Latest news with #RollsRoyces
Sunday World
19-05-2025
- Sunday World
Watch dealer who tried to sell €5.7m 'golden bog' stolen from Blenheim Palace walks free
"This was not a bog standard burglary. It was an audacious heist...a brazen burglary with great rewards' Maurice Sines, now known as Fred Doe Snr, and the golden toilet A watch dealer who tried to sell the £4.8m (€5.7m) 'golden bog' after burglars stole it from Blenheim Palace walked free from court today. Career robber Jimmy Sheen, 40, and Michael Jones, 38, ripped the lavatory pan from the wall at the stately home with sledgehammers and a crowbar, leaving water gushing over the floor. The 18 carat toilet was broken up and part of it passed on to Fred Doe, 37, who attempted to sell it though Hatton Garden jeweller Bora Guccuk, 41. Sheen is currently serving a 17 year sentence for leading a gang of travellers on a year-long crime wave targeting ATMs, a Newmarket horseracing museum and high-value tractors and construction vehicles in 2022. Doe's father is Romany gypsy Maurice Sines, a caravan park millionaire who previously had a close association with Ireland's most notorious criminals, the Kinahan Cartel. He once lived at a mansion on a private estate at the golf course in Wentworth, Surrey, with neighbours including Sir Elton John and the late Bruce Forsyth. Maurice Sines, now known as Fred Doe Snr, and the golden toilet News in 90 Seconds - May 19th Sines, now known as Fred Doe snr, poses with gold legend Gary Player at Wentworth in a group shot on his LinkedIn profile. His social media accounts show him posing next to his collection of Rolls Royces outside his mansion. His son told the Oxford crown court he was a legitimate watch trader and had never done anything dishonest in his life. Doe also helps mentor young boxers and one of his sons has boxed for England. Married father-of-four Doe and Guccuk both denied converting or transferring criminal property. Doe was convicted of the offence by the jury but Guccuk was cleared after a trial in March. Jones denied but was convicted of burglary while Sheen admitted the offence. Judge Ian Pringle had told jurors: "This was not a bog standard burglary. It was an audacious heist...a brazen burglary with great rewards." The judge said five men were involved in the theft but only one, Sheen, was identified. Sheen had connected Doe because of his connections with Hatton Garden. "You foolishly agreed to assist him and I use your words - when asked how you feel about this now you said: 'I feel a fool'. "You agreed to assist Sheen without any hope or indeed expectation of reward.' Judge Pringle took into account the hardship 'immediate incarceration' would cause his family. The judge added that Doe is a qualified boxing trainer and if he was jailed the Sporting Ring Boxing Club in Camberley would have to shut. Judge Pringle sentenced Doe to 21 months imprisonment but suspended the term for two years and ordered him to perform 240 hours of community service within the next year. There was applause from supporters in court when they learnt Doe would not be going straight to jail. The 'Golden Bog' Sheen and Jones will be sentenced on 13 June. The 18-carat golden loo was named 'America' by conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan. The 98kg toilet had been housed in the famous Guggenheim Museum in New York City before moving to Blenheim Palace just a week before the heist. It had previously been offered to US president Donald Trump before being plumbed into a bathroom at Blenheim, the stately home where Winston Churchill was born. Jurors were told the gold alone was worth £2.8m, while the toilet was insured for $6m. Jones had been on two reconnaissance trips to the Palace on 7 and 13 September 2019 with his former partner Carly. The toilet was opened to the public on 12 September, with visitors able to use it in three minute slots. Jones took pictures including the toilet door lock exact window that would be used by the raiders. He was in constant contact with Sheen as they planned the raid. Just 17 hours after Jones' second visit, the toilet was ripped out of the Oxfordshire stately home, shortly before 5am on 14 September. Five masked men drove through drove through locked wooden gates into the grounds of Blenheim Palace shortly before 5am in two stolen vehicles. They smashed their way through the right hand side window and then into the small cubicle where the lavatory was sited. 