I write with reference to your article Thai cave rescue boys to be Asian cup guests of honour in UAE (January 5).
Last year, the global media was filled with reports concerning the Thai boys who spent 18 days trapped in Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand.
It must have been a terrifying ordeal for them. Thankfully they were rescued.
Now, the three boys and their coach have been honored as special guests at the Asian Cup football tournament, to be held in Abu Dhabi.
All were part of the 13-strong Wild Boars Football Academy squad.
This is a truly laudable gesture from the UAE and the whole tournament proves the country’s commitment to world-class sport.
I applaud both.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
Pest control is a game of cat and mouse – or perhaps rat
I have just read your article Dubai tenants rattled by rat menace as numbers spike (January 5).
I think that this problem is because we are too busy getting rid of nature’s natural-born pest control – the cat.
This is why the policy of trap, neuter and release for stray cats is so important.
We need to keep cats in our communities and not just get rid of them. Cats have always been the best pest control for rats and mice known to man.
Tanya Milbourne, Dubai
People put lots of food out for cats in alley ways, which not only attracts rats but also has the cats fighting each other for the food.
Name withheld by request
Pope’s visit is good news for the whole of the UAE
While visiting The National’s website, I read about the preparations for Pope Francis’s visit to the UAE in the first week of February. I am very happy to hear the good news.
I had the honour of meeting and talking to Pope Francis in October in the Vatican City. I look forward to reading your coverage of his visit to the UAE next month.
Mobeen Khaja, Association of Progressive Muslims of Canada, Ottawa
