Category: Money Makes The World Go Round

When burying money in the desert is an occupational hazard, you have already made it big in the criminal world. If you were a fan of monumental TV-series anti-hero Walter White, you might be happy to learn that industry sources are claiming a Breaking Bad movie script is currently being written by the show’s creator Vince Gilligan.

Rumors have been rife since the show’s epic final episode in 2013 that a prequel or a Breaking Bad movie might be written, but only now are we starting to hear something more concrete.

Will We Get a Breaking Bad Movie?

Many fans of the show thought the only link we now had to the Breaking Bad world was via the prequel series Better Call Saul, which is also written by Gilligan. And although Bob Odenkirk does a fantastic job as the happy-go-lucky ‘criminal’ lawyer Jimmy McGill, more commonly known as Saul Goodman, it’s not quite the same. How could it be?

According to the entertainment news website, The Hollywood Reporter, a Breaking Bad movie could well be heading to a screen near you in the future.

No one who watched the original AMC series will ever forget the Greek tragedy that was the Walter White story. From a lowly paid chemistry teacher with terminal cancer to makeshift meth-lab operator to badass druglord and kingpin knocking off bodies like Tony Montana. The story was one of the best told in television history.

Completely Different Story?

Sources close to Vince Gilligan told The Hollywood Reporter that the writer is already working on a two-hour script for the new Breaking Bad movie. Although AMC was the original broadcasters of the Breaking Bad series, it is not known as of yet whether they are involved in the project.

At this point, no one is sure exactly how this will pan out or even if Walter White will be involved at all. It’s believed that the new Breaking Bad movie is currently going under the title “Greenbrier” and is apparently about a kidnapped man who escapes and is trying to find freedom.

It sounds to me as if the Breaking Bad banner will be used but the story and characters will be completely different.

Have the news outlets got this wrong and assumed that Greenbrier is a new Breaking Bad series because Vince Gilligan has written it and the filming will apparently be in New Mexico later this month? That’s definitely a possibility.

We will have to hold tight, cross our fingers, spark up the Bunsen burners and hope that the rumors of this Breaking Bad movie are true.

Featured image from Pixabay.

Outspoken hip-hop emcee turned businessman 50-Cent reckons Floyd Mayweather might be going broke or at least has some tax problems.

Some might point to the rapper’s ongoing beef with his former friend as a reason for the claims. But there are some strange things happening around the Mayweather circus at this moment in time.

The formally retired boxer had a reported net worth via Forbes of around $700 million at the turn of the year and was listed as making over $200 million in his 2015 fight against Manny Pacquiao alone.

Is it possible that Floyd’s cash-flow is dwindling? It seems impossible. But not everything is always how it seems.

Floyd Mayweather MMA Matchup Announcement

Floyd Mayweather’s decision to fight UFC fighter extraordinaire Conor McGregor made total sense from a business point of view. But the boxer’s recent press conference to announce a New Year’s Eve fight against the 20-year-old Japanese kickboxing sensation Tenshin Nasukawa in Japan has left the boxing world scratching their heads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y908HZOCjOk

Former friend now turned enemy 50-Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, had some choice words in regards to the situation on his Instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpzuCxmHotD/?utm_source=ig_embed

Other boxing fans took to Twitter to claim that:

“This screams that Mayweather is going broke.”

We all knew a comeback was imminent but we naturally assumed it would be against a former foe and Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao. The choice to fight Tenshin Nasukawa, in a bout whose rules are yet to be confirmed, came out of left field.

The fact that Mayweather turned up to the press conference in Tokyo on Sunday looking a bit disheveled without his usual Floyd Mayweather Promotions team members such as Laurence Ellerbe, has caused some controversy on internet boxing YouTube sites.

Some believe Floyd has gone his own route with this decision. If you look at the logos behind Floyd during the press conference, you will see only the TMT banner. There is no mention of Mayweather Promotions or even his long-time American broadcaster Showtime.

Floyd Is Sending Out Strange Signals

Instead of his usual braggadocios attitude and incessant money talk, Floyd didn’t once mention how much he was getting paid for the Tenshin Nasukawa gig.

