Masjid An-Nur

Photo manipulation is the application of image editing techniques to photographs in order to create an illusion or deception, through analog or digital means.

      

It was taken by photographer Richard Lam as violence erupted following the Canucks' 4-0 defeat by the Boston Bruins. The couple have been identified, as Australian Scott Jones and his Canadian girlfriend Alex Thomas. Scott has been in the country for six months, working as a bar tender while he tries to make it as a stand-up comedian. Alex is a student at the University of Guelph in Ontario and the couple have not been dating long. They were between the riot police and the rioters, and the riot police were charging forward, and Alex got knocked by a police shield and fell to the ground. Scott was comforting her and gave her a kiss to say, 'It's going to be OK,' and the photographer just took the shot at that moment. Alex is now recovering from the bruised leg she suffered as she fell to the ground.

Some people simply have way too much time on their hands. We salute (some) these people, especially Barend Hemmes, an avid motorcycle enthusiast who designed and built a motorcycle in the shape of the classic Jaguar logo. There have been several attempts by individuals and  big-time car manufacturers to have a motorcycle produced in the style of a car. These include Audi, Volkswagen and Dodge. Dodge produced the Tomahawk motorcycle based on their Viper.

The beautiful two-wheeled beast was created as a tribute to the legendary car makers, by a die hard Jaguar fan from the comfort of his own garage. Designed by the artist Barend Hemmes and built byMassow Concept Cycles, the Jaguar leaping cat motorcycle is a 1200cc one-of-a-kind bike based on the British car brand’s “leaper” cat logo. We first heard the news about the Jaguar Motorcycle way back in 2008, but now it has been completed, photographed and captured on video. The leaping cat is rechristened the NightShadow and is perfectly street legal.

The bike’s basic structure is made of high-grad stainless steel and finished in high glossy ebony lacquer. The beast is powered by the Buell 97 S3 Thunderbolt with a top speed which is of about 50mph and sports stingray skin seats. The bike is priced at £320,000 (about $567,000), and Hemmes is currently in talks with Jaguar about using the motorcycle for branding purposes. The  leaping cat is the first of the artist’s concept drawings based on automaker trademarks to be brought to life.

The engine has a  soothing purr, but we will need superior cat-like reflexes to handle this magnificent beast. The only problem  is that it appears that it will be difficult to see the road ahead of us over the bodywork! Whether you like it or you hate it, you have got to be impressed by the workmanship. And as it turns out, the builders of the bike were so pleased with their creation that Hemmes is currently working on a new concept, a bull shaped motorcycle that the Red Bull Energy drink lovers would certainly love.

Here’s the video of the Nightshadow’s maiden voyage.

Below you can check out the video of the conception of the idea.

Via Luxist

The Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huangdi / Photo from Fraggle Rockstar

The tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China is loaded with historical significances. This mausoleum, which is seen as the epitome of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi’s boundless power and prestige is located 30 km to the outside of X’ian in the Shensi province of China. Qin Shi Huangdi was the only ruler who single-handedly unified the seven warring clans of the China of 221 BCE and commanded massive construction of several public infrastructures as well as the legendary Great Wall of China.

Generales de Qin Shi Huang / Photo from Lezama

The emperor left a written record of his military and diplomatic feats in a series of tablets. He successfully abolished feudalism, promoted religion and divided China into 36 states for an efficient administration. Among the other significant achievements of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi was the standardization of various systems of writing, weights and measures, currencies and the simplification of the record-keeping methods. Despite these progressive works, Qin Shi Huangdi was despotic and tyrannical in his rule.

Some of the 7000 Warriors, discovered in 1974. They are guarding the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi near Xi’an, Central China.
Known as the “Terra-cotta Army”, the Warriors are now considered the 8th Wonder of the World / Photo from Heaven’s Gate (John)

Interestingly, this great builder ordered the erection of his burial chamber right after his ascension to the throne in 246 BCE when he was just a boy of thirteen! Going by the records about his personal traits, it was rather a contradictory step for Qin Shi Huangdi to take because of his search for an immortality formula to help him eternalize his ‘divine rule’. However, the work completed 36 years after it was started and Qin Shi Huangdi died soon after in 210 BCE to be buried in it.

Tomb Warriors exhibit in Epcot’s China Pavillion. / Photo from Damgaard

The discovery of this archeological treasure happened in 1974, when a team of Chinese peasants abruptly came across the tomb while trying to drill a well. What was most striking about this mausoleum was its huge size and the remarkable artworks stored in it. This includes the 8000 life-size army consisting of terracotta statues of men and horses. Because each statue was individually built with 3-inch thick terra-cotta clay, you can distinguish each soldier and horse from another in their unique looks, weaponry and dressing.

Terracotta Warriors / Photo from One Daring Armadillo

The warriors are positioned according to the ranks they held in the contemporary time. The different sections of the 8000 troops are distributed in three separate chambers. The first and the largest chamber contains the troop of active duty officers, the second chamber is where the reserves are placed while the third small chamber houses 68 elite commanders and officers. All the soldiers face east to protect the afterlife of Qin Shi Huangdi from possible enemy attacks coming from that direction.

Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses – Xian, China. / Photo from Purple Cloud

The mystery of this tomb lies in the fact that the three-chamber terracotta soldier complex forms only 1% of the total mausoleum area. The central section of the 90-feet tall mausoleum building beneath an earthen pyramid is still unexcavated. According to the accounts of Chinese historians and popular legends, this part is mapped as a city, with walls, palaces and cemetery and meant for the use of Qin Shi Huangdi in his luxurious afterlife. The rivers and water bodies are sketched with flowing mercury while the sky is represented by constellations of pearls.

Photo from Kiwi Mikex

The underground palace is arguably the most elaborate structure in its grandeur and amenities. It could be an abode of long-buried treasures like precious gems, metals and other wealth. This intricate bronze-lined, waterproof construction extending over four square miles took the labor of 700,000 prisoners of war and slaves for its completion after which they were killed to stop them from divulging the tomb’s secret. To make Qin Shi Huangdi’s second life as pompous as his life on earth, his mistresses were buried alive in this tomb as well.

Life after death / Photo from Mernas

Even today the excitement over the mysterious secrets of this sophisticated necropolis has not stopped drawing groups of tourists and intellectuals from the world over. As a tourist, you can freely take a tour to the spot although all the details of its excavations are strictly under Chinese authorities. They are still to dig out treasures and valuables from the womb of Qin Shi Huangdi’s mausoleum. Only when the tomb is opened up completely, the myriad marvelous accounts it has commanded will meet the light of truth.

Xi’an – Terracota Warriors / Photo from mseguias

neasy 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.

1. Bhumibol Adulyadej – King of Thailand

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.
Photo from Darriuss Royce

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

Photo from m_l_monschein

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) 
Photo from Fazza3

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

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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.

Photo from Sporty Morty

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

Photo from rentasimages

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 $20 billion. The Sultan has anything between 3000 to 6000 carsin his collection. The Istana Nurul Iman palace, the Sultan’s official residence, provides visitors a spectacular sight. It is the biggest palace in the world, much bigger than the Vatican palace. US$ 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

Photo from Treksek

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

Pictures copyright of owner / Photo from baldrick2dogs

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. TheBuckingham 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 Palaceis 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

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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 Palaceis 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 ofBhutan. The Oxford-educated bachelor of 28 years is the youngest reigning monarch in the world. TheTashichoedzong 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 / lesotho.gov.ls)

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

(Royal Palace in Maseru / ornamentalsheep.blogspot.com)