The Agenda

A beach in Khor Fakkan is the latest stretch of UAE coastline to close after oil slicks were spotted along the shore. We get the latest about the clean-up and investigations. Scientists say 2026 could be the hottest year ever recorded, with a powerful El Niño threatening even more extreme weather next year. And here in the Middle East, the UN says water shortages are continuing, despite unusually heavy rainfall in some areas. A study out of Zayed University suggests cyberbullying isn't just a problem for children, but adults too. Abu Dhabi's Early Childhood Authority has launched a campaign called "Protecting Children Takes All of Us". We tell you about a new trend in property listings called 'housefishing'. And how did a cruise ship pianist survived an extraordinary ordeal in the Pacific Ocean?    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A landmark 1,800-kilometre railway network could connect all six GCC countries, linking the UAE with Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. How close are we to making this a reality, and what could it mean for passengers and trade across the region? And could one visa soon make travelling across the Gulf much easier? We look at the latest plans for a single visa covering all six GCC countries, and when travellers might finally be able to use it. Could self-driving cars soon be sharing the roads with residents in Ras Al Khaimah? The emirate is planning real-world trials of autonomous vehicles in Mina, navigating everyday traffic rather than a controlled test track. But how safe are they, and who's liable if something goes wrong? With less than a month until the UAE marks its 55th National Day, we also hear from someone who witnessed the country's formation in 1971. What was Dubai really like in those early days?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost one in three pupils worldwide has been bullied at school in the past month, according to UNESCO, which warns that AI is making online abuse harder to tackle.  Are schools and parents equipped to protect children? We speak to a UNESCO expert and the VP of Safeguarding at GEMS. Hackers have interfered with temperature controls at three blood storage facilities in France and at supermarkets across Europe.  No blood supplies were lost, but could cybercriminals take control of hospital equipment here in the UAE? UK politicians say the maths app TT Rockstars, used by millions of children including here in the UAE, could be encouraging too much screen time.  We speak to the CEO. Plus, why penguins could be speeding up the melting of Antarctic snow, and why seabirds suffer from jet lag.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When does a professional opportunity become a red flag? Katie was recently approached about moderating an event, only to discover that payment was required to be involved. We also hear from experts who've been approached with paid “Top 50” entrepreneur features, awards and magazine opportunities. British Airways is back flying between London and Dubai after an eight-month suspension. The return was originally planned for October before being pushed back, so what does BA's decision to come back now tell us about confidence in the Dubai market? We also look at Rice Krispies and Coco Pops, after Kellogg's changed the recipes, replacing rice grains with rice flour. The new recipe also contains wheat gluten. What does that mean for nutrition, and what should parents be looking for on the back of the box? Could the smart mosquito trap in Abu Dhabi the better way to tackle mosquito populations? And finally, where did Collins Dictionary's Word of the Year for 2026 "mogging" originate from?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Delivery motorbikes in Dubai are about to be fitted with cameras and sensors. We speak with the Roads and Transport Authority on why they're introducing a smart monitoring system now. We also ask, how do these kinds of monitoring system work? How many cars can you have registered in your name in the UAE? From January 2027, there will be a new limit. The US midterm results are reshaping the balance of power in Washington, with Democrats projected to take control of the House. What do the results mean for Donald Trump and, crucially, for the UAE and the wider Gulf? It’s Planting Week in the UAE, what should you actually be planting? We find out from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. And do you want a piece of the A380 aircraft at home?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.