The Agenda

Georgia speaks with Christer Viktorsson, Director General of the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation about what the next phase of nuclear development looks like here in the Emirates.

We also speak with Orxan Isayev as we broadcast live from WORLDEF Dubai at Dubai CommerCity.

As Dubai tourism hits a new record, we discuss the emirate's new launch-- Al Layan Oasis. 

Is the rise of "admin night" beneficial to your finances?

And we tell you about the release of Honeycomb Stingrays into the Arabian Gulf.

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We're discussing not just driverless taxis today on The Agenda, but even fully driverless personal vehicles as US robocar company Tensor has secured federal approval from the UAE Government’s Regulations Lab to begin testing across the Emirates, a significant regulatory milestone.

The interest in the Winter Olympics has spiked here in the UAE, after two athletes were officially sent to compete. And now we’re looking at how Olympic uniforms are no longer just about function, they’re about making a statement.

Social media companies Instagram and YouTube have been accused of creating "addiction machines" as a landmark trial began in California examining the mental health effects of these platforms.

One of the most talked about developments at WHX is an AI-powered recruitment chatbot being demonstrated live at the Emirates Health Services booth. But do we want our nurses and doctors to be picked by a bot?

And researchers from the UK have found that AI chatbots can provide inaccurate and inconsistent information when people seek help about their symptoms.

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With Ramadan just around the corner, shopping habits are changing. From supermarket aisles and online deals to Iftar orders and special promotions, it is a busy time for consumers. So, we are turning our attention to consumer protection during the Holy Month and get the advices from Ahmad Ahli from the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade. 

UAE authorities have issued a warning after a growing number of cases showed children being targeted through online games and social media. What may look harmless on the surface can quickly turn risky, with scammers using fake gamer profiles, private chats, and social engineering tactics to gain children’s trust.

What if we could identify people at risk of losing their sight before they ever show symptoms? That’s the promise of a remarkable new study from the Emirati Genome Program

Across Dubai, residents are once again coming together to provide daily Iftar meals throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan.

And why does the same cold hit people differently?

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Apparently romantic scams are surging across the Middle East as social media and AI make it increasingly easy for fraudsters to operate at massive scale. So what's behind the sudden surge? And what are dating sites doing about it?

We all love the convenience of contactless payments. Tap your phone, your card, even your smartwatch and you’re done. But… could that very convenience be putting us at risk?

As some of the world’s leading health and science experts are in town for WHX Health, we also turn our focus to biotechnology and life sciences.

And Julia Donaldson has unveiled the title and lead character of a brand‑new Gruffalo story set for release on 10 September 2026. Find out all the details here about its first full sequel in 20 years.

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Dubai's private schools will soon be teaching artificial intelligence… but how young is too young to start learning about algorithms? 

We’ll speak to Fatma Al Janahi from the KHDA to find out what’s actually going into the curriculum.

Also, if you’ve been stuck in traffic this week, you’re not alone. 

But the RTA says help is on the way, with futuristic solutions like autonomous pods… and an underground Dubai Loop.

Meanwhile, the Winter Olympics open tonight in Milan and Cortina, and for the first time ever, Team UAE will be taking part.

Plus, The world’s top tactical units are arriving in Dubai for the seventh annual SWAT Challenge

And, polar bears are putting on weight… but scientists say their new diet might not be cause for celebration.

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From energy to electronics, key goods are getting more expensive - have you noticed prices going up in the UAE?

We'll speak to the team from the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply to find out more about their forecast for 2026 plus Spinneys.

Meanwhile with Ramadan just two weeks away, we'll find out how restaurants and shops are staffing up at speed.

Can culture help combat climate change? Desert Board's CEO Kamal Farah shares how turning natural byproducts into sustainable wood is preserving tradition—and the planet.

And Jebel Jais has reopened to the public after months of closures, but with new rules for access.

