Ritek Health Board

Ritek Health Board

Marlboros to make Bangladesh debut

DHAKA: The world's leading tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris has tied up with a Bangladeshi firm to sell Marlboro cigarettes in the local market, company officials said on Sunday.

The Marlboros will be manufactured and distributed by the Dhaka Tobacco Company, the company's chief executive officer Sheikh Bashir Uddin told reporters.

"This agreement will benefit both companies," Matteo Pelligrini, president of Philip Morris International, Asia, said in a statement.

Marlboro's entry into the Bangladesh market is likely to challenge the grip of British American Tobacco on high-priced brands, though Uddin declined to give a specific price per packet.

Dhaka Tobacco, the largest tobacco company in Bangladesh, produced 20 billion cigarettes in 2006 for an estimated market share of about 40 percent.

But the company, with annual sales of around 300 million dollars, dominates here only in terms of the low- and medium-priced brands.

Bangladesh is one of the most profitable tobacco markets in the world, with annual sales of around one billion dollars.

More than 40 percent of Bangladeshi men smoke, according to industry figures.

Philip Morris controlled 15.4 percent of the global cigarette market in 2006. T

he US giant's brands led by Marlboro and L&M are sold in more than 160 countries.

India blames 'terrorists' as blasts kill 40

Indian security forces launched a manhunt on Sunday for those behind twin bombings in the southern city of Hyderabad that killed 40 people, with officials pinning the blame on Islamic militants.

HYDERABAD, India: Indian security forces launched a manhunt on Sunday for those behind twin bombings in the southern city of Hyderabad that killed 40 people, with officials pinning the blame on Islamic militants.

Police have reportedly found seven more unexploded bombs in the city.

More than 50 others were injured in the blasts late Saturday, which ripped through a packed street restaurant in this mixed Hindu-Muslim city and an amusement park auditorium where hundreds were watching a sound and light show.

Federal authorities deployed paramilitary forces to the city, the capital of Andhra Pradesh state, to ensure that ethnic tensions did not flare up following the near-simultaneous attacks, for which no one has yet claimed responsibility.

"The death toll is 40 in yesterday's two bomb blasts.... The victims are from all sections of society -- they included Hindus and Muslims," the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh state, Y.S. Rajshekhar Reddy, told reporters.

More than a dozen of the wounded were in serious condition.

"One terrorist group or the other, which is bent on destroying the unity of the country, is certainly involved," said Sriprakash Jaiswal, India's minister of state for home. Reddy said "available information" pointed to the involvement of terrorist organisations based in neighbouring Pakistan and Bangladesh.

He condemned the blasts as the "cruellest acts against humanity" and appealed for calm in the city, where about 40 percent of the 6.5 million people are Muslim.

"We have launched a manhunt for those who committed this dastardly crime," Hyderabad police chief Balwinder Singh said Sunday. Security was beefed up here on Sunday, as some 10,000 Hindu weddings were planned on what is seen as an auspicious day, police said.

Police had located another bomb in a cinema on Saturday and defused it before it exploded.

Forensic experts were also dispatched to aid local efforts to trace the culprits. Federal Home Minister Shivraj Patil was due to visit Hyderabad later Sunday. On Saturday, rescue workers carried out bodies burnt beyond recognition at the popular eatery.

At the auditorium, severed arms and legs lay scattered around.

"I saw limbs flying around me and blood splattering," 29-year-old Romanna, who goes by one name, told AFP as she waited for help for a chest wound outside the amusement park.

There was chaos at the city's main Osmania hospital as wailing relatives thronged the hallways, searching for their missing loved ones. After an emergency cabinet meeting, Reddy announced compensation of 500,000 rupees (12,200 dollars) for families of those killed.

The explosions came three months after 11 people were killed in a bombing at the city's famed 17th-century Mecca Mosque. Police have still not named any single group as suspects in that attack.

India has suffered a series of recent blasts that authorities have blamed on Islamic militants seeking to upset a peace process between India and Pakistan and stir Hindu-Muslim violence.

"We're seeing a pattern of attacks every two to three months somewhere or other in the country on soft targets," said Ajai Sahni, head of the New Delhi-based Institute for Conflict Management.

