Latest news with #MetroTalk
Metro
9 hours ago
- Health
- Metro
Let them take the ferry - Reader says Schengen Agreement would stop the boats
Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. The papers continue to report almost daily stories about the high numbers of Channel boat crossings. It beggars belief that armed French police just watch as migrants board craft. What is the point of them being armed if they are no deterrent? Perhaps they just have pistols and need machine guns to ward off the traffickers who may also be armed?! But we are paying them millions to prevent the boats leaving. I strongly believe we should be in the Schengen Agreement – part of borderless Europe – and then these dangerous journeys would stop as people would be able to get here on ferries and trains. And perhaps these people desperate to come to this country would find that the grass isn't greener over the other side of the Channel and return to continental Europe to find a country where the standard of living is higher. In that way, they wouldn't have to spend thousands of euros and then feel that they are stuck here. Of course, Border Forces would have to do more of the checking of restaurants, car washes, nail bars and other workplaces that they already visit to check they aren't hiring illegal workers. But all these massive sums spent on fruitlessly trying to stop many of the boats could be diverted, increasing the Border Forces operations in the UK. Penny Munden, Croydon The director-general of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reported on Tuesday this week that the Noura Al-Kaabi Kidney Dialysis Center in the north of Gaza is now 'a pile of rubble'. This after it was apparently destroyed by the Israeli military. Dr Ghebreyesus added that 'the destruction of this health facility directly endangers the lives of patients with kidney failure'. Assuming there was no military threat from the building, is there any reason why this destruction should be described as anything other than racist violence by the Israeli government? Kevin, Watford To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Are there any depths to which the Israeli government can sink in its genocide of the Palestinians for some people to stop saying, 'It's all the fault of Hamas'? I doubt it. Mick, West Midlands My dad was a doctor in the 1940s. He would have morning surgery with no appointments, then go out on his rounds to see patients at their home. He came back for lunch, then it was out again in the afternoon to see patients, back for tea, then evening surgery. After that, he would be on call at night and many a time had to visit for emergencies. Somehow, I don't think doctors today would work that hard. S Rushworth, Southport Richard Row (MetroTalk, Wed) defends Elon Musk's work slashing US government spending as drastic but necessary. What efficiencies did he make exactly? And he's left things in a 'better' position? For whom? All he did was take money from some of the poorest people. It was completely unnecessary. Agatha, Surrey MORE: The Metro daily cartoon by Guy Venables MORE: Next launches limited edition Spoil Him Grooming Box worth £88 ahead of Father's Day MORE: Boy, 14, 'hacked to death in an instant by man with Samurai sword' on way to school
Metro
a day ago
- Business
- Metro
Readers fed up with funding France while borders stay broken
Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. Regarding your front page story about 1,194 migrants crossing the Channel in a single day, the highest number this year (Metro, Mon). Britain's borders have been broken for years. It's about time we stopped paying France £480,000 per day for them doing nothing to stop the 'small boats'. This money could be used very much better here at home for many projects. The money already sent should also be reclaimed, or else there must be some concrete agreement that the French will uphold with guarantees in place. Rob, York To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Former Conservative home secretary James Cleverly and Reform leader Nigel Farage blame the government for the number of Channel crossings. The number of asylum seekers arriving across the Channel has significantly increased since 2023. Britain left the EU on January 31, 2020. Under the so-called Dublin Convention, European law had allowed Britain to send requests to other mainland countries to take charge of or to take back asylum applications. Britain no longer has the power to ask France, or any other mainland European country to take back asylum seekers. Both Mr Cleverly and Mr Farage advocated we leave the EU and the protection afforded by The Dublin Convention. Fi O'Connor, Broadstairs (On The English Channel) Robert James (MetroTalk, Tue) is correct to say that there will always be problems on the railway network, whether it is government or privately operated. What sticks in most people's throats the most, however, is individuals creaming off huge profits and bonuses at the expense of a shoddy service. As we have seen with the water debacle. It just seems worse somehow when it is privately owned. It's a bit like staying at a B&B and being told there is no breakfast and the hot water and heating is intermittent, only to then see the owner five minutes later in the hallway with their holiday cases packed. Ta-ra, I'll send you a postcard. Dec, Essex Mount Etna has had a bit of an eruption with a lot of noise, smoke and a 'code red' warning. There is certainly the potential for far more destruction and without any real warning. Etna is nature's version of Donald Trump, a lot of hot air and very destructive with no way to control what comes next. Etna could keep erupting on and off forever, whereas Trump only has about three-and-a-half years to cause damage – but that might still be enough time to mess up the US, its economy, its medical and education system along with many other aspects of the country. Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia The letter from Stephen Spark (MetroTalk, Mon) attacking Elon Musk for his cuts to US government spending cannot go unchallenged. People like him jump on the bandwagon of narrow-minded hatred toward a certain individual, oblivious of the bigger picture. They don't understand that sometimes drastic measures are required if something is to change… for the better! More Trending Mr Musk did exactly that. There will always be casualties as a consequence but that's the sad reality of getting out of the bad position and into a better one. Would it have been better, as Mr Spark seems to suggest, for the US to continue with the terrible level of money being wasted? I also find it disingenuous when people like him say things regarding Mr Musk and the chainsaw – used as a prop to represent the amount of money he was going to chop from the state budget. What's wrong with a little larking about? Also, the matter of the 'Nazi salute' given by Mr Musk at the Trump rally is nothing short of pathetic – the man was merely giving thanks to everyone by indicating 'to everyone' with a common arm and hand gesture. Suddenly that's a 'Nazi salute' by Mr Musk haters. No, it wasn't! There's a lack of intelligence going on there – and unreasonable hatred. I'm not a great fan of Mr Musk but I don't loathe him either. I look at things rationally, unlike some other people. It would behove them to do the same and society would be all the better for it. Richard Row, Harborne MORE: The Metro daily cartoon by Guy Venables MORE: Three Brits face firing squad for 'smuggling cocaine inside Angel Delight sachets' MORE: Soldier was 'degraded' by superior officers before being found dead in barracks
Metro
2 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
Give that dog a seat – he's cleaner than most commuters
Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. Noel complained about two guys letting their dog occupy a Tube seat as it was unhygienic and taking up space (Metro Talk, Fri). I'm sure in this civilised country nobody would want to deprive a dog of a seat. And animals unhygienic? What about passengers in dirty work uniforms and hi-vis? Surely they could pack their dirty clothing in a holdall. Betty, London My dog always has a window seat on the train. Human passengers have even moved so he can have a seat and transport staff often greet him. In any case, dogs are often far more hygienic than people. They also don't leave rubbish behind, fare dodge or cause disruption, delaying trains! Enough said. Natty J, Findon Valley Clark (MetroTalk, Fri) says cats kill 55million birds and 220million small mammals in the UK every statistics come from a 2003 survey conducted by the Mammal Society and have been challenged by more than one association since.I was wondering whether Clark had considered that many birds are killed by flying into wind turbines, windows and other structures. Then there's intensified farming, pesticides, reduction in their natural insect food, pollution and reduction in natural green birds die before they can breed, which has a very negative outcome on the bird population in UK!Each year, many wild birds migrate. On route a high number are caught and eaten, so people are killing them, too. To blame cats alone is the easy way out and doesn't consider the environmental issues that are really playing havoc with the health and death of the bird population (and our own health). And as to cats messing in gardens, the pigeons and magpies keep leaving big dollops of poo on my washing and garden path. It carries diseases and means I have to use lots of water to clean it off. But that's all a part of nature – I love all animals! Dawn Cole, Faversham Your lead story concerning the prime minister's criticisms of Nigel Farage (Metro, Fri) contrasted his comments with the support shown for Reform UK in opinion polls and stated that Sir Keir's approval ratings had slipped. But a YouGov poll on May 27 showed Mr Farage as the people's least popular choice for PM, behind Sir Keir, Sir Ed Davey and even Kemi Badenoch. In a straight contest between Sir Keir and Mr Farage, 44 per cent preferred Sir Keir and just 29 per cent opted for Mr Farage. This was an improvement of eight points for Sir Keir since February. Mr Farage referred to the PM as 'resorting to dirty tricks' in his criticism. If Mr Farage