Kini Semua Berpeluang Jadi Pelancong Angkasa, Syaratnya...

PHOTO: NASA

INOVASI: Impian masyarakat dunia untuk meneroka angkasa lepas di masa hadapan sebagai pelancong angkasa semakin menjadi realiti dalam tempoh terdekat.

Jika dahulu untuk meneroka ke angkasa lepas hanya dikendalikan agensi angkasa lepas yang menelan belanja berbilion RM namun usaha kini digerakkan syarikat yang mahu menyediakan perkhidmatan membawa manusia ke angkasa lepas.

Firma swasta antarabangsa kini berlumba-lumba menyediakan perkhidmatan terbaik kepada mana-mana individu berkemampuan yang mahu merasai pengalaman melancong ke angkasa lepas dengan menaiki pesawat komersial yang berkelajuan seperti roket.

Pada 11 Januari 2018, Syarikat Virgin Galactic berjaya menyempurnakan ujian penerbangan kapal angkasa VSS Unity, sekali gus meletakkan syarikat berkenaan di landasan tepat untuk meneruskan misi menghantar pelancong ke angkasa.

Setakat ini, lebih 700 hartawan termasuk selebriti terkenal, Brad Pitt dan Katy Perry telah menempah kerusi berharga hampir AS$250,000 (RM992,562) untuk menikmati perjalanan ke angkasa yang ditawarkan syarikat itu.

Portal Mail Online melaporkan, ujian berkenaan dijalankan itu menyaksikan kapal angkasa itu mendarat dengan selamat daripada altitud hampir 15,000 meter.

“Sudah beberapa bulan sejak penerbangan terakhir kami, di mana kami bekerja melalui tempoh masa yang dirancang.

“Ini melibatkan analisis yang luas, pengujian dan pengubahsuaian kecil untuk memastikan kesediaan kenderaan untuk memikul beban serta daya kuasa yang lebih tinggi,” kata jurucakap Virgin Galactic.

Semasa ujian penerbangan tersebut, kapal angkasa VSS Unity melepaskan 450 liter air, selain melakukan simulasi peralihan berat yang biasanya disebabkan oleh bahan bakar roket.

Tidak seperti syarikat-syarikat angkasa lepas komersial lain, seperti SpaceX dan Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic memulakan penerbangannya tanpa menggunakan pelancaran roket yang biasa dilakukan.

Syarikat itu, sebaliknya melancarkan VSS Unity dan kapal lain dari pesawat penerbangan yang dikenali sebagai VMS Eve.

Pengasas syarikat berkenaan, Richard Branson berkata, pihaknya yakin kapal angkasa VSS Unity bersedia membawa pelancong menyertai ujian penerbangan suborbital menjelang April 2018 ini.

SUMBER: THE MAIL ONLINE/ NASA

Facebook Just Lost $3.3 Bilion, Shares Drop 4.4%

Photo: Morning24World

FORBES calculation reported FACEBOOK co-founder Mark Zuckerberg losing nearly $3.3 billion of his personal net worth for the latest indication changes to the social networking site. 

Zuckerberg’s announcement that Facebook would change its algorithm to make people’s news feeds more focused on friends and family, rather than posts from businesses and media companies, 4.4 percent drop came just after that announcement.

In a Facebook post on Thursday 11 Januari 2018, Zuckerberg said that public content from brands had inundated news feeds, overtaking posts from personal connections. By the end of Friday, Facebook shares were trading at $179.37, down more than 4.4 per cent from Thursday’s price of $187.77.

Zuckerberg, who Forbes ranks as the fifth-wealthiest person in the world, co-founded Facebook in 2004, when he was 19 years old. 

Now 33, the billionaire is worth $72.4 billion, behind only Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Bill Gates of Microsoft, Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway and Amancio Ortega of Zara.

Facebook Inc. said it’s making major changes to its flagship social network, shifting users’ news feeds back toward posts from friends and family and away from businesses and media outlets -- a transition that is likely to mean people spend less time on the site. The shares tumbled the most in more than a year.

“Video and other public content have exploded on Facebook in the past couple of years,” wrote Zuckerberg in his post. 

“Since there's more public content than posts from your friends and family, the balance of what's in News Feed has shifted away from the most important thing Facebook can do—help us connect with each other.”

“As we roll this out, you'll see less public content like posts from businesses, brands, and media. And the public content you see more will be held to the same standard—it should encourage meaningful interactions between people.”

Critics slammed Facebook for failing to filter out misinformation over the past few years, especially during the 2016 presidential race when “fake news” abounded all over social media. 

