The Agenda

With the ongoing situation in the region, we look first at the status of the housing market in Dubai with Louis Harding from Betterhomes.

We also discuss what’s happening behind the scenes, with some mortgage applications now on hold, while others move quickly to secure deals. Jo Phillips from Phillips & Walls Mortgage Brokers joins us on that.

A fragile ceasefire may be holding but overnight, tensions have escalated again, with US President Donald Trump announcing a military blockade from 2pm GMT — that’s 6pm here in the UAE. We hear from the International Chamber of Shipping on what that means for global trade and stranded seafarers.

We also ask: what's happening beneath the surface, how is marine life impacted by the situation at the Strait of Hormuz?

And we get more details about the newly-approved oral weight-loss medication in the UAE.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve got the interview a lot of parents will be waiting for - the KHDA, which regulates private schools in Dubai, joins us shortly to talk through their guide to distance learning.

While it still feels too early to announce a return to normality - some sectors of the economy are still bubbling along.

We'll discuss concerts with Dubai Opera, and sports with the team from ISD Dubai Sports City - who despite the conflict are busy with children getting active.

The immediate picture looks more stable, experts are warning the conflict in the Gulf could have longer-term environmental consequences - particularly with both sides targeting oil and gas facilities, as well as desalination plants. We’ll dig into that with a local expert.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With tourism slowing, business leaders are having to make difficult decisions about staffing. 

Meanwhile, there is a new initiative aiming to turn parking into a boost for Dubai’s small businesses. 

A key element of the ceasefire centres around Iran opening the Strait of Hormuz. 

But only a trickle of ships have passed through in the last 24 hours - we'll ask the International Chamber of Shipping what's going on.

And how can people adjust to hopefully normality and recover from weeks of upheaval and uncertainty?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are cautiously celebrating the good news of the ceasefire between the US, Israel and Iran, a major pillar of the agreement is the opening of the Strait of Hormuz - so how soon could we see ships moving and goods flowing?

Meanwhile, despite the on-going conflict and issues at home, Dubai continues to scale up its global humanitarian response - four massive shipments were sent on their way this month.

Amid the challenges of conflict, financial strain and home schooling, a new Kite Beach video installation is bringing the community together with a message of unity, diversity and hope.

A global survey is showing that workplace engagement has fallen again - although UAE numbers are better than the average with stronger morale and optimism - at least before the recent conflict.

And we'll have the latest from the Artemis II moon mission from HE Eng Salem Al Marri Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gulf airlines are still operating at just half capacity as disruption continues across the region

The UAE has extended its Nafis programme to 2040, with new support for Emirati families

Forty days into the conflict, major UAE employer Dulsco is facing evolving challenges in supporting its 25,000-strong workforce across multiple sectors.

Meanwhile, the UAE events calendar remains busy despite disruption, with comedy taking centre stage this April

Artemis II astronauts have broken a distance record set by Apollo 13, travelling farther from Earth than ever before during their Moon mission, and briefly losing all contact for 40 minutes.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A risky mission to rescue a US airman stranded in Iran over the weekend is reported to have cost more than 300 million dollars

Retired US Marine Corps Colonel Brendan Kearney will join us to explain why it’s being described as one of the most daring operations in recent US military history

The UAE has approved its first pill for weight loss and obesity, becoming just the second country in the world to do so. We’ll ask how, and why now

Plus, the UAE has approved its first pill for weight loss and obesity, becoming just the second country in the world to do so. 

NASA’s Artemis II is set to swing around the Moon later today, marking a major milestone in the first lunar mission programme in more than 50 years.

And, with fewer boat surveys, the UAE Dolphin Project is turning to the public to help track endangered dolphins from shore

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the ongoing regional conflict - global food prices are back in focus - with the UN warning fertiliser costs could keep inflation stubbornly high.

While cocoa prices are falling, chocolate prices are still stubbornly high. We'll speak to a local chocolatier about why?

Plus with some exam boards are now cancelling GCSE exams in the UAE, how will grades now be decided?

And, Abu Dhabi's launching a major new biobank - saying it's a shift towards predictive, personalised healthcare. But how will it work? We'll ask the team behind the project

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the conflict continues into a fifth week, we're starting to see signs of strain in some parts of the economy - in particular in those that rely on the tourism dirham.

We'll be hearing from the team behind community mall Times Square Centre in Dubai, and from the Coca Cola Arena - which is currently hosting a massive clearance sale.

Meanwhile the school transport companies are starting to offer discounts the education sector is feeling the impact even more sharply.

But there are bigger questions too IB exams have now been cancelled - so what does that mean for students and their futures?

Plus NASA has made it to the moon once again - the Artemis II spacecraft is now in orbit around the Earth. It's definitely a big deal - but why?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the impact of the conflict begins to be felt in the UAE, there are growing signs of a shift in the jobs market.

Meanwhile, Dubai's driverless taxis are officially roaming the roads of Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah picking up passengers right now after the launch on Tuesday.

We'll speak to Uber - one of the booking platforms - about how it's working out.

And the trend towards banning social media for under-16's seems to be gathering steam. 

Indonesia and Austria are following in the footsteps of Australia - which banned it three months ago. But is it workable?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dubai is launching driverless taxis today - a long-awaited step into the future.

Home schooling has been extended for another two weeks - now running until April 17 - putting added pressure on parents and the wider education system.

Meanwhile, with the Strait of Hormuz closed for a fifth week, it’s not just oil and gas affected - fertiliser costs are surging, raising fresh concerns about global food inflation and how we grow food more efficiently.

And the city is also embracing a pay-it-forward dining trend, with initiatives like “Treat On Us” encouraging residents to buy meals for others and boost community spirit.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.