considers he went outside the bounds of fair criticism, let him sue. If he loses, he can always blame a 'rogue judge' like his hero, Donald Trump. Paul Johnson, Ilford Fred is pleased with his renationalised South Western Railway service (MetroTalk, Fri). Give it a couple of years and the problems will be back. Privately or government operated, the railway will never run perfectly, whether because of driver shortages, infrastructure problems or whatever else… Robert James, St Albans Fred wants them to drop the livery etc for South Western Railway and replace it with Great British present, GBR is just something that is planned. The legal entity that started operating the SWR network on May 25 is South Western Railway Ltd, which replaced First MTR South Western Trains Ltd. The operator will continue to trade under its current name until the government has got the legislation to create GBR through parliament. What happened on May 25 was a bit like re-arranging the deckchairs on the Titanic – the only changes were the owner and the managing director. It will take a while for anything to really change. This is because ownership wasn't the problem with the railways, it was the structure and how it operated. Ian Hardy, Hounslow Can I add mine to the occasional doctors jokes you've been running? I went private and paid £100 for a urine test. They're taking the pee. Hassan, Bromley I went to hospital and saw a man holding a sign saying 'and emergency'. I asked where he'd got it and he said, 'I found it by accident…' Gerry, Deptford MORE: The Metro daily cartoon by Guy Venables MORE: Benefits cheat mum said she had severe MS while posting about running 10k races MORE: Rest easier with Emma Sleep's Summer Sale – shop our top picks with up to 20% off
Metro
3 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
Readers say Elon Musk's not the victim he thinks he is
Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. It touched my heart to read Elon Musk's lament about being treated unfairly by the White House as he leaves his role in Donald Trump's administration (Metro, Thu). The Tesla boss said his department of government efficiency was 'becoming the whipping boy for everyone'. Well, yes, there are reasons for that. Government departments gutted and deprived of experienced, dedicated staff, thousands made jobless, livelihoods wrecked and families thrown into uncertainty. It's not the best way to become Mr Popular. Around the globe, ordinary people such as us are powerless against an unelected tyrant with a chainsaw who mimics the Nazi salute. Is it surprising that some take out their frustration on Musk's most potent symbol, which some call the Swasticar? So sorry you don't feel appreciated, Elon, but perhaps you should have read the safety instructions before you used that chainsaw. Stephen Spark, Balham Saudi Arabia imprisons its women for disobedience and makes them go though hell (Metro, Thu), while in this country it buys football teams etc. So much for human rights – money talks. If Vladimir Putin had bought a football team, we would have stood by and let him take over the world. Alan, Sunderland To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Further to the debate on the issue in light of Sir Keir Starmer's 'reset' deal with the EU, it doesn't matter whether Brexit was good or bad, it was the will of the people. If this country is a democracy, then we should abide by it. Roger, Wolverhampton Thank you for Clark's letter calling for a £300 cat licence to combat the environmental damage caused by the popular pets in killing millions of birds and small mammals each year (MetroTalk, Fri). It did brighten my morning commute and was a much-needed diversion from the norm. Perhaps Clark would care to expand on his theme and explain how it would be administered or enforced. Leaving aside these logistical issues, I would say that given that we humans are the primary engineers of the planet's destruction, it is somewhat unreasonable to lay the blame on creatures who are only doing what nature has programmed them to do. A lot of the small mammals referred to are unwelcome invaders of our homes. We spend money on traps, poisons and other preventative measures, which have a knock-on effect on wildlife and the environment. To address Clark's point about cats' mess, in what way is flushing your toilet and leaving waste products for someone else to deal with any different from cats messing outside their 'gardens'? How would you go about educating them? Share the Land Registry plans with them, maybe? Marc, Halifax (Owned By A Cat) Motorists have complained about a £2million Dutch-style 'woke' roundabout opening in Hemel Hempstead, where drivers must give priority to pedestrians and then cyclists (Metro, Thu). Some say it's used only by cars and lorries. Not true. Until a few years ago I used it daily by bike to travel to work and every day was a frightening experience. Many work colleagues also cycled or walked this route. As to the driver who reported 'needing eyes everywhere' to navigate it, should that not be what they are required to do anyway? Alan Croxley, via email Given how many you've