The Agenda

We’ve had multiple messages from listeners alerting us to what appears to be a new scam targeting drivers right here in the UAE and it all centres around DARB, the Abu Dhabi toll system. We ask cybersecurity expert Amir Kolahzadeh how you can tell the difference between a real notification and a fake one and how are scammers even getting your number in the first place? There's been a surge in civil marriages and wills registered at the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court, marking a remarkable jump in demand for services introduced under the UAE’s non-Muslim personal status law. Family lawyer Byron James shares more details. Earlier this week, the Dubai Land Department and the Higher Colleges of Technology launched a new Real Estate Diploma Programme, a major initiative aimed at empowering Emiratis to play a bigger role in this critical industry. How significant is this move for Emiratis planning to move to the real estate industry? More than 170,000 creators submitted proposals to take part on the UAE and Mr. Beast's "One Billion Acts of Kindness" campaign, and just 10 were selected. And one of them is joining us on the show today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paid parking has been introduced in the residential community of Discovery Gardens in Dubai. We speak to some residents who are happy with the changes and to some too who feel it’s an extra financial burden. What were the main factors that led Dubai to expand paid parking systems in residential communities? Is it a necessary solution? We get the take of Elev8's Pedram Rad. It’s been twelve months since US President Donald Trump was sworn back into the White House. So how is this second term shaping up? And is it unfolding the way his supporters had hoped? Katie is joined by Stephen Collinson, senior reporter for CNN Politics. He covers the White House, and politics across the United States and around the world. We also focus on Trump's statement that the United States would talk about acquiring Greenland at this week's Davos World Economic Forum because Denmark cannot protect the country. We speak with Dr. Timo Koivurova, Research Professor, Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland in Finland. And the UAE has claimed the top position globally in a 2026 government trust index.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're an influencer or a content creator in the UAE, the clock is ticking. Social media content creators have until January 31 to obtain advertiser permits if they want to continue promoting products and services legally online. Lawyer Munir Suboh tells us all the details. We speak with Robert Walters about their latest Hiring Trends e-guide that shows 62% of employees say they’d prefer not to come to the office on Mondays. Many want a slower start to the week, or simply to avoid the Monday commute. But on the flip side, over half of respondents believe that Mondays are the most valuable workday, and a third say they’re more productive when they begin the week in the office. How about you? How do you see Mondays? Women are significantly more likely to be injured in car crashes. So now a new more anatomically accurate female crash-test dummy has just been unveiled by Humanetics, the world’s leading dummy manufacturer. And for the very first time, the United Arab Emirates is set to compete in the Winter Olympics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The RTA has just completed a major phase of its Hessa Street Development Project. This latest upgrade is designed to help ease congestion for the more than 630,000 vehicles that use that stretch of road every day. So what exactly has been delivered? How long is the upgraded section? And which junctions are now fully operational? We get the details straight from Hamad Al Shehhi, Director of Roads at RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency.  We also ask transport expert Martin Tillman if it's enough to solve the long-term congestion problems in that part of the city. We turn our attention too to kids bank accounts and financial literacy for children after receiving a flurry of messages from our listeners wanting to know how they can teach their kids financial independence. We look at how local genetic data are being used to develop treatments and diagnostics that are tailored to this region’s population.  A new eye injection in the UK uses a simple gel injected into the eye to restore pressure and improve vision in patients with dangerously low eye pressure. We also speak with the Dubai Civil Defence about their Billion Readiness initiative that has already helped reduce fire incidents worldwide by 18%. And check the details about Dubai's attempt to host the world’s largest virtual sign language class this month.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Roads and Transport Authority is beginning a school bus pooling pilot programme next week and they’re doing it in partnership with a private transport company and a bus provider. We get the details from Adel Shakri, Director of Planning and Business Development at RTA's Public Transport Agency, Yango and Urban Express. If you’re thinking of buying property in Dubai or even just keeping an eye on where the city is expanding next, there's a growing number of tools now available to help buyers make smarter, more strategic decisions. We found one through property consultant Divya Wadhwa. But who decides what gets built and where? What makes a plot of land become a residential community, a park, a business hub, or even a cultural district? We get the take of  Fatma Al Khayat from Arkat Urban Planning + Design Tech journalist Kevin Sebastian updates us with all the changes Google is doing to Gmail. A group of chemists and environmental scientists say many of the most alarming microplastics studies may be based on flawed detection methods. Some particles believed to be plastic could actually be natural fat, and key safety claims may not stand up to scrutiny.  And is ube the new matcha?