Top 50 Richest Politicians: Yes these are the guys who promises tax cuts during the electron campaigns. Once they’re in power, the taxes just keep on rising. BOOO! Besides the taxes, there’s one other thing that’s always on the rise - the salary. Find out in thisTop 50 Richest Politicianslist exactly how much each politician is worth. They may disagree on most policies, but there’s one thing they do agree on - the green paper! #1$70 Billion Vladimir Putin Vladimir Putin net worth: Vladimir Putin is a Russian politician who was born in the Soviet Union and has a net worth of $70 billion dollars. #2$30 Billion King of Thailand The King of Thailand (Bhumibol Adulyadej) has reigned for 64 years and has an estimated net worth of $30 billion dollars. The King #3$29 Billion Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud is a stock and real estate investor from Saudi Arabia with an estimated net worth of $29 billion dollars. #4$27 Billion Michael Bloomberg Michael Bloomberg net worth: Michael Bloomberg is an American politician and entrepreneur who has a net worth of $27 billion. Michael Bloomberg #5$20 Billion Sultan of Brunei The Sultan of Brunei, (also known as Hassanai Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah) has an estimated net worth of $20 billion, and rightly so. Born on #6$18 Billion Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahayan Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahayan (known also as Sheikh Khalifa) was born in Abu Dhabi and has an estimated net worth of $23 #7$17 Billion King Abdullah bin Abul Aziz King Abdullah bin Abul Aziz Net Worth: King Abdullah bin Abul Aziz is the King of Saudi Arabia who has a net worth of $17 billion dollars. King Abdullah bin Abul-Aziz #8$14 Billion Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum As most of us enjoy the beginning of football season, complete with grande nacho platters and buckets of ice cold beer, the truly rich #9$13.5 Billion Mohammed Al Amoudi Mohammed Al-Amoudi net worth: Mohammed Al Amoudi is an Ethiopian born businessman who is the richest black person in the world with a net worth of $13.5 billion. #10 $5.9 Billion Silvio Berlusconi Silvio Berlusconi Net Worth: Silvio Berlusconi is a former Prime Minister of Italy, entrepreneur and media tycoon who has a net worth of #11 $5 Billion Imelda Marcos Imelda Marcos is a Fillipino politician whose net worth is $ 5 Billion. Imelda Marcos achieved her net worth from her years in politics #12 $5 Billion Kim Jong-un Kim Jong-un net worth: Kim Jong-un is the supreme leader of North Korea who has a net worth of $5 billion. Kim Jong-un became Supreme Leader after the death #13 $5 Billion Prince Azim Prince Azim net worth: Prince Azim is the third in line to succeed the throne of Brunei who has a net worth of $5 billion. His Royal Highness Prince Haji Abdul Azim #14 $4 Billion Kim Jong-il Kim Jong-il is a Korean politician with a net worth of $4 billion. Kim Jong-il gained his net worth by being the leader #15 $3.5 Billion Prince of Liechtenstein The Prince of Liechtenstein (Johannes Adam Ferdinand Alois Josef Maria Marko d'Aviano Pius von und zu Liechtenstein) has reigned for 21 years and has #16 $3.5 Billion Ross Perot Ross Perot Net Worth: Ross Perot is an American businessman who has a net worth of $3.5 billion. Born Henry Ross Perot on June 27, 1930 #17 $3.1 Billion Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair net worth: Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair is a businessman who has a net worth of $3.1 billion which makes him one of the richest #18 $3 Billion Meles Zenawi Meles Zenawi was Ethiopia’s former Prime Minister with a net worth of $3 billion. Before becoming a prime minister of his native country, Zenawi was the president Ethiopia #19 $2.6 Billion Sultan bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Kabeer Prince Sultan bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Kabeer net worth: Prince Sultan bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Kabeer is the member of the Saudi Royal family who has a net worth #20 $2.5 Billion King of Morocco The King of Morocco (Mohammed VI of Morocco) has reigned for 11 years and has an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion dollars. #21 $2 Billion Sheikh of Qatar The Sheikh of Qatar (Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani) has been Emir in Qatar for almost 16 years and has an estimated net #22 $2 Billion Saddam Hussein Saddam Hussein was born in Iraq and has an estimated net worth of $2 billion dollars. The 5th President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein #23 $2 Billion Sonia Gandhi Sonia Gandhi is the President of the Indian National Congress and has a net worth of $2 billion. Sonia Gandhi has made her net #24 $1.4 Billion Saad Hariri Saad Hariri Net Worth: Saad Hariri is a Saudi-Lebanese billionaire who has a net worth of $1.4 billion dollars. The former Prime Minister of Lebanon, Saad Hariri #25 $1 Billion Sebastian Pinera Sebastian Pinera (Miguel Juan Sebastián Piñera Echenique) was born in Chile and has an estimated net worth of $1 billion dollars. The 35th

