We speak to a UAE resident whose bank account drained by scammers posing as Dubai utility provider.

We speak to a UAE resident whose bank account drained by scammers posing as Dubai utility provider.

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

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With road and metro traffic feeling the pressure from our ever-growing population in the emirates, we've been hearing about plans to transform the country's infrastructure. Residents have been reacting to last week's announcement of a massive AED 170 billion national infrastructure plan that is looking to alleviate the pressure on the country's transportation system by 2030. We speak to infrastructure expert Chris Seymour. 

As the international museum community descends in Dubai this week to attend the ‘ICOM Dubai 2025’ event, we look at what it means for the UAE's cultural and heritage sector.

Do you prefer herbal "medications" - well a batch of a popular Thai inhaler has been recalled in the UAE; we catch up with a medical expert on the risks of contaminated products. 

And do you love the idea of a snowy Christmas? Winter markets in Austria, Germany, Switzerland. Cozied up in a sweater drinking hot chocolate. It's a dream for many... but the clock is ticking if you're still trying to winter in Europe and you need a visa. 

 

With road and metro traffic feeling the pressure from our ever-growing population in the emirates, we've been hearing about plans to transform the country's infrastructure. Residents have been reacting to last week's announcement of a massive AED 170 billion national infrastructure plan that is looking to alleviate the pressure on the country's transportation system by 2030. We speak to infrastructure expert Chris Seymour.&nbsp;
As the international museum community descends in Dubai this week to attend the &lsquo;ICOM Dubai 2025&rsquo; event, we look at what it means for the UAE's cultural and heritage sector.
Do you prefer herbal "medications" - well a batch of a popular Thai inhaler has been recalled in the UAE; we catch up with a medical expert on the risks of contaminated products.&nbsp;
And do you love the idea of a snowy Christmas? Winter markets in Austria, Germany, Switzerland. Cozied up in a sweater drinking hot chocolate. It's a dream for many... but the clock is ticking if you're still trying to winter in Europe and you need a visa.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

National infrastructure plan amid population surge

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority has announced plans to license 60 new affordable private schools across the emirate. Will these new schools offer real relief for parents facing rising fees? Katie Chambers speaks to Mohamed Abdulhalim, Acting Director of Supply Development at KHDA.

Microsoft is pledging to invest $15 billion into the UAE by 2030, not just to boost AI and cloud infrastructure, but crucially, to help train the next generation of talent. Georgia Tolley speaks to Microsoft vice chairman and president Brad Smith to know how the money would be spent.

For the first time this year, private schools across the UAE are following a unified academic calendar, and it means an early and extended winter holiday. So how are schools managing the pressure of exams, events, and end-of-year expectations — all within this compressed timeline? And how will travel patterns shift among UAE residents?

As the UAE accelerates its ambitions in science, technology, and space exploration, new efforts are being made to build the talent pipeline from the ground up. A flagship programme in this space is the Space & Rocketry Academy UAE or SARA, an education initiative preparing students for careers in STEM, space science, and AI. Lissy Donald, Managing Director of Compass International & NASA Astronaut Dr. Donald Thomas share more details

And this weekend, hundreds of students from across the UAE will take to the stage... not to perform, but to spell. The Spelling Bee Championship UAE is back, bringing together young learners from 145 schools and over 40 nationalities, all competing for a chance to represent the country on the global stage.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority has announced plans to license 60 new affordable private schools across the emirate. Will these new schools offer real relief for parents facing rising fees? Katie Chambers speaks to Mohamed Abdulhalim, Acting Director of Supply Development at KHDA.
Microsoft is pledging to invest $15 billion into the UAE by 2030, not just to boost AI and cloud infrastructure, but crucially, to help train the next generation of talent. Georgia Tolley speaks to Microsoft vice chairman and president Brad Smith to know how the money would be spent.
For the first time this year, private schools across the UAE are following a unified academic calendar, and it means an early and extended winter holiday. So how are schools managing the pressure of exams, events, and end-of-year expectations &mdash; all within this compressed timeline? And how will travel patterns shift among UAE residents?
As the UAE accelerates its ambitions in science, technology, and space exploration, new efforts are being made to build the talent pipeline from the ground up. A flagship programme in this space is the Space &amp; Rocketry Academy UAE or SARA, an education initiative preparing students for careers in STEM, space science, and AI. Lissy Donald, Managing Director of Compass International &amp; NASA Astronaut Dr. Donald Thomas share more details
And this weekend, hundreds of students from across the UAE will take to the stage... not to perform, but to spell. The Spelling Bee Championship UAE is back, bringing together young learners from 145 schools and over 40 nationalities, all competing for a chance to represent the country on the global stage.

What counts as an "affordable" school in Dubai?

The newly-elected New York City mayor thinks they should be over there. It’s a concept that’s been gaining traction in cities around the world– would it work here in the UAE? Would it change how you travel, if there are no bus fares?

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA)  has announced it will build 60 new affordable private schools, as part of a broader plan to deliver 100 new schools. But how do you make education more affordable without cutting corners? 

From April 2026, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will launch a new Global Curriculum for all of its affiliated schools operating outside of India. And that includes the 106 CBSE schools here in the UAE, the largest network of Indian curriculum schools anywhere outside India. But what does this mean in real terms for students, parents, and schools?

And we’re heading to Cairo, where the Grand Egyptian Museum has finally opened its doors.

The newly-elected New York City mayor thinks they should be over there. It&rsquo;s a concept that&rsquo;s been gaining traction in cities around the world&ndash; would it work here in the UAE? Would it change how you travel, if there are no bus fares?
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) &nbsp;has announced it will build 60 new affordable private schools, as part of a broader plan to deliver 100 new schools. But how do you make education more affordable without cutting corners?&nbsp;
From April 2026, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will launch a new Global Curriculum for all of its affiliated schools operating outside of India. And that includes the 106 CBSE schools here in the UAE, the largest network of Indian curriculum schools anywhere outside India. But what does this mean in real terms for students, parents, and schools?
And we&rsquo;re heading to Cairo, where the Grand Egyptian Museum has finally opened its doors.

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