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In January, we published an article detailing draft legislation namedthe Private Funds Bill on 8 January 2020 (the'Bill').

In March, we published another article after the Bill was enactedinto law as the Private Funds Law 2020 on 7 February 2020 (the'Law').

The Law has now been further amended by the Private Funds(Amendment) Law, 2020 which was enacted into law on 7 July 2020(the 'Amendment') and this article hasbeen updated to reflect the most recent amendments.

By way of a reminder, the Law sets out requirements for theregistration of closed ended funds (funds in which investmentinterests are not redeemable at the option of the investor) withthe Cayman Islands Monetary Authority('CIMA'). This brings closed ended fundswithin the scope of a regulatory regime for the first time in thisjurisdiction.

The majority of closed ended funds with more than one investorcome within the scope of the Law. Specifically, the Law applies to'Private Funds'. Non Cayman IslandsPrivate Funds are also captured by the Law if they invite thepublic in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for investmentinterests.

'Private Fund' means a company, unittrust or partnership that offers or issues or has issued investmentinterests, the purpose or effect of which is the pooling ofinvestor funds with the aim of enabling investors to receiveprofits or gains from such entity's acquisition, holding,management or disposal of investments, where:

(a) the holders of investment interests do not have day-to-daycontrol over the acquisition, holding, management or disposal ofthe investments; and

(b) the investments are managed as a whole by or on behalf ofthe operator of the Private Fund, directly or indirectly.

The Law helpfully excludes several 'non fund'arrangements from its scope. The 'non fund' arrangementswhich are specifically excluded from the Law are:

programmes or schemes to similar effect;

over-the-counter-market) specified by CIMA by notice in theGazette;

The Schedule provides that these 'non fund' arrangementswill be defined in rules and guidance issued by the Ministry ofFinance but to date no guidance has been forthcoming. A full listof the 'non fund' arrangements is set out in the scheduleto the Law, which can be found here.

In addition, entities registered or licensed under the followingare excluded from the Law:

The changes to this definition are significant in four respects.All of the changes widen the definition of a Private Fund, meaningthat some entities which were not previously caught will now becaught. Those changes are:

It is not expected that the Amendment will affect entities thatwere previously classified as in scope of the Law as there are noadditional carve outs.

Under the Law, where International Financial Reporting Standardsor generally accepted accounting principles of the United States ofAmerica, Japan, Switzerland or a non-high risk jurisdiction permitconsolidated or combined financial account reporting, and a PrivateFund choses to report as such with an Alternative InvestmentVehicle, that Alternative Investment Vehicle will not be requiredto comply with the following requirements: (1) audit; (2)valuation; (3) safekeeping; (4) cash monitoring; or (5)identification of securities.

An Alternative Investment Vehicle('AIV') is defined as 'a company, unittrust, partnership or other similar vehicle that:

Similar entities formed to hold or dispose of assets which areestablished in the Cayman Islands but are related to a fund inanother jurisdiction (Delaware being a common example) or relatedto a fund which is a registered mutual fund, do not benefit fromthese reduced requirements and may be required to register, unlessthey fall outside of the definition of a private fund.

Existing private funds must be registered by 7 August 2020 (the'Transition Date').

Following the transition period ending on 7 August 2020, a newlyestablished Private Fund will be required to submit an applicationto register with CIMA within 21 days after it accepts capitalcommitments from investors and in any event, may not accept capitalcontributions from investors until the Private Fund is registeredby CIMA.

Helpfully, a Private Fund may engage in oral or writtencommunications and enter into agreements with potential investorswho are high-net-worth persons or sophisticated persons prior tothe submission of its registration application to CIMA.

Applications for registration of Private Funds will need to besubmitted electronically through CIMA's REEFS web portal.

In order to apply to be registered with CIMA, as part of itselectronic application submission, a Private Fund will need tosubmit a copy of its certificate of incorporation/registration (asapplicable), constitutive documents, offering memorandum/summary ofterms/marketing materials (as applicable), auditor's letter ofconsent, administrator's letter of consent (if applicable) anda structure chart for the entity, together with payment of theprescribed registration fee to CIMA. Private Funds which registerby 7 August 2020 will be liable to payment of a registration fee ofUS$365.85 while Private Funds which register following 7 August2020 will be liable to payment of a registration fee ofUS$4,634.14.

Once CIMA receives a complete application from a Private Fund,it will consider the application and register the Private Fund oncesatisfied. The Law sets out that CIMA will communicate its decisionto register a fund as soon as reasonably practicable after itsreview of the application and the registration date of the PrivateFund will be the date of submission of the complete application forregistration to CIMA.

A summary of the ongoing obligations of a registered PrivateFund are set out below:

CIMA has published the rules setting the parameters as to howthe Law will be implemented in relation to the segregation ofassets and the contents of marketing materials.

Based on the Rule on Contents of Marketing Materials all PrivateFunds, save for AIVs, will be obliged to include certaininformation in their marketing materials. 'Marketingmaterials' are defined as any document which is used to solicitinvestors to invest in a fund. Private Funds are not required toprepare an offering document and this is not a pre-requisite toregistration.

An existing Private Fund which is in liquidation / being woundup or that has commenced the liquidation / wind-up process prior to7 August 2020, and which submits evidence (in the form ofresolutions, auditor confirmations etc.) to CIMA that itsliquidation / winding-up will be completed prior to 7 August 2020,will not be required to apply for registration under the Law.

The Law provides CIMA with new supervisory and enforcementpowers to ensure the requirements of the Law are complied with. Forexample, if CIMA deems it necessary to comply with its functionsunder the Law, it may request additional information from a PrivateFund, carry out on-site inspections, impose additional conditionsor apply to Court for an order to take any action it deemsnecessary to protect the interests of the investors. Failure tocomply with the provisions of the Law may result in the impositionof fines on a Private Fund and / or its operators.

Originally published 15 July, 2020

The content of this article is intended to provide a generalguide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be soughtabout your specific circumstances.

Original post:

Recent Amendments To The Private Funds Law 2020: Are You Now In Scope? - Finance and Banking - Cayman Islands - Mondaq News Alerts

International private jet charter operator VistaJet is offering the most private and safest way to travel to luxury destinations as soon as we are able.

Picture the most stunning azure views from a private island in the Maldives, tours through sprawling French vineyards, or natural landscapes and epic adventures in the Galapagos Yes, the urge to travel is stronger than ever before. And while relentless wanderlust remains during these pandemic-ridden times, what can we do right now? Well, we can plan. After all, adventure awaits, as VistaJets portfolio of private and safe journeys for members suggests.

According to a study by Private Jet Card Comparisons, COVID-19 coronavirus risk is 30 times lower on private jets. In fact, the number of touch points significantly decrease when flying private and results in only 20 interactions as opposed to 700 when flying commercial. Its no wonder more potential travellers are looking into safer and more reliable alternatives for peace of mind.

Enter VistaJets collection of World Safe Havens, a partnership with world-leading experts and properties, to allow members to travel privately, and safely. So, as we plan our travels for the future, here are their exclusive point-to-point journeys (from flight to destination) to inspire you for your next trip.