Is it possible that Floyd has gone rogue with this announcement and seriously needs to replenish his funds? One Twitter commenter speculated that a man who buys an $18 million watch will always need to keep the cash coming thick and fast.

Other commenters on Twitter also chipped in with their opinions such as:

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Mayweather isn’t doing as well financially as he would like everyone to believe. He has looked desperate in recent months, trying to set up fights with a number of fighters. Even a $300 million dollar payday can go fast if you spend the way he does.”

Something doesn’t quite add up with these recent happenings. Is Floyd Mayweather just looking to take advantage of his fame while he still can, or are there some underlying problems in regards to his cash flow and the IRS? It will all come out in the wash and 50-Cent will be there to tell everyone about it on Instagram.

Featured image from Pixabay.

Most people who overspend at Harrods suffer from varying degrees of buyer’s remorse. Retail therapy may be real but so is footing the bill afterward when the adrenaline has died down and all you’re left with is an overpriced set of steak knives. What doesn’t happen often (in fact, never before) is that you get slapped with a UWO (Unexplained Wealth Order) like Zamira Hajiyeva.

Zamira Hajiyeva Spent £16m in Harrods

When your husband is doing time in an Azerbaijani jail for embezzlement, keeping a low profile is probably a good idea. And yet Zamira Hajiyeva didn’t believe in living modestly. If her £15 million house just near the department store in one of London’s most affluent neighborhoods wasn’t enough to alert the authorities, her insatiable spending appetite in Harrods was.

She has now become the first person in Britain to be served with a UWO by the National Crime Agency and is facing extradition charges back to her native Azerbaijan.

Her Lawyers Claim No Wrongdoing

While her lawyers insist that no wrongdoing took place and that Mrs. Hajiyeva is no “fraudster,” she’ll have a fair amount of explaining to do when it comes to justifying the source of her wealth. The UWO will force her to reveal the origin of her wealth and that will probably uncover a trail of undesirable discoveries.

The UWO was served and Mrs. Hajiyeva was arrested after UK authorities were adverted by their Azerbaijani counterparts of two counts of embezzlement charges against her and requested extradition. She is currently being held in custody and was denied bail as prosecutors claimed that she was a flight risk.

The best justification from her legal team so far? They say that Mrs. Hajiyeva is no fraudster with no threat of leaving the country. She’s merely a bit of a “spendthrift.” Perhaps that buyer’s remorse blow is softer when you’re spending other people’s money.

What Happens Next for Hajiyeva?

It seems the Azerbajaini’s weakness for blowing through money will finally be her undoing, although she has an appeal hearing scheduled for Thursday this week.

She also has children living in the UK and has been living in the British Isles for almost 10 years after surviving a brutal kidnapping in her native country. Whether the NCA will take this into account or not remains to be seen.

Featured image from Shutterstock.

Billionaires and the ultra-rich have their own expensive tastes and often lead a plush lifestyle that defines them and makes them stand apart. They spend more, live larger, and prefer to travel in style. And, for much of the jet-set, the luxury yacht has now become their ultimate status symbol. Check out these five superyachts of billionaires that will leave you completely awestruck.

1. History Supreme

This luxury superyacht is something that will blow your mind and is way beyond imagination.

With a price tag of around £3 billion ($4.15 billion), this superyacht comes covered in 100,000kg of solid gold, platinum, and jewels from its base to the deck.

It boasts a genuine Tyrannosaurus Rex bones statue and also features a part of dinosaur bone sourced from Arizona USA in its master bedroom.

This 30-meter-long yacht is designed by world-renowned designer Stuart Hughes. It took him over three years to transform it from a concept to a final product.

The owner of this superyacht is reported to be Malaysia’s richest business magnate, Robert Kuok with an estimated net worth of $12.5 billion.

2. Eclipse

Owned by a Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, this superyacht features all the latest security apparatus including a missile and intruder defense system, bullet-proof windows, armor-plated bedroom and bridge, and an anti-paparazzi shield.

