Dubai's flying taxis are taking off. Georgia Tolley was there for the test flights.

But down on the ground? The traffic is worse than ever. A new survey shows 9 in 10 drivers face daily congestion.

Plus, Abu Dhabi’s population has doubled in a decade. We ask the experts what’s being done to cope.
Meanwhile, a new online scam is hitting sellers in the UAE involving fake Careem links and stolen card details.

And finally—would you holiday in North Korea?

Dubai's flying taxis are taking off. Georgia Tolley was there for the test flights.
But down on the ground? The traffic is worse than ever. A new survey shows 9 in 10 drivers face daily congestion.
Plus, Abu Dhabi&rsquo;s population has doubled in a decade. We ask the experts what&rsquo;s being done to cope. Meanwhile, a new online scam is hitting sellers in the UAE involving fake Careem links and stolen card details.
And finally&mdash;would you holiday in North Korea?

The Agenda is your go-to programme for news, analysis and comment - a daily digest of local and international stories that matter to you. Broadcasting every weekday, Georgia Tolley goes beyond the headlines to speak to government ministers, decision makers, analysts and local experts to find out how the news will impact those of us living in the UAE.
From Covid-19, to climate change and community issues, The Agenda covers stories from every walk of life, so get in touch with us and tell us your news.

The Agenda is your go-to programme for news, analysis and comment - a daily digest of local and international stories that matter to you. Broadcasting every weekday, Georgia Tolley goes beyond the headlines to speak to government ministers, decision makers, analysts and local experts to find out how the news will impact those of us living in the UAE. From Covid-19, to climate change and community issues, The Agenda covers stories from every walk of life, so get in touch with us and tell us your news.

The Agenda

Flying taxis and traffic jams

Dubai bans families and single tenants from sharing a unit under tougher shared housing rules. What does it mean if you rent a room, and could you be forced to move?

KHDA wants to hear from parents stuck in school traffic. Why is it running a survey on the school commute?

Half term is here, and UAE staycation bookings are up nearly a third. Where is everyone heading, and are there last-minute bargains?

Abu Dhabi’s packed entertainment season adds Black Coffee and The Phantom of the Opera. Has international confidence returned?

Do cats make us happier? New research says countries with more cats are happier, with a strange twist involving a parasite.

And we meet the 16-year-old who is the youngest member of Dubai Police’s triathlon team.

Dubai bans families and single tenants from sharing a unit under tougher shared housing rules. What does it mean if you rent a room, and could you be forced to move?
KHDA wants to hear from parents stuck in school traffic. Why is it running a survey on the school commute?
Half term is here, and UAE staycation bookings are up nearly a third. Where is everyone heading, and are there last-minute bargains?
Abu Dhabi&rsquo;s packed entertainment season adds Black Coffee and The Phantom of the Opera. Has international confidence returned?
Do cats make us happier? New research says countries with more cats are happier, with a strange twist involving a parasite.
And we meet the 16-year-old who is the youngest member of Dubai Police&rsquo;s triathlon team.

Dubai bans families and single tenants from sharing a flat

Abu Dhabi researchers have launched a new AI model designed to understand Emirati Arabic. We'll discuss why the UAE needs its own ChatGPT equivalent.

As global technology leaders gather in Abu Dhabi for AI Everything, the boss of French AI company Mistral says the UAE needs powerful AI systems under its own control to defend against cyber threats.

Thousands of robots will be roaming the streets of Abu Dhabi within months - that's one of the revelations from the event. We find out what they'll be doing and how soon you could see one.

We're also looking at the war for UAE talent. If you quit tomorrow, could your boss stop you going to work for their biggest rival? Top lawyers say employers are increasingly enforcing non-compete clauses. We find out why, and how much breaking one could cost you.

It's still months away, but we're already thinking about Christmas, because we're being warned it could cost more this year. We dig into a new global survey warning of double-digit cost increases across supply chains.

Meanwhile, Dubai is getting a colourful new look, with redesigned street signs and neighbourhood names. We find out why your house could soon be getting a number plate.

 


And scientists have discovered that butterflies may use the patterns on their wings to create optical illusions, confusing predators and helping them escape being eaten.

Abu Dhabi researchers have launched a new AI model designed to understand Emirati Arabic. We'll discuss why the UAE needs its own ChatGPT equivalent.
As global technology leaders gather in Abu Dhabi for AI Everything, the boss of French AI company Mistral says the UAE needs powerful AI systems under its own control to defend against cyber threats.
Thousands of robots will be roaming the streets of Abu Dhabi within months - that's one of the revelations from the event. We find out what they'll be doing and how soon you could see one.
We're also looking at the war for UAE talent. If you quit tomorrow, could your boss stop you going to work for their biggest rival? Top lawyers say employers are increasingly enforcing non-compete clauses. We find out why, and how much breaking one could cost you.
It's still months away, but we're already thinking about Christmas, because we're being warned it could cost more this year. We dig into a new global survey warning of double-digit cost increases across supply chains.
Meanwhile, Dubai is getting a colourful new look, with redesigned street signs and neighbourhood names. We find out why your house could soon be getting a number plate.
&nbsp;
 And scientists have discovered that butterflies may use the patterns on their wings to create optical illusions, confusing predators and helping them escape being eaten.

Abu Dhabi launches AI that speaks Emirati Arabic

The UAE has begun putting limits on how much salt, sugar and fat can go into some of the foods we eat every day. The new resolution covers packaged foods made in the UAE or imported, including by companies in free zones. It starts with bread, sweetened milk drinks, flavoured yoghurt and laban, salty snacks and processed cheese. The limits come down in stages until the end of 2030. On The Agenda, we get more details about the new resolution from Nouf Khamis Al Ali, Director of the Health Promotion Department, Ministry of Health and Prevention.

What does an AI-native city looks like?

If you have a pool in the UAE, you may have noticed the costs to keep it are rising. Why?

And some parents are posting their children's pictures in Facebook groups, asking strangers to remove the watermark, and photographers say that puts children at risk.

The UAE has begun putting limits on how much salt, sugar and fat can go into some of the foods we eat every day. The new resolution covers packaged foods made in the UAE or imported, including by companies in free zones. It starts with bread, sweetened milk drinks, flavoured yoghurt and laban, salty snacks and processed cheese. The limits come down in stages until the end of 2030. On The Agenda, we get more details about the new resolution from Nouf Khamis Al Ali, Director of the Health Promotion Department, Ministry of Health and Prevention.
What does an AI-native city looks like?
If you have a pool in the UAE, you may have noticed the costs to keep it are rising. Why?
And some parents are posting their children's pictures in Facebook groups, asking strangers to remove the watermark, and photographers say that puts children at risk.

Flying taxis and traffic jams

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