Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Wow ! Playstation Move
The PS3 move is an amazing new gadget, unlike the Nintendo Wii where you simulate a part of the move you wanna do, you actually simulate the whole move like your actually doing the action.
Currently it’s the most accurate joystick in the market and with PS3 move believe me,the possibilities are endless, check out the clip below and you’ll know what i mean. PS3 move will be availability in the market this Q4
Currently it’s the most accurate joystick in the market and with PS3 move believe me,the possibilities are endless, check out the clip below and you’ll know what i mean. PS3 move will be availability in the market this Q4
Monday, May 24, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
A fantastic 45-yard free kick from Paraguay !
Sunday's match between Olimpia and Sol de America in the Paraguayan first division saw a late comeback by the visitors topped off with this tremendous free kick from distance blasted perfectly into the top corner by Sol de America's Brazilian midfielder Inca.
The 80th minute effort, which gave Sol de America their second goal in just six minutes and a 2-1 win, appears to have caught the goalkeeper off guard, but there's probably not much he could have done to stop that beauty anyway. Unless he filled the goal with cantaloupes or something, but that would have taken too long.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
How things have changed !
25 years ago……
A program was … a television show
An application was … for employment
Windows were … something you hated to clean
A cursor … used profanity
A keyboard was …a piano
Memory was …. something you lost with age
A CD was … a bank account
If you unzipped in public you went to jail !
Compress was something u did to garbage
A hard drive was a long trip on the road
Log on was adding wood to fire
A backup happened to your toilet
A mouse pad was where a mouse lived
Cut… you did with scissors
Paste… you did with glue
A web was a spiders home
A Monitor was class representative
And a virus was the flu !!
… Times surely have changed
A program was … a television show
An application was … for employment
Windows were … something you hated to clean
A cursor … used profanity
A keyboard was …a piano
Memory was …. something you lost with age
A CD was … a bank account
If you unzipped in public you went to jail !
Compress was something u did to garbage
A hard drive was a long trip on the road
Log on was adding wood to fire
A backup happened to your toilet
A mouse pad was where a mouse lived
Cut… you did with scissors
Paste… you did with glue
A web was a spiders home
A Monitor was class representative
And a virus was the flu !!
… Times surely have changed
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
MoH orders total airport smoking ban
| MoH orders total airport smoking ban |
| The ministry of Health (Moh) has ordered a complete smoking ban at Kuwait international airport, which will cover all the airport facilities, including restaurant and cafes. The new ruling complies with the anti-smoking law introduced in 1995, which entitles the MoH to introduce smoking ban at any public facilities. The ban will forbid any smoking, including the use of shish a pipes, in the cafes inside and outside the airport building report Al Watan daily. |
Life Box !
For all you tree hugger’s out there the following maybe of interest to you:
The Life Box can be made to virtually any dimension and used by consumers and companies alike to package or ship goods. What sets the Life Box apart, however, is that within its corrugations are hundreds of tree seeds and thousands of spores of beneficial mycorrhizal fungi. How it works: Once a consumer removes whatever was shipped inside their box, they can tear it up, plant the pieces and water them. In about two months, tree seedlings will emerge, nurtured by the mycorrhizal fungi. In about two years, the young trees can be planted in the ground where they’ll ultimately reside. Birches, alders, pines, hemlocks and cedars are among the tree species represented, a quarter of which will survive in 90 percent of the continental United States. The Life Box company, which is based in Olympia, Wash., estimates that one tree from the hundreds of seeds in each box will survive for 30 years, allowing one ton of carbon to be sequestered. Those who planted them, meanwhile, can visit the Life Box site and enter their GPS coordinates, making it possible to see the emerging trees and track carbon credits or offsets for generations to come.
Life Box
Walk on water (Liquid Mountaineering)
Liquid Mountaineering is a new sport which is attempting to achieve what man has tried to do for centuries: walk on water. “Or to be more precise: running on water. we are developing the sport from scratch. By accident we found out that with the right water repellent equipment you can run across bodies of water, just like a stone skimming the surface.”
They have a blog also click here
what do you think is it fake or real ????
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Thief in Kuwait Computer Shop !
Found the link in youtube.
Simple tools of trade ! Wonder if he ever got caught!
Simple tools of trade ! Wonder if he ever got caught!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Zain Number Auction @ Zain City Exhibition !
Street Fighter - Saudi Style LOL !
Created by MTV Arabia.3 rounds featured Abu Ali Vs eldirreek street fighter Saudi style, my favorite round is last one where Abu Ali used secret move “Faz3aa” by calling some friends to finish his opponent. See the video below and enjoy.
