The Agenda

The latest INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard shows that drivers in Dubai lost an average of 45 hours to congestion over the past year.  That’s a 30% jump from 2024, and a 36% increase compared to two years ago. In other words, we’re now spending a third more time on the road than we used to.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scammers have been at it again, offering tickets for a fake Taylor Swift concert in Dubai, as cloned sites and OTP traps offering massive discounts continue to rise. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dubai billionaire Khalaf Al Habtoor is urging schools and universities to prioritise practical experience alongside academic study. In the UAE, it's been two and a half years since teenagers aged 15 to 18 can legally apply for part-time jobs under what is known as a juvenile work permit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We take a look round one of the UAE’s most anticipated cultural landmarks - the Zayed National Museum, now open on Saadiyat Island.  Just down the road, the Natural History Museum is already making waves - we chat with the Director about dinosaurs, meteorites, and more. The Oxford Word of the Year is here. Ever heard of rage bait? Looking ahead to FIFA World Cup 2026, we’ve got expert tips on navigating the US visa process. Plus, we unpack the solar storm that grounded over 100 planes in the UAE and ask: could there be more delays ahead? Aviation analyst Anita Mendiratta joins us. Then, science takes a spooky turn: could black mould that thrives on radiation help protect astronauts in space? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rents in Dubai have risen by over 23% on average in the last 12 months, with some areas seeing increases of up to 35%, according to property consultancy CBRE. So what are your rights if your landlord asks for a big jump in rent? Dr. Yousef Al Mansoori, Senior First Instance Judge at the Rental Dispute Center walk us through some of the most common legal battles — including evictions for personal use, rent increases, and contract handovers. White Friday is here but it’s no longer just about the deepest discount. We hear from brand experts tracking how shoppers are rewarding seamless experiences over price tags.  We unpack how big logistics companies cope when the world starts gift-wrapping. A new study from the University of Cambridge in the UK has found that our brains go through four major rewiring moments — not just in childhood, but also around the ages of 32, 66, and even 83. So what does that mean for how we grow, learn, and age? And when does a brand refresh become a branding disaster? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fake advert offering “half-price tickets” to Wicked at Dubai Opera has been circulating on Instagram and Facebook and it leads to a replica website that looks almost identical to the real thing. One listener clicked the link, made the purchase… and only realised something was wrong when AED 24,000 dirhams vanished from her credit card.  We also speak with Dubai Opera’s Paolo Petrocelli about how audiences can protect themselves. As of yesterday, Abu Dhabi became the first city outside the US to launch fully driverless robotaxis on the Uber platform; public commercial operations have begun in Yas Island. So the question now is: are we really ready to ride without a driver?  A new transport system will be launched in Dubai in a few year’s time and will feature vehicles measuring 11.5 meters in length and 2.65 meters in width, with each unit carrying 40 passengers at speeds of up to 100 kph. It will run on tracks equipped with solar panels. A new study coming out of the US has found that people with greater muscle mass and lower visceral fat — the hidden fat around the organs — have younger-looking brains on MRI scans.  And we’re heading into the Hajar Mountains because a brand-new species of ant has just been discovered in Wadi Shees, and it’s been officially named Carebara sharjahensis in honour of the emirate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Research from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts has shown that the average focused screen-time for any one activity has dropped from about two and a half minutes twenty years ago to just 47 seconds today. That's having a huge impact on the type of tech that's being developed that we could use and it's one of the several features at the ongoing Doers Summit at Dubai Digital Park in Dubai Silicon Oasis. It’s two days of innovation, investment and big ideas with speakers from around the world sharing their stories and helping shape the future of finance, technology, and entrepreneurship. We speak with Niklas Jansen, co-founder of Blinkist, an app that takes non-fiction books and turns them into short, digestible insights you can read or listen to in 15 minutes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That’s what Malaysia is planning from 2026 and it’s part of a global trend. Australia brings in its ban next month with France, Spain, all tightening restrictions. We explore whether bans actually work and who should be responsible for keeping kids safe online, with consultant in digital wellbeing, Dr Alison Burrows. Next we head to the mountains — to the beautiful Hatta, where one of the UAE’s biggest development projects is rapidly taking shape. A new school and amphitheatre have just opened, and we ask how this AED 36 billion masterplan is transforming the area for business, tourism and the people who live there, with Dubai Holding's Roudi Soubra. We also speak to the founder of the Hatta Strawberry Farm that is using hydroponics and smart farming to boost food security to grow something sweet in the desert. And we have two very interesting animal stories: How parakeets are thriving in cities around the world, including right here in Dubai and the discovery that lions don’t just have one roar — they have two, and each one serves a completely different purpose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to new figures, average parking fees have increased by 51% since Dubai introduced its variable tariff system. So with rising living costs and flat salaries, should employers be doing more to reduce everyday pressures on staff, like parking? Staying with how parking is becoming more expensive and harder to find, it’s now playing a much bigger role in where businesses choose to set up. We speak with Daniel McCullagh from FAM Properties; his team recently published a blog showing that offices with good parking access are now commanding stronger investment interest. We look at the implications of Google and Meta delaying their planned internet cable expansions through the Red Sea.New Zealand’s top book prize has just disqualified two authors from the longlist… not because of what they wrote, but because the cover designs of their books included AI-generated elements. And from NZ to Japan, we look at the new discovery that moss spores were able to survive 1.5 years outside the International Space Station. