Morning Drive

Precious metals markets face a dramatic turnaround as soaring US consumer and producer prices amplify global inflationary pressures, making Federal Reserve interest rate hikes virtually inevitable. Meanwhile, changing geopolitical dynamics spark an overnight rally in gold, shifting market momentum away from falling trends earlier in the week. Jeff Rhodes of Monetary Metals speaks to Tim Elliott to give his expert analysis.

As Ebola cases rise in the DRC, global health authorities face renewed pressure to strengthen outbreak surveillance. In this episode, Aspen Medical’s Sean Costello joins Tim Elliott to analyse the realities of frontline response, managing high-risk regional crises, and the critical clinical strategies needed to secure true healthcare preparedness.

The global financial narrative has long warned individuals that they are not saving enough for retirement. However, counterintuitive new research highlights a major structural blind spot for millions of affluent retirees: the real psychological risk is actually under-spending. Independent Financial Consultant James Thomas joins Tim Elliott to analyse how decades of deep-rooted saving habits leave retirees petrified to spend, the broader macroeconomic consequences of capital refusing to flow, and how finding personal passions can help individuals safely enjoy their hard-earned nest eggs.

Gallery powerhouse Jean-David Malat joins Tim Elliott to analyse why the world’s wealthiest collectors are abandoning traditional capitals for Dubai. Discover the commercial strategy behind establishing a permanent UAE footprint and how local initiatives are redefining modern high-value art investment.

Tim Elliott sits down with recruitment expert David Mackenzie from Mackenzie Jones Middle East to translate confusing human resources speak. They discuss what is really behind glossy phrases like ‘right sizing’ and ‘circling back’ to improve workplace efficiency.

Tim Elliott catches up with Mario Volpi, Senior Manager of Eva Real Estate, for a fast-moving look at the UAE property market’s biggest talking points. From headline-making new launches and developer activity to the latest real estate news shaping Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the pair break down what buyers, investors and tenants should be watching right now.

More than 100 days into the conflict, concerns are growing over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. Joining Tim Elliott is Christopher Long, Head of Intelligence & Compliance at Neptune P2P Group, to discuss the risks facing commercial shipping, stranded sailors, and what the latest tensions mean for the Gulf.

From conflict coverage and misinformation to Dubai’s image on the international stage, the pressure on newsrooms has never been greater. Joining Tim Elliott is Mark Thompson, Editor-in-Chief of Gulf News, for a conversation on the future of journalism, the battle for credibility, and how the region is being viewed globally during a volatile news cycle.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across North America, corporate sponsors are completely rewriting their PR playbooks. Tim Elliott discusses shifting marketing strategies with Pete Jacob, MD of Current Global MENAT, exploring why global brands are prioritising decentralised fan-led content and online culture over multi-million-pound athlete endorsements.

Dubai is accelerating its push into agentic AI, with the UAE aiming to shift 50 percent of government services to autonomous AI within two years. But are businesses ready for AI that can think, act and make decisions? Tim Elliott speaks to Mounir Hijazi, CEO GCC at TP, about what companies must fix now before AI exposes the cracks.