The decent way for countries to engage with the Taliban | Brief letters

You report concerns over increased diplomatic contact with Afghanistan and the Taliban (15 August). If nations wish to establish contact with the country and improve human rights, especially for women, may I suggest that they only use women to negotiate and to staff diplomatic bases. They might also insist on only dealing with women. If the Taliban desire legitimacy let them have it on decent terms.Martin CooperBromley, London To help us talk about the weather (How can we talk about this extreme weather now that it’s a battleground in the culture wars?, 14 August), my friend Nic Ford and I have coined the term apranxiety – a portmanteau of apricity (the warmth of the sun in winter) and anxiety. We are hoping it becomes common parlance.Rachel PapworthBrighton, East Sussex I am perhaps more fortunate than Sue Christian (Letters, 13 August) in that a weed I struggled to eliminate has flourished in the present climatic conditions. Soapwort’s pink flowers have popped up everywhere and are a delight to see.Jim GrindleFormby, Merseyside Oh that Thomas Paine had the opportunity to turn in his grave (Letters, 11 August). His remains were dug up in 1819, 10 years after his burial, and their whereabouts are still a bone of contention.Christopher Osborne West Bridgford, Nottingham Saving £50bn from welfare cuts (Reform accused of targeting the most vulnerable with £50bn benefit cut, 16 August)? Sounds like something you would put on the side of a bus.Murray GrayHarleston, Norfolk