According to a new major study by Gallup, the UAE is among the top countries globally where people feel their government cares about them. The World Risk Poll surveyed nearly 150,000 people across 142 countries. Katie Chambers speaks with Gallup's Senior Global News Writer Benedict Vigers to get more details. Plus, OFFLIMITS Music Festival is coming to Abu Dhabi this month. The Agenda was joined by the organisers, Theory Eleven Entertainment and Florian Wieder who has worked on global mega-event...
Apr 08, 2025•58 min
We’re talking jewellery, trade, and impact with two top experts. Plus, could the shingles vaccine lower dementia risk? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 07, 2025•58 min
When you upload a selfie to one of those viral AI filters — what are you really giving away? Cybersecurity experts are warning that the Ghibli trend, which turns your face into dreamy anime art, could be quietly collecting your data. Katie Chambers speaks to Nicolai Solling from Help AG to find out what’s happening behind the scenes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 6 min
New data from the Dubai Statistics Centre reveals the emirate’s population surged to 3.65 million by the end of 2023 — that’s an increase of over 100,000 people in just a year. And now, we’re on track to hit 4 million this year. Katie Chambers are joined by experts on population, recruitment, real estate and road safety to discuss whether the city can keep up with its own pace. Plus we talk to people making personal changes to adapt to the rising cost of living in Dubai. See omnystudio.com/liste...
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 2 min
It's just less than two weeks to go before the start of another Expo - this time to be held in Japan's Osaka city. How will this differ from previous expos? The Agenda speaks with Sachiko Yoshimura, Director General of the Public Relations and Promotion Bureau at the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 02, 2025•52 min
The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are officially teaming up to launch a joint bid to host the 2035 or 2039 Rugby World Cup - a first for the region and potentially, a very big moment for the global game. Georgia gets the take of experts - Benjamin Van Rooyen, CEO of Asia Rugby and Dr. J Simon Rofe, Associate Professor in International Politics at the University of Leeds on why Gulf countries are so keen in holding sporting events. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Apr 01, 2025•47 min
A growing number of residents are now relocating from central Dubai to more affordable areas -- and not just to the outskirts of the city, like Dubailand or International City -- but to entirely different emirates. Katie Chambers speaks with real estate advisor Picky Anandani to get details. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 28, 2025•59 min
From the 29th of March, stricter rules and heavier fines will be in place for a number of traffic offences, and there will be an expanded accountability for both drivers and pedestrians. Devanand Mahadeva, Director at Bakertilly Law Corporation joins The Agenda to discuss what motorists need to bear in mind. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 27, 2025•56 min
If you're set to travel or planning a last-minute getaway for the upcoming Eid break, The Agenda has got you covered. From flights and hotel packages to making sure you're spending your holiday money wisely, our experts give you valuable advices. Plus, with passenger numbers expected to spike to 3.6 million in total from 26th March to 7th April, Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Airports tells us how the airport is gearing up — and what passengers need to know before they fly. See...
Mar 26, 2025•55 min
SKEMA Business School in France has just released its first-ever Sport and Soft Power Ranking, highlighting which countries are gaining global clout through sport. Unsurprisingly, the United States takes the top spot, followed by the UK and France. The UAE ranks 21st — a sign of just how far this country has come in using sport to project influence on the world stage. Katie Chambers speaks with the report author, Simon Chadwick, Professor of Sport and Geopolitical Economy at Skema Business Schoo...