Zuckerberg has insisted in the past that Facebook is not a media company, and said that the notion of his platform’s content influencing the election was a “crazy idea.”

The latest tweak could be an effort to eliminate some of the responsibility of policing brand content, according to some experts. But investors seem to be wary of the change, and businesses are worried that it could hurt revenue models.

Facebook and companies from Twitter Inc. to Apple Inc. have been confronting a mounting public backlash against technology and social media, as the public grapples with a constantly connected life in which they are exposed to fake or biased news, cyber bullying and even internet addiction

REFERENCE:
1. Newsweek
2. Bloomberg
3. Forbes

Hawaii Gempar Amaran Serangan Peluru Berpandu Balistik, Rupanya...

Photo: Twitter

DIOLAH OLEH: MOHD EZLI MASHUT

GLOBAL: Ekoran kesilapan mesej amaran berhubungn serangan peluru berpandu balistik menerusi telefon penduduk Hawaii panik sehingga mencetuskan kegusaran dan kekeliruan.

Amaran itu, muncul dalam Sistem Amaran Kecemasan digunakan pihak berkuasa seluruh negara untuk menghantar maklumat kecemasan penting ditulis: "ANCAMAN PELURU BERPANDU BALISTIK MENUJU KE ARAH HAWAII. SEGERA BERLINDUNG. INI BUKAN SATU LATIHAN."

Agensi Berita Antarabangsa AFP melaporkan amaran kecemasan yang menggesa penduduk Hawaii segera berlindung itu muncul beberapa bulan selepas ketegangan meningkat antara Washington dan Pyongyang, dengan Korea Utara berkata, ia berjaya menguji peluru berpandu balistik yang boleh membawa kepala peledak nuklear ke AS, termasuk rangkaian kepulauan gunung berapi itu.

"Tiada ancaman peluru berpandu di Hawaii," Agensi Pengurusan Kecemasan (EMA) Hawaii segera menulis tweet, ketika media sosial huru hara dengan gambar skrin mengenai amaran kecemasan itu di telefon bimbit.

Jurucakap tentera AS, David Benham berkata, Pusat Arahan Pasifik 'tidak mengesan sebarang ancaman peluru berpandu balistik ke Hawaii. Mesej terdahulu dihantar secara salah.'

Mesej yang betul menyatakan; 'tiada ancaman peluru berpandu atau bahaya kepada Hawaii', tidak dihantar ke telefon bimbit sehingga 40 minit kemudian.

Gabenor David Ige akan bertemu pegawai kanan Jabatan Pertahanan dan EMA negeri untuk membincangkan mengapa mesej salah, yang turut disiarkan di sesetengah televisyen tempatan, dihantar. 

Obtained by ABC News

BAGAIMANA RAKYAT HAWAII MEMBERIKAN REAKSI?

Agensi Associated Press menggambarkan reaksi rakyat Hawaii sebagai "panik keseluruhan" sementara menurut saluran berita CNBC, persiapan "sementara meletakkan penerima ke keadaan mendesak, dengan ramai dilaporkan berjalan untuk perlindungan".

Matt Lopresti, ahli Dewan Perwakilan Hawaii, berada di rumah ketika menerima amaran pada telefon bimbitnya.

Dia menerangkan bagaimana dia dan keluarganya telah mencari perlindungan di dalam tab mandi.

"Kami mendapat anak-anak kami, mengambil bekalan kecemasan kami, memasukkannya ke dalam bilik kami yang paling tertutup di rumah kami yang kami bilik mandi," katanya kepada penyiar tempatan, KGMB.

"Kami meletakkan mereka di dalam tab mandi, berkata doa kami, cuba mencari tahu apa yang sedang berlaku kerana kami tidak mendengar apa-apa penggera, mana-mana siren.

"Tidak banyak perkara lain yang boleh anda lakukan dalam situasi itu, anda tahu, kami melakukan apa yang kami boleh ... dan saya sangat marah sekarang kerana ia tidak sepatutnya membuat kesilapan besar."

Apa Yang Berlaku Kepada 'Butang Kecemasan'?

Selepas Tentera Amerika Syarikat mengesahkan tiada ancaman peluru berpandu dikesan dan mesej kecemasan dihantar adalah salah, Gabenor Ige menjelaskan ia adalah prosedur yang berlaku ketika pertukaran bagi memastikan sistem berfungsi dan pekerja menekan butang yang salah.



