Emirates Group has confirmed that its chief financial and group services officer, Michael Doersam, will step down from his role at the end of June 2026, marking the end of an influential chapter in the airline’s executive leadership.

In a statement to media outlets, Emirates said Doersam has announced his intention to step down for family reasons. His successor has not yet been named, with the company saying that an announcement will be made in due course. Emirates emphasised that its strategic direction and commitment to delivering value to stakeholders “remain unchanged” despite the forthcoming leadership change.

Doersam has been one of the aviation group’s most senior executives and a key architect of its financial strategy through significant periods of industry turbulence and recovery. Reports first emerged of his impending departure in industry news outlets earlier this week.

The role of chief financial and group services officer at Emirates Group oversees financial planning and analysis, reporting, treasury, risk management and other core functions critical to the airline’s operations, especially as global travel rebounded from pandemic-era disruptions.

Doersam’s career at Emirates stretches back nearly two decades, having joined the carrier in the mid-2000s and risen through senior finance leadership positions to the executive tier. His tenure has coincided with both rapid expansion and strategic adaptation in a highly competitive global aviation market.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) at Dubai South has inaugurated a new facility for RH Aero Systems (RH Aero), reinforcing Dubai’s position as a regional aviation services hub.

Operating under its Ready, Reliable, Relentless promise, RH Aero will use the facility as its regional hub for Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and Engine/Airframe Tooling services across the Middle East, Africa and India. The move supports the company’s expanding global service network and strengthens its footprint in the region.

The new RH Aero Service Center spans approximately 2,800 square metres and is divided into four adjacent bays of 700 square metres each. The layout has been designed to accommodate future growth and capability expansion, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to the Middle East.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior leaders from both organisations, including Tahnoon Saif, chief executive officer of MBRAH, and Martin Dürr, Executive Vice President, EMEAI Region, RH Aero.

The facility will offer inspection, testing, calibration and recertification services, alongside maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of tooling and GSE. It will also provide proof-load testing, modification and upgrade programmes, as well as local technical support, on-site services and Aircraft on Ground (AOG) assistance. These capabilities are aimed at enhancing turnaround times and delivering OEM-licensed tooling support to airlines, MROs and OEM partners across the region.

Saif said: “The expansion of internationally recognised players such as RH Aero reflects the confidence that leading aviation partners place in MBRAH’s integrated ecosystem and contributes to our mandate of empowering the aerospace industry.”

Dürr said: “This facility will allow us to deliver faster turnaround times, OEM-aligned tooling and GSE service solutions, and enhanced service proximity to our partners across the Middle East, Africa, and India. We look forward to growing our footprint in the region in close collaboration with the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub.”

RH Aero, through its businesses Rhinestahl and HYDRO, provides custom-designed GSE, OEM-licensed engine and airframe tooling, and operates 26 global service centres. The company serves OEMs, MROs and operators worldwide.

MBRAH, located within Dubai South, is a free-zone destination catering to airlines, private aviation companies, MROs and related industries. The hub also houses maintenance centres and training campuses, supporting Dubai’s ambition to become a leading global aviation hub.

Read: Dubai South’s Aerospace Hub ramps up facilities for global aviation players

Dubai Health has announced the launch of the ‘Unified Health Screening’ initiative, combining medical fitness examinations for residency and occupational health into a single application and unified customer journey, a significant milestone in the emirate’s push to streamline procedures and enhance government service delivery.

The initiative, developed in collaboration with several government entities, marks a new phase in digital integration and inter-agency cooperation. It is implemented in partnership with the Dubai Health Authority, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai, Dubai Municipality, the Supreme Legislation Committee, and the Department of Finance.

Read more: How Dubai became a global healthcare convening power

The project falls under the ‘City Makers’ initiative of the General Secretariat of The Executive Council of Dubai, aimed at strengthening collaboration between government entities and delivering exceptional shared services. The move aligns with Dubai’s Social Agenda 33 and the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, according to a Dubai Media Office report.

One unified digital journey

The newly launched service allows professionals across various sectors to apply for required health screenings through a smart digital platform. The integrated process merges medical fitness examinations and occupational health screenings into a single automated application, tailored according to the selected profession.