With: Dean Stott and Joe Fattorini

What to expect: A guided tour, by former special forces operator and two world cycling records holder Dean Stott, takes guests cycling through the beautiful vineyards of France, before hosting them at leading wine expert and presenter of The Wine Show, Joe Fattorinis La Verrire vineyard. Home to the award-winning Chne Bleu wines, guests can enrol on courses or opt to relax by the pool. And for the more active, Dean will challenge guests to take on Mont Ventoux nearby.

With: Abercrombie & Kent

What to expect: An exploration of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands for 14 days to discover the most stunning scenery and wildlife, along with the countrys heritage and culture. The new Cotopaxi Sanctuary Lodge will be the base for the first half of the trip, where volcanoes, the National Park, a hike in the Andes, can be experienced. Thereafter, a privately chartered yacht cruise for seven nights will take guests through the Galapagos Islands.

With: Entourage Travel

What to expect: A trip to discover Jamaica from Strawberry Hill, where guests can discover the Blue Mountain and secluded waterfalls; Fleming Villa at GoldenEye, which comes with its own private beach; playwright legend Sir Nol Cowards residence for sunset cocktails; Rio Grande for rafting; the Blue Lagoon, and finally, Pantrepant, a private farm to enjoy horse rides, unexplored watering holes, caves, snorkelling and boat trips.

With: The Eden Club

What to expect: A relaxing stay at one of Scotlands most illustrious private gated estate and home, Pittormie Castle. Here, guests can make full use of over 30 golf courses in the area, including The Old Course and Kingsbarns, suiting all playing abilities.

With: Roar Africa

What to expect: An adventure in both Africa and Antarctica, where guests will safari through a remote, 100,000-hectare private property, watching elephants and lions before heading to Whichaway Camp in Antarctica to march with Emperor penguins, hike the Labyrinth of ice tunnels, visit the polar station and more.

With: Blue Marble Private

What to expect: A truly unique American Western Frontier journey to a private town located on 4,500 acres of Colorado land, with mountains, plains, rivers and lakes. Experience a modern cowboys dream with an unlimited range of activities to cover the history, nature and adventures of the Wild West.

With: Velaa Private Island

What to expect: A luxury retreat to a private island overlooking the bluest waters in the Indian Ocean. Guests can opt for one of 47 private villas 18 of which are suspended over water and all come with their own private pools. Whether its golf on their extraordinarily gorgeous course, spa treatments and relaxation in the only snow room in the Maldives, or helping on their coral reef restoration project, guests can partake in unlimited activities in privacy on the island.

Excerpt from:

The 7 Luxury Destinations to Fly Privately and Safely to With Vistajet - Prestige Online

Wednesday, July 15, 2020 5:12 p.m. EDT by Thomson Reuters

(Reuters) - Carnival Corp is planning to raise about $1.26 billion in a bond offering, the beleaguered cruise operator said Wednesday as it struggles to stay afloat after the COVID-19 pandemic impacted its business.

The bond offering is split into a $775 million tranche paying an annual coupon of 10.5%, and 425 million euro-tranche ($484.93 million) paying 10.125%.

The senior secured notes are due 2026, with the offering expected to close on July 20, Carnival said.

Carnival said the notes will be secured by a second-priority lien, a lower priority of repayment in case of bankruptcy or liquidation of assets.

The cruise business is one of the worst hit from the pandemic and many cruise operators have been forced to raise billions through various means, even by pledging ships and private islands.

Carnival has raised over $10 billion through a series of financing transactions since its voyages were paused, enough to withstand another full year in a zero-revenue scenario, Chief Executive Officer Arnold Donald had said earlier this month.

A number of U.S. companies, including Macy's Inc are also pledging their assets and properties to raise money and clear debt as businesses reopen after a long government mandated lockdown.

(Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur)

Original post:

Carnival to raise $1.26 billion in debt to deal with COVID-19 impact - Midwest Communication

FORT MYERS

Do you ever have days where you want to escape it all? You wont have to go far if you can afford to buy an island in the Caloosahatchee River near downtown Fort Myers.

Loftons Island, between the Edison and Caloosahatchee bridges, is up for sale.

They always have their mystique. Someone always wants to own their own private island, said Lamar Fisher, president and CEO of Fisher Auction Company.

Fisher has auctioned off his fair share of islands, but the feeling remains the same.

The aspect takes over of what can I do with it, and so the imagination just roams, he said.

Coming in at 9.3 acres, theres room to roam on Loftons Island, which has access to water, sewer, and electricity, so it would be possible to build a home there.

Or even someone putting multi-family townhomes, and even a hotel, a resort-type property, so uses run the gamut and the interest has been that way as well, Fisher said.

The interest goes beyond Fort Myers. Fishers said people from 21 states and countries have responded.

Its exciting and the interesting part about this auction is its a no-reserve auction. Its an absolute auction, so there are no reserves or minimums, so its going to sell to the highest bidder.

The online auction starts July 21 and closes July 23.

While auctioneers dont have an estimate of what Loftons Island might sell for, it was previously listed at $5.9 million.

Excerpt from:

Lofton's Island in Caloosahatchee River back on the market - Wink News

Social distance amid the wild coastal landscapes of this uninhabited private island off the west coast of Chile.

Isla Imelev has lush prairie landscapes with native plants and trees, including Chilean myrtle and wide sandy beaches on two sides and dramatic high cliffs on the other. It lies in the Chilo Archipelago about 24 miles away by boat from its main island of Chilo.

Credit: Private Islands Inc

Credit: Private Islands Inc

Credit: Private Islands Inc

Credit: Private Islands Inc

Credit: Private Islands Inc

The 32-acre walkable Chilean island, for sale via Private Islands Inc for $1.7m, has safe swimming waters, and underground freshwater sources. Its new owners can develop their own off-grid retreat, for personal or commercial purposes, subject to planning consents.

The triangular Los Lagos region island has all-round archipelago and Pacific Ocean views and includes a lighthouse used as a reference point for navigators.

Credit: Private Islands Inc

Credit: Private Islands Inc

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This Chilean island offers absolute seclusion - The Spaces

The BDN is making the most crucial coverage of the coronavirus pandemic and its economic impact in Maine free for all readers. Click here for all coronavirus stories. You can join others committed to safeguarding this vital public service by purchasing a subscription or donating directly to the newsroom.

Another Mainer has died as health officials on Thursday reported 26 more cases of the coronavirus in the state.

There have now been 3,486 cases across all of Maines counties since the outbreak began here in March, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Thats up from 3,460 on Wednesday.

Of those, 3,092 have been confirmed positive, while 394 are likely positive, according to the Maine CDC.

New cases were tallied in Androscoggin (3), Cumberland (15), Franklin (1), Lincoln (1), Oxford (1), Penobscot (3), Piscataquis (1) and Somerset (1) counties.

The latest death involved a woman in her 80s from Penobscot County, bringing the statewide death toll to 111. Nearly all deaths have been in Mainers over age 60.

So far, 365 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point with COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Of those, 16 people have been hospitalized, with seven in critical care and four on ventilators.

Meanwhile, 45 more people have recovered from the coronavirus, bringing total recoveries to 2,901. That means there are 474 active and likely cases in the state, down from 494 on Wednesday.

Heres the latest on the coronavirus and its impact on Maine.