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Capturing Somali Pirates Video !
Found an amazing first-person shooter view footage of Dutch marines boarding and capturing a hijacked container ship. The language of course will be dutch.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
The World's Most Expensive Stuff 2010
Most Expensive Hotel Room
Royal Penthouse Suite, Hotel President Wilson in Geneva
Price: $65,000 per night
This palatial suite, which occupies an entire floor of the hotel and measures 18,083 square feet, has 10 rooms and seven bathrooms. It was renovated in January 2009 to add a new private fitness area, according to a spokesperson.
Most Expensive Motorcycle
Dodge Tomahawk V10 Superbike
Price: $700,000
The Dodge Tomahawk, a 1,500-lb. motorcycle with four wheels, has a Dodge Viper's V10 engine and can go from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds, according to Edmunds.com. The top speed is estimated to be more than 300 mph. The vehicle, which made its debut at the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, was reportedly priced at $550,000, but a Dodge spokesperson confirmed to Bloomberg Businessweek that two units were sold at an even higher $700,000.
Most Expensive Cell Phone
iPhone 3GS Supreme Rose by Stuart Hughes
Price: $2.97 million*
Stuart Hughes—who also designed the most expensive television—made headlines in 2009 when he crafted a 22-carat gold iPhone studded with 53 diamonds for an unnamed Australian businessman for £1.92 million. More recently, he says, he was commissioned to make an even pricier version of the phone in 18-carat rose gold with hundreds of diamonds, including a single-cut, 7.1-carat diamond for the main navigation button.
Most Expensive Car
1954-55 Mercedes-Benz W196
Price: $24 million
Think a brand-new $1.7 million Bugatti Veyron is expensive? Try the Mercedes-Benz W196, which won the Grand Prix in 1954 and 1955, and sold at auction in 1990 for a staggering $24 million. According to the U.K.'s Times Online Times Online, Mercedes donated the car to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in the 1980s, which later sold it for £1.5 million to finance a museum renovation. It was again sold in 1990 to a French industrialist for $24 million but changed hands once more to a German industrialist for less than half that sum.
Most Expensive House
Antilla
Price: $1 billion
According to a February report by Property Magazine, the most expensive house in the world, named Antilla (in picture above at left), is in downtown Mumbai, India, and will be the residence of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani. The 27-story, 570-foot-tall tower has a helipad, a health club, and a six-floor garage that can hold 168 cars. Each level has gardens. It will be serviced by a staff of 600 people. Some reports list the price of the house at $2 billion. The architecture and design firms working on this project, Perkins + Will and Hirsch Bedner Associates, declined comment.
 |
Eclipse
Price: £1.2 billion
This 560-foot-long yacht has two helipads, 11 guest cabins, two swimming pools, three launch boats, an aquarium, and a minisubmarine that can dive to 50 meters below the ocean surface, according to London's Daily Mail. The master bedroom and bridge have bulletproof glass, and the security system includes missile detection systems that warn of incoming rockets. The owner Roman Abramovich, a Russian billionaire who also owns Britain's Chelsea Football Club, reportedly fitted the yacht with a laser system that prevents paparazzi from taking photos. It was built by Blohm + Voss in Hamburg, Germany.
Most Expensive Speakers
Transmission Audio Ultimate System
Price: $2 million per pair
With a total of 12 units—four dipole subwoofers, two dipole mid-woofers, four dipole medium-frequency and high-frequency ribbon panels, and two dipole high-fidelity super ribbon panels—Transmission Audio's Ultimate speaker system is a hefty piece of equipment, spanning 37 feet and weighing 5 metric tons. All units are made from aircraft aluminum and have stands in polished red or black granite. The set was introduced in late 2009, and so far two pairs have been preordered, says Bo Bengtsson, president of Transmission Audio. None has yet been delivered, as the assembly time is about six months.
 |
Chopard Blue Diamond Ring
Price: $16.26 million
The centerpiece of Chopard Blue Diamond Ring is a 9-carat blue diamond (in photo) with diamond shoulders. The 18-carat white gold band is paved with diamonds. It sold overseas in 2007 to a fancy color diamond collector, reportedly for $16,260,000, but a Chopard spokesperson says the estimated value of the ring today is $18,561,310.