Mar 25, 2025•57 min
Dubai Police have arrested a gang accused of running a fake Umrah and Hajj visa scam. They were apparently posing as travel agents and selling fake pilgrimage packages online. Katie speaks with Rikin Seth, Assistant Vice President at Musafir to find out how these scammers normally work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 24, 2025•54 min
UAE schools see a spike in absenteeism ahead of spring break. Half of UAE schoolchildren receive private tutoring - when is it too early? Plus we speak to the UAE scientists creating moon dust from local rocks And find out about Dubai World Cup as it returns to Meydan for 29th edition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 21, 2025•58 min
Plus, the UAE climbs in global happiness rankings as Western nations see a decline. Giant rats trained to sniff out ivory and rhino horn could help stop wildlife traffickers. And flash floods and landslides threaten Uganda’s Rwenzori region as environmental risks grow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 20, 2025•55 min
The Shocking Truth About Vet Costs Plus the UAE’s cinema boom – with the industry raking in AED 800 million in revenue Hollywood filmmakers are seeking new locations after the wildfires, could the UAE emerge as a global film hub? And a new home for rescued pets – we chat with the founder of Petooti, a new platform connecting rescued animals with loving homes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 19, 2025•56 min
There's a new zero-tolerance policy with sensors and bag checks. Is it the right course of action? Plus, more on vaping Bans Worldwide – from Singapore to Australia, countries are tightening restrictions. How does the UAE compare globally? Abu Dhabi has been named a top food city – Rranked 15th by Time Out, while Riyadh is 13th—but where is Dubai? And, the gift of life during Ramadan – 800 organ transplants in the UAE last year, a 36% increase. How can you sign up? See omnystudio.com/listener fo...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Driving schools are on high alert—have they seen a rush of young learners? Plus, reckless driving exposed with more than two million motorists caught speeding by 30km/h+ last year. And AI traffic cameras in action—how is cutting-edge tech making UAE roads safer? With insights from road safety pros and the man behind the radars! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr
Is heading the ball putting footballers at risk? Is it time to rethink the beautiful game? Plus, air quality is improving across the UAE, but what about the air we breathe indoors? And how a Dubai hotel is giving dementia patients an opportunity to intern this Ramadan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 14, 2025•57 min
dnata Travel is seeing a significant rise in international bookings, with 90% of customers opting for trips abroad - a sharp increase from last year when only 60% of travellers chose to fly abroad. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 13, 2025•54 min
Air pollution levels in the UAE have dropped significantly—by more than 20% in the past year, according to a study by Swiss company IQAir. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 13, 2025•58 min
Three years after the UAE loosened labour laws for independent workers, freelancers are thriving—some commanding up to $1,000 (AED 3,600) per day! A new survey from Outsized reveals that day rates start at $300 (AED 1,100), proving that being your own boss can be seriously lucrative. Join us as we break down the numbers, explore which industries are booming, and ask: is freelancing the future of work in the UAE? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 11, 2025•54 min
The first digital detox program for children that aims to address screen addiction in kids has opened in Abu Dhabi. Dr Dinesh Banur, Consultant and Chair of Pediatrics at Yas Clinic Khalifa City managed by Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center tells Georgia the six-step programme to help children and their families regain control. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 12 min
In celebration of International Women's Day tomorrow we look the figures of women working in the music industry. The numbers are really surprising - the ratio of commercial music artists is 78% male and 22% female. We'll speak to one company looking to change that right here in the UAE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 07, 2025•56 min
This week, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology launched the “Make it in the Emirates” Ramadan Market—a celebration of homegrown talent, craftsmanship, and innovation. But what does it really mean to support local businesses, and why does it matter? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 06, 2025•46 min
Really shocking new figures on obesity suggest rates in the UAE are likely to hit 95% - the highest globally by 2050. We spoke to the author of that report and found out the reality in the UAE, plus the government's plans to manage the problem. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 05, 2025•54 min
An increasing number of residents are coming out against e-bikes and there seems to be a grey area between e-bicycles and e-motorbikes. This is what lots of teenagers in the UAE are exploiting. Georgia speaks with Wolfgang Hohmann, Founder & Owner of Wolfis Bike Shop Dubai and Phil Clarke, Director of Road Safety & Enforcement at 4E on what can be done to lessen the dangers they bring on the roads. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Have you re-written your CV recently? There's a trend right now to get AI to re-rewrite it for you.... But be careful - because recruiters are now very savvy about what they call CV falsification - which they say is “ridiculously common”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 03, 2025•56 min
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre has announced a new high-tech sattelite will be launched next week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Traffic accidents are up across the roads of the UAE, the ministry of interior has released road safety data for 2024 – with major accidents rising 8 percent from the previous year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 27, 2025•43 min
Over 150 companies in Dubai have been slapped with a AED 50,000 fine each for violating telemarketing regulations. The Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade regulations came into effect in August of last year with the aim to reduce unwanted marketing calls and protect consumer privacy. Mario Volpi, Head of Brokerage at Novvi Properties says cold calling is not illegal as long as it's kept within the allowed parameters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 26, 2025•56 min
Georgia finds out more about the newly opened anti-piracy lab in the UAE from H.E. Abdelrahman Almuaini, Assistant Undersecretary for IP Sector at Ministry of Economy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 25, 2025•53 min
