The Agenda

With the continuing conflict in the region and heightened security measures across the UAE, companies are having to think carefully about how they support their staff. We ask Dulsco Group, a company who employs around 25,000 people across the Emirates, how they make sure their staff feel informed and protected. There are growing concerns this morning about the safety of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 20% of global oil and LNG supplies. So what does this mean for global shipping, and how concerned should the maritime industry be right now? With the continuing conflict and missile interceptions overhead, many employees across the UAE are wondering how the current situation affects their working practices. What can employers ask of their staff right now, and what protections do employees have under the law? Plus, sharing homes is part of the reality of life in Dubai. But over the past few months we have also seen authorities take action against unsafe partitioned apartments, with a number of residents suddenly finding themselves evicted and asking the same question: what happens next?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism announces limited price increases on some food types, the authorities say they're temporary, and at the same time they're calling on the public to look out for unnecessary hikes - and to report them. Meanwhile - in a gesture of community solidarity Atlantis Dubai, is opening Aquaventure World for free for some residents - we'll find out how you can get those tickets. And in a flood of posts, videos and breaking updates - how do you spot fake posts and AI creations? Plus, we're all getting those emergency warnings now on a regular basis - but how does the technology work? Finally, British Airways is stopping services to Abu Dhabi - so how will this impact travelers?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the spring holidays underway, increasing numbers of people are considering going on holiday - or continuing with plans they already made despite the current conflict. We'll get into the travel trends, and discuss how pilots are preparing and operating safely in the current circumstances. Meanwhile, it's been a rollercoaster few days for the oil price due to the ongoing regional conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.  But how is this likely to affect you and me? And with some people still stranded here in the UAE, we'll speak to a doctor who's making sure they still get their prescriptions - by offering free consultationsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As regional tensions disrupt airspace and global travel, we look at how the UAE is responding behind the scenes. From Abu Dhabi’s crisis response system coordinating essential services, to Dubai authorities checking in on People of Determination. We also hear about a Dubai businessman who opened his farmhouse to stranded tourists, and examine the wider impact on airlines, global trade and seafarers as Middle East tensions escalate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flights are returning to UAE skies, but clearing the backlog of stranded passengers may take several days - but how many? Plus with the spring holidays starting early - we're going to look at how families can best use the break. During Ramadan, Dubai residents are continuing to show strong community spirit - with initiatives like the family-led Happy Happy UAE aiming to provide 1.2 million Iftar meals. As the community pulls together in the face of crisis - a UAE entrepreneur shares how government support during COVID helped him survive six months without business.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flights are slowly restarting in the UAE as airlines prioritise stranded passengers after days of airspace disruption - Surina Kelly has all the details you need to know. Meanwhile, the government's bringing forward the spring holidays as UAE parents juggle work and distance learning. UAE authorities say national medicine stockpiles remain secure, with pharmaceutical supply chains operating normally. Meanwhile, a UAE resident returning from the UK has discovered something special about Golden Visas - apparently they mean you can get a repatriation flight back to the Emirates. If you were listening to the show we had an amazing story about a rugby team who landed in Bahrain on Saturday, and almost immediately came under fire. Today wegoing hear from one of the parents on that trip, and his young son, who's only 10. Aster DM Healthcare is offering free online mental health consultations to support UAE residents during a period of heightened anxiety.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the air space is mostly closed currently, people are struggling to get in and out - and into that breach stepped Etihad Rail and its repatriation trains. RTA tells us how they're opening up roads to trucks, ensuring a regular supply of food stuffs and other freight. We also get analysis on the likely transport priorities for a country during a crisis like this with Martin Tillman. And we share the stories of people who travelled by land to return to the UAE, including a group of 60 children and adults from Bahrain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As limited flights resume, we examine the operational chaos, financial strain, and long-term tourism impact of regional airspace closures. Plus whether the holidays we've got booked in the coming weeks are likely to go ahead. Meanwhile, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is stalling global shipping and driving up prices - but by how much?  