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After that devastating fire earlier this month, Wolfi’s Bike Shop is back — in a new temporary home. We're joined by Wolfi himself to hear how the team is rebuilding, and what customers can expect from the new pop-up. We also talk cycling safety — especially for children. Almir Mujic explains how he’s bringing road safety education directly into UAE schools. Would you pay using just your face? No wallet, no phone. That’s the idea behind Agent Pay, a new system being piloted right here in Dubai. But are we ready to swap convenience for biometric data? In a major legal development, two separate rulings from the Al Ain Court have confirmed that parents in the UAE can be held financially liable for their children's bullying. We discuss a world-first move in Australia, where teens under 16 will soon be banned from Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Meta is already deactivating accounts. And with the UAE National Day fast approaching, many of us are looking ahead to the long weekend. So where are people going? And what deals are still available?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was a big claim at the Dubai Future Forum yesterday that says yes.  We speak with Mammoth Biosciences that is looking to make this a reality by using gene-editing technology.  We also discuss longevity and the role of AI in public health with Dubai Health. We get more details on Dubai’s first vertiport near DXB, straight from the Roads and Transport Authority. With the UAE Central Bank scrapping the minimum salary requirement to get a bank loan, what does it mean for the finance industry and residents who can now have more access to banking services? And what happens when AI doesn’t just remix art, but becomes capable of thinking, planning and making decisions on its own?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we broadcast live from the Dubai Future Forum at the Museum of the Future, we are looking at a first-of-its-kind, jet-powered drone developed by Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority designed to fly directly into extreme fire zones, places far too dangerous for humans. What could this mean for the future of emergency response? We speak with Major Eng. Ali Almadfaei, Head of Advanced Solutions and Emerging Technologies at Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority. Emirates will become the world’s largest operator of Starlink-enabled aircraft — with plans to begin rolling out high-speed satellite Wi-Fi on its fleet starting next year.  The UAE has announced plans to build its very own research base in Antarctica — the first of its kind for the region. We talk about the UAE Polar Programme with H.E. Dr Abdulla Almandous, President of World Meteorological Organization and the Director General of the National Centre of Meteorology.  From AI to clean water, to prosthetics and planetary health — students from across the world are here in Dubai this week, showing what’s possible when science meets purpose. And we speak to one company leading the charge when it comes to innovation and health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dubai Police are cracking down on dangerous e-motorbikes, after teenagers were caught riding modified bikes at over 100 kilometres an hour on roads, pavements, and even jogging tracks. We hear from one mum whose son was seriously injured after being hit by one and a community that has banned them altogether. Plus, we get expert analysis from Dr. Mostafa Aldah, Founder of RoadHeroAcademy.com and former Head of the Traffic Research Section at Dubai Police. With the festival season kicking in, shoppers are about to be hit with every kind of promotion imaginable. From “Buy One Get One” to flash sales and mega markdowns, it can be hard to know what’s genuinely worth your money. To help us navigate it all, we’re joined by Ahmad Ahli, Acting Director of the Consumer Protection Department at the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade. The Dubai Airshow opens today and alongside the aircraft, the big story this year is the future of travel. New data from SITA shows baggage mishandling is now at its lowest level on record, even as global travel surges.  And after premiering in Lebanon, the Arabic opera Antar & Abla is coming to Abu Dhabi in a giant open-air production at Zayed Sports City.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UAE Cybersecurity Council has issued a stark warning: hackers are now exploiting so‑called zero‑day vulnerabilities security flaws unknown even to the software developers. In one alarming example, a simple call on WhatsApp from an unfamiliar number could compromise a user’s phone without the user even answering. Cybersecurity expert Amir Kolazahdeh gives us safety tips. We also turn to Apple’s new Digital ID and passport integration, a feature that could eventually put your entire identity onto your device. It promises convenience, but with zero-day vulnerabilities making headlines, how safe is a digital passport on your phone? Today is National Seatbelt Day, a reminder that, despite all the awareness campaigns, too many people are still taking unnecessary risks on the road. We speak to David Devine who has been using something called the Seatbelt Convincer, a demonstration tool that simulates a low-speed crash.  Abu Dhabi has just become the first city in the region to launch commercial driverless vehicles, taking autonomous transport from testing phase to public reality.  And a row has erupted in the UK art world, and it all centers on ten tonnes of rope with a price tag of more than one million pounds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Dubai Cares about a nationwide campaign turning every bite into a chance to fight hunger and support education. Then, we hear from Tashas Group founder Natasha Sideris, one of the first restaurateurs to sign on. So how is fine dining fuelling real change? From doping to match-fixing and ball tampering, the integrity of sport is under growing scrutiny. With billions at stake and public trust on the line, how do we protect the games we love? We talk to the head of the Sports Integrity Global Alliance, in Dubai for a major new forum tackling exactly that. The UAE is setting its sights on the next big leap in mobile technology. This week, the country’s telecom regulator, the TDRA, announced the launch of a major new 6G initiative. So what does all this mean for you and me? And how far away is it, really? And move over Netflix... because a new streaming site has officially taken flight. