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According to the UN World Commission on Environment and Development, sustainable development is the “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own need.”

Businesses have shifted their focus from tackling individual issues to the systematic integration of sustainable conduct into business operations and management systems. It is there more important to understand the role of the company and their behaviour in a wider context.

Here is a list of 10 sustainable companies in the world.

1. Novo Nordisk A/S

Novo Nordisk is a large manufacturer and marketer of pharmaceutical products and services. Created in 1989 in Denmark, it has become one of the world’s leading companies in diabetes care. They have solid experience pursuing research in pulmonary delivery systems. The company defines itself as a focused healthcare company with the broadest diabetes product portfolio.

In January of 2012, it ranked no. 1 in the global 100 most sustainable companies in the world index. It is recognized for its commitment to proactively managing environmental, social and corporate governance issues. The company ranked high amongst energy productivity, greenhouse gas productivity and employee turnover indicators to name a few.

2. Natura Cosmeticos

Natura is Brazil’s leading manufacturer and marketer of skin care, cosmetics, solar filters, hair, and perfume products. Since its conception in 1969, the company has grown to employ 800,000 consultants in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, France, Mexico, and Peru.

The company is committed to sustainable development. Antonio Luiz da Cunha Seabra, the founder, believes that it is second nature. The company allows for people to become intimate with their bodies. Peace brings change in both the mind and the soul. Increasingly, it has been steadfast at becoming socially and environmentally responsible.

3. Statoil ASA

Statoil is a petroleum company with production operations in 13 countries. In terms of its revenue, it is listed as the world’s 13th largest oil and gas company (Fortune). In April of 2012, the company decided to pre-accept a cash offer from Alimentation Couche-Tard for the shares in the listed energy and retail company. If successful, the offer would provide a premium of 53% of the current trading price.

The company was listed as #3 for a specific reason. It has worked hard to operate with zero harm to people, society, and the environment. They adhere and follow the standards for HSE, business ethics and social responsibility as well. Their persistence and efforts make this company one of the leading sustainable businesses in the energy industry.

4. Novozymes A/S

Novozymes is a Biotech company with headquarters in Denmark. Operating in over 30 countries, it is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Nordic exchange.

In January of 2012, the company was ranked no. 4 in the global 100 most sustainable companies in the world index. The company strives to lead by example by integrating sustainability into organizational practices. They create solutions that defy global challenges and incorporate as many sustainable initiatives into their own organization.

5. ASML Holding NV

This company is responsible for developing complex machines critical to the production of integrated circuits and microchips. With headquarters in the Netherlands, the company designs, creates, integrates and advertises these systems which help chipmakers not only reduce the size of the microchip, but increase the functionality as well.

The company has proven to be successful in sustainability. It has reduced their total CO2 footprint to 63.8 ktons (2011), which is a decrease by 24.9 ktons from previous years. The company is also committed to exceeding their targets to recycle non-hazardous materials.  That is not all they are doing. Now, they are trying to make their machinery energy efficient.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is place of special cultural and physical importance. The site is often administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Programme. As of 2011, 935 sites are listed on the list of World Heritage Sites. Many of these sites are listed as in danger of becoming extinct. This article examines the sites that need further attention, whether they are or are not included in the list provided by UNESCO.

1. Dead Sea:

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth. It is also known as the largest natural spa in the world. Everybody who goes to the region looks forward to floating in its salt and mineral rich waters.

Tourists & locals are not alone in their love for the Dead Sea. Aristotle, the Greek Philosopher, often applauded the sea’s remarkable properties. Cleopatra praised its medicinal and cosmetic possibilities. The Nabateans extracted hundreds of tons of its bitumen, to be used for embalming mummies.

Now this sea that touched the hearts of millions is in danger of extinction. With the high demand of water, the Dead Sea has been drying up at a dramatic rate of 1 metre a year. BBC News once reported in August of 2001 that the sea was expected to disappear by 2050. This report comes after Environmentalists in Jordan offered a somber warning.

