Another problem for Pakistan

The new flooding in Sindh, following wider floods last year, will leave Pakistan less able to feed itself, a reader notes. Other letters today deal with boxing, English grammar, seat belts, Donald Trump and Silvio Berlusconi.

New flooding in Sindh province, including this scene last weekend, will leave Pakistan less capable of feeding itself, which will add to the country's other current difficulties, a reader says. PervezShow more

Your editorial Pakistan floods offer chance for lasting change (September 18) was a very fair analysis of Pakistan's current predicament.

Last year's floods led to death, destruction of homes and the massive displacement of a rural population.

The destruction of livestock and the washing away of topsoil - key to growing crops - meant that many feared that Pakistan would no longer be able to feed itself. Within the last year there has been an exponential rise in the cost of staple foods in Pakistan.

With little if anything having been done by Pakistani authorities to manage the damage from last year, one shudders to think how the latest floods will compound those problems.

It seems almost inevitable that further death, destruction, poverty and hunger will ensue; and all that at a time at which Pakistan has few, if any, friends in the international community.

Daud Khan, Dubai

A sneaky trick cheapens the belt

I refer to your boxing story Mayweather stops Ortiz in fourth round to take WBC welterweight title (September 18).

Floyd Mayweather could have simply accepted a good gesture of apology, but instead he took advantage of the chance to throw punches, surprising Victor Ortiz.

Is this sports we're watching, or gladiators with neither honour nor respect? If we keep buying this kind of entertainment we might as well live like animals in the wild. Mayweather won a cheap belt.

Ernani Medenilla, The Philippines

Get the grammar right in adverts

Until my Arabic is flawless, which will not be anytime soon, I try not to criticise mistakes in English by those who have another native language; that's only fair.

But I could not ignore the advertisement shown in the photo with your report Etisalat's Sharjah centre to put customers in picture (September 19).

I can't comment on the Arabic but the English version of the Etisalat ad says "No one covers the UAE better than us". Of course this should be "better than we" or, to avoid the appearance of pomposity, "better than we do". I would have thought a large company, or its advertising agency, could afford to have somebody on staff who speaks proper English.

Carmella Petz, Dubai

Every land needs national heroes

I loved the story Haiti serve up a victory for the people (September 5).

It is always good to hear about minor nations in global sport, but especially reassuring to see people remembering their roots to play for the team.

Migration is great, but sport helps people return "home" occasionally.

Paul Tooby, Australia

Enforce the law on seat belts

Your story Students not buckling up, survey says (September 19) reminded me that when I lived in the UAE, I was often scared by the excessive speed of cars passing me.

The answer applied in other countries is to put the police on the motorway. Use radar to catch, not to monitor. Attach the illegal act of speeding to the punishment (fine, confiscation of the car or whatever else) immediately.

The same policy applies to wearing setbelts.

Police must catch the offenders and levy fines immediately (and the number of times caught should influence their right to drive).

Only police presence will make a difference. This policy should also apply to ensuring proper child safety seats, and the condition of the car.

Tom Patillo, Canada

Let Trump pay up to help Scotland

I have a thought about your story Trump's fury at 'ugly' wind farm set to spoil his fairway from heaven (September 18).

If Donald Trump is the advocate of Scotland that he claims to be, and loves and believes in Aberdeen so much, and if he really believes that this wind farm is such a tragedy, then I have an idea for him: he can put his money where his mouth is and pay the wind farm's developers to build it somewhere else.

Donald Glass, Abu Dhabi

Some good news about Berlusconi

How happy I was to read Berlusconi's thirst for power unaffected by scandal (September 19).

How many people share my enthusiasm for the Italian leader, who provides comic relief from the cheerless elements of the news.

Who doesn't appreciate a charming rogue? I hope he stays in power for many more entertaining years.

Gerry Trepanier, Abu Dhabi