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What's a pumpkin concierge? Meet the southern Indiana business delivering fall magic
"Hello Pumpkin LLC" is a luxury pumpkin concierge service that delivers pumpkins to your front porch, creates a porch display for you and removes them at the end of the season.
Small business owner turns invasive Everglades pythons into luxury handbags
"It's not their fault that they are here, but they are, and they have to go."
Business News: Movado Selling Ebel To F.P. Journe And Chanel In Deal Heralding Comeback Of Once Mighty Swiss Brand
Consortium of buyers, including François-Paul Journe and French luxury group Chanel, buys 95% stake in Ebel for $66.5 million.
Mamdani tries to clear up confusion on new tax on luxury second homes
Only the approximately 17,000 owners who got a letter needed to pay or prove an exemption.
Homeless woman tries to torch $250K Mercedes as new NYC camp turns ‘dangerous’: business owner
A homeless woman tried to torch a luxury SUV outside a high end lighting business in Manhattan -- one of several terrifying encounters workers say they have endured after the resurgence of a West...
Travel talk explores adventure without the typical stress
There is a particular kind of luxury that has nothing to do with thread counts, Michelin stars or the size of a hotel suite. Sometimes, luxury is simply knowing that
Graphics Cards Could Get Even More Expensive, and It’s Not Just Nvidia
At this point, PC gaming is becoming a pure luxury.
Health Impact Of Fast Fashion & Toxic Knockoffs
They look like luxury. They cost a fraction of the price. And on social media, knockoff culture is having a moment.
A Condo for Cars? Luxury Vehicle Storage Turns Parking into Big Business
A booming luxury car residence industry in South Florida has car lovers shelling out millions for opulent auto "condos."
Nearly all luxury resale transactions on TikTok Shop US now come from livestreams
Year-to-date, 94% of revenue on TikTok Shop from luxury resale in the U.S. is coming from streaming, the platform revealed last week.
In China, treatment for mental-health problems is a luxury
The government wants to improve a patchy and uneven systyem
Luxury Yachts, Entertainment, and a Cause: Yacht Rendezvous Returns to Fort Lauderdale
Some of the world’s most spectacular superyachts will arrive at the iconic Pier Sixty-Six for the 37th Annual Boys & Girls Clubs Yacht Rendezvous. The exclusive weekend will bring together yacht owners, business leaders, philanthropists, and special guests for unforgettable experiences, live entertainment, and networking opportunities, all in support of programs that help empower local youth throughout Broward County.
How being the nice guy made Ivan Sher a Las Vegas luxury real estate powerhouse
Colleagues describe Ivan Sher, founder of IS Luxury, as approachable, authentic and relentlessly focused on relationships — qualities they say helped his company generate nearly $779 million in sal...
Inside The Heartthrob Industrial Complex
Streaming, social media, and luxury brands have changed how Hollywood creates heartthrobs. Inside the formula behind today's biggest internet crushes.
At Paris Fashion Week, Chloé bets on stars, lingerie and lace in a tougher luxury market
Chloé's latest show at Paris Fashion Week features lingerie, lace and fishermen’s coats, drawing attention amid a challenging time for luxury brands | WWJ Newsradio 950
Treasury Wine Estates profit slides as US business reset weighs on year
Luxury demand for Treasury Wine Estates brands such as BV, Frank Family and Daou showed resilience, but lower volumes, weaker margins and the U.S. supply chain overhaul pressured fiscal-year results.
Magnifica Air's all-business approach to luxury air travel is getting ready for take off
As its launch date draws near, we talk to Magnifica Air’s Wade Black about the airline's unique offering
A Spa in the Middle of the Desert? It’s Actually a $500,000 Bathroom
The owners enlisted an interior designer to create a nature-infused luxury retreat inside their Arizona home.
Luxury home builder turns social media following into multimillion-dollar business
Construction influencer Tyler Farrell joins 'Fox & Friends First' to share how he built a successful second career and social media following by showcasing his custom home building projects and craft.
Rest for a priest not a luxury but a necessity for mental health, Nigerian Vatican official says
As part of a formation program, the secretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization urged priests to take time away from ministry to sustain their physical and mental health.
Zankov Appoints Jack Tobin Chief Executive Officer and Business Partner, Paving the Way for Continued Global Expansion
Tobin continues to run his own luxury brand development and sales consulting agency, Jack Tobin Agency, which has worked with Zankov for the past two years developing the business.
From runway to classroom Jenny Smith shapes artist futures
From international runways to luxury cosmetics, Jenny Atwood Smith brings her creative vision to HOURGLASS Cosmetics.
Lodging Dynamics names new SVP of business development
Hotel management company Lodging Dynamics has appointed Danny Dolce senior vice president of business development. | Danny Dolce will lead the expansion of Lodging Dynamics’ third-party management portfolio, focusing on luxury, premium-branded and full-service hotels in destination-driven markets.
Business news: New home for Mountain Tots, a new luxury real estate firm and a donation for river conservation
Vista Bank financing new home for Mountain Tots Preschool Vista Bank is financing the construction of a new home for Mountain Tots Preschool, a project that will expand licensed childcare capacity in Eagle County at a time...
‘Penchant for bling’: can Sports Direct’s Mike Ashley take a bigger slice of luxury retail?
Frasers billionaire bought Harvey Nichols and increased Hugo Boss stake despite tough times for high-end stores
MrBeast Sales Slow, Angel Stock Falls, MUBI and Neon Look for Hits, and Will an NBA Franchise Set a Sales Record?
