Latest news with #MandarinOrientalHotel
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
MoHT inaugurates meteorite corner in Muscat
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MoHT) launches the Meteorite Corner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Muscat Governorate. This initiative aligns with the ministry's efforts to utilise geological heritage and enhance the tourism and cultural experience in the Sultanate of Oman. The corner features a collection of rare meteorite samples, offering guests a unique opportunity to view them up close and learn about their history and scientific value. It also highlights Oman's commitment to preserving these meteorites as an important cultural legacy. Among the exhibits is a distinctive sample from Jiddat Al Harasis 091, which represents the largest meteorite fall discovered in Oman to date. Its strewn field extends approximately 52 kilometres, with over 700 collected pieces totalling around 4,600 kilogrammes. Documented scientific studies indicate that this fall at its original site occurred over 12,600 years ago. The corner also includes a meteorite sample from Jiddat Al Harasis 073, classified as an L6 chondrite stony meteorite. This is considered the second-largest meteorite fall discovered in Oman so far. Scientific studies suggest that this meteorite travelled through the asteroid belt in space, weighing over 20 tonnes, and is estimated to have fallen at its original site 15,600 years ago, during the Palaeolithic era. A total of 3,638 pieces from this fall have been documented, with an aggregate weight of 620.9 kilogrammes and a strewn field extending 25.8 kilometres. The display of these meteorites aims to educate hotel guests, both local and international, about the significance of meteorites, their scientific and historical value, and the legal frameworks and legislations governing them under the Cultural Heritage Law. This initiative emphasises meteorites as crucial evidence of the solar system's formation, while also showcasing Oman's efforts in collecting, preserving and studying meteorite samples. This pioneering initiative represents a step towards fostering more partnerships between the government and private sectors to showcase Oman's unique natural treasures on diverse and modern platforms. It aligns with the country's vision to integrate culture and science into a comprehensive and holistic tourism experience. - ONA
Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
MHT opens Meteorite Corner at Mandarin Oriental Hotel
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism inaugurated the Meteorite Corner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Monday as part of its efforts to utilize geological heritage and enhance the tourism and cultural experience. The corner includes a collection of rare meteorite samples from the "Jiddat al-Harasis" meteorites, allowing hotel visitors the opportunity to view them up close and learn about their history and scientific value, in addition to the Sultanate of Oman's efforts to preserve them as an important cultural heritage. The Meteorite Corner contained a distinctive sample of the Jiddat al Harasis 91 meteorite, which is the largest meteorite fall discovered so far in the Sultanate of Oman. The path of the meteorite fall extends approximately 52 kg, and the number of pieces collected exceeds 700 meteorites, with a total weight of approximately 4,600 kg. Documented scientific studies indicate that the date of this fall in its original location dates back more than 12,600 years The corner also includes a meteorite sample from the Jiddat al Harasis 73 meteorite, which is classified as a stony chondrite meteorite of the L6 type. This meteorite fall is considered the second-largest meteorite fall discovered so far in the Sultanate of Oman. Scientific studies indicate that this meteorite continued to swim in the asteroid belt in space, weighing more than 20 tons. Its fall in its original location is estimated to be 15,600 years ago, during the Paleolithic period. 3,638 pieces from this fall have been documented, with a total weight of 620.9 kilograms, with a longitudinal scattering path extending 25.8 kilometers. The display of these meteorites aims to inform hotel visitors, from inside and outside the Sultanate of Oman, of the importance of meteorites, their scientific and historical value, and the legal frameworks and legislation regulating them under the Heritage Law Culturally, it is one of the most prominent testimonies of the formation of the solar system, in addition to highlighting the Sultanate of Oman's efforts in collecting, preserving, and studying meteorite samples. The corner is expected to constitute a qualitative addition to the cultural and tourism landscape, especially given the Mandarin Hotel's strategic location and upscale hotel services, which will contribute to attracting both local and international visitors, enhancing the integration between the heritage and tourism sectors in the Sultanate of Oman. This initiative is a pioneering step toward further partnerships between the public and private sectors to highlight Oman's unique natural resources through diverse and modern platforms, in line with the Sultanate of Oman's vision of making culture and science part of the comprehensive and integrated tourism experience.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Times of Oman
