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.

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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? 

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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.

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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... 

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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 clear

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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 aesthetics

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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? 

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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.

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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! 

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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.

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