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just today, a major new report was released by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts  and the headline is hard to ignore: 2025 was officially the third warmest year on record. So what does this mean for governments, for businesses, and for all of us as individuals? A powerful new documentary, titled simply Ocean, and presented by Sir David Attenborough, is being screened right here at WFES, and it’s designed to hit home with the people who have the power to act: climate policymakers and global investors. Coral reefs are dying but one company is working to reverse that trend.We also look at how AI is making a difference on the global energy system not just to decarbonise, but to become smarter, faster, and more resilient. We speak to a company unveiling the world’s highest-capacity hard drive.As the UAE continues to push its sustainability agenda forward, new partnerships are forming right here at WFES to tackle waste management and circular economy goals. BEEAH has signed a new joint venture with KEZAD Group, aimed at boosting waste management and circular economy services across Abu Dhabi’s industrial zones. And we meet the man behind Jade, that uses AI-powered educational games to detect and support children with autism and other neurodiverse conditions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Etihad Airways has been named the world’s safest airline for 2026, and we ask AirlineRatings what set it apart. As the UK moves to clamp down on AI deepfakes, British TV personality Narinder Kaur speaks out after being targeted using Elon Musk’s AI tool Grok. OpenAI is rolling out AI-powered health advice, but critics warn handing chatbots your medical data could be a privacy minefield. With 96% of UAE residents eating too much salt, the Ministry of Health and Prevention explains what new regulations could mean for your food.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How easy is it to find fame and fortune on social media - and do influencers have a responsibility to do good once they reach the top? We are Inside the 1 Billion Followers Summit, hearing from from Logan Moffitt, the Cucumber Guy, and Filipino food star Abi Marquez, aka the Lumpia Queen.How a sore throat turned into a life-threatening battle with necrotising fasciitis for British expat Mark Brooks.Meanwhile, Dubai’s new Cycling Pass - a push for active lifestyles and tourism linking nine cycling routes across the emirate.Plus, Leonardo da Vinci’s DNA, could new scientific discoveries change how we authenticate historic artworks?And Katie Chambers breaks down the biggest winners from the Golden Globes update and what they mean for awards season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Etihad Rail has finally unveiled seven new passenger stations bringing the total so far to 11. But how transformative could this really be both for residents and the wider economy? How will this impact the property market? New AI-powered surveillance cameras are being tested to detect and report littering in public spaces in Dubai. So how does the technology actually work, and what are the limits?   Students in Dubai are back in schools after a long winter break. Now, some school leaders are warning about “learning regression”, the academic dip that happens when students lose key skills during extended breaks, especially in reading, writing and maths. So how serious is it, and what can be done? And Emirates Airline has issued a fresh travel advisory reminding UAE residents that they’ll now need to apply for a new kind of e-visa before they fly. So what exactly is an ETA, who needs it, and how do you apply?   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tomorrow marks the first Friday under Dubai’s new early finish rule for schools. The change was announced in December, after prayer times were officially moved earlier by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs. We speak with school heads and parents have inundated our text line with comments.The UAE is rolling out a national salt reduction policy, targeting processed foods, restaurant meals, and improving nutrition labelling, all with the goal of reducing average salt intake across the population. We explore the serious health implications of high salt consumption with Dr Samira Hassan and we also look at how businesses are responding with the changes.We speak with one drone training company as this week, authorities approved five national drone training hubs, with the goal of creating a world-leading ecosystem for advanced air mobility. We analyse a new study suggesting that that airline emissions could be cut by up to 50%, simply by running flights more efficiently— choosing better routes, flying at optimal altitudes, and avoiding unnecessary detours.And we're talking you skydiving with Cornelia Mihai.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That's what exactly happened to one Dubai community not once, but twice, and the recent one is on New Year's Eve. We hear the story from resident Ruth Dance. We also speak with Ateis Middle East's Phil Witts to learn about alarm units connections and obligations. From this week, the country's ban on single-use plastics has expanded dramatically. We ask, are businesses ready for this ban? What alternatives are available? We also discuss big news out of CES 2026 in Las Vegas: humanoid robots and Nvidia's Alpamayo And do you miss the old Blackberry phone? There's something similar to it... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UAE banks start phasing out OTPs - what’s replacing them, and is it safer? Meanwhile, insurance claims jump 20% after December rains - are companies paying out? How to get more from your health insurance in 2026 Plus a Q&A on your consumer rights with Ahmad Ahli from Dubai Consumer Protection You travel rights explained - refunds, delays, and cancellations made clearSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Smart glasses under scrutiny - Are they cool tech or a privacy threat? We speak to a legal expert warning of their misuse for harassment and stalking.What does UAE law say? - Tech lawyer Dino Wilkinson, a smart glasses owner himself, explains the local legal landscape.20 years of leadership - We mark two decades of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as Ruler of Dubai.Adulthood at 18 - A new law sets 18 as the legal age of adulthood in the UAE. What does it mean for civil rights?Big year for UAE brands - How long-term residents are reshaping local brand culture in 2026.Why the world’s going beige - Inside Pantone’s Colour of the Year and the rise of neutral aestheticsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A New Year means new Emiratisation targets of 8 per cent and in an added twist announced over the last few days - a 6,000 dirhams a month minimum wage for Emiratis.  