The Agenda

Denmark has become the latest country to take a tough stance on children’s digital lives, announcing plans to ban social media for anyone under the age of 15. We explore this with Dr Alison Burrows, Professor of Education and Childhood Studies at Middlesex University here in Dubai and with Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist, AI Institute, University of New South Wales, SydneyWe get the latest updates from the Philippines after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Davao Oriental this morning. Inquirer.net's John Eric Mendoza joins us live. We also hear from Jasmin Matiga who tells us how her family felt the aftershocks in Davao.Starting on Sunday, the European Union is rolling out a brand-new biometric border system. That means no more passport stamps instead, travellers will have their face scanned and fingerprints taken when entering the EU for the first time. What happens if you’re misidentified or denied entry because of a system error? Brian Grierson, Commercial and Aviation Litigation Expert at Pinsent Masons guides us.We also hear from Skyscanner about their Travel Trends Report stating that residents here are turning away from traditional sightseeing and instead prioritising personal passions and purpose-led experiences.As World Space Week 2025 comes to a close, the UAE is marking it with a major milestone. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre has released the first images from its two newest satellites - MBZ-SAT and Etihad-SAT - and they signal a new era in the UAE’s space ambitions. Engineer Amer Al Sayegh Al Ghaferi, Assistant Director General of the Aerospace Engineering Sector, MBRSC, tells us how the data will be used.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve been hearing a lot this year about flying taxis in the UAE, from California-based Archer Aviation signing deals to launch air taxi services in Abu Dhabi by 2026, to new vertiport infrastructure being planned at Dubai International Airport and Yas Island. Now, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is bringing that innovation into the healthcare space. We speak to its COO about what it means for emergency transport in the UAE. The team from Archer Aviation also joins the show and tells Katie how challenging it is to integrate air taxis into a live hospital environment. Why are job titles getting stranger? From Customer Delight Specialist to Security Princess, and even a Chief Happiness Officer. We're joined by the Chief Chocolate Officer at Mirzam and a Kitchen Compounder from Lush to find out why quirky job titles are being seen as the new corporate power move. An Indian-made messaging app has suddenly gone viral, and it's taking direct aim at WhatsApp. Can a homegrown platform really challenge the Meta-owned giant?  And what actually makes a good egg?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We recently talked about the GCC piloting a single tourist visa and its effect for UAE travel. Today, we look at Oman where tourism has been on the rise, revenues and occupancy rates have been climbing this year and there are plans to increase hotel room capacity to keep up. We catch up with Cavendish Maxwell on their latest report, and with the man behind Six Senses Ziggy Bay to get his thoughts on this surge in demand.  The UAE's Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is the leading energy source in the country, and managing risk at the plant is a crucial priority for the government. After a recent simulation exercise, we speak with the The Emergency, Crises and Disaster Management Centre Abu Dhabi to find out how these trainings are run.  New figures are in for the Nafis programme, which aims to get more Emiratis working in the private sector. Emiratalent joins us to unpack it all. Could brain-powered computers be the biggest game-changer in tech? We ask a Swiss lab working on this prospect. And is stevia a better alternative to sugar? Doctors have been weighing in.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One month after internet cables were cut in the Red Sea, we speak to telecoms expert Paul Brodsky to understand why UAE residents are still experiencing slowdowns. As AI reshapes the music industry, a local executive explains how major labels are racing to control how their songs are used by machines. Dubai’s prestigious Rashid and Latifa School is reopening with a cutting-edge new campus and curriculum, and we’ll hear from the CEO about the changes and scholarships Plus, a mysterious new object, 3I/ATLAS, has entered our solar system - and scientists aren’t sure if it’s a comet, a rock, or something stranger. And in Fujairah, a rare Arabian Caracal has been caught on camera for the first time in years, offering hope for the region’s endangered wildlife.