A private island in Casco Bay once used as a federal quarantine facility during the last pandemic 100 years ago is now being marketed as a virus-free safe zone for wealthy tourists from New York and Washington, D.C., where they can do most anything as long as its legal. Troy R. Bennett

As the states public and private universities make plans to reopen campus this fall, a majority of professors at Maines flagship university dont want to return to teaching in person. Some 57 percent of more than 250 professors who responded to a late June survey said they felt uncomfortable with teaching in classrooms this fall as the coronavirus pandemic continues and as new cases surge nationally. Eesha Pendharkar, BDN

The clock is ticking for University of Maine athletics in terms of whether there will be a fall season. The fate of sports at UMaine and elsewhere remains up in the air due to the COVID-19 pandemic and protocols put in place to deal with social distancing, large gatherings and testing. Larry Mahoney, BDN

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins opposes President Donald Trumps call for the reopening of schools nationwide and threats to halt federal funding to those that stay shut, saying during a stop in Maine on Thursday that school restarts should be decided locally. Nick Sambides Jr., BDN

Walmart in Presque Isle the busiest store in Aroostook County has stood out for its uncovered display of faces coming from around The County to shop at the superstore since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. The maskless trend seemed to accelerate during the summer, but that will soon change. Presque Isles Walmart announced Wednesday that face coverings shielding the nose and mouth would be required for all customers. The only exceptions are young children and people with certain medical conditions. David Marino Jr., BDN

As of Thursday evening, the coronavirus has sickened 3,088,913 people in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as caused 132,934 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University of Medicine.

The rest is here:

July 9 evening update: The latest on the coronavirus and Maine - Bangor Daily News

The BDN is making the most crucial coverage of the coronavirus pandemic and its economic impact in Maine free for all readers. Click here for all coronavirus stories. You can join others committed to safeguarding this vital public service by purchasing a subscription or donating directly to the newsroom.

Another 21 cases of the new coronavirus have been detected in Maine, health officials said Saturday.

There have now been 3,520 cases across all of Maines counties since the outbreak began here in March, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Thats up from 3,499 on Friday.

Of those, 3,131 have been confirmed positive, while 389 are likely positive, according to the Maine CDC.

New cases were tallied in Cumberland (10), Franklin (1), Kennebec (1), Sagadahoc (1) and York (7) counties. Daily changes in county-level data may vary from new case reports as the Maine CDC continues to investigate cases.

One new death was reported Saturday, raising the statewide death toll to 112. Nearly all deaths have been in Mainers over age 60.

So far, 366 Mainers have been hospitalized at some point with COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Of those, 16 people are currently hospitalized, with seven in critical care and four on ventilators.

Meanwhile, 41 more people have recovered from the coronavirus, bringing total recoveries to 2,972. That means there are 436 active and likely cases in the state, down from 457 on Friday.

Heres the latest on the coronavirus and its impact on Maine.

Lauded for their service and hailed as everyday heroes, essential workers who get the coronavirus on the job have no guarantee in most states theyll qualify for workers compensation to cover lost wages and medical care. Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, The Associated Press

As the states public and private universities make plans to reopen campus this fall, a majority of professors at Maines flagship university dont want to return to teaching in person. Eesha Pendharkar, BDN

An increasing number of U.S. small businesses plan to lay off workers after using a federal coronavirus relief loan as many states are slowing or changing reopening plans amid a spike in cases, a new survey shows. Mark Niquette, Bloomberg News

Reducing plastic waste is harder during the pandemic than it was before COVID-19 came to Maine. Here are 7 ways you can reduce plastic during the pandemic. Sam Schipani, BDN

A private island in Casco Bay once used as a federal quarantine facility during the last pandemic 100 years ago is now being marketed as a virus-free safe zone for wealthy tourists from New York and Washington, D.C., where they can do most anything as long as its legal. Troy R. Bennett, BDN

As of Saturday afternoon, the coronavirus has sickened 3,213,902 people in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as caused 134,420 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University of Medicine.

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July 11 update: The latest on the coronavirus and Maine - Bangor Daily News

The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has paid an official visit to the Canary Islands to recognize the reopening of the destination and the steps the local authorities have taken to keep both visitors and tourism workers safe as the sector restarts.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili was accompanied by the Spanish Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, for a series of high-level meetings with both public and private sector leaders. The delegation met with the President of the Canary Islands ngel Vctor Torres and the Secretary of Tourism for the Canary Islands Yaiza Castilla, as well as with the Spanish government's representative on the islands, Anselmo Pestana and the President of Town Hall of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales.

Mr Pololikashvili said: "Tourism is one of the most important economic sectors for the Canary Islands, providing jobs and livelihoods and supporting many local businesses. The responsible restart of the sector will allow the many benefits tourism offers to return, and UNWTO welcomes the measures that have been taken to build confidence and trust in the sector."

This official visit follows a successful visit to Italy - the first trip undertaken since restrictions on international travel were eased within the Schengen Zone of Europe. Both visits recognize how tourism is a lifeline for many countries and highlights support for tourism at every political levels and the close collaboration with the private sector.

The UNWTO Regional Director for Europe, Alessandra Priante, said: "Health and safety, including the state of healthcare systems, are now key elements for all destinations. This needs to be reflected in their marketing and communications strategies, both now as tourism restarts and into the future as the sector recovers. Tourism has proven its resilience and its unique ability to drive the recovery and development of societies and it will do so again, and this time sustainability and innovation must be front and centre."

Alongside meetings with public sector leaders, the UNWTO delegation also saw first-hand the steps being taken by the private sector to ensure the highest level of public safety and hygiene in tourism destinations.

In parallel, UNWTO officials visited each of the eight islands of the Canarian Archipelago to see first-hand the safety protocols put in place to maximize security and safety. A group of up to 60 Spanish and international media also witnessed the safety updates along the whole tourism value chain.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), a United Nations specialized agency, is the leading international organization with the decisive and central role in promoting the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism know-how. Its membership includes 159 countries, 6 territories, 2 permanent observers and over 500 Affiliate Members.

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UNWTO Recognizes Safe And Responsible Restart Of Tourism On The Canary Islands - Hospitality Net

(CNN) Though border restrictions and quarantine measures are keeping people from visiting many of the world's most popular travel destinations at the moment, one country famed for its natural beauty is now welcoming all guests -- the Maldives.

As of July 15, this island nation in the Indian Ocean is reopen to international tourism and, perhaps remarkably, very few strings are attached.

Global travelers -- US citizens included -- will not have to enter into a mandatory quarantine upon arrival at Velana International Airport in the capital, Male. Nor will they need to produce proof they have tested negative for coronavirus.

There are also no new visa requirements or additional fees to pay.

One island, one resort

In the beginning, international visitors will only be allowed on the resort islands and they need to book their entire stay in one registered establishment.

Exemptions will only be made for transit arrangements, according to the Maldives government's guidelines.

In terms of Covid-19 prevention, tourism officials are banking on the fact each resort essentially offers its own form of quarantine already -- albeit a pretty enjoyable one.

Trans Maldivian Airways is the world's largest float plane operator. We go on the job with one of its most experienced pilots, Canadian Andrew Farr.

The Maldives is made up of 26 atolls filled with over 1,000 islands occupied by dozens of resorts, all spread out over 90,000 square kilometers.

