Ever thought about opening the door of your car from your phone just like James Bond does? Well, General Motors , Holden’s parent company has now launched a new iPhone app that could replace the car key.

It can already warn of parking officers, order your groceries and boost your share portfolio.

General Motors is working on an app for the iPhone and rival Google phone for some of its cars sold in the United States.

The phone application will allow drivers to activate all of the traditional key fob features, including unlocking the doors and opening the boot.

There will also be a remote start function that could prove handy for warming up the car on those colder mornings (or cooling it down during summer), and if you forget where you parked you can set off your car’s horn and lights at the touch of a button so it can alert you to its location.

The app, which is set to be available within a few months, will also display a vehicle ‘health report’, which will include info such as fuel range, oil life, tyre pressures as well as a lifetime breakdown of average fuel economy for the car.

However, the app will only be available in the US, Canadaand China, with buyers of Chevrolet , Cadillac, Buick and GMC expected to be able to control their car from their phone within a few months.

The app is run as part of an in-vehicle safety and security system called OnStar.

“Technology empowers drivers to make decisions about their travels well before they enter the vehicle, meaning their full attention can stay where it needs to be — on the road ahead,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted company spokesman Chris Preuss as saying.

Sculptures of Bruno Catalano reveal the artist’s desire to make sculpture of his own style and aiming to capture the viewer’s attention.

Admiring art since his youth, Bruno Catalano began his career as a sculptor with a remarkable talent in 1990.

His works have an international reputation, they are part of collections of large corporations and private.

At first glance, Bruno Catalano’s sculptures look like amazing illusions. Look closely, though, and you’ll see that Catalano created these disappearing travelers with incomplete sections by carefully sculpting each piece. Awaiting an unknown destination, these travelers, with their dashed bodies and their determined lack of volume, invite the viewer to mentally fill in what’s missing.

If you have been sentenced to federal prison, you will become the property of the Bureau Of Prisons (BOP). As with most federal sentences, you will most likely have many years during which to deal with this new life. This article will offer some advice so you can prepare and survive.

BEFORE PRISON:

1) Bite your tongue. If the judge doesn’t allow you to self-surrender to the prison where you have been designated, you will be handed over to the U.S. Marshal services. Do not speak with a Marshal about your case or anything else for that matter; just because you have already been convicted does not mean that you can’t be charged with something else.

2) Don’t overlook dental care. That’s because the choice and quality of care is much superior outside of prison. Certain treatments that you take for granted may not be available in prison, or won’t be as good. After all, if you’re in prison and you don’t like the prison dentist, where else are you going to go to have your teeth fixed? It’s not like you can easily find someone else! So, if there’s time to do it, consider having a dental check-up before you self-surrender, and get anything important fixed. Also, if you wear glasses you may want to have an eye test and get new lenses, assuming you need them. As with dental care, you’ve got a better choice of lenses and frames outside prison.

3) Line up some reading material. Most federal prisons allow magazines and books to be sent to inmates – on condition that these are sent directly from the publisher or a retailer like Amazon. If you’re self-surrendering and you know which prison you’re going to be in, consider taking out a subscription for magazines/journals, and order a couple of books from Amazon to read. Do this a couple of days before you self-surrender. Alternatively, give your friends and family a shopping list of books/magazines and let them take care of ordering things. There’s no web access in prisons, so make your selections before you enter prison.

4) Know what to expect in Atlanta. If you are placed in transit to prison, you may be sent to USP Atlanta to their hold-over facility. If you are designated for a federal prison camp or an FCI, you may be taken directly there without going to Atlanta. Many people who are designated for low, medium or high-level prisons go to Oklahoma City as their first stop. If you go to Atlanta, however, you will be placed in a two-man cell with up to three other inmates for 23 hours a day. You will be allowed out to rec in an enclosed area for one hour. You will be allowed to shower twice a week and have exactly five minutes to shower. The only thing you will be able to do is sleep. If you are lucky you will have one of the bunk beds; if not, you will have to sleep on the floor under the bunk or next to the toilet. You may or may not receive a mattress to sleep on, depending on availability.

5) Try to find out as much as possible about how the system works. If there is an official rule-book for the prison, read it. You can be punished for breaking a rule that you didn’t know existed. Breaking the rules will not only piss off personnel but inmates as well. It makes life harder for everyone. Ignorance of the rules is no defense. Information is power.

6) Take the maximum amount of money you are allowed to prison with you. You may be allowed a certain amount of money (up to $500). This money will be used to buy supplies you may need while incarcerated. This is called putting “money on your books”. You will need money for supplies such as stamps, envelopes, snacks and also hygiene supplies. Cash is not necessary and will be confiscated. Its best to go in with a US Postal Service money order as they are widely accepted in all prisons (federal and state). As well, do not let anyone know you have money, its best to play pauper. This will deter people from trying to extort money from you and you will be able to better survive prison.

IN PRISON:

1) Don’t trust anyone. That goes for guards, other prison officials, and the person in the cell next door. If someone is being nice to you, ask yourself “What’s in it for them?”. They almost always have some hidden motive that you don’t know about. In prison, nothing is free. For example, if someone gives or loans you something, you will probably have to pay it back with a hefty rate of interest added. If you can’t pay, they may demand a favor that could get you into big trouble, like hiding contraband in your cell.