Worth around $1.5 billion, this is the second largest yacht in the world with a length of 533 feet. It also has a small submarine which can take guests up to a depth of 50 meters. For guests, it has 2 helipads, 24 guest cabins, 2 swimming pools, hot tubs, and disco halls.

3. Streets of Monaco

In the list, this is the craziest looking yacht with replicates popular landmarks like the Monte Carlo Casino, the Hotel de Paris, and La Rascasse.

Designed by Opulent Yacht and interiors done by Filthy Rich Boaters, this luxurious boat comes with a price tag of over $1.1 billion.

Still looking for its rightful owner, this yacht is spread over three levels and in the interiors, it boasts a barbeque facility, mini-waterfall, submarines, undersea view, and helicopters.

4. Azzam

The Azzam is 181 meters long and worth $600 million, and is the largest superyacht in the world, said to be one of the fastest with a speed of 35 kph. This superyacht is built by Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Emir of Abu Dhabi and President of UAE.

It is said that the owner’s suite is fully bulletproof and the yacht has its own missile defense system and a submarine. According to its builders, the ship has the most complex piece of engineering and boasts two gas turbine engines and a diesel generator to make it move at much higher speed.

5. Motor Yacht A

Owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, this yacht is rumored to cost over $300 million. An exterior design of the yacht has a striking similarity with warships and can accommodate 14 guest and 35 crew members.

It has its own helicopter pad, speed boats, bomb-proof windows, motion sensors and host of other security features. The entire interiors of the ship are covered with mirrored surfaces along with Baccarat crystals used for table wares and furniture.

So, if you ever wanted to sail the high seas in style, just catch a ride with one of these billionaires–or get saving now.

Image sources:

Featured image from Stuart Hughes

The Sun, 

Flickr,

Curbed

Wikimedia

Flickr

Vembu Vaidyanathan, founder, CEO, and Chairman of Capital First has decided to divide 10% of his shares between family members, former employees, colleagues, and personal staff. The value of the unusual gift comes to $2.7 million (Rs20 crore), representing 429,000 shares, at the current market price of ₹478.60 ($6.56) on the BSE.

41 people benefit from this windfall and none of them are direct heirs or successors of the millionaire.

Driver and Maids Get 6,500 Shares Each

Vembu Vaidyanathan made this gesture of gratitude to thank all those people who stayed close to him and supported his work, while he was building the Capital First brand. The millionaire’s brother, group captain Satyamurthy Vembu, received the highest amount of shares, at 26,000.

Other members of the family who will now own stock in Capital First include Vaidyanathan’s other brother, their sister, and seven of his wife’s relatives.

23 colleagues and three former employees have also received 11,000 shares each. Besides them, Vaidyanathan also offered 6,500 shares to each of his five personal staff including his driver and the housemaids.

This action comes just in time for Diwali, one of the most important festivals in Hinduism. Although, the decision of rewarding close people and staff had nothing to do with the celebration but with other events that will change the course of Capital First.

Capital First said in a statement:

“The company is now on the threshold of a merger with an existing bank, and such a merger is a significant milestone because of access to a bank platform. Hence before the start of the new journey, as an expression of thanks, he [V Vaidyanathan] has gifted 11,000 fully paid-up shares to each of the 26 said employees, totaling to 2,86,000 shares of Capital First held by him in his personal capacity.”

Vembu Vaidyanathan Is a Self-Made Millionaire

Vembu Vaidyanathan started his career in 1990, at Citibank where he worked in consumer banking. In 2000, he joined the team at ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, and soon became the company’s managing director and CEO.

The millionaire founded Capital First, a company that finances upcoming entrepreneurs. He started by buying an equity stake in NBFC, a non-banking finance company.

In 2012, he managed to secure an equity backing of almost $9 million from PE Warburg Pincus. His next moves were an open offer to the public and complete reconstruction, resulting in the ideation of a new brand, called Capital First. Today, the company is worth $29 billion.

After Capital First’s merger with IDFC Bank, the IDFC managing director and CEO Rajiv Lall will become the Non-Executive Chairman of the new bank. Vaidyanathan will lead the new organization as MD and CEO.