Under the new system, all necessary examinations can be completed in a single visit. Once medical results are finalised, residency permits are issued automatically, eliminating duplication of steps and significantly reducing processing time.

The initiative also links databases across relevant authorities, enabling faster, more accurate procedures and secure data exchange among government entities.

Officials say the streamlined model represents a major leap in enhancing efficiency, improving customer experience, and reducing administrative burdens.

Strengthening government integration

Dr Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, director general of Dubai Health Authority (DHA), said the launch reflects Dubai’s commitment to unified digital governance.

“The launch of the Unified Health Screening reflects Dubai’s commitment to strengthening joint government work through a single digital pathway that streamlines medical fitness examinations for residency and occupational health,” he said.

Dr Alsheikh Ali emphasised that the initiative automates processes while standardizing and accelerating data exchange between entities. He added that this supports preventive planning and ensures the system keeps pace with population growth and expanding economic activity.

Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, director general of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai, described the new service as a reflection of Dubai’s integrated government model.

“The ‘Unified Medical Screening’ service embodies Dubai’s integrated government model, founded on institutional connectivity and seamless system integration among the concerned entities,” Al Marri stated.

He explained that GDRFA Dubai’s primary role centers on linking databases and enabling automated and secure information exchange with strategic partners.

“This ensures the availability of accurate data across all entities involved in delivering the service,” he said. “It contributes to accelerating procedures and issuing residency permits smoothly upon completion of requirements, directly enhancing the customer experience and the overall efficiency of the government ecosystem.”

Al Marri added that the integration strengthens data reliability, reduces duplication of procedures, and improves overall performance efficiency.

“It reflects GDRFA Dubai’s commitment to supporting joint initiatives that elevate the customer journey and align with the Emirate’s aspirations for smarter and more proactive services,” he said.

Boosting inspection and regulatory efficiency

Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, director general of Dubai Municipality, described the initiative as a strategic advancement in strengthening the emirate’s inspection and regulatory framework.

He said the launch underscores the commitment of Dubai’s government entities to delivering innovative services that enhance global competitiveness while ensuring safe and healthy working environments aligned with international best practices.

“The service marks a qualitative leap in advancing integration between government systems through unified processes and smartly connected databases,” he said.

Bin Ghalita noted that the system enables Dubai Municipality’s inspection teams to access accurate, real-time information during inspections. This, he said, ensures compliance with occupational health and safety standards, strengthens proactive prevention measures, and enhances emergency response readiness.

Elevating healthcare and service excellence

Dr Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), highlighted the broader impact of the initiative on healthcare system readiness.

“The Unified Health Screening service marks a qualitative leap in the development of joint government services by unifying procedures and integrating systems of relevant entities,” Dr Sharif said. “This contributes to simplifying the customer journey and elevating the quality of services.”

He added that the initiative reflects collaboration under the ‘City Makers’ program and aligns with Dubai’s vision to deliver smart, proactive services.

“It contributes to strengthening the readiness of the healthcare system and reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading model in the development of integrated government services,” he said.

Service centres and expansion plans

The ‘Unified Health Screening’ service will initially be available at Dubai Health medical fitness centres across the emirate, including the Garhoud Centre, Al Nahda Centre, Al Karama Centre, Al Yalayis Centre, Bur Dubai Centre, Jebel Ali Free Zone Centre, Zabeel Centre, and Smart Salem Centres.

Authorities confirmed that additional centres will be added in the coming phase. Capacity at existing locations will also be expanded to accommodate growing demand and ensure a seamless customer experience.

The City Makers initiative was launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, in 2014.

The program aims to enhance cooperation among government entities and establish cross-government task forces to design and implement exceptional shared services.

When the holy month of Ramadan approaches, the Muslim world looks to the skies.

In 2026, the UAE did the same: but with drones, artificial intelligence and a tightly coordinated national system working alongside centuries-old religious tradition.

The Ramadan Crescent Sighting Committee for 1447 AH, formed under the UAE Council for Fatwa, convened on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the historic Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi.

Chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Sheikh Mahfouz bin Bayyah, the committee met after Maghrib prayer to examine crescent sighting reports and determine the official start of the holy month.

The meeting was part of the council’s formal mandate to oversee crescent observation and issue official proclamations.

After Maghrib prayer, reports from field observation teams and officially accredited observatories across the UAE were reviewed, alongside testimonies submitted from different regions of the country. All inputs were assessed in line with established Sharīʿah principles and approved procedures, before a final decision was issued through official channels.

Drones and AI take centre stage

According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the Ramadan Crescent Sighting Committee utilised drones equipped with advanced scientific features, alongside AI systems, to analyse images captured from observatories across the country.

The technology allows for high-resolution image analysis, improving accuracy and reducing uncertainty in challenging visibility conditions — while still operating within a Sharīʿah-compliant framework.

Speaking to WAM, Dr Omar Habtoor Al Darei, chairman of the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat, said the move reflects the committee’s commitment to the highest standards of accuracy.

The approach, he explained, combines the Shariah-based principle rooted in the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) saying — “Fast upon sighting it and break your fast upon sighting it” — with the benefits of modern science and advanced technology.

“The committee’s work involved coordination between specialists and astronomers and relied on data from six observatories across the UAE, underscoring the country’s commitment to transparency and precision,” he added.

Public participation remains a key part of the process. Ahead of the meeting, the UAE Council for Fatwa invited members of the community to observe the Ramadan crescent and submit testimonies via an official electronic platform.

Crescent sighting has always symbolised unity, marking the beginning of fasting for millions.

Ramadan is also observed by nearly 2 billion people, roughly a quarter of the global population, and serves as one of the most widely practised religious rituals in Islam.

Fasting from dawn until sunset during the month is among the core acts of worship for believers, with surveys showing that the vast majority of Muslims participate in the fast and associated spiritual observances each year.

botim money, the financial services arm of botim, has launched digital silver investing within its in-app ‘Invest’ feature, enabling eligible users in the UAE to buy, sell and manage fractional silver holdings starting from Dhs10.

The rollout follows the introduction of in-app gold investing in partnership with OGold and expands botim’s precious metals offering as part of its broader push into accessible, digital-first financial tools.

The new silver feature is designed to remove traditional barriers associated with bulk purchases and offline storage, providing users with a regulated, fully in-app experience. It forms part of botim’s wider financial services build-out, complementing existing payments and remittance functionalities.

Since its launch in August 2025, botim money’s gold investment feature has recorded 128,000 in-app gold trades, with total transaction volumes exceeding Dhs100m. The uptake, the company said, highlights sustained demand to extend its ‘Invest’ suite beyond gold into additional asset classes such as silver.

Sacha Haider, chief operating officer of Astra Tech – botim, said: “We were the first fintech platform to announce plans for a digital gold investment portfolio within botim’s fintech ecosystem in 2023, in partnership with OGold.

“Since launch, fractional investing has removed traditional minimum investment thresholds that historically limited participation and driven notable growth in usage. Extended to silver and bombined with botim’s ease of use and scale, this creates a seamless and inclusive pathway for users to begin investing with confidence.”

Bandar Alothman, chairman and founder at OGold, added: “As an Emirati company, our goal at OGold is to make precious metal ownership simple, accessible, and secure for everyone. Partnering with a platform as widely used as botim allows us to extend these innovative silver earning solutions to millions of users.”

Alothman added that this would be a game-changer for “democratising access to timeless assets through Silver Wakalah”, which ensures silver is not a stagnant investment.

“Instead of just sitting in a vault, your silver is put to work to grow your wealth with just a few taps.”

The launch comes amid renewed global interest in silver, driven both by its role as a store-of-value asset and its industrial applications. The global silver market is expected to record a sixth consecutive annual deficit in 2026, with a projected shortfall of around 67 million ounces, even as retail investment demand is forecast to rise.

By adding silver to its investment suite, botim is positioning itself to broaden asset diversification options for everyday users, supporting the UAE’s ambition to build a mature, digital-first financial ecosystem.

Read: botim money, Mastercard partner to expand cross-border payments