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Sheikh Zayed Festival World Records To Minor Earthquake In Oman; 5 GCC Updates For You

We have made a list of some important updates from across the GCC region that any ardent newsreader would want to know.

by Anupriya Mishra
Sheikh Zayed Festival World Records To Minor Earthquake In Oman; 5 GCC Updates For You

Are you someone who is constantly trying to keep up with the news updates from the GCC region? If your answer is ‘yes,’ then you will be pleased to know that we have made a list of some important updates from across the region that any ardent newsreader would want to know. So, if you missed out on a few, here’s a look at them.

GCC Updates

1. Minor Earthquake Recorded In South Of Musandam

A minor earthquake was recorded in the South of Musandam on Saturday, January 3rd, morning. As reported by the National Seismic Network, the tremor was measured at 2.2 and this occurred at 10:43 AM UAE time. The report was confirmed by the NCM, which mentioned details of the earthquake.

2. Saudi Arabia Issues New Naming Standards For Public Facilities

As revealed in a report of the Gulf News, Saudi Arabia recently issued new regulations for governing the naming of public facilities. These are for those situated across the kingdom, therefore, introducing a unified standard. The rules are set to take effect 120 days after publication and apply to all publicly owned facilities, nationwide. Whether it’s municipal buildings, cultural centres, schools or sports arenas, they are also included.

3. Sheikh Hamdan Shows Stunning View Of Dubai

Taking to Instagram, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, shared a glimpse of a foggy Saturday morning. Known for his brilliant photography, he captured the first foggy day of the year and shared it on Instagram stories. It shows the beauty of Dubai as visibility dropped to as low as 1000 m in some areas.

4. Al Dhafra Municipality Warns Of Fines For Unauthorised Camping

As mentioned in a report of the Gulf News, the Al Dhafra Municipality has asked people to comply with the regulations that govern the use of public spaces. Yes, camping and events taking place in public areas without a prior permit from the relevant municipality carry a fine. Yes, the first offence is liable at AED10,000, it’s AED15,000 for the second, and AED 20,000 for the third offence.

Also Read: Dubai: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Marks 20 Years Of Accession!

5. Sheikh Zayed Festival Sets Five Guinness World Records

On the NYE, the Sheikh Zayed Festival set five incredible records. Yes, with record-breaking moments, the New Year’s Eve night was marked by five records, leaving people who gathered on the festival grounds stunned. This included the longest uninterrupted firework representation anywhere, which was clocked at 62 minutes. Other records included the highest total of waterfall, whistle-sound, thunder, and ring-shaped fireworks discharged within half a minute. This record is hardly surprising at 6,500 drones operated in synchrony, producing designs and formations each of which was shown for the first time.

So, with these updates laid out for you, we hope you’re able to stay ahead of the news from the GCC region.

Cover Image Courtesy: CanvaPro/adventtr from Getty Images Signature

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First Published: January 04, 2026 2:08 PM