Everything You Need to Know About Microsoft

Microsoft is one of the most influential and iconic technology companies in the world. Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft has grown from a small software startup to a global tech titan shaping how billions of people work, communicate, and play. From its legendary operating systems to its cloud computing dominance, Microsoft has played a pivotal role in the digital revolution.

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🏛️ A Brief History of Microsoft

Microsoft was born on April 4, 1975, when Gates and Allen decided to develop software for the Altair 8800 microcomputer. Their early success came with a version of the BASIC programming language. However, Microsoft’s real breakthrough came in 1981 when IBM chose its MS-DOS operating system for its first personal computers.

By 1985, Microsoft launched Windows 1.0, and the rest is history. The graphical user interface (GUI) made PCs more user-friendly, leading to the explosion of Windows in homes and offices worldwide. Microsoft went public in 1986, making Gates the world’s youngest billionaire at the time.

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💻 Key Products and Services

1. Operating Systems

• Windows OS – Microsoft's flagship product, dominating PC operating systems with over a billion active users.

• Windows 95, XP, 7, 10, and now Windows 11 are milestones in computing history.

2. Microsoft Office Suite

• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook – Essential tools for productivity.

• Now part of Microsoft 365, a cloud-based subscription service.

3. Cloud Computing

• Microsoft Azure – A top-tier cloud platform rivaling Amazon Web Services (AWS).

• Powers everything from startups to Fortune 500 companies.

4. Search Engine

• Bing – Microsoft’s search engine, integrated with AI and used in services like Microsoft Edge.

5. Web Browser

• Microsoft Edge – A Chromium-based browser that replaced Internet Explorer.

6. Gaming

• Xbox – A major player in console gaming, with exclusives like Halo and Forza.

• Game Pass – A subscription model that changed how gamers access content.

7. Artificial Intelligence

• Copilot – AI assistant built into Microsoft 365, using OpenAI's GPT.

• Microsoft has heavily invested in OpenAI, integrating AI into search, productivity, and development tools.

8. Developer Tools

• Visual Studio – A popular IDE.

• GitHub – Acquired by Microsoft in 2018, now home to millions of developers.

9. LinkedIn

• Acquired in 2016, LinkedIn is the world's largest professional networking platform.

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🌐 Business Model

Microsoft operates on a hybrid business model, combining software licensing, hardware sales, and subscription services. Its three primary revenue streams are:

• Productivity and Business Processes (e.g., Microsoft 365, LinkedIn)

• Intelligent Cloud (Azure, server products)

• More Personal Computing (Windows OS, Surface devices, Xbox)

Its shift to cloud-first and subscription-based models has created consistent growth and recurring revenue.

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🚀 Innovations and Acquisitions

Microsoft has always evolved with technology:

• Azure transformed it into a cloud powerhouse.

• Acquisitions like LinkedIn, GitHub, Nuance, and Activision Blizzard expanded its footprint in AI, enterprise, and gaming.

• It's at the forefront of AI integration, with tools like Copilot enhancing productivity.

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🏢 Microsoft Today

• CEO: Satya Nadella (since 2014), credited with reshaping the company’s vision.

• Headquarters: Redmond, Washington, USA.

• Employees: Over 220,000 globally.

• Valuation: Over $3 trillion as of 2025, often trading positions with Apple as the most valuable company in the world.

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🌍 Impact on the World

• Microsoft has empowered businesses and individuals with productivity tools and software.

• It has helped close the digital divide through initiatives like Microsoft Philanthropies and AI for Good.

• It’s a major force in education, enterprise, healthcare, and now generative AI.

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🔮 The Future of Microsoft

Microsoft is doubling down on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, mixed reality, and cloud services. With continued innovation and strategic partnerships, Microsoft aims to shape the future of work, gaming, and digital life.

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📝 Conclusion

Microsoft is more than just Windows or Word—it’s a tech ecosystem that touches nearly every part of our digital lives. With its forward-looking leadership, commitment to innovation, and global influence, Microsoft remains a cornerstone of the tech industry and a key player in shaping the digital future.

inter – ac milan

 

Milan dashes Inter's treble dreams in Coppa semifinal rout

AC Milan haven't achieved much this season -- except when playing city rivals Inter Milan.

