Connect with us

News

Masdar City, Mashreq Bank to boost UAE’s SME, start-up ecosystem

Published

on

Spread the love

Masdar City and Mashreq Bank have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide financial services to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups based in the City. This will include easy access to NeoBiz, the bank’s first digital banking platform designed specifically for start-ups and SMEs.

The MoU was signed by Abdulla Balalaa, executive director of Masdar City, and Vikas Thapar, executive vice president, head of Business Banking & NeoBiz at Mashreq Bank, at an official ceremony this week.

Balalaa said, “Masdar City is currently home to more than 1,000 companies, including a wide range of innovation-focused SMEs and start-ups. Through this strategic collaboration with Mashreq Bank, companies in Masdar City will have direct access to the bank’s cutting-edge suite of specially designed services to facilitate the upscaling of their operations.

“The City is Abu Dhabi’s only planned and approved R&D cluster. To businesses, we offer a unique ecosystem of education, R&D, and innovation, that allows them to develop and thrive and supports Abu Dhabi’s position as a world-leading business destination. At Masdar City, we are shaping and incubating the sustainable industries of tomorrow, and we look forward to adding Mashreq Bank to our valuable list of partners.”

Thapar stated that the agreement will enable Mashreq Bank to increase customer acquisition while also raising awareness of the bank’s digital platforms.

“Our commitment to fostering the SME ecosystem and efforts to catalyse SME development led to the development of NeoBiz and its suite of specially designed services. Through this partnership, Masdar City-based businesses will reap the benefits of NeoBiz, Mashreq Bank’s first start-up/SME focused digital banking platform, giving them further opportunity to adapt and grow rapidly,” Thapar added.

Via its Free Zone, Masdar City already offers easy access to a range of vital business services and benefits, including registration, government relations, visa processing, 100 per cent foreign ownership; 0 per cent import tariffs; dual-licensing; a rapid set-up process; reduced tax footprint, highly cost-effective licensing and office space, and a pro-business environment, access to R&D partnerships, and the freedom of repatriation of both capital and profits.

The City is also home to a range of international organisations, including the International Renewable Energy Agency, the UAE Space Agency, the regional headquarters of Siemens Energy, G42 Healthcare, the Advanced Technology Research Council, and the world’s first university dedicated to artificial intelligence, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.

Education

CBSE announces new date for answer sheet verification portal

Published

on

Spread the love

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed the launch of its online portal for verification, photocopy requests and re-evaluation of answer sheets related to the 2026 board examinations.

The board announced that the Post-Result Activities portal will now go live on June 1 instead of the previously expected schedule.

According to CBSE, the delay is intended to ensure a smoother and more transparent experience for students applying for post-result services following the declaration of board exam results.

In an official statement, the education board said the additional preparation time would help strengthen evaluation protocols and minimise technical issues during the application process.

CBSE added that the revised timeline is aimed at maintaining accuracy and ensuring the system operates efficiently for lakhs of students expected to access the portal for answer book verification and re-evaluation requests.

Students seeking assistance or clarification regarding the process can contact the CBSE Tele-Counselling Helpline or submit queries through the board’s official support email.

The post-result services allow students to apply for answer sheet verification, obtain photocopies of evaluated answer books and request re-evaluation of specific responses after board results are announced.

Continue Reading

News

Norway Chess 2026: Magnus Carlsen defeats world champion Gukesh in crucial clash

Published

on

Spread the love

Round 4 of Norway Chess 2026 produced another dramatic day of elite competition in Oslo, with Magnus Carlsen claiming a crucial victory over reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju in the marquee matchup of the day.

Playing with the black pieces, Carlsen navigated a tense, strategically rich encounter before gradually taking control in the middlegame. Although the position remained balanced for long stretches, mounting pressure and severe time trouble eventually pushed Gukesh into inaccuracies that allowed the Norwegian star to convert his advantage into a full classical win.

The victory marks an important turnaround for Carlsen after a difficult opening phase of the tournament and significantly improves his standing before the home crowd.

Tournament leader Alireza Firouzja was held to a classical draw by Wesley So following a cautious positional battle in which neither player managed to create decisive winning chances. Wesley So later secured victory in the Armageddon tiebreak, earning the additional points.

In another closely fought encounter, Vincent Keymer and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu shared the points after a balanced contest featuring opportunities for both players. Praggnanandhaa later triumphed in Armageddon to collect the bonus points.

Despite the Armageddon loss, Firouzja remains at the top of the standings after four rounds, while Carlsen’s classical victory has reignited his challenge near the top of the leaderboard.

The women’s section of the tournament also delivered another intense round, with all three classical games ending in draws before being decided in Armageddon playoffs.

Humpy Koneru and Zhu Jiner fought a tense encounter that remained level throughout, before Zhu Jiner emerged victorious in the Armageddon decider.

Defending women’s world champion Ju Wenjun managed to hold a difficult position against tournament leader Bibisara Assaubayeva in classical play. Assaubayeva later won the Armageddon game to strengthen her lead in the standings.

Meanwhile, Divya Deshmukh pushed strongly for victory against Anna Muzychuk during a complex middlegame battle, but Muzychuk defended resiliently before going on to win the Armageddon tiebreak.

After four rounds, Assaubayeva continues to lead Norway Chess Women, with Muzychuk, Divya and Zhu Jiner remaining firmly in contention as the tournament heads deeper into its decisive stages.

Continue Reading

Crime

Dubai Police issue cybercrime warning over fake banking websites

Published

on

Spread the love

Dubai Police has warned residents against purchasing or attempting to use stolen credit cards and banking data being illegally promoted through suspicious websites and social media platforms, stressing that offenders could face severe legal penalties under the UAE’s cybercrime laws.

According to police officials, organised fraud networks operating outside the UAE are increasingly using fake online platforms to advertise stolen financial information, including compromised credit card details and unauthorised banking access.

Officials said criminals were targeting internet users through deceptive websites and online pages designed to lure buyers seeking illegal financial services or discounted payment methods.

Authorities stressed that anyone found purchasing, sharing or using stolen banking information could face imprisonment, in addition to financial penalties reaching up to Dh2 million under federal cybercrime legislation.

Officials explained that many victims unknowingly compromise their own financial information after entering banking details on fake websites carefully designed to imitate trusted companies, online stores or service providers. Cybercriminals also frequently use fraudulent payment links sent through messages, emails or social media platforms to steal card information from unsuspecting users.

Police said stolen banking data is often circulated through organised cybercrime networks, where compromised card details are bought and sold before being used in fraudulent transactions. Authorities noted that the misuse of stolen information may occur days or even weeks after the original breach, making it harder for victims to trace exactly when or where their financial data was exposed.

Dubai Police also urged residents to closely monitor bank accounts and credit card statements and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions immediately. Officials explained that quick reporting significantly improves the chances of freezing fraudulent activity, tracing transactions and recovering stolen funds before larger financial losses occur.

The warning comes as cybercrime and online financial fraud continue to evolve across digital platforms, with authorities repeatedly advising the public to avoid dealing with unverified websites, suspicious online advertisements or unknown payment channels.

Police further encouraged residents to rely only on secure banking applications and official payment platforms when conducting financial transactions online.

Continue Reading

Popular

© Copyright 2025 HEADLINE. All rights reserved

https://headline.ae/