• A mixed-use branded waterfront community featuring villas, penthouses, resorts and amenities across 1.67 million square metres

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 16 February 2026 — Ohana Development, a leading UAE real estate developer renowned for its luxury properties, has officially launched ‘Manchester City Yas Residences by Ohana,’ an AED 15 billion gated waterfront community on Yas Canal in Abu Dhabi and Manchester City F.C.’s first branded residential project globally. 
The project was launched at Etihad Park in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of Husein Salem, CEO, and Mustafa El Sammak, COO, of Ohana Development as well as Ferran Soriano, CEO of City Football Group. 
During the event, Sultan Al Memari, Acting Executive Director of the Real Estate Regulation Sector at Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) announced the launch of the digitisation of Expressions of Interest (EOI) and booking processes for off-plan real estate purchases through its "Madhmoun" platform, marking a new regulated framework for off-plan sales in Abu Dhabi. The registrations will operate under ADREC’s direct supervision with mandatory escrow account management, enhancing investor protection, transparency and governance across real estate transactions
The project will span 1.67 million square metres, and will offer over 2,000 residential units, including six villa clusters dedicated to 4- and 5-bedroom villas and twin villas, maisonettes, waterfront penthouses, and apartments. Average prices for standalone villas are AED 7 million.
Located on Yas Canal, adjacent to Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, the development sits within one of the capital’s most active tourism and leisure districts, strengthening its appeal as a long-term residential and investment choice. Completion is scheduled for 2029. 
Designed around sport, performance and active living, Manchester City Yas Residences by Ohana integrates signature social spaces that reflect Manchester City’s brand identity. At its core is an integrated Manchester City Academy, supported by elite training and recovery facilities aligned with the club’s approach to player development. The project is further complemented by a hotel.
A waterfront promenade along the canal brings together curated retail, dining, and lifestyle destinations, including the City Café as a central gathering point for residents and visitors. Additionally, the project features purpose-built experiences such as the Match Day Terrace and the City Lounge, as well as immersive experiences that celebrate the club’s history.  
A marina sports club and dedicated water sports offering provide access to kayaking, paddleboarding and sailing, while resort-style amenities, including advanced fitness facilities and infinity pools, are integrated across the community. Over 55% of the masterplan will be dedicated to landscaped gardens and green spaces.
In his comments, Husein Salem, said: “The launch of Manchester City Yas Residences by Ohana reflects our continued commitment to delivering landmark developments from our home base in Abu Dhabi. The project underscores our long-term dedication to the emirate and our ambition to contribute to its global prominence through thoughtfully designed, future-ready communities. By bringing together world-class sport, lifestyle, and waterfront living, we are creating a destination that embodies Abu Dhabi’s growth, innovation, and forward-looking vision.” 
Ferran Soriano, City Football Group Chief Executive Officer, commented: “This collaboration with Ohana Development represents an important step in broadening Manchester City’s presence into a distinctive lifestyle environment. The development reflects shared ambitions around design and quality, with a scale and ambition that reflect the Club’s progressive approach. It also reinforces the Club’s unrivalled footprint in the region and its connection with a global community.”
Alongside its residential and leisure offering, the masterplan integrates essential community infrastructure, including education and healthcare services. 
For more information, please visit www.mancity.com  

Badr Al Ghurair
CEO of Zed and Kabi by Al Ghurair
 
Badr Al Ghurair is a prominent Emirati business leader with more than two decades of experience driving transformation across multiple sectors, including mobility, construction, and finance. As CEO of Zed – Al Ghurair’s pioneering homegrown ride-hailing platform, and Kabi (previously Car Taxi), one of the UAE’s largest and most innovative taxi fleets, he is reshaping how the nation moves, powered by technology, sustainability, and a people-first vision.
 
At Zed, Badr leads the Group’s bold push into the next era of mobility, overseeing strategy, operations, and innovation across the platform. Under his leadership, Zed has rapidly expanded its network to 10,764 vehicles through partnerships with Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) and National Taxi, bringing together the fleets of Dubai’s top three taxi operators (including Kabi by Al Ghurair) onto one unified platform. Today, more than 80 percent of all taxis in Dubai are hosted on Zed, marking a major milestone in strengthening the city’s mobility ecosystem and positioning Zed as a key driver of urban efficiency and innovation in the Emirate.
 
