From oysters to mango mania, the region’s buzzing with everything from fine-dining feasts to artistic megaprojects. So if you’ve missed a headline or two, don’t worry, we’ve wrapped up the week’s juiciest GCC updates just for you. Let’s dive in.
6 GCC Updates You Need to Know
1. Dubai’s Oyster Obsession Hits Full Shell-Shock
Turns out, oysters are the new gold in Dubai. Dibba Bay Oysters, grown off the coast of Fujairah, are making a splash on posh dinner plates. With the city’s fine-dining boom and a rising tide of new residents with luxury tastes, demand for these local bivalves has skyrocketed. Currently, Dibba Bay holds 55% of the UAE’s oyster market—now that’s shellfish domination. The farm’s focus on sustainable aquaculture is also earning praise, making these oysters both fancy and future-friendly.
2. teamLab Phenomena Finally Opens With Presence Of Celebs
Forget your average gallery stroll—Abu Dhabi just dropped a tech-art bombshell. Welcome to teamLab Phenomena, the UAE’s newest immersive experience by Japanese art collective teamLab. Located in the ever-chic Saadiyat Cultural District, this massive 17,000-square-metre space is pure visual poetry in pixels. And yes, the celebs showed up—Cate Blanchett and Andrew Garfield included. Lights, sensors, and interactive installations make this a must-see for art lovers and curious minds alike.
3. Mango Mayhem At Dubai’s Waterfront Market
Hold on to your fruit baskets—Dubai’s mango season is here and it’s deliciously wild. Over 20 mango varieties from India, Pakistan, Yemen, and beyond have turned the Waterfront Market into a mango mecca. From the sugary sweetness of Alphonsos and Honey Mangos to the zing of Totapuri, this is one fruit frenzy you don’t want to miss. Prices start at just AED 10 per kg, so go bananas—sorry, mangos.
4. Qatar Keeps Tabs On Coral Reefs
Qatar’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has been busy checking in on its marine buddies. Their recent inspection revealed a mixed bag—while some coral reefs suffered damage from careless fishing and littering, overall biodiversity remains stable. Officials warn against dumping waste and fishing gear into the sea, which puts fragile marine life at risk. The takeaway? A little ocean mindfulness goes a long way.
5. HH Sheikh Hamdan Visits Emirates Flight Catering
Foodies, brace yourselves. Emirates Flight Catering, one of the world’s biggest airline meal factories, just got the royal once-over. HH Sheikh Hamdan dropped by to review operations and discuss future expansion. The facility cranks out around 250,000 meals daily, feeding a small city in the sky. Expect even more innovation and flavour as the company eyes tech-driven upgrades.
6. Sharjah Ruler To Disburse AED 9.3M To Old Taxi Plate Holders
The Sharjah Ruler has greenlit a feel-good moment for old taxi plate owners. The SRTA is distributing a grand total of AED 9,372,000 as an annual bonus for 2024. If you’ve held on to one of those OG plates, it’s time to smile at your bank balance. A much-appreciated move keeping legacy drivers on the road with pride.
From oysters to aviation kitchens, the GCC never sleeps on the action updates. Stay tuned, next week’s serving could be even juicier.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Stock Images
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