The online shop Brown Paper Packages is run from Adelaide, South Australia, but stocks designer treasures from around the world.
Head here for on-trend geometric and chevron printed cushions, made in Australia from American fabrics. I like the hot coral Sunset colour best, but there's a rather tasty Ikat design I've got my eye on, too. All the patterns sit so well together that it would be rude just to buy one.
If you're looking for fun wall art, check out the delicate paper-cut prints here from Famille Summerbelle. The Paris map is particularly cool. Look closely and you'll spot all the major landmarks as well as bicycles, birds and kites. It's a fabulously detailed piece.
You'll find a great selection of leather Moroccan poufs here, too, in any colour you can think of. They're handy as a footstool, an extra seat when guests come around, or even as a small side table with a tray on top. No home should be without one. I'd go for gold. It's inexplicably more expensive than the others and a bit blingy, perhaps, but in a good way, especially when mixed with coral and turquoise accessories - or hot pink.
Crafters will be drawn to the appropriately named Divine Twine, colourful butchers' string in pastel shades. Tie it around napkins, vases, presents, party favours or simply sit it on a shelf and admire it. With 219 metres per roll, it seems like a lot, but I'm sure I could put it to use. Somehow.
Don't miss the selection of traditional Turkish hammam towels either. They have the most beautiful designs, all candy-coloured stripes and rustic navy linen. They'd look gorgeous rolled up in a basket beside the bath or pool, or thrown across a bed or sofa.
For shipping rates to the UAE, visit www.brown-paper-packages.com.au
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What you as a drone operator need to know
A permit and licence is required to fly a drone legally in Dubai.
Sanad Academy is the United Arab Emirate’s first RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) training and certification specialists endorsed by the Dubai Civil Aviation authority.
It is responsible to train, test and certify drone operators and drones in UAE with DCAA Endorsement.
“We are teaching people how to fly in accordance with the laws of the UAE,” said Ahmad Al Hamadi, a trainer at Sanad.
“We can show how the aircraft work and how they are operated. They are relatively easy to use, but they need responsible pilots.
“Pilots have to be mature. They are given a map of where they can and can’t fly in the UAE and we make these points clear in the lectures we give.
“You cannot fly a drone without registration under any circumstances.”
Larger drones are harder to fly, and have a different response to location control. There are no brakes in the air, so the larger drones have more power.
The Sanad Academy has a designated area to fly off the Al Ain Road near Skydive Dubai to show pilots how to fly responsibly.
“As UAS technology becomes mainstream, it is important to build wider awareness on how to integrate it into commerce and our personal lives,” said Major General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief, Dubai Police.
“Operators must undergo proper training and certification to ensure safety and compliance.
“Dubai’s airspace will undoubtedly experience increased traffic as UAS innovations become commonplace, the Forum allows commercial users to learn of best practice applications to implement UAS safely and legally, while benefitting a whole range of industries.”
The specs
Engine: 2.2-litre, turbodiesel
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Power: 160hp
Torque: 385Nm
Price: Dh116,900
On sale: now
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THURSDAY FIXTURES
4.15pm: Italy v Spain (Group A)
5.30pm: Egypt v Mexico (Group B)
6.45pm: UAE v Japan (Group A)
8pm: Iran v Russia (Group B)
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
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The specs: 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
Price, base: Dh1.2 million
Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 725hp @ 6,500pm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.3L / 100km (estimate)