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Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced that his government plans to ban children under 16 from accessing

social media platforms. We hear the take of Dr Alison Burrows, Professor of Education and Childhood Studies at Middlesex University Dubai.

The RTA is preparing to launch a new autonomous automated transit network in a move aimed at easing congestion and improving mobility across key areas of the city. Ahmed Bahrozyan, Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Agency at the RTA, gives us more details.

A radical new competition is allowing the use of performance enhancing drugs.

China has just become the first country in the world to ban hidden or retractable car door handles. Why? Safety. According to China’s new rules, hidden handles can delay emergency rescues and risk malfunctioning in accidents or extreme weather.

A brand-new Gallup report, that has just been released at the World Governments Economy Summit, being held here in Dubai this week, asked people in 107 countries to name the single biggest problem facing their nation. And the number one answer, across continents, cultures and income levels? The economy.

We're also asking today: what makes a high-performing city also a high-stress one? And how can we learn to live, work, and age better?

When we talk about climate action, we tend to focus on energy, infrastructure, or policy. But what about culture? H.E. Shatha Al Mulla, Assistant Undersecretary for the National Identity and Arts Sector joins us.

The UAE's been keen to improve its carbon footprint for years now, and two years ago it began an initiative called The Dubai Reef. We find out what it has achieved so far.

And a remarkable advancement in the treatment of epilepsy is now available in the region.

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For the first time in 10 years, WhichSchoolAdvisor, the region’s leading independent school review site, is including traffic conditions in its annual parent survey. It's a small change that signals a pretty big shift in how families are thinking about education in the UAE. We're joined by the co-founder of WhichSchoolAdvisor James Mullan to give us more details.

Two principals also joined the discussion on what their schools are doing to tackle the traffic issue.

The full passenger route map for the UAE’s long-awaited Etihad Rail has been revealed. So is this a game-changer for commuters and tourism? 

From today, it is now mandatory to register your cats and dogs with the Abu Dhabi authorities.

Last week, a loud sonic boom shook homes in California after a Chinese spacecraft crashing back to Earth. But while the debris burned through the atmosphere, something else happened and the shockwaves were picked up by earthquake sensors.

And there are reports that Apple is secretly working on a brand new device... could this be the beginning of the end for the smartphone?

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A company that has just opened their regional office in Dubai isn’t hiring junior staff at all. Just C-Suite leaders. Why? Because they believe artificial intelligence can handle the rest. We speak to Heroiks. Then if AI is becoming the new junior staff, what does that mean for HR policies? We pose the question to employment lawyer Luke Tapp.

Is Jarvis real now? When one company tried to bring Ironman’s Jarvis to life, things got weird. Moltbot was a premium AI home assistant designed to automate repetitive digital tasks on a user’s computer like reading and replying to emails, sorting files, or running terminal commands. But suddenly it started thinking for itself.

We often talk about Ramadan as the “golden quarter” for marketers. But a new report is challenging that narrative. According to fresh research, it’s not just one big commercial spike, it’s a rhythm. A series of evolving influence moments, shaped by how people live, give, and gather during the Holy Month.

Between 10pm and 4am, online activity surges. That’s when people are watching, browsing, and crucially, shopping. So what does that mean for retailers, platforms, and logistics? And how do you serve customers who are most active after midnight?

And meet two Filipino longboarders who have just completed a non-stop, four-hour longboarding journey from Dubai all the way to Abu Dhabi. 

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With the UAE aiming for Net Zero by 2050, Etihad Rail is expected to play a key role in reducing road traffic, cutting carbon emissions, and shifting residents toward more sustainable mobility. Adhraa Al Mansoori, Director of Public Policy and Sustainability at Etihad Rail.

We discuss disputes between tenants and landlords, eviction cases under Dubai Rental law and rent increase regulations with Dr. Yousef Al Mansoori, Senior First Instance Judge at the Rental Dispute Center in Dubai.

And we find out how economic uncertainty and the arrival of AI affect entry-level roles and how these make job hunting more difficult for young people.

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