(Welcome to the Entertainment Strategy Guy, a newsletter on the entertainment industry and business strategy. I write a weekly Streaming Ratings Report and a bi-weekly strategy column, along with occasional deep dives into other topics, like today’s article. Please subscribe.) You probably remember egg prices spiking a few years ago. This led to a lot of debate between the pro-market/pro-competition/antitrust/Neo-Brandesian crowd and the center/center-right/center-left/abundance/libertarian crowd over the cause, whether it was the avian flu outbreak or whether industry consolidation led to price fixing, using avian flu as a convenient cover. Basel Musharbash wrote a whole investigation at BIG looking at it. Well, two years later, we have our answer: it was price fixing. The Justice Department found proof, via emails, of price fixing. Indeed, just the threat of an investigation brought prices down two years ago: I bring this up because at least half a dozen of my favorite political writers and pundits, who were skeptical about price fixing at the time, haven’t written any mea culpas on this issue. It’s really dispiriting and makes it much, much harder to trust their work on other issues. If you take a hard stand on an issue, then you get it wrong, you need to explain how and why you got it wrong. Or update your priors. This is how epistemological bubbles are formed! All of which is to say, it’s time for another installment of “What I Got Right, What I Got Wrong”. Last issue, I mostly focused on the “wrong” side of the equation, so today’s is a bit more balanced, but with one big mea culpa (though I still stand by my original concerns). Let’s dive right in! Subscribe CORRECTION: UFC Didn’t Release Subscriber Data (But Seems to Have Bragged About It Internally) In my analysis of the viewership of UFC Freedom 250, I wrote... “Paramount has also released datecdotes bragging about their subscriber numbers. Earlier this year, they claimed that the first UFC fight on Paramount+ brought in 1 million subscribers.” Well, that datecdote did not come from a PR rep, but from great reporting from James Faris at Business Insider. The actual quote was this: “Paramount’s flagship streaming service generated about a million new subscribers on the day of its first-ever UFC event, Paramount product chief Dane Glasgow told employees in a town hall on Tuesday morning, three staffers who attended the meeting told Business Insider.“ This wasn’t the biggest goof in the world; even Faris emphasized to me that this is more a “clarification” than a correction. Still, it sounds like, internally, the folks at Paramount were very happy about this result—and I’m guessing they were happy with this news getting out—even though the gains didn’t last through the quarter, dropping to 700K adds. RIGHT: MrBeast’s Struggles Continue... I’m very skeptical about MrBeast’s burgeoning media “empire” and, in particular, its $5 billion valuation, as I wrote earlier this year and last year. Sure enough, according to Business Insider, regarding its “booming” consumer products division_:_ “US sales volume grew 13% year-over-year in 2025, following a 33% leap the previous year, according to a presentation deck dated May 2026....A February 2025 investor deck viewed by Business Insider showed Feastables’ net revenue more than doubled in 2024 from 2023, to $215 million, and was forecast to grow 74% in 2025, to $375 million.” [Emphasis mine.] If you told investors that you projected 74% growth but delivered 13%,1 that’s not ideal. But it’s not just MrBeast. Logan Paul and KSI’s Prime had sales drop in half for their energy drinks. It’s one thing to build a successful entertainment company and an entirely different thing to succeed in the heavily-consolidated-but-also-very-competitive consumer packaged goods space! CPGs are dominated by a few firms with very wide moats compared to YouTube, which has few barriers to entry. These businesses require different skill sets and have completely different business environments. WRONG: Does the NBA Have an $8 Billion Bidder? Almost as soon as I published my article about the NBA’s finances, casting skepticism on NBA expansion, I saw this Front Office Sports headline: One group “claims to have already raised $8 billion” for the Vegas expansion team. I mean, wow. That’s just $2 billion less than what the Los Angeles Lakers were valued at when they were sold just last year. And they’re arguably the most popular team in the NBA. (Side note: the new owner is now under an investigation for fraud in how he went about financing the Lakers and the Dodgers purchases.) So much for the “dried up” language I used in that article. (This is why I usually stick to my “Entertainment Nuance Guy” tone in articles...) I went off old information—from April, when I read/heard about the NBA downplaying expansion efforts—instead of doing a quick double-check for new news. That said...if you read the article, the market for Seattle is “slow”, with just one reported bidder. So I wasn’t entirely off. This goof has annoyed me since I first published it, mainly because it undercut that article’s real point, which I stand by: NBA franchises are really overvalued right now. Now, I get why NBA teams are overvalued. When it comes to owning sports teams, it’s basically never wrong to assume that some rich person somewhere will care more about owning a team (or just being part of a group since they’re so expensive) than the actual financials. There are only so many teams to own, and opportunities to buy in preferred markets don’t come along very often. This explains why the teams sell for such high multiples (usually above a 10 to 12.5 revenue multiple, which is very high). You only need one person to overpay! Beyond the ultra-wealthy luxury good explanation, I worry NBA teams are becoming speculative assets. More and more private equity investors are buying into NBA teams. But the value, in owning a team, comes from selling it later, not any meaningful relationship to revenue or profit growth. In other words, the newer NBA owners are increasingly expecting someone later to buy their inflated asset. That’s not sound economics; that’s the “greater fool” theory at work.2 At some point, actually making money has to matter. Especially since revenue growth is now below the growth of the stock market. (And this matters because the NBA doesn’t have easy levers to pull to drastically lower their costs—half of their revenue has to go to players and then you actually have to run a team, including coaching, training, travel, media expenses, and more—or raise revenues aside from one-off expansions in America and overseas.) I just don’t see how investors make their money back buying NBA teams, except for selling at a higher price later on down the line. But if revenue/profit growth continues to slow, at some point, someone will be left holding the bag. RIGHT: Baseball and Basketball are about equally popular. Related to the above, I wanted to cite two quick pieces of evidence for one of my other theories: that the NBA and MLB are about as popular as each other, but the NBA gets much, much better media coverage. One YouGov survey has that fans prefer basketball to baseball by 52% to 48%, which I’m guessing is within the margin of error for that poll. That’s virtually even, meaning they’re about the same popularity. Over on NBC, a recent Red Sox-Yankees game averaged 4 million viewers, higher than Sunday Night Basketball’s average of 3.4 million on the same network. A Yankees-Dodgers game averaged 3.9 million two weeks ago. Not every game averages this much, but it shows you that baseball isn’t far off from basketball, depending on the matchup. Altogether, the NBA is just slightly more popular than baseball, but NBC is paying MLB a fraction of what they pay the