No solutions in sight for Syria
After the horrific chemical attack in Khan Sheikhoun, Syria, and the killing of innocent civilians, nothing has changed in that country (‘US ramps up pressure on Russians’, Gulf News, April 11). Despite US involvement and cruise missile attacks on the regime air base, killing innocent civilians, forced displacement, and barrel bomb attacks, Russia and Iran continue to extend blind support to the regime. Despite the clear indication of involvement by Syrian President Bashar Al Assad in the chemical attack, Russians and Iranians are still busy trying to provide justifications.
Due to Russia’s irresponsible behaviour, the United Nations (UN) Security Council has lost its credibility among member nations and after six years of death and destruction, no political solution has come up. Russian broker talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, failed to bring any stability in the region. According to news reports, after the barbaric chemical attack, the regime forces targeted the same area again and killed more than seventeen people.
Thousands of civilians were forced to leave their homes in Homs province under Russian supervision. Forced displacement has become a weapon of war in Syria.
From Mr Khawaja Omar Farooq
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
A grisly attack
The chemical weapons attack and the consequent killing of innocent children in Syria should be condemned by all nations of the world. The grisly attack even melted the heart of US President Donald Trump and he should be praised for his condemnation of the attack, labelling it as a blot on the face of humanity. It was man’s inhumanity to man, to say the least. Is Al Assad listening?
From Mr Thomas Matthew Parackel
Kerala, India
Urgent action needed
These silly massage cards are not only being left on car windows, they are also thrown on the ground, all over certain areas of Dubai (‘Barrage of massage cards frustrates residents’, Gulf News, April 10). I have seen men going around on bicycles, just throwing massage cards everywhere. It’s annoying to see this litter. Our children can also view these cards, which often have scantily clad women as their main image. I just hope the authorities take strict action against the people who throw these cards around. It’s just getting to be too much.
From Mr Jibi John
UAE
Facebook comment
Make it difficult to print
Trying to stop distribution is the wrong way to attack this problem. The authorities could target the printers, probably through sting operations. If anyone prints them, arrest the managers and shut down the business. Once this happens a few times, no other printer will want to risk it. Problem solved.
From Mr Ian Sanders
UAE
Facebook comment
What has changed?
Some drivers do not really care about fines (“Over 16,000 drivers in Dubai fined in 3 months for using phone”, Gulf News, April 11). Others find fines manageable. I must say, the authorities could eradicate drivers’ arrogance and ignorance, by taking away violators’ driving licences for a certain period of time.
From Mr T. Tony
UAE
Facebook comment
Shisha behind the wheel
When I read a news report recently, about people getting pulled over for smoking shisha while driving, I could not believe that people would endanger their lives by trying to attempt this behaviour. However, to my dismay, that same afternoon, while driving through the crowded streets of Karama area in Dubai, I saw a motorist smoking shisha in a moving car, totally disregarding its consequence. I hope this new rule will bring awareness about the hazards of smoking shisha in vehicles.
From Ms Asha Chitnis
Dubai
Horrendous treatment
Racism is occurring everywhere (“Was doctor dragged off plane because he is Asian? Many in China think so”, Gulf News, April 11). It is a disease in society that has no cure yet. This incident was totally shocking.
From Ms Merly June Ledesma
UAE
Facebook comment
All for one
There was no unity among the passengers. Shame on the people who just watched this man being dragged out of the plane. They all should have walked out in protest! People have power if they are ‘United’, pun intended.
From Mr Sudhir Sanathra
California, US
Facebook comment
Brute force
With the level of police brutality in the US, I think it is a legitimate fear that prevents anyone from interfering with the police there, anymore. Apparently, too many people have been killed confronting them.
From Ms Lindsay Hartman
UAE
Facebook comment
Silly mistake
United Airlines made a blunder. They should have solved the problem before the passengers boarded the plane. Overbooking should have been handled properly at the check-in counter, not in the aircraft.
From Mr T. B. Thapa
Kathmandu, Nepal
Facebook comment
What gives them the right?
Today, air passengers could be treated like criminals. Who gives the airline officials the right to brutally treat a passenger? How can noncooperation be interpreted as violent behaviour? Will an apology from United Airlines suffice, if one of their crew members were mistreated, due to the unavailability of a desired meal? I hope airline passengers are protected by laws against overbooking policies. Refusing passengers from boarding an aeroplane, by virtue of the airline’s error, is unfair and irrational.
From Mahnaaz Sheikh
Goa, India
Facebook comment
Legitimate policy
When all else fails, play the ‘last in, first out’ option. When I worked at a US Airline, the person who was asked to get off the plane was based on who checked in last.
From Ms Kristin Fucik
UAE
Facebook comment
Fee hikes
Besides school fees, a huge amount is also paid for books and uniforms of school children (“Curbs on private school fee increases sought”, Gulf News, April 11).
From Ms Hannan Haani
Dubai
Facebook comment
Parents’ struggle
School fees are getting more expensive year after year. School bus fees should also be regulated, as they are increased without prior notice. The authorities could look into this matter.
From Mr Walvir Llerin
UAE
Facebook comment
Ocean watch
The Gulf News report on the ocean is really worth reading, especially as it provides a vital message for the present generation, who can learn more about how we are polluting Nature with plastic waste (‘A date with the ocean’, Gulf News, April 6). In the report, Afroz Shah is making a fantastic effort to clean up the beach, thereby extending his participation in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Clean India’ mission as well. My thanks to Gulf News for bringing such articles to readers’ attention.
From Mr Venkitasubban
Abu Dhabi
Read the label
It’s not just about cutting calories, but swapping easily absorbed calories for those embedded in fibre. Eating whole wheat in bread, pasta and raw rice slows the entry of sugar, staves off hunger and reduces your body’s drive to store everything as fat. Sauces have hidden sugars as do breakfast cereals, juices and most food marketed as healthy. Find good sources of information and educate yourself. Read food labels in particular.
From Ms Daniella How
UAE
Facebook comment
Stay fit
People need to watch what they are eating. It all starts there. My idea of going to a gym isn’t to lose weight or gain muscle, rather it’s to keep fit. Only a few of us hit the gym to keep fit.
From Mr Tony
UAE
Facebook comment
Common sense
It’s obvious that exercise alone will never help. You have to cut calories. Eat healthy, because you are what you eat, basically.
From Mr Kamran Khan
Hayward, US
Facebook comment
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