Bill Gates: Tops rich list

DESPITE losing $18 billion (e14bn) last year, four times the GDP of Niger or three times that of Haiti, Bill Gates has regained his place on the top of the world’s stinking rich list.

The billionaire, like the polar bear, may be facing extinction as investments shrink with polar-cap rapidity. In 2008, the world contained 1,125 billionaires. This year there are a mere 793 — a meltdown of almost 30%.

The 10 biggest losers lost a cool $238 billion in the past year, more than the total GDP of Ireland or Israel.