Most of the islands in the Maldives developed for tourism feature just a single resort. Should guests or staff come into contact with someone who tests positive for Covid-19, in theory they will be easily traceable, while the potential for spread is kept to a minimum.

But as enticing as it sounds to hop on a plane for the Maldives right now, travelers may have to contend with their own country's quarantine measures upon their return -- and that might deter them from visiting.

"What is important to take into consideration is that it depends not only on the Maldives, but also on lifting of travel restrictions in different countries. It is not just desire but ability," says Sonu Shivdasani, CEO and founder of Soneva, which has two Maldives resorts -- Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani.

That said, guests are already demonstrating a willingness to return, he tells CNN Travel.

"We have more on the books at Soneva Fushi for August than we had at the same time last year. As the borders open, and our main markets are allowed to travel to us, it could be our best August ever."

Are any airlines actually flying there?

In spite of the global aviation downturn, it is possible to fly to the Maldives commercially right now, with several major airlines connecting through the Middle East.

These include Emirates Airlines, which offers connections through Dubai from major global cities like London, Chicago, Toronto and Sydney. Fellow UAE carrier Etihad will resume flights from Abu Dhbai to the Maldives from July 16. Turkish Airlines is tentatively starting flights from July 17.

The 5.8 Undersea Restaurant is the world's largest of its type. A $200 prix-fixe menu accompanies a view teeming with coral life.

Bear in mind, just because the Maldives isn't requiring visitors to submit proof they're Covid-19-free, some airlines are, so be sure to check ahead of time.

Upon arrival, passengers are asked to fill in health declaration cards and a 30-day tourist visa will be provided. Travelers showing symptoms of Covid-19 will be subjected to a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test at their own cost and sent to a designated facility for isolation.

Are all resorts reopening on July 15?

Dozens more will reopen in August, with 50 or so more planning to follow suit in September and October.

French hospitality group Accor has five Maldives resorts and will be staggering openings in the coming months.

"We intend to reopen Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort from August 1, followed by Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort in September," says John Bendtsen, Accor Area General Manager for the Maldives.

"Our remaining properties in the Maldives will reopen from October 2020 -- Mvenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi and Raffles Maldives Meradhoo."

So far, the response from guests has been very positive although cautious, he says.

"We are seeing a real appetite for travel more towards the end of the year with the Christmas and New Year period particularly positive as well as the first quarter of 2021," says Bendtsen.

"Travelers who have already visited the Maldives previously are much more confident and we are seeing a lot of returning guests make bookings for the 4th quarter of 2020."

Soneva Jani's not your typical luxury resort. Here's what visitors at this "no shoes, no news" property can expect.

In terms of health and safety, the government is issuing "Safe Tourism Licenses" to accredit tourist facilities that abide by legislation and specific safety requirements like having a certified medic on call and holding an "adequate stock" of personal protection equipment.

Some resorts are implementing additional measures to protect guests and staff.

At Soneva's two properties, for instance, guests will be asked to undergo a Covid-19 PCR test at the brand's private airport lounge before they're transferred to their resort by plane. Once at the resort, they will go straight to their villa and are requested to remain there until the test results are received and are negative.

If a guest's results come back positive, they will be asked to isolate in their villa, where they will be looked after by trained nurses.

"During the first week of stay, we would also ask guests to take one more real-time PCR test," says Shivdasani.

"Although this could be considered as being slightly excessive or over-cautious, at Soneva, all our islands are 'One Island One Resort;' it is our goal to make our private island homes Covid-19 free environments, so that our guests can truly relax and engage with our hosts and fellow guests and not feel any concern about being infected."

Soneva remained open throughout the pandemic and has been following the best practices recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the recommendations of virology and infectious diseases experts, adds Shivdasani. Enhanced cleaning and sanitation protocols are also in place.

Reopening gives Maldives 'first mover advantage'

The Maldives has recorded nearly 2,000 confirmed cases and five deaths from Covid-19 so far.

In a statement issued in May, Ali Waheed, the country's minister for tourism, described the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as "more devastating than the 2004 tsunami and the 2008 global financial crisis."

The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has opened the world's first-ever underwater hotel residence.

"For the first time in 47 years of tourism in the Maldives, we have experienced zero tourist arrival since this March," he said, before adding, "we cannot keep our borders closed for long."

Eunice Aw, Singapore director of global hospitality consulting firm Horwath HTL, tells CNN Travel via email the tourism industry in the Maldives has proven to be resilient, bouncing back quickly from previous crises, however the country faces an uphill battle as they unlock their border to all visitors.

"Given the unprecedentedness of Covid-19, moving forward, even with the reopening of borders, visitor arrivals are not expected to surge and overall arrivals in 2020 are estimated to fall by approximately 70 to 75% year on year," she says.

"This takes into consideration the pandemic situation in many of the Maldives' main source markets such as China (17%), India (10%), Europe (49%) and the US (3%), where countries are either still trying to contain the pandemic or battle against second or third waves of the infection."

Adding to this, Europe -- their biggest market -- is a 10 to 12 hours' flight away and long haul travel recovery is likely to lag behind short haul travel, she adds.

"Tourism recovery has to be further supported by the resumption of international flights, reciprocal travel arrangements with partner countries, relaxation of quarantine/isolation requirements in visitors' home countries and recovery in travelers' confidence to travel.

"Nonetheless, the reopening of its borders in July will give the Maldives a first mover advantage to capture pent up demand of holidaymakers once recovery is on the way."

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The Maldives is now open to all global tourists. Here's how they're doing it - CNN

In the 6thcentury BC the citizenry respected the statecraft of the Persian emperor of the Achaemenid Empire, Cyrus the Great. In 21st-century PC (post-corona) Britain it is witnessing the rise of Sunak the Smooth. And smooth he was, as he delivered a summer statement in the Commons last Wednesday in his reassuring, empathetic tone. There was something for everyone, but perhaps the most important measure was the kickstart scheme to get 16-24 year olds on Universal Credit into jobs. The Government will pay companies the minimum wage for up to six months for the employees they take on.

This is important. While older people have suffered the most severe health consequences due to the crisis, it is the young that have been hardest hit economically. The situation for millennials (those under the age of 40) pre-crisis was already tough, with rising student debt, the prevalence of zero-hours contracts and the prospect of home ownership a distant dream for many. The danger of a lost generation is now even more potent.

A capitalist system operates on the basis that actors within it possess capital. But if your human capital cannot secure you a decent job, which in turn prevents you transforming hard graft into physical capital in the form of asset ownership, this indicates a system failure. Such faulty wiring can be fixed if the problem is localised. However, if it persists it can become dangerous.

After more than a decade of austerity, following the financial crisis of 2007-2008, society is at an inflexion point. The restive mood among the public that led to Brexit has not dissipated. As has been seen from the recent bout of statue-toppling across the land, many people, especially the young, want to see injustices at least in their eyes addressed. Top of the list is income inequality, which the crisis has made starker. One of the central ways of confronting it is for companies and individuals to pay their fair share of tax.

This poses a challenge for Rishi Sunak. Thus far, the Chancellors attempt to crenellate the economy with over 350 billion of interventionist measures has revealed his instinct for pragmatism over ideology. It has also demonstrated a willingness to part with the adamantine Conservative fiscal orthodoxy of tight control of public spending and low taxes. While he has received plaudits for the measures he has taken, including seeking to minimise the risk of mass unemployment through speedy execution of the furlough scheme, he will face tough choices soon. An increase in taxation is almost inevitable; the question is when to introduce it and whom to target.

