Daniel Blau is an expert on Pacific Island art (said to also be a passion of Benioff’s), and he didn’t mince words with the New York Times on his opinion of the piece, which leaves little room for Benioff to avoid embarrassment on having been potentially swindled: “It’s the sort of thing you see in a tiki bar.” Still, the jury is out on whether the statue is an authentic piece of 18th or 19th century tribal art or good old-fashioned 20th century kitsch, as other experts told the Times that they still believed in its original background and age....

According to U.S. Treasury data obtained by Bloomberg News, the Saudi stockpile of treasury securities was $116.8 billion as of March. While the amount is down almost 6 percent from a record $123.6 billion held in January, it doesn’t take into account U.S. debt held in Saudi Arabia’s offshore financial centers, which could be significant. Although we still don’t have all the information, we have enough to know that the United States’ ambiguous ally is one of the largest holders of Treasury securities in the world....

From June 2017 to July 2017 he served as the White House Communications Director under President Donald Trump. Sean Spicer served as the 28th White House Press Secretary from January 2017 to July 2017 under Trump. He served as communications director of the Republican National Committee from 2011 to 2017 and was the chief strategist from 2015 to 2017. Spicer made a number of false and controversial statements as White House press secretary and resigned from his post but remained at the White House in an unspecified capacity for another month....

Of course, calling this $2 million luxury dining extravaganza a “meal” is kind of an understatement. The dining experience, which is being co-hosted by Russian-based World Of Diamonds Group, takes place over eight hours. During the meal, diners will enjoy a robust 18 courses, including Belon oysters and Almas Caviar as well as two types of vintage wine. Even if you’re not a food expert, you’re probably thinking that even the finest wines, oysters, and caviar in the world wouldn’t rack up anything close to a $2 million asking price, and you’d be right – the dinner also includes a helicopter ride to and from the restaurant, 10,000 fresh roses, two pairs of custom-engraved diamond chopsticks (that the diners get to take home with them), and Jane Seymour....

Lynda Resnick grew up in Philadelphia in the 1940s. Her father, Jack Harris, was in show business, producing The Blob. Eventually, he moved the family to Beverly Hills. Lynda grew up wealthy and wanted to go to art school but her father wouldn’t pay for it. She got a job in a dress shop and created ads for the store. By the time she was 24, she was heading up her own ad agency, had three kids, and was divorced....

The home spreads across 6,608 square feet, with six bedrooms and six bathrooms. Saget reportedly bought the home in 2003 for $2.895 million, living there initially with his three daughters and then later with second wife Kelly Rizzo, who is now the seller. And in an interesting family connection, the listing is being handled by Saget’s own nephew Adam Saget, who told WSJ, ““It’s an emotional and personal listing that means a lot to me....

Now, they’ve given third baseman Manny Machado one of the largest contract extensions in MLB history. He’ll make $350 million over 11 seasons. Combined with the previous five years, the Padres will pay Machado $500 million — half a billion dollars — if he finishes this deal in San Diego. The extension is the fourth-largest guarantee in MLB history. Machado will opt out of the remainder of his current deal, which still had five years and $150 million remaining on it....

These days, it is one of the highest-paying jobs on a team, sometimes at the same level as the offensive and defensive coordinator. This may leave you asking: why the rapid change? First of all, salaries for college coaches are skyrocketing across the board, as universities are making larger and larger profits from the relationship between their athletic programs and the media. Secondly, as college games are becoming faster and more physically demanding because of the no-huddle offense, a team’s strength and conditioning activities are more important than ever....

The property spreads across a little more than 5.7 acres, which Mottola and his wife of 20 years (Mexican pop star Thalia) purchased back in 2010 for $2.85 million. The house itself was custom-built according to his own design, and the Georgian Colonial style mansion is well in line with the reputation Mottola has cultivated for living in extreme luxury, having bought and sold several other large mansions over the years....

It is not because the two are selling their stake in Zuffa, LLC (the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship). Talk of the UFC being up for sale has been known to pop up from time to time over the years. Rumors have been floating around for months that Zuffa was going to be sold to an investment firm based in China – if they could get the company to value the UFC at $6 billion....