SUMBER BERITA:
1. AFP
2. BBC NEWS
3. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Honda Reveals Newest, Innovative And Futuristic Mobility and Robots

PHOTO BY: HONDA/ ENDGADGET

HONDA officially revealed its for newest innovative and futuristic mobility and companionship robots, part of the company's 3E (Empower, Experience, Empathy) program. 

Endgadget reported that Honda plans to develop the platforms with a variety of like-minded partners as part of the company's "open innovation" approach.

Yoshiyuki Matsumoto, president & CEO of Honda R&D Co., Ltd described the company's position saying: "Honda views robotics not as something in conflict with people, but as an opportunity to expand their potential. 

We have entered an era when robotics will become increasingly visible and essential in our everyday lives and have the ability to unlock human potential." 

In addition to the robotics concept, Honda says that in 2018 they will invest in mobility, and energy management. As part of this investment, Honda announced they are partnering with six startup companies to demonstrate technologies that relate to autonomous vehicles and advanced connected cars.

The Newest Products Includes:

1. 3E-A18, a companion robot that shows compassion with its facial expressions.

2. 3E-B18, a chair-like mobility device for indoor and outdoor use that could double as a baggage cart or stroller.

3. 3E-C18, a small electric mobility device with multi-functional cargo space.

4. 3E-D18, an autonomous off-road vehicle for work activities.


REFERENCE:
1. Endgadget
2. Columbus Business First
3. Interesting Enginering

Interesting Facts About Honda We Should Know!

Photo: Carlogos.org

Honda's 3E vision stands for "Empower, Experience, Empathy,"

The Honda Motor Company its history is connected with the name of Soichiro Honda. Born in 1906, Soichiro Honda was a prominent Japanese racing driver and engineer.

1. The history of the Honda brand begins in 1946, in the post-war Japan, when an engineer and ex-racing driver Soichiro Honda founded his first enterprise, the Honda Technical Research Institute. 

2. This venture was focused on development, production and repair of motorized bicycles and motorcycles. Two years later, the company started production of its own power units, and its name was changed to the Honda Motor Company.

3. Honda is the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959.

4. The company builds over 14 million internal combustion engines every year making it it’s largest manufacturer in the world.

5. Did you know the founder of Honda,  Soichiro Honda was turned down when he applied for an Engineering job in Toyota.

6. “The power of dreams” is the official slogan of the Honda brand.

7. The Honda Prelude is the first production car to have the four–wheel steering.

8. Honda makes private jet aircrafts, the HA420 Hondajet, which is powered by their own engines.

9.  Honda has its own airport in Japan, near its main plant. It’s called Honda airport!.

10. Honda is one of the largest exporter of soybeans from USA because they don’t want to return empty containers to Japan.

11. It was the first Japanese car manufacturer to launch the dedicated luxury brand in 1986- named Acura.

12. In 2005, during the EAA Air Venture airshow in USA, Honda surprised its fans by entering the aircraft production market. The Japanese company presented its very first aircraft, the light twin-engine business jet, named the Honda HA-420 HondaJet.

13. In October of 1946, Soichiro Honda established the Honda Technical Research Institute in Hamamatsu, Japan in order to develop and produce small 2-cycle motorcycle engines. 

Two years later, Honda Motor Company, Ltd. was born, and in 1959 Honda opened a tiny shop in Los Angeles with six employees, a trio of extremely well-made motorbikes, and a dream. 

Over the next 50 years Honda has released a massive amount of motorcycles, from the insanely fast CBR, to the puttering little 50cc Super Cub.

14. Another interesting fact about Honda has it that is V-tech engines have been one of the significant milestones in the production car tech till date. Make no mistake, but Honda was the first to use it in production vehicle before all the rest car makers followed the trend.

15. Apart from automobiles, Honda developed ASIMO, an android designed primarily to help the people who have limited mobility due to physical impediments. It marked a breakthrough in the field of robotic mobility and encouraged the youngsters to study mathematics and science.

16. The Honda Accord has been on the Car and Driver’s 10 Best Cars for 30 times. According to Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division of American Honda Motor Co, Inc: “Do something special once, you might be called lucky. 

Do something special twice, you start to build some credibility. Do something special 30 times, like the 10 Best Honda Accord, and you’ve accomplished something truly extraordinary.

17. The Honda Accord was the first imported car in 1989 that became a best-seller in the U.S. Its importance can’t be ignored here, since it paved the way for Honda to become a household name in the U.S.


18. In 1999, Honda started production of the original first-generation Insight, which was a subcompact hybrid sedan that stayed in production until 2006. 
After a brief hiatus, Honda finally introduced a second-generation compact Insight for the 2010 model year, which this time only stayed in production until 2014 and was killed off due to poor sales.