Things are not as bleak as they sound. In 2011, scientists have come up with a proposal to pump water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea more than 110 miles away. An international consortium of researchers have weighed the impact of the million dollar plan. Only time will tell if this project will work.

2. Medieval Monuments in Kosovo:

Lack of protection by legal system and the political instability that ensues the country has caused major destruction to the Medieval Monuments in Kosovo. The site consists of 4 Serbian Orthodox Christian churches and monasteries. These churches are significant as they represent the fusion of the eastern Orthodox Byzantine and the western Romanesque ecclesiastical architecture. UNESCO has included it as part of its list of endangered sites in 2005.

3. Everglades National Park:

This tourist site is located at the tip of Florida in the United States. Better known as the river of grass flowing imperceptibly from the hinterland into the sea, it has a number of water habitats that make it a sanctuary for large number of birds and reptiles.

The area is quite significant for many reasons. The park is the largest designated sub-tropical wilderness reserve in North American continent. Its juncture, fresh and brackish water, shallow bays and deeper coastal waters further provide complex habitats with high diversity of flora and fauna.

Everglades is equally significant as it is a flat seabed that flooded at the end of the Ice Age. It also contains vast subtropical wetlands and coastal/marine ecosystems which include freshwater marshes, tropical hardwood hammocks and saltwater marshes.

The loss of habitat in the Everglades, alteration of water flow, pollution and human intervention has caused significant damage. 14 endangered species in the area, including the Tiger, are now threatened with extinction.

Hurricane Andrew in 1992 did not help. It caused massive destruction to southern Florida and south central Louisiana. Rain totaled 7 inches and was as high as 11.9 inches in Hammond, LA. Specifically it caused structural damages to the wetlands in Everglades National Park, damaging trees and destroying habitats.

4. Olympia, Greece:

Olympia, Greece is best known as the site of ancient Olympic Games. The ancient Olympic Games were held every 4 years and date back to 776 BC when Theodosius I abolished them as they were considered reminiscent of paganism.

The sanctuary includes a number of buildings in no specific order: temenos, Temple of Hera, Temple of Zeus, the Pelopion and the area of the alter where sacrifices were made.

Lately, the city has been ravaged by wildfires which were caused by rising temperatures. The many remnants of the city are in danger of destruction.

5. Great Pyramid of Giza:

What has this pyramid not survived? The Toronto Star reports that the site survived everything from sandstorms to the anger of kings and even wearing in time. Now after 4 millennia, the site is also endangered of extinction.

Interestingly enough, the pyramid were built as a tomb for the fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharoah Khufu. The pyramid weighs an estimate of 5.9 million tonnes, its thallium (internal hillock) is roughly 2, 500,000 m^3. It remains to this date the tallest man-made structure in the world.

From pollution to camel dung to manmade destruction, the Pyramids of Giza took a large hit. Now officials are forbidding people and tourists from riding their camels are around the pyramids.

Pests are not just bad organisms for plants or crops. Without pest control, they are also capable of spreading diseases to human beings. Some are the primary carriers or intermediate hosts of these human diseases. The pathogens they can likely to carry around are protozoa, viruses, bacteria and helminthes.

We list down the top ten diseases that are caused by bugs or pests, so we may all realize the importance of pest control.

1. Typhus

Typhus fever has been responsible for thousands of deaths in the past. If we are not very careful, it may happen again. We blame it to the tiny organisms called rickettsiae. They are passed on to humans by lice, fleas, mites and ticks. They are present in every corner of the world. As of now, there are no available vaccines to fight of typhus.

You know you’ve been infected if you have these different symptoms: skin rashes, fever and severe headache. Antibiotic therapy can fight off the disease. However, when it’s not given early enough, typhus can be fatal.

2. Plague

Plague is named the Black Death for a reason. This is perhaps the oldest known disease that had infected the whole world. It was even mentioned in the Holy Bible. In fact, this disease is so deadly that it wiped out one-third of Europe’s population. Rodents are the primary hosts of the bacteria carrying this disease. The pests that transfer them to humans are the rat fleas that feed on the blood of the rodent that’s infected with plague. If left untreated, it can spread throughout the body in a staggering speed via the lymphatic system.

