Former Prince Andrew arrested in UK misconduct probe
The arrest has reignited intense public and political scrutiny in the UK, where the former royal has been a controversial figure since the Epstein scandal first brought widespread criticism
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on February 19, 2026, for suspected misconduct in public office. The arrest, linked to his past activities and association with Jeffrey Epstein, stems from allegations he improperly shared confidential government information as a UK trade envoy. The investigation follows the release of documents raising questions about his conduct. He remains in custody.
British police have arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III and former prince, on suspicion of misconduct in public office, authorities and multiple news outlets reported on Thursday.
Thames Valley Police confirmed that officers detained the 66-year-old at his residence on the Sandringham estate in eastern England, where plain-clothes detectives and unmarked vehicles were seen early on February 19, 2026. The arrest comes amid an ongoing investigation into allegations linked to Mountbatten-Windsor’s past activities and his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Police say the misconduct inquiry focuses on whether the former royal improperly shared confidential government information during his tenure as a UK trade envoy. The probe was launched after recently released documents and files, including material from the US government’s Epstein files, raised questions about his conduct and associations.
Mountbatten-Windsor, who has long denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and expressed regret over their friendship, was taken into custody and remains under investigation. The specific allegations have not been formally charged, and police have not commented further beyond confirming the arrest.
The arrest has reignited intense public and political scrutiny in the UK, where the former royal has been a controversial figure since the Epstein scandal first brought widespread criticism. Security forces are understood to be conducting searches at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk as part of their work.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed a widely shared sentiment among political leaders that “nobody is above the law” amid the unfolding investigation, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities are treating the allegations.
The development marks a dramatic moment in a long-running saga involving the former royal, whose ties to Epstein have drawn legal and media attention for years, and whose public roles and honours had previously been scaled back. The situation remains fluid, with further updates expected as the investigation progresses.
Dubai unveils new plazas: Here’s what residents can expect
The initiative forms part of a broader effort to develop Dubai’s rural and desert areas into some of the most beautiful and distinctive in the world
Dubai Municipality opened new recreational plazas in Lehbab and Nazwah, expanding park networks and enhancing rural areas. The initiative, part of Dubai's 2040 vision and the Countryside Development Master Plan, includes modern sports courts, fitness equipment, and safe play areas. These developments aim to improve community wellbeing, promote active lifestyles, and create sustainable, people-centric environments.
In line with the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Municipality has opened new recreational plazas in Lehbab (1), Lehbab (2), and Nazwah, marking a significant step in transforming the emirate’s countryside into vibrant community hubs.
The initiative forms part of a broader effort to develop Dubai’s rural and desert areas into some of the most beautiful and distinctive in the world. It also aligns with ongoing plans to enhance residential neighbourhoods and elevate the overall quality of life for citizens, residents and visitors.
According to a WAM report, the newly completed projects expand Dubai’s growing network of parks and public facilities while supporting the Municipality’s long-term vision of creating future-ready environments centred around people’s everyday needs.
Image credit: Dubai Media Office/Website
More than 330,000 square feet of development
The development works span more than 330,000 square feet and introduce modern sports courts designed to cater to all age groups. The plazas have been equipped with contemporary outdoor fitness equipment, upgraded surfaces and rubber flooring in children’s play areas to enhance safety.
Seating zones have been added to provide comfortable gathering spots for families, while landscaping improvements contribute to a more visually appealing and welcoming environment. Additional safety measures have also been introduced to ensure the spaces remain accessible and community-focused.
The project is part of the Dubai Countryside and Rural Areas Development Master Plan, a comprehensive strategy aimed at preserving the natural character of these areas while introducing high-quality recreational services.
Image credit: Dubai Media Office/Website
Supporting Dubai 2040 vision
The developments also contribute to the objectives of the ‘Year of the Family’ and support the Dubai 2040 Parks and Afforestation Strategy. The strategy targets the development of more than 630 parks across the emirate, with the goal of enhancing quality of life, improving the urban environment, reducing heat emissions and strengthening Dubai’s sustainability credentials.
Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, director general of Dubai Municipality, said the initiative reflects a broader commitment to community wellbeing.
“Enhancing wellbeing across public and recreational spaces for Dubai’s citizens, residents and visitors is a core objective within a comprehensive strategic vision to develop a harmonious urban ecosystem that places people and their families at the centre of planning,” he said.
“Through accessible parks, public spaces, and recreational facilities designed to be part of daily life, we aim to promote comfort, wellbeing, and quality of life. The projects to develop Dubai’s rural and desert areas are among the key initiatives receiving the leadership’s close attention and represent a priority for Dubai Municipality, reaffirming our commitment to providing integrated community environments that enrich people’s daily lives and strengthen their connection with their surroundings.”
