What we know about Heathrow Airport

DUBAI: Sotheby’s is set to showcase a collection of Islamic arms and armor, representing more than 500 years of history and spanning more than 100 lots in April in London, Dubai and at the biannual Arts of the Islamic World & India. 

The collection presents the artistic traditions of numerous Islamic dynasties, from Spain to Indonesia, and is the result of over 50 years of study and acquisition by scholar-collector Philippe Gilles René Missillier (1949-2022).

The auction will take place on April 29 at Sotheby’s London, followed by the biannual Arts of the Islamic World & India sale on April 30. 

Prior to the auctions, highlights from the collection will be exhibited at Sotheby’s Dubai gallery in Dubai International Financial Center from April 7-11. 

The collection highlights the technological evolution of weaponry, tracing developments from the equestrian age of chivalry through the gunpowder revolution and into the modern era. 

The items showcase skilled craftsmanship, featuring vegetal and geometric patterns combined with calligraphy. Similar motifs appear across different weapons, highlighting the connections between Islamic art across time and place.

Notable items include rare Mamluk and Aqqoyunlu pieces, as well as examples from the Safavid, Ottoman and Mughal empires. Highlights include artifacts from the Siege of Vienna’s Turkenbeute and the personal swords of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and French army officer Claude Martin.

Missillier, who assembled the collection over half a century, immersed himself in his field, visiting museums, attending auctions and studying reference works. 

His collection was exhibited in Paris in 1988 as part of Splendour des Armes Orientales, the largest exhibition of its kind in the 20th and 21st centuries. 

This upcoming sale marks the first public viewing of the collection since that exhibition.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s leading digital conglomerate Jazz has partnered with Mercantile, Apple’s authorized distributor, to introduce the country’s first-ever iPhone trade-in program, a press release said on Tuesday. 

Under the initiative, customers can trade in their old PTA-approved iPhone 11 or newer models to receive a discount on the latest iPhone 16 series. Jazz and Mercantile are also offering an additional subsidy bonus on top of the trade-in value.

“As a digital leader, Jazz is committed to bridging the digital divide in Pakistan. Our partnership with Mercantile to launch the first iPhone Trade-In Program reflects our focus on innovation and customer convenience,” Ali Fahd, Head of Marketing at Jazz, said. 

“By making premium devices more accessible, we are empowering customers to enhance their digital lifestyle with seamless connectivity and value-added services.”

Nauman Durrani, CEO of Mercantile Pakistan, said the launch would simplify how people in Pakistan could access latest iPhone models:

“By working with Jazz, we’re offering a clear, straightforward way for customers to upgrade from older devices and enjoy a better user experience.”

The program is currently available at Jazz Experience Centers in Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi. The trade-in offer applies to full-price purchases only and is not available on postpaid installment plans at this stage.

In addition to the trade-in program, Jazz has introduced an exclusive six-month bundle for customers purchasing a PTA-approved iPhone 16 through Jazz. This package includes 200GB of Internet, 6 months of free airtime, e-SIM activation, discount vouchers, and handset insurance worth up to Rs. 100,000 covering theft, loss, and damage for 6 months.

Jazz is also offering the iPhone 16 series on an 18-month installment plan for only postpaid customers, providing flexible payment options to suit varying needs.