I refer to your article Trump takes conciliatory tone in his renewed warning to North Korea (November 8). In his recent visit to South Korea, US president Donald Trump issued renewed warnings to North Korea over its nuclear activity, but he seems to have changed tone this time by urging Pyongyang to make a deal. Does this mean a change of stance or was he in over his head all along? Only time will tell.
K Ragavan, India
Upcoming UAE projects unrivalled in size and scope
In reference to your article, Abu Dhabi's new Midfield terminal to offer gateway to cultural heart of the UAE (November 6). Great infrastructure work and an unbeatable set of future strategic plans across all sectors.
Michael Caine, Dubai
It's about time residents indulged in a little DIY
I refer to Revealed: The car-washing habits of the UAE (November 5), I wash my own car. It is in such areas that you can save little. All it takes is a bit of thought, time and patience. I say practice a little DIY before it's too late. Why rely on someone else?
Mathew Litty, Dubai
JLT traffic chaos was never this bad
In reference to your article Dubai Jumeirah Lake Towers traffic chaos: Hundreds of commuters stuck in gridlock (November 6). The only reason anyone would be driving around JLT would be because they either need to leave or enter the actual area, in which case, what "alternative route" could there possibly be?
Toby Masson, Dubai
They urged people to "take an alternative route". How could I when I actually live there? I left my car on the sand and walked home. Roadworks cannot cause chaos like they did on Monday. It never happened in the past when road works were there for months.
Alessia Osti, Dubai
Financial goals are getting harder to stick to
Your article Seven in ten UAE residents unsure how to achieve their financial goals (November 6) was an interesting read. When the cost of living has become so exorbitant, how much can residents be expected to save? We are under so much financial strain that we can't even lend a helping hand to those in need. Salaries are stagnant and taxes are on the horizon. Goals are well and good, but there are many variables that can get in the way.
Name withheld by request
US gun laws are as destructive as the havoc they have brought about
Rob Crilly's article Trump calls Texas shooting a 'mental health problem' (November 6) was comprehensive and eye-opening. When are Americans going to realise their gun rules are more destructive than the amendment that the National Rifle Association twisted to justify their existence?
Jeff Holzl, Dubai
Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff
By Sean Penn
Simon & Schuster
Three-day coronation
Royal purification
The entire coronation ceremony extends over three days from May 4-6, but Saturday is the one to watch. At the time of 10:09am the royal purification ceremony begins. Wearing a white robe, the king will enter a pavilion at the Grand Palace, where he will be doused in sacred water from five rivers and four ponds in Thailand. In the distant past water was collected from specific rivers in India, reflecting the influential blend of Hindu and Buddhist cosmology on the coronation. Hindu Brahmins and the country's most senior Buddhist monks will be present. Coronation practices can be traced back thousands of years to ancient India.
The crown
Not long after royal purification rites, the king proceeds to the Baisal Daksin Throne Hall where he receives sacred water from eight directions. Symbolically that means he has received legitimacy from all directions of the kingdom. He ascends the Bhadrapitha Throne, where in regal robes he sits under a Nine-Tiered Umbrella of State. Brahmins will hand the monarch the royal regalia, including a wooden sceptre inlaid with gold, a precious stone-encrusted sword believed to have been found in a lake in northern Cambodia, slippers, and a whisk made from yak's hair.
The Great Crown of Victory is the centrepiece. Tiered, gold and weighing 7.3 kilograms, it has a diamond from India at the top. Vajiralongkorn will personally place the crown on his own head and then issues his first royal command.
The audience
On Saturday afternoon, the newly-crowned king is set to grant a "grand audience" to members of the royal family, the privy council, the cabinet and senior officials. Two hours later the king will visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred space in Thailand, which on normal days is thronged with tourists. He then symbolically moves into the Royal Residence.
The procession
The main element of Sunday's ceremonies, streets across Bangkok's historic heart have been blocked off in preparation for this moment. The king will sit on a royal palanquin carried by soldiers dressed in colourful traditional garb. A 21-gun salute will start the procession. Some 200,000 people are expected to line the seven-kilometre route around the city.
Meet the people
On the last day of the ceremony Rama X will appear on the balcony of Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall in the Grand Palace at 4:30pm "to receive the good wishes of the people". An hour later, diplomats will be given an audience at the Grand Palace. This is the only time during the ceremony that representatives of foreign governments will greet the king.
UAE WARRIORS RESULTS
Featherweight
Azouz Anwar (EGY) beat Marcelo Pontes (BRA)
TKO round 2
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) beat Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Split points decision
Welterweight
Gimbat Ismailov (RUS) beat Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR)
TKO round 1
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) beat Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Unanimous points decision
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) beat Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
TKO round 1
Catchweight 100kg
Marc Vleiger (NED) beat Mohamed Ali (EGY)
Rear neck choke round 1
Featherweight
James Bishop (NZ) beat Mark Valerio (PHI)
TKO round 2
Welterweight
Abdelghani Saber (EGY) beat Gerson Carvalho (BRA)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) beat Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Unanimous points decision
Bantamweight
Fabio Mello (BRA) beat Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Unanimous points decision
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magomedsultanov (RUS)
TKO round 1
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) beat Jayson Margallo (PHI)
TKO round 3
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) beat Roman Golovinov (UKR)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Submission round 2
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
TKO round 2
