Americans can no longer enjoy a burger in peace

The same old story in America

With reference to the report Three people shot dead in Indiana mall shooting before passer-by kills gunman (July 18): it is just beyond belief that this is repeatedly happening in the US.

Gillian Bell, Dartmouth, UK

The next one will be soon enough and this one will be forgotten.

Darren Banner, Idaho, US

Tragic how every day it's the same story in the US.

Saima Anwar, Karachi, Pakistan

And still the American government is busy in other countries' internal affairs while in their backyard there are a lot of problems.

Ariel Ventura, Dubai

Can't one enjoy a burger in peace at a mall without fear and worry of a possible shooter? America, the land of the free.

Ted SG, Abu Dhabi

Sizzling London

With reference to Soraya Ebrahimi's story London set to ‘be hotter than Caribbean’ amid UK heatwave (July 18): the problem is that nobody has an AC. Most schools don’t have one either. Houses are usually small and pokey and are built to retain the heat because of the cold winters. The fact that the body can’t cool down at night time makes it very very uncomfortable and potentially dangerous to people that really aren’t used to the heat or how to behave in it.

Debra Bentley, Queensland, Australia

We can't deny climate change. The poor planet is getting hotter.

Imran Hassan, Islamabad, Pakistan

There should be no place for racism in today's world

With regard to the report US soprano withdraws from Arena di Verona opera over blackface performance (July 17): racism, inequality and injustice in all shapes and forms should end by now. We need to put these things behind us to progress. We are one earth and one family. Anything less than that is primitive behaviour on all sides.

Samson Wallace, Abu Dhabi

In air as on land, better safe than sorry

About your report Air India Dubai flight diverted to Muscat after burning smell from faulty oven (July 17): good job on the pilot's part. Whatever it takes as a precautionary measure, you need to do it.

Zul Zueqirne Zevlag, Al Ain

What did Boris Johnson accomplish?

Regarding Neil Murphy's report UK launches aviation charter to address airport disruption (July 17): thought the UK was going to be an international transport hub after Brexit. Seems we’re just an international joke after Boris has been in charge. Looks like his only achievement has been changing the UK passport colour.

Phil Sutton, Gamlingay, UK

if you go

The flights

Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to San Francisco from Dh5,760 return including taxes.

The car

Etihad Guest members get a 10 per cent worldwide discount when booking with Hertz, as well as earning miles on their rentals (more at www.hertz.com/etihad). A week's car hire costs from Dh1,500 including taxes.

The hotels

Along the route, Motel 6 (www.motel6.com) offers good value and comfort, with rooms from $55 (Dh202) per night including taxes. In Portland, the Jupiter Hotel (https://jupiterhotel.com/) has rooms from $165 (Dh606) per night including taxes. The Society Hotel https://thesocietyhotel.com/ has rooms from $130 (Dh478) per night including taxes.

More info

To keep up with constant developments in Portland, visit www.travelportland.com

Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”