It was sad to read Suicide bomber kills more than 50 Yemen soldiers queuing for salaries (December 19).
It is disgusting that such gruesome incidents continue to happen around us, and that soldiers and common people continue to pay for the enduring unrest and insurgency in several conflict-hit countries.
Reports that the suicide bombers were educated youngsters is a shock. They were emotionally conditioned to commit any kind of atrocity, including killing civilians.
The number of such incidents is growing every day, despite the fact that the world has been spending heavily on tackling the spread of extremism.
Security has become the biggest challenge for everyone.
Ramachandran Nair, Oman
Car park worries for worshippers
Like many Christians in Abu Dhabi, I visit St Joseph’s Cathedral every week to attend one of the services.
The buses that park in the car parking area are a nuisance to those visiting the church. They not only block other traffic coming into the area, they also hinder pedestrians trying to get out of taxis and walk to the church.
To make it worse, some bus drivers chase people, shouting at them so as to fill up their buses. They also fight and shout among themselves.
Inside St Joseph’s, parishioners are constantly reminded not to board the buses in the parking area and instead use the buses that are on the main road. But people continue to scramble into the nearest available bus to get to their destinations quickly.
There is utter confusion after the services. I hope the relevant authorities can bring some order to this parking area.
Zelma Gonsalves, Abu Dhabi
Road rules must be enforced
I refer to Eighteen killed in speeding accidents between January and November in Dubai (December 16). The authorities should introduce harsher penalties, including jail time for the most reckless drivers and loss of licence for other reckless behaviour.
L Kereliuk, Dubai
The authorities should reduce the buffer between the limit marked on the road signs and the actual speed limit to 5 kilometres per hour.
Mansoor Khan, Dubai
There should be a much greater police presence on the roads, strict enforcement of the rules and harsh punishments.
Fine amounts should be linked to salaries, so they really hurt. Second offenders should have to do community work. For further offences, they should go to jail.
Wiltrud Matthes, Abu Dhabi
India still have more to prove
The Indian cricket team has celebrated several feats, including a triple century by debutant Karun Nair (Mr 300, December 20).
However, an all-important question remains about India’s apparent vulnerability outside their own ovals.
India are always brilliant at home, and bowling has always been the critical component in their series wins.
This time however, the English series win was a team effort, ranging from classy bowling by Ravichandran Ashwin to a plethora of centuries from the top six batsmen.
With Australia about to visit, it appears almost a given that they will receive a few barrages. But India still have to prove their worth against the other big guns in their own backyards.
So while they will have pre-Christmas celebrations, and a record number of undefeated tests to go with that, the selectors have a big headache in choosing the best XI.
AR Modak, South Africa
Dubai property market is fine
I think stories such as New supply to lower Dubai suburban rents in 2017 (December 20) spread negativity by sending out a message of a depressed economy.
Yes, it’s true that prices will have to drop in new housing, but that’s not news in any financial market.
Dubai is a great and big city, with mature markets as well as new ones. It is doing just fine.
S Hartvigen, Dubai
