A valuable and vital effort to end child exploitation

Our readers have their say on child protection, Brexit cartoons, flu and venomous arachnids

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I write with reference to your article Global conference in Abu Dhabi to help combat online child abuse (November 17).

Salam Al Amir’s article on the Interfaith Alliance for

Safer Communities, to be held on November 24 and 25 in Abu Dhabi, under the authority of Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, was a very welcome read.

The event will feature more than 45 religious leaders and child-protection experts, including representatives from the UN, Unicef and various other organisations.

They will speak about protection against child abuse. Today, child trafficking and abuse of children is a pressing global problem and the UAE has taken the initiative help put an end to it. I applaud this.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

The perfect illustration of Britain's Brexit debacle Congratulations to your talented cartoonist Shadi Ghanim, for the excellent depiction of the state of affairs in Britain (November 17).

He showed the British cabinet being ground into minced meat by Brexit. This is all too   true and a sad situation for Britain to find itself in.

After a national referendum, the country’s various factions should have joined together in Brexit.

It was never going to be an easy process and it is impossible for a prime minister to please everyone in both the leave and remain camps.

The verdict itself was very narrow and has fractured the country. However, after the poll, the nation should have united in implementing the decision of the majority.

I sincerely hope Prime Minister May does not lose her job in trying to execute it.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

Flu is an illness that we all need to take seriously  

I write in reference to your article Family of Dubai pupil who died of flu complications urge public not to take sickness lightly (November 14). Flu vaccines do help, but with people travelling all over the world, it is common for different strains of the disease to be picked up that aren't covered by the vaccine.

Doctors need to be more vigilant regarding this disease. Four years ago, I went to a clinic after 10 days of antibiotics and complained that my condition was getting worse. I was completely ignored. Less than 24 hours later, I was placed in an intensive care unit and put on a respirator.

My heart sincerely goes out to this family.

Beverly Newell, Ras Al Khaimah

Poisonous Australian spiders are not new to the UAE

After reading your article Deadly redback spiders on the rise in the UAE – and they are biting (November 13), I want to add that there have been redbacks in Dubai for ages. I remember when my mum used to call the municipality out to exterminate them in 2000.

Jake Peter Myers, Dubai

I hope the deadly funnel web spider doesn’t hitch a ride on someone’s backpack and follow the redback to the UAE.

Jeanene Duncan Blackford, Epping New South Wales