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CT Quickies: First Public Art School In Saudi Arabia To Mall Run In Dubai; 10 Middle East Updates For You

If you constantly feel the pressure to keep up with the news updates from the GCC region, then you have found yourself stumbling upon the right article.

by Anupriya Mishra
CT Quickies: First Public Art School In Saudi Arabia To Mall Run In Dubai; 10 Middle East Updates For You

If you constantly feel the pressure to keep up with the news updates from the Middle East region, then you have found yourself stumbling upon the right article. We have made a list of some important updates from across the region to ensure that you do not leave or forget about any big news. To ensure that you are always ahead of these developments, here’s a list of some important updates that you will want to know.

Middle East Updates

1. Oman Air Achieves Threefold Increase In Point-To-Point Passengers

Recently, Oman Air announced that it received a threefold increase in its point-to-point passenger traffic. Yes, it reached an unprecedented rate of 58% of the total passengers. This comes at a time when it’s continuing to grow tourism in the Sultanate. It should be noted that the passenger milestone rose from 75,000 in June 2024 to 2,00,000 for the same period this year.

2. ASICS Launches Mall Run

ASICS is a renowned footwear brand, and it has launched a mall run. This running series will be making its debut on July 26 at the Mall Of Emirates. It will take place from 6 AM to 8 AM, and the indoor run will start and finish at the ASICS store. Runners will follow an air-conditioned course, and this is an event open to all fitness levels.

3. First Public Art School Opens In Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has opened the first Arts and Culture Academy, which will be government-run. This first of its kind government-run school that will operate in Jeddah and Riyadh. Students will be admitted in the fourth grade of primary school and the first grade of intermediate school. The aim of the school is to initially target children with talents, like drawing, acting, music, and singing.

4. Saudi Arabia Cracks Down On Illegal Housing

Saudi Arabia is cracking down on illegal housing splits. Offenders stand to face a fine of up to SAR200,000. Violators who are accused of unauthorised subdividing of the housing units into small portions can face harsh penalties. As a result on on-ground inspections are being stepped up with the help of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Ministry officials.

5. Al Matal Project Launched In Saudi Arabia

Regarded as one of the most prominent projects in Madinah, the Al Matal Project is an integrated tourist and recreational destination project. This will be located in the Al Jamawat neighbourhood, and will be spread across 56,000 square meters.

Also Read: Kuwait: Expats Can Now Reissue Their Physical Driving License For Just KWD10

6. UAE Announces New Academic Calendar

The Ministry of Education has announced new dates for the academic year. Yes, it has set new unified dates for the start of the academic year, end of term breaks, and end of the three terms. The academic year will start from August 25, and the academic year is for July 3, 2026.

7. Dubai RTA Completes 2nd Phase Of Ventilation & AC System Overhaul

It was revealed that Dubai RTA has now completed the second phase of the overhaul of ventilation and air conditioning systems at stations. These are along the red and green lines of the Dubai Metro and fall under the strategic plan 2024-2030 of Dubai RTA. It covers key pillars like passenger, comfort, operational efficiency, customer happiness, and long-term asset sustainability.

8. Saudi’s Ministry Of Culture Participates In Jerash Festival For Culture And Arts

The Ministry of Culture is participating in the 39th annual Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts. This is being held in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Taking place until August 2 in Jerash, it features classical Arab compositions, which will be performed by a select group of musicians.

9. Abu Dhabi Inspects Taxi In Safety Campaign

As a part of its safety campaign, Abu Dhabi is inspecting taxis to check their meters and tyres. They have launched this inspection campaign to see if these cars meet the requirements set by the authority.

10. Junior’s Qatar To Open First International Branch

Junior’s is a famous fast food chain from Qatar, which is opening its first international branch. Yes, opening soon in Amman, Jordan, it’s going to be the first international outpost of this food chain. However, the official opening date has not yet been confirmed.

So, with these developments laid out for you, we hope you’re able to stay ahead of the updates in the Middle East.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Joaquín Corbalán

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First Published: July 25, 2025 5:54 PM