NBA, a point I’ve made before. RIGHT: Angel, MUBI and Neon Updates... I’ve long been skeptical about many of Hollywood’s buzziest startups/smaller indie studios. It’s not that they don’t make great movies—films like Anora and Everything Everywhere All at Once are amazing—or that they’re not (rightfully) pushing the majors to make better films, but...they get a ton of hype, and that hype often doesn’t live up to the reality or difficulty in scaling up. Starting with MUBI, well, The Wall Street Journal wrote a feature on MUBI’s struggles last April, best summarized by the subheader “After Sequoia valued Mubi at $1 billion, a left-wing revolt sent the indie film company into a tailspin”. MUBI lost $7.3 million on $200 million in revenue in Q4 2025, but reportedly hit a record 1.7 million subscribers at the end of Q1. As for Neon, Department M purchased a “significant stake” in the company earlier this year. How much is that “stake” worth? According to Deadline, “No financial figures for the Neon-Department M deal were disclosed.” So...that’s not great! If it was a big valuation, we’d hear about. Also, I found this curious: “Both Neon and Department M already have separate partnerships with Qatar. The Qatar Film Committee has a slate deal in place with the former, and a biopic production pact with the latter.” Color me skeptical about much Middle Eastern investment dollars. See: LIV Golf. Finally, as for Angel (formerly Angel Studios), their stock very, very slightly popped last month after Young Washington ($20 million budget) which made $45 million in the US, but their stock is still way down from its opening. Smaller Updates RIGHT: The WGA should focus on antitrust concerns! I’ve been on this for years. Post-WGA/AMTPT deal in 2023, I wrote an article for the Ankler calling on the WGA to focus and organize against industry consolidation. Sure enough, the WGA filed a lawsuit against the Paramount-WBD merger, and people are organizing around this issue now. I wish this energy had coalesced earlier (specifically to lobby Washington much earlier), but better late than never! WRONG: Actually, the chip shortage might be due to market manipulation. In my last “Long Reads for the Long Summer” article, I shared an article about how LLMs are causing memory chip prices to spike, which will make all electronics more expensive. Well, turns out, three RAM manufacturers control 90% of the market, and now a private lawsuit accuses them of price-fixing. So yeah. WRONG/UPDATE: The Odyssey will hold! Two weeks ago, I wrote, “As of this moment, we haven’t had a super-blockbuster, though The Odyssey, Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Doomsday could all cross the $500 million mark. (At this point, The Odyssey would need a very strong hold to get there.)” Well, it’s safe to say it’s going to have that hold! It only dropped 30% in weekend two and IMAX screenings are sold out all month. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is also off to a great start. RIGHT: People are rushing to get shows out yearly. I’ve long been bullish on yearly, weekly-released shows, and Leslie Goldberg at The Ankler wrote about how many people in town are now listening. WRONG: Mark Carney reverses Canada’s stance on homegrown production. After writing about Canada installing domestic production quotas, Canada has backed off. WRONG: I don’t trust Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s online “views”. When I originally wrote about the latest Spider-Man film’s record-breaking trailer, I thought this was just YouTube views, but after watching this Corridor Crew video and doing more research, well, it’s all social views of the trailer globally. Really? That stat includes TikTok, Reels and YouTube Shorts views. Basically, I don’t trust it anymore. (This film will probably set record, but I trust the pre-sales data more.) RIGHT: Celebrity Production companies are still struggling. I’ve written about this for years, but the company that I didn’t track was Kevin Hart’s HartBeat, which was valued at $650 million but is struggling now and might just end soon, especially after Kevin Hart pulled his endorsement deals. And Bad Robot is moving to NYC. CORRECTION: SpongeBob is a “second run” title. In my 2025 recap article, I had _SpongeBob SquarePants_labelled as a “library” title, when it is still a “second run” show, with new episodes still coming out on Nickelodeon. CORRECTION: In my last “What I Got Right, What I Got Wrong” update, I offered a correction from Doug Creutz and misspelled TD Cowen. Thanks, Grammarly! 1 Though he could have increased prices to make up for the gap, he couldn’t have increased them that much. 2 There’s a theory, which I think that Daryl Morey created and Bill Simmons popularized, that, to be successful building your team, you only need a handful of bad GMs in the league to take advantage of. To be clear, Daryl Morey’s theory was also for signing bad contracts, that you could always get out of bad contracts. Basically, there’s always someone who will make a bad trade. It’s not the same exact thing, but similar enough to the Greater Fool Theory that I really like it.
The Fitzroy Grove in Rogers sells for $51.85 million
A 250-unit luxury apartment complex east of Interstate 49 in Rogers sold recently for $51.85 million. The purchase price equals $207,400 per unit. An Arkansas limited liability company, whose manager...
It's Not Just Restaurants. It's a Luxury Lifestyle Business
GQ looks at the trio of men behind Major Food Group and the Carbone empire
Charcuterie on the go? This Jacksonville business is bringing luxury to your next gathering
Concierge business owner explains services wealthy clients request
From unpacking groceries to driving a Bentley from England to Italy, a luxury concierge business owner explains what services clients request and why.
Licea Will Step Away as President of Global Travel Collection
Executive has helped build luxury advisor group into $2.4 billion business
I left my director job to work part time as a waitress
Lisa Eder left a luxury hotel director role she loved and took a part-time waitressing job. The career change gave her something she wanted more: freedom.
Downtown Phoenix's 1st luxury hotel with a spa is preparing to open
So far, Denū has inked deals for business groups from the legal, automotive, sports and banking and finance industries for stays and events in the fall.
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Visit Santa Cruz County adds AI trip planner; La Bahia earns Michelin Key
In this week's look at local business, Jessica M. Pasko notes an artificial intelligence-powered addition to Santa Cruz County's tourism website, a big distinction for the luxury beachfront La Bahia Hotel & Spa, a new downtown listening lounge and much more.
Abode Luxury Rentals honored with Park City Green Business Award
This year’s Park City Green Business Award went to Abode Luxury Rentals. It's the first vacation rental company to be given the distinction.
For Family Offices In Motion, Business Aviation Is An Increasing Priority
We tease out figures collected by ACJ, part of the European aviation conglomerate, about the use of business aviation resources of family offices.
Will Trump Try to Keep His Qatari-Gifted Flying Palace?
Recent comments from Eric Trump indicate that the Qatari-gifted luxury Air Force One won’t be heading for his dad’s presidential library after all.
Watch Inside the Business of Ultra Luxury Travel
Luxury Travel and Event Expert Olivia Ferney sits down with Lisa Mateo, Joe Mathieu and Carol Massar on Bloomberg This Weekend and shares how she has built a business catering to ultrawealthy clients whose requests can range from six-figure vacations to elaborate celebrations, while creating a social media following of more than 1 million.