Most Expensive Golf Club
Long-Nose Putter Stamped "A.D.," attributed to Andrew Dickson
Price: $181,000
An "A.D." stamp on this circa 18th century, long-nose putter is attributed to Andrew Dickson, the oldest known clubmaker to mark his clubs. He is said to have served as a caddy to the Duke of York as a young boy, according to Sotheby's. This item was estimated to sell for $200,000 to $300,000 but fetched $181,000 in a Sotheby's auction in New York in 2007.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Spectacular footage of Volcano @ Iceland
Just look @ the lighting inside the volcano. You can imagine the force of nature..
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Rain, Dust storm 17-04-2010 Kuwait Amazing pics !
Incredible photos in sequence of the storm over Kuwait City followed by heavy rain that hit Kuwait yesterday morning. Turned day into night. Scary!
Incredible photo taken by Lucie Debelkova.
Source : http://projektcyan.com/?p=5525
Incredible photo taken by Lucie Debelkova.
Source : http://projektcyan.com/?p=5525
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Sand, rain storm in Kuwait 17-04-2010 morning !
Had a sand, rain storm in the morning. @ 7 am the weather was perfect with bright sunshine and cool breeze. Then suddenly @ 7: 30 the sky sarted getting dark and there was lots of dust and the @ around 7:45 am it was very dark as if it was night time. Then heavy rain and wind stated blowing. See the video to get clearer pics. got them from you tube.
Monday, April 5, 2010
You think English is Easy ??
Who said English is easy???
Fill in the blanks with YES or NO.
1.______I don’t have Brain.…
2.______I don’t have Sense.…
3.______I am Stupid....
Fill in the blanks with YES or NO.
1.______I don’t have Brain.…
2.______I don’t have Sense.…
3.______I am Stupid....
Thursday, April 1, 2010
International Autism Day !
What is autism?”
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. People with autism have difficulties with everyday social interaction.
International Autism Day is the 2nd of April
This day was recognized by the united nations as an “International Autism day” since 2008 ..
Autism Marathon was one of the events that took place on march this year to help support Autism this was organized by Kuwait Center for Autism , Kuwait Autism Society and Reach Volunteer group ..
This year we will also have a booth to distribute free “ Reach Autism ” ribbons and booklets regarding autism in 360 mall and marina mall .. You can also support Autism by buying Awareness products on line through http://hadeyastation.com where all proceeds will go to Autism children in kuwait
The November Bakerywill be supporting Autism as well , so pass by the bakery that day :)
and of course join Reach group on Face book : Link
Cops foil attempt to smuggle container full of liquor
The container is cut open to retrieve bottles of whisky
Based on a tip-off received by the Director of the Anti-drugs General Department Brigadier Sheikh Ahmad Al-Khalifa about the consignment arriving at the Shuwaikh Port, a team of detectives was formed to follow up the container, which was said to be carrying sugar and liquor. The container was tracked to a particular location in Ahmadi area, after detectives noticed two people towing the container to a secret place and taking out liquor.
One of the suspects was arrested in the ensuing raid, while his accomplice escaped. The suspect confessed to smuggling the contraband from a certain GCC country, but denied smuggling other illegal goods. He added it was the third time he had brought in liquor through the same process.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Macbook 3D, wow !
Apple announced their new Macbook 3D which will be released late 2010 .. Amazing ! im loving you more Apple !!
Well this year is going great with apple ! iPad / Macbook 3D and soon Iphone 4G
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Kuwait Female Police Officers !
Check out the images .
Earth Hour27 March 2010 ! Kuwait Update !
Check out the kuwait tower blackout for one hour for Earth hour.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Fake TV Game Show ‘Tortures’ Man, Shocks France
The documentary Game of Death, broadcast Wednesday in France, shows participants in a game show obeying orders to deliver increasingly powerful electric shocks to a man until he appears to die. The reality show was actually a fiction and the man an actor (Laurent Le Doyen), but the contestants and audience didn't know.
France is reeling from a documentary about a psychological experiment disguised as a game show. Researchers staged a fictitious reality show to see how far people would go in obeying authority, especially if television reinforces that authority.
The disturbing results have alarmed the French.
The fictitious game show had all the trappings of a real TV quiz show, including a beautiful and well-known hostess, and a raucous audience. A group of contestants posed questions to a man sitting inside a box in front of them in an electric chair.
The hostess and a chanting audience urged the players — who had levers in front of them — to send jolts of electricity into the man in the box when he gave an incorrect answer.
Even when the player screamed out in pain for them to stop, 80 percent of the contestants kept zapping him. In reality, the man in the electric chair was an actor who wasn’t really being shocked — but the players and the audience did not know that.