19. Toyota and Honda are recalling more than 1 million additional vehicles in the U.S. to replace defective and potentially deadly Takata air bag inflators.

The new recalls come after Takata revealed that another 3.3 million inflators are defective. The latest recalls are part of the largest series of automotive recalls in U.S. history, with 19 automakers having to recall up to 69 million inflators in 42 million vehicles. The problem brought a criminal conviction and fine against Takata and forced the Japanese company into bankruptcy protection.


20. Honda has announced the team for which 2009 Formula One world champion Jenson Button will contest his first full season with in Japan's 2018 Super GT series.



REFERENCE:
1. carfromjapan.com
2. Yahoo.news
3. Associated Press
4. ESPN

Fakta Menarik Berkenaan Cuaca Sejuk Dialami Di Malaysia 2018

SCREENSHOT: UNDERGROUND WEATHER APPS

1. Cuaca terlalu sejuk dengan suhu mencapai -1 dan -2 darjah Celsius di puncak Gunung Kinabalu menyebabkan air yang bertakung bertukar menjadi ketulan ais.

2. Aplikasi ramalan cuaca Malaysia, Met Office memaparkan cuaca di Lembah Klang turun sekitar 22 darjah Celsius.

3.  Cuaca sejuk sekitar 21 darjah Celsius yang melanda negara ketika ini adalah disebabkan tiupan angin luluran sejuk yang berlaku semasa monsun timur laut akibat pengukuhan sistem tekanan udara tinggi Siberia-Mongolia yang membawa cuaca sejuk dari utara ke China dan memasuki Laut China Selatan sebelum bergerak ke Malaysia.

4.  Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, dalam catatan di media sosial ketika tiba di tanah air  berkata cuaca sejuk di Malaysia sama seperti ketika beliau berada di Jeddah.

5. Tiupan udara tekanan tinggi Siberia-Mongolia juga ada kaitannya dengan fenomena yang menyebabkan berlakunya "bom siklon "yang menyebabkan cuaca sejuk di timur Amerika Syarikat (AS) dan Kanada sehingga mencatat suhu bawah paras beku. - Profesor Klimatologi dan Oseanografi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Prof Fredolin Tangang.


6.  Suhu paling rendah dicatatkan di Kuala Pilah iaitu 21 darjah Celsius. Tempat lain di Semenanjung, suhu sejuk sekitar 22 sehingga 23 darjah Celsius.

7. Info: Kawasan yang pernah mencatatkan suhu terendah pada 2014:

3 Februari 2014
Kota Bharu, Kelantan: 17.8°C
Gong Kedak, Terengganu: 17.6°C
Kuala Krai, Kelantan: 15.7°C

4 Februari 2014
Chuping, Perlis: 16.1°C
Butterworth, P. Pinang: 19.0°C
Kuala Kangsar, Perak: 17.2°C.

8. Cuaca sejuk daripada biasa hingga mencecah 21 darjah Celcius direkodkan di daerah Kuala Pilah, mencetus fenomena baharu bagi penduduk yang mengakui tidak pernah merasai suasana sedemikian, sebelum ini.

Keadaan itu menyebabkan sebahagian mereka, terutama kanak-kanak berpakaian tebal pada waktu pagi dan malam, walaupun ketika berada di dalam rumah. 

9. Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia pada 13 Januari menafikan mengeluarkan maklumat berhubung penurunan suhu sehingga 17 darjah Celsius yang kini tular menerusi media sosial.


10. Maklumat yang tular itu antara lain  mendakwa berdasarkan 'Info Cuaca Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia' seluruh negara mengalami penurunan suhu  dengan Tawau mencatatkan suhu terendah pada 17.6 darjah Celsius serta menasihati orang ramai memakai baju tebal pada malam ini bagi mengelakkan suhu badan turun secara mendadak dan seterusnya membawa demam panas.


SUMBER: BH ONLINE/BERNAMA

'Winter Sonata' landa Lembah Klang, Kesan 'Bom Siklon'?

Screeshoot: ACCU WEATHER.COM

OLEH: MOHD EZLI MASHUT

CUACA: Beberapa hari kebelakangan ini sejak 12 Januari, kawasan Lembah Klang dan beberapa kawasan mengalami penurunan suhu sehingga sekitar 21 darjah celsius.

Keadaan itu menyebabkan penduduk dapat merasai suasana sejuk dan nyaman yang jarang-jarang dapat dirasai seolah-olah berada di kawasan tinggi.

