By Desmond Nleya
Welcome, dear readers, to another sizzling, caffeine-fueled edition of Daily Times Trending Stories, where we unwrap the week’s biggest headlines hotter than your morning karak!
Lets dive in:
Starting today, November 1, 2025, delivery riders across Dubai and Sharjah might want to check their GPS twice — because the rules of the road just got a lot stricter.
In a joint mission between Dubai’s RTA and Sharjah Police, new traffic regulations now restrict delivery bikes from using fast lanes. Translation: if you are delivering burgers, you are not allowed to chase the Ferraris anymore.
Here’s the lowdown:
• On 5-lane roads → Delivery bikes banned from the two fastest lanes.
• On 3–4 lane roads → Keep off the fast lane.
• On smaller 2-lane roads → You’re still free to roll.
Violators will now face:
• Dh500 fine for the first oopsie,
• Dh700 for the second,
• and a permit suspension for the third strike.
If you are caught zooming over 100 km/h, expect fines starting at Dh200, doubling for repeat daredevils. The RTA has even put up new signs — just in case anyone missed the memo.
Moral of the story: if you’re delivering pizza, don’t try to overtake a Porsche.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has once again dropped jaws with his latest mega-project — the Mohammed bin Rashid Endowment District, worth a cool AED 4.7 billion.
Spanning a whopping two million square feet, this isn’t your regular neighborhood , it’s an urban utopia blending homes, hospitals, and classrooms under one generous roof. Built with the help of Azizi Developments, it’s designed to fund global education and healthcare projects for generations.
Basically, it’s philanthropy with a skyscraper view.
Meanwhile, at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, the UAE Cabinet approved its largest-ever federal budget, a jaw-dropping AED 92.4 billion for 2026.
That’s a 29% boost from last year, proving the Emirates’ economy is not just flying but it is cruising in first class.
Highlights include:
• AED 34.6 billion for social development and pensions,
• AED 27.1 billion for government affairs,
• AED 15.4 billion for financial investments, and
• AED 12.7 billion for… well, let’s just call it “the UAE glow-up fund.”
Meanwhile, the IMF predicts Abu Dhabi’s economy will grow by around 6% in 2025, powered by oil output and a booming real estate market. Property sales are up 40%, because apparently, everyone wants a slice of that desert skyline.
The message is clear: while the world worries about recessions, the UAE is too busy counting profits.
Around the world in Africa, Cameroon, 91-year-old President Paul Biya once again secured his spot at the top — winning the October 12 election with 53.66% of the vote. That’s right, the man as been in power since your parents were in bell-bottoms.
Meanwhile, in Tanzania, Madam Sal Salima reportedly won with a staggering 97%, but there are celebrations as protests erupted, with several casualties reported — though the government insists it’s just “isolated incidents.”
Social media tells another story: streets packed, internet down, and opposition members behind bars. Democracy is apparently on a long coffee break.
And now to football, where things took a rather divine twist.
Lionel Messi has signed a new contract with Inter Miami — no surprises there. But the real headline-grabber? Dani Alves, the man once known for samba dribbles , has swapped his boots for a Bible!
After being acquitted of serious charges earlier this year, Alves, now 42, has found redemption (literally) as a pastor at Elim Church in Girona, Spain.
Footage shows him preaching passionately, mic in hand, beard on point, and congregation cheering louder than Camp Nou on El Clásico night.
Also, congrats are in order — Alves and wife Joana Sanz recently welcomed their first child. From defending wingers to defending the Word — talk about a full comeback!
And that’s a wrap for this week’s Daily Times Weekend Trending Stories.
Till next time,
This has been Desmond Nleya, signing off with a cup of tea and a raised eyebrow.
