The Agenda

On The Agenda’s fortnightly series covering consumer affairs, we are focusing this week on warranties with Ahmad Ahli, Acting Director of Consumer Protection at the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade  We find out more about the future of the UAE’s health with His Excellency Dr. Amin Al Amiri from the Ministry of Health and Prevention As businesses and residents continue to experience slower internet speeds, let’s look at how soon the problems in the Red Sea might be resolved with Doug Madory, Director of Internet Analysis at Kentik. And we speak with Consultant Aesthetic and Reconstructive surgeon Dr Miriam Byrne following the ground-breaking ruling on cosmetic surgery, following the tragic death of a patient.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Agenda broadcasts live from WHX Tech at the Dubai World Trade Centre as we focus on how technology and innovation can transform health systems to how artificial intelligence can reshape the way we are treated, diagnosed and cared for.  We are also joined by a former NASA astronaut sharing how innovation in extreme environments can transform the future of healthcare on Earth. Plus, we look at a fascinating study coming out of the United suggesting that when it comes to mental health, couples are more likely to share the same struggles.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We hear from a UAE job seeker who fell victim to a sophisticated AI-powered recruitment scam, and get expert tips from a local headhunter on how to stay safe. The UAE is clamping down on Roblox with, we hear from a gaming enthusiast and a cyber security expert. Dubai Airport unveils new security tech that speeds up checks — and allows you to carry liquids through. Plus, Harvard researcher explains why skipping or delaying breakfast could be cutting years off your life. And Meteorologist Brandon Miller joins us with what to expect from this weekend’s total lunar eclipse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

House swapping is booming, with nearly half a million swaps last year – and housesitting is on the rise too. Personal branding is back in the spotlight as PayPal hires a Head of CEO Content to manage LinkedIn posts. A new three-minute brainwave test could spot Alzheimer’s years before diagnosis. Presidents Xi and Putin are caught on hot mic discussing organ transplants and whether humans could live to 150.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UAE is phasing out OTPs by March - fintech expert Arun Leslie John explains what it means for your account security. Financial coach Jay Adrian Tolentino weighs in on whether the new rules will help stop scammers. Skyscanner reveals a 165% spike in UAE staycation searches - are more residents choosing to holiday at home? With another long weekend coming up, we ask Skyscanner’s Head of Destinations for travel inspiration. Plus, a camel just sold for half a million dirhams in Abu Dhabi - we find out what makes them worth the price. And, Guinness World Records turns 70 and unveils 70 brand new titles - from burrito wrapping to sack racing, they’re all up for grabs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Etihad Rail’s new passenger service is set to transform tourism and boost the economy on the UAE’s East Coast, and we’ll hear from experts and locals on what it means for the region. As cycling booms in the UAE, we ask if riders are safe - and speak to a crash survivor and a government advisor about regulation and etiquette on the tracks. UAE stargazers can look forward to a total lunar eclipse this weekend, and the Dubai Astronomy Group tells us how to join the watch party. Plus, a tiny Caribbean island is reaping the rewards of the AI boom, thanks to a lucky internet domain name it secured decades ago. And, Dubai is home to a new restaurant where every dish is created by an AI chef — but is this really the future of dining?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We mark nine months of the Year of the Community by exploring how semi-skilled and unskilled workers in the UAE are being supported to turn crochet and jewellery-making into extra income. We speak to the founder of Kapes about their latest initiative donating school uniforms to girls in Togo, in partnership with UAE schools. Meanwhile, researchers unveil an AI-powered stethoscope that can detect heart failure, valve disease, and dangerous heart rhythms in seconds. And as wasp populations surge across Europe, experts explain why we need to rethink our relationship with these misunderstood insects. Plus, it’s the 1st of September -the start of the Ber months - and like our sister station Tag 91.1, we’re getting into the Christmas spirit early!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dubai’s population has hit 4 million – two years early. What does that mean for residents? We ask the experts. Back-to-school costs are biting, with some parents relying on savings, credit cards, and even loans. Taylor Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce sparks a new question: will her songs change now she’s found her “happy ever after”? And Abu Dhabi confirms Dune: Part Three will return to the Liwa Desert – Oscar-winning sound designer Mark Mangini tells us why it’s key to the film’s magic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re looking at the growing problem of hidden cameras in holiday homes. One man joins us with his horrifying story - he found one in the bathroom of his Airbnb. Meanwhile, several UAE residents have lost everything after a moving company vanished with their possessions. Plus, we go behind the scenes with two of the UAE’s biggest school bus providers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KHDA Director General Her Excellency Aisha Abdulla Miran on Dubai’s booming education sector - and what it means for parents under pressure. School lunches on the rise One UAE caterer has doubled the number of children he’s feeding this term – what’s driving the demand? Recycling that pays back, Sparklo World’s smart machines swap cans and bottles for rewards.  