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GCL makes opening move, dazzling Dubai with glittering ceremony

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Dubai witnessed a historic moment in the world of chess as the inaugural edition of the Global Chess League officially opened with a dazzling ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

Chess enthusiasts, dignitaries, and renowned personalities from around the world gathered in the City of Gold to witness the official opening of a pioneering project poised to redefine the image of chess and revolutionise the perception of the game worldwide.

Among the VIPs at the event were Saeed Mohammed Hareb (Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council), Anand Mahindra (Chairman of the Mahindra Group), Arkady Dvorkovich (President of the International Chess Federation, FIDE) famous Australian cricketer Steve Waugh, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza as well as CP Gurnani (Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tech Mahindra). They were joined by Parag Shah, Director – Global Chess League and Member of Group Executive Board, Mahindra Group,  and Jagdish Mitra, Chairperson of the Global Chess League Board.

The ceremony marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for chess, as the Global Chess League aims to revolutionize the game and expand its reach globally.

The 36 Grandmasters taking part in the event are among the best in the world and include former World Champions Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand, two-time challenger for the title of World Champion Ian Nepomniachtchi, former Blitz world champions Levon Aronian and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and others.

 

Broadcast bonanza

With a wide-ranging broadcast footprint encompassing almost every territory worldwide on OTT and over 140 linear broadcast markets, Global Chess League will be the most widely distributed chess tournament of all time.

The league has agreed on media rights deals with some of the biggest names in global sports broadcasting to make chess a truly global sport, reaching hundreds of millions of potential households across 225 countries and territories. Notable names in sports broadcasting, who have signed on, include:


 

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Don’t cross here: Abu Dhabi Police issue fresh warning

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Pedestrians in Abu Dhabi are being reminded to use designated bridges, tunnels and crossings to stay safe and help reduce road accidents, according to Abu Dhabi Police.

The advisory comes as part of GCC Traffic Week 2026, held under the theme “I Cross Safely,” which focuses on improving road safety awareness across the region.

Officials warned that crossing roads from undesignated areas remains a high-risk behaviour, putting both pedestrians and drivers in danger, especially on busy roads where vehicles may not be able to stop in time.

Pedestrian crossings in place

Authorities highlighted that the UAE’s road network includes well-equipped pedestrian bridges, tunnels and marked crossings, designed to ensure safe and smooth movement across major roads.

Shared responsibility

Police are urging residents and visitors alike to follow traffic rules and act responsibly, stressing that road safety depends on collective efforts from both pedestrians and motorists.

For residents, the message is simple: use the right crossing points to stay safe and avoid unnecessary risks.

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US issues advisory in UAE after security alerts

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The US Mission to the UAE has advised American expats in the country to remain alert following warnings of potential aerial threats.

The guidance comes after alerts issued by the UAE Ministry of Interior, with officials confirming that recent aerial threats were successfully intercepted.

A Level 3 Reconsider Travel advisory from the US Department of State remains in place, urging citizens to exercise increased caution while in the country.

Embassy operations continue with adjustments

The US Embassy Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai remain open but are operating with reduced staffing under an ordered departure status, with non-essential personnel temporarily relocated.

Routine visa services are currently suspended, although emergency consular services remain available.

What US expats should know?

Authorities have encouraged citizens to stay informed through official channels and be prepared to follow safety instructions if needed, including temporary shelter-in-place measures.

Precautionary advice includes:

  • Staying away from windows during incidents
  • Keeping basic emergency supplies ready
  • Maintaining communication with family members

Officials say the situation is being closely monitored, with further updates expected as needed. UAE authorities have emphasised that response systems are active and effective, with safety remaining a top priority.

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Pakistan restores passport services in UAE after 8-day disruption

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Passport services at Pakistani missions in the UAE have resumed, bringing relief to thousands of expats affected by a recent outage.

The Consulate General of Pakistan and Embassy of Pakistan confirmed that passport services are now fully operational as of Tuesday, May 5.

The disruption, which lasted around eight days, was caused by a technical fault at the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGI & P) headquarters in Islamabad, leading to a temporary suspension of passport services at missions abroad from April 29.

What should applicants do now?

Officials have advised applicants to visit embassies and consulates during designated service hours to complete passport applications and renewals.

Wider impact across the Gulf

The outage affected Pakistani missions across multiple countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait, leaving many unable to process documents during the disruption.

Pakistanis expats can now move forward, easing pressure for those needing urgent travel or documentation.

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