A Dubai-based robotics team has become the first from the UAE to win an international FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Premier Event, marking a major milestone for the country’s growing STEM and robotics ecosystem.

Team ORBIT secured a historic double victory at the FTC İstanbul Premier Event, held in Türkiye from June 26 to 28, winning both the Valens Division Winning Alliance title and the prestigious Overall Event Winning Alliance championship against 77 of the world’s top robotics teams.

The achievement is particularly notable as Team ORBIT was formed just six months ago. After qualifying through the UAE National Championship, the rookie team travelled to Istanbul and outperformed some of the world’s most established robotics programmes.

“This is a historic moment not only for Team ORBIT but for the UAE robotics community as a whole,” said Banson Thomas, Chief Mentor of Team ORBIT.

“For a rookie team to achieve this on an international stage is a testament to the dedication, talent and determination of our students. We hope this success inspires more young people across the UAE to pursue robotics and innovation.”

The Dubai team

The team comprised students from schools across Dubai, reflecting the emirate’s diverse education landscape. Members included Abhiram Krishna (Al Saad Indian School), Arav Bahuguna (Jumeirah College), Aaron Jain (Dubai International Academy Al Barsha), Amra Marikkar (The Apple International School), Aryan Goyal (Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills), Daniel Bource (Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou), Sai Murugappan (Gulf Modern Academy), Hriday Navin (GEMS Modern Academy), Omar Nabil Lahir (GEMS Modern Academy), Sana Kaushik (Pristine Private School Dubai), Aarav Dewan (Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills) and Chanukya Teketi (Pearl Wisdom School Dubai).

Throughout the competition, ORBIT impressed judges and competitors alike with its engineering design, strategic gameplay and teamwork, delivering consistently strong performances in both the qualification and elimination rounds.

The FTC İstanbul Premier Event is regarded as one of the most competitive competitions on the global FIRST Tech Challenge calendar, bringing together leading teams that have advanced through national and regional championships.

“The UAE has built a strong foundation for STEM education and innovation,” said Ali Abdurahman, Head Coach of Team ORBIT.

“This achievement reflects the opportunities available to young talent in the country and demonstrates that UAE students can compete with the very best in the world.”

The victory was the culmination of months of hard work.

“Six months ago, this team was just an idea. Today, we have created history for the UAE. Our resilience, teamwork and commitment have been extraordinary, and we believe this is only the beginning of an exciting journey ahead,” said the team captain.

The victory marks the first time a UAE team has won an FTC Premier Event, underscoring the country’s growing investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and its ambition to develop the next generation of innovators.

Dubai Police has issued a fresh warning about online scams involving fake Consumer Protection websites designed to steal personal and banking information from unsuspecting victims.

According to the force’s Anti-Fraud Centre, scammers are creating websites that closely resemble official consumer protection platforms before tricking users into sharing sensitive information.

Here’s how the scam works and how you can protect yourself.

How does the scam work?

The fraud typically follows these steps:

Step 1: Victims visit a fake website

People searching online for Consumer Protection services may accidentally land on a fraudulent website that looks genuine.

The fake site asks users to enter:

• Name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Complaint details

Step 2: Scammers call pretending to help

Soon after submitting the information, victims receive a phone call from someone claiming to represent Consumer Protection.

Because the fraudsters already know the complaint details, the call appears convincing and trustworthy.

Step 3: Victims are asked to install remote access software

The caller then instructs the victim to download remote access software onto their phone or computer.

This software allows scammers to remotely view and control the victim’s device.

Step 4: Banking information is stolen

Victims are asked to log into their online banking account while the remote access software is active.

Fraudsters can then:

• View banking credentials.
• Capture passwords and security codes.
• Transfer money.
• Make unauthorised purchases.
• Access other personal information stored on the device.

How can you protect yourself?

Dubai Police advises residents to:

• Use only official Consumer Protection websites and government channels.
• Never click on suspicious links.
• Avoid downloading software requested by unknown callers.
• Never share online banking credentials with anyone.
• Verify the authenticity of websites before entering personal information.

What should you do if you receive a suspicious call?

If someone claiming to represent Consumer Protection asks you to:

• Download an app.
• Install remote access software.
• Log into your bank account.
• Share banking details.

End the call immediately.

Legitimate government authorities will never ask you to install software that gives them access to your device.

How do you report a scam?

Residents who encounter similar fraud attempts are encouraged to report them through:

• Dubai Police’s e-Crime platform.
• Dubai Police’s non-emergency number 901.

Reporting scams helps authorities investigate cybercriminals and prevent others from becoming victims.

UAE residents who use Google services, including Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive, Maps, Android and Gemini, will be subject to updated Google Terms of Service from July 30.

The changes won’t dramatically alter how Google’s products work, but they do provide more clarity on how the company uses AI, processes user content and handles account suspensions.

New AI rules

As artificial intelligence becomes more deeply integrated into Google’s products, the company is introducing stricter rules to prevent misuse.

The updated terms prohibit activities such as bypassing AI safety measures, manipulating prompts to produce harmful content or using Google’s AI-generated content to train other AI models. Existing bans on phishing, hacking, malware, fake accounts and deceptive content also remain in place.

You still own content

Google says users retain ownership of everything they upload, including emails, photos, files and videos.

However, users continue to grant Google permission to process that content so its services can function properly, for example, syncing files across devices, enabling sharing, translating content where needed and improving products.

How Google uses your data

The company says it analyses content using automated systems to detect spam, malware and illegal content, while also using it to personalise search results, recommendations and ads.

Publicly shared content, such as Google reviews or apps listed on Google Play, may also be used to promote Google’s services.

When can Google suspend your account?

Your accounts may be suspended if users repeatedly violate its policies or engage in activities such as phishing, hacking, spamming or other actions that pose security or legal risks.

Users who believe their accounts were disabled in error can appeal the decision.

Google says it will generally notify users before making significant changes to its services and, where possible, allow them to export their data through Google Takeout before discontinuing a product or making major changes.

The updated Terms of Service take effect on July 30, 2026.