Advertise on podcast: The Agenda

A landmark 1,800-kilometre railway network could connect all six GCC countries, linking the UAE with Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. How close are we to making this a reality, and what could it mean for passengers and trade across the region? And could one visa soon make travelling across the Gulf much easier? We look at the latest plans for a single visa covering all six GCC countries, and when travellers might finally be able to use it. Could self-driving cars soon be sharing the roads with residents in Ras Al Khaimah? The emirate is planning real-world trials of autonomous vehicles in Mina, navigating everyday traffic rather than a controlled test track. But how safe are they, and who's liable if something goes wrong? With less than a month until the UAE marks its 55th National Day, we also hear from someone who witnessed the country's formation in 1971. What was Dubai really like in those early days? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost one in three pupils worldwide has been bullied at school in the past month, according to UNESCO, which warns that AI is making online abuse harder to tackle.  Are schools and parents equipped to protect children? We speak to a UNESCO expert and the VP of Safeguarding at GEMS. Hackers have interfered with temperature controls at three blood storage facilities in France and at supermarkets across Europe.  No blood supplies were lost, but could cybercriminals take control of hospital equipment here in the UAE? UK politicians say the maths app TT Rockstars, used by millions of children including here in the UAE, could be encouraging too much screen time.  We speak to the CEO. Plus, why penguins could be speeding up the melting of Antarctic snow, and why seabirds suffer from jet lag. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When does a professional opportunity become a red flag? Katie was recently approached about moderating an event, only to discover that payment was required to be involved. We also hear from experts who've been approached with paid “Top 50” entrepreneur features, awards and magazine opportunities. British Airways is back flying between London and Dubai after an eight-month suspension. The return was originally planned for October before being pushed back, so what does BA's decision to come back now tell us about confidence in the Dubai market? We also look at Rice Krispies and Coco Pops, after Kellogg's changed the recipes, replacing rice grains with rice flour. The new recipe also contains wheat gluten. What does that mean for nutrition, and what should parents be looking for on the back of the box? Could the smart mosquito trap in Abu Dhabi the better way to tackle mosquito populations? And finally, where did Collins Dictionary's Word of the Year for 2026 "mogging" originate from? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Delivery motorbikes in Dubai are about to be fitted with cameras and sensors. We speak with the Roads and Transport Authority on why they're introducing a smart monitoring system now. We also ask, how do these kinds of monitoring system work? How many cars can you have registered in your name in the UAE? From January 2027, there will be a new limit. The US midterm results are reshaping the balance of power in Washington, with Democrats projected to take control of the House. What do the results mean for Donald Trump and, crucially, for the UAE and the wider Gulf? It’s Planting Week in the UAE, what should you actually be planting? We find out from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. And do you want a piece of the A380 aircraft at home? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A  hundred luxury SUVs made in the UAE are rolling off the production line in Abu Dhabi. They are made by ROX, which has set up a manufacturing centre, AI lab and design studio in KEZAD over the last six months. The project is backed by a partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. And now, Abu Dhabi wants to build a much bigger Made-in-the-UAE industrial sector, plus the ecosystem and knowledge economy that goes with it. To find out more, The Agenda's Katie Chambers speaks to Mohammad Ali Al Kamali, Chief Trade and Industry Officer at the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). Google receives more than a billion health-related searches every day. OpenAI says more than 40 million people are asking ChatGPT about their health every single day. So, as AI makes health information more accessible, how do we stop misinformation spreading, and who should be responsible for policing it? On The Agenda, Katie Chambers is joined by Andy Pattison, Lead for Frontier Technologies and AI at the World Health Organization in Geneva. Plus, could weight-loss drugs help people work more?   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Authorities say the oil spill off the UAE’s northern coast has now been contained, with no fresh leaks detected, and they say drinking water supplies are safe. But what impact could the spill have on our desalination plants? Meanwhile, petrol prices in the UAE are coming down this month, but they’re still two thirds higher than at the start of the year. And diesel prices are up by 86 per cent. So what does that mean for delivery companies and their drivers? Plus, Americans head to the polls tomorrow for the US midterm elections, and we look at how the result could have major consequences for the Middle East. And if you run a business or work as a freelancer in the UAE, the way you send invoices is about to change. Simply emailing a PDF won’t be enough. So what do you need to do now to avoid being caught out? Then, Dubai is planning a citywide loyalty programme for tourists, as part of its new plans to bring visitors back. But will it work? Also, Dubai is getting ready for Future Week, and there’s a million dirhams up for grabs. But with technology moving so quickly, how do we make sure people remain at the heart of it?   And finally, could the next Cristiano Ronaldo be discovered using nothing more than a smartphone? A Saudi-backed technology company has developed an app that uses artificial intelligence to assess young footballers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A week on from the UAE oil spill, more beaches have closed in Sharjah as clean-up operations continue in Ras Al Khaimah. Is the oil still spreading, and when could our coastline recover? Could we all do with less screen time at the dinner table? Restaurants in Sardinia are trialling a phone-free dining scheme. Could it work here in the UAE? Dubai's winter camping season starts this Sunday, with hundreds of new spots opening at Al Ruwayyah. Is it time to swap the city for a night under the stars? And Dubai school students are turning heads with an invention that could turn plastic waste into fuel. We'll meet the Grade 12 innovators behind the idea. