A reader says Europe should take a tough stand on illegal immigration. Alberto Pizzoli / AFP
A reader says Europe should take a tough stand on illegal immigration. Alberto Pizzoli / AFP

Take a tough stand on illegals



I refer to HA Hellyer's opinion article Libya demands a new solution for its problems (April 24).

Where there is misery and desperation, there will be someone willing to take advantage and make some money.

Europe needs to send a clear message that even if they do make the crossing alive, they will be returned to Libya.

They also need to step up the programme of destroying the boats, not just the ones that make it to European shores. They should destroy the ones in Libya before they leave.

Daniel R, Abu Dhabi

Transport links could be improved

I am an Indian expatriate who has lived in Dubai for 35 years (How much it costs UAE residents to travel to work, April 25). I have seen how the emirate has developed.

Life is extremely comfortable here today and most of us are used to living in this way.

In fact, an abundance of comfort has, to some extent, made people lazy. This is why some of us complain about everything.

Having said that, there are many genuine problems that need to be looked into. One of them involves the Dubai Metro. If it were extended to Sharjah, it would benefit hundreds of thousands of people. Driving is a nightmare for Sharjah residents. They have to spend hours every day commuting to Dubai.

So basically, what I want to say is that despite all the facilities we enjoy, there is room for improvement.

Mathew Litty, Dubai

Stress is the ultimate cost of commuting. We squander health in search of wealth. Then we squander wealth in search of health.

Abu Waleed Al Maghribi, Sharjah

Local produce tastes better

With reference to your article The world is their oyster (April 21), the more expensive the lobster the worse the quality as the harder shells travel better. Conversely, the better quality "meat" lobsters with soft shells can barely survive any travel.

Andrew Purker, Dubai

I prefer local vegetables to imported ones. The tomatoes are not pretty, but they are tasty. They are better than the tomatoes from Holland and France, which are tasteless.

Irene Pereira, Dubai

Great initiative on workers

It’s a great scheme (Initiative to feed Dubai workers, April 21). Workers who build great cities like Dubai deserve to be treated respectfully.

Kari-Pekka Lankinen, Dubai

It’s commendable that the community is assisting these poor people. But this is not a community issue. These people’s wages are miserable, which leads to this situation. This issue should be addressed in earnest.

Name withheld by request

Why would they need a charity to feed them if they were paid properly and taken care of by their employers?

Famida Malik, Dubai

Don’t neglect the past

Many old and historic buildings have been demolished in Abu Dhabi (Should we preserve rough diamonds? April 25). These were the types of buildings we came to when we moved to Abu Dhabi 35 years ago. Please preserve them.

Josie Gonzalez Nabti, Abu Dhabi

We should try to preserve our history.

One way to do this is to preserve old architecture.

Rachida Djebel, Abu Dhabi

I agree that these buildings should be preserved. But who’s going to pay for their maintenance?

Jameel Ahmed, Abu Dhabi

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%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.