We'll find out what that means for the recruitment sector with expert John Fitzpatrick. Plus what does 2026 hold for us? We'll do our annual chat with renowned futurist Dr Noah Raford, and look back on his predictions from 2025 to see if he got it right! And do the phrases goblin mode or rage bait mean anything to you? Well, they were crowned as words of the year in 2025. Meanwhile - warnings over AI are growing as leaders and pioneers raise fears about control, safety and the future of artificial intelligence. Some experts suggest AI is showing signs of self-preservation. So do we need to worry? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On The Agenda today - your go-to guide to budget-friendly New Year’s Eve celebrations in the UAE - we’re talking about everything from fireworks to food trucks - plus we advice on road closures with Surina Kelly. And with 2026 fast approaching, do you want a new job this year? We discover the simple tricks that could help you accelerate your career, and we find out why saving, not spending, is shaping New Year’s resolutions across the UAE in 2026. Plus as of 1st January there's a whole raft of new laws and taxes coming into force. Find out why your sweet snacks and drinks could cost more in 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From new corporate tax rules and VAT updates, to tighter refund deadlines and stricter compliance measures - this is a major shake-up of the country’s tax landscape. We have John Casey, Managing Director of Tax Ready dot AE, a Virtuzone company and one of our go-to tax experts here on the show to make sense of what it all means for us. Plus in our build-up to New Year’s Eve, we’ll find out how thousands of drones are being used in firework displays across the emirates. And how many of you are planning to celebrate on the water? The authorities will unveil their marine safety plan ahead of the 2026 celebrations on this show! And for those of you who live in fear of losing your luggage - global air transport IT provider SITA has good news! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The RTA shares its NYE plan to enable passengers to have a smooth journey. Plus, ride hailing app Zed reveals numbers on passenger habits. And scientist Rachel Stratton joins Georgia in studio to talk about her latest adventure - traveling hundreds of kilometres... on a camel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The worst of the weather hit last night, with torrential downpours and thunderstorms sweeping across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah. Videos circulating online show flooded roads, poor visibility, and that rare UAE phenomenon— hailstones clattering off car windscreens. So what more can we expect as the day unfolds? ARN News Centre's Surina Kelly joins us for more updates on travel, flights and government advisories. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has just announced the second phase of the nationwide ban on single-use plastic products and bags, a move that's set to come  into full effect on January 1st, 2026. Her Excellency Engineer Alya Abdelrahim Alharmoodi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sustainable Communities Sector at the Ministry of  Climate Change and Environment gives us more details. We also look at what this means for business, consumers and the future of sustainable alternatives to plastic. And we meet an Emirati marine engineer who joined a landmark exhibition to the Union Glacier in Antarctica.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As more rain is expected throughout the UAE, we speak with forecaster Alya Almazroui from the National Center of Meteorology, for the latest weather updates. We're also joined by Sebastien Bedu, General Manager for the Middle East at International SOS, to talk about how companies here have responded and adapted since the 2024 floods. Now with the rain already affecting parts of the UAE, and more disruption expected over the next 24 to 48 hours, here’s a question that’s on many employees’ minds: If I get stuck in traffic or delayed by floodwater on the way to work... does that count as working time? Employment lawyer Ali Al Assaad is here to answer that. Just as many of us are looking forward to a well-earned winter break, doctors are warning about a new, aggressive flu variant that’s spreading fast across parts of the world. We go behind the scenes to know the logistics of your turkey takeaways this holiday season. Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? Let's hear the take of Dr David Tully, Associate Professor in Film, Head of Media at Middlesex University Dubai. And meet... DabubuSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That’s the view emerging from PwC, one of the Big Four consultancy firms, which has just announced that it’s rolling out mandatory resilience training for its new graduate hires. Why? Because while these fresh recruits are passing all the cognitive and technical tests, PwC says they’re often arriving without the human skills needed to thrive in a high-pressure corporate environment, things like confidence, communication, and handling feedback. Check the discussion with Hudson RPO's Toby Simpson and two brilliant Gen Z's Jose and Sam. A brand-new survey has gone out to schools across Dubai, aiming to explore how financial literacy is being taught and how it could be improved. Fatma Al Janahi, Director of Foundation and Growth Policies and Programmes at the KHDA tells us more. We also look at tools to help young people build real-world money skills in a way that’s engaging, interactive and actually fun. Find out why tens of thousands of Filipinos are gathering days before Christmas. And where do real Christmas trees, sold here in the UAE, come from?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.