Dillon Jones News Reveals Thunder Truth Nobody Admits
Sam Presti’s draft gamble on the versatile wing highlights a rare organizational luxury: the massive asset chest required to survive high-stakes misses while chasing elite championship depth.
Lindale business owner jailed for selling counterfeit luxury goods
A Lindale business owner is behind bars after he was charged with selling counterfeit merchandise of six different high-end fashion brands, according to court records.
VistaJet receives luxury and business awards
VistaJet was commended by a luxury magazine, while also receiving an award for brand image and service at a Chinese finance summit.
Paris fashion defies a bruised luxury industry with J.Lo, golden glamour and skimpy outfits
Saint Laurent dazzles with a river of gold at Paris Fashion Week, featuring a glossy black runway and a shimmering Eiffel Tower in the background | KCBS All News 106.9FM and 740AM
Water scarcity a top concern for Maui County political candidates
Candidates say water should be reserved for affordable housing, farming and fire mitigation, not luxury developments, as Hawai’i emerges from years of drought.
Hyundai Turns Performance Into a Bigger Business
(TestMiles) – Hyundai plans to grow N beyond seven models while Genesis Magma reaches for luxury buyers, turning speed into a broader brand strategy. Hyundai has spent years proving it can ma…
To Make More Money, Rolls-Royce Is Aiming Higher on Price, Not Production
The luxury carmaker is expanding its factory in Britain to focus on rarefied custom cars. First up is a $3.5 million-plus electric roadster.
Luxury Entertainment Trends in 2026 That Are Redefining Travel
Luxury in 2026 is about more than five-star hotels and extravagant amenities. Discover how private escapes, immersive dining, wellness experiences and personalized hospitality are changing the way we travel.
Chicago Fire FC Sets a New Standard for Luxury Sports Hospitality at McDonald's Park
The city’s MLS Club unveils exclusive spaces and unprecedented VIP access as part of Chicago’s next-generation stadium experience CHICAGO (Sept. 30, 2026) — Chicago Fire FC today revealed its new luxury hospitality offerings for McDonald's Park, featuring only 600 seats across exclusive areas with unprecedented behind-the-scenes stadium access, designed to
Iowa attorney sentenced to federal prison for health care fraud
A 67-year-old Iowa attorney has been sentenced to six months in federal prison after pleading guilty in a health care fraud case. Timothy Mark Anderson of Garner worked with clients with nursing home expenses who hoped to qualify for Medicaid. According to the Department of Justice, Anderson is also “an avid collector of luxury vehicles” […]
Jim and Marilyn Simons lent their 68-metre superyacht to ocean scientists; an $80,000 system tested whether luxury vessels could help validate satellite data
Superyachts are usually associated with luxury travel, but the 68-metre Archimedes, owned by Jim and Marilyn Simons at the time of the research, also became a platform for marine science. During several deployments between 2018 and 2020, an autonomous measurement system aboard the yacht collected ocean-colour observations at a range of locations, including remote regions such as the Antarctic Peninsula.
RWS Global partners with Silversea to elevate onboard entertainment on Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper
NEW YORK, N.Y. — RWS Global, the world leader in groundbreaking live moments across entertainment and sports, today announced a new partnership with Silversea, the leading experiential luxury and e…
LVMH - The Business With A Governance Problem, Not A Succession One.
All eyes are on the largest luxury empire as the question of succession continues to dominate the business. How will the business transition from its visionary founder?
Chicago Athletic Association: Inside the private club turned hotel
I stayed at the Chicago Athletic Association, a historic gentlemen's club turned luxury hotel with Gilded Age charm and whimsical designs.
The Science of Emotion: How Scentsophy Is Changing Modern Perfumery
Discover the world of luxury—elite travel, supercars, yachts, private aviation, fine living, and curated style from Upscale Living Magazine.
The show must go on: struggling luxury brands seek catwalk boost in Milan and Paris
Glitzy runway shows by the world’s biggest fashion brands in Milan and Paris mask a worrying picture for luxury executives behind the scenes: a slowdown that appears to be getting worse as war in the Middle East rages on.
I'm 74 and sell luxury homes. I'm seeing a shift in how families live.
Real estate agent Scheryl W. Glanton says multigenerational living is reshaping what some luxury buyers want from a home.
Manhattan home health aide stabbed by client with dementia after serving her pancakes
Barbara Salberg, 66, was hit with a slew of charges including attempted murder following the stabbing in her luxury Upper East Side apartment.
Grab your popcorn: Swansea movie theater finally opening its doors
Entertainment Luxury Cinemas has announced its official opening today at 207 Swansea Mall Drive. Will you be among the first to christen the new theater?
Americans are buying real estate in Paris and moving there permanently
More Americans are moving to Paris and buying homes, often paying a premium and reshaping parts of the city's luxury real estate market.
Cake Fest ROC returns to Highland Park, highlighting local bakers and small businesses
Cake Fest ROC returns on Saturday to Highland Park’s purple arches with a Bridgerton-inspired cake picnic. Bring a dessert, sample a communal spread, shop local vendors, and snap photos amid luxury picnic setups.
Fishy business: who really profits when sardines go viral?