2) Do not show fear, anger, happiness or pain. Emotions are your worst enemy. Emotions reveal your weaknesses. Both inmates and guards prey on weakness. Don’t give them the opportunity to do so. If someone can figure out what makes you angry, they can use that knowledge to manipulate you. In the same way, if someone knows what makes you happy, they can try to ruin it for you. And because they are around you 24/7, they have unlimited opportunities to test their manipulative skills on you.

3) Do not be overly friendly with your cell mates but do ask some questions. Many have been in prison before and will be able to give you information about the prison you are being sent to as well as the system itself. You will have to judge for yourself whether to believe any of the information. Use common sense and try to figure out if that person has a reason to lie or mislead you. Some convicts will try to intimidate new inmates or mislead them for fun. Be careful.

4) Don’t tell people anything they don’t need to know. Choose your words carefully. Potentially, anything you say to guards or prisoners (no matter how innocent you think it is) can be used to hurt you, manipulate you or be taken out of context. Avoid discussing dangerous conversation topics. Otherwise, it can easily get you into trouble. Obvious subjects to steer clear of are religion, politics, racial issues, or your own personal feelings about someone or their family and friends. Some of the prisoners you’ll encounter may have a short temper, or are mentally ill, of low intelligence, or just plain bad. Prisoners like that don’t have a warning written on their forehead – they look like regular guys. You can easily be misunderstood or deliberately misquoted by someone who’s trying to stir up trouble. What starts out as a petty argument over a trivial issue can turn into someone bearing a strong personal grudge against you. Don’t be paranoid. Just be aware that things may not be what they seem. E.g., the prisoner who tells you that gay or black people are just like everyone else, then asks what you think may in reality hate homosexuals or black people – he’s just testing your attitude or yanking your chain.

5) Always be polite and respectful to guards and other prison employees, even if they are evil SOBs. That’s because if you piss them off, they are holding all the cards and can make your life harder than it already is. So, don’t give them a stick to beat you with. It’s true that some prison employees are better than others. Even so, never forget whose side they’re on – it certainly ain’t yours. You need to get it in your head that the staff are always right and you need to do what they say. Even if you know it is wrong at the time, it is best to just follow the order, and if you have a problem with it, you can address it at some later point. Example: You work as a server in the kitchen and a staff foreman tells you to go clean tables in the dining room. You know that is not part of your duties and that you usually do not clean tables, but the best thing to do in this situation is to just go clean the tables, because you are an inmate and you are not going to win an argument with a staff member. Don’t do anything that makes staff feel challenged or intimidated; they have various ways of making you pay for that mistake.

6) Don’t stare at other prisoners. Although you’re simply curious about them, the other person can completely misinterpret what’s happening. In prison, if someone stares at you it usually means they feel intense hostility or disapproval towards you. Alternatively, staring is a way of showing sexual interest. It’s OK to look at people, but don’t stare at them. There’s a difference between looking and staring.

7) Don’t get a reputation as a “snitch”. People who tell tales to the guards or other prisoners are despised by everyone and can be physically attacked. The best thing you can do in prison is to see everything, hear everything and say nothing. If the guards ask you for information about some incident involving other prisoners, say that you were looking the other way and didn’t see anything. You can never go to staff for assistance with issues you may have, or else you will have problems with inmates if you do. If you go to staff with a problem, the only thing they can do for you is put you in the SHU as a protective custody inmate, and that will cause you trouble throughout your entire incarceration. Learn to use ambiguous answers when being questioned about things you may have witnessed, such as “I don’t know”, and “I don’t know what you’re talking about”. While it may irritate the staff on some level that you aren’t willing to snitch, they will likely understand. Don’t talk to prison staff any more than absolutely necessary, because while it may be just innocent conversation about the weather, other inmates won’t perceive it that way.

—-> When fights occur in prison, the participants may be punished by being put in a segregation unit or be moved to a higher level of confinement, but it is extremely unusual for them to be charged with a crime, as long as all the participants were prisoners. Your legal protections in prison are severely curtailed by the system. The guards and administrators do not want anyone to make waves. They will punish you for making waves much more quickly than they will come to your aid. You always have the option to ask to be put in the hole for your own protection. The hole is unpleasant, but it is relatively safe. Don’t ask for this kind of protection unless you fear for your life.

8.) Don’t join a prison gang. Just like in the real world, in prison there are gangs. But in prison, gangs are far more prevalent. These gangs work very differently on the inside than on the outside. Be mindful of gang members, but avoid joining a gang; gang members are soldiers, and gang leaders demand absolute loyalty. If you join a gang, you may be ordered to do something that will keep you in prison a lot longer; a gang member has no choice, because aside from getting out of prison, there’s only one way to quit a prison gang while in prison: die.

• All prison gangs are separated first and foremost by the races they are typically associated with. Bloods/Crips/Black Guerilla Family (African-American); the Mexican Mafia (Mexicans); MS-13 (Salvadoran/Honduran/Guatemalan/Nicaraguan); White Supremist/Nazi (Caucasian), etc. There are many different divisions.
• It is crucial to your survival in the prison system to immediately show your allegiance to your race (but this does not mean you have to join a gang). This may be a big pill for some people to swallow, but “when in Rome” you’d better do as they do. If you are some white suburbanite 19-year-old kid that pledged yourself as a crip, and you used to buy the dope you got busted selling from your crip homeboys in the projects, that doesn’t mean you can link up with them in prison. If you’re white and you walk in slapping high fives with the brothers before you shake hands with the white dudes, you’re going to send a rift through the whole community. This doesn’t mean you have to get a swastika on your forehead or “Blood for Life” tattooed on your chest. It simply means whichever race you are associated with, you seek them out first and introduce yourself. You get to know inmates of your race first. Especially the “important” figures within your race. You can be “friendly” with people of other races after that. In prison, blacks, Mexicans, Chicanos, Asians, and whites all look after their own. This isn’t the time to be colorblind.

