With regard to The National's report What are the criminal cases against Donald Trump? (July 18): Donald Trump's conduct has been unacceptable. The images of January 6, 2021, documentaries and law suits make clear his direct participation in the Capitol riot.
The crowd including QAnon members was provoked and the riot occurred only after Mr Trump's fiery speech urging them to prevent the validation of what was a legitimate result of an American election that Joe Biden won. Inciting a mob is not fitting presidential conduct. Are those the values that reflect the greatest political power on the planet? And then there are the 37 criminal charges stemming from his handling of classified documents.
If if he gets re-elected next year, the Republican Party will be in turmoil and Mr Trump could well seek to limit the independence of federal agencies and could remain unpunished for his crimes.
In his speeches even now, Mr Trump not only threatens his opponents but competitors within his own party, his rivals in the present White House, the American Department of Justice, prosecutors and judges and American citizens who don't support him. Mr Trump's return to the American presidency will be devastating on many fronts.
Marco Vinicio Conceicao, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Donald Trump is complaining about being the target of this investigation but that is how it should be – he after all was proved to have incited that violent mob at the US Capitol.
Linda Penney, Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
He certainly is the target. And the US Department of Justice's special counsel Jack Smith has made it quite clear what he has to do – testify within four days or face a third indictment.
Phil Jones, Dubai
Building climate-resilient architecture
In reference to the editorial How to prepare for floods and extreme weather (July 17): This was meaningful and thought provoking piece. Rebuilding infrastructure once destroyed is more of a challenge than preparing for these extreme weather eventualities. Even in the case of climate resilient architecture, prevention is better than cure was rightly articulated.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India
The art of orchestrating marriage proposals
With regard to Emma Pearson's report A Day in the Life: Dubai marriage proposal planner makes a living out of love (July 18): This sounds like a gratifying job. Nice to have gotten a glimpse of what it is like everyday even though I can only imagine the stress of it, with the demands people have.
Serahmol Abraham, Kochi, India
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
Poacher
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Look north
BBC business reporters, like a new raft of government officials, are being removed from the national and international hub of London and surely the quality of their work must suffer.
Company profile
Name: GiftBag.ae
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2011
Number of employees: 4
Sector: E-commerce
Funding: Self-funded to date
Company profile
Company name: Dharma
Date started: 2018
Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: TravelTech
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
