I refer to your fascinating online article Cancer researchers James Allison and Tasuko Honjo win Nobel price for medicine (October 1): two researchers, one from Texas University in the United States and the other from Japan's Kyoto University received the Nobel prize this year for inventing a new cancer medicine. Their efforts are laudable and worthy of great praise. Despite many new medical developments on carcinoma, cancer still poses an enormous challenge to the medical world. Kudos to this extraordinary duo.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
Anyone with $17m shoes has their priorities skewed
I write in reference to your online piece The world's most expensive shoes have been unveiled in Dubai – with a price tag of $17 million (October 1): at risk of sounding heavy-going, if anyone has $17 million to spend on a single pair of shoes, I suggest they use their wealth to help those who are struggling to pay the school fees of their children, or those sick people forced to pay high hospital fees for their recovery, or those who are languishing in jail after bouncing small cheques.
Sikander Khan Lodhi, Dubai
Who is going to wear shoes worth $17m? I honestly don’t know where these crazy ideas come from.
Sammira Mohiadeen, Dubai
Hezbollah must cease its involvement in Yemen’s war
I write in reference to your article Yemeni minister demands Lebanon ends Hezbollah's support to Houthis (September 30): this will be really important if the Yemen conflict is to be brought to an end. Hezbollah's unwanted interference in the country, where they are supplying arms and ammunition, is only compounding the suffering and bloodshed after three years of war. Hezbollah cannot bring peace, nor does it desire it, but instead invites wars in the Middle East to facilitate its own grim survival. The Houthis are naive to fall prey to Hezbollah's malign influence.
Name withheld by request
Retirement will always be very expensive in the UAE
I refer to your article Five-year retirement visa a salvation for those facing an uncertain future in the UAE (October 1): in my view, permanent residency would be a better solution. I lived in the UAE for 41 years but retirement is not an option, unless you're very wealthy and can afford health insurance.
Anne McAdam, UK