Milan ruined Inter's bid for a treble and advanced to the Coppa Italia final with a 3-0 derby win on Wednesday courtesy of two goals from Luka Jovic.

It was Milan's third win over Inter this season, having also beaten the Nerazzurri in the Italian Super Cup final in January.

And if Milan can win another trophy, coach Sérgio Conceição might have a chance at keeping his job -- despite the seven-time European champions sitting ninth in Serie A and likely to miss out on a spot in continental play for next season.

Milan advanced on 4-1 aggregate following a 1-1 first leg.

"It was a crucial game for us. As you know, we are not that good in Serie A. We had to show the quality today. We had to show the character," Jovic said. "And we showed it, and we are going to Rome."

Luka Jovic propelled AC Milan past city rivals Inter and into the final of the Coppa Italia.

PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP via Getty Images

On Thursday, Bologna takes a 3-0 lead over Empoli into the second leg of the other semifinal.

The final is scheduled for May 14 in Rome.

Inter started well, and Federico Dimarco nearly found the net midway through the first half with a stunning effort that crashed off the bar following a quick free kick.

Ten minutes later, Inter captain Lautaro Martínez latched onto a knock-down in the box but blazed his effort high into the stands.

Milan struck with their first real chance nine minutes before the break, as Álex Jiménez whipped in a cross for Jovic to nod home.

The Serbian sent half of San Siro into raptures just four minutes after the restart, doubling Milan's lead after a corner found its way to the far post, where Jovic battled to force it in.

The humiliation of Inter was complete five minutes before stoppage time when Tijjani Reijnders was played free inside the box and easily slotted Milan's third from an acute angle.

"We have a lot of belief," Reijnders said. "We have difficulties in the league but we know this is the fastest way to reach [Europe]. And if we play like we did today we can win this trophy."

It was Inter's second consecutive loss after the Serie A leaders fell 1-0 at Bologna on Sunday. Inter will play Barcelona in the Champions League semifinals.

Information from The Associated Press and Reuters was used in this report.

 

Real Madrid’s Thrilling Triumph Over Getafe Sparks Intense LaLiga Title Race Shockwaves

Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Image

Real Madrid Stuns Getafe with Spectacular Victory, Closing in on LaLiga Top Spot

In a thrilling LaLiga showdown, Real Madrid delivered a jaw-dropping performance against Getafe, securing a crucial 1-0 victory that narrowed the gap with league leaders Barcelona to just four points.

Right from the start, Real Madrid set the tone, with Fran Garcia and Brahim Díaz launching early attempts that were expertly blocked by Getafe’s goalkeeper, David Soria. However, it was Arda Güler who stole the show with a magnificent 25-yard strike that found the back of the net, leaving fans in awe of his skill and precision.

Claudia Winkleman

Bringing her fun-loving nature to the show, Claudia has co-hosted Strictly Come Dancing with Tess Daly since 2014.

Claudia was born and raised in London, going on to attend Cambridge University and graduate with an MA Honours in History of Art.

She then moved into TV presenting, and hasn't looked back since. Across her glittering career,

 Claudia has fronted a range of BBC TV shows, including Let’s Dance for Sport Relief, The Eurovision Song Contest, Comic Relief,

 and The Great British Sewing Bee. She's also a familiar voice on the radio, hosting her own BBC Radio 2 show every Sunday.

In 2004, she landed the lead presenting role on Strictly's weekday companion show,

 It Takes Two, eventually handing the baton over to Zoe Ball in 2012. Claudia then began co-hosting the Sunday night results show alongside Tess Daly, before joining her on the main show every Saturday in 2014.

Our weekends wouldn't be the same without her trademark mix of sassiness and smarts, as she sees our couples through their Strictly journeys.

