The UAE is celebrating a landmark achievement after its national robotics team clinched the coveted Gold Medal at the 2025 First Global Challenge, an event often hailed as the Olympics of Robotics. The competition, held in Panama City from October 28 to November 1, brought together young innovators from 193 countries, making Team UAE’s victory even more remarkable.

In a special ceremony held in Dubai on Saturday, the team was honoured for their outstanding performance, showcasing the UAE’s growing strength in STEM education, youth innovation, and global scientific excellence.

The eight-member team –  Riya Mehra (Dubai College), Aarya Parekh (Delhi Private School Sharjah), Aarush Pancholi (GEMS Modern Academy), Aditya Anand (New Millennium School Al Khail), Krithin Satya (Dubai College), Simran Mehra (Dubai College), Sreya Binoy Nair (GEMS Modern Academy), and Aryan Goyal (DIA Emirates Hill) — spent more than 300 hours preparing for the global challenge.

Their training was powered by Unique World Robotics, Team UAE’s official training partner, which supported the students through mechanical design, programming, and strategic problem-solving to compete on the world stage.

“This victory is a testament to the extraordinary dedication and ingenuity of our young innovators,” said coach Muhammed Mukhtar. 

“They have made the nation proud and shown that UAE students can compete at the highest global level.”

A groundbreaking project with global potential

The winning project, STASH, is an innovative bio preservation system that protects endangered plant species, including the UAE’s iconic Ghaf tree, without the need for electricity or freezing. Instead, it uses sodium alginate hydrogels to encase living cells in small, portable beads that remain viable for up to five days.

The system is paired with a 3D-printed field kit and AI-powered viability analysis, creating a low-cost, eco-friendly solution that can be deployed anywhere in the world, especially in remote regions.

The project impressed a distinguished panel of judges that included experts from MIT and scientists from Lam Research, who commended the team for its creativity, sustainability, and global applicability.

Team Captain Aarush Pancholi reflected on the accomplishment: “Winning Gold was the result of countless hours of collaboration and experimentation. We’re proud not just of the medal, but of building something that can make a real difference for biodiversity and communities worldwide.”

A milestone for the UAE’s innovation journey

National Organiser Bansan Thomas George praised the team’s achievement, noting that Team UAE’s success reflects the country’s long-standing commitment to STEM education and youth empowerment.

“Their work on STASH demonstrates not only technical brilliance but also a vision for sustainable solutions that benefit the world,” he said.

With this victory, Team UAE continues to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers, reinforcing the nation’s strategy of investing in future-ready talent.

Not every website is what it seems, and that “official-looking” page you just opened might actually be a clever scam.

That’s the warning from the UAE Cyber Security Council, which has urged internet users to pay close attention to every click, as cybercriminals are getting smarter at mimicking trusted websites.

According to the Council, fraudsters often exploit tiny details, a swapped letter in a URL, a missing padlock icon, or an unusual domain, to lure users into fake websites that steal personal information.

“Smart user choices are the key to staying safe online,” the Council reminded.

To verify whether a website is genuine, residents can use the official StaySafe platform at staysafe.csc.gov.ae.

Look for these red flags

The Council has listed several warning signs to spot fraudulent websites:

• Misspelt URLs or extra characters
• The absence of HTTPS (the “S” stands for secure)
• No padlock icon in the browser bar
• Unusual or suspicious domain extensions

If any of these appear, don’t share your details.

The Council also explained the crucial difference between HTTP and HTTPS.
While HTTP transmits data in plain text (and can be intercepted by hackers), HTTPS encrypts information and verifies a website’s authenticity before data is exchanged.

Smart browsing habits that protect your data

The UAE Cyber Security Council has shared some practical steps to browse safely:

• Use private browsing mode to reduce tracking.
• Install privacy extensions for extra protection.
• Clear cookies and cache regularly.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive tasks.
• Always check for HTTPS before entering personal data.
• Never click on suspicious links or QR codes.

Your smartphone, the Council noted, contains highly sensitive data, from Emirates ID to financial information, making regular browser updates and caution essential.

Whether you’re shopping, banking, or simply browsing, a moment’s caution can save you from a major cyber headache.

So next time, before you click, pause, and check that padlock.

If you’re someone who frequently uses taxis in Dubai, listen up. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has just announced some important updates to cab fares when you book via smart apps like Careem.

The minimum fare for e-booked rides has now gone up from Dh12 to Dh13. But don’t worry, if you flag down a cab on the street, these new rates won’t affect you.

Plus, there are new booking fees that change depending on whether it’s peak, off-peak, or night hours, and they vary by day of the week. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Monday to Thursday Rates

• Peak hours (8am-9:59am, 4pm-7:59pm): Minimum fare Dh5, Booking fee Dh7.5

• Off-peak (6am-7:59am, 10am-3:59pm): Minimum fare Dh5, Booking fee Dh4

• Night hours (5:59pm-10pm): Minimum fare Dh5.5, Booking fee Dh4.5

Friday Rates

• Peak (8am-9:59am, 4pm-9:59pm): Minimum fare Dh5, Booking fee Dh7.5

• Off-peak (6am-7:59am, 10am-3:59pm): Minimum fare Dh5, Booking fee Dh4

• Night (Midnight-5:59am): Minimum fare Dh5.5, Booking fee Dh4.5

Saturday and Sunday Rates

• Peak (4pm-9:59pm): Minimum fare Dh5, Booking fee Dh7.5

• Late night peak (10pm-11:59pm): Minimum fare Dh5.5

• Off-peak (6am-7:59am, 10am-3:59pm): Minimum fare Dh5, Booking fee Dh4

• Night (Midnight-5:59am): Minimum fare Dh5.5, Booking fee Dh4.5

Benefit for travellers

The revised taxi fare system is part of RTA’s broader move toward smart mobility and data-driven transport management.

By analysing booking patterns and demand peaks across the city, the authority has developed a model that encourages travel during off-peak hours and ensures better distribution of drivers throughout Dubai.

The new system also brings greater transparency for riders. Instead of fixed surcharges that often didn’t reflect real-time demand, fares will now adjust dynamically, rising during busy morning and evening periods, and becoming more affordable during mid-day and late-night hours.

What changes for commuters?
For users booking through taxi apps, fares will now vary slightly depending on when they book, lower during quieter times and higher when demand surges. For passengers hailing taxis on the street, fares remain unchanged.

The shift aligns Dubai’s fare structure with global smart-transport models focused on transparency, fairness, and efficiency. With this update, Dubai’s taxis are now more responsive to real-world demand, ensuring smoother operations and better service availability throughout the day.

So, if you rely on booking rides through apps, make sure you’re ready for these new fare changes. They’re designed to keep the taxi service running smoothly during busy times.