He should begin by forcing tech giants to pay tax on revenues rather than profits, which can be understated through clever accounting practices and the use of offshore holding companies. As the high street continues to suffer with Boots, John Lewis and Burger King, among others, all announcing job losses last week he should also consider charging a form of business rates to online retailers that are not subject to the same costs as those with a bricks and mortar presence.

Top earners should also pay more. Executive pay has continued to mushroom in recent years with a tenuous link, in many cases, to corporate performance. According to the Economist, the CEO of the American company Alphabet, Sundar Pichai, was paid $281 million last year. Remuneration levels are not as vulgar in the UK, where the top ten best-paid CEOs combined earned less than Mr Pichai. However, the argument for increasing the tax take from those earning such vast amounts is a strong one.

There is also the moral question of individuals, some with knighthoods or other honours, enjoying tax exile status in places like Monaco or on private islands, while operating businesses in the UK employing thousands of people and expecting government support. There is a strong argument that if such people refuse to pay taxes they should be stripped of their honours. In future, honours should be conferred solely on those who pay their taxes in the UK, as the rest of us do.

Aside from tax there is the triple lock, which guarantees that the basic state pension increases every year by the rate of inflation, the rise in average earnings, or 2.5 per cent, whichever is the highest. The former Tory Treasury minister, David Gauke who fell out with his erstwhile party and stood as an independent at the last general election has said that, given low inflation and stagnant wages, a decision to increase pensions by 2.5 per cent would be an act of intergenerational unfairness. He is right.

Until now the Chancellor has been commended for his clarity of thought and swiftness of action. The question of determining how to pay for the biggest expansion in government borrowing since World War Two will be altogether more difficult, particularly if he has one eye on eventually moving next door to his neighbours house in Downing Street. That means keeping his party and its financial backers on side.

But the present moment also presents Rishi Sunak with an opportunity to reset the capitalist system. The market economy needs greater equality at its heart if it is to endure. When and how to go about it, as large parts of the economy splutter in their attempt to restart, will call for fine judgement.

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Rishi Sunak's task is not just to reopen the economy, but to reform capitalism - TheArticle

EVER dreamt of owning a tropical island off the Capricorn Coast?

Heres your chance.

One of Queenslands most sustainable and boutique tourist destinations, Pumpkin Island, is up for sale.

The rolling lease for the six-hectare island, situated in the Southern Great Barrier Reefs Keppel Group of Islands, 14km off the coast of Yeppoon, will be taken to the market in a sale campaign run by Knight Franks Deborah Cullen and Pat ODriscoll.

Pumpkin Island is being sold by Sojourn Properties Pty Ltd, a Queensland-based company with a boutique collection of properties operated under the Sojourn Retreats brand.

This is just the second time Pumpkin Island has come to the market since 1961, with the last sale being to Soujourn Properties 17 years ago in 2003.

The current owners have decided to pursue new ventures and move closer to family in New Zealand.

PARADISE: Pumpkin Island, off the Capricorn Coast.

Pumpkin Island first opened to guests in 1964 and is a private whole island escape for couples, families or groups.

It offers eco-friendly accommodation for up to 34 guests in five fully self-contained oceanfront guest cottages and two bungalows with an open-air kitchen and bathroom facilities. The island is completely off-grid and powered by solar and wind, with plenty of rain water storage.

The property also contains staff quarters, a large work shed, a double-storey lookout building, a bar lounge area, a managers cottage, a childrens playground, two registered moorings, a helicopter land pad and a custom built 36-passenger catamaran.

The reef off Pumpkin Island.

An oyster lease also belongs to the owner and can be sold with the island allowing guests to shuck their own oysters off the rocks.

Pumpkin Island was named Australias most sustainable hotel in Australasia in 2018 at the World Boutique Hotel Awards, and was the first beyond carbon neutral island in Australia, offsetting 150 percent of its annual greenhouse gas emissions.

After 10 years of being an advanced eco-tourism certified operator, Pumpkin Island has now been awarded the position of a green travel leader in Australia and is currently a finalist for the Green Hotel of the Year category in the Finder Green Awards.

The island is solar-powered with a back-up three-phase diesel generator.

All water is provided by rain and there is about 410,000 litres of storage.

Pumpkin Island was leased by Queensland brewery Castlemaine Perkins between 2012 and 2015 and was renamed XXXX Island as a promotional campaign for its beer, with 3000 people visiting the island over those three years.

Lion Nathan chose Pumpkin Island as the spearhead of its campaign from a pool of 17 other islands.

The Pumpkin Island Eco Retreat - Southern Great Barrier Reef.

Ms Cullen said Pumpkin Island was a rare offering that was expected to attract local, interstate and even overseas investors.

The buyer will be purchasing an entire island - rather than just a parcel of land on an island - on a rolling lease current until 2046, which is an opportunity that only presents itself once in a blue moon, she said.

Pumpkin Island is a very unique property offering privacy, seclusion and exclusivity, and is a fantastic destination for tourists or locals wanting an escape.

We expect it will be even more attractive in the current climate post COVID-19 for someone who wishes to use it as a safe haven during any possible future pandemics. During this pandemic life continued on the island as normal.

The island is easy to access from Keppel Bay Marina, being just a short boat ride of 25 to 40 minutes, and the airport at Rockhampton is close by, with Australias major capital cities of Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne only a few hours away.

ESCAPE: Pumpkin Island, a private island eco-retreat nestled in the Keppel Islands, Queensland.

Mr ODriscoll said the property offered the potential for further development or redevelopment, with approval to be required from council and state authorities for building standards.

At the moment the island can have a maximum of 34 guests but this has the potential to be increased, subject to state government ministerial and local government approval, he said.

Capricorn Enterprise is incredibly supportive of tourism in the region and assists in marketing, sales and training for Pumpkin Island.

They also lobby local council and government when needed to achieve desired results, including tourism development plans.

RELATED STORY: CQ island for rent, and you wont believe the price

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FOR SALE: Famous CQ island hits the market in rare offering - Observer

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The seriousness with which the Cayman Islands continues to meetand exceed international standards in a proactive and sophisticatedmanner has been underlined this week. The introduction ofamendments to the Private Funds Law to further clarify the scope ofapplication to certain entities were passed on 7 July.

On 7 February the Cayman Islands Government published thePrivate Funds Law, 2020 and the Mutual Funds (Amendment) Law, 2020in order to enhance the oversight of both open-ended andclosed-ended funds in the jurisdiction and to respond to EUrequirements with respect to transparency, best market practice,enhanced anti-money laundering procedures and other key regulatorystandards (please refer to our previous update here). Further fast tracked amendments, toprovide greater certainty and clarity, have been introduced in thePrivate Funds (Amendment) Law, 2020.