And, hundreds of Indian school pupils in the Middle East will have their exams postponed - so how are schools juggling the change. Finally, A homegrown UAE restaurant founded during the pandemic is now giving back again, offering free iftar meals to frontline workers during a new period of uncertainty.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, our focus is simple - we're going to be keeping you informed - as events continue to unfold. We’ll get the latest from Surina Kelly on what the government is telling residents this morning. Meanwhile, with all UAE airports closed, thousands remain stranded. Some are stuck abroad trying to get home, others are grounded here in the UAE. We’re also putting a big spotlight on misinformation.  The UAE’s Public Prosecution is warning that spreading rumours is a criminal offence carrying serious penalties. A Dubai holiday home company is stepping up to help stranded travelersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UAE is breaking single-supplier control on medicines - to cut costs and prevent shortages, so how soon could patients see the benefits? We'll get the reaction from a market consultant and a pharmacy. As sea levels rise and coastal cities face mounting flood risks, the Dutch are building neighbourhoods designed to float rather than sink - so is that something that could work here? Plus, Student entrepreneurs are being given the opportunity to shine once again, as applications are now open for the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards. The competition enables student founders the chance to compete for mentorship, exposure and a share of a 100,000 dollar prize.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A viral fake AED 500 note has put counterfeit cash back in the spotlight, so what should you do if you come across one? Samsung unveils the Galaxy S26 series as rumours swirl that Apple could launch a foldable phone later this year. Air taxis move closer to take-off as Joby Aviation partners with Uber to launch bookable flights in the UAE. And 12-year-old Warren Bacongallo wins the UAE Spelling Bee Championship, with his younger brother Rei Martus finishing second runner-up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UAE has confirmed the academic calendar for the next three years, giving families and schools clarity on term dates, shorter breaks and a slightly later return after summer. Does this three-year clarity make your life easier, or are shorter breaks a concern for your family? A major shake-up in the UAE’s taxi market-- Bolt has added 1,823 vehicles through a new partnership, taking its Dubai fleet past 10,000 cars. A new UN report says the world has entered what it calls an era of “global water bankruptcy”, with 75 percent of people now living in water insecure countries and water-related conflicts rising sharply. And we are catching up with the UAE alpine skiers who have just returned from the slopes of the Winter Olympics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We look at the power of giving and the rules that govern it after authorities put out a warning that collecting donations without a licence could mean jail time and fines of up to AED 500,000 dirhams. So what does the law actually say, and how can you make sure your generosity stays compliant? Then, turning charity into lasting impact. A major new endowment launched by Awqaf Abu Dhabi aims to provide long-term support for orphans across the UAE. We find out how it works. The UAE Central Bank has issued new guidelines governing how AI can be used across the banking sector. So what does that mean for your money, your data and your access to credit? Could we soon be drinking water made from thin air?  And we look at a research suggesting that consciousness may not switch off instantly when the heart stops.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dubai commuters could soon see their journey times cut from 24 minutes to just five. That will be the result of Hessa Street Development Project Phase 2, one of Dubai's latest major road upgrades. According to the Dubai Health Authority, the emirate now has over 4,000 licensed healthcare facilities, including hospitals, day-surgery centres and specialised clinics, and more than 50,000 licensed healthcare professionals operating across the system. So we’ve got more providers, more patients, more demand, and that growth inevitably feeds into insurance pricing. So what does that mean for you when your renewal notice lands in your inbox? The UAE says it has successfully stopped a wave of coordinated cyberattacks targeting key national infrastructure before any significant damage was done. But it does raise serious questions about the scale, frequency and sophistication of cyber warfare facing the region. And we look at the business of camel milk not just in the Gulf, but in the Land Down Under.