BACA: Lembah Klang Alami Cuaca Sejuk 'Luar Biasa' ?
https://ezli007.blogspot.com/2018/01/lembah-klang-alami-cuaca-sejuk-luar.html

|Apa Yang Menyebabkan Keadaan Sejuk Berlaku?

BH ONLINE dalam laporan 12 Januari 2018 menyatakan keadaan itu berlaku disebabkan tiupan angin luluran sejuk yang berlaku semasa monsun timur laut akibat pengukuhan sistem tekanan udara tinggi Siberia-Mongolia yang membawa cuaca sejuk dari utara ke China dan memasuki Laut China Selatan sebelum bergerak ke Malaysia.

Profesor Klimatologi dan Oseanografi, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Prof Fredolin Tangang, berkata cuaca sejuk seperti ini akan berlarutan dua tiga hari lagi dengan kawasan di Johor dan Sarawak akan berlaku hujan lebat.

Beliau berkata, keadaan hujan dan berawan dan cuaca sejuk yang berlaku sekarang juga disebabkan sebahagiannya ditokok tambah oleh fenomena 'Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO)' atau Ayunan Madden-Julian.

"Fenomena MJO adalah sebahagian keragaman iklim dalam musim di kawasan tropika yang berayun dengan kekerapan sekali dalam tempoh 20/60 hari," katanya seperti dilaporkan BH ONLINE.

Prof Fredolin berkata menurut kajian beliau di UKM, jika fenomena MJO ini berlaku secara serentak dengan maka keadaan penurunan hujan lebih tinggi.

| Kesan Bom Siklon?

Beliau berkata, tiupan udara tekanan tinggi Siberia-Mongolia juga ada kaitannya dengan fenomena yang menyebabkan berlakunya "bom siklon "yang menyebabkan cuaca sejuk di timur Amerika Syarikat (AS) dan Kanada sehingga mencatat suhu bawah paras beku.

BACA: Bom Siklon Landa Amerika, Lebih Sejuk Dari Marikh
https://ezli007.blogspot.com/2018/01/bom-siklon-landa-amerika-lebih-sejuk.html

Beliau menjelaskan selain angin sejuk kebiasaannya pergerakan angin monsun timur laut membawa bersama hujan lebat ke kawasan pantai Semenanjung seperti di Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang dan Johor, sekali gus mengakibatkan banjir.

"Pada awal monsun timur laut ini kita menyaksikan kawasan utara pantai timur terutama Kelantan dan Terengganu dilanda banjir dan penghujung Januari ini ia akan turun ke selatan tanah akhir mengikuti pergerakan palung monsun.

"Keadaan yang hampir sama pernah berlaku pada pertengahan Januari 2007, ketika Johor dilanda banjir besar di mana MJO dan luluran sejuk berlaku secara serentak," katanya.

BACA JUGA: https://ezli007.blogspot.com/2018/01/gurun-sahara-diliputi-salji-15-inci.html

BACA JUGA: https://ezli007.blogspot.com/2018/01/amerika-kanada-sejuk-membeku-50-celsius.html

BACA JUGA: https://ezli007.blogspot.com/2018/01/sydney-swelters-as-temperature-reaches.html

BACA JUGA: https://ezli007.blogspot.com/2018/01/huge-winter-storm-brings-snow-and.html

Lembah Klang Alami Cuaca Sejuk 'Luar Biasa' ?

Screenshoot: Weather Underground Aps

OLEH: MOHD EZLI MASHUT

CUACA: Bagaikan berada di kawasan tinggi dan sejuk, begitulah situasi dialami di beberapa kawasan di Malaysia ketika ini 12 Januari 2018.

Lembah Klang mengalami cuaca sejuk apabila paparan aplikasi cuaca www.accuweather.com mencatatkan suhu turun pada sekitar 22 darjah Celsius pada 12 Januari 2018.

Pada paparan Aplikasi cuaca itu menunjukkan Sekinchan Selangor mencatat suhu pada 21 darjah celsius pada jam 4.00 pagi antara terendah pernah dirasai.

Sebelum ini dilaporkan cuaca dunia dalam keadaan luar jangka apabila Amerika Syarikat dan beberapa negara mencatat suhu sehingga -50 darjah Celsius.

Manakala di Australia suhu panas sehingga ada menyebabkan jalan 'cair' dengan suhu panas mencecah sehingga 47 darjah celsius.

Dilaporkan juga Gurun Sahara yang terkenal dengan cuaca panas ekstrem turut memperlihatkan suasana 'aneh' apabila salji turun di sebuah kawasan padang pasir itu pada 9 Januari 2018 dalam kejadian kedua dalam tempoh 40 tahun.