9) Find people who come from the same place you do. In most federal facilities there are inmates from all over the country. When you get to your designated facility, you need to find other inmates who are from your city or state; these are your “home boys” and they will usually help you with things you have an immediate need for, such as basic hygiene items, shoes, etc. But beware of your home boys if there is anything wrong with you or your case, like if you are a informant, sex offender or anything else frowned upon by inmates, in which case your home boys will probably be the ones that will confront you on it. This could include assault, stabbing or whatever else they think you deserve.

10) Respect other people’s personal space and NEVER allow others to invade your personal space. You will be tested and if you allow others to get too close to you for comfort, they will just get closer and closer until your subservience is obvious. Have respect and never reach over someone else’s plate at the mess hall for the pepper, salt, etc. Don’t allow others to reach over your plate either.

–> Personal possessions like photographs, letters and other stuff are very important when someone is in prison. So, never borrow or use something that belongs to another prisoner unless he’s told you it’s OK to do it. Touching someone’s personal possessions without their permission is a no-no.

11) Above all, remember that the normal rules of the outside world simply don’t apply any longer. When you’re in prison, you’re living on a different planet where all that matters to you is surviving the experience with as little damage as possible.

TIPS:

• When you enter prison, try to concentrate on what’s going on inside prison, because time will seem to pass faster that way. It’s difficult not to think about the things you’re missing out on in the outside world, but torturing yourself with it will just make you miserable. It certainly won’t get you out of prison any faster. Instead, concentrate on the things you can control in prison, not the things that are out of your reach outside the prison fence.
• Try to blend into the background when you are in prison. Don’t draw attention to yourself if you can avoid it. Remember that the nail that stands out gets hammered in. Watch and learn.
• Inmates who are homosexual are usually looked down upon and are ostracized by other inmates. If you are gay, you best keep it to yourself while in prison, because it will only cause you problems. Inmates who are unusually young or cute-looking may be approached sexually by others who are testing the waters. If you are approached, it is best to decline; you do not want to become the property of some other inmate.
• Bear in mind that anything you say, especially on the phone, is likely to be overheard by both prisoners and guards. There are snitches among your fellow inmates that are looking to trade information for favors with the staff (this is encouraged by people like case managers). Be especially careful about criticizing another inmate as you can pretty much guarantee that it will get back to him.

WARNINGS:

• Hopefully you will never be physically attacked during your time in prison. However, if you are, here are some points to bear in mind. You can be attacked anywhere in the prison, though usually it will happen in a place where there is no direct surveillance by guards, e.g., a corridor. Obviously, you could be attacked in a cell, though a classic place for an attack is the toilet or shower, when you are distracted. An attacker can seize a time-window of just 30 seconds to attack you, then walk away nonchalantly. So, watch their hands because that’s where the attack comes from. If someone has their hands in their pockets or behind their back, they could be concealing an improvised weapon such as a home-made knife. Don’t let yourself get backed into a corner where you have no escape route away from your attacker.
• This may sound weird and uncomfortable, but could be life-saving: If you are concerned about getting attacked, sit when you go to the bathroom, and take your pants off completely. Since many attacks happen when you are using the toilet, it’s easier to defend yourself without your pants around your ankles, so you would not trip.
• Be careful to never call anyone a “punk” or “bitch”, as they have a much different meaning in prison. If you should ever call someone either of those, be prepared for a nasty fight. If the attack doesn’t come immediately, it doesn’t mean it’s not coming. If someone should ever call you a “punk” or a “bitch”, it may seem logical to be the better man and walk away; however, while in prison, you have to show that you won’t allow yourself to be punked, and it is almost certainly expected of you to put up a fight when called either one of these two names. Prison is a violent place; watching what you say can save your life.

HERE’S THE COMPLETE LIST

During the months of September and December, people can swim as close as possible to the edge of the falls without falling over.

The Munich Oktoberfest, traditionally, takes place during the sixteen days up to and including the first Sunday in October. In 1994, the schedule was modified in response to German reunification so that if the first Sunday in October falls on the 1st or 2nd, then the festival will go on until October 3 (German Unity Day). Thus, the festival is now 17 days when the 1st Sunday is October 2 and 18 days when it is October 1. The festival is held on an area named the Theresienwiese (field, or meadow, of Therese), often called d’ Wiesn for short.

Visitors also eat huge amounts of food, most of it traditional hearty fare such as Hendl (chicken), Schweinsbraten (roast pork), Haxn (knuckle of pork), Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick), Würstel (sausages) along with Brez’n (Pretzel), Knödeln (potato or bread dumplings), Käsespätzle (cheese noodles), Reiberdatschi (potato pancakes), Sauerkraut or Rotkraut (red cabbage) along with such Bavarian delicacies as Obatzda (a fatty, spiced cheese-butter concoction) and Weisswurst (a white sausage)

To keep the Oktoberfest, and especially the beer tents, friendly for older people and families, the concept of the “quiet Oktoberfest” was developed in 2005. Until 6:00 PM, the tents only play quiet music, for example traditional wind music. Only after that will Schlager and pop music be played, which has led to more violence in earlier years. The music played in the afternoon is limited to 85 decibels. With these measures, the organizers of the Oktoberfest hope to curb the over-the-top party mentality and preserve the traditional beer tent atmosphere.

