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“Global Chess League provides a unique opportunity to bond with new minds,” says World No.4 Arjun Erigaisi

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Arjun Erigaisi, the 21-year-old chess prodigy from Warangal, has been creating waves this year with a career-best ranking. He ascended to World No.4 in the FIDE world ratings in June this year after beating France’s Loic Travadon in the French Team Chess Championship 2024.

With the Chess Olympiad starting in Budapest this month and the much-awaited Tech Mahindra Global Chess League starting in London on 3rd October, Arjun exuded confidence and excitement as he prepares for a busy chess season.

“Starting with the Olympiad, I have a long trip coming up, so I am not preparing specifically for any of these events, but I am going about the general preparation that I usually do, expressed a modest Arjun, who will turn up as the Superstar men player for Ganges Grandmasters in the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League Season 2. The franchise owned by Insurekot Sports will feature legendary Vishwanathan Anand as Icon player, Arjun and Parham Maghsoodloo as Superstar men players, Vaishali R and  Nurgyul Salimova as Superstar women players, while Volodar Murzin is part of the team as the Prodigy player.

“Last year, I was on the same team as Magnus Carlsen, and now I am on the same team as Vishy Anand, sir. I remember following the 2013 World Championship Match as a fan, and after 10-11 years, I got the chance to be in the same teams as them. It’s a big delight,” said Arjun. Speaking about his experience from the inaugural season of the Global Chess League held in Dubai, Arjun said, “Season one was a thriller for me. I am very excited and motivated for the second season and hope to perform well this time.”

He further drew parallels with the Indian Premier League and how it helped take franchise-based cricket to a global audience and changed the sport’s landscape. “It’s definitely a great thing that we now have Global Chess League in the chess circuit. I really hope it makes a big impact in the chess world like IPL did to cricket.”

There are a limited number of team chess tournaments, but I love it whenever I get a chance to participate in a team event. This is a bit different from other team events like the Olympiad or World Teams because you wouldn’t know most of your teammates in person, so it presents a unique opportunity to bond with new minds,” he added.

With the Global Chess League being held in London this time, there is a lot of excitement among the chess fraternity. Arjun’s prospects of playing in London are all the more exciting as he has never been to Britain’s capital. “It will be my first visit to London. Hopefully, I will find the time to visit the London Eye, and on the board, I look forward to getting some nice wins. As a team, the goal is to win it all, and my aim is to be at my absolute best during the event,” he signed off.

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UAE travel: Emirates adds Hangzhou to its China network 

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The UAE’s flagship carrier launched its new daily service to Hangzhou on  Wednesday, marking yet another milestone in its growing network across China. The move comes hot on the heels of its recent route launch to Shenzhen, making Hangzhou the second new mainland destination in just under a month.

Flight EK310 touched down at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport to a warm welcome – complete with a traditional water cannon salute and greetings from local officials and dignitaries. Passengers on the inaugural flight didn’t leave empty-handed either. They were treated to souvenir keychains, flight certificates, and Chinese tea tasting sets to mark the occasion.

The new route is operated on a Boeing 777-300ER, with flight EK310 departing Dubai at 9:40am and reaching Hangzhou by 10:00pm. The return leg, EK311, takes off from Hangzhou at 12:10am, landing back in Dubai by 4:55am, making it a convenient overnight hop for business and leisure travellers.

With this addition, Emirates now flies 49 times a week to five major Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and now Hangzhou.

Thanks to seamless connectivity through Dubai, travellers from over 40 European cities, 21 in Africa, and others in the Middle East and South America can now easily access one of China’s key tech and business hubs. The route also enables convenient two-way travel between Hangzhou and global cities like Istanbul, Cairo, Johannesburg, and Barcelona.

Best of all? UAE and GCC nationals can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days, making spontaneous business trips or leisure breaks even easier.

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Self.space puts the power of photography in your hands

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Forget Snow White’s mirror — this one doesn’t compare, doesn’t critique, and answers only to you. Introducing self.space, a revolutionary sealed-room mirror photography studio that’s as private as your thoughts and as flattering as your best angle.

In a region where modesty and privacy are deeply valued, self.space is reimagining the photoshoot experience. No photographers. No spectators. No pressure. Just you and a smart mirror, inside a sound-insulated, self-directed studio designed for complete comfort and control.

Traditional photoshoots can feel intimidating — unfamiliar surroundings, judgmental eyes, and the pressure to perform. self.space changes that. Walk into a sleek studio, close the door behind you, and watch the privacy light switch on. Now it’s just you — free to pose, express, and capture your image on your terms.

“We found that people reject photos not because they lack beauty or talent — but because tension stays on their faces,” say co-founders Mitia Muravev (Founder & CEO) and Peter Bondarenko (Founder & CPO). “That tension is stronger in the Arab world, where privacy and modesty are part of daily life.” Mitia drives the brand’s vision and partnerships, while Peter leads the tech — from embedded cameras and edge AI to full-stack infrastructure. Together, they’ve created more than a photo studio — they’ve packaged confidence.

How it works:

  1. Walk in – Door closes, privacy light turns on.
  2. Capture – Use the remote to take unlimited shots.
  3. AI Perfects – Instant, natural-looking touch-ups preserve your true look.
  4. Gallery Ready – A secure link to your encrypted gallery is sent to your phone before you leave.

Whether you want professional portraits, personal mementos, or a quiet moment of self-reflection, self.space offers something rare: a private, pressure-free space to simply be yourself — and love what you see.

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You might stop getting bank OTPs via SMS in UAE : Here’s why

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In a landmark move to boost digital banking security, banks across the UAE will begin phasing out one-time passwords (OTPs) sent via SMS and email starting Friday, July 25, 2025. The transition comes in line with new directives issued by the UAE Central Bank, mandating the adoption of app-based authentication for all local and international banking transactions.

The shift will be implemented in stages, with customers required to activate app-based verification systems to continue approving transactions. The complete phase-out of SMS and email OTPs is expected by March 2026.

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The UAE Central Bank’s initiative marks a significant departure from traditional OTP delivery methods, which have increasingly become targets for cyber threats. In contrast, app-based verification offers a more secure and reliable method for transaction approvals, leveraging advanced technology to safeguard user data and banking operations.

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