In summary, the Private Funds Law applies to companies, unittrusts or partnerships that offer or issue or have issuedinvestment interests, the purpose or effect of which is the poolingof investor funds with the aim of enabling investors to receiveprofits or gains from such entity's acquisition, holding,management or disposal of investments, where (a) the holders ofinvestment interests do not have day-to-day control over theacquisition, holding, management or disposal of the investments;and (b) the investments are managed as a whole by or on behalf ofthe operator of the private fund, directly or indirectly. Privatefunds do not include, however, single investor funds; regulatedmutual funds under the Mutual Funds Law (as amended); personslicensed under the Banks and Trust Companies Law or the InsuranceLaw; persons registered under the Building Societies Law or theFriendly Societies Law; or, importantly, any non-fund arrangements the list of which is extensive and includes:

pension funds; securitisation special purpose vehicles;contracts of insurance; joint ventures; proprietary vehicles;officer, manager or employee incentive, participation orcompensation schemes, and programmes or schemes to similar effect;holding vehicles; individual investment management arrangements;debt issues and debt issuing vehicles; structured finance vehicles;preferred equity financing vehicles; a fund of whose investmentinterests are listed on a specified stock exchange; sovereignwealth funds; or single family offices.

The main changes introduced by the Private Funds (Amendment)Law, amend the definition of a private fund by removing thereference to spreading investment risk meaning closed ended fundsmaking only a single investment may constitute a private fund,provided they satisfy all of the remaining requirements of thedefinition. Further, the inclusion of funds that have issuedinvestment interests at some point during their life, removes theuncertainty around funds that have issued interests in the past butare no longer actively offering or issuing. All are required toregister.

Existing private funds and private funds formed after 7 Februarymust register with CIMA no later than 7 August 2020. Registrationsare being conducted apace as the industry successfully absorbsthese new requirements.

As previously observed, the new regime seeks to strike a balancein achieving the dual purpose of strengthening investor confidencein Cayman Islands investment funds and ensuring that the CaymanIslands remains the preeminent jurisdiction for investment fundformation. The new regime also addresses EU suggestions forinvestment fund oversight and the Cayman Islands Government workedclosely with industry stakeholders and fund professionals,including accounting, audit, administration, governance and legalfirms in drafting the laws.

Originally published by Appleby, July 2020

The content of this article is intended to provide a generalguide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be soughtabout your specific circumstances.

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Nature rules on this conservation-focused island in the Seychelles, a veritable Garden of Eden thats home to more than 3,000 Aldabra tortoises, over 100 species of seabirds, and numerous rare and endemic creatures. On the faraway islands off Mozambique, its entirely possible to go off-the-grid, especially at Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort, a colossal private island paradise boasting a palm-laced coastline, jewel-toned waters, towering interior sand dunes, untouched coral reefs, and underwater deserts. The sparkling white sands and impossibly turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean envelop the 10 rustic chic villas of this petite island resort off the northern coast of Zanzibar. Thanks to a distinctive open-air design with limited wall space and glassless windows, the sights and sounds of the beach are always present. Thanks to private island resorts like the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island, the Indian Ocean has become a popular tack-on after a safari in Africas wildlife-rich plains.

SOURCE:CN TRAVELER

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Having an African Island all to Yourself - Africa.com

For the past four months, overseas travel has felt like a far-off fantasy thanks to a certain global pandemic. But, finally, theres light at the end of the quarantine tunnelat least for one of our favorite travel destinations. The Maldives is reopening in a few days.

The tropical island nation, which comprises nearly 1,200 islands in the Indian Ocean, is secluded by nature and well-suited to social distancing. To date, there are roughly 150 eye-catching resorts scattered across the archipelago, most of which occupy entire private islands and call for a minimal amount of human interaction.

Since the remote destination relies heavily on tourism, its eager to get back into the swing of things. As of July 15, international travelers, including US citizens, will be allowed to stay only on resort islands or boats (just in case you have a superyacht handy). Come August 1, guest houses and hotels on inhabited islands will also be allowed to reopen.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru.Four Seasons

So, where exactly can you stay? By the end of July, the Maldives Ministry of Tourism expects that a total of 40 resorts will be up and running. According to a list from the ministry, the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and Soneva Fushi are already welcoming guests, while the One & Only Reethi Rah and Milaidhoo Island while open July 24 and August 1, respectively. Roughly 50 of the remaining resorts plan to open around October 1, while the rest will likely wait until peak seasonDecember to Marchwhen the tropical weather is at its best.

The Maldives has been working toward reopening for weeks and has implemented all recommended cleanliness and hygiene protocols to ensure guests stay safe. The country has also made a concerted effort to build out resources to treat Covid-19, according to Bloomberg.

Soneva Fushi.Soneva Fushi

Entering the Maldives seems to be relatively straightforward, too. Tourists are not required to pay any additional fees or prove theyre virus-free prior to entry, according to an announcement from the Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation. And guests without Covid-19 symptoms will not be subject to quarantine measures on arrival. However, any guest who shows symptoms will have to pay for a test. As you might expect, those who may have been exposed to the virus are advised not to travel to the Maldives.

Of course, youll need to be cautious while traveling to and from the country. And, upon return, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends any international travelers self-quarantine for 14 days.

In short, this trip will require some planning. But after months stuck at home, itll be so worth it.

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The Maldives Is Reopening This Month to Cure Your Lockdown Malaise - Robb Report

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili andSpanish Minister of Industry, Trade, and Tourism, Reyes Maroto flew tothe Canary Islands fora series ofhigh-level meetings with both public and private sector leaders.

The delegation met with the President of the Canary Islands ngel Vctor Torres and the Secretary of Tourism for the Canary Islands Yaiza Castilla, as well as with the Spanish governments representative on the islands, Anselmo Pestana and the President of Town Hall of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales.

Mr Pololikashvili said: Tourism is one of the most important economic sectors for the Canary Islands, providing jobs and livelihoods and supporting many local businesses. Theresponsible restartof the sector will allow the many benefits tourism offers to return, and UNWTO welcomes the measures that have been taken to build confidence and trust in the sector.

This official visit follows a successful visit to Italy the first trip undertaken since restrictions on international travel were eased within the Schengen Zone of Europe. Both visits recognize how tourism is a lifeline for many countries and highlights support for tourism at every political levels and the close collaboration with the private sector.

The UNWTO Regional Director for Europe, Alessandra Priante, said: Health and safety, including the state of healthcare systems, are now key elements for all destinations. This needs to be reflected in their marketing and communications strategies, both now as tourism restarts and into the future as the sector recovers. Tourism has proven its resilience and its unique ability to drive the recovery and development of societies and it will do so again, and this time sustainability and innovation must be front and centre.

Alongside meetings with public sector leaders, the UNWTO delegation also saw first-hand the steps being taken by the private sector to ensure the highest level of public safety and hygiene in tourism destinations.

In parallel, UNWTO officials visited each of the eight islands of the Canarian Archipelago to see first-hand the safety protocols put in place tomaximize security and safety. A group of up to 60 Spanish and international media also witnessed the safety updates along the whole tourism value chain.

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Restart of Tourism on The Canary Islands - FTNnews.com

David Dawkins finds the British Virgin Islands are bouncing back with a vengeance after Hurricane Irma

In summer 2017 the British Virgin Islands were perhaps at their lowest point. Hurricane Irma had hit harder than expected, killing four people and doing $3.6 billion-worth of damage more than three times the territorys GDP. And locals knew it was coming.