John Lewis

 John Lewis

John Robert Lewis (February 21, 1940 – July 17, 2020) was an American civil rights icon and long‑serving U.S. Representative from Georgia’s 5th Congressional District. Born to sharecroppers in rural Alabama, Lewis rose to prominence as a leader of nonviolent protest during the 1960s, then transitioned to a distinguished 17‑term career in Congress, where he became known as the “conscience of the House.” His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and “good trouble” earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom and a lasting legacy as one of the most courageous advocates for civil and human rights in American history.

Early Life and Education

John Robert Lewis was born near Troy in Pike County, Alabama, the third of ten children to sharecroppers Eddie and Willie Mae Lewis. His great‑grandfather had been born into slavery in the same county in 1862, a fact that grounded Lewis’s deep understanding of America’s racial injustices. 

Raised in a predominantly Black community, Lewis recounted that by age six he had seen only two white people; his first classroom was a Rosenwald School supported by local families.

Inspired by a childhood aspiration to preach—he once held “services” for chickens on the family farm—he later earned a diploma from the American Baptist Theological Seminary (now American Baptist College) in Nashville and a B.A. in religion and philosophy from Fisk University in 1967, where he also joined Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.

Vanguard of the Civil Rights Movement

Nashville Sit‑ins and Freedom Rides

As a student at Fisk, Lewis helped organize the 1960 Nashville sit‑ins to desegregate lunch counters, enduring arrests and jail time in his pursuit of racial equality.

In 1961, he joined the original 13 Freedom Riders challenging segregated interstate bus travel, suffering brutal attacks in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Jackson, Mississippi, and spending 40 days in Parchman Farm prison.

SNCC Leadership and the March on Washington

Elected chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) in 1963, Lewis became the youngest of the “Big Six” leaders who organized the 1963 March on Washington. His planned speech boldly questioned federal inaction on racial violence, later moderated in deference to other organizers. 

“Bloody Sunday” and Selma

On March 7, 1965, Lewis led 600 marchers across Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge in a voting‑rights protest. State troopers attacked with tear gas and clubs, fracturing Lewis’s skull in an event immortalized as “Bloody Sunday” that galvanized support for the Voting Rights Act.

Political Career

Atlanta City Council

After earning his degrees and returning to Atlanta, Lewis ran for public office in 1977 and served as Associate Director of ACTION under President Carter. He was elected to the Atlanta City Council in 1981, representing an at‑large seat until 1985, where he championed neighborhood preservation and civic engagement

U.S. House of Representatives

Elected to Congress in November 1986, Lewis represented Georgia’s 5th District from January 3, 1987, until his death on July 17, 2020. He became the dean of Georgia’s delegation and held leadership roles as Chief Deputy Whip (1991–2003) and Senior Chief Deputy Whip (2003–2020), advocating for voting rights, health care reform, and LGBTQ equality.

Honors and Legacy

John Lewis received over 45 honorary degrees and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by  President Barack Obama in 2011 for “his unyielding pursuit of justice” 

 His memoir, Walking with the Wind (1998), and forthcoming biographies, such as David Greenberg’s John Lewis: A Life, continue to inspire new generations.

Lewis passed away in Atlanta on July 17, 2020, at age 80, and was laid to rest at South‑View Cemetery. His life exemplified the power of peaceful protest and public service, leaving an indelible mark on American democracy. 

klaus schwab

 

Davos Meet founder Klaus Schwab steps down from WEF board

Geneva (AFP) – The World Economic Forum said on Monday that its founder, Klaus Schwab, has stepped down from the board, turning a page in the history of the organisation that hosts the annual meeting of wealthy, famous, and influential global elites at the luxury Swiss ski resort of Davos.

Schwab informed the WEF's board that "as I enter my 88th year, I have decided to step down from the position of Chair and as a member of the Board of Trustees, with immediate effect".

Schwab stepped down as executive chairman last year, with former Norwegian foreign minister Borge Brende taking over daily management.

The WEF said Vice Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe was appointed board chairman in the interim and that a search committee for replacement had been appointed.

WEF's board hailed Schwab's "outstanding achievements" in his 55 years as the leader of the organisation.

