Have you ever read a comment online and wondered whether a real person wrote it? This week, a senior UAE official warned that social media bots are being used to inflame tensions between countries in the region. 

Do you understand your child's slang terms?

We're living longer, but how many of those extra years are we actually spending in good health? 

Divers off the coast of Turkey say they’ve found the oldest shipwreck in the world.

Yas Island is gearing up for one of its busiest periods of the year, with Formula 1, international concerts, championship golf and comedy shows all on the calendar over the next few months. 

And would you still order food online if you knew it would never arrive?

Have you ever read a comment online and wondered whether a real person wrote it? This week, a senior UAE official warned that social media bots are being used to inflame tensions between countries in the region.&nbsp;
Do you understand your child's slang terms?
We're living longer, but how many of those extra years are we actually spending in good health?&nbsp;
Divers off the coast of Turkey say they&rsquo;ve found the oldest shipwreck in the world.
Yas Island is gearing up for one of its busiest periods of the year, with Formula 1, international concerts, championship golf and comedy shows all on the calendar over the next few months.&nbsp;
And would you still order food online if you knew it would never arrive?

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

Who are behind the bots?

Attacks on container ships in the Strait of Hormuz are rising to record levels. What does it mean for shipowners trying to get cargo around the world for their customers?

Apple says extraordinary demand for its foldable iPhones means some customers will have to wait until January for their new devices. But the wider smartphone market is facing a chip shortage, so what does that mean for us as consumers with Christmas approaching?

We’re also opening the phone lines for our regular consumer hour, your chance to ask Dubai’s Consumer Protection Department about your rights. We have a particular focus on holiday homes in Dubai, but you can ask director Ahmad Ahli about any consumer issue.

Would you spot a scam if it called you today? Dubai has created a virtual Emirati grandmother to help.

And imagine ordering dinner from a food delivery app. You choose your meal and watch the driver approach, but the restaurant doesn’t exist and the food never arrives. That’s the whole point of a bizarre new website attracting millions of visits. We speak to the founder.

Attacks on container ships in the Strait of Hormuz are rising to record levels. What does it mean for shipowners trying to get cargo around the world for their customers?
Apple says extraordinary demand for its foldable iPhones means some customers will have to wait until January for their new devices. But the wider smartphone market is facing a chip shortage, so what does that mean for us as consumers with Christmas approaching?
We&rsquo;re also opening the phone lines for our regular consumer hour, your chance to ask Dubai&rsquo;s Consumer Protection Department about your rights. We have a particular focus on holiday homes in Dubai, but you can ask director Ahmad Ahli about any consumer issue.
Would you spot a scam if it called you today? Dubai has created a virtual Emirati grandmother to help.
And imagine ordering dinner from a food delivery app. You choose your meal and watch the driver approach, but the restaurant doesn&rsquo;t exist and the food never arrives. That&rsquo;s the whole point of a bizarre new website attracting millions of visits. We speak to the founder.

Record Hormuz ship attacks

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.

Who are behind the bots?

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