The 2013 Forbes Billionaire List

Good news. Even though there are more people on the Forbes Billionaire's List than ever before (1426 in 2013), with more accumulated wealth ($5.4 trillion), there is still room for you. The Forbes Billionaire List is no closed shop. Far from it. All you need is a modest one billion dollars to your name, and you're welcomed with open arms.

Of course, when you scan the names at the very top of the list, one billion dollars does indeed seem modest. But don't be discouraged. Every billionaire has to start somewhere.

Let's start at the top. number one on this year's list is, yet again, Carlos Slim Helu, the Mexican telecommunications king, with a net worth of US$73 billion. The durable Bill Gates is at number two with US$67 billion, with the top three being rounded out by Amancio Ortega, the reclusive Spaniard behind clothing chain Zara, who has a net worth of US$57 billion.

For the first time since 2000, investment guru Warren Buffett is not in the top three, even though his fortune increased by nearly US$10 billion.

In recent years, there has been speculation that Australian mining magnate Gina Reinhart would one day find herself on top of the Forbes Billionaires List, but she is at number 36 with a relatively modest US$17 billion. At least 'Our Gina' can console herself in her Perth mansion with the knowledge that she is just one of 138 women on the list, and the fact that she is Australia's wealthiest person, almost by the length of the railway line that traverses the Nullabor.

Commodities boss, Ivan Glasenberg, is a long way behind with US$6.7 billion, which earns him a position of number 175 on the list.

Other high profile Australians on the list include James Packer (US$6 billion, number 198), Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest (US$5.7 billion, number 211) and Frank Lowy (US$5.3 billion, number 229). The lowest ranked Australian on the list is John Van Lieshout, who has done alright out of real estate – (US$1 billion, number 1342)

The Forbes Billionaires List is still a place for the more mature moneybags. Only 29 of the list's 1426 inhabitants are under the age of 40, with 28 year-old Mark Zuckerberg having plenty to Facebrag about with a net worth of US$13.3 billion.

Other 'youngsters' of note include 37 year-old Nicholas Woodman, the man behind the GoPro camera phenomenon. His net worth is $US1.3 billion while Google co-founder Larry Page is worth $US23 billion – not bad for a man who is still one year away from hitting the big Four-O.

If reading about the world's 1426 billionaires leaves you feeling more envious than inspired, you might want to indulge in a touch of schadenfreude.

Let's spare a thought for Eike Batista. The Brazilian business magnate is the list's biggest loser in 2013, losing US$19.4 billion in the last year and going from number 7 to number 100. He now has to struggle along on a net worth of US$10.6 billion. And you thought you were doing it tough.

source: bigpondmoney.com.au

Canada may bar China from telecoms project

OTTAWA - Canada said Tuesday it had invoked a "national security exception" that could exclude China's Huawei Technologies from a role in helping build its new super secure government network.

Ottawa announced the move after the US House Intelligence Committee on Monday warned in Washington that equipment supplied by two Chinese firms, Huawei Technologies and ZTE Inc., could be used for spying.

"The government is going to be choosing carefully in the building of this network and it has invoked a national security exception," said Andrew MacDougall, spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Ottawa invoked its "national security exception" to trade agreements in the building of its massive data and telecommunications network.

Huawei is already providing high-speed networks for private Canadian firms Bell Canada, Telus, SaskTel, and Wind Mobile.

But Canadian authorities remain wary about the role it might play as the country rebuilds networks damaged by cyber attacks in 2010.

Huawei has rejected the US congressional report as "an exercise in China-bashing." But a former top intelligence official with Canada's spy agency, Ray Boisvert said in an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that he agrees with the risks outlined by Washington.

Shared Services Canada -- the ministry tasked with building the government's new network -- also issued a statement saying it "takes cyber security seriously and operates on the advice of security experts."

"Our government has put in place a cyber security strategy designed to defend against electronic threats, hacking and cyber espionage," the ministry said.

The move affects the procurement of consolidated email, telecommunications and data center infrastructure, systems and services for the government.

source: interaksyon.com