Berikut adalah gambar keadaan kanak-kanak bermain salji di gurun Sahara di Aie Sefra Algeria yang dirakamkan juru gambar Hamouda Ben Jerad  and Sekkouri Kamel di Laman Portal Berita METRO.CO.UK pada 11 Januari 2018.

Local children took full advantage of the bizarre weather (Picture: Hamouda Ben Jerad)

As much as 40cm of snow fell on the world’s hottest desert (Picture: Sekkouri Kamel/Shutterstock)

One local boy doesn’t even need a sledge to have fun (Pictures: Hamouda Ben Jerad)

It would have been the first time these children got to play in the snow at home (Picture: Hamouda Ben Jerad)

|Adakah ini bermakna Malaysia dilanda cuaca sejuk yang melampau?

Dalam pada itu, Astro Awani melaporkan Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Kaji Cuaca Malaysia, Alui Bahari, cuaca di sebelah utara  Semenanjung Malaysia memang agak sejuk memandangkan berlakunya hujan berterusan sejak Khamis.

Beliau menjangkakan cuaca mungkin boleh mencecah 20 darjah Celsius pada waktu subuh pada Jumaat (12 Januari), namun akan kembali kepada suhu biasa keesokan harinya.

Sumber: MET MALAYSIA

Sumber: MET MALAYSIA

SUMBER: MET MALAYSIA

Tambah Alui, penurunan suhu hingga ke 20 darjah Celsius bukan sesuatu yang luar biasa.

Malah, jelas beliau, cuaca pernah mencecah 15.7 darjah Celsius pada beberapa tahun yang lepas.

"Pernah berlaku beberapa tahun lalu di Perlis, Kedah dan Kuala Krai, Kelantan di mana suhu menurun kepada 18 darjah Celsius disebabkan oleh tiupan angin dari utara.

"Lazimnya, ia berlaku pada bulan Januari dan bulan Februari di mana angin Timur Laut bertiup," kata beliau lagi.

Berikut merupakan suhu kawasan yang pernah mencatatkan suhu terendah pada 2014:

3 Februari 2014
Kota Bharu, Kelantan: 17.8°C
Gong Kedak, Terengganu: 17.6°C
Kuala Krai, Kelantan: 15.7°C

4 Februari 2014
Chuping, Perlis: 16.1°C
Butterworth, P. Pinang: 19.0°C
Kuala Kangsar, Perak: 17.2°C

Top 30 Nations Stockpiling Gold 2017

PHOTO: CNBC

These are the 30 places that are stockpiling the most gold, as recorded by the World Gold Council's World Official Gold Holdings up until November 2017.

This table was updated in January 2018 and reports data available at that time.

30) MEXICO: 120.5 TONS/ 2.8% RESERVES

Mexico keep its gold reserves high, with 120.5 tons in its stores, it is also a major producer of gold. The Central American country is one of the 10 largest gold miners in the world.


29) SOUTH AFRICA: 125.3 TONS/ 10.5% RESERVES

Once one of the world's largest gold producers, gold production has dropped significantly in South Africa in recent years and as a result of this the numbers working in the gold mining industry have fallen too.

The country still has large piles of gold in its stores, however, with 125.3 tons of the precious metal being held.

28) SWEDEN: 125.7 TONS/ 8.4% RESERVES

Sweden isn't an obvious choice for being a major player in the gold market, but this Scandinavian country actually owns 125.7 tons of gold bars.

It doesn't keep all of its stocks on home ground, however. As well as Sweden's central bank, the Riksbank, the country's gold is also reportedly held within the Bank of England, the Bank of Canada, the Federal Reserve Bank in America and the Swiss National Bank.

27) SINGAPORE: 127.4 TONS/ 1.9% RESERVES

Those looking for a secure place to store their gold often settle on Singapore, because the country has not been tarnished by any major corruption scandals, crime is low and so are taxes, plus the cost of gold storage here is incredibly competitive. The country itself has also got a substantial reserve of gold: 127.4 tons of the stuff to be precise.

26) THAILAND: 152.4 TONS/ 3.1% RESERVES

Thailand is stockpiling 152.4 tons of gold, over 20 tons more than Singapore. Thailand mines its own gold and the Thai people place a high value on the precious metal. In fact, south-east Asians as a whole are much keener on gold, for jewelry in particular, than people anywhere else in the world.

