10 February 2022: Georgia looks into the reasons behind the government's decision to gradually loosen COVID-19 restrictions in the emirates.  

10 February 2022: Georgia looks into the reasons behind the government's decision to gradually loosen COVID-19 restrictions in the emirates. &nbsp;

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

UAE announces gradual easing of restrictions

Mortgage costs are heading higher after the UAE raised interest rates for the first time in more than three years. So how much more could you end up paying?

And when the conflict ends, will Middle East aviation be ready for travellers to come flooding back?

The red carpet is also coming back to Dubai. The Dubai International Film Festival will return in 2027, a decade after it disappeared from the city’s cultural calendar.

Meanwhile, hackers are stealing encrypted data today, hoping quantum computers will help them unlock it in the future. So how do we protect our secrets from technology that hasn’t even arrived yet?

Plus, should pop stars keep their politics off the stage? Macklemore has been dropped from Ed Sheeran’s US tour over comments about Palestine, prompting other artists to pull out in solidarity.

We meet the Dubai couple who have rescued more than 6,000 drivers stranded in the desert - completely free of charge.

And would you take a halal-friendly cruise to Antarctica? The first voyage sold out, and now the company behind it is taking the idea to even more remote destinations.

Mortgage costs are heading higher after the UAE raised interest rates for the first time in more than three years. So how much more could you end up paying?
And when the conflict ends, will Middle East aviation be ready for travellers to come flooding back?
The red carpet is also coming back to Dubai. The Dubai International Film Festival will return in 2027, a decade after it disappeared from the city&rsquo;s cultural calendar.
Meanwhile, hackers are stealing encrypted data today, hoping quantum computers will help them unlock it in the future. So how do we protect our secrets from technology that hasn&rsquo;t even arrived yet?
Plus, should pop stars keep their politics off the stage? Macklemore has been dropped from Ed Sheeran&rsquo;s US tour over comments about Palestine, prompting other artists to pull out in solidarity.
We meet the Dubai couple who have rescued more than 6,000 drivers stranded in the desert - completely free of charge.
And would you take a halal-friendly cruise to Antarctica? The first voyage sold out, and now the company behind it is taking the idea to even more remote destinations.

UAE interest rates rise: What it means for your mortgage?

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.

UAE announces gradual easing of restrictions

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