Renting a car should be straightforward. But based on the messages we've been getting from listeners, it seems a lot of people are facing unexpected fees, delayed

refunds, and damage charges they don’t agree with. Ahmad Ahli, Acting Director of the Consumer Protection Department at the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade joins us to answer your concerns.

We also discuss degree accreditation with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Plus, we also ask, does where you studied really matter when you enter the UAE job market? 

And we tell you about a pair of smart glasses that are designed for people with dementia.

Renting a car should be straightforward. But based on the messages we've been getting from listeners, it seems a lot of people are facing unexpected fees, delayed
refunds, and damage charges they don&rsquo;t agree with. Ahmad Ahli, Acting Director of the Consumer Protection Department at the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade joins us to answer your concerns.
We also discuss degree accreditation with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Plus, we also ask, does where you studied really matter when you enter the UAE job market?&nbsp;
And we tell you about a pair of smart glasses that are designed for people with dementia.

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

Car rental issues explained

As a parent here in the UAE, you now have a legal obligation to monitor your child’s digital activity. Lawyer Dino Wilkinson, partner at Baker, joins us to explain what the law says.

We also look at the psychological and behavioural side of this issue with consultant in digital wellbeing and meaningful learning with technology for children, Dr Alison Burrows.

The National Centre of Meteorology tells us how AI is helping with cloudseeding to boost rainfall. Ahmed El Kamali, Acting Head of cloudseeding operations at the NMC gives us the details.

A video recently shared on Instagram shows litter scattered along popular hiking routes, and it’s prompted a wave of concern from nature lovers who say it's time to take action.

And a group of UAE students transformed a plot of land at a school in Nairobi, turning it into a working farm that will help provide food for children in need.

As a parent here in the UAE, you now have a legal obligation to monitor your child&rsquo;s digital activity. Lawyer Dino Wilkinson, partner at Baker, joins us to explain what the law says.
We also look at the psychological and behavioural side of this issue with consultant in digital wellbeing and meaningful learning with technology for children, Dr Alison Burrows.
The National Centre of Meteorology tells us how AI is helping with cloudseeding to boost rainfall. Ahmed El Kamali, Acting Head of cloudseeding operations at the NMC gives us the details.
A video recently shared on Instagram shows litter scattered along popular hiking routes, and it&rsquo;s prompted a wave of concern from nature lovers who say it's time to take action.
And a group of UAE students transformed a plot of land at a school in Nairobi, turning it into a working farm that will help provide food for children in need.

Parents to monitor children's digital usage

We’ve had multiple messages from listeners alerting us to what appears to be a new scam targeting drivers right here in the UAE and it all centres around DARB, the Abu

Dhabi toll system. We ask cybersecurity expert Amir Kolahzadeh how you can tell the difference between a real notification and a fake one and how are scammers even getting your number in the first place?

There's been a surge in civil marriages and wills registered at the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court, marking a remarkable jump in demand for services introduced under the UAE’s non-Muslim personal status law. Family lawyer Byron James shares more details.

Earlier this week, the Dubai Land Department and the Higher Colleges of Technology launched a new Real Estate Diploma Programme, a major initiative

aimed at empowering Emiratis to play a bigger role in this critical industry. How significant is this move for Emiratis planning to move to the real estate industry?

More than 170,000 creators submitted proposals to take part on the UAE and Mr. Beast's "One Billion Acts of Kindness" campaign, and just 10 were selected. And one of them is joining us on the show today.

We&rsquo;ve had multiple messages from listeners alerting us to what appears to be a new scam targeting drivers right here in the UAE and it all centres around DARB, the Abu
Dhabi toll system. We ask cybersecurity expert Amir Kolahzadeh how you can tell the difference between a real notification and a fake one and how are scammers even getting your number in the first place?
There's been a surge in civil marriages and wills registered at the Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court, marking a remarkable jump in demand for services introduced under the UAE&rsquo;s non-Muslim personal status law. Family lawyer Byron James shares more details.
Earlier this week, the Dubai Land Department and the Higher Colleges of Technology launched a new Real Estate Diploma Programme, a major initiative
aimed at empowering Emiratis to play a bigger role in this critical industry. How significant is this move for Emiratis planning to move to the real estate&nbsp;industry?
More than 170,000 creators submitted proposals to take part on the UAE and Mr. Beast's "One Billion Acts of Kindness" campaign, and just 10 were selected. And one of them is joining us on the show today.

Have you received messages claiming to be from DARB?

Paid parking has been introduced in the residential community of Discovery Gardens in Dubai. We speak to some residents who are happy with the changes and to some too who feel it’s an extra financial burden.

What were the main factors that led Dubai to expand paid parking systems in residential communities? Is it a necessary solution? We get the take of Elev8's Pedram Rad.

It’s been twelve months since US President Donald Trump was sworn back into the White House. So how is this second term shaping up? And is it unfolding the way his supporters had hoped? Katie is joined by Stephen Collinson, senior reporter for CNN Politics. He covers the White House, and politics across the United States and around the world.

We also focus on Trump's statement that the United States would talk about acquiring Greenland at this week's Davos World Economic Forum because Denmark cannot protect the country. We speak with Dr. Timo Koivurova, Research Professor, Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland in Finland.

And the UAE has claimed the top position globally in a 2026 government trust index.

Paid parking has been introduced in the residential community of Discovery Gardens in Dubai. We speak to some residents who are happy with the changes and to some too who feel it&rsquo;s an extra financial burden.
What were the main factors that led Dubai to expand paid parking systems in residential communities? Is it a necessary solution? We get the take of Elev8's Pedram Rad.
It&rsquo;s been twelve months since US President Donald Trump was sworn back into the White House. So how is this second term shaping up? And is it unfolding the way his supporters had hoped? Katie is joined by Stephen Collinson, senior reporter for CNN Politics. He covers the White House, and politics across the United States and around the world.
We also focus on Trump's statement that the United States would talk about acquiring Greenland at this week's Davos World Economic Forum because Denmark cannot protect the country. We speak with Dr. Timo Koivurova, Research Professor, Arctic Centre at the University of Lapland in Finland.
And the UAE has claimed the top position globally in a 2026 government trust index.

Car rental issues explained

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