Before giving away part of his shares, Vaidyanathan held almost 4% in Capital First. He also owns a significant amount of shares in the Rukmani Social Welfare Trust, an organization that provides support for charity and underprivileged children.

Featured image from OfficeChai.

If you’re loaded and feeling in need of some serious R&R, why not splash out (literally) on an underwater vacation in the Maldives? The white-sand islands known for their stunning private cabins with clear-glass floors and private walkways just took luxury to a whole new level with the opening of the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is the first-ever hotel residence to open up completely underwater. If you’re not too sure about how you’d feel sleeping in an aquarium, fear not, your hotel villa comes complete with rooms above water-level as well.

You can still clean your teeth while being surrounded by tropical fish and other reef creatures–including sharks. In fact, there are no simple rooms at the Maldives Rangali Island, all accommodation comes in the form of mega-suites.

Although, “suite” probably isn’t the right word either since we’re talking about a two-story villa nestled deep in the Indian Ocean.

$200K for Uninterrupted Rest in an Underwater Hotel

Beyond bedrooms, bathrooms, and all the mod-cons you’d expect from a luxury hotel, the Muraka (Maldive language for coral) also comes equipped with a private gym, infinity pool, underwater sleeping quarters, and your own butler. You also get a relaxation deck above ground in case you’re feeling claustrophobic or simply want to work on your tan.

The villa is actually more of a bargain than it sounds at $50,000 a night. The only snag is you have to book for a minimum of four nights, hence the 20K price tag. But you also get your own chef throughout the duration and a private boat, as well as automatic access to Hilton Diamond status.

It should be noted that the Muraka isn’t the first underwater venture here since there’s already a five-star restaurant where you can dine among the fish. This is the first time you can sleep directly under them, however.

Kind to the Environment

If you’re wondering whether any fish were harmed in the making of this luxury hotel, fear not. It was carefully planned down to the last detail to respect the environment. In fact, everything on the Muraka was built offshore in Singapore before being transported on a special ship to the Maldives.

It’s also made to be sturdy even during high tides, held tightly in place by concrete pylons to keep it from shifting. So you won’t get washed away while the waves wash over you.

Featured image from Conrad Maldives.

The entry process to top private schools in China is so competitive that five-year-olds have 15-page resumes.

Recent reporting highlights how one child’s resume, longer than most top executives, went viral on a Chinese social media network.

The unnamed Chinese boy, according to his resume, had read over 10,000 English and Chinese books, traveled the world, and had numerous hobbies many teens would be envious of. It said:

“I write three English essays per week to express my feelings.”

Another resume of a six-year-old from China went viral earlier in 2018 revealing the child could talk at three months old, and by six, could carry out basic computer programming. That child beat 8,000 other applicants to gain a place at an elite private primary school in China.

It’s no secret that Chinese kids are driven, both by their own desire to succeed and their aptly described “tiger parents,” who are keen for their children to do well.

Parents In China Are Assessed Too

Template resumes for children are available widely online in China and even parents are often vetted for their intelligence and achievements by top schools.

In Shanghai, students can freely attend public primary schools near to them, but places at Shanghai’s private junior schools are fiercely coveted. There are often 70 applications for each place.

Two private primary schools in Shanghai were accused in May 2017 of vetting both parents and grandparents’ qualifications and abilities. Another school was accused of discriminating against children whose parents were overweight.

Yangpu Primary School made parents do a timed math test, and Qingpu World Foreign Language School quizzed parents on their education. Both were subsequently contacted by the Shanghai Education Commission which ordered the tests to be removed and said:

“What they did violated the compulsory education law. It has violated principles in promoting educational fairness and students’ rights in education.”

The Yangpu Primary School issued a statement explaining the test was for parent’s “entertainment” and for research.

Though Shanghai’s private schools still conduct admissions tests and interviews for their selection processes, resumes and parent assessments were banned earlier this year.

China’s parents certainly aren’t alone in pushing their kids to do well or creating elaborate CV’s based on early-age and extra-curricular activities. It’s a similar story in the UK and indeed around the world, but not for every parent. Many others believe that children should be allowed to be children for as long as possible.

