The UAE’s aid programme will bring dividends to Africa

In reference to your editorial Aid and investment in Africa will pay dividends (March 15), it is indeed true that Africa is on the cusp of momentous changes. While poverty levels are high in many countries, like Nigeria, economic conditions have improved significantly in countries like Tanzania due to sound economic management. Africa as a continent continues to suffer from poverty, massive income inequalities, shortages of food and water, rotten infrastructure, corruption and weak governance. However, the continent is also the home of rich mineral resources and a large market of around 1.2 billion people. So the UAE's investments will certainly yield good dividends economically and in terms of goodwill.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

Should we keep an open mind about India’s history project?

I write regarding Samanth Subramanian's recent reporting on Indian historians accusing their government of manipulating research (India government accused of promoting prejudiced version of country's past, March 12).

Thanks to historians, India’s past is very well documented and so too are the lives of those Indian leaders who have contributed to the country’s development.

The idea of the government creating a panel to preference a particular culture for their own agenda is troubling, although it may be wise to keep an open mind about this development to see what it finds.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

Footbridge collapse needs to be quickly investigated

The authorities should speedily investigate the recent terrible accident in the US (Four killed as footbridge collapses in Miami, March 16). If any malpractice is revealed, the guilty parties should be brought to justice. I pray for the victims and hope the injured recover quickly.

Name withheld by request

Your Joni Mitchell retrospective missed out one of the best

In reference to your retrospective of Joni Mitchell's work (We look back over her 50-year career, March 16), I was disappointed that you overlooked her 1994 Grammy Award winning release Turbulent Indigo. This album contains the exquisite selection The Magdalene Laundries.

Joel Scott, Washington DC

There should be no snap judgements after spy attack

In reference to your story Kremlin furious as Britain links Putin to ex-spy attack (March 16), let's wait until we have some proof, shall we? We've all seen the results of jumping to the wrong conclusion.

Boris Johnson’s comment is ill-advised at the very least. If no direct link is proven and publicly shared, he should be forced to step down, along with a few others.

Shouldn’t we place emphasis on the need for evidence and due process before we stumble into yet another war?

Anne McAdam, Dubai

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

ULTRA PROCESSED FOODS

- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns

- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;

- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces

- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,

- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.