Size

The Oktoberfest is known as the Largest Volksfest (People’s Fair) in the World. In 1999 there were six and a half million visitors to the 42 hectare Theresienwiese. 72% of the people are from Bavaria. 15% of visitors come from foreign countries like the surrounding EU-countries and other non-European countries including the United States, Canada, India, Japan, Brazil and Australia.

Besides the Oktoberfest, there are other public festivals that take place at the same location, in April/May: The Munich Frühlingsfest (Spring Festival) and Winter Tollwood in December with 650,000 visitors.

Starting in 2008, a new Bavarian law banning smoking in all enclosed spaces that are open to the public will be in place at the Oktoberfest. This will mean a complete smoking ban inside the tents. However, after heavy losses in the 2008 local elections, the state’s ruling party wants to grant special exemptions to beer tents and small pubs. In 2008, the organisers used a special exemption in 2008 for temporary structures so smoking was permitted in the tents although the sale of tobacco was not. This policy was extended to the 2009 event.

Often big corporate houses cough up millions to help bolster their brands so that consumers remember who they are. Once a brand succeeds in striking a chord with the consumers, half the marketing battle is won.

Here are the world’s top 10 corporate brands.

1. Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola is one of the most recognized brands and logos in the world. Its brand value is worth $66,667 million. Its parent company is Coca-Cola.

It was created in Atlanta, Georgia by Dr John S Pemberton. The bottle is among the most recognizable icons in the world, its design standing for the youthful exuberance of United States of America.

Coca-Cola was first offered as a fountain beverage by mixing Coca-Cola syrup with carbonated water.

The Coca-Cola script was designed by an amateur, Frank Robinson. Coca-Cola was registered as a trademark in 1887 and by 1895 Coca-Cola was being sold in every state and territory in the US. In 1899, the company began franchised bottling operations in the US.

2. IBM

The company’s brand value is worth $59,031 million. Its parent company is International Business Machines.

In 1972, the company logo, designed by Paul Rand had horizontal stripes replacing the solid letters to suggest ‘speed and dynamism.’

A resurgent tech-services business together with highly profitable software edges Big Blue ahead of rival Microsoft.

3. Microsoft

Its brand value is worth $59,007 million. Its parent company is Microsoft.

Microsoft Corporation is an US multinational computer technology corporation with over 79,000 employees in 102 countries. It develops, manufactures, licenses and supports a wide range of software products for computing devices.

Headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA, its best selling products are the Microsoft Windows operating system and the Microsoft Office suite of productivity software.

Windows Vista bugs and Apple’s withering ‘I’m a Mac’ ads challenge the software giant despite its monopoly. It is now rolling out a new ad campaign.

4. GE

GE is the fourth most recognised brand in the world, worth $53,086 million. Its parent company is General Electric.

The group CEO Jeffrey Immelt introduced a set of changes in the presentation of the brand commissioned in 2004, after he took the reins as chairman.

The modifications included a new corporate colour palette, small modifications to the GE logo, a new customised font (GE Inspira), and a new slogan, ‘imagination at work’ replacing the longtime slogan ‘we bring good things to life’, composed by David Lucas.

The changes were designed by Wolff Olins.

5. Nokia

Its brand value is $35,942 million. Its parent company is Nokia.

Though iPhone has the buzz, Nokia phones sell eight times more.

Nokia Corporation has been in the telecommunications business since the 1960s and has become a global leader of the industry.

The original Nokia logo was designed in Tampere in 1865. It went through many modifications since then.

Therefore, when it came to designing their logo, Nokia Co. made every effort to make its logo represent the company’s mission. And thus, ‘Nokia Connecting People’ logo came into being.

6. Toyota

Its brand value is $34,050 million. Its parent company is Toyota Motor.

The current Toyota mark consists of three ovals: the two perpendicular center ovals represent a relationship of mutual trust between the customer and Toyota.

These ovals combine to symbolise the letter ‘T’ for Toyota.The space in the background implies a global expansion of Toyota’s technology and unlimited potential for the future.

Back in 1936, to coincide with the launch of its eagerly awaited first passenger car, Toyoda Automatic Loom Works Ltd. held a public competition to establish a new symbol mark to promote its vehicles.

The company indicated that the new design should convey the feeling of speed. Twenty-seven thousand entrants answered the call and submitted their ideas to Toyoda.

The winning design led to a change in the name of the automobiles and plants from ‘Toyoda’ to ‘Toyota.’ The changed name was chosen because the number of strokes to write Toyota in Japanese (eight) was thought to bring luck and prosperity.

The Model AA, Toyota’s first passenger car, became the first automobile to use the new name.

7. Intel

Its brand value is worth $31,261 million. Its parent company is Intel.

The original Intel logo with a ‘dropped-e’ in it was created by Silicon Valley pioneers Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore, 39 years ago as they were forming their new ‘integrated electronics’ company.

In 1991, the company introduced the ‘Intel Inside’ slogan with the Intel logo.

The company’s sales are strong and Intel still pays to place its logo in the ads of customers like Apple and Dell, but the Federal Trade Commission is investigating the practice.

8. McDonald’s

Its brand value is worth $31,049 million. Its parent company is McDonald’s.

McDonald’s Corporation is one of the largest chains of fast food in the world.

It mostly sells burgers and fries but has recently introduced fancy coffees, breakfast sandwiches, and wraps.