Michael, 24, a driver at one of the new luxury residences on Virgin Gorda island, recalls the pressure of the storm smashing his house, squeezing his brain the roof not peeled but plucked from the four walls, shooting up and out to sea. I ask what it felt like to open the front door of his roofless home the morning after the night before. But hes reluctant to dwell on the negatives. It was chaos, he says cheerily, but everyone knew how to get it done.

Now the territory is well on its way to a full recovery. Some of the rot has blasted away, and the bars, businesses and people are back with a bang.

To really appreciate the British Virgin Islands, you must have a boat. The islands are tiny, but you must see them all, and a day or so at each is plenty. We took a four-double-bed catamaran from the Moorings, with a curmudgeonly captain who slowly warmed up. He was a great help, assuming the role of a guide, and even swam off to get a fresh snapper and vegetables for a BBQ dinner when we wanted to stay in and watch the sunset.

The journey starts from the Moorings Tortola base and heads out to dock at Jost Van Dyke. We cook in the sun as the boat motors past a few roofless homes and tree-less hillsides and long-beaked birds dive-bomb the shallow water. We lunch at Soggy Dollar, an outdoor bar that claims to be the inventor of the Painkiller a coconut and rum cocktail with hair-of-the-dog-like properties.

But the day belongs to Foxy, the owner of a bar at the other end of the waterfront, who we meet sitting in a hammock, singing rude songs about Prince Philip and drinking a Guinness. Foxy is the life and soul of the island. Hell often play the village idiot, but deep down hes a genuine entrepreneur and businessman, who works hard and wants to see more jobs and better jobs for the next generation. And Richard Branson knows Foxys value. Before we head off for the night, Foxy shows us a video of himself singing one of his rude songs to the billionaire on his nearby private island. I like Sir Richard, he says. Maybe well do business.

We come back to Foxys that night for more Guinness and dancing with rowdy American boating crews enthusiastically telling us all about the massive fish they didnt catch, and the turtle that bit their precocious childs midriff.

Storm or no storm, the BVI are nicely put together. The roads work, and most of the colonial-style architecture stood up to the storm. But some locals arent keen on Americans coming over and telling them there was nothing here until they arrived, such as the property developer who, at lunch, describes homes as being made of two-by-fours and sheet steel. Its funny how a bad attitude can be so much more demoralising than bad weather.

After a day in the blazing sun, I awake the same colour as my lobster dinner, and we power across to eat more lobster and visit the Cooper Island Beach Club Brewing Company, which is solar-powered. Doing our bit for the environment, we taste all the beers, hit the rum bar and crash like never before. Too much sun? one of the locals asks as I board the boat, struggling for balance. Beer brewed by solar power so in a way, yes.

Having been rudely awoken by a cockerel, we head out to the Baths, a national park that offers a great day out, if not for health and safety enthusiasts. The huge volcanic beach boulders are diving boards, snorkelling pools and cave dens for the curious.

Back on the boat, we drop the sail for the first time en route to Guana Island. Its so peaceful that even flamingos visit. The seven white powder-sand beaches and 850 acres of tropical forest, mountains, hills and valleys make the experience more like living in your own intimate nature reserve. We swim and scuba off the shoreline, and a half-hour kayak takes us to Monkey Island for our own private island experience, coming back to feed two enormous tortoises before a beacon-light dinner on the roof.

Theres a peacefulness here. But beneath the calm, the BVI are fighting to win back what bad weather and bad luck took from them. Its the people, not just the place, that binds the islands together, and the community remains determined to come back better than ever. Mother nature may have broken their hotels and homes, but it didnt break their spirit.

Web bvitourism.com

Malaga: Andalusias shining light

How HNW travel companies are finding ways to do their bit

If you ask the price, you cant afford it Waldorf Astorias new Maldives retreat reviewed

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BVI travel feature: Islands in the storm - Spear's WMS

The Murdochs: Elizabeth; Grace and Chloe; Lachlan and his wife Sarah; Rupert and Jerry Hall on their wedding day (from left to right)

As one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the world, the formidable story behind The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty is more fascinating than fiction. A three-part BBC2 documentary delves into the inner sanctum of 88-year-old media magnate Rupert Murdoch and his family with explosive insights from those who have worked closely with the Australian billionaire over his 60-year reign. It is an intoxicating spectacle of super yachts, helicopters and private islands combined with revelations of close relations with presidents and prime ministers as power struggles between siblings and ex-wives rumble on in the background.

Yet this isnt an outrageous script lifted from the hit Sky TV show Succession; the fictional tale of media mogul Logan Roy and his dysfunctional family. This storyline only scratches the surface of episode one of the real life and times of this audacious businessman and his six children who were reported to have walked away with $2 billion each last year following the merger of the Twenty First Century Fox media empire with Disney. While much is known about the patriarch of the family, Rupert, here is the news-in-brief on some of the rest of the Murdoch clan.

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A Who's Who of the Murdoch Dynasty ahead of BBC documentary - Tatler

Patrick Mahomes agreed to a new deal, worth up to a reported $503 million on a 10-year contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs this week. Spending that money will be a big job, but somebodys got to do it. Lets give him a hand and spend it for him. Or try. This wont be easy.

If we had half a billion dollars its easier to deal with round numbers we could buy 50 private jets the Learjet 75 Liberty seats nine. The brochure notes, Reading lights and side ledges with recessed cup holders. Its amazing what $10 million will buy.

We could buy 277 Zenvo ST1 sports cars, which boast a 1,104 horsepower engine and 1,054 pound feet of torque (cost: $1.8 million each). I dont know what torque is, but apparently its a good thing. The Danish sports car has a top speed of 233 miles per hour. Good luck finding one; according to Road and Track, only 15 of the original models were made.

We could build 5 Delta Centers or whatever it is they call it these days and use it as a private gym. The original cost was $93 million, so we could build several of them.

We could buy the Boston mansion formerly owned by Tom Brady 14 of them.

We could buy 8,333 Samsung Q900-98 class big-screen TVs, an electronics wonder that is so real the characters walk right out of the screen into your family room and introduce themselves.

We could buy 1,730 Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari wristwatches. For $289,000 youd think it was a self-winding watch, but, no, you hand-wind it. But it is water resistant down to 30 meters, which is handy if youre a scuba diver or have a very deep swimming pool. Mahomes wore a Rolex to the Super Bowl parade, but, worth a mere $47,000 per MSN, it shouldnt even be allowed to grace his wrist.

We could pay the salaries of all of Mahomes teammates for the upcoming season and the next one after that and most of the next one.

We could buy 87,719 hand-tailored Brunico suits with a fully lined, two-button jacket and matching trousers lined at the waist for comfort and wearability (they also feature one stitched dart whatever that is and side pockets for coins). Price: $5,700 per, all of them essential gray.

We could buy 200,000 pairs of Santoni Lace-Up Dress Shoes. Cost: $2,500 each.

To complete our sartorial needs, we could shop Nieman Marcus and buy 384,615 pairs of Balmain-brand Destroyed Slim-Fit Moto Jeans, which are riddled with holes and tears and look like they either survived a bomb blast or were sacked hundreds of times by the Baltimore Ravens. Cost: $1,300 each.

To wear with our new ripped up jeans, we could buy 418,410 pairs of Dolce & Gabbana mens graffiti Portofino jeweled, low-top sneakers, at $1,195 per. The graffiti on the sides and tops of the sneakers contain deep thoughts such as, More, more and more, Sorry, Im the best, No way, and Just pizza. Word.

