Keeping up with the region can feel like trying to sip water from a fire hose. That’s where our roundup of the latest Middle East updates comes in. From health alerts to cultural revamps, lifestyle perks, and travel news, here’s what’s making waves this week, and why you should care.
Middle East Updates You Shouldn’t Miss
1. UAE Bans Contaminated Uranus Star Bottled Water
Health scares are no joke. Following two deaths in Oman linked to Uranus Star water, the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment confirmed it has not authorised imports or sales of the product. Investigations revealed amphetamines were deliberately added to some bottles, yes. Authorities are now stepping up inspections and coordinating with local food safety bodies.
2. Galeries Lafayette Dubai Goes Full Candy Mode
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Beauty meets sugar in Dubai this October. Galeries Lafayette is transforming its beauty floor into a candy-themed playground for Beauty & Candy Week, running from October 22 to November 2, 2025. Think interactive installations, pop-ups, masterclasses, and luxury activations from YSL, Tom Ford, and Givenchy. Spend Dh350 or more and you bag a goodie bag plus a Beauty & Candy Passport to unlock rewards. Free admission means no excuses, candy and cosmetics lovers, this one’s for you.
3. Paddle, Yoga, and Fun at Hatta Dam
If fresh air and adventure are your jam, Dubai Stand Up Paddle 2025 at Hatta Dam on November 8–9 is calling your name. After 2,300 participants last year, the weekend now includes kayaking, sunset yoga, and food trucks. Beginners and People of Determination are fully catered for, with free training sessions. With the Hajar Mountains as a backdrop, it’s a rare chance to combine fitness, fun, and the occasional Instagram moment. Free shuttle too, convenience points scored.
4. UAE Weather Alert: Rain, Hail, and Winds
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Weather fans, brace yourselves. A low-pressure system will bring unsettled conditions from Friday through Sunday. Expect rain, hail, and gusts up to 50 km/h, mainly in northern and eastern areas. Temperatures will dip slightly, and foggy mornings are likely. Daytime highs hover around 35–37°C in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, while sea conditions might get choppy.
5. Karnak Temple’s Ancient Secrets
History buffs, here’s a gem. A new study reveals that Egypt’s Karnak Temple, built over 3,000 years, likely stood on a Nile island, creating a symbolic divine connection. Sediment samples show the temple’s evolution from a modest site to a sprawling complex of courtyards, colonnades, and a sacred lake.
6. Türkiye’s 12,000-Year-Old Pillar Discovery
Archaeology enthusiasts, take note. At Karahantepe, researchers uncovered a T-shaped pillar carved with a human face, the first of its kind. Part of the Taş Tepeler Project, it suggests early humans valued self-representation and spiritual expression in everyday life. Estimated at 12,000 years old, this piece adds a rare dimension to our understanding of Neolithic identity.
7. British Airways Unveils Dubai Lounge
Flyers, rejoice. British Airways has refreshed its global lounge concept, including a Dubai International Airport opening. Terminal 1’s 5,800 sq ft space blends British heritage with Arabic flair. Features include sweeping arches, mirrored ceilings, Arabic mezze, British classics, and Concorde Dining for First passengers. In practice, it’s a huge upgrade for anyone who’s spent too many hours in dull airport lounges.
8. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi Connects to Damascus
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Air travel between the UAE and Syria is expanding. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi starts direct flights to Damascus on 28 October 2025, three times a week. Add Etihad’s four weekly flights starting June 2026, and travellers have seven weekly options. Flights depart Abu Dhabi at 09:20, returning at 12:50.
9. Turkish Airlines and Air Algérie Join Forces
In a move that’s bound to make travelling around the region a bit less of a headache, Turkish Airlines and Air Algérie have teamed up with a new Memorandum of Understanding. The deal isn’t just about fancy signatures; it covers passenger connections, cargo, lounges, maintenance, and even sustainability projects. Translation? More flight options, smoother journeys, and a nod to greener operations.
10. Cairo’s Beit Tulun Transformed
Cairo’s heritage just got a facelift. Beit Tulun, a neglected three-storey home opposite Ibn Tulun Mosque, has been converted into a cultural hub by architect Mona Zakaria. Once her private studio, it now hosts art and heritage events, kicking off with Basma Osama’s ceramics exhibition. Zakaria and Osama’s collaboration turns history into a living, breathing experience.
These are the Middle East updates that matter right now, from health warnings and cultural revivals to travel perks and archaeological marvels.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikipedia/
For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE. First Published: October 10, 2025 6:48 PM