The McDonald’s Golden Arches logo was introduced in 1962. It was created by Jim Schindler to resemble new arch shaped signs on the sides of the restaurants. He merged the two golden arches together to form the famous ‘M’ now recognised throughout the world.

The McDonald’s name was added to the logo in 1968.

While the physical arches were dropped out from all the restaurants’ building design, the Golden Arches have remained in the McDonald’s logo.

9. Disney

Its brand value is worth 29,251 million. Its parent company is Walt Disney.

Co-founded by Walter Elias Disney, the Walt Disney Company today has branched out to various entertainment studios, theme parks, products and other media productions with an annual revenue of approximately $30 billion.

The Walt Disney logo is a ‘stylised version of the founder’s signature’ that signifies the brand name and promises secure, cheerful and quality American mainstream entertainment.

Other than the regular logo, the company uses different logos on its different products. A castle on a blue background version of the Walt Disney logo is used for the movie releases and as the curtain-raiser to its films.

10. Google

Its brand value is worth $25,590 million. Its parent company is Google.

Google Inc, a technology company, maintains index of web sites and other online content for users, advertisers, Google network members, and other content providers.

Its automated search technology helps users to obtain instant access to relevant information from its online index.

The company provides targeted advertising and Internet search solutions, as well as intranet solutions via an enterprise search appliance.

A new research in the FASEB Journal by the researchers shows that a “breast cancer gene” causes osmidrosis (smelly armpits) and makes earwax wet and sticky.

That’s because they’ve found that a gene responsible for breast cancer causes these physical symptoms.

“We do strongly hope that our study will provide a new tool for better predication of breast cancer risk by genotyping,” said Toshihisa Ishikawa, Ph.D., a professor from the Department of Biomolecular Engineering at the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the senior researcher involved in the work.

“Using a rapid and cost-effective typing method presented in this study would provide a practical tool for pharmacogenomics-based personalized medicine,” the expert added.

To reach the conclusion, Ishikawa and colleagues monitored the activities of a protein created by a gene associated with breast cancer, called “ABCC11.” By studying this gene and its complex cellular and molecular interactions in the body, the researchers discovered a distinct link between the gene and excessively smelly armpits and wet, sticky earwax.

Specifically, the researchers expressed the ABCC11 gene and variant proteins in cultured human embryonic kidney cells and showed exactly how the ABCC11 gene produces the wet-type earwax and excessive armpit odor.

The discovery could lead to practical tools for clinicians-especially those in developing nations-to rapidly identify who may have a higher risk for breast cancer.

“Wet, sticky earwax might not be easily noticed, but most people can’t miss unpleasant body odors,” said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal, “As it turns out, the type of ear wax one has is linked to a gene that leads to bad odors from one’s armpit. These may become lifesaving clues to the early detection and treatment of breast cancer.”

Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown” – so goes this age-old proverb. However, it is not just uneasiness in store for a monarch. Emperors globally have enjoyed and continue to enjoy luxurious lifestyles. Some even have 13 brides. The best levels of comfort that money can fetch are in store for the emperors globally. Be it the Sultan of Brunei or Queen Elizabeth, plush lifestyle is the mark of monarchy. There are currently 44 monarchies in the world and their combined royal wealth has shot up over US $10 trillion. One of the royal attractions is the palace of the King or the Queen. In this article, we will try to catch a glimpse of royal residences of some of the richest ruling monarchs in the world today along with a brief introduction about them.

Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej (L), Queen Sirikit (C) and Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn greets a crowd from the balcony of the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall at the Grand Palace on December 5, 2007, in Bangkok, Thailand.

King Bhumibol, the 80-year-old king of Thailand, is worth US$ 35 billion. He is the longest serving monarch in Thai history. He has benevolently used his royal wealth in over 3,000 rural development projects in the country. He has a world record in having the highest number of honorary university degrees (136). The royal palace in Bangkok was built in 1782. The palace consists of an aggregate of buildings on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River. The total area is 218,400 sq. m. The palace has a sacred Buddha temple. You have to follow a strict dress code to enter the royal palace (this is applicable for both men and women).

Official residence: Grand Palace – Bangkok

2. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
– President of UAE and hereditary ruler of Abu Dhabi

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan (C) Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed al-Nahayan (L) Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayyan (R)

The 60 year old president of UAE is worth US$ 23 billion. The oil reserve pool is the president’s source of wealth. Amiti Palace is the official residence of the President.

Official residence: Amiti Palace ( photo unavailable )

Interesting fact:

Emirates Palace – This luxurious hotel, managed by The Kempinski Group, is probably the most expensive hotel ever built in the world, costing the Abu Dhabi government roughly US$3 billion. Often mistaken as the presidential palace. It has about 400 rooms and gold has been used to decorate the interiors along with highest quality of marble. Several classical and popular music and ballet performances have been staged at the Emirates Palace’s Conference Centre since its inauguration.

3. Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud – King of Saudi Arabia

The 84-year-old king of Saudi Arabia is worth over US$ 21 billion. King Abdullah is known for his benevolence. He bore the entire expenditure of operation of Polish conjoined twins. He was reciprocated with “honorary citizenship” of the Polish town where the twins were born. The King’s palace in Riyadh is more than 1 sq. mile in area. The palace has polished stone walkways and serene water bodies. The pink palatial buildings are true architectural marvels.

