News

Carlsen ‘excited’ about chess league debut in Dubai

Published

2 years ago

May 31, 2023

World Rapid Chess champion Magnus Carlsen is looking forward to the “exciting prospect” of the upcoming Global Chess League (GCL) in the UAE. A joint venture between Tech Mahindra and world governing body FIDE, the GCL will feature Carlsen, a former five-time world chess champion, as an icon player.

With six teams, the inaugural edition of the GCL will be held from June 21 – July 2 at the Dubai Chess & Culture Club in association with the Dubai Sports Council. Grandmaster Carlsen said: “It is an exciting prospect for me to be a part of. This will be something new. Something that has not been done this way in over-the-board chess. I am looking forward to exploring this format in the future.”

Magnus Carlsen is the reigning Rapid Chess world champion.

The league will see each of the six franchises play a total of 10 matches in a double round-robin format, with the winner of each match being decided in a best-of-six board scoring system played simultaneously. The top two teams will qualify for the final and be crowned the World Champion Franchise Team.

Carlsen, who is known for his experimental views on chess, believes that team format matches are something that he really prefers. “Personally I very much enjoy team events and the team spirit within the group. I am looking forward to meeting the other players in the team, and competing with and against the exciting young generation of Indian players. One of the really good things about this tournament is that men and women can compete against each other at the same stage.”

Carlsen also rated the Indian talent that is coming through very highly by saying, “I think India is doing a lot of right things so far, and it is a matter of time before it is clearly the leading chess nation in the world.”

Hailing Tech Mahindra’s involvement with the league as a welcome move, Carlsen said: “I am happy that an ambitious partner like Tech Mahindra has joined the chess ecosystem. I believe this is a positive move for chess.”

Finally, in the conversation, Grandmaster Carlsen also reminisced about his best memories from his chess journey and said that he is thankful for his family’s support. “My family has always been very supportive without ever pushing me, and for that, I’m very grateful. The year we travelled together when I was 13, earning my Grandmaster norms, will always be a fond memory,” he said.

Related Topics:champion Dubai Featured GCL Global Chess League icon IPL Magnus Carlsen team

Staff Reporter

Crime

UAE warns of fake QR codes in public places that steal personal data

Published

1 hour ago

May 2, 2025

Michael Gomes

The UAE Cybersecurity Council has issued a warning about a rise in scams involving fake QR codes placed in public areas to steal personal and banking information.

These scams involve fraudsters placing fake QR code stickers on signboards or digital service areas to trick people into scanning them. Once scanned, the codes redirect users to fake websites that may ask for personal details, banking information, or even install malware on devices.

What to Watch Out For

The Council urges the public to stay alert when using QR codes, especially those found in public spaces like transport stops, parks, or notice boards.

Warning signs include:

Multiple layers of stickers in one location
Suspicious links after scanning
Websites with spelling errors or strange requests for data

Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, explained that scammers use QR codes to install “redirect links” that can lead to phishing websites. He said that while QR codes offer convenience, they also pose cybersecurity risks if not used carefully.

How to Avoid QR Code Scams

Dr Al Kuwaiti shared a few important safety tips:

Only scan codes from trusted locations
Check the link before opening it – avoid those not starting with “https”
Use link-checking or QR code scanner apps with security features
Enable phone protection settings
Never scan random QR codes from unknown sources

What To Do If You Fall for a Scam

If you believe you’ve been scammed:

Contact your bank immediately to freeze the cards
Scan your device for malware
Change all passwords
Report the incident to the authorities

Real-Life Scam Examples in the UAE

Public Transport: A commuter scans a QR code at a bus stop labelled “Check your route.” Instead of the RTA website, it links to a fake login page asking for personal data.
Public Park: A visitor scans a sticker, thinking it provides park info. They’re redirected to a site that asks for a bank card photo and other personal details.

Authorities such as Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) have previously warned about similar scams.

National Cybersecurity Efforts

The Cybersecurity Council is actively working with digital service providers to:

Secure QR code use
Enforce stricter security standards
Run awareness campaigns
Monitor threats and respond quickly

News

Motorist alert: Dubai RTA announces weekend road closures on Emirates Road

Published

3 hours ago

May 2, 2025

Michael Gomes

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced temporary road closures from Friday, May 2, due to ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation works.

Drivers are also being warned about weekend traffic delays on Emirates Road towards Sharjah. The affected area is between Dubai-Al Ain Road and the Al Amardhi–Al Awir Road intersection.

The delays are expected every weekend from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, and will continue until August 30, 2025.

Motorists are advised to plan their routes in advance and allow extra travel time to avoid getting stuck in traffic. The RTA also encourages road users to stay updated through its official channels for any changes.

News

Tax-free salary, travel and other perks: Emirates is hiring 1,500 flying crew

Published

4 hours ago

May 2, 2025

Michael Gomes

On World Pilots’ Day, Emirates celebrated the strength and dedication of its pilots while announcing major recruitment plans as part of its global growth strategy.

The Dubai-based airline reaffirmed its commitment to hire over 1,500 new pilots in the next two years, expanding its 4,600-strong flight crew team.

As part of this expansion, Emirates is actively seeking experienced aviators across four key programmes: Direct Entry Captains, Accelerated Command, First Officers Type Rated, and First Officers Non-Type Rated.

The airline’s Accelerated Command Programme, which fast-tracks First Officers to Captain roles, is already proving successful. More than 80 pilots are currently on track for the upgrade.

Its global recruitment roadshow is visiting over 40 cities, with upcoming stops in Norway, Finland, and Sweden this May, following recent sessions in Italy.

Pilots joining Emirates will fly one of the world’s youngest and most modern fleets, including the Airbus A380, Boeing 777, and the new A350. With a network covering 148 destinations across six continents, Emirates pilots enjoy some of the most scenic flight routes in the industry, from cityscapes like San Francisco and Sydney to natural wonders like the Himalayas and the aurora borealis.

In addition to tax-free salaries, Emirates offers profit sharing, a world-class provident fund, life and health insurance, and retirement benefits.