Russian Billionaire Could Battle With Wife Over Billions
March 15, 2007 — The richest man in Russia (and the 16th richest man in the world) is set to battle with his ex-wife over an estimated fortune of $18.7 billion. His wife could lay claim to his houses, yachts and his Chelsea soccer team
Read the full article from ABC News here
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Billionaire Cars - Top 10 Vehicles Owned by Billionaires
Top 10 Vehicles Owned by Billionaires
See this interesting Forbes Autos report on the cars owned by the world's top billionaires. This page gives the 2005 list
See this interesting Forbes Autos report on the cars owned by the world's top billionaires. This page gives the 2005 list
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Google's Larry Page Urges Scientists to Market Themselves
Google's Larry Page Urges Scientists to Market Themselves
Speaking at a convention in Feb 2007, Google co-founder Larry Page advised the scientists to market the technologies better and make it readily available to the world, and this way they can solve problems such as energy consumption, poverty and global warming.
He felt that Science has a marketing problem. There may be the best products one creates in the lab, but without marketing it becomes a failure if no one knows about it. The Scientists should expend part of their research budget in marketing and spread the word. Blogs and Networking can help also, in his opinion
Read the full report on this from Digital Journal
Speaking at a convention in Feb 2007, Google co-founder Larry Page advised the scientists to market the technologies better and make it readily available to the world, and this way they can solve problems such as energy consumption, poverty and global warming.
He felt that Science has a marketing problem. There may be the best products one creates in the lab, but without marketing it becomes a failure if no one knows about it. The Scientists should expend part of their research budget in marketing and spread the word. Blogs and Networking can help also, in his opinion
Read the full report on this from Digital Journal
The Story of Sergey Brin - Moment Mag
This long and detailed article from Moment Mag (Feb 2007) provides excellent insights into Sergey & his family's (Dr Michael & Eugenia Brin, his parents) background, their emigration from the (then) USSR and the subsequent struggles before they reached where they did.
A useful read for anyone wishing to know the non-technical side of the geek.
See the full report here
A useful read for anyone wishing to know the non-technical side of the geek.
See the full report here
Sergey Brin & Larry Page to Get One-dollar Salary in 2007
Sergey Brin & Larry Page to Get One-dollar Salary in 2007
The three billionaire bosses of Google - Sergey Brin, Larry Page and Eric Schmidt - are to earn just $1 in salary this year, according to a filing with the Securities Exchange Commission.
The decision marks the third consecutive year that Schmidt, Google's chief executive, and co-founders Page and Brin have limited their salaries to $1 only.
In spite of this, it is unlikely that they will find it hard to pay their grocery bills!
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Steve Ballmer - List of top nine Microsoft growth picks
Steve Ballmer’s list of top nine Microsoft growth picks
February 15th, 2007, Posted at ZDNet Blogs by Mary Jo Foley
Summary:
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has recently come up with a list of the nine "opportunities" where he believes Microsoft can sustain a half billion or more in new margin growth over the next three years.
Ballmer's guaranteed nine growth spots:
1. Windows client revenues from OEMs (PC makers and system builders)
2. "Desktop value" revenues derived from corporations.
3. Server revenues — Windows Server, database, security products.
4. "Mature desktops" — i.e., add-on revenues in corporations where there's already some penetration of Windows and Office.
5. Emerging market savings — from initiatives such as anti-piracy crackdown campaigns/mechanisms
6. Advertising — especially via adCenter, Microsoft's online ad system.
7. Xbox, particularly Xbox Live.
8. Sales of Office to small businesses and consumers
9. Windows Mobile operating system sales to cell-phone and PDA makers
Ballmer also shared another list of six additional opportunities:
1. Savings from cutting piracy outside major corporations.
2. Office Live
3. Business services such as the Exchange/Office Communications Server hosting.
4. Zune MP3 player and attached hardware/software/services.
5. TV, particularly IPTV
6. Healthcare.
See the full blog entry at this ZD Net blog by Mary Jo
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Mrs Sheldon Adelson - A Brief Profile and Interview
Mrs Sheldon Adelson - A Brief Profile and Interview
The wife of casino mogul and Sands chairman Sheldon Adelson, head of Marina Bay IR, is a doctor who works with drug addicts. Dr Miriam Adelson's husband even goes on trips with her.
This report presents a good profile about the lady, her work and her strengths, and of course what it is like to be the wife of one of the wealthiest men on this planet
The wife of casino mogul and Sands chairman Sheldon Adelson, head of Marina Bay IR, is a doctor who works with drug addicts. Dr Miriam Adelson's husband even goes on trips with her.