3. Chagas Disease

Assassin bugs or kissing bugs are not at all charming and sweet. These biting bugs carry a very serious disease called Chagas. Though, you need to worry about them when you are out during the day. They are some kind of nocturnal as they only go out to feed at night. The symptoms of the disease include swelling around the area where the bite is, fever, and enlargement of the lymph glands. It doesn’t sound dangerous, right? It could be, but when long term exposure to the symptoms can damage your heart and paralysis of the gut, which causes severe constipation. Another bad news is that there is no available vaccine to prevent the disease, and science has not discovered yet a drug to cure the infected host.

4. Lyme disease

Tick bites can cause red rashes, headache, fever and muscle and joint aches, which are the symptoms of Lyme disease. Though, this can be prevented easily through applying repellent on the skin and clothing. If infected with the disease, oral penicillin would be enough to save you from the more dangerous stage.

5. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)

Rodents can’t get enough of all the viruses in the world! The bad thing about this disease is that it’s not active until after one to five weeks. Symptoms include fatigue, muscle aches, fever and occasional chills and headaches. Ten days after the symptoms become evident; the infected individual will have a difficulty in breathing. There’s no specific cure to this disease. However, oxygen therapy can fight it off if diagnosed in the early stages.

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The human body is capable of achieving amazing things. This, of course, is why societies have long been fascinated by sporting events and drawn to competitions of athletic ability. For hundreds of years, we have carefully preserved and celebrated records of sporting achievement and there are now countless thousands of them on the books.

Image credit; deo-runner

But which of these are the most impressive? Out of all the world records, which ones represent the absolute pinnacle of sporting achievement? Clearly, this is an issue of much controversy, but we think we’ve nonetheless narrowed it down to the ten best. So, in no particular order, here they are:

1. Fastest Mile

The one-mile race is arguably the purest and most distilled measure of athleticism, combining both explosive speed and endurance. In 1999 Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco set the current world record in an astounding 3:43.13.

2. Most 60+ Point Games in Basketball

Most professional players never score 60 points in one game. Wilt Chamberlain set this amazing record with an unprecedented 32 games over the course of his legendary career. The next closest is Kobe Bryant, with 5.

3. Highest Career Batting Average

You know an athletic task is difficult when the best in the game only succeed at it three times in every ten. Ty Cobb was the most successful batter in baseball history with a lifetime average of .366, a record that is likely to never be broken.

4. 50 Goals in 39 Games

Hockey is a notoriously low scoring game, with each team usually scoring fewer than 4 goals in a game. In 1981, Wayne Gretzsky set the most impressive record in hockey history by scoring 50 goals in just 39 games! The closest anyone has come since has been 50 goals in 46 games.

5. Fastest Pitch Ever Thrown In Baseball

105 mph fastball by Aroldis Chapman in 2010. Fewer sporting achievements are more impressive than hurling a 5-ounce ball faster than anyone else in history ever has.

There are many dangerous spiders but the most dangerous 10 spiders out of these have been listed. These spiders cannot only poison the small mammals but also affect the humans by making them very ill. Most of the time a bite by these spiders results in some kind of headache or illness or vomiting. Some of these spiders can even result into death due to the poisonous venom they exhibit. Though other spiders are comparatively less dangerous but they do result in pain, redness and swelling at the site of bite. Treatment by a doctor is required as soon as possible after being bitten.

1. Brown Recluse:

This spider is mainly found in the America and its bite can cause great trouble. They usually hide in dark places and if bitten by this spider can result in fever, vomiting, shivering along with redness around the bite and swelling.

2. Black widow:

It is also known as the latrodectus Hesperus and mostly they are black but a few of them are also found in brown color. They tend to live in hot climate and are found in the United States. 1 percent of the total bites to the people have resulted in the death by the female black widow.

3. Brazilian wandering spider:

This spider is also known as the banana spider and these spiders tend to be very aggressive and dangerous. These spiders are found in the countries like Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, Columbia, Argentina and Cost Rica. There venom is dangerous but in order to affect a human, they have to inject sufficient amount of the venom.