In the deadliest, seven blasts on the rail network in the country's financial hub Mumbai killed 186 people in July 2006.

Indian authorities say they believe Pakistan-based guerrilla groups fighting its rule in Indian Kashmir are using Indian Muslim militants to stage attacks.

The attacks "appear to be linked to what we call Pakistan-backed Islamic terrorist groups," said analyst Sahni.

Pakistan, which has fought two wars over Kashmir with India, routinely denies any involvement in attacks on Indian soil.

F1: Massa leads Ferrari one-two in Turkish Grand Prix win

5大步驟學理財

1. 定期發放零用錢：一開始時，父母可以每“周”發放零用錢，待孩子習慣後，慢慢拖長到每“月”發放。

2. 培養儲蓄觀念：財富是靠累積得來，儲蓄可說是理財基本，父母們不妨從買給孩子錢罌開始，鼓勵他們存錢。

3. 開設銀行戶口：父母帶子女去銀行開立單獨帳戶，讓孩子存錢入銀行好消息，鼓勵孩子多儲蓄。

4. 培養孩子記帳習慣：當兒童有一定的數學基礎後，家長便應該慢慢培養起子女記帳的習慣，有助他們控制開支，父母也可藉此監察孩子的消費傾向，若發現有偏差時，可及時糾正。

5. 建立理財目標：父母希望孩子的理財目標，無非是希望子女能理性消費，盡早學會儲蓄，以錢搵錢。

猶太人教育兒童理財觀的傳統

猶太人教育兒童理財觀的傳統

3歲：開始教馬孩子辨認硬幣和紙幣。

5歲：讓孩子知道金錢的用途，並告訴孩子錢是怎麼賺來的。

7歲：教孩子比較商品的價格，教孩子學會趁減價才買，做個精明消費者。

8歲：教他們可以透過打工來賺取金錢，並且把錢存在銀行獲取利息。

11歲：教孩子看弟電視廣告的假象，並且要定下兩週以上的開支計劃，並且切實執行。

哪些副業最熱門？

一、直銷－講求人脈網絡的直銷行業，是許多熱血青年所選擇的賺外快方式，而直銷吸引人的地方除了可從中賺取傭金外，如果成功“開枝散葉”，更可從下線的業績中分一杯羹，把人脈效用發揮至淋漓盡致。直銷業齊全的激勵和訓練系統，也讓許多原為副業者，捨棄正業，全情投入。

增值指數：3星

轉成正職指數：4星

二、接案－憑著本身的專業和興趣，許多專業上班族選擇在下班時間接案子，從中賺取優渥的外快。其中最普遍的行業，包括網站設計、翻譯、文稿撰寫，甚至是主持節目等。接案的經驗也可以累積，增添個人履歷表的豐富性。如果累積足夠的名氣，更有可能有朝一日，自立門戶，當起老闆！

增值指數：5星

轉成正職指數：4星

三、保險－相較於美國人每人2至3份保險，大馬的保險業成長空間龐大，這也吸引許多人投入保險行業。保險經紀員通過發售保單，賺取傭金外，更可在保險公司提供的訓練課程和考核程序中，不斷提昇自己的專業知識。這也使得許多兼職保險從業員，最終放棄正職，全職投入保險業。

增值指數：4星

轉成正職指數：4星

四、小買賣－正業收入未能滿足生活開銷，使得上班族開始動腦筋，如何通過小買賣，賺取外快。最常見的莫過於，從低價生產國購入產品，轉向本地售賣，賺取之間的差額。更有人在特定佳節，販賣節慶產品，大賺佳節財。由於是自家生意，創業人一般魄力十足，一旦小買賣成效開始出現，很快就捨棄正業，全身投入。

增值指數：3星

轉成正職指數：4星

五、網路拍賣－成本和門檻皆低的網路拍賣為網路世代最熱衷的創業方式。憑著已成型的網路拍賣平台和簡易付款方式，使得網路商機以前所未有的速度膨脹。然而由於競爭是來自全球的，因此網拍的勝出關鍵除了服務外，更講求產品的獨特性。