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GCC pilots a single tourist visa - what it means for UAE travel and would you use it? Dubai launches a Dh25 express bus from Al Quoz to MBZ City every three hours. It's UN Space Week - the MBRSC speak to us on how humans could one day live in space. Big study says reasoning, vocabulary and emotional insight often peak around 60 even as speed slows. Smelly shoes to science fame - India’s UV shoe rack wins an Ig Nobel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dubai’s skyline keeps rising but so does frustration, as more residents report late-night construction noise disrupting their peace. We ask what the law actually says about building work after dark and whether the city is doing enough to protect our health and well-being. We also explore how better urban design could help reduce noise in the long term with Pooja Ganatra, Senior Sustainability consultant at Buro Happold. From rent hikes to withheld deposits, rental disputes are one of the biggest sources of stress for residents in Dubai. Katie speak speaks with Dr. Yousef Al Mansoori, Senior First Instance Judge at the Rental Dispute Center to find out what’s really going on behind the scenes and whether the system is working for both tenants and landlords. A new app promises to bring much-needed transparency to the real estate sector, by using real-time data and AI to provide accurate, standardised property valuations potentially cutting out a lot of the grey areas that lead to disagreements between tenants, landlords and agents. We speak to the founder of Takeem. And it’s been a week of big announcements at Global Rail 2025 in Abu Dhabi. Etihad Rail's Dr. Eric Pairet Artau tells us more about the Etihad Rail Innovation Centre.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In France, President Macron’s government is fighting back against the rise of ‘child-free zones’ - that is, adults-only restaurants, hotels, and public areas. The concern is that this trend reflects a growing intolerance towards children, and could even contribute to the country’s falling birth rate. You’ve spoken your piece together with Yulia Fedorishina of Ribambelle and Bernard O'Neill of Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort Abu Dhabi Corniche. As we broadcast live from the World Green Economy Summit, we focus on the big question: how do we reach net zero? We’re joined by H.E. Abdulrahim Sultan, Director of the World Green Economy Organisation, Garrett Boudinot, Founder & CEO of Vycarb, while water and environmental expert Alicia Dauth guides us about water stewardship. Just last week, Dubai approved a 100-year deep-tunnel drainage project to protect the city from future flooding, a clear sign that emergency preparedness is now part of the climate conversation. Sebastien Bedu, General Manager, Middle East at International SOS, to discuss. And this week, a major report published warned that global cancer deaths could rise to 18 million a year by 2050 - driven by growing populations, ageing societies, and rising exposure to risk factors like pollution, poor diets and lack of early detection. Oncologist Dr. Shaheenah Dawood joins Katie to unpack what’s driving that increase, and what it means here in the UAE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Abu Dhabi has just announced plans to build a new tram system connecting Yas Island’s major landmarks like Yas Mall, SeaWorld and Ferrari World, all the way to Zayed International Airport and beyond. The idea is to boost connectivity, cut traffic, and support sustainable tourism while laying the foundation for a fully-integrated public transport system across the capital. Katie Chambers speaks with Chris Seymour, Managing Director of Mace Middle East and Africa, to find out how complex it is to integrate a tram network through existing destinations. We get the latest news from the Global Rail in Abu Dhabi from Kevin Smith of the International Railway Journal. It's time for our regular Consumer Hour on The Agenda. This week we focus on hotel apartments and serviced rentals. What rights do you actually have? Ahmad Ali, Acting Director of Consumer Protection at the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade has the answers. It’s the time of the year – visibility’s down due to fog especially in the morning. So what exactly are the rules of the road here in the UAE? Can you use your hazard lights? Motoring journalist Damien Reid guides us. And we tell you about the first country in the world to be offered on prescription for its scientifically supported benefits for health and wellbeing.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UAE has rolled out four new visit visa categories, along with changes to who can sponsor family and business travellers. We ask legal expert Devanand Mahadeva what it all means for residents and employers. With the changes, travel agencies and tour operators are watching closely. Could this open up new demand, more tailored packages, or even a different kind of traveller altogether? We get the take of Sai Rattan, General Manager for Special Projects at Satguru Travel. Big changes in food delivery. Talabat is introducing mandatory insurance for riders. Is it a new standard for safety, or just smart PR? A senior executive joins us live. The Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority is now trialling self-driving lorries. What does this mean for road safety, logistics, and the people currently behind the