A Breakthrough Year for Same-Sex Marriage: In 2013, the Supreme Court and several states weigh in on same-sex marriage. With more states legalizing same-sex marriage and two key Supreme Court rulings, 2013 was a breakthrough year for gay marriage in the United States. While other countries like Franceand Russiafaced fierce protests over gay marriage laws in 2013, a shift in public opinion happened in the United States. According to a July 2013 Gallup Poll, 52% of Americans would support a law that would legalize same-sex marriage in all 50 states. ABC News had similar results with their poll when 55% of Americans said they support same-sex couples' right to tie the knot. A 2013 Quinnipiac University poll found that 54% of American Catholics supported same-sex marriage. Even the newly crowned Pope Francisspoke up for the LGBT community in 2013. In a September interview published in international Jesuit journals, he said, "A person once asked me, in a provocative manner, if I approved of homosexuality. I replied with another question: 'Tell me: When God looks at a gay person, does he endorse the existence of this person with love, or reject and condemn this person?' We must always consider the person." Policy Shift for Republicans On February 27, 2013, several Republicans backed a legal brief asking the Supreme Court to rule that same-sex marriage was a constitutional right. It was a policy shift for many party members. More than 100 Republicans were listed on the brief, including former New HampshireCongressman Charles Bass and Beth Myers, a key adviser to Mitt Romneyduring his 2012 presidential campaign. The brief was filed as the U.S. Supreme Court prepared to consider overturning Proposition 8, the Californiainitiative banning same-sex marriage, as well as overturning the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law passed during Bill Clinton's presidency, which defined marriage as between a man and a woman. On March 26, 2013, the Supreme Court began two days of historical debate over gay marriage. Their decision would be announced in June 2013. The Supreme Court Weighs In On June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was unconstitutional. In a 5 to 4 vote, the court ruled that DOMA violated the rights of gays and lesbians. The court also ruled that the law interfered with the states' rights to define marriage. It was the first case ever on the issue of gay marriage for the Supreme Court. Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. voted against striking it down as did Antonin Scalia, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas. However, conservative-leaning Justice Anthony M. Kennedy voted with his liberal colleagues to overturn DOMA. On the same day, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage opponents in California did not have standing to appeal the lower court ruling that overturned the state's ban, known as Proposition 8. This ruling would most likely remove legal battles for same-sex couples wishing to marry in California. However, the ruling did not directly affect other states. More States Begin Issuing Same-Sex Marriage Licenses During May 2013, Rhode Island, Delawareand Minnesotalegalized Same-Sex Marriage. On May 2, after same-sex marriage legislation passed in both houses of Rhode Island's legislature, Governor Lincoln Chafee signed the new law. Less than a week later, Governor Jack Markell signed the Civil Marriage Equality and Religious Freedom act, legalizing same-sex marriage for the state of Delaware. On May 13, 2013, in Minnesota, the State Senate voted 37 to 30 in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, a week after the House voted in favor of the new law. Governor Mark Dayton, a supporter of same-sex marriage, signed the bill the following afternoon. In August 2013, Minnesota and Rhode Island began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. To see a list of all the states that have legalized same-sex marriage, go here. With public opinion shifting and so many breakthroughs in 2013, other states seemed poised to join that list. For example, as the summer of 2013 ended, several counties in New Mexicobegan issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

The 2013 Boston Marathon Tragedy: Three people were killed and hundreds injured after multiple bombs exploded during the Boston Marathon. On Monday, April 15, 2013, multiple bombs exploded during the Boston Marathon. The bombs went off at 2:50 in the afternoon as runners finished the race. At least three people were killed. One was an eight year old boy. More than 170 people were injured. The first explosion happened on Boylston Street close to the finish line. The second blast came about ten seconds later, 50 to 100 yards away. Another explosion happened during the afternoon at the JFK Library, but officials soon confirmed that incident was not connected. A U.S. government official said that neither the Boston police nor the FBI received any threats of an attack leading up to the marathon. Parents of the 2012 Newtown, Conn., shooting victims were in attendance near the finish line, sitting in the VIP section of the bleachers, but none of them were injured. President Obamasaid from the White House briefing room, "We still do not know who did this or why, and people shouldn't jump to conclusions before we have all the facts, but make no mistake: We will get to the bottom of this. Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice." The Search for Suspects On April 18, 2013, three days after the marathon bombing, the FBI released photos and video of two suspects in the hope that the public could help identify them. "Somebody out there knows these individuals as friends, neighbors, co-workers, or family members. Though it may be difficult, the nation is counting on those with information to come forward and provide it to us," said FBI special agent Richard DesLauriers upon the release of the photos and video. On the same day the images were released, President Obama spoke at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston's South End. After the service, both the president and First lady Michelle Obamavisited those injured in the explosions who were still recovering in the various hospitals throughout Boston. Boston Lockdown Just hours after the FBI released the images, the two suspects robbed a gas station in Central Square then shot and killed a MIT police officer in his car. Afterwards, the two men carjacked a SUV and told the driver that they had set off the explosions at the marathon. Police pursued the vehicle into Watertown. During the shootout, a MBTA officer was shot and one of the suspects, identified as Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was killed. A suicide vest was found on his body. The other suspect, Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, age 19, remained at large for several hours, causing a massive manhunt and lockdown for all of Boston, Cambridge, and many other surrounding communities. The manhunt continued throughout Friday, April 19, 2013, until he was found alive, but seriously injured, hiding in a boat behind a house in Watertown. The two suspects were brothers and had been living together on Norfolk Street in Cambridge. They had lived in the U.S. for about a decade, but were from an area near Chechnya, a region in Russia. More Arrests Made On May 1, 2013, three additional arrests were made in connection to the Boston Marathon bombing. Dias Kadyrbayev and Azamat Tazhayakov were arrested and charged with concealing evidence during a federal investigation. Robel K. Phillipos was charged with lying to impede the federal investigation. All three were close friends with Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. If found guilty, Kadyrbayev and Tazhayakov could receive five years in prison. Phillipos could receive eight years. On July 10, 2013, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev made his first public court appearance in Boston. His arraignment was for 30 charges, including four murder charges as well as using and conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction. He pled not guilty to all charges. Tsarnaev could face the death penalty if convicted. In August 2013,Rolling Stonemagazine put Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on its cover with the headline, "The Bomber: How a Popular, Promising Student was Failed by His Family, Fell Into Radical Islam and Became a Monster." The cover story was controversial. Retailers, such as CVS Pharmacy, refused to sell the issue. BJ's Wholesale Club went one step further and announced that it would not sell any future issues of the magazine as well.

The Trials of Bradley Manning: After being sentenced to 35 years in prison, Manning makes a statement. On August 21, 2013, Private First Class Bradley Manningwas sentenced to 35 years in prison for leaking over 700,000 U.S. government files to WikiLeaks, files containing classified U.S. military activities in Iraqand Afghanistan. It was the longest sentence ever given in the U.S. involving leaked government data to the public. He also received a reduction in rank, a dishonorable discharge and would no longer receive any pay or allowances from the U.S. military. The charges against him included stealing government property, multiple counts of disobeying orders, violating the Espionage Act as well as the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Manning, age 25, could be up for parole in seven years. Manning would serve his sentence in the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth. Immediately after the verdict, Reporters Without Borders, a non-profit organization based inFrance , condemned ...administration has been waging an unprecedented offensive that has ignored the public interest in their revelations. It also threatens the future of investigative journalism, which risks finding its sources drying up," Reporters Without Borders said. The day after the sentencing, Manning announced that he was female and wanted to be referred to from now on as Chelsea. The announcement was made during an appearance on the Today show by David E. Coombs, Manning's defense lawyer. Coombs made the announcement by reading Manning's written statement. In the statement, Manning wrote: "As I transition into this next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me. I am Chelsea Manning. I am a female. Given the way that I feel, and have felt since childhood, I want to begin hormone therapy as soon as possible. I hope that you will support me in this transition. I also request that, starting today, you refer to me by my new name and use the feminine pronoun." In the days following, Coombs remained optimistic and told theNew York Timesthat he hoped the military prison officials would voluntarily provide hormone treatment without a court order. However, under U.S. military policy, it may be impossible for Manning to begin transitioning while in military prison. In response to Manning's statement, Kimberly Lewis, a spokesperson for the Fort Leavenworth all-male military prison, said, "The Army does not provide hormone therapy or sex-reassignment surgery for gender identity disorder."

