesses Banga’s experience and expertise in the field of banking. Haythornthwaite added that Banga’s extensive background in financial services, as well as his industry knowledge, cover many countries, making him an ideal CEO that will successfully guide the future growth of MasterCard in the country and around the world.
Banga, the heir of the MasterCard empire, is one of the few executives remaining as others Citigroup last year to look for other jobs. While still working for his previous employer, Banga experienced working in various locations, including the Middle East, Asia, Europe and the United States.
Tags: ajay banga, ceo of mastercard, mastercard, robert selander
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May 6th, 2010
Karl Albrecht is a 90-year old German businessman who established the discount supermarket empire Albrecht Discount, or Aldi. Albrecht is one of the richest men in the world. He is currently ranked as the sixth richest man by Forbes Magazine with a net worth of over $23.5 billion in 2010.
Born on February 20, 1920 in Essen, Germany, Karl Albrecht’s humble beginnings as a son of a former miner turned baker’s assistant and a mother who owned a small grocery store in Schonnebeck, Germany, instilled in him a sense of industriousness that equipped him with almost everything he needed for his entrepreneurial career. His younger brother, Theo Albrecht, shared the same business vigor. The brothers had their own modest careers in their youth, with Theo working as an apprentice in their mother’s shop and Karl working in a delicatessen store. Eventually, their mother’s store was passed on to Karl and Theo at the end of World War II.
In 1961, the brothers opened their first Aldi store. The Albrechts eventually grew their business into a supermarket giant all across Europe. Later on, they divided the company into two distinct organizations, Aldi Sud (South) and Aldi Nord (North). Karl took over Aldi Sud while his brother controlled Aldi Nord.
By the year 1997, Aldi expanded to over 3,000 stores in Germany alone. By 2009, Aldi penetrated other countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Greece, Hungary, Slovenia, Switzerland, Australia and Austria, with 8,500 stores across the world. Despite Karl Albrecht’s retirement from the daily operations of Aldi Sud in 1994, the company continued to achieve success as he led Aldi as its chairman. He eventually stepped down from his post in 2002.
With Aldi’s immense success, Karl and Theo Albrecht became self-made billionaires. The brothers are now the richest individuals in Germany.
Karl Albrecht is known for his very private lifestyle. Aside from his business success, the public knows little about him other than his family and hobbies. He is married with two children, neither of whom are working for Aldi. He is a golf fan, an orchid enthusiast and an antique collector.
Tags: albrecht discount, aldi, aldi nord, aldi sud, karl albrecht, theo albrecht
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April 28th, 2010
Bernard Arnault has one of the largest fashion and luxury goods conglomerates in the world. The 61-year old business tycoon from France controls LVMH, maker of world famous brands Moet Chandon and Louis Vuitton. LVMH is a French holding company consisting of over 60 autonomous sub-companies that manage a number of luxury brands. Bernard Arnault is the richest European and the 7th wealthiest man in the world. As estimated by Forbes Magazine, he has a current net worth of $27.5 billion.
Bernard Arnault’s fashion and luxury goods empire makes and markets the world’s most well known brands. Aside from Louis Vuitton, it also markets Fendi, Dior, Hennessy, Marc Jacobs, Celine and TAG Heuer, among others. LVMH was created after the successive mergers of champagne manufacturers Moet et Chandon and Hennessy, and the prestigious fashion house Louis Vuitton. Bernard Arnault is the chairman and chief executive officer of LVMH.
The French mogul was born in a family of entrepreneurs in Roubaix, France on March 5, 1949. He inherited his business expertise from his father, Jean Leon Arnault. After finishing his high school education at Maxence Van Der Meersch and after completing his engineering degree at École Polytechnique in 1971, he immediately joined his father’s business. He eventually took over the company as president in 1979. He expanded his businesses when he migrated to the United States and established another company, Ferinel Inc, which developed condominiums in Florida.
Bernard Arnault’s big break did not happen until 1984, when he flew back to France and decided to pursue the luxury goods industry. He gained control over the textile company Boussac, which included the famous Christian Dior brand in its assets. His empire continued to expand when he took control of Louis Vuitton. He eventually became the chairman and CEO of LVMH in 1989.
Since then, Bernard Arnault constantly strived and this helped make the company become one of the largest luxury conglomerates in the world. His success inspired other luxury companies to follow the same path. Thus, LVMH now has its competitors in the industry, including the French conglomerate PPR, which owns Gucci and Sergio Rossi; and Richemont, which owns Cartier, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Montblanc.
Tags: Bernard Arnault, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, luxury brands, LVMH
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April 21st, 2010
After resigning from his post as Chief Executive Officer of Infospace, former Microsoft executive Naveen Jain and several associates established Intelius Inc at the start of 2003. Naveen Jain is also Intelius’ current CEO.
Initially, Intelius’ array of services focused solely on information commerce, offering individuals and businesses access to information for purposes such as background checks, identity verification, and medical and health history.
Intelius Inc aims to give small and big companies access to relevant details that allow them to make intelligent business decisions and map out effective business strategies. The company does this by merging accessible information found in public records, telephone directories, and other sources of information.
However, Intelius’ services are not limited to business. They also give their clients access to the company’s database so they can scan for information about individuals. This way, Intelius helps their clients find out who among these people are dangerous and who are not.
Aside from giving their clients access to information relevant to their companies’ success, Intelius expanded its range of services by providing anti-identity theft services.