增值指數：2星

轉成正職指數：4星

六、教補習－除了女人的錢，這世界上最好賺的錢非小孩莫屬，尤其這個“少子”的年代，每個小孩就猶如掌上明珠，家長自己再窮，都要讓孩子受最好的教育，以讓他們能勝在起跑點！因此補習行業是現今成長最快速的行業之一，單看一間接著一間開幕的補習中心就可一瞧趨勢。有些上班族，尤其教師，在空閒時間也經營小型補習班，從中補貼微薄的薪資。

增值指數：2星

轉成正職指數：2星

七、計時兼職－這是典型的“苦力”兼職方式，這些人利用業餘時間打工，利用時間換取金錢，因此對於未來履歷並未有明顯的增值效果。

增值指數：1星

轉成正職指數：1星

儘管副業已是許多上班族公開的秘密，然而上班族從事副業的當兒，不應該忽略經營主業，以避免到頭來兩頭不到岸。而在考慮從事任何副業時，不應該忽略有關副業的增值效果，它對你未來的人生規劃是否有助益？或純粹是為了賺入更多金錢？

白領階級

白領儲蓄習慣
有：74.3%
無：25.7%

日常花費
吃喝玩樂：47.1%
買奢侈品：11.1%
繳付貸款：63.3%
進行投資：28.3%
家庭開銷：68.9%

繳付貸款
車貸：46.6%
房貸：39.7%
信用卡債務：45%
教育貸款：21.9%
無：14.6%

兼職行業
直銷：17%
保險：3.7%
快餐：3.2%
接案：16%

兼職收入
RM500或以下：63.7%
RM501-RM1000：29.3%
RM1001-RM2000：5.1%
RM2001以上：0.6%
沒回答：1.3%

兼職天數
1-2天：59.2%
3-4天：34.4%
5或以上：6.4%

兼職原因
增加財富：42.3%
還債：6%
入不敷出：23.8%
提升工作經驗：8.9%
尋找轉職或創業機會：19%

理財6項重要元素

（一）投資：先具備投資知識、瞭解本身的投資風險承受水平、投資款項及投資期限。

（二）稅務：瞭解政府的稅務政策及所提供的稅務優惠，然後規劃如何從中減低稅務，以減少額外負擔。

（三）教育：為孩子的教育進行規劃，當中包括考量受教育地點及所需費用，然後策劃如何進行投資或儲蓄來取得相關數額。

（四）遺產規劃：制定遺產分配，以避免未來的不必要的糾紛，同時為家人留一條後路。

（五）退休規劃：規劃退休生活、所需開銷及如何善用退休金，以防在退休時面對財務問題。

（六）財務分析：瞭解本身的財務狀況、負債項目及資產，同時改進或避免不必要的開銷，策劃如何花費及增加財富。

美股大跌襲擊•亞股紛下挫 馬股閉市跌44.52點

（吉隆坡訊）受美股大跌風暴襲擊，亞洲區域股市紛紛下跌，馬股今日（週一，6日）亦難幸免，失守1300點，閉市時掛1290.90點，勁跌44.52點。

第二板指數報108.29點，跌5.11點；大馬富時全股項指數跌297.91點，至8760.81點。

場內跌價股1015隻，上升股60隻，80隻股平盤；成交量達13億零100萬股，總值22億5100萬令吉。

Bridge debris recovery begins in Minn.

At 560 kg, Mexican man weighs into record books

Manuel Uribe, tipping the scales at 560 kilograms (1,234 pounds) and seen here at his home in 2006, will be listed as the world's fattest man by the Guinness Book of Records, while a loss of 200 kilos (440 pounds) may make him the man who lost the most weight

Ballack committed to Chelsea

Tevez saga draws to a close

Knowing wink: Rooney and Tevez set to be team-mates

NBA: Celtics Big 3

Welcome to Kelantan

Ritek Health Board

Walex Resources Sdn Bhd official website

http://www.walex2u.com/

Beckham go down?

Beckham training at LA Galaxy

India elects first woman president

NEW DELHI: Pratibha Patil was elected India's new president on Saturday, the first woman to hold the office in the nation's six decades of independence.