published of late, do you have to write a not-funny doctor joke to get in the paper nowadays? Anyway, there's a true story that's much funnier. Bristol Zoo's Alfred the gorilla died in 1948, was then stuffed and exhibited in the museum. More Trending He was stolen in 1956 but turned up in a doctors' waiting room three days later. The receptionist told a doctor there was someone in a gorilla suit in the waiting room. The doctor said, 'Tell him to get stuffed!' The theft remained a mystery until the death of Bristol estate agent in 2010. His family admitted he and others had stolen the gorilla as a rag-week stunt. G Perry, Bristol By way of reply to Stuart's ode to the R68 bus (MetroTalk, Tue). I confess I cannot compete with a Royal Palace or the National Archives at Kew / Nevertheless I serve a purpose, too / Every day my passengers might be heard to say, Oh 33 / Where would I be without you there to ferry me? / Here to work, there to play / Here by night and there by day? / From Castelnau to Fulwell Garage / No one should this route disparage! Pat Erasmus, Teddington MORE: 'Philip Kingsley's Swimcap is my new summer essential for sun and sea haircare' MORE: River Thames boat fire leaves baby and eight others in hospital MORE: Britain to spend £1,500,000,000 on new weapons factories in 'message' to Putin
Metro
6 days ago
- Metro
Readers say spitting men can jog on along with racists and dogs on trains
Do you agree with our readers? Have your say on these MetroTalk topics and more in the comments. I was disgusted to read Alice Giddings' investigation into how she was among thousands of women spat at by men while out jogging (Metro, Wed). The feature was part of Metro's This Is Not Right campaign to highlight the epidemic of violence against women and girls. In the same edition, you reported on Mark Keel, 33, who murdered his partner Maxine Clark after subjecting her and previous partners to mental and physical abuse. I am angered and saddened at these cowardly acts. I can only say that I am glad my time is running out as this is not the world I was raised in. Brian, Edinburgh I want to apologise to the guy on the train from Waterloo to Hastings at 9pm on Wednesday. The racist young guy shouting at you, telling you, 'When we get in, we're gonna get rid of you,' shouting about Reform and immigration, does not represent the views of most of us who had to witness that. You did really well to keep calm. Thank you to the conductor who acted quickly, too. Mike, Tunbridge Wells To the two guys on the Victoria line travelling north at Stockwell on Monday shortly after midday, who took up three seats because they sat a dog between them. You both knew this was unhygienic and prevented other people from having a seat. You both kept looking over at me because I had my transport uniform on. Please be aware that you are not the only ones who use the Tube. Noel, South London As a regular commuter on the railway from Hampshire to Waterloo, I for one am pleased my line has now been renationalised. But I do wish the staff would stop referring to the previous company name of South Western Railway! Not only is it free advertising for the former company of MTR and FirstGroup but it has the stigma of an atrocious service. Please, get the new livery, logos and name of Great British Railways out there as soon as possible. Fred, Hampshire UK governments go on about saving the environment. Well, here is a simple start. Cats kill 55million birds in the UK plus 220million small mammals every year. Introduce a tax of £300 a year for each cat and watch the numbers tumble. As an aside, it's one of the great mysteries of life but why do cats never mess in their own gardens? Clark Cross, Linlithgow Helen Shaw (MetroTalk, Wed) says it's 'insane' for politicians of different parties to want to limit the number of foreign students in the UK because universities can only survive through their higher fees. The problem is not that we have too few international students but that we educate too few British students here. Sensible countries such as Germany do not impose exorbitant tuition fees on home students. More Trending The answer is not to continue forcing our universities to be profit-making – an approach that is failing. We must invest in them as vital parts of our industrial infrastructure, working to develop Britain as an advanced industrial-knowledge economy. Will Podmore, London To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Nigel Farage is the Pied Piper of politics with a dash of 'dodgy estate agent'. He'll say and do anything to get your attention and lead you astray. But when you take a look at his smoke-and-mirrors policies, he's more Liz Truss 0.2 than the second coming… and look where that got us. Guy Wilkins, London I told my doctor I couldn't stop stealing things. He said, 'Take these pills for a week and if they don't work, can you get me a 42in flatscreen TV?' Jeff, Nuneaton MORE: Live jazz, dinner and drinks in Mayfair: 10 unmissable Time Out deals MORE: The Metro daily cartoon by Guy Venables MORE: Spanish Grand Prix: McLaren on top but Lando Norris is still wary of Max Verstappen in F1 title race