We could buy a luxury yacht. How about the one owned by the estate of the late Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen. Its longer than a football field, at 414 feet. According to Business Insider, the yacht has 41 suites and includes a pool, two helicopters, a basketball court, a recording studio and a movie theater. It hit the market at $325 million late last year and originally cost $200 million to build.

Just for fun and just because we can lets also splurge on Allens private submarine. Whats another $12 million? Its 40 feet long and can stay underwater for a week, which seems like a good place to be considering the pandemic and all. You probably dont even have to practice social distancing with the other submarines down there.

For the man who has everything, we could buy a private island. Or several of them. Lets buy one in the Mediterranean Agria Trias is a bargain at $28 million and includes the main house, beach houses, a house for the staff, fruit trees and even a church one in the Caribbean Ronde Island, Grenada, is 2,000 acres of paradise, at a cost of $100 million and one in the South Pacific Rangya Island, Thailand, which includes 110 acres, fresh water, an electric generator for $160 million. We still have money left over for the yacht.

We could buy a town. Actress Kim Basinger was one of several investors who did just that, plunking down $20 million to buy most of the 2,000 acres that made up Braselton, Georgia. We could buy 25 Braseltons.

We could buy 2,000 tickets for a private flight into space enough for family, friends and teammates. No such flights have happened yet, but three companies say they are closing in on making them a reality. The cost to fly Virgin Galactic would be $250,000 per passenger, but the good news is theres no baggage fee and the price does include a stay at the International Space station. And it does offer a beverage service.

We could buy 2,800 24-carat gold-plated toilets, enough to stock our house and our islands.

Speaking of which, we could buy 27,964,205 packages of Charmin Ultra Soft 18-pack toilet paper at Walmart, which would give us a total of 503,355,690 mega rolls of TP. As we discovered during the pandemic, you can never have too much.

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The tough job of spending Patrick Mahomes money. Lets give it a shot - Deseret News

In 2018, Kevin Kwans bestseller, Crazy Rich Asians, transformed into a watershed moment for Asians in Hollywood. A film adaptation with an all-Asian cast, Asian director and writers, luring white audiences to the cinemas, where franchise movies reigned supreme in the summer, was previously unheard of. Kwan, the brain behind it all, found unprecedented fame, propelling him to an enviable New York City (NYC) clique of celebrity writers. But he doesnt consider himself as one. Celebrity is such a strange word, he says, over a long-distance phone call from the Big Apple. I have friends who are actual celebrities and to me that is a very special condition, which I wouldnt wish on anyone.

Kwan says he is very much a writer in a room who lives a normal life, and is eager for his latest book, Sex & Vanity, to release. It is his first novel after the big Hollywood success and the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy ended. But the essence of his writing and universe carries on in his latest one occupied by the filthy rich. A modern-day rendition of EM Forsters A Room with a View, the novels writing is over-the-top and impudent, the characters (mostly Asian or Asian-American) are among the top 1% (as Bernie Sanders would disdainfully call it) and romance drives the plot through exotic private islands and uppity venues in NYC.

But the book has something previously unexplored: the rift between old and new money. To most, the wealthy are a homogeneous and cloistered group but Kwan, whose lineage can be traced to the upper-class establishment of Singapore, knows the finer differences. After spending over two decades in NYC, the 47-year-old author not only understands the lives of the wealthy Asians but also the East Coast elites. In New York, I could be a fly on the wall and observe how the elites treated people they perceived as new money, he recalls, adding, No matter how privileged you are, theres always going to be someone who will think you are not good enough. The snobbery never ends.

In Sex & Vanity, the tussle between heritage and newly-acquired richness manifests itself in Lucie Churchills relationship with her fianc, Cecil Pike. In a bid to fit in, he is flashy, opulent and eager to please, while she is a goody-two-shoes who only wants to chase personal gratification. In a way, they embody Kwans observation of the differences between the elites in the East and the West. While the former project their affluence with big houses, cars and jewellery, the latter have made a shift towards satiating private experiences like lavish holidays, golf, collecting art or even philanthropy, he says.

It is not just Kwans interactions with the crme de la crme, but also his personal struggle for self-identity in the US that finds its way into the novel. Lucie, a hapa half Chinese, half American spends her life reconciling with her dual racial heritage, a struggle that not only impacts her self-esteem but finds pertinence in a racially-divided America of late. This is something I have had much experience with, says Kwan, who spent his adolescent years in Texas, before moving to New York. No matter what, you are always going be an outsider, whether it is the world of privilege in Houston or in NYC; you are always an interloper.

Representation in mainstream cinema and literature, therefore, is imperative to trigger change. Crazy Rich Asians started a revolution, he declares. It took me by surprise how much it affected white Americans, and not just Asians. In the last two years, Kwan has witnessed a gradual, if not a tectonic, shift in narratives and casting. He counts films like The Farewell (2019) and actors like Awkwafina as examples of breakout successes, and Mindy Kalings Never Have I Ever among his current favourites. I do see that Crazy Rich Asians has opened the eyes of Hollywood that our stories are financially viable, he says. But the progress may be slower in the casting department. The instinct for big players in Hollywood is to be as risk-averse as possible and that entails casting well-known stars and, unfortunately, there are a lot more well-known stars who are not Asians.

Currently working as a creator and co-writer on a television series for STX Entertainment, Kwan informs that Sex & Vanity is the first in a trilogy. While the first novel is an homage to Manhattan, the second and third will be an ode to London and Paris. He is open to optioning the book for an adaptation, but says he didnt write it with a movie in mind. If you think about a possible film while writing, you are setting yourself up for disaster, he says. The novel, though, reads quite like a romcom, rife with mushy dialogues and sweeping descriptions of panoramas waiting to be filmed. I try to stay in the literary world and evoke a story visually. At the same time, I am very influenced by movies, concludes Kwan.

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Keeping up With Kevin Kwan: the author on his upcoming novel, 'Sex & Vanity' - The Hindu

Looking for a fresh start? Well, an entire remote island is up for sale in Ireland for just over 700,000 and it could be yours.

Shore Island is situated on the Shannon Estuary between Limerick and Clare, three miles from Shannon Airport. Lapped by glistening waters, surrounded by greenery and teeming with wildlife, anyone on the hunt for a quieter way of life will be sure to love it here.

It sounds like a dream place to escape to, but new owners will have to build their own home. While there is a shell of the old house, it's in need of a total refurb (you'll need planning permission first). In fact, there are a number of old building remains on the island that can be transformed into houses. If you're after an exciting development opportunity, then this could be the project for you.

"This island property is likely to be bought by a person who values their privacy and an unusual property. The island is surrounded by deep, tidal waters and is accessible by boat at all times," explains the listing.

igabrielaGetty Images

The island is currently used for agricultural purposes and has grazing cattle throughout the year. If you're an enthusiast for the great outdoors, love getting hands-on with nature and want to take care of the local wildlife, then this is the place for you.

Tempted? Shore Ireland is for sale for 729,743. Contact the team at Private Islands Online to submit your interest.

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Need a fresh start? An entire remote island is up for sale in Ireland - Countryliving (UK)