'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'

The Most Successful Product Intro of the 21st Century

“Apple’s iPhone could emerge as the most successful product introduction of the 21st century, new research suggests.” Conducted by Lightspeed Research, “the research findings are staggering,” reports Jonny Evans (Macworld). “Nearly 90 percent” of the respondents had heard about iPhone, and 32% of those who didn’t already own one intend to purchase one. In a separate survey, Lightspeed Research also learned that “nearly half of those who would like to own an iPhone stated that the benefits of having music, movie, internet and wireless all in one was the top reason.”

Copa America Final: Argentina vs Brazil

Lionel Messi and Juan Sebastian Veron, favourites Argentina.

World's tallest man marries

Bao Xishun (R), 56, a 2.36-metre (7 feet, 9 inches) herdsman listed by the Guinness World Records as the tallest living man, and his bride Xia Shujuan, 29, 1.68 metres (5 feet, 5 inches), stand during their wedding ceremony on the outskirts of Erdos in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region July 12, 2007. The world's tallest man, whose search for a bride covered the world, ended up marrying a woman from his home town nearly half his age and more than two feet shorter, Chinese media reported.

擁抱中國

首相阿都拉希望中國投資者踴躍來馬投資，以更實際反映馬中目前的雙邊友好關係，並拉近兩國的貿易距離。

想好好才丟

政府基于成本太高決定取消建垃圾焚化爐計劃，目前需另覓更好的途徑處理日愈趨高的垃圾問題，以為環保和人民健康取得雙贏。

提防後患

國內安全部副部長胡亞橋促請私人界，停止向政府施壓以引入更多外勞，因為外勞是制造社會問題元凶之一。

Ritek Health Board

Ritek Health Board

World No. 1

4 in 1 Health Board

Feature:

1. Straightening Backbone

2. Foot Relaxation

3. Release Negative Ion

4. Release Far Infrared Ray

White tiger

Bengal tiger cubs play at the zoo in Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, July 5, 2007. Five cubs, four of them white, were born in the zoo on April 10th and were shown to the public for the first time.

Kimi Raikkonen wins British Grand Prix

Kimi Raikkonen denied the sell-out Silverstone crowd the result they were yearning for by upstaging Lewis Hamilton and the McLarens for a perfectly judged victory.

Love the place you're in

1. You need to earn the median income for your neighborhood.

It's true that money doesn't buy happiness, but you'll never feel secure if you don't earn as much as the people around you. You're much more likely to feel that the amount you earn is fine if it's as much as your friends and neighbors earn. And if you earn the most in your neighborhood, you'll probably feel like you're pretty well off. Money is relative.

This explains why the year my tax return showed that I had an income of about $200,000, I often felt like I was living just a few short steps from homelessness. And I'm not alone -- New Yorkers talk about that phenomenon all the time.

2. Remember that you'll change careers at least three times.

Your job isn't stable, and neither is your career, so be careful about picking a location just because it's good for your work right now.

In a family with two people who have jobs outside the house, it's impractical to relocate every time one of them takes a new job. So it makes sense to think in terms of picking a location largely independent of your career.

Do you care a lot about schools? Or being near the beach? These are things to weigh heavily when picking a location, and then figure out what kind of work to do when you get there.

The act of choosing a place to live requires you to balance a lot of competing factors, but don't give work too much weight. There's little evidence to show that a good job makes you happy -- only that you need to limit the detrimental factors that come with some jobs, because things like a long commute and a crazy boss can really hurt your chances of being happy.

3. More choices don't make you more happy.

In fact, the more choices you have, the harder it is to make good decisions. You don't need to have a lot of bars to choose from in order to go out with your friends at night, and more restaurants don't bring you a sense of well being.

People mistakenly believe that more choice is good in most cases, but in many instances it makes life more complicated for no good reason. So before you tell yourself that you need to live somewhere with multitudes of opportunity and excitement, consider that no location has everything, and other factors will give you a lot more bang for your buck in the happiness department.