The documentary makers say reality television relies increasingly on violent, humiliating and cruel acts to boost ratings. They say they simply wanted to see if we would go so far as to kill someone for entertainment.
Christophe Nick produced the documentary, The Game of Death, with a group of scientists and researchers.
“Most of us think we have free thinking and so we are responsible for our acts,” Nick says. “This experience shows that in certain circumstances, a power — the TV in this case — is able to make you do something you don’t want to do.”
The idea that something deeply rooted in the human psyche makes most of us unable to resist authority is not new. The French documentary was based on an American experiment carried out in the 1960s by psychologist Stanley Milgram.
Milgram had participants delivering what they believed were electric shocks to a man every time he answered a question incorrectly. In that experiment, 60 percent of participants obeyed the sadistic orders until the end.
The French documentary, which was broadcast in France on Wednesday night, included footage of the Milgram experiment.
Sociologist Jean Claude Kaufmann says the French version combines Milgram’s use of authority with the power of live television. He says the result in the French experiment — a higher percentage of participants willing to shock the subject — shows that the manipulative power of television further increases people’s willingness to obey.
Television talk shows ruminated over the documentary Thursday. Comparisons are being drawn to the manipulation of the masses in Nazi Germany. One of the game show participants, Jerome Pasanau, said in an interview that he was still haunted by the experience.
“I wanted to stop the whole time, but I just couldn’t. I didn’t have the will to do it. And that goes against my nature,” he said. “I haven’t really figured out why I did it.”
Pasanau told the TV host that he felt intimidated and isolated on the fictitious game show set, and that the crowd was overbearing. The host countered by pulling up footage of Pasanau pumping 460 volts of electricity until the actor pretending to be electrocuted seems to keel over dead.
In the footage, the game show hostess yells: “And you’ve won!”
Monday, March 22, 2010
Opening Soon, Ferrari World in AbuDhabi !
Abu Dhabi’s Ferrari World will be the largest indoor theme park in the world when it opens in Abu Dhabi during the second half of 2010. check it out!
Earth Hour27 March 2010 ! Kuwait
Earth Hour is a global event organized by WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature, also known as World Wildlife Fund) and is held on the last Saturday of March annually, asking households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change. Kuwait is also participating, and of course i will too !
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
How to Hug a Baby, explained by a Dog !
Check out the process, how to hug a baby explained pic by pic after the jump !
Flatten the baby before actually beginning the hugging process.
Simply slide paws around baby and prepare for possible close-up.
If a camera is present, you will need to execute the difficult and patented hug, smile, and lean in order to achieve the best photo quality.
Flatten the baby before actually beginning the hugging process.
Simply slide paws around baby and prepare for possible close-up.
If a camera is present, you will need to execute the difficult and patented hug, smile, and lean in order to achieve the best photo quality.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The real-life hills of the Windows XP wallpaper !
There's a good chance this vista looks strangely familiar to you, but you can't quite place it.That's because it's the real-life landscape used as the default wallpaper for Windows XP, making it one of the most viewed images ever.
While many people think the Windows image is a digital creation, it was actually snapped in California’s Sonoma Valley.
Photographer Chuck O’Rear took it as he drove along Highway 121. And he must be glad he did, he received one of the largest amounts ever paid to a living, working photographer.
It is predicted the image has been seen by and enjoyed by billions of people -- even some Mac users.
Speaking of the image, which he took through a wire fence with a handheld camera Chuck said: "Photographers like to become famous for pictures they created."I didn’t ‘create’ this. I just happened to be there at the right moment and documented it."
O'Rear has spent 25 years travelling the world for National Geographic and has took pictures in 30 countries and every state in the US.
Gold Plated Porsche !
This particular car is made in Russia. More than 40 pounds of the pure gold was used while decorating this particular car.
This car belongs to some guy called Dennis Simachev.
This car belongs to some guy called Dennis Simachev.
Top 10 World's Richest People !
Riding surging prices of his various telecom holdings, including giant mobile outfit America Movil, Mexican tycoon Carlo Slim Helu has beaten out Americans Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to become the wealthiest person on earth and nab the top spot on the 2010 Forbes list of the World's Billionaires.
1. Carlos Slim Helu & family
Telecom tycoon who pounced on privatization of Mexico's national telephone company in the 1990s becomes world's richest person for first time after coming in third place last year. Net worth up $18.5 billion in a year. Recently received regulatory approval to merge his fixed-line assets into American Movil, Latin America's biggest mobile phone company. His construction conglomerate, Impulsora del Desarrollo y el Empleo, builds roads and energy infrastructure. Son of a Lebanese immigrant also owns stakes in financial group Inbursa, Bronco Drilling, Independent News & Media, Saks and New York Times Co. Newspaper outfit's stock popped in early March on talk he might buy a controlling stake; he denies the rumor. Donating $65 million to fund a research project in genomic medicine with American billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad.