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does watching employees more closely actually make them work better? It's the main question now with AI making it possible for employers to monitor their staff in detail. If you're working here in the UAE, can your boss legally monitor your emails, track your computer activity or use AI to assess how productive you've been? Dubai is spending another AED 3 billion on storm water drainage.   Two years into an extraordinary life at sea, passengers of the Villa Vie Odyssey are now stranded in Cambodia after soaring fuel costs forced the company to suspend its voyage. We speak to passenger Holly, who's travelling with her cat, Captain. And it’s that time of year again... and Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year for 2026 is maxxing!         See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh wants to be UN secretary General. So what would she change if she became the first woman to lead the UN? Meanwhile as beaches across the northern emirates remain closed to residents and tourists, due to an oil spill off the coastline, we'll investigate how the slick is spreading - and the impact it could have on marine life. And, Earth's orbit is getting clogged up with space junk - which is incredibly dangerous for satellites and spacecraft. Now there's a plan to send giant robotic claws to clean up the mess. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beaches across the northern Emirates remain closed following an oil spill off the UAE coast. We’ll look at how the slick is spreading and what it could mean for marine life and the coastal environment. Dubai’s short-term rental market is showing signs of improvement, but is this an early sign of a wider tourism recovery? We’ll look at the latest figures and want to hear from those working in the tourism sector. If someone collapsed in front of you right now, would you know what to do? Dubai’s health authorities are offering free training to residents, and we’ll explain how you can take part. And the Museum of the Future is hiring, but your CV and qualifications might not be what gets you through the door. So what skills are they really looking for? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beaches across parts of the northern Emirates are closed following an oil spill off the UAE coast. We discuss the clean-up operation and what it means for wildlife, swimmers and our desalinated water supplies, plus how experts track the likely path of the spill.  The UAE is looking at plans to connect water networks in the east and west of the country, so supplies keep flowing even if there’s a major disruption. What would it take to build a pipeline stretching across the Emirates, and how much could it cost? Apple’s new foldable iPhone has only just gone on sale, but some customers are already reporting cracked screens. One says theirs broke after fewer than 20 folds. Is this an expensive design flaw, or just a few unlucky buyers? Driverless taxis are hitting the streets of Jumeirah, and more residents are giving them a go. Our very own Katie Chambers took a ride this weekend, so what was it like? Scientists say Norwegian seaweed could help crops survive drought and extreme heat. Could it be a game-changer for farming in the UAE, where we import around 90% of our food? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A quarter of the world's population lives in countries facing extremely high water stress every year. That's according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization. And with farming accounting for more than 70% of global freshwater use, the pressure on supplies is only growing. Now the UAE is looking to tackle the problem and unlock billions in potential investment in water projects.  Space tourism is becoming a reality and big business, with travellers paying millions for the ultimate holiday. And Dubai is attracting attention from companies hoping to cash in on the demand.  This week, Dulsco Environment’s recycling bus has been visiting businesses and schools across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, collecting recyclables ahead of World Sustainability Day on Wednesday, the 28th of October.  And what if a simple selfie could help doctors predict how well someone might survive cancer?    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Authorities say they're investigating reports of unusual odours across several parts of the UAE, while reassuring residents there's no indication of a threat to public health. But how can a smell travel across several emirates, and what does it take to track down the source?  The Christmas shopping rush is approaching, and with it, the spotlight on global trade because retailers rely on international shipping networks to get their stock in place. So what does this mean for Christmas shopping, particularly here in the UAE?  A new analysis shows rent renewals are less compared to a year ago. Could this decline suggest that more tenants are moving out in search of better deals or more affordable homes? The final artist for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has finally been announced as Jennifer Lopez. And could jellyfish reverse ageing? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UAE is banning a widely used antibiotic from being given to animals from next month, over fears it could help bacteria develop resistance.  We find out why this isn’t just about treating sick animals - it’s about protecting humans too. Australia wants to give social media users the power to switch off the algorithms that decide what they see online. So could this be the beginning of the end for endless algorithm-driven scrolling? Meanwhile, it’s looking good for pensioners in the UAE, as the Emirati statutory pension system climbs the global rankings.  But what does that tell us about retirement provision in the UAE more broadly? And what about the many expats living here, who may need to make their own plans for life after work? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever read a comment online and wondered whether a real person wrote it? This week, a senior UAE official warned that social media bots are being used to inflame tensions between countries in the region.  Do you understand your child's slang terms? We're living longer, but how many of those extra years are we actually spending in good health?  Divers off the coast of Turkey say they’ve found the oldest shipwreck in the world. Yas Island is gearing up for one of its busiest periods of the year, with Formula 1, international concerts, championship golf and comedy shows all on the calendar over the next few months.  And would you still order food online if you knew it would never arrive? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.