Blood tests prove illegal pesticide killed girl, 2 (September 12) mentions a fine of Dh1,000 or less, but this is almost a licence to kill.
How much did the flat-owner or resident pay the pesticide company for the job. Shouldn't there be blood money? Has any consideration been given to criminal proceedings?
George Markoff, Abu Dhabi
The news report says the fine in that pesticide death will be Dh500 to Dh1,000.
Does anyone really consider that to be a regulation tough enough to prevent such companies from using these dangerous products?
We should be more severe when it comes to people's lives.
Ausama Albu-Hadla, Canada
Dog-walkers must remove pet mess
Every morning, in neighbourhoods all around our beautiful capital, an army of maids can be seen walking an army of dogs.
Sadly, the evidence of these morning jaunts is left on the greens of our parks, and on pavements, because many maids and owners do not do their duty.
This is disgusting and uncivilised. Owners should require employees to clean up after their pets.
Mohamed Kanoo, Abu Dhabi
Coffee prices should be falling
I was not surprised by Strong coffee price declines do not filter into UAE pockets (September 12).
Strange how quickly companies pass along cost increases, and how slowly they move their retail prices when wholesale supplies become cheaper.
In fairness there is always a "pipeline" effect: your retailer probably bought the coffee beans you are consuming this morning in a contract agreed months ago, at whatever the prevailing price was back then.
Still, the real test of fairness in transmitting price changes is profitability, and all of these chains are doing well enough that they keep opening new branches all over the world. It's a nice business to be in, apparently.
Andrew Calderon, Dubai
School fees just keep on going up
My daughter's ninth- and tenth-grade schooling costs more than Dh58,000 a year, plus books and materials plus uniforms plus bus transportation plus school lunches, plus two field trips.
And this is just high school, not college. And these schools cannot guarantee that the students are ready for good universities.
And now I have been told that the price will go up sharply for this year. Even the school lunches have gone up in cost.
Monica Carver, Dubai
Writing a cheque shouldn't be risky
I refer to The dangers of writing a cheque in the UAE (September 9).
Does it really make sense to throw people in jail when a cheque bounces? Aren't there other approaches that would result in less disruption for everyone? Jail time should be a last resort.
Joe Servant, Abu Dhabi
The story about bad cheques reveals a problem that needs to be regulated.
Banks should not cash cheques before the due date. And on each cheque, the payer should add a concise note explaining the reason for the payment; this would alert a cashier in the event of strange circumstances.
Muhammad Naeem ul Fateh, UK
Jolie offers no help to Syrian refugees
I refer to Angelina Jolie in Jordan to visit Syrian refugees (September 11) and the related video on your website thenational.ae.
I'm sure the presence of a rich white Hollywood actress will make families feel better about losing everything and being massacred.
Cory Fletcher, Dubai
Taste test helpful so please do more
The comparisons of similar food items from different supermarkets (Food: It's all wrapped up, September 12) was helpful but didn't go far enough.
You should consider making this a regular weekly feature, featuring different popular products each week.
Byron Rochester, Abu Dhabi
Diplomats have failed in Syria
Rarely have I seen a sadder headline than Diplomats step up Syria peace efforts (September 12).
Diplomats have been trying, in their languorous well-fed limousine-driven way, to solve Syria's problems for more than a year. Except for the Russians and Chinese.
There's a time for diplomacy, and a time for strategic bombing.
James Maskoulis, US