A new study links daily sodas to male-pattern hair loss. Dr Shivani Gauba Wadhwa breaks down the findings. Plus, an extra public holiday falls on September 5th – ideas on how to spend your long weekend.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The back-to-school traffic crunch - Dubai’s RTA speak to us about easing jams. Dario Menichetty who's worked with the RTA on Dubai's 2040 masterplan on how smarter tech could unclog Dubai’s roads. Six months of universal health insurance , and hospitals report a 25% surge in patients. Plus, new research is linking paracetamol in pregnancy to ADHD. And, the underwater jetpack that's being tested in Dubai that lets you swim like a dolphin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Children are (mostly) back at school – but why are some brand-new Dubai schools still closed? We speak to the principal of one delayed school, and hear how Dubai Police kept the roads moving on day one of term. Plus – a UAE transplant hero wins gold at the World Transplant Games, and we explore the latest travel trend: cruises to the ends of the EarthSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starting this Monday, students in all UAE public schools that follow the Ministry of Education curriculum will begin learning about artificial intelligence as part of their core curriculum. Now, this move is happening in the public sector but some private schools have already taken the initiative and started introducing AI in the classroom voluntarily, even though it’s not yet mandated by the KHDA. We speak to Dubai Schools Al Khawaneej to know what made them take that step before it was required. Why do students, even in primary school, need to start learning about artificial intelligence and future-ready skills right now? Nesma Farahat, Head of Programs for Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation joins Katie to discuss Are you fond of foldable phones? Well, early reports suggest the iPhone 17 could bring a major redesign and perhaps more intriguingly, we’re seeing serious movement around Apple’s first foldable iPhone, launching early September. Daanesh Kalyaniwalla, tech expert behind Daantalks, gives us some insider info. Now imagine this: you’re lying on an operating table, your skull is open, your brain exposed… and you’re wide awake. That’s exactly what happened to a Dubai man who recently underwent one of the most complex and high-stakes procedures in modern medicine — awake brain surgery. The specialist neurosurgeon who performed that operation joins Katie live in studio And Taylor Swift on cassette? Yes. Get the details here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Authorities here in the UAE have repeatedly urged consumers to be vigilant about counterfeit goods, fake sellers, and scams on unverified websites and social media platforms. So today, we want to arm you with practical advice: how to spot the red flags, what to do if you’ve been scammed, and how to shop safely both here and abroad. Ahmad Ahli, Acting Director of Consumer Protection at the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade (DCCPFT) joins us for our regular Consumer Hour on The Agenda. In just the first half of this year, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation uncovered over 400 cases of so-called “fake Emiratisation.” That’s where companies sign contracts with Emiratis, register them for work permits, but don’t actually employ them in real jobs. We discuss this with John Fitzpatrick, Managing Director at EmiraTalent. As the new school year begins, Abu Dhabi is tightening its grip on what children can eat during the school day by banning all food delivery services to schools, and rolling out stricter nutrition guidelines for packed lunches. We ask Dr. Funke Baffour-Awuah, Corporate Head of Wellbeing at GEMS Education, about her reaction to this change. And scientists are now trialling a new solution for pet obesity: weight-loss injections for dogs, similar to the drugs already being used by humans, like Ozempic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How many times have you clicked on a link for a property ad that turned out to be 6 months old, a duplicate that you're seeing in many places, or sometimes a deal you know is too good to be true? That's changing now as just this week, tens of thousands of unverified Abu Dhabi-based property listings were removed from online sites. That's after the capital's government-regulated Multiple Listing Service Madhmoun went into effect. Jo Phillips, Managing Director, Phillips & Walls Mortgage Brokers joins Sonal in the studio to discuss Yesterday was World Humanitarian Day, and to mark the occasion, Dubai Humanitarian has released a new documentary on their YouTube channel called "Coming Together: The Dubai Humanitarian Story". We speak with the CEO, Giuseppe Saba, about it and how they ensure they are getting the right items to people in the right situations. Abu Dhabi education regulator, ADEK, says they have uncovered a grade inflation issue in private schools across the emirate. A few weeks ago we heard how they had barred 12 schools from enrolling new Grade 11 and 12 students because of this issue. Leisa Grace Wilson from Teach Middle East magazine tells us why grade inflation is a concern for students and educators alike. There is a debate that's happening in France at the moment - adult-only resorts, is it completely reasonable for people to want to holiday in a child-free space, or does this create an unnatural segregation in society? Sonal speaks with family travel blogger Keri Hendrick and hotelier Bernard O'Neill. Russia is planning to send 75 mice to space as part of a mission that will show how cosmic radiation affects living organisms. We get details from Dr Dimitra Atri, principal investigator at NYU Abu Dhabi’s space exploration laboratory. And do you know what skibidi, delulu or tradwife means? Cambridge Dictionary has the answers for us.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.