Your columnist Ali Khaled is not the only one who stayed up late watching events from Libya, or at least watching what was being reported from Libya. (News every second - and some of it is even correct, August 24).
The events were so gripping that even the imperfect filter of network talking heads, with all their repetition, their confusion, and their lack of certainty could not detract from the excitement of watching it all happen.
His column was very good but to be fair, it's not easy to cover a story like that. As a former journalist I know that when there's no one central news source, but rather 100 of them in various bits of town, all simultaneous and some dangerous to cover, it's going to take a while for a full story to emerge.
Nick Robling, Abu Dhabi
If we kill cats, we will get more rats
I refer to your article Getting rid of unwelcome guests (August 24).
Maybe they wouldn't be facing this problem if they hadn't decided to capture and kill stray cats.
Halla Krawi, Dubai
We need a new global language
I live in London and if anyone says to me "everyone speaks English" my answer is "listen and look around you" (English the lingua franca in China, August 22).
If people in London do not speak English then the whole question of a global language is completely open.
The promulgation of English as the world's "lingua franca" is impractical and linguistically undemocratic. I say this as a native English speaker.
It's impractical because communication should be for all and not only for an educational or political elite.
That is how English is used internationally at the moment.
It's undemocratic because minority languages are under attack worldwide due to the encroachment of majority ethnic languages. Even Mandarin Chinese is attempting to dominate.
A long-term solution must be found and a non-national language, which places all ethnic languages on an equal footing, is essential.
Brian Barker, UK
Parents abuse guardianship right
Quite sad to read Prison for couple who conceived outside of wedlock (August 22).
How can a father destroy the life of his own daughter by being stubborn and vengeful?
Guardianship in Islam was introduced to protect a minor's interests and well-being, and not to gain total control over a person's life. A Muslim father must not misuse his rights of guardianship and must take into consideration the wishes of his children when they reach marriageable age.
If a guardian misuses his right there should be a system, in places run by Islamic Shari'ah, to ensure that lives aren't destroyed actions.
F Baasleim, Dubai
EU should provide aid instead of US
Congresswoman Kay Granger, who apparently writes America's annual foreign aid bill, has threatened the Palestinian Authority that she will suspend $500 million worth of annual aid if it goes ahead with its bid for statehood at the United Nations next month.
Mrs Granger is currently in Israel among a delegation of 25 Republican congressmen sponsored by an affiliate of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
That being the threat, it would seem imperative that the EU, as a non-aligned entity, should now replace the US in providing aid to the PA in its bid for recognition and a regional peace settlement.
John Kidd, UK
Unequal wealth is the root of all art
The magnificent old works of art in your photo feature The art of giving (August 23) got me thinking: throughout history it has always been true that some people have amassed great wealth, while others were very poor.
In many cultures, one frequent result of this income inequality has been some really beautiful works of art, made lavishly with the best materials.
If everyone had had an equal share of wealth, who would have been the patrons of the arts?
Andrew Morgan, US
Politicians need common touch
I feel sorry for Sally Bercow (British MP's wife TV appearance upsets establishment, August 23). Even in the West, it seems, a woman can't have her own professional or public life without people saying it reflects badly on her husband. To me, she is much less stuffy than he is. Politicians need more of the common touch, not less.
Maude Hammersly, Dubai