The Middle East never has “quiet weeks.” From luxury airlines popping rare bottles at 40,000 feet to Netflix turning Dubai into a fantasy-romance playground, Middle East updates are as varied as they are fascinating. Here’s your round-up of 10 stories worth knowing right now.
1. Emirates First Class Gets Exclusive Taste Of Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage 2009
Flying Emirates First Class just became even more decadent. The airline is now serving Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage 2009, a bubbly so rare that Emirates holds exclusive pouring rights in the skies. This vintage, aged for 12 years, leans heavily on Pinot Noir with layers of fruit, spice, and floral notes. In practice, it’s the kind of bottle you’d expect to see behind velvet ropes at a collector’s cellar, not casually uncorked somewhere over the Indian Ocean.
2. Dubai Shines In Netflix’s New Fantasy Romance ‘Genie, Make A Wish’
Netflix is bringing a touch of K-drama sparkle to Dubai this October with Genie, Make a Wish, starring Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy. The trailer alone is practically a love letter to the emirate: sweeping desert dunes, the glinting towers of Sheikh Zayed Road, and the Museum of the Future shimmering like something out of, well, the future.
3. Indian Consulate In Dubai Tightens Passport Rules With New Photo Standards
Starting 1st September 2025, the Indian Consulate in Dubai will tighten the rules on passport photos. Applicants must now submit ICAO-compliant photographs that meet international biometric standards. Translation? That passport photo you took at the corner studio last year probably won’t cut it anymore. It’s all part of a directive from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which is pushing for global compliance. Mildly inconvenient for some expats, sure, but in the long run it ensures hassle-free travel when airports scan your documents.
4. Dubai’s Population Hits 4 Million As City Eyes 2040 Growth Plans
Dubai’s population has officially crossed 4 million residents. To put that into perspective, in 1968, the city had fewer than 60,000 people. By 2010, it hit 1.9 million. Today, it’s more than doubled again. That’s not growth, that’s transformation on steroids.
The landmarks tell the same story: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame, Palm Jumeirah, all relatively recent additions.
5. House Icon Nic Fanciulli To Headline Skyline Saturdays At FIVE Palm Jumeirah
House music heavyweight Nic Fanciulli is hitting The Penthouse at FIVE Palm Jumeirah on 21st September. For one night only, he’ll deliver the deep grooves he’s known for from Ibiza to Miami. Expect slick mixes, unexpected turns, and the kind of night where 10 pm feels like midnight but you somehow keep going till dawn.
Tickets? From AED 300 for walk-ins with three drinks included. If you’re staying in-house, you get free entry before 11 pm, a tempting excuse to book a room and make a weekend of it.
6. teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi Extends Hours With Adult-Only Art Sessions
Abu Dhabi’s teamLab Phenomena is already one of the region’s most talked-about art spaces, but now it’s shaking things up with new adult-only “Art Undistracted” sessions on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Picture this: glowing forests, digital waterfalls, and giant light-filled orbs, minus the background soundtrack of excited kids.
The venue, sprawling over 17,000 sqm in the Saadiyat Cultural District, has also extended its hours from 10 AM to 10 PM daily. Whether you want a burst of creative energy in the morning or a surreal date night, this place delivers.
7. ADIHEX 2025 Opens In Abu Dhabi With Biggest Edition Yet
Abu Dhabi is hosting the 22nd Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) from 30th August to 7th September. It’s not just falconry and camel racing – though those are still highlights – but also new sections like Arabian Salukis, knives, and traditional souqs.
With 68 countries participating and the exhibition space up 7%, this year promises the largest edition yet. Beyond the spectacle, ADIHEX underscores heritage and sustainable practices. It’s part trade fair, part cultural festival, and entirely emblematic of the UAE’s commitment to balancing modernity with tradition.
8. Qatar Museums Hosts ‘Little Employee’ Day To Inspire Future Cultural Leaders
Qatar Museums recently joined the ‘Little Employee’ initiative, letting 35 children shadow their parents for a day. From exhibitions to conservation, the kids got a taste of what it takes to run a cultural powerhouse. CEO Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi said the programme supports the Qatar National Vision 2030 by nurturing future leaders.
9. Cairo Expands ‘Your Home In Egypt’ Initiative For Overseas Egyptians
Egypt has rolled out phase two of its “Your Home in Egypt” initiative, offering 3,000 units for Egyptians living overseas. These include residential, commercial, and administrative spaces in New Cairo, New Alamein, Minya, Mansoura, and Damietta. The initiative offers flexible terms and incentives, with registration running from 30th August–4th September and unit selections from 20th–25th September.
10. Bahrain Declares September 4 Public Holiday For Prophet’s Birthday
Finally, Bahrain has declared Thursday, 4th September 2025, a public holiday for Mawlid al-Nabi, the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday. The day will be marked with prayers, gatherings, charity, and time spent with family.
For residents, it’s a mid-week pause; for businesses, it’s a reminder that religious observances still anchor the Middle East’s fast-paced calendar with buzzworthy updates.
Cover Image Courtesy: Netflix, CanvaPro/Leonid Andronov