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re a regular traveler through Dubai International Airport, you may have noticed something new at the gates: discreet biometric cameras quietly tracking passenger movement through immigration and boarding. So how exactly does this technology work? Where is it being used? And what does it mean for the future of air travel?We speak with the company behind the tech, Chris Rous, VP of Middle East and Africa for EMEA Airports & Borders at Amadeus. We also ask: where is our data going? Associate Professor in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Dr. Ikram Rehman has the answers. Abu Dhabi is set to get an emirate-wide vertiport system, laying the groundwork for air taxis to become part of everyday life. We get details from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, the body leading this futuristic rollout through its SAVI cluster. What happened to all the water on Mars? It’s one of the biggest mysteries in planetary science and now, new research from NYU Abu Dhabi is offering some fresh insight. And we analyse how the ancient city of Venice has stood for centuries on marshy, unstable ground.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're part of the UAE’s cycling community, chances are you’ve stopped by Wolfi’s Bike Shop at some point. It’s been a fixture on Sheikh Zayed Road for more than two decades, known not just for bikes, but for building a real cycling community here in the city. But last week, the store was forced to temporarily close its doors after a fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday. Katie speaks with Wolfgang Hohmann, founder of Wolfi’s.  Now, we are just 7 weeks and 1 day away from New Year’s Eve, and in Dubai, that means millions of people pouring into the city’s most iconic spots, from Downtown and Burj Khalifa to The Palm and Dubai Festival City. And while most of us are busy deciding which fireworks spot has the best view, there’s a whole city-wide machine gearing up behind the scenes to make sure we all get there… and back… smoothly. In the first half of this year alone, Ajman recorded AED 12.4 billion in property transactions, that’s a 37% increase compared to the same period last year. And in just one month, in May 2025, more than 1,800 deals were recorded, worth around AED 2.3 billion. So what’s driving this surge? Are you considering shifting to Ajman? And why do we yawn? Apparently it's really good for our brain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With road and metro traffic feeling the pressure from our ever-growing population in the emirates, we've been hearing about plans to transform the country's infrastructure. Residents have been reacting to last week's announcement of a massive AED 170 billion national infrastructure plan that is looking to alleviate the pressure on the country's transportation system by 2030. We speak to infrastructure expert Chris Seymour.  As the international museum community descends in Dubai this week to attend the ‘ICOM Dubai 2025’ event, we look at what it means for the UAE's cultural and heritage sector. Do you prefer herbal "medications" - well a batch of a popular Thai inhaler has been recalled in the UAE; we catch up with a medical expert on the risks of contaminated products.  And do you love the idea of a snowy Christmas? Winter markets in Austria, Germany, Switzerland. Cozied up in a sweater drinking hot chocolate. It's a dream for many... but the clock is ticking if you're still trying to winter in Europe and you need a visa.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority has announced plans to license 60 new affordable private schools across the emirate. Will these new schools offer real relief for parents facing rising fees? Katie Chambers speaks to Mohamed Abdulhalim, Acting Director of Supply Development at KHDA. Microsoft is pledging to invest $15 billion into the UAE by 2030, not just to boost AI and cloud infrastructure, but crucially, to help train the next generation of talent. Georgia Tolley speaks to Microsoft vice chairman and president Brad Smith to know how the money would be spent. For the first time this year, private schools across the UAE are following a unified academic calendar, and it means an early and extended winter holiday. So how are schools managing the pressure of exams, events, and end-of-year expectations — all within this compressed timeline? And how will travel patterns shift among UAE residents? As the UAE accelerates its ambitions in science, technology, and space exploration, new efforts are being made to build the talent pipeline from the ground up. A flagship programme in this space is the Space & Rocketry Academy UAE or SARA, an education initiative preparing students for careers in STEM, space science, and AI. Lissy Donald, Managing Director of Compass International & NASA Astronaut Dr. Donald Thomas share more details And this weekend, hundreds of students from across the UAE will take to the stage... not to perform, but to spell. The Spelling Bee Championship UAE is back, bringing together young learners from 145 schools and over 40 nationalities, all competing for a chance to represent the country on the global stage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The newly-elected New York City mayor thinks they should be over there. It’s a concept that’s been gaining traction in cities around the world– would it work here in the UAE? Would it change how you travel, if there are no bus fares? The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA)  has announced it will build 60 new affordable private schools, as part of a broader plan to deliver 100 new schools. But how do you make education more affordable without cutting corners?  From April 2026, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will launch a new Global Curriculum for all of its affiliated schools operating outside of India. And that includes the 106 CBSE schools here in the UAE, the largest network of Indian curriculum schools anywhere outside India. But what does this mean in real terms for students, parents, and schools? And we’re heading to Cairo, where the Grand Egyptian Museum has finally opened its doors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.