4. There's no free lunch when it comes to schools.

The nature of public schools in the United States makes finding an inexpensive city with a top-ranked school system pretty much impossible. If you want your kids to be in a school district that ranks high for academic achievement, then study the rankings before you move.

Once you live somewhere, it's human nature to tell yourself that whatever school district you're in is fine for your kids. Before you move, you'll be much more able to objectively evaluate the school possibilities.

5. Live where the people you love live.

Where you live has about the same influence on your personal happiness as what you do for work -- that is, much less than your personal relationships. The biggest thing you can do to create happiness in your life is to cultivate and maintain intimate, reliable relationships with people.

If you have friends you see once a week, you'll live longer. If you have friends at work, you'll like your job. If you have friends who provide emergency child care, you're likely to be a happy working parent.

Friends can change your life, if you have them. So live where your friends and loved ones live, and the other issues won't matter so much.

Federer joins elite with Wimbledon win

Switzerland's Roger Federer, left, holds the trophy and Rafael Nadal the runners up plate, after Federer won his fifth consecutive Men's Singles Championship on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, Sunday July 8, 2007.

THE NEW 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD

The Roman Colosseum (70 - 82 A.D.) Rome, Italy

This great amphitheater in the centre of Rome was built to give favors to successful legionnaires and to celebrate the glory of the Roman Empire. Its design concept still stands to this very day, and virtually every modern sports stadium some 2,000 years later still bears the irresistible imprint of the Colosseum's original design. Today, through films and history books, we are even more aware of the cruel fights and games that took place in this arena, all for the joy of the spectators.

In short - vote for the Colosseum, because it is now a symbol of - Joy & Suffering!

The Taj Mahal (1630 A.D.) Agra, India

This immense mausoleum was built on the orders of Shah Jahan, the fifth Muslim Mogul emperor, to honor the memory of his beloved late wife. Built out of white marble and standing in formally laid-out walled gardens, the Taj Mahal is regarded as the most perfect jewel of Muslim art in India. The emperor was consequently jailed and, it is said, could then only see the Taj Mahal out of his small cell window. 

In short - vote for the Taj Mahal, the greatest symbol of - Love & Passion!

The Pyramid at Chichén Itzá (before 800 A.D.) Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Chichén Itzá, the most famous Mayan temple city, served as the political and economic center of the Mayan civilization. Its various structures - the pyramid of Kukulkan, the Temple of Chac Mool, the Hall of the Thousand Pillars, and the Playing Field of the Prisoners – can still be seen today and are demonstrative of an extraordinary commitment to architectural space and composition. The pyramid itself was the last, and arguably the greatest, of all Mayan temples.

In short - vote for Chichén Itzá, because it symbolizes - Worship & Knowledge!

Christ Redeemer (1931) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This statue of Jesus stands some 38 meters tall, atop the Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro. Designed by Brazilian Heitor da Silva Costa and created by French sculptor Paul Landowski, it is one of the world’s best-known monuments. The statue took five years to construct and was inaugurated on October 12, 1931. It has become a symbol of the city and of the warmth of the Brazilian people, who receive visitors with open arms.

In short - vote for Christ Redeemer, because it stands for - Welcoming & Openness!

The Great Wall of China (220 B.C and 1368 - 1644 A.D.) China

The Great Wall of China was built to link existing fortifications into a united defense system and better keep invading Mongol tribes out of China. It is the largest man-made monument ever to have been built and it is disputed that it is the only one visible from space. Many thousands of people must have given their lives to build this colossal construction. 

In short - vote for the Great Wall of China, because it is incredible proof of - Perseverance & Persistence!

Machu Picchu (1460-1470), Peru

In the 15th century, the Incan Emperor Pachacútec built a city in the clouds on the mountain known as Machu Picchu ("old mountain"). This extraordinary settlement lies halfway up the Andes Plateau, deep in the Amazon jungle and above the Urubamba River. It was probably abandoned by the Incas because of a smallpox outbreak and, after the Spanish defeated the Incan Empire, the city remained 'lost' for over three centuries. It was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911.

In short - vote for Machu Picchu, as it is a symbol of - Community & Dedication!