4. Funnel-web spiders:

These spiders are basically found in Australia. These spiders are also dangerous and 10-15 minutes after their bite you can develop breathing problems which can also lead to coma. A slightly less effected person would undergo fever, vomiting, drooping eyelids and shivering.

5. Mouse spider:

These spiders can survive in any country and environment that is available to them. The color of the female and the male is different. The females are black and the male ones are brown. The symptoms by the bite of this spider resemble a lot to that of funnel-web spider. The spider is very aggressive and would respond to any thing that the spider feels dangerous.

Prison riots have increased the last few decades. Appalling conditions as well unfair treatment caused grievances amongst inmates. This article sets out to examine 10 case studies that are worth mentioning.

1. Carandiru Prison Riot:

The riot turned into a massacre on October 2, 1992. This was and still is considered a major human rights violation in the history of Brazil. The massacre was caused by a prisoner revolt within the prison. There were no negotiations done, before the prison got stormed by military state police. 111 people were killed in the massacre.

2. Canon City Prison Riots:

On October 3, 1929, one of the most bloody prison riots in U.S. History occurred. Prisoners took guards hostage in order to attempt an escape. Much of the prison was destroyed and resulted in the deaths of 8 guards; 9 others were wounded. 5 of the prisoner insurgencies were either killed or committed suicide, while John F. Hickman suffered injuries.

3. Apodaca Prison Riot:

On February 20, 2012, 44 inmates were killed and several others were injured and wounded. The riot took place inside the Apodaca prison in the northern state of Nuevo Leon in Mexico. All of those who have been confirmed as dead were from the D Dormitory. The cause of the riot was a power struggle between members of the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetos Cartel. Both groups try to control drug sales inside the prison. Drug trafficking has already cost the lives of 47,000 people in Mexican when President Calderon launched a war against organized crimes in 2006.

4. New Mexico State Penitentiary Riot:

The riot took place on February 2nd and 3rd of 1980. The penitentiary was a state maximum security facility south of Sante Fe. This was one of the most violent prison acts in American history with 33 dead and 200 injured. Many officers were taken hostage; however, none were killed. The cause of the riots was atrocious prison conditions. It was also quite predicted, but not prevented.

5. Strangeways Prison Riot:

This 1990 prison riot in Manchester, England lasted for 25 days; making it the longest in British penal history. The riots commenced when prisoners took over the prison chapel. From there it spread throughout the whole prison. The riot left 2 men dead and 194 injured. Things changed within the British penal system. Conditions were bettered as well, including telephone lines and an end to slopping out.

In December of 2011, 29,000 people in 36 countries were interviewed by Durex, the condom manufacturer. They found that the following people were the most likely to cheat and commit adultery. All in all, 50-65% of husbands and 40-55% of wives have an affair before they are 40.

1. Nigerian women:

62% of Nigerian women are unfaithful. Recently Major Chitsiko, a soldier, committed suicide after his wife cheated on him. The couple was estranged. Also in November 20011, Erelu Tola Solomon, a social elite in Lagos and Abuja, decided to ruin her 25 year marriage after having sex with a Lagos businessman.

2. Thai women:

59% of women living in Thailand admitted to cheating on their husbands. The rules seem more relaxed in Thailand than they are in the West. Many husbands even allow their wives to commit adultery.

3. British women:

A UNLV article on infidelity and extramarital affairs noted that Britain have cases at a rate of 42%, The country experiences a high rate of women cheating.

4. Malaysian women:

33% of Malaysians are known to cheat. 39% of the Malaysian women, in particular, are known to betray their marriage vows. It was also revealed that Malaysian men have on average 3 sex partners.

5. Russian women:

33% of Russian women are known to be cheaters. Interestingly enough, the adulterer is not the one to blame in Russia. The finger points towards the person who  kindles the affair. The fingers also point to women and that has been a century old tradition for 100s of years.

There are a number of reservoirs and manmade lakes in this world which are used for various industrial purposes, such as hydrology. This article examines the 10 biggest using calculations of surface area. They are the major sources of our energy, especially for countries reliant on hydroelectricity.