wheel? Abdulrahman Al Janahi, Director of Commercial Transport Activities Department, Licensing Agency, RTA, gives us more details. It’s one of Dubai’s most iconic attractions, and it’s back with a splash. The Dubai Fountain reopens tomorrow after months of upgrades, with more shows, brighter lights, and a brand new sound system. But what does that mean for the restaurants that surround it? We hear from the CEO of TANG, one of the city’s top dining spots with a front-row view. And finally, meet the UAE students whose desert rescue tech just won international recognition. Their invention could help save lives in the dunes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major upgrade to Emirates Road has just been announced, aiming to cut travel time from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai by nearly half. It's a significant move that could reshape not just daily commutes, but also how the Northern Emirates connect and grow. Katie speaks with Martin Tillman, transport expert and founder of TMP Consult, and former Director of Transportation at RAK Municipality, to unpack the impact of this game-changing announcement. So what does this mean for RAK’s growing real estate market, and could it help the emirate attract more investors, residents, and developers? Stephen Fairhall, Founder of Right Click Real Estate shares his thoughts. In October, Abu Dhabi will open the UAE’s first net-zero energy mosque-- it's designed to produce at least as much energy as it consumes. We speak with Paul Simmonite, Associate Director at Arup, and the man who led the design team behind this project.  Daanesh Kalyaniwalla of Daantalks joins us as we discuss that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is introducing a new ad-free subscription in the UK. And what's the connection between being organised and living longer? Psychologist and professor René Mõttus from The University of Edinburgh has the answers.          See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We dive into what makes the UAE one of the world’s safest countries, with expert insight from Dr. Paige Keningale of Rabdan Academy Dubai is rolling out a new driverless taxi testing zone as part of its vision to make 25% of trips autonomous by 2030. Parents could soon see relief in their wallets as Dubai unveils major plans to reduce school costs. Bollywood stars are speaking out against the growing threat of deepfakes and the impact on their image and rights. And finally, it’s that time of year again - Fat Bear Week is back, and Alaska’s chunkiest champions are bulking up for hibernation and internet fame!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Abu Dhabi’s property market soared 42% in H1, hitting $14.7 billion in deals. Residential sales led the surge, climbing to $6.8 billion across 15,500 transactions. Emirates will ban power banks in-flight starting October 1st. The Dubai Fountain reopens October 1st after major upgrades. Typhoon Ragasa hits China, triggering evacuations of 2 million.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dating scams are reportedly on the rise in Dubai - with women and venue staff allegedly teaming up to leave men with massive bills. Six months after GEMS introduced a zero-tolerance vaping policy, we ask: is it working?Meanwhile, a new study shows nearly 40% of UAE university students vape - the highest rate in the Arab world. Plus: Rafael Nadal is the latest celebrity targeted by AI deepfakes. And the capital welcomes the first floating hotel, permanently docked at Yas Marina.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Airline passengers travelling into and around Europe have been facing chaos at airports, after a cyberattack took down a system used for check-in, boarding and baggage handling. We speak with Melih Kirkgoz, Senior Director of Systems Engineering at Fortinet, to understand the situation. One Dubai resident also tells us her experience. We also discuss US President Trump’s statement, urging pregnant women to avoid taking Tylenol, a drug commonly known as paracetamol, saying there’s a link between the pain reliever and autism. Plus, as we broadcast live from the Futurists X Summit, we speak with brilliant minds from different parts of the world. Former astronaut Scott Kelly answers if the future is Mars, Georgia Tolley is also joined by Brett King, an Australian futurist, author, and co-founder of Moven - a New York-based mobile banking startup, Pablos Holman, hacker, inventor & technology futurist and Raja Rajamannar, Chief Marketing & Communications officer at Mastercard. And Dr Hafiz Ahmad gives us details of an ancestry test that enables patients to track back five to seven generations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dubai Opera is the latest target for Facebook ticket scams – with one woman losing 9,000 dirhams. We’ll hear what’s being done to stop it. At the Futurist X Summit in Dubai, Mastercard explains how AI, biometrics, and fraud detection are protecting consumers in today’s digital world. New US visa rules – what do they mean for recruitment here in the UAE? Dubai’s property bull run: will it continue for a 57th straight month? Scientists unveil Delphi-2M, an AI tool that can predict risk for more than 1,000 diseases – up to a decade in advance. And when it comes to apologies, what’s the best way to say sorry? A new study suggests keeping it short might not work after all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Dubai resident spotted a snake in her community, and Drew Gardner, Associate Director at Emirates Nature-WWF, warns it's the venomous kind.  