Image credit: Dubai Media Office/Website
Facilities designed around community needs
Bader Anwahi, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality, emphasised that the Lehbab and Nazwah developments were designed in direct response to community feedback.
He explained that the project prioritises accessible and diverse sports and recreational facilities that encourage both physical activity and social interaction.
The approach reflects Dubai Municipality’s commitment to delivering specialised projects tailored to the unique character of each area, while enhancing service quality and improving the attractiveness of public spaces.
At Lehbab (1), the plaza now features two football pitches, a volleyball court, a basketball court, a running track, a dedicated warm-up and multi-use area, outdoor fitness equipment, and two children’s play zones fitted with rubber flooring.
Lehbab (2) includes a football pitch, volleyball and basketball courts, a running track complemented by fitness equipment, and a children’s play area with safe rubber flooring.
In Nazwah, comprehensive development works included ground levelling, installation of newly designed surfaces, football, volleyball and basketball courts, a running track, and a children’s play area.
More parks on the way
The upgrades are part of a broader pipeline of countryside improvements. Dubai Municipality is currently developing Margham and Al Lisaili parks, which will feature football pitches, sand running tracks, landscaped seating areas, decorative planting, advanced lighting systems and smart surveillance cameras to enhance safety and comfort. During the first phase, volleyball courts have already been inaugurated.
The Dubai Countryside and Rural Areas Development Master Plan aligns closely with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, underscoring the emirate’s long-term strategy to build inclusive, sustainable and community-driven environments.
With the opening of the Lehbab and Nazwah plazas, Dubai takes another step toward ensuring that its rural areas are not only preserved but also enhanced, offering residents modern amenities while maintaining the natural charm that defines the countryside.
AKI’s Zaid Al Khayyat on building a connected healthcare ecosystem in the UAE
Zaid S Al Khayyat, managing director of AKI, discusses how the group’s integrated healthcare platform—from diagnostics and pharmaceuticals to logistics and retail—is supporting the UAE’s ambition to become a global medical hub
Zaid S Al Khayyat, managing director of AKI/Image: Supplied
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Article Summary
At World Health Expo 2026, AKI highlighted its integrated healthcare ecosystem driving better patient outcomes in the UAE. Leveraging diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, retail, and advanced logistics, AKI focuses on partnerships, digital innovation, and operational excellence. They aim to support the UAE's ambition to become a global medical hub by attracting international partners and translating innovations into regional solutions.
At World Health Expo 2026 in Dubai, Zaid S Al Khayyat, managing director of AKI, outlined how the diversified group is leveraging its integrated healthcare ecosystem to drive better patient outcomes across the UAE and the wider region. With operations spanning diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, retail pharmacy, wellness and advanced logistics, AKI has positioned itself as a key player in the country’s expanding healthcare landscape.
In conversation, Al Khayyat highlighted the importance of partnerships, digital innovation and operational excellence in supporting the UAE’s ambition to become a global medical hub.
How is AKI Healthcare leveraging its integrated ecosystem—from preventative care to advanced logistics—to drive better patient outcomes, and what are some early indicators of success?
AKI has long been at the forefront of the holistic healthcare and wellness industry, enabling people across the region to lead healthier lives. Our founder and chairman, Dr. Saad F. Al Khayyat, is a surgeon by education. We have always believed in putting people first while building systems that set high standards and keep pushing them even higher.
We do this by approaching healthcare as a truly connected ecosystem. Whether it is preventative care, advanced diagnostics or pharmaceuticals, we show up with real scale, real capability and real impact. Today, we provide cutting-edge diagnostic tools through our AKI Medlab business, deliver trusted medications through AKI Pharma, bring wellness and care directly to communities through BinSina Pharmacy, and help elevate personal fitness and wellness journeys through Befit Middle East. These operations are all underpinned by AKI Logistics capabilities, which help us move faster, scale smarter and operate more efficiently.
What specific innovations or strategic collaborations discussed at World Health Expo 2026 do you see having the greatest potential to transform healthcare delivery in the UAE and the wider region?
The rapid pace of technological advancement was visible everywhere, from AI-supported digital health solutions to breakthroughs in biotech and biomanufacturing. These hold great promise in the UAE, considering the nation’s forward-thinking investments in digital infrastructure and innovation. The next frontiers of wellness, healthy ageing and longevity were also previewed in great detail at the Expo, and are topics we see as increasingly important to our region.
More broadly, World Health Expo 2026 is a valued forum to engage the entire healthcare community at once. We were grateful to spend time with AKI’s current partners, who continue to collaborate with us, challenge us and grow with us, as well as with new potential partners. The future of healthcare transformation will ultimately be built on strong partnerships, with everyone working together to create a more connected model of care.