Heritage Ministry inaugurates Meteorite Corner at Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism launches the Meteorite Corner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Muscat Governorate. This initiative aligns with the Ministry's efforts to utilize geological heritage and enhance the tourism and cultural experience in the Sultanate of Oman. The corner features a collection of rare meteorite samples from the "Jiddat Al Harasis" strewn field, offering hotel guests a unique opportunity to view them up close and learn about their history and scientific value. It also highlights Oman's commitment to preserving these meteorites as an important cultural legacy. Among the exhibits is a distinctive sample from Jiddat al Harasis 091, which represents the largest meteorite fall discovered in Oman to date. Its strewn field extends approximately 52 kilometres, with over 700 collected pieces totaling around 4,600 kilograms. Documented scientific studies indicate that this fall at its original site occurred over 12,600 years ago. The corner also includes a meteorite sample from Jiddat al Harasis 073, classified as an L6 chondrite stony meteorite. This is considered the second-largest meteorite fall discovered in Oman so far. Scientific studies suggest that this meteorite traveled through the asteroid belt in space, weighing over 20 tonnes, and is estimated to have fallen at its original site 15,600 years ago, during the Paleolithic era. A total of 3,638 pieces from this fall have been documented, with an aggregate weight of 620.9 kilograms and a strewn field extending 25.8 kilometres. The display of these meteorites aims to educate hotel guests, both local and international, about the significance of meteorites, their scientific and historical value, and the legal frameworks and legislations governing them under the Cultural Heritage Law. This initiative emphasizes meteorites as crucial evidence of the solar system's formation, while also showcasing Oman's efforts in collecting, preserving, and studying meteorite samples. This pioneering initiative represents a step towards fostering more partnerships between the government and private sectors to showcase Oman's unique natural treasures on diverse and modern platforms. It aligns with the country's vision to integrate culture and science into a comprehensive and holistic tourism experience.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Times of Oman
Meteorite Corner launched at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) launched the Meteorite Corner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Muscat Governorate as part of its efforts to utilize geological heritage and enhance the tourism and cultural experience in the Sultanate of Oman. The corner features a collection of rare meteorite samples from the "Jeddat al-Harasis" meteorites, allowing hotel visitors the opportunity to view them up close and learn about their history and scientific value, as well as the Sultanate of Oman's efforts to preserve them as an important cultural heritage. The corner contains a distinctive sample of the Jeddat al-Harasis 91 meteorite, the largest meteorite fall discovered to date in the Sultanate of Oman. Its fall path extends approximately 52 kilometers, and the number of meteorites collected amounts to more than 700, with a total weight of approximately 4,600 kilograms. Documented scientific studies indicate that this fall in its original location dates back more than 12,600 years. The corner also includes a meteorite sample from the Jeddat al-Harasis 73 meteorite, classified as a stony chondrate of the L6 type. This meteorite is considered the second largest meteorite discovered to date in the Sultanate of Oman. Scientific studies indicate that this meteorite has been traveling in the asteroid belt in space, weighing more than 20 tons. Its original location is estimated to have fallen 15,600 years ago, during the Paleolithic period. 3,638 fragments from this fall have been documented, with a total weight of 620.9 kilograms, and the fragments' longitudinal scattering path extending 25.8 kilometers. The display of these meteorites aims to introduce hotel visitors, both within and outside the Sultanate of Oman, to the importance of meteorites, their scientific and historical value, and the legal frameworks and legislation regulating them in accordance with the Cultural Heritage Law. Meteorites are among the most prominent evidence of the formation of the solar system, and the exhibition highlights the Sultanate of Oman's efforts in collecting, preserving, and studying meteorite samples. This initiative is a pioneering step toward further partnerships between the public and private sectors to showcase the Sultanate of Oman's unique natural resources on diverse and modern platforms. It aligns with its vision of making culture and science part of the comprehensive and integrated tourism experience.