Aster DM Healthcare has teamed up with GEMS Education to launch a new school wellness programme aimed at tackling stress and building healthier habits from a young age. Plus, we’ll hear how a new partnership is helping bring ocean science into UAE schools, with a pilot programme that could one day go nationwide.And, what goes on behind the scenes of Dubai’s Metro? We’ll go inside the city’s rail maintenance team to find out how they keep the network running. With more supply coming online, some tenants are finally seeing more flexibility for tenants - from monthly payment options to rent-free periods and installment plans.  And finally, we speak to Aldar's Chadi Hashini about the developer's new project, Rise by Athlon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new Gallup Global Safety Report, based on 145,000 interviews across 144 countries, puts the UAE in the global top 10 - with 90% of people here saying they feel safe walking alone at night. We speak with Julie Ray, Managing Editor, World News at Gallup. Drivers in Dubai spend an average of 35 hours a year stuck in congestion. That’s almost a full working week going nowhere. So how do we weigh the freedom of two wheels against the reality of a city built around cars? Adam Ridgway of One Moto shares his view. We’ve heard a lot lately about how smart AI is getting. But behind every clever reply, every generated image, there are humans working hard at work. We speak to one data worker. And apparently winter is coming and more attractions are reopening in different parts of the UAE. We focus today on Hatta.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just 32% of UAE workers feel their employer offers enough support for mental health. And only 1 in 5 say they’d be able to manage an unexpected expense, according to a new research. That kind of pressure doesn’t just follow people home, it affects focus, performance, and long-term mental health. So, is health insurance alone still enough? Or do UAE companies need to offer more meaningful, holistic support? We speak with MetLife Gulf's Ariadni Nerkizoglou and Stephen MacLaren of Seven Insurance Brokers. While research suggests employers need to do much more to support their staff's mental health, there’s also a growing conversation about how they do that and whether today’s so-called perks are really fit for purpose. Nicki Wilson of Genie Recruitment joins Katie live in studio. We are diving into the growing threat of cyber-attacks targeting the maritime industry with Clive Cully of Cyber Defence Centre. Imagine waking up every morning to find your house partly under water. On Pugad Island in Bulacan, Philippines, that’s daily life for thousands of residents. We want to understand what’s happening, why it matters, and what can be done, so we speak with Dr. Mahar Lagmay, Executive Director at the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute and NOAH Centre. Are nicotine patches safer than cigarettes? Specialist pulmonologist Dr Richa Mittal has the answers And this week, Coldplay announced even more dates on their already record-breaking Music of the Spheres world tour, with new shows now stretching into 2026. So what’s behind this massive appetite for live shows, even with rising ticket prices and a cost-of-living squeeze? MAC Global's Daniel Goldberg gives his take.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cyber criminals are hijacking ships at sea with ransom demands in the millions – lawyer Henry Clack explains what happens when a shipping company gets hacked. Menwhile, cracking passwords in minutes – a cyber security expert tells us how to truly protect your accounts. A third of UK employers may be secretly tracking staff - s “bossware” building security or breaking trust? Japan’s centenarians hit record highs - e speak to a longevity expert from Okinawa to learn the secrets to a longer life. And: an AI innovation helping both major fish farms and remote villages grow healthier fish and feed more people.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Salik avoidance rises, are Dubai’s quiet roads becoming the new congestion hotspots?RTA launches City Link Shuttle, a new bus-pooling service promising cheaper, faster rides.The UAE’s Space 42 has partnered with Viasat to launch Equatys and expand 5G coverage worldwide. We speak to the young Dubai inventors developing an airbag system to protect passengers in crashing planes. Plus, the 2025 Emmy Awards delivered drama, laughs, and history-making moments in Los Angeles.And storytelling meets AI and women take centre stage at the Congress of Arabic & Creative Industries 2025 at Etihad Arena.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.