Vanessa is a member of the Redgrave “dynasty” of actors, which includes her father, Sir Michael Redgrave, and her mother, Lady Redgrave (Rachel Kempson). Other family members include actresses Lynn Redgrave, Corin Redgrave, and Jemma Redgrave. Her daughters, Joely Richardson and Natasha Richardson, also became actresses. The late Natasha Richardson was married to Liam Neeson at the time of her death, so technically, Vanessa is Liam’s mother-in-law. Early Life Vanessa Redgrave was born on January 30, 1937, in Blackheath, London....

Those security features include a built-in alarm system along with four security cameras outside the house. It figures that Khalifa would place a high premium on home security after his house was reportedly broken into by thieves last year, but hopefully Khalifa won’t find himself in need of the mini-mansion’s elaborate security system as much as he will be able to enjoy its myriad amenities. The home’s customized nine-foot pivot door opens to a floating staircase that’s only the first special touch to be found inside....

His primary performance instrument is a Montagnana cello, which he has nicknamed “Petunia.” The cello was built in 1733 and is valued at $3-5 million. Yo-Yo once left Petunia in a NYC taxi cab. Miraculously, the instrument was returned unharmed. Petunia’s neck was damaged by airport security in 1999, forcing him to use an instrument from a museum for a concert in Taiwan. Early Life Yo-Yo Ma was born on October 7, 1955, in Paris, France....

The kidnapping happed on the same day as the first Brazilian democratic president election, and many found some connection between the two. After his kidnapping, Ablio returned a single-minded man who succeeded in selling a large stake to French retailer company Casino Guichard-Perrachon SA for $860 million, stepped down as CEO, but served as Chairman. Moreover, Ablio was actively involved in car racing when he was young, and together with his brother Alcides, they won the 1970 Mil Milhas Brasil....

Armand was worth $800 million at the time of his death in 1990. That’s the same around $1.6 billion today. He’s also the namesake of the super cool Hammer Museum in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. He was as known for his extensive art collection as he was for his close ties to Soviet Russia. He was a pretty interesting guy, so let’s take a look at his life....

Early Life and Education Alan Cumming was born on January 27, 1965 in Aberfeldy, Scotland to Mary, an insurance company secretary, and Alex, the head forester of the 17th-century Panmure House. He grew up around the country house, located on the east coast of Scotland. Cumming has an older brother named Tom. For his education, Cumming went to Monikie Primary School and Carnoustie High School, and then to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama....

Early Life and Education Born Alfred Lewis Enoch on December 2, 1988, to English actor William Russell and Brazilian physician Balbina Gutierrez, Enoch grew up in a multicultural household in London. He attended Westminster School, a prestigious independent school in London, and later pursued his higher education at The Queen’s College, Oxford, where he studied Portuguese and Spanish. Film Career: A Magical Start Enoch’s professional acting career took a flight when he was just 12 years old....

Apple Inc., the American multinational tech company worth hundreds of billions, is making some extra returns while working hard to put the spotlight on recycling the materials found within its products. One such take-back initiative in full swing at Apple is the recycling of trashed iPhones and computers. With many valuable materials still of use within a junked smartphone, tablet, or notebook, such recycling programs are proving lucrative to both the environment and Apple....

Early Life and Education Betsy Brandt was born on March 14, 1973 in Bay City, Michigan. As a teenager, she attended Bay City Western High School, graduating in 1991. Brandt went on to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, from which she earned her BFA in acting in 1996. She subsequently went to Harvard University, attending the school’s Institute for Advanced Theater Training. Brandt also studied abroad at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama....

“I think our system can be a lot more progressive (that is richer people paying a higher share). A key element is making capital gains taxation more like ordinary income (some have suggested making them the same) and having an estate tax more like we had in the past (55% above $3.5M). European countries collect a lot more taxes but through consumption taxes but those are not progressive. If people want the government to do more it needs to be funded and I see us needing to improve our education and health services....