Official residence: King’s Palace in Riyadh

4. Haji Hassanal Bolkiah – Sultan of Brunei

The 62-year Sultan of Brunei, the 29^th heir to the throne of an unbroken 600-year-old Muslim dynasty, has a net asset worth of $20 billion. The Sultan has anything between 3000 to 6000 cars in his collection. The Istana Nurul Iman palace, the Sultan’s official residence, provides visitors a spectacular sight. It is the biggest palace in the world, much bigger than the Vatican palace. US$ 350 million was spent in erecting the palace. It has 1788 rooms, 257 bathrooms and the total floor area is 2,152,782 sq. feet.

Official residence: Istana Nurul Iman Palace

5. Hans-Adam II – Prince of Liechtenstein

The 63-year-old prince is the 15^th in succession to the throne of Liechtenstein. His net worth is 5 billion US$. Castle Schloss Vaduz is his official residence. The palace overlooks the town of Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein. The main alter has a late-gothic architecture. The original entrance of the spectacular palace has a height of 11 m.

Official residence: Castle Schloss Vaduz

6. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani – Emir of Qatar

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and his daughter and chief of staff Sheikha (Princess) Hind Bint Hamad Al Thani

Sheikh Hamad, Emir of Qatar is aged 56 and worth 2 billion US$. Sheikh Hamad is instrumental in developing Qatar’s oil and natural gas resources. His fame is also attributed to the modernization of the country’s armed forces. His Royal Palace is in Doha. He does not live there. The palace is mainly used for parliamentary affairs and for receiving guests.

Official residence: Royal Palace in Doha

7. Mohammed VI – King of Morroco

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI and Princess Lalla Salma

The 46-year-old Moroccan king has asset strength of 1.5 billion US$.  The king is reputed for his drive to modernize the society and inject a culture of accountability. He has tried to eradicate poverty from Moroccan society. The Royal Palace in Rabat is open to the public. The king has a personal mosque within the palatial complex. The palace is famous for its lush green gardens and the entrance gates are truly majestic.

Official residence: Royal Palace in Rabat

8. Albert II – Prince of Monaco

Prince Albert II, aged 50, is the current ruler of the Principality of Monaco. His net worth is 1.4 billion US$. He is the first head of state to have visited the North Pole. He is also the Global Advisor to Orphans International. His palace remains open to the public during the summer. The palace hosts many functions ranging from open-air concerts to children’s Christmas parties. It has an Italian-styled gallery and lot of awesome salons. The palace has several attractions. Among them the Throne Room, which overwhelms you with memoirs of the Renaissance period, and the Sainte-Marie Tower are notable.

Official residence: Prince’s Palace of Monaco

9. Qaboos Bin Said – Sultan of Oman

Qaboos Bin Said, the Sultan of Oman, has royal properties worth $1.1 billion. The 67-year-old Sultan captured the throne after overthrowing his father. His riches are accounted to surplus oil production. He owns a 500 ft yacht. The Al Alam Royal Palace, the residence of the Sultan, overlooks the serene Muscat harbour. The regal palace is an exquisite marvel of art and architecture. Simply stated, the palace seems to be taken out of a fairy tale book.

Official residence: Qasr al Alam Royal Palace

10. Prince Karim Al Husseini Aga Khan – leader of 15 million Ismaili Muslims

Prince Aga Khan, aged 71, is the spiritual leader of 15 million Ismaili Muslims. Aga Khan, worth 1 billion US$, chairs the Aga Khan Development Network that invests in Asian and African development projects. He donated his palace to India in 1969 in the honor of Mahatma Gandhi and the Gandhian philosophy. The palace, located in Pune, India was built in 1892. The main aim behind construction of the Aga Khan palace was to provide employment to local people hard-hit by famine.

Official residence: Aga Khan Palace

11. Elizabeth II – Queen of U.K.

Queen Elizabeth II is the oldest living emperor in the history of United Kingdom at the age of 82. Her net worth is 650 million US$. She plans to rule until she becomes physically unable. The Buckingham palace is the official residence of the royals. It is also a site for hosting state occasions and welcoming international guests. The palace, having 775 rooms, is kept open for visitors on a regular basis.

Official residence: Buckingham Palace

12. Sheikh Sabah Al-Sabah – Emir of Kuwait

It is interesting to note that Sheikh Sabah Al Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, does not have a royal blood. He was the foreign minister of Kuwait and ascended to the throne in 2006 after the crown prince became too ill to rule. The royal wealth is estimated at 500 million US$. However, his wealth comes in the form of a stipend. He is promoting economic reforms in Kuwait currently. Dar Salwa palace is the official residence of the Emir.

Official residence: “Dar Salwa” Palace

13. Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard – Queen of Netherlands

Queen Beatrix Armgard, the queen of Netherlands, has a net asset worth of 300 million US$. The queen is rumoured to have stepped down so that his eldest son can ascend the throne. This will make her son the first Dutch king in over a century. Huis ten Bosch Palace is the official royal palace of the queen.

Official residence: Huis ten Bosch Palace

14. Mswati III – King of Swaziland

Swaziland’s King Mswati III (in the foreground)

King Mswati, the king of Swaziland, has a net worth of 200 million US$. The king, ascending to the throne at a tender age of 18, has reportedly spent 2.5 million US$ to celebrate 40 years of his country’s independence along with his 40^th birthday. He leads a lavish lifestyle and has 13 brides. Lozitha Palace is the official residence of the king.

Official residence: Lozitha Palace

15. Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa – King of Bahrain

King Of Bahrain Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa With George W. Bush

Sheikh Hamad is the emir of Bahrain since 2002. He is an alumnus of the Cambridge University. He takes active interest in preserving the country’s cultural heritage. Sports and fishing are also his areas of interest. The Riffa Palace is his official residence.