'They knew precisely where to go, they went to the wooden door to the cubicle and broke it down," said prosecutor Julian Christopher. The brazen robbery taking place He said Jones had gone on the raid because he was needed to lead the rest of the gang to the lavatory pan. In the aftermath of the burglary, Sheen got in touch with Doe with a plan to melt down and sell the gold. Sheen sent Doe a message saying: "I'll link up with you, I got something right up your path.' Referring to gold as 'car' Doe later said: "I do know just the man you need to see once you see me, the word on the street about the car, so I have the man there for you. "I think you know what I've got,' Sheen replied. Mr Christopher said: "It is clear that both of them know full well that it is the stolen gold they are talking about which is why they do not talk about it as if it is stolen gold, they use the word car.' Doe told Sheen: "I can sell that car for you in two seconds ... so come and see me tomorrow and have a bit of dinner or something.' In this time Sheen was in hospital with an infected hand and had to stay in overnight for two nights to have two operations. Nonetheless, he sent Doe a message saying: "But you know what's there so just talk to who you gotta talk to today innit and just see what sort of money they're coming back on and let me know tomorrow mush, take care mate.' Sheen also told Doe that he was being offered '26 and half' for a kilo of the 'car' The robber said he had 20kg of gold to sell, at £26,500 a kilo. Doe said that he and his father were hugely successful jewellery dealers and they would turn up at Hatton Garden in Rolls Royces to buy and sell exclusive watches. He met with Sheen in the jewellery quarter and they went to see Guccuk who ran the Pasha shop there. Doe - previously known as Fred Sines - insisted he had no idea that the gold Sheen wanted to sell was part of the toilet stolen in the Blenheim house raid. "I would never in a lifetime jeopardise my family for an idiot with stolen gold,' he said. He added: "I have never been dishonest in my life.' He said traveller families often traded in large amounts of gold and it would not be unusual for them to have 20kg of gold. Sheen claimed to be a professional builder but was jailed for the ATM raids after the 'Bog of Gold' theft. He was jailed for 12 years in 2010 for a drive-by shooting in which two innocent people were hit. None of the gold from the toilet has ever been recovered - Sheen sold 20 kilos to an associate in Birmingham for over £500,000 after the Hatton Garden deal fell through. Jones said he worked for Sheen as a roofer which was why they were in contact and he had taken a picture of the window the raiders broke in through when he was at Blenhiem Palace because he "liked the view". Crispin Aylett KC, defending Doe, asked Jones in cross-examination: 'You used the golden toilet, what was it like?' "Splendid,' Jones replied. Jones, of Oxford, denied but was convicted of one count of burglary. Doe, of Ascot, Berkshire denied but was convicted of one count of conspiracy to transfer criminal property Guccuk of west London denied and was cleared of one count of conspiracy to transfer criminal property Sheen admitted one count of burglary.
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Buck teaser gives first glimpse at Diljit Dosanjh, Jackson Wang's maiden collab, fans ask: 'Am I dreaming?'
Rapper Jackson Wang has shared a new teaser, featuring singer Diljit Dosanjh, from their song Buck. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Jackson dropped the brief clip. Fans were left excited as they spoke about the collaboration. (Also Read | Indian cricket team's first captain inspired Diljit Dosanjh's Met Gala look: Owned 44 Rolls Royces, has a Lagaan connect) Diljit Dosanjh and Jackson Wang in stills from their new song Buck. In the clip, Diljit and Jackson Wang stood on the dance floor as people danced around them. Dressed in black outfits, they gave different poses while the song, whose lyrics go Do You Wanna Dance, plays in the background. Diljit was seen in a black T-shirt, jacket and pants. He also wore a black turban. The brief clip ended with both Jackson and Diljit smiling at each other, but it disappears when they look into the camera. When will Buck release Jackson shared the video with the caption, "BUCK feat. @diljitdosanjh. May 9 12 pm CST (fore emoji). Pre -SAVE it in BIO now. Do u wanna dance?" He also added the hashtags--BUCK, MAGIC MAN 2, JACKSON WANG, and Diljit Dosanjh fan. The song will release on May 9 at 12 pm CST (10.30 pm IST). Fans react to this collab Reacting to the post, a fan said, "I can't wait to see another amazing collaboration." "Jackson and Diljit, the collaboration we never expected," wrote a person. "What in the world?? Am I dreaming ??!??!??" asked another fan. An Instagram user said, "Oh Panjabi aa gaye oye. Collaboration of the year!!" 'This is too exciting. I'm so not ready for this,' read a comment. About Jackson, Diljit Jackson is a rapper, singer, and songwriter who became a part of the boy band Got7 in 2014. He released his first solo album, Mirrors, in 2019, followed by his second album, Magic Man, in 2022. He has been part of several series and variety shows. Before Jackson, Diljit has collaborated with several international artists, including Sia, Camilo, and Ed Sheeran. He has sung many hit songs such as Born to Shine, G.O.A.T., Hass Hass, Kinni Kinni, Raat Di Gedi, 5 Taara and Patiala Peg among many others.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