Once a cheap store-cupboard staple, sardines are fast becoming a luxury food item. Last year, #SardineGirlSummer saw influencers promoting the health benefits of sardinemaxxing, while sardinecore became the must-have fashion trend. Now, demand is accelerating just as Morocco’s sardine stock has collapsed, causing shortages on supermarket shelves. The Guardian travels to Matosinhos in Portugal, the cultural home of the sardine industry, to investigate who is profiting from the boom, how it has affected local fishermen, and what sustainability looks like in an era of global heating
Reform and the UAE – a threat to British politics
By Alex Carlen The United Arab Emirates likes to present itself as part of the solution to the climate crisis. The oil-rich Gulf state has committed to Net Zero by 2050, hosted COP 28, and even declared “championing climate action” as one of three strategic objectives for this week’s session of the United Nations General Assembly. But behind the scenes the UAE has quietly built one of its closest political relationships in Europe with the party most hostile to climate action in Britain: Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. There is no evidence that the UAE is funding Reform. But a new FairSquare report, Petro-populism: the UAE–Reform threat, published today, documents a growing political relationship that should concern anyone interested in the integrity of British democracy. Reform’s leaders have embraced the UAE’s political model and promoted positions that align closely with the Emirati government’s priorities, while the UAE has given Farage and his party unusually warm access and public backing. What is emerging is not simply a relationship between British politicians and a wealthy Gulf state, but a channel through which an authoritarian government can cultivate political influence here, and abroad. Democracy for Sale relies on its readers. If you already support us, thanks so much. If you don’t, sign up to support fearless independent investigative journalism. Subscribe Back in January, Nigel Farage appeared at a GB News event in Dubai. On the 50th floor of a tower overlooking the luxury resorts and upscale residences of Palm Jumeirah, the Reform leader declared: “I want Clacton to look like this.” At the event – which Farage never declared on his official register of interests – senior Emirati officials mixed with British expats. Farage was keen to flatter. “We recognise you are our friends”, he said, assuring them that “a Brexit London, a Reform London, will remember you.” Controversy surrounding Reform’s finances and its susceptibility to foreign influence have centred around high-profile donations from billionaire crypto donors, and the jailing of Nathan Gill, Reform’s former leader in Wales, for accepting bribes to give pro-Russia speeches. Far less attention has been paid to Reform’s blossoming new alliance with the UAE, an oil-rich authoritarian state with a track record of ruinous anti-democratic interventions. Farage wasn’t always so fond of the UAE. Back in 2023 he called it an “absolute monarchy with an abysmal human rights record.” Now Reform’s hierarchy calls the UAE home. Deputy leader Richard Tice splits his time between his constituency and Dubai and has called on the UK to learn from the UAE. The party’s treasurer Nick Candy runs a firm which has been in partnership with a UAE-state linked firm since 2024. Nadhim Zahawi sits on the board of an Abu Dhabi think tank alongside an array of the most senior UAE officials and is reportedly close to three brothers of the country’s despotic ruler Mohammed Bin Zayed. Reform’s leading lights have effusively praised the UAE’s governance model, defended it from criticism, and advanced its political agenda in the UK. GB News, whose two major shareholders – the Legatum Foundation and Paul Marshall – have strong links to the UAE, has been more than happy to broadcast UAE propaganda and was forced to pay damages in 2025 after airing a false claim about a UK charity by the UAE “disinfluencer” Amjad Taha. The UAE has responded in kind. When the UAE Minister for Foreign Affairs conducted an official visit to the UK in May, Farage was the only non-government figure granted an audience. UAE state media publicised the meeting, and said that they discussed “the strategic relations between the two countries and ways to enhance them in a manner that serves mutual interests.” For the UAE these ‘mutual interests’ largely concern its paranoia over political Islam, and in this regard the UAE-Reform alliance is part of a broad and troubling pattern. Following a crackdown on dissent at home in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, the UAE has offered material and political support to a range of violent and authoritarian actors willing to oppose the Muslim Brotherhood with no regard for the consequences. Its meddling in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, and most notably Sudan, have been devastating. The UAE’s strategy of seeking out partners on the political fringes who it believes will advance its interests is not unique to Britain – it extends beyond the Middle East to Europe and the US. In France, it has offered clandestine support to Marine Le Pen through secret meetings, as well allegedly funding trips to the region after which Le Pen returned with a renewed focus on the UAE’s perceived enemies – Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood. Left-wing opposition leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon has accused the UAE of smearing him and of “encouraging discrimination, hatred or violence”. In the US, the UAE actively supported the rise of Donald Trump, establishing itself as a key ally during both his first and second terms. Around these relationships sits a wider ecosystem of figures willing to amplify UAE narratives, that even extends to Andrew Tate and Tommy Robinson. Subscribe In Britain, the UAE has used a combination of aggressive diplomacy and illicit, disruptive tactics to achieve its policy goal of eliminating any perceived threat from political Islam. In 2012, for instance, it threatened to block billion-pound arms deals with the UK and stop inward investment if David Cameron did not act against the Muslim Brotherhood and rein in the BBC’s coverage of the group – going so far as to suggest, with no supporting evidence, that the group had infiltrated the BBC. It has financed smear campaigns against a high-profile UK charity and funded a mercenary to secretly surveil, and possibly assassinate, a British national on British soil. In Reform UK, the UAE has finally found an ally willing to not only ban the Muslim Brotherhood, but to publicly vilify the group and repeat the UAE’s claims that dangerous Muslims are a fifth column in British society, a narrative that aligns with the Islamophobia and anti-immigration sentiments that underpin Reform’s populist politics. The Rycroft review into foreign interference concluded that “hostile states and non-state actors have a clear incentive to attempt to undermine UK democracy.” The UAE’s network and alliance with Reform must be understood within that framework. It is a powerful, disruptive and deeply authoritarian actor with the resources and networks to intervene in our politics, and a track-record of doing so in a multitude of other countries. The evidence of the threat the UAE poses is overwhelming. The question is whether parliamentarians are willing to call the UAE out and demand action using the tools that the government has to respond. Placing the UAE on the “Enhanced Tier” of the Foreign Registration scheme alongside Russia and Iran would send a powerful signal to the UAE that its meddling will no longer be tolerated, and would place Farage’s next trips to the UAE under the scrutiny they deserve. Alex Carlen is research and advocacy manager at London based human rights organisation FairSquare and author of its new report Petro-populism: the UAE–Reform threat. Subscribe
Caviar launches ultra-luxury Black Edition iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo with no cameras
Caviar launches camera-free custom iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo models with aerospace-grade titanium bodies, luxury finishes, and limited production runs.
World's first luxury theme park to open in Mexico with £1.1bn of rides, fine entertainment and deliberately limited crowds
Mexico’s £1.1bn luxury theme park will feature major thrill rides, Cirque du Soleil entertainment and deliberately limited visitor numbers.
Bose CEO Lila Snyder on the fight for high-quality audio
Snyder on the company’s move into luxury audio, licensing the Bose brand, and what happens to great sound in the AI era.
Amazon is selling a $315 luxury Seiko watch for $209
It has 100 meters of water resistance.