This report presents a good profile about the lady, her work and her strengths, and of course what it is like to be the wife of one of the wealthiest men on this planet
Roman Abramovich is no longer Russia’s richest man
Roman Abramovich is no longer Russia’s richest man
Feb, 2007
Roman Abramovich is no longer Russia’s richest man, says Finance magazine (Russia) that will publish its full list of Russian billionaires on February 12.
Finance has not announced yet who replaced Abramovich at the top position, however, it must be someone from metallurgical industry: Mikhail Prokhorov or Vladimir Putin, who are dividing their Nornickel, or Vladimir Lisin, owner of the Novolipetsk Metallurgical Works, says this report
Roman Abramovich to Buy London Mansion for $98 Million
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has agreed to buy bankrupt boss Halis Toprak’s London mansion for $98 million.
Feb 2007
Halis Toprak, whose bank collapsed in 2001, owes the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) a total of $453 million. To clear the debt partly, had decided to sell his 30,000 sq. ft. home in London to Abramovich. With the sale now underway, 25 percent of the proceeds will be paid directly to the TMSF, with the rest going to other creditors.
Feb 2007
Halis Toprak, whose bank collapsed in 2001, owes the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) a total of $453 million. To clear the debt partly, had decided to sell his 30,000 sq. ft. home in London to Abramovich. With the sale now underway, 25 percent of the proceeds will be paid directly to the TMSF, with the rest going to other creditors.
300 Million Dividend Income for Li Ka-shing
Another Husky Energy payout means more cash for Li
Tue Feb 6, 2007 5:19pm ET
By Jeffrey Jones
CALGARY, Alberta, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing and his companies will pocket C$300 million ($254 million) in dividends from his lucrative majority investment in Canadian energy firm Husky Energy Inc.
Husky, the country's No. 4 oil producer and refiner, said late on Monday it will pay nearly C$425 million in regular and special dividends in early April.
More from this Reuters report
Tue Feb 6, 2007 5:19pm ET
By Jeffrey Jones
CALGARY, Alberta, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing and his companies will pocket C$300 million ($254 million) in dividends from his lucrative majority investment in Canadian energy firm Husky Energy Inc.
Husky, the country's No. 4 oil producer and refiner, said late on Monday it will pay nearly C$425 million in regular and special dividends in early April.
More from this Reuters report
Li Ka Shing - The King of Timing
Li Ka Shing - The King of Timing
Li Ka Shing has been in the news recently for selling his stake in Hutchison Essar to Vodafone for 11 billion $, proving yet again he is a master of timing.
For many years now, Li has been known to make the right investment at the right time and sell out for billion-dollar profits.
In 1999, he sold UK-based Orange telephone network to Germany's Mannesmann for a $14.6 billion profit.
Then, through the early 90s skeptics wondered why he took control of Canada's Husky Oil, which posted poor returns for years. Today the company is a prized jewel in his portfolio.
It will not be too long before we hear of Li again in one of his record-making dealsLi Ka-shing Sells Stake in Hutchison Essar for US$ 11 billion
'Superman' Li Ka-shing cashes in
13 Feb 2007 , Tony Munroe HONG KONG, Reuters
Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing cemented his status as a master of market timing with an US$11 billion deal to sell a controlling stake in Indian mobile carrier Hutchison Essar to Vodafone Group Ltd.
Known in Hong Kong as "Superman" for his deal-making prowess, the 78-year-old Li, who fled Japanese-occupied mainland China with his family in 1940, built a plastic flower business into a global empire with more than 220,000 employees in 56 countries.
More from this news report
13 Feb 2007 , Tony Munroe HONG KONG, Reuters
Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing cemented his status as a master of market timing with an US$11 billion deal to sell a controlling stake in Indian mobile carrier Hutchison Essar to Vodafone Group Ltd.
Known in Hong Kong as "Superman" for his deal-making prowess, the 78-year-old Li, who fled Japanese-occupied mainland China with his family in 1940, built a plastic flower business into a global empire with more than 220,000 employees in 56 countries.
More from this news report
Gates, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal in Joint Bid for Four Seasons Hotel
Gates, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal in Joint Bid for Four Seasons Hotel
Feb 13, 2007
Four Seasons goes private with $3.4 billion buyout
Following a wave of consolidations in the lodging industry, Four Seasons Hotels Inc. becomes the latest target of a trend toward taking hotel operators private. Canadian-based luxury hotel chain on Monday accepted a $3.4 billion bid from an investor group that includes its own chief executive as well as Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.