Sunday World
07-07-2025
- Sunday World
Shadowy Kinahan cartel fixer's five-star lifestyle laid bare in CAB case
Convicted drug dealer Sam O'Sullivan also became a major supplier of encrypted technology for gangland mobster During the hearing at Dublin's High Court, it was also revealed that a stay at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Las Vegas in August 2017 cost €2,000 A shadowy Kinahan cartel fixer travelled the world in five-star luxury as he jetted from Baku in Azerbaijan to Las Vegas, London and Dubai. Convicted drug dealer Sam O'Sullivan, who spent an astonishing €190,000 educating his daughters in a posh Swiss school, also became a major supplier of encrypted technology for gangland mobsters. However, it was the hacking of the Encrochat system by French police that led gardai to Ciaran 'Sam' O'Sullivan, and the Chinese money laundering operation he was using in Ireland. 18 Google Pixel Phones The one-time protégé of Christy Kinahan Snr from south county Dublin clocked up so many air miles that he possessed a prized British Airways Executive Club gold card and an Aer Lingus Concierge card. O'Sullivan's lavish lifestyle emerged this month in a Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) case against him, after a series of raids in June 2020. The Bureau found he had funnelled more than €700,000 through an aunt's credit card account for flights and hotels around the world. O'Sullivan used multiple currencies on his Revolut account and transferred $318,000 worth of crypto on the Coinbase exchange until his account was shut down for suspicious activity. During the hearing at Dublin's High Court, it was also revealed that a stay at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Las Vegas in August 2017 cost €2,000, with another €7,000 paid for tickets to Conor McGregor's fight with Floyd Mayweather in 2017. 34 Apple iPhones The cartel fixer was also at the Dave Haye v Tony Bellew fight in London earlier that year, where he forked out Stg£1,100 for a ticket. He stayed at the luxury five-star Rosewood Hotel in London and also bought tickets for the Vienna Opera House in Austria. O'Sullivan took a flight from Baku to Dubai in 2019, a short time before Daniel Kinahan was photographed in the Azerbaijan capital at an event with boxing promoter Bob Arum. It also emerged that one of O'Sullivan's daughters was used to bring home documents from Switzerland relating to her father's business. When officers searched the aunt's home in Glenageary, Dublin, they found a tick list with Encrochat codenames which appeared to show what was owed by each one. There was also a handwritten note pleading for a debt to be cancelled. The document was given to O'Sullivan's daughter by 'a close family friend' who asked that it be passed onto her father. The young woman 'indicated that her dad worked in computers.' 'However, she also said that she does not want to know what he does for a living as she suspects it was criminal in nature,' a Bureau officer said in evidence. 1oz Gold Coin The Bureau claimed O'Sullivan used his 20 years of contacts in the drugs underworld to sell Encrochat handsets to Irish criminals, and was the country's biggest supplier of the technology. An associate, Robert Noctor, was arrested with a stash of phones and €93,000 in cash in 2020 and left the country shortly after that. He told gardai he sold handsets for €1,500 each and top-ups cost €600 every three months. When gardai carried out the raids on O'Sullivan and the Chinese money laundering operation in June 2020, he was living with Noctor's ex-wife. Gardai found O'Sullivan hiding in the ensuite toilet at her Co Wicklow home with three encrypted phones, two of which were concealed under folded towels. While selling encrypted phones is not illegal, French police say that 90 per cent of users are in involved in crime. A Bureau officer stated in his evidence that through his criminal contacts, O'Sullivan became 'a major player' in the sale and supply of the phones to criminal gangs. During the hearing at Dublin's High Court, it was also revealed that a stay at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Las Vegas in August 2017 cost €2,000 Such activity is effectively an offence by 'enhancing the ability of a criminal organisation or any of its members to commit a serious offence'. The Bureau also found he sold Encrochat phones to customers in Liverpool and Poland, while the Sunday World recently reported how he is alleged to have supplied users in France as well. The Encrochat system was operational from 2015 until June 2020 after it was infiltrated by police. It also emerged that as far back as 2017 Irish criminals were using the phones supplied by O'Sullivan when three men were stopped in a car with a batch of Encrochat handsets. The men, described as 'well-known criminals from west Dublin', were in the vehicle which contained a box addressed to O'Sullivan. In the box were 10 BQ Aquaris phones, the type preferred for use with the Encrochat system, and all were marked with user's codenames. One of those men, Jordan Keogh (29) from Rowlagh Park in Clondalkin, was later jailed for money laundering after being caught with €122,715 in November 2020. The following year, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau caught him in possession of an automatic handgun and ammunition. He was caught again with €47,950 in September that year, according to the affidavit evidence. €27K Rolex Another man in the car, Gareth Dunne (31), from Harelawn Crescent, has 82 previous convictions, including nine for drugs but 'these convictions do not accurately portray his level of involvement in the drug trafficking industry in west Dublin.' Dunne, who was formally warned by gardai about a threat to his life, was found with €27,151 in cash while on his way to buy a Rolex watch from a city centre jewellers in May 2020. O'Sullivan's links to Christy Kinahan Snr and other cartel figures such as Bernard Clancy and Chris Casserly were highlighted, along with his drug dealing convictions in Spain and Holland. Judge Alexander Owens last week found that the 34 iPhones, 18 Google Pixel smartphones, 10 Samsung Galaxy phones, a Rolex watch and a one-ounce gold coin found in the 2020 searches were all the proceeds of crime. Also included was €3,060 cash that was seized during the search of the house in Glenageary and his girlfriend's house in Tulfarris, Co Wicklow. Ciaran 'Sam' O'Sullivan was a one time protégé of Christy Kinahan Snr, left Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 7th
