The Middle East isn’t just sipping new stouts; it’s building dreamy islands, slashing traffic times, and even turning museums into chess lounges and giving fresh updates. From pint promos to billion-dirham road makeovers, this week’s scoop proves that life in the Gulf is anything but boring.
10 Middle East Updates From You
1. McGettigan’s In The UAE Ditches Guinness For Murphy’s
If your Friday isn’t complete without a pint of the black stuff, brace yourself. McGettigan’s, Dubai’s go-to Irish pub chain, just benched Guinness across most of its ten venues. The replacement? Murphy’s Irish Stout. Same colour, different pour. The move has stirred mixed feelings, but at AED35 a pint during the launch period, few are complaining. Guinness hasn’t vanished entirely, though; you’ll still find it at a few franchised outposts.
2. Abu Dhabi’s Fahid Island, Where Wellness Has a Waterfront View
While Dubai builds vertically, Abu Dhabi is going full Zen. Aldar’s latest showstopper, Fahid Island, just dropped its marketing curtain, and the pitch is all about wellness by the waves. Picture a coastal haven where no home sits more than 250 metres from a shaded trail or park. Add mangroves that clean your air for free. It’s marketed as the first well-being island in the UAE.
3. Qatar’s QR81 Billion Masterplan Announced
Ashghal and Qatar’s Public Works Authority just laid out its five-year plan to date, worth a staggering QR81 billion. From 2025 to 2029, get ready for roads, tunnels, and government buildings. Key sectors like health, education, culture, and sport are getting a serious glow-up. Expect temporary detours, but a very permanent boost to infrastructure.
4. Abu Dhabi’s Abattoirs Get Safety Treatment Before Eid
Ahead of Eid Al Adha, Abu Dhabi City Municipality ran a full health check on all abattoirs. Think hygiene audits, safety walkthroughs, and surprise visits to Shahama, Baniyas, Mina Zayed, and Al Wathba. The goal? Zero unpleasant surprises come peak season. Also, a little reminder to us all, never underestimate the importance of safety in terms of food.
5. Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Chess Night Is Better Than Friday Brunch
Jazz? Check. Chess boards? Check. Museum vibes and espresso martinis? Also check. The final edition of Chess Night at Marta (inside Louvre Abu Dhabi) is happening Saturday, June 7, and it promises the kind of vibe where your brain and your outfit need to show up. It’s the capital’s answer to Netflix’s Queen’s Gambit, just with better lighting and probably fewer tears.
6. Dubai’s New Road Cuts Travel Time To 3.5 Minutes
Hate traffic? Dubai just gave commuters a 3.5-minute reason to cheer. The RTA completed new access points connecting MBZ Road to Al Warqa. What once took 5.7km now takes just 1.5km. Bonus: The route handles up to 5,000 vehicles an hour. It’s part of the RTA’s larger game plan to streamline travel across the city.
7. Yango’s Giving You 50% Cashback, But Only Until June 30
If you use Yango and ride Comfort class, your wallet’s about to feel a little heavier. Until June 30, every cashless trip gives you up to 50% cashback in Yango Points. Post-June? That dips to 30%, which is still decent. One point equals one dirham, and you can track it all from the main screen on the app.
8. Ras Al Khaimah Hosts Its First-Ever Tourism Awards
Ras Al Khaimah just stepped onto the red carpet with its inaugural Tourism Excellence Awards. Held at the beachy Mövenpick Resort on May 21, the event celebrated everyone from desert guides to five-star hoteliers. The aim? Shine a light on the stars behind RAK’s growing rep as a top-tier tourism hub.
9. Sharjah’s Getting Two New Health Centres
Good news for residents in Al Seyouh and Al Rahmaniyah: Sharjah’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has just finalised plans for two new health centres. We’re talking 24-hour medical services, dental clinics, maternity units, and even radiology. Designed with high-quality standards, these centres aim to ease the load on bigger hospitals and offer more accessible care in the suburbs.
10. Akabeko Turns One, Gives You Dessert Just for Showing Up
Dubai’s beloved tabletop Japanese grill, Akabeko, is celebrating its first birthday with, what else, a sweet giveaway. From June 1 to 7 (excluding Monday), guests spending AED 180 per table will score a complimentary dessert platter. Expect Sakura cake sandwiches, vanilla scoops, and surprise cookies from Beko the mascot. But supplies are limited, so arrive early or risk dessert envy.
Whether you’re sipping Murphy’s in Dubai or strolling through a future-proof island in the capital, the Middle East is brimming with updates that are anything but dull.
Cover Image Courtesy: Yango/Instagram, Canva Pro/franckreporter
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