Full report here
Feb 13, 2007
Four Seasons goes private with $3.4 billion buyout
Following a wave of consolidations in the lodging industry, Four Seasons Hotels Inc. becomes the latest target of a trend toward taking hotel operators private. Canadian-based luxury hotel chain on Monday accepted a $3.4 billion bid from an investor group that includes its own chief executive as well as Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.
Full report here
Bernard Arnault & A Hepburn Dress Help Build Kolkata School
Bernard Arnault & A Hepburn Dress Help Build Kolkata School
February 24, 2007
What is the connection between Bernard Arnault, one of the top ten billionaires, Dominique Lapierre the famous author and Audrey Hepburn, the Hollywood actress turned UNICEF ambassador?
Answer: A dress and lots of money used for a charitable purpose. Here's the low-down:
A famous black evening gown worn by Audrey Hepburn immortalised in her 1961 film, Breakfast At Tiffany's, was gifted to Dominique Lapierre, author of City of Joy, by French designer Hubert de Givenchy. The designer have it to Lapierre when the author mentioned he neede funds to rebuild a school destroyed by floods in West Bengal, India
Lapierre subsequently had the dress, an elegant long black shift worn with elbow-length gloves, put up for auction at Christie's in London in December 2006. To his amazement, the dress was bought for a princely sum of $850,000 by Bernard Arnault of Louis Vuitton
The school, Bodhodaya Vidya Mandir, will be one of a series run under the Lapierre Education Initiatives.
Original report here
February 24, 2007
What is the connection between Bernard Arnault, one of the top ten billionaires, Dominique Lapierre the famous author and Audrey Hepburn, the Hollywood actress turned UNICEF ambassador?
Answer: A dress and lots of money used for a charitable purpose. Here's the low-down:
A famous black evening gown worn by Audrey Hepburn immortalised in her 1961 film, Breakfast At Tiffany's, was gifted to Dominique Lapierre, author of City of Joy, by French designer Hubert de Givenchy. The designer have it to Lapierre when the author mentioned he neede funds to rebuild a school destroyed by floods in West Bengal, India
Lapierre subsequently had the dress, an elegant long black shift worn with elbow-length gloves, put up for auction at Christie's in London in December 2006. To his amazement, the dress was bought for a princely sum of $850,000 by Bernard Arnault of Louis Vuitton
The school, Bodhodaya Vidya Mandir, will be one of a series run under the Lapierre Education Initiatives.
Original report here
Bernard Arnault poised for "Big Brother" Endemol bid
Arnault poised for Endemol bid
By Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, Financial Times
February 25 2007
Bernard Arnault, the chairman of LVMH, is understood to be lining up with Endemol’s French management for a bid for the producer of Deal Or No Deal and Big Brother.
Telefónica, the Spanish group which owns 75 per cent of the Amsterdam-listed production company, is preparing to begin a tightly-controlled auction within two weeks, and may allow just two rival groups to compete for Endemol, which is valued at €2.74bn ($3.6bn, £1.8bn).
More from this FT report
Michel Klein Wins Major Investment Support
Michel Klein Wins Major Investment Support
28 Feb 2007
Mode et Finance, the French holding company in which Bernard Arnault is a key player, has acquired a one third stake in the fashion house of Michel Klein. Joining Mode & Finance, Richard Simonin, one of France’s savviest luxury executives, has personally taken a 7.7% stake in Klein’s business.
More from this Fashion Wire Daily news report
28 Feb 2007
Mode et Finance, the French holding company in which Bernard Arnault is a key player, has acquired a one third stake in the fashion house of Michel Klein. Joining Mode & Finance, Richard Simonin, one of France’s savviest luxury executives, has personally taken a 7.7% stake in Klein’s business.
More from this Fashion Wire Daily news report
Ingvar Kamprad Trivia
Facts & Trivia Ingvar Kamprad Trivia
1. IKEA was founded in 1943 by 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad
2. Ingvar's entrepreneurial instincts emerged when he was even younger, when he made money selling matches and pencils.
3. Today, Kamprad is one of the richest men in the world but, as Åstebro pointed out, has long since left Sweden, because of its tax policies, and resides in Switzerland.
1. IKEA was founded in 1943 by 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad
2. Ingvar's entrepreneurial instincts emerged when he was even younger, when he made money selling matches and pencils.
3. Today, Kamprad is one of the richest men in the world but, as Åstebro pointed out, has long since left Sweden, because of its tax policies, and resides in Switzerland.