2. William Gates III
Software visionary is now the world's second-richest man. Net worth still up $13 billion in a year as Microsoft shares rose 50% in 12 months, value of investment vehicle Cascade swelled. More than 60% of fortune held outside Microsoft; investments include Four Seasons hotels, Televisa, Auto Nation. Stepped down from day-to-day duties at Microsoft in 2008 to focus on philanthropy. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation dedicated to fighting hunger, improving education in America's high schools, developing vaccines against malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS.
3. Warren Buffett
America's favorite investor up $10 billion in past 12 months on surging Berkshire Hathaway shares; says U.S. has survived economic "Pearl Harbor," but warns recovery will be slow. Shrewdly invested $5 billion in Goldman Sachs and $3 billion in General Electric amid 2008 market collapse. Recently acquired railroad giant Burlington Northern Santa Fe for $26 billion. "We've put a lot of money to work during the chaos of the last two years. When it's raining gold, reach for a bucket, not a thimble." Berkshire Hathaway book value was up 19.8% to $21.8 billion in 2009. Son of Nebraska stockbroker met value investor Benjamin Graham while studying economics at Columbia. Took over textile firm Berkshire Hathaway in 1965, used company as a vehicle to invest in insurance (Geico), food (Dairy Queen), utilities (MidAmerican Energy) and recently green tech (electric-car maker BYD).
4. Mukesh Ambani
Global ambitions: His Reliance Industries, already India's most valuable company, recently bid $2 billion for 65% stake in troubled Canadian oil sands outfit Value Creation. Firm's $14.5 billion offer to buy bankrupt petrochemicals maker LyondellBasell was rejected. Since September company has sold treasury shares worth $2 billion to be used for acquisitions. Late father, Dhirubhai, founded Reliance and built it into a massive conglomerate. After he died, Mukesh and his brother, Anil, ran the family business together for a brief time. But siblings feuded over control; mother eventually brokered split of assets, with Mukesh getting oil and gas and petrochemicals businesses. Still at odds with Anil over gas supply agreement; awaiting Supreme Court's final ruling. Has yet to move out of the family's high-rise, which he shares with his brother, into his new 27-story home in downtown Mumbai. Owns cricket team Mumbai Indians.
5. Lakshmi Mittal
London's richest resident oversees ArcelorMittal, world's largest steelmaker. Net profits fell 75% in 2009. Mittal took 12% pay cut amid slump but improved outlook pushed stock up a third in past year. Looking to expand in his native India; wants to build steel mills in Jharkhad and Orissa but has not received government approval. Started in family steel business in India in 1970s; branched out on his own in 1994. Initially bought up steel mills on the cheap in Eastern Europe. Earned $1.1 billion for selling his interest in a Kazakh refinery in December. Sits on the boards of Goldman Sachs, EADS. Upped stake in struggling British soccer team QPR in February. Funding 400-foot sculpture to be built in London's Olympic Park in time for 2012 Olympics. Owns 12-bedroom mansion in London's posh Kensington neighborhood. Daughter-in-law Megha recently bought insolvent German fashion house Escada.
6. Lawrence Ellison
Oracle founder's fortune continues to soar; shares up 70% in past 12 months. Database giant has bought 57 companies in the past five years. Completed $7.4 billion buyout of Sun Microsystems in January; acquired BEA Systems for $8.5 billion in 2008. Studied physics at U. of Chicago; didn't graduate. Started Oracle 1977; took public a day before Microsoft in 1986. Owns 52% stake in business-software company NetSuite; shares worth $480 million. Racing junkie owns 453-foot yacht Rising Sun with pal David Geffen. Won America's Cup in February, besting longtime rival billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli.
7. Bernard Arnault
Bling is back, helping fashion icon grab title of richest European as shares of his luxury goods outfit LVMH-maker of Louis Vuitton, Moet & Chandon, surge 57%. LVMH is developing upscale Shanghai commercial property, L'Avenue Shanghai, with Macau billionaire Stanley Ho. Renaissance man owns French tour operator Go Voyages, yacht builder Royal Van Lent; has a stake in French retailer Carrefour. Built Le Cheval Blanc in ski resort town of Courchevel, France, where he likes to spend New Year's Eve. Father, Jean, who died in January, made small fortune in construction; sale of that business later helped fund Arnault's move into real estate and eventually into luxury goods. Still a family affair: son Antoine, 32, and daughter Delphine, 34, sit on LVMH's board. Wife is a concert pianist; Arnault himself reported to be an excellent piano player.
