From Emirates getting crypto-savvy to a royal mountaineer repping Qatar in Pakistan, the GCC’s buzzing with updates that are bold, bizarre, and straight-up brilliant. Whether you’re chasing travel trends, tech twists, or just here for the drama, we’ve got the latest news for you.
5 GCC Updates You Shouldn’t Miss This Week
1. The Qatari Royal Who Tamed the Killer Mountain
Sheikha Asma Al Thani isn’t just a royal name. She’s a mountaineer rewriting the history books. Last week, she became the first Qatari woman to summit Nanga Parbat, infamously nicknamed the Killer Mountain. It’s not for the faint-hearted. It’s steep, deadly, and notorious for wiping out even the best in the biz.
But Asma conquered it with grit and grace. This marks her ninth eight-thousander (mountains above 8,000 metres), part of her bold mission to scale all 14. Pakistan’s not taking this lightly either. They’ve just crowned her their brand ambassador for Mountains and Tourism.
2. Emirates Pauses Flights to Tehran
If you’ve got travel plans involving Tehran, hit the brakes. Emirates has suspended all flights to and from Tehran until July 17, 2025.
Passengers transiting through DXB to Iran? Nope, that’s a no-go for now too. Best keep your itinerary flexible and your airline app on speed dial.
3. Karan Aujla Is Coming to Abu Dhabi And It’s Big
Desi beats are about to drop hard at Etihad Park. Karan Aujla, the Punjabi lyrical king, is bringing his It Was All A Dream world tour to Abu Dhabi on November 29, 2025. It’s his biggest UAE concert to date, and yes, it’s a one-night-only affair.
Organised by Live Nation Middle East and Team Innovation with backing from the Abu Dhabi culture crew and Miral. Desi fam, save the date and prep your vocal cords.
4. UAE’s AI Helmet Meets Aerodynamics At Tour de France
Hold onto your helmets, UAE just served a high-tech flex at the Tour de France. On July 8, UAE Team Emirates–XRG unveiled the world’s first AI-designed cycling helmet, a sleek marvel whipped up by Abu Dhabi-based G42 in collaboration with Italy’s MET Helmets.
The helmet’s design isn’t just for style, it was generated using AI tools that interpret airflow and motion. A headgear that doesn’t just look fast, it thinks fast. It’s creativity, data, and speed fused into one futuristic package.
Also Read: From Special Olympics Summer Camp In UAE To Updated Traffic Fines In Sharjah, 5 GCC Updates For You
5. Saudi’s Big Property News For Expats
It’s finally happening. The Saudi Cabinet, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, just approved a law that allows non-Saudis to own property, starting January 2026.
But it’s not a total free-for-all. The Real Estate General Authority will specify where non-citizens can buy. And yep, special rules will apply for property around the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. This move is part of Saudi Arabia’s push to pull in foreign investment and build a real estate scene that competes globally.
From a Qatari queen scaling death-defying peaks to Punjabi beats making UAE history, the GCC is giving global updates a run for their money. As they say in the UAE: mafi mushkila, there’s always something buzzing around here.
Cover Image Courtesy: Karan Aulja/Instagram, G42/LinkedIn
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