A happy birthday or whoops apocalypse?

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/11/a-happy-birthday-or-whoops-apocalypse

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Surviving a missile crisis | On a cliff edge | Truss’s travel bill | Halloween shocker | Weighing a pie | Channelling Nostradamus

I was born on 27 October 1962, the same day that the US air force pilot Rudolf Anderson Jr was shot down over Cuba, becoming the only person killed by enemy fire during the Cuban missile crisis. My dad used to joke that I was lucky to be born at all. I’ll be 60 in a couple of weeks – if I make it that far. Somewhere in the firmament, Dad is yet again tossing a coin.Mike GalvinWinchcombe, Gloucestershire

As a new teacher in the 1960s, while preparing my students for exams, I asked: “Is there anything else you’d like me to go over?” “Yes, Miss – the edge of a cliff,” came the reply from a girl at the back. Sorry dear, but I’m still alive at 85 (Letters, 9 October).Celia Weber Earley, Berkshire

How is it even possible for Liz Truss to have spent £454,000 on a trip to Australia and £229,000 on a trip to Washington DC (Report, 9 October)? Are there rogue noughts in those figures?Katherine HindStocksfield, Northumberland

Kwasi Kwarteng is to outline his fiscal plan on 31 October (Report, 10 October). Is Halloween a good day to bury bad news?Jude CarrLondon

I’m not sure whether you can grow a pie (Letters, 9 October), but you can certainly weigh one, somewhere over the rainbow.Catherine GrahamManchester

If Nostradamus predicted the end of the world in 1999, why would he bother with predictions for 2022-23 (G2, 10 October)?Tony CoghanLondon