There is certainly plenty of inspiration to gain a good education here–China currently has nearly 2,000 “super-rich” and over 600 billionaires–perhaps explaining why five-year-olds have 15-page resumes.

Featured image from Shutterstock.

No-one could strut their funky stuff quite like Queen lead singer and rock music icon Freddie Mercury. The new Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” starring actor Rami Malek trying to fill Mercury’s gargantuan shoes, is expected to make $35 million in its first weekend.

From We Will Rock You and Radio Gaga to Killer Queen and the movie’s title Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen was not just a band but an entire musical genre. Glitzy and glamorous but with real substance, has there ever been a more charismatic frontman than the mercurial Mercury? Probably not.

Bohemian Rhapsody Movie Launch

Bohemian Rhapsody the movie, not the song, is a Fox production and will debut this weekend in 4,000 theaters across America. The movie is expected to gross $35 million in the first weekend alone, which will cover most of the $50 million costs of filming and producing the musical.

The biopic is set in the early-1970s and follows the meteoric rise of Freddie Mercury and Queen. There has been some mixed response from critics, although one of the constants is the praise for Malek’s portrayal of the genius that was Freddie.

Let’s hope that the turmoil behind the scenes has not had a negative impact in regards to what we see on the big screen. Hollywood bigwig Bryan Singer was originally tasked with the job of directing the film, but constant absences on set saw Fox put a halt to the production. David Fletcher was then hired to replace Singer as let the show much go on!

Performing Well in the United Kingdom

The biographical musical opened across the United Kingdom last weekend, grossing $12.2, which is massive for a single weekend in the UK market. The high numbers make Bohemian Rhapsody one of the best debuts in British history.

It’s hardly surprising that a film about the life and trials of Freddie Mercury and Queen is going down well in the band’s homeland.

Queen was worshipped like gods back in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s in Great Britain. If you ever get the chance to catch Queen’s live performances on YouTube at Wembley Stadium back in 1986, you will be witness to one of the greatest performances in music history.

Let’s hope Bohemian Rhapsody does Freddie Mercury the justice he deserves as one of music’s all-time greats.

Featured image from Variety.

Marriot International in conjunction with Eagle Hills has announced a stunning new luxury resort in Morocco called St Regis Resort Tamuda Bay. The breathtaking location for the new hotel will be the prestigious Eagle Hills owned by La Bahia Blanca luxury lifestyle development.

If you are already getting out the sunscreen, rolling up your pants and placing a handkerchief on your head to divert the sun, calm down, because the resort won’t be open until 2020.

Luxurious 5-Star St Regis Resort Tamuda Bay

St Regis Resort Tamuda Bay will be the luxury hotel brand’s first soiree into Morocco, and with 100 modern rooms with unobstructed sea-views, it will be a spectacular sight when completed.

The Marriot International President and Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, Alex Kyriakidis was extremely upbeat when talking about the new project by saying:

“The rich heritage and cultural and historic legacy of Morocco has long been alluring to the luxury traveler. The St. Regis Tamuda Bay represents an exciting moment for St. Regis as the brand continues to grow globally in destinations welcoming a new generation of luxury travelers.”

Marriott Debuts in Morocco

St. Regis Resort Tamuda Bay is the debut of the luxury brand in Morocco and will be located in the heart of Tamuda Bay, which nestles along the nation’s northwestern coastline.

The resort will be conceptualized to pay homage to both Moroccan and Andalusian cultures with an ultra-modern and chic design with top-notch cuisine and exceptional services appealing to high-end clientele.

St. Regis is a parent company of Marriott International and is known for its upscale resorts with world-class dining options.

This resort will enjoy the branded King Cole bar and other onsite amenities that include a pool, a fully-equipped fitness center, and a dreamy spa. With the beach just footsteps away and a 5-star interior design, you can expect something exceptional for St. Regis’ first venture into Morocco.

The St. Regis Resort Tamuda Bay will be the brand’s most recent project. They already have 40 luxury resorts throughout the world. Combine this with Marriott International’s 6,700 properties worldwide set across 30 hotel brands in 130 countries and you know this new venture in Morocco is going to be something special.

Featured image from Luxury Travel Advisor.