"The Screenwise Child Collective"is a grassroots group started by parents at Jumeirah English Speaking School or JESS.

And now dozens of schools are considering changing their rules on mobile phones
One solution being considered by JESS is lockable pouches to improve pupil focus.

"The Screenwise Child Collective" is a grassroots group started by parents at Jumeirah English Speaking School or JESS.
And now dozens of schools are considering changing their rules on mobile phones One solution being considered by JESS is lockable pouches to improve pupil focus.

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

Smartphone ban in Dubai schools?

Dubai is building a huge new 80-kilometre road through the desert, creating a fourth major route linking Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

It’s designed to ease congestion, but can building more roads really keep pace with the UAE’s rapid growth? And just how challenging will a project of this scale be to build? We speak to the experts.

Plus, the United States has confirmed for the first time that it has weapons orbiting the Earth. What exactly are they, and are we entering a new arms race in space?

Would you read more if you were paid to do it? Singapore is offering people rewards for picking up a book as it tries to tackle doomscrolling and encourage deeper reading.

And robot fighting has become a sport in Riyadh. So are humanoid robots finally ready to move out of the lab and into our everyday lives?

Dubai is building a huge new 80-kilometre road through the desert, creating a fourth major route linking Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
It&rsquo;s designed to ease congestion, but can building more roads really keep pace with the UAE&rsquo;s rapid growth? And just how challenging will a project of this scale be to build? We speak to the experts.
Plus, the United States has confirmed for the first time that it has weapons orbiting the Earth. What exactly are they, and are we entering a new arms race in space?
Would you read more if you were paid to do it? Singapore is offering people rewards for picking up a book as it tries to tackle doomscrolling and encourage deeper reading.
And robot fighting has become a sport in Riyadh. So are humanoid robots finally ready to move out of the lab and into our everyday lives?

Dubai’s new 80km road: can it keep up with the city’s growth?

Despite months of disruption, the Gulf is still forecast to be one of the fastest-growing tourism markets in the world.

A new report suggests visitor numbers could rise by around 10% a year over the next five years. We speak to the author of the study about what is driving that growth and whether the momentum can continue.

Meanwhile, Ras Al Khaimah is turning its attention from staycationers back to international tourists. The CEO of RAK Tourism joins us to discuss the billions of dirhams being invested in new hotels, attractions and tourism projects across the emirate.

And the UAE’s highest mountain is getting a major adventure upgrade. Jebel Jais is set to add an 80-kilometre hiking loop, with a route that could take around five days to complete.

Plus, the UAE is expanding its annual flu vaccination campaign. We ask who should be getting the jab and when.

And finally, a remarkable piece of travel history has gone under the hammer in Abu Dhabi, with a 700-year-old manuscript documenting the journeys of Ibn Battuta selling for nearly AED 1 million.

Despite months of disruption, the Gulf is still forecast to be one of the fastest-growing tourism markets in the world.
A new report suggests visitor numbers could rise by around 10% a year over the next five years. We speak to the author of the study about what is driving that growth and whether the momentum can continue.
Meanwhile, Ras Al Khaimah is turning its attention from staycationers back to international tourists. The CEO of RAK Tourism joins us to discuss the billions of dirhams being invested in new hotels, attractions and tourism projects across the emirate.
And the UAE&rsquo;s highest mountain is getting a major adventure upgrade. Jebel Jais is set to add an 80-kilometre hiking loop, with a route that could take around five days to complete.
Plus, the UAE is expanding its annual flu vaccination campaign. We ask who should be getting the jab and when.
And finally, a remarkable piece of travel history has gone under the hammer in Abu Dhabi, with a 700-year-old manuscript documenting the journeys of Ibn Battuta selling for nearly AED 1 million.

Gulf tourism set for 10% annual growth

Residents from Dubai Marina and JLT to The Springs, Al Barsha, Al Furjan and Discovery Gardens are reporting a persistent unpleasant smell. The Agenda team has reached out to Dubai Municipality for an interview/ statement and we're awaiting response. Meanwhile, the Municipality’s Call Centre confirmed to Gulf News it has received complaints and is aware of the problem. But when a smell is being reported across such a wide area, how do you actually work out what it is and where it’s coming from?

We also ask: Can a bad smell itself be harmful, and what symptoms should we be looking out for? 

Lots of focus on tourism as the Arabian Travel Market continues. We start with the smallest emirate of the UAE - Ajman. What does it have to offer people who perhaps haven’t explored it before?

We also discuss how artificial intelligence change how we book and plan our holidays

Plus, are we getting real Christmas trees this year?

Residents from Dubai Marina and JLT to The Springs, Al Barsha, Al Furjan and Discovery Gardens are reporting a persistent unpleasant smell. The Agenda team has reached out to Dubai Municipality for an interview/ statement and we're awaiting response. Meanwhile, the Municipality&rsquo;s Call Centre confirmed to Gulf News it has received complaints and is aware of the problem. But when a smell is being reported across such a wide area, how do you actually work out what it is and where it&rsquo;s coming from?
We also ask: Can a bad smell itself be harmful, and what symptoms should we be looking out for?&nbsp;
Lots of focus on tourism as the Arabian Travel Market continues. We start with the smallest emirate of the UAE - Ajman. What does it have to offer people who perhaps haven&rsquo;t explored it before?
We also discuss how artificial intelligence change how we book and plan our holidays
Plus, are we getting real Christmas trees this year?

Smartphone ban in Dubai schools?

In 1 playlist(s)

The Agenda

Follow podcast

Recent clips