With the UAE’s ambition to become a global medical hub, how is AKI positioning itself to attract or support international healthcare partners beyond the region?
Healthcare has always been at the heart of AKI’s story. As we have grown into a diversified group of more than 12,000 people, our healthcare capabilities have expanded alongside the UAE’s ambition to build a world-class healthcare system.
Part of that expansion has come from AKI’s dual commitment to the highest global standards as well as personalised care that is community-centric and people-first. This combination allows us to translate international innovations into solutions and services that resonate with those living in the region.
Meanwhile, continued investment in our logistics infrastructure enables us to scale volumes across increasingly complex operations and handle specialised, healthcare-sensitive items, including deep-freeze gene therapy products and radioactive materials.
Given the rapid evolution of diagnostics and pharmaceuticals, how is AKI balancing legacy operational strengths with innovation to stay competitive and patient-centric?
Our roots in healthcare go back to 1965. Precision, reliability and genuine care have been hallmarks of our business. Where we are today is a testament to the trust that AKI has built over many decades with our international partners and local communities.
But the world has changed a lot since then. That is why we never stand still. We keep pushing ourselves to do better, to think smarter and to create meaningful impact in people’s lives every single day. With a legacy rooted in excellence and a constant focus on innovation, we are able to stay agile in a highly dynamic industry. We can embrace new ideas quickly and remain competitive in every domain we choose to enter.
By doing so, AKI continues to play a vital role in shaping the region’s healthcare landscape, aligned with the UAE’s vision to be a global medical hub.
The AI arms race: How is technology disrupting economies?
Artificial intelligence has moved from experimentation to a defining force, reshaping economies, industries, and societies while demanding purposeful and responsible adoption
AI is rapidly transforming economies and industries, moving beyond optional adoption to a necessity for competitiveness. It enhances productivity, redefines financial systems, and drives economic resilience. Addressing skills gaps and ethical integration are crucial challenges. Successful AI implementation, coupled with strong governance and human focus, will determine future global prosperity and inclusive progress.
Artificial intelligence has entered a pivotal stage in its evolution. What began as an experimental technology is now a defining force shaping economies, industries, and societies worldwide. From enhancing productivity to transforming how we make decisions, AI has become a central pillar of competitiveness. We have long ago left behind the possibility that AI adoption is optional; now, we must define how we use it to create sustainable value, bridge skills gaps, and ensure equitable progress.
Much like the arrival of the internet three decades ago, most would agree that AI is now an integral element of many parts of everyday life, and its influence is set to extend to every sector of the economy, every type of job, and every level of society in the coming years.
While the global conversation on AI often focuses on competition, this is not a race to be the fastest; the focus is on effectiveness, or who harnesses AI most productively to drive sustainable growth, inclusion, and progress.
AI is enhancing productivity across industries, from manufacturing and logistics to healthcare and financial services. In banking, it enables smarter risk modelling, real-time fraud detection, and more personalised customer experiences. It also improves operational efficiency by automating repetitive processes and allowing professionals to focus on creative and strategic work.
The potential economic value is immense. McKinsey estimates that generative AI alone could lift the productivity of the global banking sector by between 2.8 and 4.7 per cent of annual revenues. This translates into stronger financial performance, but more importantly, it enhances human potential. When technology takes over what is, by nature, mechanical, people gain time to innovate, collaborate, and solve higher-order challenges.
AI, therefore, creates an economy that is faster, smarter, and ultimately more human in its value creation.
Redefining financial systems and economic value
In financial services, AI is redefining how value is generated and distributed. Hyper-personalised products, predictive analytics, and adaptive fraud detection systems are improving efficiency and building greater trust. On a broader level, AI-driven insights are influencing capital allocation, investment strategies, and risk management, fundamentally changing how economies function.
Financial institutions that use AI responsibly are finding new ways to enhance transparency, accessibility, and customer confidence. They are improving credit assessment, enhancing financial inclusion, and building resilience into the financial system, all through combining data and decision science.
Economic impact and challenges ahead
AI is becoming a cornerstone of economic resilience. It unlocks efficiency gains, enables new business models, and creates smarter resource allocation. Yet the true challenge for governments and industries is more about the integration process: how can we embed AI responsibly, ethically, and at scale?
This requires significant investment in people. 46 per cent of business leaders globally cite skill gaps as a major barrier to AI adoption, and job postings related to agentic AI have increased almost tenfold over the past year. The economies that prioritise digital education, data literacy, and reskilling will be the ones that unlock the full potential of AI. Those who do not will struggle to keep pace with transformation.
