Authorities here in the UAE have repeatedly urged consumers to be vigilant about counterfeit goods, fake sellers, and scams on unverified websites and social media platforms. So today, we want to arm you with practical advice: how to spot the red flags, what to do if you’ve been scammed, and how to shop safely both here and abroad. Ahmad Ahli, Acting Director of Consumer Protection at the Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade (DCCPFT) joins us for our regular Consumer Hour on The Agenda.

In just the first half of this year, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation uncovered over 400 cases of so-called “fake Emiratisation.” That’s where companies sign contracts with Emiratis, register them for work permits, but don’t actually employ them in real jobs. We discuss this with John Fitzpatrick, Managing Director at EmiraTalent.

As the new school year begins, Abu Dhabi is tightening its grip on what children can eat during the school day by banning all food delivery services to schools, and rolling out stricter nutrition guidelines for packed lunches. We ask Dr. Funke Baffour-Awuah, Corporate Head of Wellbeing at GEMS Education, about her reaction to this change.

And scientists are now trialling a new solution for pet obesity: weight-loss injections for dogs, similar to the drugs already being used by humans, like Ozempic.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.