8. Eike Batista
Vowing to become world's richest man—and he may be on his way. This year's biggest gainer added $19.5 billion to his personal balance sheet. Son of Brazil's revered former mining minister who presided over mining giant Companhia Vale do Rio Doce got his start in gold trading and mining. Insists Dad didn't help: "All my businesses started from zero. My father was a problem for me because he never let me near Vale." Made a pile in resources and other services, but two-thirds of his fortune comes from relatively new source, OGX, the oil-and-gas exploration company he founded in 2007 and took public a year later. Police raided his home in 2008, alleging Batista smuggled gold and unfairly influenced the acquisition of a railroad. He denied all wrongdoing, emerged unscathed. New IPO for shipbuilding business (OSX) could raise $5.6 billion later this month—world's largest IPO so far this year. Onetime champion offshore powerboat racer; formerly married to Playboy cover girl. Provided financing to Rio de Janeiro's Olympic committee, helping the city win its bid for 2016 Olympic Games.
9. Amancio Ortega
Style maven lords over Inditex; fashion firm, which operates under several brand names including Zara, Massimo Dutti and Stradivarius, has 4,500 stores in 73 countries including new spots in Mexico and Syria. Set up joint venture with Tata Group subsidiary to enter India in 2010. Betting on Florida real estate: bought Coral Gables office tower that is currently home to Bacardi USA. Also owns a luxury apartment complex in Miami; properties in Madrid, Paris, London and Lisbon, a horse-jumping circuit, an interest in a soccer league; has investments in gas, tourism and banks. Railway worker's son started as a gofer in a shirt store. With then-wife Rosalia Mera, also a billionaire, started making dressing gowns and lingerie in living room. Shuns neckties and fanfare. Daughter Marta works for Inditex; speculation has it she's being groomed to eventually replace her father.
10. Karl Albrecht
Owns discount-supermarket giant Aldi Sud, one of Germany's (and Europe's) dominant grocers. Has 1,000 stores in U.S. across 29 states. Estimated sales: $37 billion. Plans to open New York City store this year. With younger brother, Theo, transformed mother's corner grocery store into Aldi after World War II. Brothers split ownership in 1961; Karl took the stores in southern Germany, plus the rights to the brand in the U.K., Australia and the U.S. Theo got northern Germany and the rest of Europe. Retired from daily operations. Fiercely private: little known about him other than that he apparently raises orchids and plays golf.
1. Carlos Slim Helu & family
| Net Worth: | $53.5 bil |
| Fortune: | Self Made |
| Source: | telecom |
| Age: | 70 |
| Country Of Citizenship: | Mexico |
| Residence: | Mexico City |
| Education: | Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Bachelor of Arts / Science |
| Marital Status: | Widowed, 6 children |
Telecom tycoon who pounced on privatization of Mexico's national telephone company in the 1990s becomes world's richest person for first time after coming in third place last year. Net worth up $18.5 billion in a year. Recently received regulatory approval to merge his fixed-line assets into American Movil, Latin America's biggest mobile phone company. His construction conglomerate, Impulsora del Desarrollo y el Empleo, builds roads and energy infrastructure. Son of a Lebanese immigrant also owns stakes in financial group Inbursa, Bronco Drilling, Independent News & Media, Saks and New York Times Co. Newspaper outfit's stock popped in early March on talk he might buy a controlling stake; he denies the rumor. Donating $65 million to fund a research project in genomic medicine with American billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad.
2. William Gates III
| Net Worth: | $53.0 bil |
| Fortune: | Self Made |
| Source: | Microsoft |
| Age: | 54 |
| Country Of Citizenship: | United States |
| Residence: | Medina, Washington |
| Education: | Harvard U, Drop Out |
| Marital Status: | Married, 3 children |
Software visionary is now the world's second-richest man. Net worth still up $13 billion in a year as Microsoft shares rose 50% in 12 months, value of investment vehicle Cascade swelled. More than 60% of fortune held outside Microsoft; investments include Four Seasons hotels, Televisa, Auto Nation. Stepped down from day-to-day duties at Microsoft in 2008 to focus on philanthropy. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation dedicated to fighting hunger, improving education in America's high schools, developing vaccines against malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS.