Cardi B Turns 34 After Showing Her Four Kids a Life Beyond Luxury: ‘It's Not Always Disney’
Cardi B turns 34 on October 11, marking her first birthday as a mother of four. The rapper shares Kulture, 8, Wave, 5, and Blossom, ... Read More
Beyond 'Pawn Stars': How One Entrepreneur Turned Hidden Wealth Into a Business Opportunity
Years of valuing luxury assets taught Michael Manashirov that true entrepreneurship isn't just about recognizing value—it's about finding better ways to unlock it.
Walmart Recession Signal points to coming Fed rate cut, strategist says
The Walmart Recession Signal, a measure of Walmart's stock versus a basket of luxury names, suggests the Fed could soon cut rates to prop up the economy.
Caesars Entertainment Offers Guests More Exciting and Unique Ways to Celebrate the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX 2026
LAS VEGAS, September 24, 2026--As the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX returns to the iconic Las Vegas Strip in 2026, Caesars Entertainment is once again putting guests at the center of the action with race week festivities, luxury accommodations, superstar culinary experiences and exclusive viewing opportunities. From the company's collection of eight resorts, all located within the track footprint, Caesars is delivering immersive experiences designed to bring guests closer than ever to
Classic, luxury car business plans to move into old Stevenson Lumber building
MONROE, Conn. --- Carsation, a used car dealership specializing in classic and luxury automobiles, from Porsches and Mercedes to BMWs and Land Rovers, plans to renovate the former Stevenson Lumber building at 1545 Monroe Turnpike to display its cars in a showroom for customers, though the vast majority of its business is done online. Duane
Simone Biles says 3 masked men stole luxury sports car from Chicago-area home
Simone Biles said three masked men stole her luxury sports car from her Chicago-area home.
Helaine Cohen
With a background in marketing and technology, Helaine Cohen founded ChicagoCondoFinder.com, a website for people searching for condos in Chicago. Last year, the site had 290,000 visitors who drove more than $40 million in buyer business. In 2018, Cohen announced a partnership to expand the brand and team with real estate veteran Sam Tarara. As a broker, Cohen represents sellers in a wide range of prices, but her expertise is primarily in the luxury condo market.
Estée Lauder Companies (EL) Expands Color Science Research For Shade Matching
Estée Lauder Companies (NYSE: EL) announced a research collaboration with the University of Leeds and Dr. Kaida Xiao focused on advanced color science for complexion products. The partnership aims to improve shade matching accuracy in luxury foundations and related complexion lines using visual perception science. The work is expected to inform future formula development and product testing in the prestige cosmetics segment. For investors tracking how advanced data and perception science...
How Luxury Yacht Owners Are Designing Vessels Around Health and Wellness
Forget lounging on the beach club. Today's ship owners are more interested in keeping active.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs moved to a new prison after reports of a luxury lifestyle behind bars
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been moved to a federal prison in Pennsylvania after reports that the hip-hop mogul was living the high life and was injured in a fight at his New Jersey lockup | WBBM Newsradio 780 AM & 105.9 FM
From fashion to floristry: Building a different kind of luxury brand
Arch Manning Reveals Texas Legend Helping Him Handle Massive Pressure
Texas quarterback Arch Manning has never had the luxury of developing quietly.The Manning name, his status as a former No. 1 recruit and the expectations attached to playing quarterback at Texas have ensured nearly every performance is examined closely. That pressure became especially noticeable early in Manning’s first full season as the Longhorns’ starter in […] The post Arch Manning Reveals Texas Legend Helping Him Handle Massive Pressure appeared first on HEAVY.
The Lucid Air Air Sapphire Beats Genuine Mid-Engine Supercars From 0-200-0 MPH
Big luxury sedans aren't supposed to be capable of such nutty performance but the fastest Lucid put on a show for Car and Driver.
Abode Luxury Rentals named 2026 Green Business of the Year
The Park City | Summit County Green Business Program recognized the property management company for its commitment to sustainable operations, waste reduction and visitor education.
Genesis GV90 packs luxury features reminiscent of Chinese SUVs
The Genesis GV90 puts the brand in the same company as the Cadillac Escalade IQ, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV, and the Lucid Gravity.
As elections loom, voters must choose the right pilot to navigate political turbulence
The passengers aboard the flydubai flight did not have the luxury of leaving the cockpit unresolved. Israeli voters will have their own chance to take control and choose who sits in the cockpit.
Did Caviar just spill the beans on the iPhone Ultra and the iPhone 18 Pro design, specs and release date?
The luxury phone customizer has fresh new “insider” details pages alongside its now-live pre-orders for the phones. It’s not uncommon for Caviar to kick...
Man Buys $299K Rolls-Royce for $39K, Fixes It With Cardboard on Drive Home
YouTuber Tyler Hoover, the creator of Hoovies Garage, bought a 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost for just $39,000, then attempted to drive the aging luxury sedan nearly 1,000 miles from Detroit, Michigan, to his home in Kansas. ... Read more
Luxury second-home tax survives temporary court block, for now
The tax applies to second homes worth more than $5 million.
How 209 Mare Turned The Humble Towel Into A Luxury Fashion Business
How 209 Mare turned a €500 towelling blazer into a global luxury business, using Monaco, social media and smart distribution to create Rivierawear.
Florida Is Betting That NIL Isn't Everything in Recruiting
Rejecting flashy million-dollar bidding wars and luxury penthouses, the Florida Gators are targeting prospects who prioritize professional development and long-term stability over the immediate lure of massive payouts.
Lamborghini's most extreme car just sold out its future
Scarcity is the oldest pricing trick in luxury, and it only works when the scarcity is real. Anyone can print “limited edition” on a box. Very few companies can cap production at a hard number, refuse to move it, and still watch buyers pay a premium for the privilege of waiting a year to take ...
Paramount Business Jets Named Best Luxury Private Aviation Company in the USA for 2026
Luxury Lifestyle Awards recognizes Paramount Business Jets for excellence in private aviation and its longstanding commitment to safety, transparency and personalized service Richard Zaher, Founder and CEO of Paramount Business Jets. Paramount Business Jets was named Best Luxury Private Aviation Company in the USA for 2026 by Luxury Lifestyle Awards. Photo courtesy of Paramount Business Jets. ASHBURN, Va., Sept. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paramount Business Jets, an award-winning global privat
Turning Stone Resort Casino Earns AAA Four Diamond for 3 Hotels
Three hotels at Turning Stone Resort Casino have received the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award, highlighting the resort’s commitment to luxury and high-quality service.