Official residence: Riffa Palace

16. Albert II – King of Belgium

Albert, the king of Belgium, is the titular head of state. He symbolizes the entire nation and appoints the Belgian cabinet after an election. The Royal Palace in Brussels, known as Palais Royal, is the King’s palace. However, he prefers to live in Chateau de Laeken.  The Royal palace is a neo-classic architectural marvel. It is open to public during summer.

Official residence: Royal Palace in Brussels

17. Yang di-Pertuan Agong Mizan Zainal Abidin – Sultan of Terengganu, Malaysia

Duli Yang Maha Mulia Al Wathiqu Billah, Al-Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Almarhum Al-Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Al-Haj (Center)

Yang Zainal Abidin, the Sultan of Terengganu, is the youngest Malay ruler. There are six sultans in Malaysia. One of these six, in this case Yang Zainal Abidin, has been elected as the King of Malaysia. He is the constitutional head of the country. His official residence is Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur. The palace has a ground area of 28 acres. It overlooks the Klang River.

Official residence: Istana Negara – Kuala Lumpur

18. Margaret II – Queen of Denmark

Margaret II, the queen of Denmark, is a great painter. She is also known for her addiction to tobacco. The queen has multiple palaces. The winter residence is at Amalienborg palace; the summer residence is at Marselisborg palace (or Graasten Palace or on the royal yacht); and the spring and autumn residence is at Fredensborg Palace.

Official residence: Amalienborg Palace ( winter )

19. Akihito – the Emperor of Japan

Emperor Akihito is the 125^th emperor of Japan. His rule is now merely ceremonial. The king is considered to be a direct descendent of God. The Imperial Palace in Tokyo is the official residence of the emperor. It is open to the public on just two days of the year – January 2, when the king wishes New Year to his subjects, and on December 23^rd – his birthday.

Official residence: Imperial Palace in Tokyo

20. Abdullah II – King of Jordan

King Abdullah is the constitutional head of Jordon and retains substantial power. He has contributed greatly to the economic revival of the country and he is applauded for his pro-reform outlook. He is an alumnus of the Oxford University. The Raghadan Palace is the official residence of the King.

Official residence: Raghadan Palace

21. Henri – Grand Duke of Luxemburg

Henri, the Grand Duke, is the head of the state of Luxemburg. He is known for his anti-euthanasia stands. Interestingly, he is a member of the International Olympic committee. The Grand Ducal Palace is his official residence. It is an awesome palace, located in the middle of the city. Built in 1572 as a town hall, it has become a palace replete with history.

Official residence: The Grand Ducal Palace

22. Harald V – King of Norway

Harald V is the king of Norway. The king has no real powers, but only ceremonial authority. He resides in the Royal Palace in Oslo. The palace was built in the first half of the 19^th century.

Official residence: Royal Palace, Oslo

23. Juan Carlos I – King of Spain

Juan Carlos I, the king of Spain, is highly popular among his subjects. He helped in establishing democratic governance in Spain. The Royal Palace in Madrid is the designated residence of the King, although the king prefers to live in a smaller palace on the outskirts of Madrid. The Royal Palace is still used for state occasions. It is the largest palace in Western Europe. It has a total area of 135,000 sq. m and has over 2800 rooms.

Official residence: The Royal Palace of Madrid

24. Carl XVI Gustaf – King of Sweden

The present monarch of Sweden is King Carl XVI Gustaf. He is the seventh king in the Bernadotte dynasty of Sweden. The Royal Palace of Stockholm is the official residence of the king. However, the private residence of the royal family is the Drottningholm palace. The palace has 609 rooms and is considered as one of the largest royal palaces in the world.

Official residence: Royal Palace of Stockholm

24. Norodom Sihamoni – King of Combodia

Norodom Sihamoni is the king of Combodia, although under the present constitution, he has no real power. The royal palace of Phnom Penh is his official residence. The palace was constructed over a century ago and it hosts all major ceremonial functions of the country. Foreign dignitaries also stay here.

Official residence: Royal Palace of Phnom Penh

26. Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk – The Dragon king of Bhutan

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchukm is the Dragon king of the secluded Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. The Oxford-educated bachelor of 28 years is the youngest reigning monarch in the world. The Tashichoedzong Palace is the official residence of the royal family. The palace houses the government and the central clergy of monks. It remains open to the public during festivals, weekends, and after office hours.

Official residence: Tashichoedzong Palace

27. George Tupou V – The king of Tonga

George Tupou V is the ruler of the Polynesian archipelago that consists of 150 islands. The king lives in the royal palace of Nukualofa, the capital. The palace is wooden and is not open to the people. The king made strong fencing arrangements after some people broke the old, sacred fence after 1990.

Official residence: Royal Palace, Nuku’alofa Tonga

28. Letsie III – The king of Lesotho

Letsie III is the king of Lesotho. Interestingly, Lesotho is the only independent state in the world that lies over 1000 meters above sea level. The Royal Palace in Maseru is the official residence of the king.

Official residence: Royal Palace in Maseru, Lesotho

No.10 Full Moon Party

Location: Puro Beach, Palma, Mallorca
Date: June 7, 2009

Taking its cue from Thailand’s famed full moon parties, Puro Beach’s Full Moon Party draws a sexy bohemian crowd who sprawl on sun-loungers by day and sidle up against one another’s sweaty bodies by night. With a Philippe Starck-inspired interior and a gorgeous wooden terrace that houses an oversize swimming pool and overlooks the Mediterranean, Puro Beach allows guests to party until the small hours without getting sand in places they never knew they had. Unless, of course, they want to (in which case, the beach is only a stone’s throw away).