Bill Gates and Paul Allen cruise Antarctica in super yacht
Bill Gates and Paul Allen cruise Antarctica in super yacht
Feb 6, 2007
Bill Gates is currently on an Antarctica cruise in one of the largest and most luxurious private super-yachts belonging to his associate Paul Allen.
The 250 million US dollars “Octopus” with Gates and 17 relatives and friends called in Ushuaia over the weekend to wait for Allen who arrived in a private Boeing 757 and was flown on board in a helicopter.
The Gates and Allen group are scheduled to cruise the Antarctic peninsula during ten days before returning to Ushuaia.
More from this Mercopress report
Feb 6, 2007
Bill Gates is currently on an Antarctica cruise in one of the largest and most luxurious private super-yachts belonging to his associate Paul Allen.
The 250 million US dollars “Octopus” with Gates and 17 relatives and friends called in Ushuaia over the weekend to wait for Allen who arrived in a private Boeing 757 and was flown on board in a helicopter.
The Gates and Allen group are scheduled to cruise the Antarctic peninsula during ten days before returning to Ushuaia.
More from this Mercopress report
Steel Giant Arcelor Mittal Targets Senegal Mine
Steel giant targets Senegal mine
Feb 23, 2007
Steel making giant Arcelor Mittal is to invest $2.2bn (£1.13bn) in a mining project in Senegal.
The company hopes to develop an iron ore mine in the Faleme region, as well as a new port near Dakar and a rail line to link the two.
Lakshmi Mittal said he hoped the mine would produce between 15 million and 25 million tonnes of iron each year.
More from this BBC report
Feb 23, 2007
Steel making giant Arcelor Mittal is to invest $2.2bn (£1.13bn) in a mining project in Senegal.
The company hopes to develop an iron ore mine in the Faleme region, as well as a new port near Dakar and a rail line to link the two.
Lakshmi Mittal said he hoped the mine would produce between 15 million and 25 million tonnes of iron each year.
More from this BBC report
Lakshmi Mittal Dives Into Oil, Petroleum Refinery Business
Mittal Dives Into Refinery Business
Ruth David, 21 Feb 2007, Forbes
Steel baron Lakshmi Mittal is turning his hand to oil refining. His Luxembourg-based Mittal Investments is paying $720 million for a 49% stake in a refinery being built by the state-run Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, it was announced Tuesday.
It’s the latest in a string of recent oil ventures by the Arcelor Mittal chief, fifth on the Forbes rich list, as he has sought to diversify his holdings. Mittal has struck exploration deals in Russia and Nigeria, but this is the first time he has put money into downstream projects.
More from this Forbes report
Ruth David, 21 Feb 2007, Forbes
Steel baron Lakshmi Mittal is turning his hand to oil refining. His Luxembourg-based Mittal Investments is paying $720 million for a 49% stake in a refinery being built by the state-run Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, it was announced Tuesday.
It’s the latest in a string of recent oil ventures by the Arcelor Mittal chief, fifth on the Forbes rich list, as he has sought to diversify his holdings. Mittal has struck exploration deals in Russia and Nigeria, but this is the first time he has put money into downstream projects.
More from this Forbes report
Mittal Predicts Fresh Wave of Steel Industry Takeovers
Mittal Predicts Fresh Wave of Steel Industry Takeovers
David Gow in Luxembourg, Guardian Unlimited
February 22, 2007
Arcelor Mittal, the world's largest steel-maker, yesterday forecast it would deliver even stronger profits in its first full year as a combined group after posting $15.3bn (£7.8bn) pre-tax earnings in 2006, up from $15bn in 2005.
Confirming his group is in a battle with Anglo American and Rio Tinto to take Indian iron ore exporter Sesa Goa for about $1bn, Lakshmi Mittal, chief executive of Arcelor Mittal, also forecast a new wave of takeovers in the global steel industry after Mittal's takeover of Arcelor and Tata's purchase of Corus Steel.
More from this Guardian Unlimited report
David Gow in Luxembourg, Guardian Unlimited
February 22, 2007
Arcelor Mittal, the world's largest steel-maker, yesterday forecast it would deliver even stronger profits in its first full year as a combined group after posting $15.3bn (£7.8bn) pre-tax earnings in 2006, up from $15bn in 2005.
Confirming his group is in a battle with Anglo American and Rio Tinto to take Indian iron ore exporter Sesa Goa for about $1bn, Lakshmi Mittal, chief executive of Arcelor Mittal, also forecast a new wave of takeovers in the global steel industry after Mittal's takeover of Arcelor and Tata's purchase of Corus Steel.
