Unstable weather conditions have prompted authorities in Sharjah to take precautionary measures, including the temporary closure of all public parks and medical fitness centres to ensure public safety.

Residents are urged to avoid open areas and follow official weather updates as heavy rainfall continues to impact the emirate. A massive response effort is underway, with over 1,200 personnel deployed alongside water tankers, high-capacity pumps, and recovery vehicles to manage flooding and assist stranded motorists.

Free parking

In a move to ease mobility during the disruption, Sharjah has also announced a temporary exemption from public parking fees across all zones for today. Authorities confirmed that normal parking charges will resume once weather conditions improve.

Stay safe, stay informed, and avoid unnecessary travel during this period.

Soccer superstar Erling Haaland has announced a major investment in Norway Chess, backing the launch of a new global competition format, the Total Chess World Championship Tour.

The initiative, unveiled in Oslo, aims to transform chess into a more spectator-friendly and widely accessible sport. Haaland has partnered with Norwegian business leader Morten Borge to establish a new company, Chess Mates, which will become a significant stakeholder in Norway Chess.

Haaland said his investment reflects a strong belief in chess as both a mental discipline and a global spectator sport.

“Chess is an incredible game. It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football. You have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and think several moves ahead,” he said.

The newly announced Total Chess World Championship Tour is set to feature four tournaments annually across different cities, bringing together the world’s top players. The competition will crown an overall world champion based on combined performance in three formats: Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz.

The tour has been approved by the International Chess Federation for a minimum of 16 years, underscoring its long-term ambition and significance within the global chess calendar.

A pilot tournament is scheduled for autumn 2026, with the first full season expected in 2027. Each season will include four events and offer a minimum prize pool of $2.7 million.

Kjell Madland, CEO of Norway Chess and Total Chess, welcomed Haaland’s involvement, describing it as a major step forward for the sport.

He said Haaland’s global influence and appeal would help attract new audiences and elevate the profile of chess worldwide, adding that preparations are now in the final stages to secure host cities for the inaugural tour.

With millions of fans worldwide, Haaland’s move into chess investment signals a growing crossover between elite sport and strategic mind games, potentially reshaping how chess is consumed and followed globally.

Dubai Police has launched a wide-ranging initiative aimed at combating fraud and raising public awareness, in collaboration with more than 40 government, semi-government, and private sector organisations.

The campaign, led by the Criminal Investigation Department, focuses on educating residents about common scams, particularly those carried out by phone calls and online platforms to steal money or sensitive banking information.

Officials said the initiative is designed to improve public understanding of how fraud schemes operate and how to report them, targeting employees, families, and the broader community.

Authorities have strongly warned residents not to share personal or financial information with unknown callers, stressing that no legitimate government entity or financial institution would request such details over the phone.

They added that many scams are highly sophisticated and rely on a lack of awareness among victims.

Residents are encouraged to report suspected fraud through official channels, including the Dubai Police app, by calling 901, via the eCrime platform, or through the “Police Eye” service.

Authorities also advised individuals who believe they may have been targeted to immediately contact their bank to block any suspicious transactions before reporting the incident.

Saeed Al Hajri, Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation, said the initiative reflects Dubai Police’s continued commitment to strengthening public awareness around fraud. He noted that the campaign aligns with the “Year of the Family,” reinforcing the importance of awareness as the first line of defence against financial crimes.