Petra (9 B.C. - 40 A.D.), Jordan

On the edge of the Arabian Desert, Petra was the glittering capital of the Nabataean empire of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to 40 A.D.). Masters of water technology, the Nabataeans provided their city with great tunnel constructions and water chambers. A theater, modelled on Greek-Roman prototypes, had space for an audience of 4,000. Today, the Palace Tombs of Petra, with the 42-meter-high Hellenistic temple facade on the El-Deir Monastery, are impressive examples of Middle Eastern culture.
In short - vote for Petra, as it is a great symbol of - Engineering & Protection!

Stretch your talents as a condom tester..

CANBERRA (Reuters) - Condom makers say it's the world's best job, a "sexecutive position." An Australian company is seeking real life testers for its condom products.

"Got what it takes to be an official condom tester?" asks an advertisement launched by Durex Australia next to a photo of a busty young woman in a revealing nurse's outfit.

"With this job on your CV, it really will be a chance to brag to your mates about the special skills you possess, not to mention that your new role will work wonders with the opposite sex," Durex Marketing Manager Sam White told local media.

The "bed-testing" position is unpaid, but 200 selected testers would be up for free pack of Durex products, plus a bonus prize of A$1,000 ($854) for one lucky winner, White said.

In return, testers would have to report back on the feel and performance of the company's products.

Only Australians need apply, and would-be testers will be asked to explain why they should be considered. Humor would help in the application, Durex said.

"To apply, simply explain why you think you're right for the position (missionary is acceptable) and you could be eligible for the employee bonus of $1,000," said the ad on Web site www.durex.com.au.

Singapore may be spared from haze this year: NEA

SINGAPORE: Singapore may be spared from the peak of the haze that is currently shrouding Sumatra and northern Malaysia because favourable weather conditions are expected for the rest of the year, said the National Environment Agency (NEA). 

NEA is forecasting a slightly wetter-than-usual weather from now till September. 

The El Nino situation, which brought with it drier days last year, is not expected to kick in this time round. 

Joseph Hui, Director General, Environmental Protection, NEA, said: "This year, the forecast is that we are likely to get neutral or weak La Nina. La Nina is slightly wetter than usual, so with this forecast, the likelihood is that we will get slightly more rainfall than last year." 

Singapore has been spared from the smog so far as the prevailing south to southeasterly winds have kept the smoke away. 

The same wind direction is also expected over the next few days. 

Avril Lavigne faces lawsuit over hit song Girlfriend

'Girlfriend' was the lead single from Avril Lavigne's third album 'The Best Damn Thing'. It was Avril's highest ever single debut and her first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100.

SAN FRANCISCO - AVRIL Lavigne faces a lawsuit by the members of a 1970s rock band who claim her hit song Girlfriend rips off one of their tunes.

Songwriters Tommy Dunbar and James Gangwer alleged in a lawsuit filed in US District Court that Lavigne and her co-writers lifted their 1979 song I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend, which was originally performed by new wave band The Rubinoos.

'We are not so naive as to chalk it up to some sort of cosmic coincidence,' Dunbar said on Thursday.

'The lyric, the meter, the rhythm - they're identical,' he said.

The first court date has been set for Aug 28 in Oakland.

Burger King sets 2008 target for oil switch

LES - BURGER King, the No 2 hamburger chain, said on Friday that all of its US restaurants would be using frying oil that is free of artery-clogging trans fats by the end of 2008.

World Rishest Man

MEXICO CITY (AFP) - Mexican telecom tycoon Carlos Slim Helu has overtaken Microsoft founder Bill Gates as the richest person on the planet, the Mexican financial website Sentido Comun reported.

Sentido Comun said the Mexican billionaire's wealth had rocketed past Gates following the red-hot performance of his telecommunications firm, America Movil.

US-based Forbes magazine, renowned for its rankings of the world's wealthiest individuals, updated its listings in April to rank Slim as the second richest individual in the world, as he bested the legendary US investor Warren Buffett.

The Mexican financial website said Slim's lead over Gates amounted to billions of dollars.

"Thanks to a 26.5-percent rise in the shares of America Movil during the second quarter, Slim, who controls a 33-percent interest in Latin America's largest mobile phone company, is substantially richer than Gates," Sentido Comun said.

