As visitor movement and public gatherings increase in Dubai during Eid Al Adha, the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services has introduced an extensive citywide emergency readiness strategy to ensure rapid medical assistance throughout the holiday period.

The authority confirmed that emergency response operations have been intensified across Dubai, with specialised rescue teams and ambulance units deployed in crowded public areas, tourist attractions, and residential communities to maintain uninterrupted healthcare support around the clock.

Under the expanded plan, ambulance crews will operate from strategically selected locations, including beaches, shopping malls, parks, event venues and transport hubs, where large numbers of residents and tourists are expected to gather during the celebrations.

Trained emergency workers mobilised

Officials stated that nearly 1,000 trained emergency workers and field coordinators have been mobilised as part of the operation. The deployment network covers approximately 160 emergency response locations spread across the emirate.

The response system is supported by a diverse fleet of emergency vehicles and rescue equipment, including rapid intervention units, ambulances, bicycles designed for congested areas, marine rescue boats and helicopter ambulance services coordinated jointly with Dubai Police.

Additional emergency teams will also remain stationed near prayer areas, densely populated neighbourhoods and major leisure destinations to improve response times during peak holiday activity.

Dedicated teams at airport

To handle the anticipated increase in passenger traffic, dedicated ambulance teams have also been positioned throughout terminals at Dubai International Airport, where emergency medical services will remain available for travellers throughout the Eid period.

Authorities have meanwhile appealed to motorists to cooperate with rescue teams by immediately clearing the way for ambulances and emergency vehicles, emphasising that quick response times are often crucial in preventing complications and saving lives.

The enhanced operational measures form part of Dubai’s broader public safety preparations for Eid Al Adha, as government agencies across the emirate continue coordinating efforts to manage the busy holiday season efficiently and safely.

Round 2 of Norway Chess 2026 produced another day of tense battles and high-level drama in Oslo, with Alireza Firouzja continuing his sensational start to the tournament.

Firouzja claimed the only classical victory of the round after defeating Indian star Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu in a complex strategic encounter. The French grandmaster steadily increased the pressure from the middlegame onward and converted his positional advantage with calm and precise play, securing his second consecutive classical win and strengthening his lead in the standings.

One of the most anticipated clashes of the day saw World No 1 Magnus Carlsen face German No 1 Vincent Keymer in a gripping battle that eventually ended in a draw.

Carlsen appeared to control the game for long stretches and entered the endgame with a slight edge, but Keymer defended resiliently under pressure and managed to hold the position. The Norwegian star later bounced back in the Armageddon tiebreak, winning the faster-format decider to collect the additional points.

Meanwhile, reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju and Wesley So fought out another deeply strategic classical draw after a long positional struggle. Wesley So eventually prevailed in Armageddon to secure the extra points from the round.

After two rounds, Firouzja stands alone at the top of the Norway Chess standings following back-to-back classical victories.

Women’s round

In the women’s event, tournament leader Bibisara Assaubayeva maintained her impressive momentum after defeating Zhu Jiner in Armageddon. Their classical encounter ended level after a tense battle before Assaubayeva took control in the rapid tiebreak.

An all-Indian matchup between Divya Deshmukh and Humpy Koneru also required Armageddon after a balanced classical game, with Divya emerging victorious in the decider.

In the final women’s pairing, Anna Muzychuk defeated reigning Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun in Armageddon to claim the additional points.

With Firouzja extending his lead and Assaubayeva continuing her strong form, Norway Chess 2026 is already shaping into one of the most competitive editions in recent years.

The Emirates Drug Establishment has announced a major reduction in the retail prices of 168 pharmaceutical products across the UAE, delivering significant savings on medications used to treat chronic and life-threatening illnesses.

The revised pricing decision will officially take effect on May 30 and covers a broad range of treatments, including medicines for heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, stroke prevention, cholesterol disorders, respiratory illnesses, neurological conditions, mental health disorders and eye diseases.

Pharmacies across the UAE have already begun updating their pricing systems ahead of implementation, with reductions varying depending on the type of medication and therapeutic category.

According to the new pricing structure, discounts range from around 5 per cent to nearly 60 per cent for some of the country’s most expensive vital and biologic medicines.

Lower price for cholesterol medicine

One of the biggest reductions applies to Zocor 40mg, a cholesterol-lowering drug whose price has been reduced by approximately 59.5 per cent. Meanwhile, Xalatan, used to treat elevated eye pressure in glaucoma patients, recorded a price cut of more than 51 per cent.

Several high-cost cancer and biologic treatments also saw major reductions under the new decision. The lung cancer medication Alunbrig 180mg was reduced from Dh26,433 to Dh21,108, while the 90mg version dropped from Dh19,824 to Dh12,520. The 30mg dosage also saw a significant reduction, falling from Dh6,608 to Dh4,173.

In another major adjustment, Xeloda 150mg, commonly prescribed for breast, colon and rectal cancer, was reduced from Dh347 to Dh241.

The latest move is expected to provide substantial relief for patients requiring long-term treatment, particularly those dependent on expensive speciality medications and biologic therapies.