I count myself lucky to have started trawling the halls at New York's ICFF a couple of weeks ago in the "wrong" order, for I might otherwise have missed the small and unprepossessing stand of Rhode Island-based Studio Dunn, tucked away on the far side of the exhibition.
In the busy-busy visual onslaught that's a given at any furniture fair, the pure lines and exquisitely balanced proportions of Dunn's Newport table (and the Barrington chair that complements it so well) leapt out at me.
Its clean, raw beauty brings to mind the timeless simplicity of Shaker design and the dynamic modernism of mid-century Danish, transforming it into something wholly fresh. This table is all that honest, well-considered design should be.
Asher Dunn, the design studio's principal (a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design), has done all the right local-and-sustainable things, too - not out of political correctness or the commercially expedient cynicism of green-washing but because, as a conversation with him quickly reveals, honest and considered is who he is (oh, and a very talented designer).
The table is made from American hardwoods, supplied by yards in or near Rhode Island that source timber only from sustainably managed forests. Its manufacture combines modern factory techniques (to make the veneers - albeit with good old-fashioned low-chemical glue compounds) with traditional hand-craft techniques such as mortise and tenon joints, hand-sanding, and a hand-applied oil finish to create a semi-matte surface that allows the beauty of the wood grain to shine through. By employing woodworkers based within 50 miles of the studio, Dunn is helping to preserve and encourage local manufacturing. All told, it's an important social contribution.
Happily, the judges of ICFF's Editors' Awards, also didn't miss Dunn's stand - and named the studio Best New Designer. Let us wish this young business commercial success to match the critical acclaim (hey, let's just buy the table ? and a set of Barrington chairs to go with it).
Newport table available in walnut, maple or cherry wood, $US1,250 (Dh4,591) plus shipping, from www.studiodunn.com
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Tour de France 2017: Stage 5
Vittel - La Planche de Belles Filles, 160.5km
It is a shorter stage, but one that will lead to a brutal uphill finish. This is the third visit in six editions since it was introduced to the race in 2012. Reigning champion Chris Froome won that race.
Sri Lanka v England
First Test, at Galle
England won by 211
Second Test, at Kandy
England won by 57 runs
Third Test, at Colombo
From Nov 23-27
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
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
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
