The Agenda

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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The worst of the weather hit last night, with torrential downpours and thunderstorms sweeping across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah. Videos circulating online show flooded roads, poor visibility, and that rare UAE phenomenon— hailstones clattering off car windscreens. So what more can we expect as the day unfolds?

ARN News Centre's Surina Kelly joins us for more updates on travel, flights and government advisories.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has just announced the second phase of the nationwide ban on single-use plastic products and bags, a move that's set to come 

into full effect on January 1st, 2026. Her Excellency Engineer Alya Abdelrahim Alharmoodi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Sustainable Communities Sector at the Ministry of 

Climate Change and Environment gives us more details.

We also look at what this means for business, consumers and the future of sustainable alternatives to plastic.

And we meet an Emirati marine engineer who joined a landmark exhibition to the Union Glacier in Antarctica.

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As more rain is expected throughout the UAE, we speak with forecaster Alya Almazroui from the National Center of Meteorology, for the latest weather updates.

We're also joined by Sebastien Bedu, General Manager for the Middle East at International SOS, to talk about how companies here have responded and adapted since the 2024 floods.

Now with the rain already affecting parts of the UAE, and more disruption expected over the next 24 to 48 hours, here’s a question that’s on many employees’ minds:

If I get stuck in traffic or delayed by floodwater on the way to work... does that count as working time? Employment lawyer Ali Al Assaad is here to answer that.

Just as many of us are looking forward to a well-earned winter break, doctors are warning about a new, aggressive flu variant that’s spreading fast across parts of the world.

We go behind the scenes to know the logistics of your turkey takeaways this holiday season.

Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? Let's hear the take of Dr David Tully, Associate Professor in Film, Head of Media at Middlesex University Dubai.

And meet... Dabubu

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That’s the view emerging from PwC, one of the Big Four consultancy firms, which has just announced that it’s rolling out mandatory resilience training for its new graduate hires.

Why? Because while these fresh recruits are passing all the cognitive and technical tests, PwC says they’re often arriving without the human skills needed to thrive in a high-pressure corporate environment, things like confidence, communication, and handling feedback. Check the discussion with Hudson RPO's Toby Simpson and two brilliant Gen Z's Jose and Sam.

A brand-new survey has gone out to schools across Dubai, aiming to explore how financial literacy is being taught and how it could be improved. Fatma Al Janahi, Director of Foundation and Growth Policies and Programmes at the KHDA tells us more.

We also look at tools to help young people build real-world money skills in a way that’s engaging, interactive and actually fun.

Find out why tens of thousands of Filipinos are gathering days before Christmas.

And where do real Christmas trees, sold here in the UAE, come from?

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Fraud isn’t just the work of lone hackers, it’s an organised, professionalised industry. But what’s changing is the scale and sophistication of the threats. We're seeing a sharp rise in first-party fraud, synthetic identities. To explore the key fraud trends we’re likely to see in 2026, Katie speaks with Rob Woods, Senior Director of Fraud and Identity at LexisNexis Risk Solutions.

There’s been a surge in reports of unauthorised QR codes being found on parking meters across the city. It might sound like a minor inconvenience, but according to a joint statement from RTA and Parkin, this is actually part of a growing phishing scam where innocent drivers are being tricked into scanning fake codes that lead to fraudulent websites. Kaspersky's Maher Yamout helps us unpack this.

Is it appropriate to buy a second-hand present? Or is it acceptable to gift second-hand items? Thrift For Good's Jennifer Sault and etiquette coach Orchids Roy give their take.

What if you didn’t have to worry about shopping at all this Christmas because 'someone's' going to do it for you?

And where do Dubai's turkeys come from?

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A persistent low‑pressure system has been parked over the UAE since the weekend, bringing scattered rainfall, gusty winds and unstable conditions that forecasters say could last through December 19. Yellow and orange alerts have been activated, motorists in several emirates have been urged to drive with caution, and authorities have even advised people to stay off beaches and avoid marine activities as rougher seas develop. Aya Alrashidi, forecaster from the National Center of Meteorology, joins us to unpack what's driving this conditions and what we should really be prepared for.

RoadHeroAcademy.com's Dr Mustafa Aldah guides us on what to make sure we're doing behind the wheel when roads are wet.

How much of your working day is spent on things that actually matter? Katie is joined by two brilliant minds as she explores how AI is changing the way people rethink their workday.

Yas Island has a new star in its lineup, and this time, it’s supernatural.

And as we start planning our Christmas lunches, whether it’s roast turkey, honey-glazed carrots or a lavish brunch with all the trimmings, there’s something we probably aren’t thinking about: the carbon footprint on the plate.

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A new survey finds commute ease and traffic congestion are now the top quality-of-life concerns for UAE residents.

The UAE National Orchestra makes its debut at the Zayed National Museum. In her first-ever radio interview, the orchestra’s Managing Director shares what’s next.

How is a new programm are helping women return to the workforce after taking time out for family or study going?

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