Saudi Arabia’s recovery can only be good for the global economy

Our readers have their say about the attacks on Saudi oil facilities, scammers and Steve Smith's summer of success

FILE PHOTO: Remains of the missiles which Saudi government says were used to attack an Aramco oil facility are displayed during a news conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia September 18, 2019. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
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I write to you in reference to Mina Aldroubi's article Saudi energy minister: oil output 'back to normal' by end of month (September 17): it was a relief to read the statement issued by Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's energy minster, in which he said that the country's oil output would return to normal after last Saturday's strikes on two sites belonging to petroleum and natural gas company Aramco.

That Saudi Arabia has been restrained in its response so far, while its international allies have expressed solidarity, is reassuring. However, it is important for the Saudis to resume business as soon as possible so as to bring relief to the global economy. A swift and robust recovery from such an attack is beneficial not just to Saudi Arabia but the rest of the world.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

Banks should try live chat option to earn trust of their customers

I write to you in reference to Alice Haine's article What happened when the scammers called me (September 16): I continue to get calls from people claiming that they work for the banks I do business with. Some callers ask me for my personal details, while others offer me credit cards and loans. The problem is that when I do get called by my own bank, I am forced to insist that it drops me an email. However, one of the banks I am a customer of has found an easy way of ensuring authenticity: it has introduced live chat on its online platform. I find this a safe option and urge all banks to use this tool to interact with its customers.

Murat Yoluker, Dubai

Smith has become cricket’s great redeemer after success in England

I write to you in reference to the article Australia run machine Steve Smith 'proud' after summer of Ashes redemption (September 16): Australian cricketer Steve Smith is a resurrector extraordinaire, who singlehandedly helped his team retain the Ashes urn in England this summer. What is even more impressive about his success in England is the fact that he left his teammate David Warner, an explosive opening batsman, far behind in the runs tally.

Smith must rank as the modern game’s most famous redeemer after his role in the ball-tampering scandal during Australia’s tour of South Africa last year earned him a 12-month ban from international cricket. By scoring 700-odd runs in the five-match Test series against arch-rivals England, he proved the Australian selectors right for showing faith in him months after the former captain came clean and apologised to the nation – unlike other miscreants such as former South Africa captain Hansie Cronje and American cyclist Lance Armstrong.

AR Modak, Johannesburg