13 tips for a luxury holiday to Dubai
Recently, Dubai added a new jewel to its crown of luxury resorts — the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. The super-yacht inspired property made waves two years ago when one of its under-construction penthouses sold for $115m (£88m). Eye-watering price tags aside, this Shaun Killa-designed hotel complements its siblings, the wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the sail-like Burj Al Arab to form a striking architectural troika in the Gulf. Sitting pretty on its own private peninsula, the Marsa Al Arab features 386 lavish rooms and suites, a marina, a 3,500 square metre spa, private pools and 11 restaurants. A family suite starts at AED 11,700 (£2,466) per night, but the Presidential and Royal Suites offer next-level luxury — we're talking Bentley transfers, butlers and private plunge pools. Of course, Dubai isn't new to this game. Nearly 25 years ago, the all-suite Burj Al Arab set the gold standard, earning its seven-star stripes with perks like helicopter transfers and a fleet of Rolls Royces. Read more: How to save money on a holiday to Dubai So while Dubai may offer plenty of charms for the budget traveller, when it comes to luxury indulgence and bucket list experiences, Dubai delivers. Here are 13 superlative experiences for those with credit cards with no limits: Fancy relishing poached scallops with green melon, blanched kumquat, lemon gel and roasted almonds, paired with Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2016? Or how about a seared Chilean sea bass with a glass of Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial? These are just two of 18 dishes featured in a curated "champagne and cuisine" menu set to take off this May for business class flyers on select Emirates routes. Fine dining at 40,000 feet might be its latest perk, but Emirates has always set high standards for its elite passengers with privacy doors, an onboard shower spa, mood lighting and a lounge bar. Be it beachside escapes on the Palm Jumeirah (the largest man made island in the world), edgy futuristic towers in Downtown or Arabian opulence in central Dubai, where you splash your cash depends on your definition of decadence. Check out the pink-hued Atlantis, The Palm for AED 45,805 (£9,644) underwater suites, beach clubs and celebrity-chef restaurants (Gordon Ramsay and Nobu Matsuhisa among them). Its bolder cousin, Atlantis The Royal, ups the ante with 795 plush rooms, 92 pools, including a 90-metre sky pool, and 17 dining venues by chefs including Heston Blumenthal and Ariana Bundy. Its Royal Mansion is a declaration in OTT luxury — a four-bedroom, two-level penthouse with a private foyer, terrace and a 12-seater dining room. Be it the Italian flair of the Bvlgari Resort, the discreet elegance of The Lana (Dorchester Collection) or the Arabesque bedouin villas at Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Dubai hotels provide the perfect setting for a champagne lifestyle. Dubai's love for bling spills into its world-class dining scene. Quirky creations like the gold-infused charcoal ice cream at Scoopi Café and AED 5,000 gold-laced karak tea at Boho Café can liven up your Instagram and the ultra-upscale Nusr-Et steakhouse (charismatic butcher-chef Nusret Gökçe aka Salt Bae's brand) serves up bling with golden tomahawk steaks worth AED 5,000 (£1,053). Try a lavish breakfast at on the 122nd floor of Burj Khalifa or a floating breakfast at Zeta Seventy Seven's sky-high infinity pool. For a blowout brunch, go for gourmet glamour at Traiteur, Park Hyatt ( AED 895) or the champagne-fuelled Bubbalicious at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi (AED 795). Read more: How to use your Avios points for more than flight tickets Ossiano's 10-course tasting menu (AED 2,600) with its underwater dining is your stop for a show-stopping dinner. For 'intimate dining experiences' see the 27-seater FZN by Björn Frantzén's AED 2,000 set menu, KRASOTA's 8-course AI-powered meal marrying haute cuisine and visual arts (AED 1,830) and Michelin-starred Tresind Studio's Indian degustation menu (AED 1,095). Nothing exudes luxury quite like sailing the Arabian Gulf on a private yacht. Go all out with Xclusive Yachts' fully crewed, bespoke experience, with prices ranging from 40,000 dirhams (£8,418) to 150,000 dirhams for superyachts. One of the most opulent available for charter is the 150-foot Behike, which features a spacious lounge, elegant dining area, a sky