BUSINESS UPDATE: Attracting World-Renowned Piercing Educators to Oswego
Growing number of renowed piercers are coming to Oswego to share knowledge at newly opened Aqua Spa Float Center piercing suite Submited by Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness Boutique [caption id=attachment_11066 align=alignright width=450] Recent opening of Aqua Spa Float Center piercing suite.[/caption] Professional piercers and educators from countries including France, Scotland and India have come to Oswego’s Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness Boutique to share their knowledge In the past year and a half, the Port City has become a destination for some of the industry’s most respected educators through the efforts of the Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness Boutique. Beginning in January of 2025, Aqua Spa Float Center envisioned a new version of body piercing, one where elegance, safety and personal expression could converge. According to the Aqua Spa, piercing is no longer just a trend — it’s a refined form of personal identity, luxury styling and self-investment. It’s not only about the jewelry — it’s about the entire experience. The team welcomed first guest piercer Ruben Triguero, a senior French piercer, piercing stylist and international educator, who has over two decades of experience and has worked in some of the world’s best studios, including Paris, Rome, New York, Miami, Los Angeles and Dubai. In those studios, he offered his expertise and refined styling skills. Triguero is a prominent figure and leader in the piercing community and shares his knowledge with piercers teaching classes for the industry’s most prestigious organizations, including Latinoamérica Body Piercing Association (LBP) and Association of Professional Piercers (APP). He is currently the senior international instructor of the APP. Triguero has a passion for creating stunning, personalized piercings for clients around the world. Education and Mentorship Following a year of success and popularity, Aqua Spa Float Center hosted the grand opening of its private dedicated piercing suite in March. Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness celebrated this next chapter with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the Oswego Mayor Robert Corradino, members of the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce, local business owners and community members. The educational focus, aligned with Aqua Spa Float Center’s vision and mission, had already begun expanding beyond clients. Aqua Spa has hosted multiple workshops and continuing education opportunities for professional piercers, inviting studios from across the region to gain hands-on experience from internationally recognized instructors without the expense of traveling to national or international conferences. These educational events have welcomed nationally and internationally recognized professional piercers and educators from countries including France, Scotland, India, and throughout the United States. Aqua Spa also continues to collaborate with talented regional and local professionals, creating opportunities for education and mentorship that benefit both industry peers and clients throughout Central New York. Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness Boutique owners — Tammy Wilkinson and Terry LeRoi — have been deeply rooted in the piercing industry with over 30 years in business as LeRoi Fine Body Jewellery. Combining that experience with holistic wellness, self-care and self-expression is the new concept with the client Luxe Piercing Experience at the Aqua Spa Float Center. “At LeRoi Fine Body Jewellery and Aqua Spa Float Center, we’ve been fortunate to work with many of the world’s most respected piercers through our involvement with the Association of Professional Piercers and by attending conferences across North America and Europe,” said LeRoi, founder of LeRoi Fine Body Jewellery and co-owner of Aqua Spa Float Center & Wellness Boutique. “Those experiences have shown us that education is what drives our industry forward. “Not every piercer or studio can travel to major conferences like the APP Conference in Las Vegas or APP Benelux in the Netherlands, so we’re committed to bringing that level of education here. Hosting internationally respected educators like Jef Saunders allows our clients to experience the highest standards of professional piercing while giving piercers throughout the Northeast the opportunity to learn from some of the very best in the profession. That’s something we’re incredibly proud to offer our community.” When asked about the client experience, Wilkinson explained that education is at the heart of every appointment as well. “Our vision is to nurture and enhance wellness, balance and harmony through a multi-modality-centered facility, and we aspire to empower sustained, positive change, well-being and self-awareness; and educate to the benefits of natural health, holistic wellness and life balance,” Wilkison explains. “Piercing is no different. The piercing experience feels just as peaceful and rejuvenating as any other spa services. From the moment our clients arrive, they are in the very best hands with our kind and professional Wellness Ambassadors and experienced APP guest piercers.” Wilkinson also explained that piercing clients receive stellar care: every Luxe Piercing appointment includes a one-on-one private piercing in Aqua Spa’s dedicated piercing suite, their choice of custom jewellery by LeRoi Fine Body Jewellery, thorough after-care instructions and complementary check-up appointment, complementary whole-body red light therapy session in the Class II NovoTHOR medical device to promote healing, and access to many rejuvenating spa services. Piercing clients get 15% off during any event. According to Wilkinson, “Health and safety are always our highest priority when you come in for a piercing or jewelry installation. Before each appointment, all tools and jewelry are sterilized in a Statim autoclave, and every surface in the piercing room is carefully disinfected. During the procedure, your piercer will wear a mask and change gloves as needed to maintain a sterile environment. Once your piercing is complete, your piercer will go over detailed aftercare instructions with you. Following these steps is crucial to ensure proper healing before you leave our sanctuary.” As a part of the experience, guest piercers include a thorough anatomy review of the client’s desired piercing to ensure the new addition will work in harmony with the existing. “Our clients are enjoying building and creating ear curations with these international professionals. It’s a unique styling event and a chance to highlight self-expression,” Wilkinson said. Clients and piercers throughout the region are flocking to this piercing destination in Upstate New York. The Luxe Piercing Experience has welcomed clients and piercers alike from around the globe. Owners Wilkinson and LeRoi hope to continue the momentum with more educational seminars with industry experts to be a hub of knowledge and expertise. They hope to establish LeRoi Fine Body Jewellery and Aqua Spa Float Center as legacy businesses known for their lasting, positive impact on the piercing and holistic wellness industries.
The U.S. Open turned exclusivity into a half-billion-dollar business, and the $23 Honey Deuce is just the beginning
The tournament pulls in more than $500 million a year by selling prestige as much as tennis—from $800 million in luxury renovations to a cocktail that moved 738,459 units.
