Start thinking peaceful thoughts

North Korea's new ruler Kim Jong-Un should forget nuclear weapons and feed his people, a reader writes. Other letters today touch on Pinterest, murder, recycling, exercise and expensive autos.

A reader says North Korea's Kim Jong-un should feed his people, not build nuclear weapons. AFP / KCNA via KNS

Action is needed to help save our fragile planet

Regarding the letter Question over recycling bins (January 23), I have seen refuse from both green and black bins being put into the same truck. Surely, there should be two different trucks collecting different types of waste.

Since moving to a flat from a villa, I have struggled to find a green bin for my recyclables. There is only one rubbish chute for all waste. It would be nice to have recycling bins positioned at the entrance to the building.

I also agree with comments regarding packaging and plastic bags at supermarkets. I often repack my purchases by myself after staff members have packed them using too many bags.

Sadly, I have seen full trolleys with 20, 30 or more plastic bags in them. My teenage son thinks this is ridiculous and asks the checkout staff not to just put one or two items in a bag.

Also, did you know that automatic car washing machines use at least 300 litres of water per car, while cleaners in car parks use just one 5-litre bucket?

I am deeply concerned about our beautiful Earth and I believe we should all act before it's too late.

J Lee, Abu Dhabi

Father must face a long sentence

It was painfully sad to read about the man who admitted to killing his child due to poor exam results (Father 'strangled son with cable', January 25).

Parents should encourage their children to do better, not behave in such a brutal way.

This man should be punished so that no parent will behave like this in future.

K Ragavan, India

Sound advice on improving fitness

I thought Reema Al Ahbabi's Working out regularly begins with the exercise of will power (January 25) was a great article.

I like the advice to view yourself as the sporty type and to make the commitment to small and regular activities.

A positive mental attitude and the commitment to being consistent are the two most valuable weapons in the attack against laziness.

The article was also perfectly timed, appearing just before the Dubai marathon.

H Osman, Dubai

Retro car comes at a high price

Retro is nice, but I had to wince at the Dh470,000 price tag of the new replica MGB GT (Another British classic gets a modern makeover, January 25).

I'd prefer to spend a little less and put a Range Rover 4-litre V8 with fuel injection into my MGB tourer, which is the last of the original Leyland shells with V8 inner wings.

However, I look forward to seeing the car featured on your pages on the roads of Abu Dhabi.

Peter Nixon, Abu Dhabi

US has a reason not to intervene

I disagree with Michael Young's opinion article, Double standards as the US fails to act while Syria suffers (January 24).

There is no double standard. The US does not want to support what could become another Islamist success in Syria and have its weapons end up in the hands of zealots.

Frank Burkhardt, US

Wrong priorities in North Korea

It was no surprise to read China urges patience as North Korea threatens US with third nuclear test (January 25).

North Korea has a long track record of clumsy and transparent attempts to divert attention from its many problems by indulging its delusions of becoming a true world player.

If the new leader, Kim Jong-un, really wants to make his mark, he should concentrate his efforts on feeding his people and developing his nation's crumbling infrastructure, not building bombs and rockets.

A nuclear-armed North Korea is in absolutely nobody's interests, least of all its long-suffering people.

China has a lot to lose, too - especially given the very real possibility of the incompetence-driven failure of any device the North Koreans might manage to build - and should be applying much more pressure on its neighbour. C Whiting, Abu Dhabi

Interest in Pinterest is perfectly piqued

Thanks for your Weekend article, Pin the possibilities (January 25).

While I think I understand the usefulness of Facebook and Twitter, I have struggled to grasp what makes Pinterest different or worth doing.

Rin Simpson has cleared that up rather well, and inspired me in the process. Harriet James, Abu Dhabi