For the GCC, this point in time holds a particular promise. With diversification at the heart of every national strategy and agenda, AI can accelerate growth across finance, manufacturing, logistics, and public services. It can help create high-skilled employment, expand digital inclusion, and position the region as a leader in innovation-driven economic development.
Leading responsibly in an intelligent future
The AI arms race is not a race to build the most powerful systems; it is a race to use such systems most effectively. According to reports, generative AI could create between $2.6tn and $4.4tn in value across global industries. This scale of impact will determine which economies lead in the next decade.
AI should be seen as a toolkit for growth, inclusion, and resilience, and as an enabler of progress, not a threat to it. Economies that combine technological investment with strong governance, clear ethics, and a focus on human capability will shape the next chapter of global prosperity. We must all consider how to adopt AI with purpose, while ensuring the technology serves people, drives innovation, and builds a future defined by shared progress.
The writer is the group head of Technology, Transformation & Information at Mashreq.
Modon Holding reported a strong 2025 with net profit at Dhs3.9bn on Dhs13.8bn revenue, driven by real estate. Adjusted EBITDA rose significantly, and real estate sales climbed. L’IMAD acquired a major stake. Modon expanded internationally with investments in London, the US and the acquisition of Arena Events Group.
Abu Dhabi-based Modon Holding posted a net profit of Dhs3.9bn ($1.06 bn) for 2025, as revenue more than doubled, the company said.
Revenue for the year reached Dhs13.8bn, up 2.1 times from 2024. The company said growth was driven mainly by its real estate division, alongside contributions from hospitality, asset management and events businesses.
Adjusted EBITDA rose 2.5 times year-on-year to Dhs4.9bn, with margins expanding to 35.2 per cent. Excluding a one-off gain booked in the prior year, net profit increased 19.9 times, the company said.
Real estate sales climbed 2.8 times to Dhs36.3bn, including Dhs29.8bn in Abu Dhabi. Modon’s revenue backlog stood at Dhs46bn at year-end, up 1.8 times from a year earlier.
Development sales accounted for 93 per cent of the backlog.
The group ended 2025 with a net cash position of Dhs1.8bn. Total assets rose 15 per cent to Dhs87bn, while total equity increased 8 per cent to Dhs55bn.
Modon was formed in February 2024. During 2025, L’IMAD Holding Company, wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi government, acquired an 84.75 per cent stake in the company.
“Building on the sustained growth momentum of recent years, 2025 marked a new phase of accelerated strategic transformation for Modon,” said Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, chairman of Modon Holding.
He added that the group’s integrated platform across development, investment and asset management had strengthened its institutional readiness to capture opportunities locally and internationally.
“Aligned with Abu Dhabi’s ambitious long-term agenda, Modon continues to ensure its strategy supports the emirate’s broader economic development objectives,” Al Zaabi said, citing a focus on expanding strategic partnerships and reinforcing the group’s position as a global developer, operator and investor.
Real estate drives earnings
Revenue from the real estate segment rose 2.6 times to Dhs7.4bn. The company said it procured Dhs32bn in construction and consulting contracts during the year.
In Abu Dhabi, developments on Reem Island and Hudayriyat Island contributed to sales growth. In Egypt, the initial launch at Ras El Hekma generated Dhs5.8bn in sales across 2,109 units. In Spain, Modon continued land sales at La Zagaleta.
Revenue in asset and investment management rose 13.2 per cent to Dhs655m, supported by 97 per cent occupancy across owned assets.
Hospitality revenue increased 38.9 per cent to Dhs792m, with average occupancy at 71 per cent. The group’s hotel portfolio comprised 7,137 keys across Abu Dhabi, Europe and Africa at the end of 2025.
In December, Modon agreed to divest its indirect stake in Icon Hotel Investment Ltd, subject to regulatory approvals.
Events, catering and tourism revenue doubled to Dhs5.01bn. The company hosted 896 events and recorded 6.3 million visitors across its venues. The catering division served 51.6 million meals.
In May 2025, the group consolidated Arena Group, expanding its international events operations.
International investments
During the year, Modon acquired a 50 per cent stake in the 2 Finsbury Avenue development in London. It also completed the acquisition of Arena Events Group.
In the US, the company invested in Wellington Lifestyle Partners and entered a joint venture with Related Companies and Panepinto Properties to develop Harborside 4, a residential tower in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Emirates Group CFO to step down at end of June 2026
The role of chief financial and group services officer at Emirates Group oversees financial planning and analysis, reporting, treasury, risk management
Emirates Group's CFO, Michael Doersam, will step down in June 2026 for family reasons after nearly two decades. No successor has been named yet. Doersam, a key figure in Emirates' financial strategy, navigated periods of industry turbulence and growth. Emirates assures stakeholders that its strategic direction remains unchanged despite this leadership transition.
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.