lounge and a sun deck with a jacuzzi. The Sunseeker Superyacht offers views from a 40m tri-deck vessel. At AED 995 for three hours, guests enjoy an omakase sushi experience, free-flowing bubbly, live music and unlimited drinks. A trip to Dubai Mall is a retail haven that knows how to pamper its VIP customers. The Fashion Avenue has invitation-only lounges with personalised services, while Level Shoes offers access to limited-edition collections with complimentary champagne. For the ultimate VIP experience, the Platinum Lounge provides dedicated butlers, limousine pick-ups and private fitting rooms. Dubai Mall has expanded to include The District — a new arena with 60 luxury boutiques and restaurants adding to its already impressive lineup of over 1,200 outlets. Desert safaris aren't all about dune bashing and belly dancers. Add a glamorous touch by going on a VIP Desert Safari in a ruggedly stylish Land Rover Defender. Spotting Arabian oryx, gazelles and other desert dwellers, a falconry show and a camel ride are all part of the AED 13,300 (£2,799) tour which ends in a secluded, lantern-lit oasis with a private six-course feast under the stars and opportunities to try shisha or henna or stargaze with an astronomer. The Nest Experience by Sonara is a sunset-to-sunrise glamping affair that includes sundowners and lounge access, soft archery, camel trek and breakfast, beginning from AED 2,380 per tent. On the other hand, the popular desert party destination Terra Solis offers a beautifully designed pool lodge with amenities you'd find in a five-star hotel. For a (rather steep) price, you can ring in the new year with envy-inducing extravagance. Sign up with luxury hotspots around the Burj Khalifa to enjoy breathtaking vantage points of the legendary NYE fireworks with packages that combine dining, panoramic views and unparalleled service. Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk's Presidential suite package worth AED 150,000 (£31,568) and Dubai Opera's AED 100,000 private dining experience with fireworks views, premium meals and spectacular entertainment set records for most expensive celebrations last year. In a city where even the police cruise in Lamborghinis and taxis use Teslas (TSLA), high-performance cars are everywhere. Feel the adrenaline behind the wheel of a Ferrari (RACE), Maserati or Porsche ( and hit the UAE's roads on a self-drive tour. Providers like VIP Rent A Car or Paddock charge from around AED 300 to AED 4,500 per day depending on the car. Sightsee with a touch of altitude with a private helicopter tour over the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, the World Islands and other Dubai landmarks. Helidubai's charters start at AED 1,780 for 30 minutes. Prefer to turn heads on the ground? Cruise past Dubai's most iconic venues in a GMG Gucci stretch limo from Skye VIP Limousine, complete with designer interiors, party lights and a premium sound system. At Madinat Jumeirah, a 5-star waterfront resort, a simple boat trip turns extraordinary with the 'Afternoon Tea and Beverage' package (AED 1,480). Glide through serene waterways on a private, lavishly designed abra with bubbly and bites. Five Hotels & Resorts' 9H-FIVE is a private jet that can be hired for around AED 47,000 per hour. With plush seats, LED-lit interiors, a dining table for eight, a king-sized suite with a shower, caviar and champagne, this flying nightclub delivers a haute experience. Ain Dubai is the world's highest observation wheel. Buy a VIP Plus experience (from AED 2,800), for an entire private premium cabin. You get access to the Seaview Lounge and eight digital images per person. Read more: The hidden cryptocurrency investing risk no-one is talking about How rising house prices can impact your finances The most popular stocks for investors in February
Buzz Feed
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
After Being Roasted Over His Taco Bell-Themed Proposal To Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Has Finally Defended Himself
Benny Blanco has addressed his Taco Bell-themed proposal to Selena Gomez, and I'm just surprised it took this long. While Selena and Benny may be a polarizing couple to some, there is no doubt that the two are super duper in love. After getting engaged at the end of last year, there's been no shortage in the number of pubic displays of affection from the happy couple — whether it's on the red carpet at the Oscars, or in queso-themed Valentine's gifts. Now, in a new interview with Rolling Stone, Benny and Selena sat down to talk all things romance — including their upcoming wedding. When questioned about their plans for the big day, Benny and Selena said that they're taking things slowly. Explaining Selena's habits, Benny said, 'I think every day she's planned a new wedding in her head. We're very much 'take it