More from this Guardian Unlimited report
Bill Gates Cuts Daughter’s Computer Games Playtime
Bill Gates Cuts Daughter’s Computer Games Playtime
Feb. 22nd, 2007
According to a Reuters report, Bill Gates revealed to a business audience in Ottawa that he put a limit to the time his10-year-old daughter spends on gaming. "She became very avid and discovered a lot of computer games, including one that runs on the Xbox 360 called Viva Piñata, where you take care of your garden," Gates revealed.
Gates and his wife Melinda have decided to set a limit for game playing (even on XBox) of 45 minutes a day and an hour on weekends.
Unlimited money does not mean unlimited time, eh?
More details about this here
Feb. 22nd, 2007
According to a Reuters report, Bill Gates revealed to a business audience in Ottawa that he put a limit to the time his10-year-old daughter spends on gaming. "She became very avid and discovered a lot of computer games, including one that runs on the Xbox 360 called Viva Piñata, where you take care of your garden," Gates revealed.
Gates and his wife Melinda have decided to set a limit for game playing (even on XBox) of 45 minutes a day and an hour on weekends.
Unlimited money does not mean unlimited time, eh?
More details about this here
Warren Buffett Actively Looking for a Successor
Legendary Berkshire boss feels just fine, but he's actively looking for a successor
Shirley Won, Globe & Mail
Legendary U.S. investor Warren Buffett is hunting for a successor.
In his annual letter to shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., he said his job will be split into two separate roles -- chief executive officer and chief investment officer once he passes on the baton.
But the Oracle of Omaha reassured shareholders that they need not worry he will be leaving soon.
"At 76, I feel terrific and, according to all measurable indicators, am in excellent health," he said. "It's amazing what Cherry Coke and hamburgers will do for a fellow."
Read more from this Mar 2007 news report from Globe & Mail
Shirley Won, Globe & Mail
Legendary U.S. investor Warren Buffett is hunting for a successor.
In his annual letter to shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., he said his job will be split into two separate roles -- chief executive officer and chief investment officer once he passes on the baton.
But the Oracle of Omaha reassured shareholders that they need not worry he will be leaving soon.
"At 76, I feel terrific and, according to all measurable indicators, am in excellent health," he said. "It's amazing what Cherry Coke and hamburgers will do for a fellow."
Read more from this Mar 2007 news report from Globe & Mail
Bill Gates' 1989 Talk to the Computer Science Club
In a recently digitized talk of a Bill Gates 1989 to the Computer Science Club, Bill Gates discusses the past, present and future of Microsoft. The talk was recorded in 1989 but was only recently digitized. See also a nice picture of Gates with a number of other members - the picture was taken after the talk
One tidbit - In his talk, Bill Gates refers to the fact that he thought that in 1981, 640k would be good enough for everyone!
Picture and audio transcript available here
One tidbit - In his talk, Bill Gates refers to the fact that he thought that in 1981, 640k would be good enough for everyone!
Picture and audio transcript available here
Friday, March 2, 2007
Warren Buffett's Car - What does the Genius Investor Drive?
His car has a license plate that reads “THRIFTY,” and its make: a 2001 Lincoln Town Car Signature Series. The billionaire's Signature Series Lincoln Town Car has a stylish half-length vinyl top to boot.
See a picture of his car at this Forbes Autos page
See a picture of his car at this Forbes Autos page
Warren Buffett's House - Oracle of Omaha's abode in Omaha
Warren Buffett's House
The Oracle of Omaha is perhaps one of the wealthiest (well, only his chum Bill Gates is above him as of Feb 2007), but continues to live on Farnam Street in Omaha, in the same gray stucco house he purchased four decades ago for $31,500.
See a picture of his house taken by an amateur photographer. Quite amazing, it could have passed for an average American's house. It almost appears that you could simply walk into his house! See another photo of his house, taken from a different angle
Some more trivia about Buffett:
1. He eats burgers or steaks for lunch and dinner, always washing down his meals with Coca-Cola - a company in which he has invested since 1988.
2. He travels by his own Gulfstream IV-SP jet.
The Oracle of Omaha is perhaps one of the wealthiest (well, only his chum Bill Gates is above him as of Feb 2007), but continues to live on Farnam Street in Omaha, in the same gray stucco house he purchased four decades ago for $31,500.
See a picture of his house taken by an amateur photographer. Quite amazing, it could have passed for an average American's house. It almost appears that you could simply walk into his house! See another photo of his house, taken from a different angle
Some more trivia about Buffett:
1. He eats burgers or steaks for lunch and dinner, always washing down his meals with Coca-Cola - a company in which he has invested since 1988.
2. He travels by his own Gulfstream IV-SP jet.
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