"The difference between their two fortunes is around nine billion dollars in favor of Slim," the financial website claimed.

It said it had based its calculations largely on the share price movements of companies controlled by Slim.

The website said soaring performances from Slim's other business interests had also helped propel him past Gates.

Aside from America Movil, Slim controls the INBURSA financial group and the Grupo Carso industrial firm with interests spanning retail stores, coffee shops and restaurants.

One reason for Slim's meteoric rise might be because he is also still working.

Gates stepped aside as Microsoft chief in 2000 to devote his energies to the philanthropic foundation he runs with his wife, Melinda.

Forbes in April had pegged Slim's wealth at a staggering 53.1 billion dollars, and said Gates was sitting on a 56-billion-dollar fortune.

Slim, the son of Lebanese immigrants, has had business in his blood from his early days when he helped out in his father's shop, "The Star of the Orient."

The 67-year-old started out in real estate and was already affluent enough when he graduated from university with an engineering degree to buy stakes in a stock brokerage and a bottling firm.

During the crippling Latin American economic crisis of the early 1980s, Slim snapped up and reformed a number of distressed businesses, banking massive profits for Grupo Carso.

Carso gained its name from the first three letters of Slim's name and the first two of his late wife's, Soumaya Gemayel.

Analysts say one of Slim's smartest and most lucrative deals occurred when he took control of Telefonos de Mexico (Telemex) in 1990 as the then government moved to privatize the sprawling monopoly.

Slim oversaw a 1.8-billion-dollar investment to take over Telemex, but he then overhauled the company and expanded its service as the telecom firm became the star of the Mexican stock exchange and more than returned Slim's initial investment.

The Mexican billionaire has also made some savvy stock picks.

In 1997, he bought about three percent of Apple Computer at 17 dollars a share shortly before the company launched its hit iMac computer. Twelve months later, Apple's shares topped 100 dollars.

Despite his vast riches, Slim reportedly shuns corporate jets and flashy offices and sported a plastic watch during the 1990s.

Widowed in 1999, Slim has boosted his philanthropic presence and overseen his three sons' careers within his business empire.

Like Gates, he has developed a strong profile on the philanthropic front.

Earlier this month he allied himself with the foundation of former US president Bill Clinton and with Canadian mining magnate Frank Giustra to launch an anti-poverty campaign in Latin America.

Fifty-three percent of Mexico's population of 104 million live in poverty, which is defined as living on less than two dollars a day, World Bank data show.

Man Utd 2006/07 Season

Ritek Health Board

PM Abdullah: Malaysia wants more investments from China

KUALA LUMPUR : Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Thursday called on China to increase investments in Malaysia after receiving less than US$30 million in direct investment from China over three years. 

In contrast, Malaysian companies have invested US$320 million in China over the same period, Abdullah said. 

"Given our strong and long-established diplomatic ties, I believe it is only natural for Malaysia and China to enhance co-operation in trade, business and investment," Abdullah was quoted saying by state news agency Bernama. 

China, as the world's fourth largest economy, is in a solid position to increase its overseas investments on a large scale, he added. 

The prime minister said China's total global trade stood at US$1.7 trillion last year but only two percent of that was in direct trade with Malaysia. 

"Unfortunately, this proportion has not improved much over the last three years despite trade between our two countries having increased in absolute terms," Abdullah said at a Malaysia-China business forum held in Johor state. 

He said Chinese firms are well positioned to take advantage of trade and investment opportunities available in the South East Asian region, especially with efforts underway to fully implement the ASEAN-China free trade area. 

Tevez: United move would be 'spectacular'

'For me, Manchester United will be a sensational destination and to be a member of Sir Alex Ferguson's squad will be absolutely spectacular.

'My dream is to be an idol in English football and I can achieve this now.'

熱刺: 球衣胸前出現中文字 進軍遠東市場

Kobe Bryant apologizes to Lakers GM

LOS ANGELES - Although he didn't rescind his trade request, Kobe Bryant softened his stance somewhat Thursday night, saying he had apologized to Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak in person for the way he handled his upset feelings five weeks ago.