"At a time when the world is undergoing rapid transformation, the need for inclusive dialogue to navigate complexity and shape the future has never been more critical," it said in a statement.

"Building on its trusted role, the Forum will continue to bring together leaders from all sectors and regions to exchange insights and foster collaboration," it added.

Networking showcase

Schwab was born in Ravensburg, Germany, on March 30, 1938. He studied at Swiss universities and at Harvard in the United States, and holds doctorates in engineering and economics, along with more than a dozen honorary doctorates.

He was a little-known business professor at the University of Geneva when in 1971 he founded the WEF's precursor, the European Management Forum.

That first meeting reportedly drew under 500 participants. Since then the event has swelled to attract thousands of people each year.

Schwab later broadened the conclave by inviting top political and business leaders, representatives from leading non-governmental organisations, trade unions and civil society, assembling a prestigious Rolodex as he turned the gathering into a showcase for networking and exchanging ideas.

Over the years, success bred further success as many of the world's movers and shakers vied to rub shoulders in the Swiss Alps at panel discussions and apres-ski socialising.

Newer regional meetings have joined the Davos calendar, and centres exploring key issues such as supply chains, cybersecurity, climate, energy, and financial and monetary systems.

The WEF maintains that it "provides a global, impartial and not-for-profit platform for meaningful connection between stakeholders to establish trust, and build initiatives for cooperation and progress".

Its mission, it says, is "improving the state of the world".

'Davos Man'

Critics have meanwhile repeatedly charged that WEF's gatherings simply create a safe space for the corporate world to lobby governments without oversight.

The event has fostered the concept of the "Davos Man", referring to the elite crowd of affluent and sometimes super-wealthy movers and shakers with global clout and reach.

Schwab and his organisation have long been the focus of conspiracy theorists.

After he called the first Davos summit following the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns as "The Great Reset", conspiracy theorists charged he was the incarnation of a globalised elite seeking to enslave and even eliminate portions of humanity.

Disinformation has spread on social media alleging that decisions have been taken during secretive Davos meetings to unleash epidemics and promote things like paedophilia and mass starvation.

Elon Musk, the multi-billionaire owner of X, even said on the platform that Schwab "wants to be emperor of Earth".

Misinformation and disinformation topped the WEF's list of short-term global risks in its latest global risk report.

Iceland supermarket closures

 Iceland supermarket closures

Store Closures and Strategic Shifts

In recent years, Iceland has closed several stores across the UK, including locations in Bromsgrove, Basingstoke, Rhyl, Newport (Isle of Wight), and Bedminster. The most recent closure was the Welling store in London on February 1, 2025. These closures are attributed to rising operational costs, such as a £20 million increase in energy bills, and changing consumer shopping habits, including a shift towards online shopping.​

Expansion of The Food Warehouse

In contrast to these closures, Iceland is investing heavily in its Food Warehouse format. Launched in 2014, The Food Warehouse stores are typically located in retail parks and are about three times the size of traditional Iceland shops. They offer a broader range of products, including bulk-buy options and exclusive brands like TGI Fridays, Greggs, and MyProtein

As of 2025, Iceland plans to open up to 250 new Food Warehouse stores across the UK, effectively doubling its current footprint. Targeted locations include Crawley, Brighton, Salisbury, Dundee, and suburban areas of London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Newcastle. Specific stores are scheduled to open in Shrewsbury, Bicester, Selby, Yeovil, Llantrisant, and Wakefield throughout the year.

International Expansion and Partnerships

Iceland is also expanding internationally through franchise partnerships. After closing its 10 stores in the Channel Islands, Iceland partnered with Alliance to open its first-ever international Food Warehouse store in Guernsey in January 2025. This co-branded store offers Iceland’s popular product ranges and marks a significant milestone in the company's growth strategy.

Conclusion

Iceland Foods' current strategy reflects a shift towards larger, more efficient store formats that align with modern consumer preferences. By focusing on The Food Warehouse expansion and forming strategic partnerships, Iceland aims to strengthen its market position and ensure long-term sustainability in a competitive retail landscape.​