Vacated Michigan Central Station, 2009 Photo Credit: Albert Duce Detroit Hustles Harder sticker Detroit Down, but Not Out In 2013, Detroit files for bankruptcy and fires up its residents. On July 18, 2013, Detroitbecame the nation's largest public sector bankruptcy. Before the motor city filed, just over 60 cities, counties, towns and villages had filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 9, the procedure used by municipalities in courts since the mid-1950s. Detroit's bankruptcy filing came with the approval of MichiganGovernor Rick Snyder. In a press conference the following day, Snyder said, "Now's our opportunity to stop 60 years of decline. How long had this been going on and people were kicking the can down the road and not doing something? We're doing something." The bankruptcy was filed by Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr whose job it is to find a way to resolve Detroit's financial situation, which includes an estimated $18 million in total outstanding liabilities. Orr was appointed emergency financial manager by Gov. Snyder, an appointment opposed by Detroit residents in a November 2012 referendum. In the press conference with Snyder, Orr said that Detroit needs to cut its debt to restore services. "Does anybody think it's OK to have 40-year-old trees growing through the roofs of dilapidated houses," he said. Part of Orr's plan, to reorganize the city and cut the debt down to $2 billion, would mean that retirees, bond holders and investors would receive only 17% of what they are owed. Lights Out in Motor City Once the country's fourth-largest city and the world's automobile capital, Detroit has gone from a city of 1.8 million in 1950 to 700,000 people in 2013. Tens of thousands of buildings, including the historic Michigan Central Station, have been abandoned and lots vacated. Streets have gone unlit. Detroit residents got fired up about the bankruptcy filing, which meant pension cuts for city workers and bonds worth only pennies on the dollar. A bankruptcy filing also put the city's assets at risk, including the hockey arena and city zoo, which could be sold off. Detroiters Get Fired Up The Detroit Fire Fighters Association released a group statement that said it was "very disappointed" over the city's bankruptcy filing. The group added, "We are working with other Detroit employees to form a unified coalition to address the financial concerns of Detroit. Fire Fighters will continue to protect and serve during this difficult time, regardless of the economic challenges." Detroit resident Katherine Mingle wasn't surprised when the city filed for bankruptcy. "Since Rick Snyder was elected, he has implemented a number of policies that seem to center on the financial solvency of Michigan. Passing laws like the Right to Work legislation are particularly offensive to me as someone who takes pride in the accomplishments of the labor movement. As an educator, I have taught social studies to kids with an earnest love for the American ideals of democracy and civic involvement. It becomes really hard to instill those values when our elected officials in city government are being usurped by emergency managers." Mingle added that the media's handling of the bankruptcy filing didn't help. "Worst of all, it is another story for the national media to exploit what is seen as the decay of this great city. It's rare these days to find the media reporting on the positive things going on here," she said. Detroit Hustles Harder In fact, the bankruptcy and situation in Detroit presents a unique opportunity for the city to reinvent itself. As Mingle explains, "There is a lot going on here in terms of community organization, development, arts and culture. And it is fueled by the masses of young people moving to the city for cheap rent and the opportunity to build things. The residents I know are motivated, collaborative and proud. I don't know that people would be so fiercely determined to make positive changes if things weren't as bad as they are now." In January 2013, city leaders presented a 347-page plan called "Detroit Future City." The plan included turning vacated lands into parks, landscapes and commercial sections. Many point to the downtown area along Woodward Avenue as a guide. Thousands of people, a lot of them young, have moved into that area, which includes a new gourmet coffee shop, a faux beach, bushes landscaped in the shape of dogs, and music playing along the street. Other U.S. cities such as Pittsburghand Bostonredeveloped after a period of depopulation, although neither one of those cities faced the extreme financial situation that Detroit is in now. However, Mingle says Detroit is up for the challenge, "There's a slogan you see around town a lot. 'Detroit Hustles Harder.' I like it because it's true. We work hard and we work together. Maybe it's only because one person can't do it alone here. But the point is, Detroiters are not giving up. Bankruptcy is just another hurdle. And we are climbing it."