22 January 2024: From Ed Sheeran to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, are Dubai's must-attend dates drawing tourists as well as residents?

22 January 2024: From Ed Sheeran to the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, are Dubai's must-attend dates drawing tourists as well as residents?

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

ARE EVENTS BOOSTING UAE TOURISM?

One of Britain’s top schools is ditching laptops and bringing back pen and paper, saying pupils concentrate better and finish homework faster. 

So have schools gone too far with technology? We hear from Zaineb Mahdi, who oversees digital technology and innovation at GEMS Education, and from a neuroscientist whose research suggests children understand more of what they read on paper than on a screen.

Driverless electric Glydways pods are being tested at Bluewaters Island in Dubai. How do they work, and when could we all be travelling in one? We speak to the CEO of Glydways as he takes a ride around the city.

A new study shows grandparents are spending big on luxury holidays instead of leaving it all to their children. It’s called SKIING - Spending the Kids’ Inheritance. Is it happening in your family?

And finally, Finland has opened Quietchella, a festival with no stage lights, no speakers and no headline acts. The stars are the wind, the birds and the bog moss.

One of Britain&rsquo;s top schools is ditching laptops and bringing back pen and paper, saying pupils concentrate better and finish homework faster.&nbsp;
So have schools gone too far with technology? We hear from Zaineb Mahdi, who oversees digital technology and innovation at GEMS Education, and from a neuroscientist whose research suggests children understand more of what they read on paper than on a screen.
Driverless electric Glydways pods are being tested at Bluewaters Island in Dubai. How do they work, and when could we all be travelling in one? We speak to the CEO of Glydways as he takes a ride around the city.
A new study shows grandparents are spending big on luxury holidays instead of leaving it all to their children. It&rsquo;s called SKIING - Spending the Kids&rsquo; Inheritance. Is it happening in your family?
And finally, Finland has opened Quietchella, a festival with no stage lights, no speakers and no headline acts. The stars are the wind, the birds and the bog moss.

Screens away, pens out!

The UAE’s space economy has grown by 27% in a year, with private companies now behind almost half of all spending. 

HE Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, explains the role of the private sector in that figure.

Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar shares his views on Dubai’s investment outlook as business leaders gather at the RISE Expo, and we look at how new entertainment attractions are bringing more tourists to the country.

After heavy rain, hail and lightning across parts of the UAE, with more unsettled weather forecast, is your home ready? We find out how to protect it from leaks, damp and mould.

Mike Rigby, the new head of IAAPA MENA, the region’s theme park trade body, says the Middle East is giving Orlando a run for its money. He helped build parks like Legoland Dubai’s water park, and tells us how the business is doing now.

What happens to the sofa you’ve outgrown? A new UAE-born app wants you to give it away for free, so someone nearby can use it.

And Oaka, an energetic Australian koolie her last family found too much to handle, has been chosen as the new koala rescue dog. Josey Sharrad of the International Fund for Animal Welfare tells Katie why she stood out.

The UAE&rsquo;s space economy has grown by 27% in a year, with private companies now behind almost half of all spending.&nbsp;
HE Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, explains the role of the private sector in that figure.
Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar shares his views on Dubai&rsquo;s investment outlook as business leaders gather at the RISE Expo, and we look at how new entertainment attractions are bringing more tourists to the country.
After heavy rain, hail and lightning across parts of the UAE, with more unsettled weather forecast, is your home ready? We find out how to protect it from leaks, damp and mould.
Mike Rigby, the new head of IAAPA MENA, the region&rsquo;s theme park trade body, says the Middle East is giving Orlando a run for its money. He helped build parks like Legoland Dubai&rsquo;s water park, and tells us how the business is doing now.
What happens to the sofa you&rsquo;ve outgrown? A new UAE-born app wants you to give it away for free, so someone nearby can use it.
And Oaka, an energetic Australian koolie her last family found too much to handle, has been chosen as the new koala rescue dog. Josey Sharrad of the International Fund for Animal Welfare tells Katie why she stood out.

The UAE’s space economy grows 27% in a year

Hackers turned the fridges in hundreds of French supermarkets into ovens, heating freezers to 50 degrees and forcing shops to throw away their fresh and frozen food. How did it happen, and could it happen here?

Meanwhile, could leaving a bad Google review land you in legal trouble in the UAE? Dubai Police are issuing a warning about when online criticism crosses the line.

Plus, putting a child through 14 years of private school in Dubai can cost more than 400,000 dirhams. Instead,would you also start a pension for a baby? 

One dad has, for his two children, and they can’t touch it until they’re 57. Is it smart planning, or are there better ways to save for your kids?

 

Hackers turned the fridges in hundreds of French supermarkets into ovens, heating freezers to 50 degrees and forcing shops to throw away their fresh and frozen food. How did it happen, and could it happen here?
Meanwhile, could leaving a bad Google review land you in legal trouble in the UAE? Dubai Police are issuing a warning about when online criticism crosses the line.
Plus, putting a child through 14 years of private school in Dubai can cost more than 400,000 dirhams. Instead,would you also start a pension for a baby?&nbsp;
One dad has, for his two children, and they can&rsquo;t touch it until they&rsquo;re 57. Is it smart planning, or are there better ways to save for your kids?
&nbsp;

ARE EVENTS BOOSTING UAE TOURISM?

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