Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. Getty
Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. Getty
Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. Getty
Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. Getty

The Syrian regime is covered in the blood of innocents


  • English
  • Arabic

I write in response to Faisal Al Yafai's op-ed Assad's claim that he is willing to rewrite Syria's constitution is merely a fig leaf (May 29): after killing his own people, the Syrian president's claim that he is giving a new face to the constitution amounts to a further abuse of those remaining in the country. Syria has already lost incalculable wealth, resources and, most important of all, people and knowledge. The whole world is aware of what to expect from the present leadership, which is covered in the blood of innocents. 

It might take decades and generations to restore normality to the country but the history of the regime’s brutality can never be rewritten, nor can constitutional amendments make up for the deaths of so many civilians. It is utterly disappointing that we have reached this stage. The UN and the international community dithered as the Syrian regime killed freely and millions of ordinary people fled the country.   

Ramachandran Nair, Oman

These doctors inject true meaning into Ramadan

Doctors Shamsheer Vayalil and BR Shetty, featured in your article  'It's good business': billionaire doctor Shamsheer Vayalil on giving half his fortune to charity (31 May), are laudable figures. It is remarkable indeed that they have decided to give away half their fortune. It is particularly wonderful that Dr Vayalil made this decision in the holy month. 

K Ragavan, Denver

It’s not difficult to have a healthy lifestyle in the UAE

I write in reference to Anastasia Miari's article  How to practice mindfulness when living in a big city (May 31): it is a reminder that Dubai has many open beaches, numerous parks, walking, running and cycling tracks and various sports venues. Many of these are free. People just need to decide that they want a holistic and well-balanced life, then go out and take advantage of the many options available to them. 

Robert Castro, Dubai

Could exams in the cooler months mean better grades?

Your article  Hot weather lowers exam results, study shows (May 30) prompts me to wonder if it would not be better to move the school year from January to December, with exams closer to the end of the year? 

Irshad Valli, Dubai

Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers

I write in reference to Ramola Talwar Badam's article  'Wangiri scam' hits UAE: Foreign gangs target residents with phone calls and phishing texts (May 29): this happened to me last week with a Shanghai number.

Jolene Cummings, Dubai

Zidane is right to quit while he’s ahead at Real Madrid

I am writing in response to the article  Zinedine Zidane says 'time is right' for him to step down as Real Madrid manager (May 31), Zidane knows when to stop. This is a very good move for him. 

Zdravko Boykov Zdravkov, Abu Dhabi

THE SIXTH SENSE

Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Rating: 5/5

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

The Settlers

Director: Louis Theroux

Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz

Rating: 5/5

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)

Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits

Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine

Storage: 128/256/512GB

Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4

Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps

Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID

Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight

In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter

Price: From Dh2,099