25) ALGERIA: 173.6 TONS/ 6.4% RESERVES

The north African country of Algeria has 20 tons of gold more than Thailand, with 173.6 tons of the stuff. It also has a strong gold mining tradition with gold thought to have been mined here on a small scale since pre-Roman times.

The government has only recently taken steps to encourage commercial gold mining on a large scale as it's thought that there is a great deal of wealth hidden beneath its soil.

24) VENEZUELA: 187.6 TONS

Venezuela was in the top 20 gold owners until a few years ago, but in a bid to reduce its vast debts and fend off an economic crisis it sold off about $1.7 billion (£1.2 billion) of gold in early 2016 and it's now down to 187.6 tons.
There is an established gold mining business in Venezuela but as its economic situation worsens an increasing number of unlicensed illegal mines are springing up.

23) PHILIPPINES: 196.4 TONS

The Philippines is one of Asia's largest gold producers. Although mining is big business here, it's thought that much of its gold is still untapped. Desperately poor locals hoping to get lucky and literally strike gold even undertake dangerous dives in mud-filled swamp mines in search of the precious metal.

The country has large reserves of gold already, however, with 196.4 tons recorded as being under its ownership.

22) BELGIUM: 227.4 TONS

Belgium is holding on to 227.4 tons of gold. Most of this is thought to be held abroad, some in the Bank of England and some in the Bank of Canada. 

There had been talk of the country looking into repatriating its stocks back to Belgium, but it's thought that the transport and security costs involved in the move were prohibitive and that Belgium was unsure where to store it if it did return to home soil.

21) AUSTRIA: 280 TONS

There is another big leap between 22nd and 21st place with Austria recorded as holding 280 tons of gold, more than 50 tons more than Belgium. Much of its stock was held in the Bank of England, but the Austrian National Bank is said to be working on repatriating much of this back to Vienna so that at least half of its gold is held at home.

20) SPAIN: 281.6 TONS

Just making the top 20 is Spain, which holds just over a ton more of gold than Austria with 281.6 tons in its stocks. Gold mining has been going on in Spain since before pre-Christian times and it was the Romans who turned it into a flourishing industry.

There is now a renewed interest in Spanish gold with a lot of prospector activity being carried out in the hope of being able to strike it lucky. It's unlikely to impact heavily on the country's gold reserves, however.

19) LEBANON: 286.8 TONS

It's definitely not the most stable country in the world, but this small Middle Eastern land is rich in gold. Lebanon is currently holding on to 286.8 tons of gold and it has the second largest gold reserves in the Middle East, after Saudi Arabia. Although Lebanon has a mining industry, gold is not one of its abundant natural resources.

18) KAZAKHSTAN: 289.3 TONS

The world's largest land-locked country Kazakhstan is currently working on developing its gold mining industry. With the help of foreign investors, attracted by its government's limited regulations, it hopes to become one of the world's largest gold-producing nations within 10 years. Perhaps it will use this to add to its own gold stocks, which currently amount to an impressive 289.3 tons.

17) UNITED KINGDOM: 310.3 TONS

Many countries choose to store their gold in the heavily fortified Bank of England vault in London, the second largest in the world after the vault at the New York Federal Reserve.

The UK has its fair share of gold reserves too, with 310.3 tons of the precious metal held in its name. Despite there being no gold mines currently in the UK, it has long been seen as the center of the wholesale gold market and a major importer and exporter of the metal.

16) SAUDI ARABIA: 322.9 TONS

The oil rich country of Saudi Arabia has the highest gold reserves in the Middle East, with 322.9 tons of the precious metal. As part of plans to diversify its economic base and place less of a reliance on oil, Saudi Arabia is also committed to boosting its gold mining industry.

Although overshadowed by oil, this is not a new endeavor. Archaeological studies show that gold began being mined in the country up to 5,000 years ago.

15) PORTUGAL: 382.5 TONS

Portugal has 382.5 tons of gold, nearly 60 tons more than Saudi Arabia. However, the country has battled with economic instability and there have been calls for it to sell off some of its gold reserves to reduce its national debt. Regulations make this easier said than done though and for now Portugal is holding on to its precious asset.

14) TAIWAN: 423.6 TONS

Despite being a small island off the coast of China, Taiwan is sitting on 423.6 tons of gold and has held this amount of the precious metal for several years.

Gold is always seen as a strong investment in uncertain times and with Brexit, the unpredictable Trump presidency and threats from North Korea, the world is certainly going through a period of instability. This has pushed the price of gold up, making Taiwan's gold assets a sound investment for the near term.