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're talking smart doorbells and neighbourhood privacy, as Ring’s new AI-powered “Search Party” feature promises to reunite lost pets using your footage, but do you feel like you’re being watched when you walk around your community? And what does UAE law say about surveillance, consent and sharing those videos? We’re also looking ahead to the Eid break, why Ramadan is becoming a key driver for halal travel. Plus parking fees are rising across Dubai, so could the new rules actually help residents make money? And should we be worried about the thousands of potentially city-destroying asteroids NASA can’t currently track? Finally, Global Teacher Prize winner Rouble Nagi joins us to explain how she’s turning her $1 million award into real impact for children’s education.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Day two of Ramadan and as families ease into new routines, we ask what the shift in pace means for domestic workers’ hours. Careem joins us to launch its ‘Seeds for Gaza’ campaign and reveal how drivers will have their tips doubled during the Holy Month. Plus - moon sighting goes futuristic with AI-powered drones now scanning the skies. A new viral video starring Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise has Hollywood shaking in its boots, because it looks totally really, but it's totally AI. And from Tokyo, how groundbreaking tech at the Deaflympics is letting fans feel the action like never before.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British children born overseas could be denied entry to the UK from next week because of a change in passport rules. And it is not just children. Dual nationals more broadly are facing a scramble for documentation before the new rules come into force on February 25th. So what does the law actually say? We are in the first day on Ramadan and the Holy Month of course, is a time of reflection and generosity, but how does that spirit translate into real-world behaviour, not just here in the UAE, but globally? We also find out a bit more about how you can give back this Holy Month. This week the UAE marked five years since its Hope Probe entered orbit around Mars, a historic achievement that made the Emirates the first Arab nation to reach the Red Planet. And today we learned the mission has been extended until 2028, three years beyond its original plan. There is now a growing campaign calling on hotels to bring back proper bathroom doors, arguing that privacy should not be optional. Is this clever use of space, or have hotels taken minimalist design too far? And some hotels are now embedding tiny tracking tags into towels and linens. The aim? To reduce theft, cut costs and monitor inventory more efficiently.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new premium airline is planned to be launched in Bahrain, creating around 1,200 jobs. What does this mean for the wider Gulf aviation landscape? It is now easier to travel between the UAE and the Kingdom of Bahrain. According to the latest World Tourism Barometer, Europe remains the most visited region, but the real growth stories are elsewhere. So what is driving travellers toward these so-called high-identity, emerging destinations? The second member of UAE's Winter Olympics contingent had a difficult outing on Monday as Alex Astridge did not finish his round in the men's slalom competition. Staying on the Winter Games, there’s growing concern among climate scientists that rising global temperatures could dramatically reduce the number of cities capable of safely hosting the Winter Olympics within the next few decades. And Dubai could one day be home to a 900-foot-high Moon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UAE Ministry of Education has introduced nine new enforcement measures to tackle rising student absenteeism, particularly before weekends and public holidays. Under the new rules, unexcused absences are capped at 15 days per academic year in public schools. So what message does this send, and could private schools follow suit? New data shows road accidents spike significantly during Ramadan, with the two-hour window between 2pm and 4pm accounting for the highest proportion of incidents. So how significant is the risk this year, and what should motorists be mindful of? We also look forward to the commencement of Ramadan and speak with the Dubai Astronomy Group. A new study is making headlines after researchers found that stimulating a specific part of the brain with mild electrical currents appeared to reduce selfish behaviour and increase generosity in decision making tasks. A team in the UK is using spider silk fibres and implanting them into a vein or hollow conduit to help repair a nerve, and they eventually degrade safely into the body. And we're telling you details about human poo used in medicine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UAE’s Ministry of Education has updated its early years entry policy to give flexibility to children entering Foundation Stage in the British curriculum. We hear your comments, parents, and we speak to two educators-- Sarah Hollingworth from GEMS Wellington Academy - Silicon Oasis and Rebecca Coulter from Dubai British School Jumeirah Park. Antimicrobial Resistance is being described as one of the greatest global health threats of our time and we discuss this on The Agenda today with three experts live from the ongoing WHX in Dubai. We also discuss camel racing in Saudi Arabia. And a new research from NYU Abu Dhabi suggests unusually warm waters in the Arabian Sea played a key role in intensifying the record-breaking rainfall in April 2024.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.