3. Warren Buffett
| Net Worth: | $47.0 bil |
| Fortune: | Self Made |
| Source: | Berkshire Hathaway |
| Age: | 79 |
| Country Of Citizenship: | United States |
| Residence: | Omaha, Nebraska |
| Education: | Columbia U, Master of Science; U of Nebraska Lincoln, Bachelor of Arts / Science |
| Marital Status: | Widowed, 3 children |
America's favorite investor up $10 billion in past 12 months on surging Berkshire Hathaway shares; says U.S. has survived economic "Pearl Harbor," but warns recovery will be slow. Shrewdly invested $5 billion in Goldman Sachs and $3 billion in General Electric amid 2008 market collapse. Recently acquired railroad giant Burlington Northern Santa Fe for $26 billion. "We've put a lot of money to work during the chaos of the last two years. When it's raining gold, reach for a bucket, not a thimble." Berkshire Hathaway book value was up 19.8% to $21.8 billion in 2009. Son of Nebraska stockbroker met value investor Benjamin Graham while studying economics at Columbia. Took over textile firm Berkshire Hathaway in 1965, used company as a vehicle to invest in insurance (Geico), food (Dairy Queen), utilities (MidAmerican Energy) and recently green tech (electric-car maker BYD).
4. Mukesh Ambani
| Net Worth: | $29.0 bil |
| Fortune: | Inherited and Growing |
| Source: | petrochemicals, oil & gas |
| Age: | 52 |
| Country Of Citizenship: | India |
| Residence: | Mumbai |
| Education: | Stanford U, Drop Out; U Bombay, Bachelor of Arts / Science |
| Marital Status: | Married, 3 children |
Global ambitions: His Reliance Industries, already India's most valuable company, recently bid $2 billion for 65% stake in troubled Canadian oil sands outfit Value Creation. Firm's $14.5 billion offer to buy bankrupt petrochemicals maker LyondellBasell was rejected. Since September company has sold treasury shares worth $2 billion to be used for acquisitions. Late father, Dhirubhai, founded Reliance and built it into a massive conglomerate. After he died, Mukesh and his brother, Anil, ran the family business together for a brief time. But siblings feuded over control; mother eventually brokered split of assets, with Mukesh getting oil and gas and petrochemicals businesses. Still at odds with Anil over gas supply agreement; awaiting Supreme Court's final ruling. Has yet to move out of the family's high-rise, which he shares with his brother, into his new 27-story home in downtown Mumbai. Owns cricket team Mumbai Indians.
5. Lakshmi Mittal
| Net Worth: | $28.7 bil |
| Fortune: | Inherited and Growing |
| Source: | steel |
| Age: | 59 |
| Country Of Citizenship: | India |
| Residence: | London |
| Education: | St Xavier C Calcutta, Bachelor of Arts / Science |
| Marital Status: | Married, 2 children |
London's richest resident oversees ArcelorMittal, world's largest steelmaker. Net profits fell 75% in 2009. Mittal took 12% pay cut amid slump but improved outlook pushed stock up a third in past year. Looking to expand in his native India; wants to build steel mills in Jharkhad and Orissa but has not received government approval. Started in family steel business in India in 1970s; branched out on his own in 1994. Initially bought up steel mills on the cheap in Eastern Europe. Earned $1.1 billion for selling his interest in a Kazakh refinery in December. Sits on the boards of Goldman Sachs, EADS. Upped stake in struggling British soccer team QPR in February. Funding 400-foot sculpture to be built in London's Olympic Park in time for 2012 Olympics. Owns 12-bedroom mansion in London's posh Kensington neighborhood. Daughter-in-law Megha recently bought insolvent German fashion house Escada.
6. Lawrence Ellison
| Net Worth: | $28.0 bil |
| Fortune: | Self Made |
| Source: | Oracle |
| Age: | 65 |
| Country Of Citizenship: | United States |
| Residence: | Redwood City, California |
| Education: | University of Chicago, Drop Out |
| Marital Status: | Married, 2 children |
Oracle founder's fortune continues to soar; shares up 70% in past 12 months. Database giant has bought 57 companies in the past five years. Completed $7.4 billion buyout of Sun Microsystems in January; acquired BEA Systems for $8.5 billion in 2008. Studied physics at U. of Chicago; didn't graduate. Started Oracle 1977; took public a day before Microsoft in 1986. Owns 52% stake in business-software company NetSuite; shares worth $480 million. Racing junkie owns 453-foot yacht Rising Sun with pal David Geffen. Won America's Cup in February, besting longtime rival billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli.
