The Agenda

As the UAE restaurant scene struggles to manage the implications of the current conflict, we find out how chefs and restaurant owners are fighting to keep customers coming through the door. The UAE's Cyber Security Council is warning of heightened risks online as geopolitical tensions often fuel digital threats. We find out from cybersecurity expert Amir Kolahzadeh what we can do to avoid falling...

With Eid nearly upon us, and demand for food surging, what’s happening behind the scenes to ensure food security for key staples? Could we see shortages? Ahmad Ahli, Acting Director of the Consumer Protection Department at the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade (DCCPFT), gives us the answers. As the conflict continues, UAE hospitals remain on high alert, ready to respon...

Distance learning has been extended from March 23 for two weeks amid the ongoing regional conflict, we speak with head of schools to find out what home learning will look like at their institutions. Airspace across the UAE closed in the early hours of this morning before gradually reopening as an exceptional precautionary measure to ensure the safety of flights and air crew. We unpack what this me...

The Agenda speaks exclusively to His Excellency Dr Saif Al Dhaheri, official spokesperson for the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority or NCEMA, to find out how the UAE coordinates its response behind the scenes to keep the public informed and safe After authorities arrest dozens of people for posting inaccurate or sensitive information online, we ask, when does a social med...

With the continuing conflict in the region and heightened security measures across the UAE, companies are having to think carefully about how they support their staff. We ask Dulsco Group, a company who employs around 25,000 people across the Emirates, how they make sure their staff feel informed and protected. There are growing concerns this morning about the safety of shipping through the Strait...

The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism announces limited price increases on some food types, the authorities say they're temporary, and at the same time they're calling on the public to look out for unnecessary hikes - and to report them. Meanwhile - in a gesture of community solidarity Atlantis Dubai, is opening Aquaventure World for free for some residents - we'll find out how you can get those...

With the spring holidays underway, increasing numbers of people are considering going on holiday - or continuing with plans they already made despite the current conflict. We'll get into the travel trends, and discuss how pilots are preparing and operating safely in the current circumstances. Meanwhile, it's been a rollercoaster few days for the oil price due to the ongoing regional conflict...

As regional tensions disrupt airspace and global travel, we look at how the UAE is responding behind the scenes. From Abu Dhabi’s crisis response system coordinating essential services, to Dubai authorities checking in on People of Determination. We also hear about a Dubai businessman who opened his farmhouse to stranded tourists, and examine the wider impact on airlines, global trade and se...

Flights are returning to UAE skies, but clearing the backlog of stranded passengers may take several days - but how many? Plus with the spring holidays starting early - we're going to look at how families can best use the break. During Ramadan, Dubai residents are continuing to show strong community spirit - with initiatives like the family-led Happy Happy UAE aiming to provide 1.2 million Iftar m...

Flights are slowly restarting in the UAE as airlines prioritise stranded passengers after days of airspace disruption - Surina Kelly has all the details you need to know. Meanwhile, the government's bringing forward the spring holidays as UAE parents juggle work and distance learning. UAE authorities say national medicine stockpiles remain secure, with pharmaceutical supply chains operating normal...

As the air space is mostly closed currently, people are struggling to get in and out - and into that breach stepped Etihad Rail and its repatriation trains. RTA tells us how they're opening up roads to trucks, ensuring a regular supply of food stuffs and other freight. We also get analysis on the likely transport priorities for a country during a crisis like this with Martin Tillman. And we share...

As limited flights resume, we examine the operational chaos, financial strain, and long-term tourism impact of regional airspace closures. Plus whether the holidays we've got booked in the coming weeks are likely to go ahead. Meanwhile, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is stalling global shipping and driving up prices - but by how much?  And, hundreds of Indian school pupils in the Middle...

Today, our focus is simple - we're going to be keeping you informed - as events continue to unfold. We’ll get the latest from Surina Kelly on what the government is telling residents this morning. Meanwhile, with all UAE airports closed, thousands remain stranded. Some are stuck abroad trying to get home, others are grounded here in the UAE. We’re also putting a big spotlight on misinf...

The UAE is breaking single-supplier control on medicines - to cut costs and prevent shortages, so how soon could patients see the benefits? We'll get the reaction from a market consultant and a pharmacy. As sea levels rise and coastal cities face mounting flood risks, the Dutch are building neighbourhoods designed to float rather than sink - so is that something that could work here? Plus, Student...

A viral fake AED 500 note has put counterfeit cash back in the spotlight, so what should you do if you come across one? Samsung unveils the Galaxy S26 series as rumours swirl that Apple could launch a foldable phone later this year. Air taxis move closer to take-off as Joby Aviation partners with Uber to launch bookable flights in the UAE. And 12-year-old Warren Bacongallo wins the UAE Spelling Be...

The UAE has confirmed the academic calendar for the next three years, giving families and schools clarity on term dates, shorter breaks and a slightly later return after summer. Does this three-year clarity make your life easier, or are shorter breaks a concern for your family? A major shake-up in the UAE’s taxi market-- Bolt has added 1,823 vehicles through a new partnership, taking its Dub...

We look at the power of giving and the rules that govern it after authorities put out a warning that collecting donations without a licence could mean jail time and fines of up to AED 500,000 dirhams. So what does the law actually say, and how can you make sure your generosity stays compliant? Then, turning charity into lasting impact. A major new endowment launched by Awqaf Abu Dhabi aims to prov...

Dubai commuters could soon see their journey times cut from 24 minutes to just five. That will be the result of Hessa Street Development Project Phase 2, one of Dubai's latest major road upgrades. According to the Dubai Health Authority, the emirate now has over 4,000 licensed healthcare facilities, including hospitals, day-surgery centres and specialised clinics, and more than 50,000 licensed hea...

We're talking smart doorbells and neighbourhood privacy, as Ring’s new AI-powered “Search Party” feature promises to reunite lost pets using your footage, but do you feel like you’re being watched when you walk around your community? And what does UAE law say about surveillance, consent and sharing those videos? We’re also looking ahead to the Eid break, why Ramadan i...

Day two of Ramadan and as families ease into new routines, we ask what the shift in pace means for domestic workers’ hours. Careem joins us to launch its ‘Seeds for Gaza’ campaign and reveal how drivers will have their tips doubled during the Holy Month. Plus - moon sighting goes futuristic with AI-powered drones now scanning the skies. A new viral video starring Brad Pitt and To...

British children born overseas could be denied entry to the UK from next week because of a change in passport rules. And it is not just children. Dual nationals more broadly are facing a scramble for documentation before the new rules come into force on February 25th. So what does the law actually say? We are in the first day on Ramadan and the Holy Month of course, is a time of reflection and gen...

A new premium airline is planned to be launched in Bahrain, creating around 1,200 jobs. What does this mean for the wider Gulf aviation landscape? It is now easier to travel between the UAE and the Kingdom of Bahrain. According to the latest World Tourism Barometer, Europe remains the most visited region, but the real growth stories are elsewhere. So what is driving travellers toward these so-call...

The UAE Ministry of Education has introduced nine new enforcement measures to tackle rising student absenteeism, particularly before weekends and public holidays. Under the new rules, unexcused absences are capped at 15 days per academic year in public schools. So what message does this send, and could private schools follow suit? New data shows road accidents spike significantly during Ramadan, w...

The UAE’s Ministry of Education has updated its early years entry policy to give flexibility to children entering Foundation Stage in the British curriculum. We hear your comments, parents, and we speak to two educators-- Sarah Hollingworth from GEMS Wellington Academy - Silicon Oasis and Rebecca Coulter from Dubai British School Jumeirah Park. Antimicrobial Resistance is being described as...

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...