1. Volta:

Country: Ghana

Area: 8502 KM^2

Description: This is the largest manmade lake/reservoir in the world in terms of its surface area. It is the 4th largest manmade lakes in the world in terms of its volume. It was formed by the Akosombo Dam and was devised by geologist Albert Ernest Kitson in 1915.

2. Smallwood:

Country: Canada

Area: 6527 KM^2

Description: This manmade lake/reservoir is located in western Labrador. It is not only the second largest manmade lake/reservoir, but is also the largest source fresh water in the province and is the foundation of Churchill River.

3. Kujbyshevskoe:

Country: Russia

Area: 6450 KM^2

Description: The reservoir/manmade lake is located on the River Volga and is more than 400 km long. The water however is not sanitary, given the industrial development in the region.

4. Kariba:

Countries: Zimbabwe & Zambia

Area: 5580 KM^2

Description: The manmade lake/reservoir lies between Zambia and Zimbabwe, right on the border. The significance of this reservoir is that it is not held by 1 dam. It is rather held by 88 smaller dikes which are 64 km in length.

5. Bukhtarma:

Country: Kazakhstan

Area: 5490 KM^2

Description: The reservoir was formed by the dam of the Bukhtarma Hydroelectric Power Plant and began being filled in 1960.

Times have changed. Women are increasingly finding top jobs in fortune 500 companies. Many of them are changing the IT world and influencing our future. This article is dedicated to 10 of them that pave the way.

1. Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook

She is the COO of Facebook. She monetizes the largest social networking site and manages Facebook`s sales, marketing and business development, human resources, public policy and communication. WOW!

2. Mitchell Baker, Mozilla

Winifred Mitchell Baker is the Chairperson of the Mozilla Foundation and the former CEO of the same corporation. She was trained as a lawyer and now coordinates business and policy issues for the Mozilla Foundation. She was included in Time Magazine`s list of 100 most influential people in the world in 2005.

3. Meg Whitman, HP

In September of 2011, Hewlett-Packard replaced its CEO with former eBay CEO Meg Whitman. The move came with the company`s bid to garner new leadership. The incumbent, Leo Apotheker was highly criticized for how he handled a major strategy shift in 2011.

4. Sue Gardner, Wikimedia

Gardner is the director of the Wikimedia foundation. She turned the online encyclopedia into the first reference point for all who look for information. She is a Canadian born.

5. Ursula M. Burns, Xerox Corporation

Burns is the Madam Chairman and CEO of Xerox. She is the first African American to head a Fortune 500 company. She was rated the 14th most powerful woman in the world.

Most cities occasionally do get smog advisories during the summers (wherever applicable). Many cities have consistent and extreme cases of heat alerts. Here are just 10 cities which hit the record.

1. Kuwait City, Kuwait:

The average temperature this city is 46.9 °C. It was the subject to Time Magazine’s article “Extreme Heat: 10 Worldwide Spots With Tough Temperatures”. Best time to visit the city is during March, April, October and November when temperatures are between 20 °C and 30°C.

2. Ahwaz, Iran:

This city in Kuwait has an average high of 46.8 °C. The temperatures are more extreme in this city as opposed to Kuwait City. The hottest month ever was July 2000 when temperatures reached 48.1 °C (average).

3. Jizan City, Saudia Arabia:

This is a port city on the Red Sea cost. It has a population of little less than 2 million. The temperatures are consistently hot throughout the year. From April through to October temperatures average around 30 °C and 40°C.

4. Bangkok, Thailand:

This is a city that faces extreme air pollution which causes smog. The pollution is known to trap hot air with the city, causing extreme humidity. The temperatures are on average 40°C and stay that way throughout the day. November to February is known to be the driest time of the year, yet the most visited as well. Although the average temperatures are around 29°C, the temperatures are known to rise to 39°C.

5. Aziziya, Libya:

This city recorded a whopping 57.8°C on September 13, 1922. The city is located in the Sahara Desert, the largest in the world and the driest.