Apparently romantic scams are surging across the Middle East as social media and AI make it increasingly easy for fraudsters to operate at massive scale. So what's behind the sudden surge? And what are dating sites doing about it?

We all love the convenience of contactless payments. Tap your phone, your card, even your smartwatch and you’re done. But… could that very convenience be putting us at risk?

As some of the world’s leading health and science experts are in town for WHX Health, we also turn our focus to biotechnology and life sciences.

And Julia Donaldson has unveiled the title and lead character of a brand‑new Gruffalo story set for release on 10 September 2026. Find out all the details here about its first full sequel in 20 years.

 

Apparently romantic scams are surging across the Middle East as social media and AI make it increasingly easy for fraudsters to operate at massive scale. So&nbsp;what's behind the sudden surge? And what are dating sites doing about it?
We all love the convenience of contactless payments. Tap your phone, your card, even your smartwatch and you&rsquo;re done. But&hellip; could that very convenience be putting us at risk?
As some of the world&rsquo;s leading health and science experts are in town for WHX Health, we also turn our focus to biotechnology and life sciences.
And Julia Donaldson has unveiled the title and lead character of a brand‑new Gruffalo story set for release on 10 September 2026. Find out all the details here about its first full sequel in 20 years.
&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

What to watch for to avoid dating scams

Dubai's private schools will soon be teaching artificial intelligence… but how young is too young to start learning about algorithms? 

We’ll speak to Fatma Al Janahi from the KHDA to find out what’s actually going into the curriculum.

Also, if you’ve been stuck in traffic this week, you’re not alone. 

But the RTA says help is on the way, with futuristic solutions like autonomous pods… and an underground Dubai Loop.

Meanwhile, the Winter Olympics open tonight in Milan and Cortina, and for the first time ever, Team UAE will be taking part.

Plus, The world’s top tactical units are arriving in Dubai for the seventh annual SWAT Challenge

And, polar bears are putting on weight… but scientists say their new diet might not be cause for celebration.

Dubai's private schools will soon be teaching artificial intelligence&hellip; but how young is too young to start learning about algorithms?&nbsp;
We&rsquo;ll speak to Fatma Al Janahi from the KHDA to find out what&rsquo;s actually going into the curriculum.
Also, if you&rsquo;ve been stuck in traffic this week, you&rsquo;re not alone.&nbsp;
But the RTA says help is on the way, with futuristic solutions like autonomous pods&hellip; and an underground Dubai Loop.
Meanwhile, the Winter Olympics open tonight in Milan and Cortina, and for the first time ever, Team UAE will be taking part.
Plus, The world&rsquo;s top tactical units are arriving in Dubai for the seventh annual SWAT Challenge
And, polar bears are putting on weight&hellip; but scientists say their new diet might not be cause for celebration.

AI IN DUBAI CLASSROOMS - HOW YOUNG IS TOO YOUNG?

From energy to electronics, key goods are getting more expensive - have you noticed prices going up in the UAE?

We'll speak to the team from the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply to find out more about their forecast for 2026 plus Spinneys.

Meanwhile with Ramadan just two weeks away, we'll find out how restaurants and shops are staffing up at speed.

Can culture help combat climate change? Desert Board's CEO Kamal Farah shares how turning natural byproducts into sustainable wood is preserving tradition—and the planet.

And Jebel Jais has reopened to the public after months of closures, but with new rules for access.

From energy to electronics, key goods are getting more expensive - have you noticed prices going up in the UAE?
We'll speak to the team from the Chartered Institute of Procurement &amp; Supply to find out more about their forecast for 2026 plus Spinneys.
Meanwhile with Ramadan just two weeks away, we'll find out how restaurants and shops are staffing up at speed.
Can culture help combat climate change? Desert Board's CEO Kamal Farah shares how turning natural byproducts into sustainable wood is preserving tradition&mdash;and the planet.
And Jebel Jais has reopened to the public after months of closures, but with new rules for access.

Are UAE grocery prices set to rise?

Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced that his government plans to ban children under 16 from accessing

social media platforms. We hear the take of Dr Alison Burrows, Professor of Education and Childhood Studies at Middlesex University Dubai.

The RTA is preparing to launch a new autonomous automated transit network in a move aimed at easing congestion and improving mobility across key areas of the city. Ahmed Bahrozyan, Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Agency at the RTA, gives us more details.

A radical new competition is allowing the use of performance enhancing drugs.

China has just become the first country in the world to ban hidden or retractable car door handles. Why? Safety. According to China’s new rules, hidden handles can delay emergency rescues and risk malfunctioning in accidents or extreme weather.

A brand-new Gallup report, that has just been released at the World Governments Economy Summit, being held here in Dubai this week, asked people in 107 countries to name the single biggest problem facing their nation. And the number one answer, across continents, cultures and income levels? The economy.

We're also asking today: what makes a high-performing city also a high-stress one? And how can we learn to live, work, and age better?

When we talk about climate action, we tend to focus on energy, infrastructure, or policy. But what about culture? H.E. Shatha Al Mulla, Assistant Undersecretary for the National Identity and Arts Sector joins us.

The UAE's been keen to improve its carbon footprint for years now, and two years ago it began an initiative called The Dubai Reef. We find out what it has achieved so far.

And a remarkable advancement in the treatment of epilepsy is now available in the region.

 

Speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced that his government plans to ban children under 16 from accessing
social media platforms. We hear the take&nbsp;of Dr Alison Burrows, Professor of Education and Childhood Studies at Middlesex&nbsp;University Dubai.
The RTA is preparing to launch a new autonomous automated transit network in a move aimed at easing congestion and improving mobility across key areas of the city. Ahmed Bahrozyan, Chief Executive Officer of the Public Transport Agency at the RTA, gives us more details.
A radical new competition is allowing the use of performance enhancing drugs.
China has just become the first country in the world to ban hidden or retractable car door handles. Why? Safety. According to China&rsquo;s new rules, hidden handles can delay emergency rescues and risk malfunctioning in accidents or extreme weather.
A brand-new Gallup report, that has just been released at the World Governments Economy Summit, being held here in Dubai this week, asked people in 107 countries to name the single biggest problem facing their nation. And the number one answer, across continents, cultures and income levels? The economy.
We're also asking today: what makes a high-performing city also a high-stress one? And how can we learn to live, work, and age better?
When we talk about climate action, we tend to focus on energy, infrastructure, or policy. But what about culture? H.E. Shatha Al Mulla, Assistant Undersecretary for the National Identity and Arts Sector joins us.
The UAE's been keen to improve its carbon footprint for years now, and two years ago it began an initiative called The Dubai Reef. We find out what it has achieved so far.
And&nbsp;a remarkable advancement in the treatment of epilepsy is now available in the region.
&nbsp;

What to watch for to avoid dating scams

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