13) TURKEY: 495.6 TONS

Turkey has over 70 tons more gold than Taiwan with 495.6 tons. The country is thought to see gold as the best way to stabilize its fragile banking system.

Turkey is also pushing to exploit its own gold resources. Gold is thought to have been discovered in Turkey as early as 9000 BC, but it is only quite recently that it has become of international commercial interest.

12) EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK: 504.8 TONS

It's not a country but the European Central Bank (ECB) is the central bank of all the European Union countries that have adopted the euro as their currency.

It holds 504.8 tons of gold in their name, largely as a result of transfers made to the bank by Euro member national central banks at the launch of the euro. This gold is said to be stored across five locations around the world.

11. INDIA: 557.8 TONS

Indian households are known to hold more gold than most other nations, largely in the form of jewelry, and the country itself also places a high value on gold storage.

India holds 50 tons more gold than the European Central Bank, with 557.8 tons. Although India does have a small gold mining industry it can't support the national demand and most of its yellow metal is bought in from abroad.

10) THE NETHERLANDS: 612.5 TONS

The Netherlands takes the number 10 spot on the World Official Gold Holding Chart with 612.5 tons of gold in its stocks. Plans are currently being put in place to move its gold bullion from its current vaults in central Amsterdam to a new purpose-built facility near Zeist. Some Dutch gold is also said to be held at the Bank of England, the Bank of Canada and the Federal Reserve Bank in America.

9) JAPAN: 765.2 TONS

Japan holds 765.2 tons of gold in stock, more than 150 tons more than the Netherlands. It also has its own veins of gold running through its land, which have been mined on a small scale for centuries. Recent exploratory gold searches have proved positive and Japan is now looking to exploit those reserves further.

8) SWITZERLAND: 1,040 TONS

The gold stocks move into four figures now with Switzerland holding 1,040 tons. The majority of this gold is held on home soil, but some of it is stored at the Bank of England and Bank of Canada.

In 2014 there was a referendum to decide whether all the gold should be stored in Switzerland, whether the Swiss National Bank (SNB) should have the right to sell its gold reserves and whether the SNB should hold at least 20% of its assets in gold. The status quo prevailed

7) RUSSIA: 1,778.9 TONS

Russia holds over a third more gold than Switzerland, with 1,778.9 tons of the stuff. The country can't get enough of this precious metal and has been busy expanding its reserves over recent years. It doesn't need to import to add to its stockpile either, as it has a billion-dollar gold mining industry.

6) CHINA: 1,842.6 TONS

China has 1,842.6 tons of gold in its reserves. It is also the world's biggest gold producer, ahead of Australia and Russia, and the local demand for gold has been boosted by the burgeoning wealth of its middle class.

5) FRANCE: 2,435.9 TONS

France has stockpiled 2,435.9 tons of gold, much of this reportedly acquired during the 1950s and 1960s. Although some is held abroad, most of this gold is said to be held in vaults under the Banque de France in Paris. A few hundred tons of French gold was sold off in the early part of this century, but its stocks have remained stable since about 2009.

4) ITALY: 2,451 TONS

Italy holds just a little bit more gold than France with 2,451 tons. Unlike most countries, where the gold reserves are owned by the state and managed by its central bank, Italy’s gold is actually owned by the Banca d’Italia.

This gold is held in vaults in Rome and on foreign soil at the Swiss National Bank, the Federal Reserve Bank in New York and the Bank of England.

3) INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND: 2,814 TONS

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a group of 189 countries that work to foster global monetary co-operation. When it was founded in 1944 it was decided that 25% of initial quota subscriptions and subsequent quota increases were to be paid in gold. That remains the main source of the 2,814 tons of gold it holds.

2) GERMANY: 3,373 TONS

Germany is the second largest hoarder of gold in the world with 3,373 tons of it. Concern over Its gold falling under Soviet control during the Cold War led to the stockpile being spread around the world.

It was thought it was divided between the Federal Reserve Bank in New York, the Bank of England and the Banque de France. Recently at least half of this bounty has been bought back home to Frankfurt.

1) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: 8,133.5 TONS

The United States of America is the country with the most gold in the world with 8,133.5 tons of gold bullion. That's nearly as much as Germany, the IMF and Italy combined. The majority of this gold is thought to be held in depositories across America, such as the famous Fort Knox.

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Data are taken from the International Monetary Fund's International Financial Statistics (IFS), January 2018 edition, and other sources where applicable.

IFS data are two months in arrears, so holdings are as of November 2017 for most countries, October 2017 or earlier for late reporters.


REFERENCES:
1. World Gold Council
2. MSN MONEY