As a company committed to corporate social responsibility, Intelius is active in helping the community in every way possible. During the identity theft threat where the identities of millions of American military veterans were in danger, Intelius offered a huge discount on their anti-identity theft products and services. According to Intelius, it was the company’s means of saluting men and women who served the United States of America.
Last 2007, Intelius reached a notable milestone as the company celebrated its fourth anniversary by serving its four millionth unique customer. This achievement is a testament of the company’s contribution and significance to the business and corporate industries.
Today, Intelius continues to provide small businesses and mega corporations the information and details they need to propel forward. It also gives individuals a great sense of security.
Tags: identity theft, information commerce, intelius, naveen jain
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April 14th, 2010
Michael S. Dell is a 45-year old American businessman who serves as the current chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of Dell, Inc, a Texas-based multinational company that produces and sells personal computers and other related products and services. He has led Dell as its chairman and CEO since he established the information technology company in 1984. He is a self-made billionaire, with a net worth of $12.3 billion as estimated by Forbes Magazine in 2009.
Born on February 23, 1965 in Houston, Texas, Michael Dell attended the University of Texas at Austin for college, where he started his own company called PC’S Limited. The business became a huge success and he decided to drop out of school and continued to run his own business. Eventually, his small business evolved into Dell Computer Corporation, which later became Dell, Inc.
Michael Dell founded his own company, Dell, Inc, with roughly $1,000 and he slowly turned it into one of the largest information technology companies in the world. His IT empire became the largest manufacturer and seller of personal computers from the 1980s until the 1990s. Currently, Dell, Inc is the third largest computer manufacturer in terms of sales, only behind Hewlett-Packard and Acer. His corporation currently sells a variety of desktops, laptops, data storage devices, servers, software and other accessories made by separate manufacturers, such as digital cameras, portable music players and printers.
His enormous success led Michael Dell to become the youngest CEO ever to be included in the Fortune 500 rankings in 1992. Additionally, he was recognized and given various awards by different publications throughout his career, including “Entrepreneur of the Year,” “Man of the Year,” “Top CEO in American Business,” and “CEO of the Year.”
Aside from his chief post in Dell, Inc, Michael Dell has served other roles in various organizations. He is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Foundation Board and a part of the International Business Council’s executive committee. He also plays an active role in the U.S. Business Council. Likewise, he is a philanthropist, establishing the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation with his wife in 1999.
Michael Dell currently lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and their four children.
Tags: Dell Inc, Dell PC, Michael Dell, PC'S Limited, PCs
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March 24th, 2010
The Lance Armstrong Foundation was founded by one of the world’s most successful and influential athletes. Earlier in his life, Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with stage 3 testicular cancer. The disease had already metastasized into his brains and lungs.
The disease temporarily halted his cycling career. However, after going through therapy, Lance Armstrong managed to get back onto his bike and win the Tour de France for seven consecutive years. His experience with testicular cancer has prompted him to start a foundation that helps cancer patients.
The Lance Armstrong foundation has spread cancer awareness with the use of yellow rubber bracelets. These iconic bracelets, which are emblazoned with the word “LIVESTRONG,” are sold through the LIVESTRONG website and numerous Nike retailers. By selling each bracelet for a dollar, the Lance Armstrong Foundation was able to garner enough funds to support various cancer research and other related causes.
The LIVESTRONG Lance Armstrong Foundation has dedicated a substantial amount of money to research and community grants. In fact, it has raised more than $14 million since its inception in 1997. As of today, the iconic LIVESTRONG wristbands are worn by more than 55 million people all over the world.
Tags: cancer research, lance armstrong, lance armstrong foundation, livestrong, testicular cancer
Posted in PHILANTHROPY | Comments Off
March 12th, 2010
Retired basketball player and former NBA star Jayson Williams has pleaded guilty in front of Court and took full responsibility for the accident that claimed the life of his limousine driver in 2002. Williams was charged with assault and agreed to serve at least 18 months in prison.
He was first charged with reckless manslaughter, an offense that would have landed him 10 years in jail, for which he pleaded not guilty. He pleaded guilty to the less severe assault count for the death of Costas Christofi.
With his personal life already rocky, Jayson Williams stated that it was his recklessness that killed his driver. He said that he did not look in the direction where the muzzle of the gun was pointed and this led him to accidentally claim the life of his driver. He has taken full responsibility for the tragedy.
Calm and collected during the entire procedure, Williams was also charged with drunken driving last week after running his SUV into a tree in New York. Several stitches oculd be seen in his right eye while he listened to all the charges against him.
The assault case carries a minimum of 18 months in federal prison because a gun was involved while the reckless manslaughter Williams was initially charged with could have given landed him in a federal prison for 10 years. Williams posted bail after he was charged with the assault.
Williams recounted that what happened almost eight years ago was a tragic accident. He was giving some of his friends a tour of his New Jersey home on February 14, 2002 and when they reached his bedroom, he started showing them his gun collection. He then admitted that he failed to check one barrel of a double-barreled 12-gauge shotgun that went off and eventually killed his driver. Williams maintained that what happened was purely an accident and that panic got to him after the incident. Years of legal proceedings followed until charges were finally placed last January 11, 2010.
Williams had a career spanning nine years in the NBA playing for the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Nets. He was forced to retire in 2000 due to injuries and has since then taken a downward spin in his personal life.
Tags: assault, Costas Christofi, jayson williams, manslaughter, new jersey nets, philadelphia 76ers
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