No.9 Club 55

Location: Club 55, Ramatuelle, France
Date: May to September, 2009

While it may be seriously overpriced, Club 55 in St. Tropez (or Ramatuelle, more precisely) is where the seriously underclothed gather. The ultimate all-day beach party for the ultimate playboy, Club 55 is perfect for long, languid lunches that turn into long, drunken dinners. Set beside the sea, you’ll be able to mingle with designer-clad bikini babes while quaffing champagne with the sun basking on your shoulders. It doesn’t get much better than this (or if it does, we don’t know about it!).

No.8 Benirras Beach

Location: Benirras Beach, Ibiza, Spain
Date: Every Sunday

Known as the party capital of the Mediterranean, it’s hardly surprising to find that one of the summer’s best beach parties can be found on the White Island of Ibiza. While model types can be spotted sipping overpriced cocktails at Las Salinas, Benirras Beach is where the real action takes place. Located on the underdeveloped north coast, Benirras Beach parties unfold each and every Sunday, complete with trendy bohemian types, drumming sessions and crackling bonfires.

No.7 - Super Paradise

Location: Super Paradise, Mykonos, Greece
Date: June to September, 2009

Mykonos is always named as one of the best places for beach parties in the world — for good reason. While many of its beaches may be more “boys, boys, boys” than “girls, girls, girls” (if you catch our drift), Paradise Beach doesn’t disappoint with exposed female flesh at every turn. Sip on ice-cold beer, sway to the beat and let the ladies know you’re definitely interested.

No.6 - Turquoise

Location: Turquoise Beach Club, Rimini, Italy
Date: Every day

A new hotel by design superstar Ron Arad and a glamorous overhaul of the Old Town has brought a whole new clientele to Rimini, meaning the beach parties are brimming with pretty spectacular-looking ladies. As the largest beach club in Italy, Turquoise is the place to get down with olive-skinned beachgoers. There’s more than enough room to throw some shapes (12,000 square feet, to be exact), with a huge open-air party unraveling every night of the week.

No.5 - New Year’s Eve Party at Bondi Beach

Location: Iceberg’s, Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
Date: December 31, 2009

Positioned on a clifftop overlooking the beach, Iceberg’s has Australia’s most famous faces — including the likes of Nicole Kidman and Kylie Minogue — hooked. And it’s not hard to see why; here it’s all about understated glamour, with an effortlessly cool clientele coming for the astonishing views, gorgeous food and expertly mixed cocktails. Iceberg’s New Year’s Eve bash is the best beach party in Oz (just make sure you don’t end up in the club’s swimming pool fully clothed).

No.4 - The White Party@ East Hampton

Location: Diddy’s PlayStation 2 Estate, East Hampton, USA
Date: Labor Day weekend

Labor Day weekend officially marks the end of wearing white (or so say style gurus), so what better way to celebrate than with an event that honors the color? Each year, music mogul and king-of-bling Diddy hosts his annual White Party in East Hampton, attended by everyone from Mariah Carey to Tommy Lee Jones. Hosted at Diddy’s very own waterfront mansion, each party is more extravagant than the last, with Polynesian dancers entertaining guests, painted geishas patrolling the grounds, a jazz band playing out front ,and circus performers dazzling with their talents. The only thing the party is missing is a $100,000 fireworks display, which Diddy applied for but was denied by local authorities. Still, it’s pretty damn cool.

No.3 - Benicassim Festival

Location: Benicassim, Valencia, Spain
Date: July 16 to 19, 2009

With a stunning beach location wedged between Valencia and Barcelona, Benicassim is arguably one of Europe’s best-placed festivals. Fortunately for beach-party lovers, the last day of the four-day festival is always marked by an incredible beach party right on the sand, where suntanned youngsters grab their San Miguel beers and dance to the likes of Franz Ferdinand and The Killers beside the shimmering Mediterranean. Este es la vida!

No.2 - White Party- Nikki Beach

Location: Nikki Beach, Marbella, Spain

Date: May 29, 2009

Club kids and scene queens descend on Spain’s glamorous Marbella each and every year for the main party on the resort’s crowded social calendar: the White Party. Hosted to mark the beginning of the summer season, the White Party takes place at Nikki Beach — a chain of upscale beach clubs frequented by the rich and famous, with locations in Miami and St. Tropez — and has a strict all-white dress code. With wooden decking underneath, crisp white parasols overhead and some of the best entertainment to be seen next to the warm waters of the Mediterranean, it really is a place to see and be seen. Sip on a mojito or a flute of champagne and watch Miami-style entertainment kick off on the beach at midnight, all finished off with an outrageously overpriced fireworks display.

No.1 - Full Moon Party

Location: Haad Rin, Koh Phangan, Thailand
Date: Multiple dates throughout 2009.

Frequented by ra-ras who like to pretend they’re backpacking while staying at the local five-star resort, Thailand’s full moon parties have developed something of a cult following in Koh Phangan and take place to mark every full moon (duh!). Unfolding on the crescent-shaped beach of Haad Rin (how fitting!), a full moon party attracts up to 30,000 flip-flopped revelers wanting to party on pristine white sand from dusk until dawn. DJs, jugglers, fire-eaters, dancers, and fireworks punctuate the evening as the moon is reflected in the shimmering water.