one day at a time'-type of people. We're still not over this moment. Literally, while you were talking, she was sitting there staring at her ring.' Selena then clarified that her priority was her music, saying, 'Also, I genuinely feel like this is such a special time that we get to apply it to this album and really just pour our heart into it, and completely translate what we feel and bring it to the world. That's my main focus right now, at least.' The interviewer then questioned Benny about his decision to include Taco Bell in his proposal. And in case you missed it, this was in reference to the pics Selena posted when the two got engaged. Fans did not fail to notice the multiple Taco Bell boxes to the side — which wasn't totally a surprise, given how much Selena loves the fast-food chain. While fans online definitely roasted Benny for using a couple of Crunchwrap Supremes to propose to the love of his life, the Rolling Stone interviewer praised the move, saying that it added to 'how ordinary' it felt 'in the best way'. Benny agreed that he and Selena are 'not elaborate,' and that the Taco Bell represented that. 'I think people think we're like, this thing in Rolls Royces,' he said. 'We literally play, like, N64 and order Dominos,' Benny continued. 'We're just living our life every day. There's not this whole elaborate thing. I think we're very lucky to be surrounded by such great people, and we've still just been enjoying so much. It feels like we got engaged yesterday, but also feels like we got engaged 20 years ago. I've known her since she was 18, and so it's like we got all that stuff out of the way. By the time we're dating, it's like, whoa. My biggest regret is that we didn't get to do this earlier, like we waited this long to be together. But I know it was perfect and it was right.' Selena agreed completely, confirming that, 'Everything happens for a reason.' And you definitely can't argue with that. Was I grossed out by the queso bath on Valentine's Day? Yes. Do I 100% believe these two are soulmates? Also yes. Let me know if you do too in the comments. And if you want to read the full Rolling Stone interview, you can find it here.
CairoScene
16-02-2025
- CairoScene
The Highest Haute Hotels in the Middle East
Sky's the limit—unless you're checking into one of these towering hotels. They say the best way to get fresh perspective is to rise above it all. And what better way to do that than from the comfort of a five-star suite perched hundreds of meters in the sky? Whether it's waking up next to the world's largest clock face in Makkah, sipping cocktails in a rooftop infinity pool above Dubai, or dining in a revolving restaurant inside a giant torch in Doha, these sky-high hotels take 'room with a view' to a whole new level. So, if you've ever dreamed of sleeping among the clouds (minus the turbulence), these haute hotels around the Middle East are ready to elevate your stay—quite literally. Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel 📍Makkah, Saudi Arabia Height: 601m/120 floors One of the tallest hotels in the world, the Makkah Royal Clock Tower dominates the skyline of Islam's holiest city and features the world's largest clock face. Ciel Hotel Set to become the world's tallest hotel, Ciel Hotel features a stunning rooftop infinity pool with views of Dubai Marina. Gevora Hotel 📍Dubai, UAE Height: 356m/75 floors Offering 360-degree panoramic views of the city, Gevora is known for its gold-themed interiors and rooftop pool. JW Marriott Marquis Hotel One of the tallest in the world, this twin-tower hotel was designed to resemble the date palm tree and features one of the highest lounges in Dubai. Rose Rayhaan by Rotana 📍Dubai, UAE Height: 333m/72 floors With a sleek façade and a central location, Rose Rayhaan is a dry hotel, meaning it does not serve alcohol, catering to family-friendly and Islamic hospitality. Burj Al Arab 📍Dubai, UAE Height: 321m/56 floors Featuring gold-covered interiors and a fleet of chauffeur-driven Rolls Royces, the Burj Al Arab is shaped like a billowing sail and stands on an artificial island off Dubai's coast. Burj Rafal 📍Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Height: 307m/70 floors One of Riyadh's most striking skyscrapers, Burj Rafal is Saudi Arabia's tallest hotel, offering high-end business facilities, fine dining, and luxury accommodations. The Torch Doha 📍Doha, Qatar Height: 300m/51 floors Also known as Aspire Tower, this iconic torch-shaped skyscraper was built for the 2006 Asian Games and features a 360° revolving restaurant at the top. Tycoon Tower (Opening Soon) 📍New Administrative Capital, Egypt Height: 233m/50 floors (Expected) Set to become Egypt's tallest hotel, Tycoon Tower is designed for elite hospitality, featuring high-end suites, conference facilities, and a panoramic observation deck.