Aston Martin’s DBX GT Bets Big On Luxury And Power
The luxurious and powerful Aston Martin DBX GT sprints to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds
Cadillac Optiq review: it claims caddy's pricing sweet spot
I drove the Cadillac Optiq for a week. It's great at luxury theater at a price that won't quite match your mortgage.
REM Hotel Launch Might Change The Case For Investing In Melco Resorts And Entertainment Stock
Melco Resorts & Entertainment recently saw analysts reduce its fair value estimates after reassessing debt levels, margin assumptions and the outlook for Macau gaming revenue. The launch of REM, a privacy-focused luxury hotel brand at City of Dreams Macau, signals a push to reshape how higher-end guests experience the resort. We will now look at how Melco Resorts & Entertainment's investment narrative could be influenced by the REM hotel launch in Macau. Compare how Melco Resorts &...
Victoria Beckham: From Celebrity Brand To Luxury Business
Victoria Beckham's Paris Fashion Week show caps a turnaround year: a first operating profit of £7.3m, powered by beauty, leather goods and two new CEOs.
First in entrepreneurial excellence: FSU celebrates local businesses at inaugural Impact Awards Gala
The Entrepreneurial Impact Awards Gala provided a formal night out for Fayetteville’s business community. The event took place at the Rudolph Jones Student Center on Thursday, Sept. 10. Photo by GFBJ. Fayetteville State University (FSU) and the Fayetteville-Cumberland Regional Entrepreneur and Business HUB (FSU HUB) came together to celebrate Fayetteville’s business community. The two organizations rolled out the blue carpet at the Rudolph Jones Student Center for their inaugural Entrepreneurial Impact Awards Gala held on Thursday, Sept. 10.The gala honored outstanding entrepreneurs and business leaders who demonstrate excellence, foster growth and inspire the next generation of innovators within the FSU and broader business community.FSU HUB Director Dr. Tamara Colvin was able to highlight that this new milestone was a great way to show local success stories, not just tell.“That one-stop shop that’s across the street, we never promised that everyone would be successful, but what we did promise was access. Four years ago, we opened up an entire ecosystem: counseling, capital, contracts, connections, certifications,” shared Colvin. “I want to thank the judges who took up hard work for choosing tonight’s honorees. That’s never an easy task when the whole region is full of people worth recognizing at the HUB. We practice what we preach: Res Non Verba: Deeds, not words.” A few of the inaugural recipients of the awards shared their statements with the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal.STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR Boolean Wiring LLC, Esean Rose, owner “I am truly honored and grateful to receive the Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award. I want to thank Fayetteville State University, the judges and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. This award represents more than recognition for where Boolean Wiring is today. To me, it represents the potential of where we are going. I am excited about growing the company, creating jobs, serving our community and building something that can have an impact far beyond Fayetteville.”VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS SpeediPrint Inc., Dazrell Fleming, owner “I’m honored to accept the Veteran-Owned Business Award on behalf of the entire SpeediPrint team. A special thank you to Dr. Tamara Colvin for creating this opportunity through the Entrepreneurial Impact Awards, and to my mentor, Mr. Julius Cook, whose guidance during the Boots to Business program truly paid off. This recognition reflects the hard work of my staff and the trust our customers place in us every day — I’m grateful to serve this community and excited for what’s ahead.”MULTI-GENERATIONAL EXCELLENCE BJL Construction, Cleopatrice Robinson, president“This award is especially meaningful because we are more than a business — we are the continuation of a family legacy built through faith, hard work, craftsmanship, integrity and service. I gratefully acknowledge my grandfather, Deacon Benjamin “BJ” Lacy, Jr., whose example helped establish the foundation upon which our family’s entrepreneurial legacy was built. I also honor my father, the late Dr. Wilson Lacy, former president of BJL Construction. Working alongside him was both an opportunity and an education. He taught me that a business’s reputation had to be earned on every project through honesty, excellence, quality and service. As the current president, I recognize that I did not arrive at this moment alone. I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me, and I am sustained by those who continue to walk beside me.”MICRO BUSINESS Maybridge Development, LLC, Latisha Perkins, owner “I accept this award with so much pride and a whole lot of gratitude. First and foremost, I want to thank my higher power for continuing to guide me and give me the strength to keep going.When I first started this business and moved here to Fayetteville, I had no clue what I was getting myself into. This business has turned me every which way but loose, and I definitely had some moments where I was ready to just pack it up and head back to Georgia. I want to thank my Maybridge team, my village, The Hub, the FCEDC team and all the people and organizations here in Fayetteville who have believed in me and Maybridge and helped us get here.”COMMUNITY IMPACT Greater Life of Fayetteville, Georgeanna Pinckney, CEO & executive director “We are deeply honored to be recognized by FSU and the FSU HUB with the Community Impact Award presented to Greater Life of Fayetteville. I am especially grateful for this recognition because it tells us that you see what we do – and, more importantly, why we do what we do. Our commitment is to serve, empower and create meaningful opportunities for youth and families in our community. Most importantly, we give God first and foremost all the glory. We thank Him for giving us the wisdom, strength, vision and unity to continue doing this great work in our community.” SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Crowder Trucking LLC, Carlos & Valerie Morrison Crowder, owners “I want to thank God for always keeping his hands on Crowder Trucking. I’m truly honored and grateful to receive the Small Business Award from the FSU HUB. Running a small business is not always easy. There are long days, difficult decisions, unexpected challenges and plenty of moments when you have to remind yourself why you started. But there are also incredible moments like this one that remind you that the hard work is worth it,” shared Valerie Morrison Crowder.OTHER WINNERS INCLUDE: Alumni Entrepreneur - The Two-Six Project, Grant Bennett, founder and president Fayetteville State University Faculty Award - Dr. Christy Swinson Emerging Business Award - Genuine Luxury Beauty Salon Legacy Award - Gillis Farms Inc. Industry Titan of the Year - Eaton Corporation Entrepreneur of the Year- Let Me Cater to You, Chef Judith Cage, owner
Italian Renaissance home pairs historic distinction with modern luxury
Architectural distinction meets modern luxury and timeless charm in this Italian Renaissance home built in 1927.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs moved to new prison after reports of luxury lifestyle
The hip-hop mogul has been moved to a federal prison in Pennsylvania after reports that the he was living the high life and was injured in a fight at his New Jersey lockup, a source said