7. Bernard Arnault
| Net Worth: | $27.5 bil |
| Fortune: | Inherited and Growing |
| Source: | LVMH |
| Age: | 61 |
| Country Of Citizenship: | France |
| Residence: | Paris |
| Education: | Ecole Polytechnique, Bachelor of Arts / Science |
| Marital Status: | Married, 5 children |
Bling is back, helping fashion icon grab title of richest European as shares of his luxury goods outfit LVMH-maker of Louis Vuitton, Moet & Chandon, surge 57%. LVMH is developing upscale Shanghai commercial property, L'Avenue Shanghai, with Macau billionaire Stanley Ho. Renaissance man owns French tour operator Go Voyages, yacht builder Royal Van Lent; has a stake in French retailer Carrefour. Built Le Cheval Blanc in ski resort town of Courchevel, France, where he likes to spend New Year's Eve. Father, Jean, who died in January, made small fortune in construction; sale of that business later helped fund Arnault's move into real estate and eventually into luxury goods. Still a family affair: son Antoine, 32, and daughter Delphine, 34, sit on LVMH's board. Wife is a concert pianist; Arnault himself reported to be an excellent piano player.
8. Eike Batista
| Net Worth: | $27.0 bil |
| Fortune: | Self Made |
| Source: | mining, oil |
| Age: | 53 |
| Country Of Citizenship: | Brazil |
| Residence: | Rio de Janeiro |
| Education: | RWTH Aachen University, Drop Out |
| Marital Status: | Divorced, 2 children |
Vowing to become world's richest man—and he may be on his way. This year's biggest gainer added $19.5 billion to his personal balance sheet. Son of Brazil's revered former mining minister who presided over mining giant Companhia Vale do Rio Doce got his start in gold trading and mining. Insists Dad didn't help: "All my businesses started from zero. My father was a problem for me because he never let me near Vale." Made a pile in resources and other services, but two-thirds of his fortune comes from relatively new source, OGX, the oil-and-gas exploration company he founded in 2007 and took public a year later. Police raided his home in 2008, alleging Batista smuggled gold and unfairly influenced the acquisition of a railroad. He denied all wrongdoing, emerged unscathed. New IPO for shipbuilding business (OSX) could raise $5.6 billion later this month—world's largest IPO so far this year. Onetime champion offshore powerboat racer; formerly married to Playboy cover girl. Provided financing to Rio de Janeiro's Olympic committee, helping the city win its bid for 2016 Olympic Games.
9. Amancio Ortega
| Net Worth: | $25.0 bil |
| Fortune: | Self Made |
| Source: | Zara |
| Age: | 74 |
| Country Of Citizenship: | Spain |
| Residence: | La Coruna |
| Education: | NA |
| Marital Status: | Married, 3 children |
Style maven lords over Inditex; fashion firm, which operates under several brand names including Zara, Massimo Dutti and Stradivarius, has 4,500 stores in 73 countries including new spots in Mexico and Syria. Set up joint venture with Tata Group subsidiary to enter India in 2010. Betting on Florida real estate: bought Coral Gables office tower that is currently home to Bacardi USA. Also owns a luxury apartment complex in Miami; properties in Madrid, Paris, London and Lisbon, a horse-jumping circuit, an interest in a soccer league; has investments in gas, tourism and banks. Railway worker's son started as a gofer in a shirt store. With then-wife Rosalia Mera, also a billionaire, started making dressing gowns and lingerie in living room. Shuns neckties and fanfare. Daughter Marta works for Inditex; speculation has it she's being groomed to eventually replace her father.
10. Karl Albrecht
| Net Worth: | $23.5 bil |
| Fortune: | Self Made |
| Source: | Aldi |
| Age: | 90 |
| Country Of Citizenship: | Germany |
| Residence: | La Coruna |
| Education: | Mulheim an der Ruhr |
| Marital Status: | Married, 2 children |
Owns discount-supermarket giant Aldi Sud, one of Germany's (and Europe's) dominant grocers. Has 1,000 stores in U.S. across 29 states. Estimated sales: $37 billion. Plans to open New York City store this year. With younger brother, Theo, transformed mother's corner grocery store into Aldi after World War II. Brothers split ownership in 1961; Karl took the stores in southern Germany, plus the rights to the brand in the U.K., Australia and the U.S. Theo got northern Germany and the rest of Europe. Retired from daily operations. Fiercely private: little known about him other than that he apparently raises orchids and plays golf.
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