I write in reference to your article Hong Kong-China mega bridge fitted with 'yawn cams and heart monitors' (October 24): the longest sea bridge in the world, connecting Hong Kong, mainland China and Macau, was inaugurated by the Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday. This is merely the latest extraordinary development to come out of China this year. It is laudable – if somewhat unsurprising – that the Chinese have constructed the globe's longest sea-bridge at the cost of billions of dollars.
This will have significant and far-reaching consequences for China’s construction and manufacturing sectors and will be a boon for trade. Kudos to Beijing for achieving this mammoth project.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
Ditching exams might help us solve global problems
I write in reference to your article Dubai universities drop exams to focus on 'the real world' (October 22). What an excellent and innovative idea. Examinations are just tests of retention and recall, and therefore not an indicator of either ability or independent thinking, both of which are highly needed faculties today. Project work will stimulate student thinking and this might just result in us finding clues to many of the key problems facing the world.
Name withheld by request
The lottery is just another way of exploiting the poor
I write in reference to your online article Americans on edge for record $1.6 billion jackpot in Mega Millions drawing (October 24): this is an utter disgrace, when one thinks of the abject poverty that millions of Americans live in. It should be banned and all funds directed to charitable causes. It is comparable to indoctrination of the poor, by giving them false hope.
Tanya Milbourne, Dubai
The number of people living in poverty who spend hard-earned money on the lottery every day is very sad.
Beverly Newell, RAK
Praise for the UAE: one of the world’s most open countries
Please refer to your article UAE Cabinet issues new policy to protect senior citizens (October 22). Wonderful news. May God protect this lovely and friendly country, which embraces you the moment you put your foot on its soil. No one is a stranger here in the UAE, and there are no barriers to success – religious, linguistic or racial. This policy for senior citizens is truly amazing.
Name withheld by request
VAT waivers for tourists will be a boon to retailers
Please refer to your article Tourists visiting UAE can reclaim VAT on their shopping from November (October 24). This is an excellent move and a great incentive to tourists. It will be an advantage to retailers who are VAT compliant.
Robert Castro, Dubai