From rising school lunch costs to a new name for a familiar Dubai Metro station, today’s GCC Updates bring a mix of everyday changes, travel developments and weather news. Here are the key stories making headlines across the region.
Sharjah’s Al Sharqiya To Focus On Local Heritage
Sharjah’s Al Sharqiya from Kalba is strengthening its local programming from September, with shows centred on heritage, community memories and the Eastern Region. “Fishermen’s Majlis” will explore traditional and modern fishing, while “Beit Al Qaseed” will spotlight Nabati and classical Arabic poetry. “Memories” will feature elderly women sharing stories about customs and life in the past. The channel will also air “Vision”, focusing on development in the Eastern Region.
UAE School Lunches Are Getting More Expensive
School lunches in the UAE are becoming a bigger expense for families, with food costs and other operating expenses putting pressure on school meal providers. The increase comes as parents already face rising education-related costs, making everyday school expenses another item to factor into household budgets. The development could also encourage families to look more closely at lunch plans and costs as the new academic year gets underway.
Air India Express Flight Returns To Kochi After Engine Warning
An Air India Express Boeing 737 flying from Kochi to Abu Dhabi returned to Kochi after pilots noticed a rapid drop in oil quantity in one of its engines. Flight IX 415 was around 50 minutes into the journey when the issue was detected. The crew later shut down the affected engine after oil pressure entered the red zone. The aircraft landed safely at Cochin International Airport on a single engine, with no injuries reported.
Dubai’s Onpassive Metro Station Is Now Garmin Metro Station
Dubai’s Onpassive Metro Station has been renamed Garmin Metro Station after Garmin secured naming rights under a 10-year agreement with the Roads and Transport Authority. The deal was made through Garmin’s UAE distributor, AMIT Retail LLC. RTA will gradually update station signs, digital systems, apps and passenger information services between September and November 2026. The change makes Garmin the first global brand to secure naming rights to a station on Dubai Metro’s Red Line.
Also Read: From UAE Rain Alerts To Al Ain Zoo’s Glow After Dark Reopening, 5 GCC Updates
El Niño Could Shape UAE Weather Until April 2027
El Niño is expected to continue through February 2027, while its effects on UAE weather could stretch into April, according to the National Centre of Meteorology. The UAE could see near to above-average temperatures and rainfall between October and February, along with periods of significant weather activity. The NCM gives a 99% probability of El Niño continuing through February, with the phenomenon expected to peak around October and November.
That’s your GCC Updates roundup for today, covering everything from changing metro signs and school costs to flight safety and the UAE’s upcoming weather outlook.
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