As CEO of Kabi, Badr continues to shape the future of public transport in the UAE. Established in 2000 as the country’s first franchise taxi operator, Kabi now operates a fleet of over 4,000 vehicles and was the first taxi company in the UAE to transition to a fully hybrid/CNG (compressed natural gas) model,  reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and the UAE Vision 2030 “green” agenda. His leadership has transformed Kabi into a benchmark for operational excellence and environmental stewardship in the region.
 
Beyond mobility, Badr also serves as CEO of the Group’s Ventures division, covering interests in printing, retail, education, travel, and emerging sectors, and continues to guide the organization’s diversification strategy. He additionally holds several key governance roles, including Chairman of Sukoon Insurance and Board Member of National Cement.
 
Previously, Badr led Al Ghurair Construction as CEO, where he successfully expanded the business’s footprint across Saudi Arabia, India, and Qatar. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership positions at Dubai Holding before joining the Al Ghurair Group in 2006.
 
Badr holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Boston University. A strong advocate for innovation and sustainability, he believes in delivering lasting impact by “moving people, business, and ideas forward,” ensuring that every journey with Zed reflects the UAE’s enduring spirit of progress, connectivity, and human connection.
 

More info here.

 Redefining luxury mobility in the Middle East by creating a lifestyle experience, centered on
wellbeing, community and personalization
 Initiative reflects INFINITI’s long-held belief that luxury vehicle ownership should extend BEYOND
the car

Dubai, UAE – INFINITI Middle East has launched ‘INFINITI BEYOND’, a first-of-its kind membership
program in the region that reimagines traditional luxury vehicle ownership as a deeply personalized
membership experience. Designed exclusively for the tastes and preferences of consumers in the region,
this new program introduces a wide range of thoughtfully-curated benefits and experiences, aimed at
enhancing customer wellbeing, while fostering meaningful connections within the INFINITI owner
community.
INFINITI BEYOND demonstrates the brand’s commitment to bringing exceptional experiences to INFINITI
QX80 owners in the Middle East. It also reflects INFINITI’s long-held belief that luxury vehicle ownership
should extend BEYOND the car alone– it should be a meaningful part of a customers’ lifestyle.

“INFINITI BEYOND marks a bold step in transforming how we engage with our customers and deliver a holistic experience,” said Albert Khreiche, Managing Director, INFINITI Middle East.” The program seeks to create a bespoke and long-lasting relationship with our customers, while cultivating a community where
they feel supported, connected, and part of something greater. It’s about making INFINITI not just a brand
they drive, but a brand they exceptionally experience.”

As part of the launch, INFINITI also debuts its dedicated mobile app, which serves as the digital gateway
to the entire INFINITI BEYOND experience, including membership access, wellbeing benefits, connected
services, and upcoming experiences. The app ensures that the full ecosystem lives where customers
need it most: in their hands, every day.

A New Kind of Luxury Membership
Unlike traditional luxury membership programs that focus more on status or discounts, INFINITI BEYOND
offers an elevated and human-centric experience, uniquely blending luxury, community, and wellbeing-
focused experiences. The program is built around three core pillars:
1. Fostering a community through shared experiences
2. Enhancing customer wellbeing with lifestyle benefits
3. Elevating the INFINITI Total Ownership experience

“Our role was to define the structure and purpose behind INFINITI BEYOND,” said Adam Cukrowski,
Managing Director, Valtech Middle East.

“Grounded in global research and real customer insights, we created a clear playbook spanning
membership experiences and offerings, design, operations, partnerships, event strategy, technology, and
business. This was supported by simple performance measures and real-time insights, brought to life through proof-of-concept initiatives and, ultimately, a globally scalable mobile app and membership designed to evolve around member needs. The result is a shift away from one-time ownership moments toward an ongoing relationship that delivers lasting engagement and long-term value.”

This collaboration reflects a shared focus on experience innovation, strategic clarity, and customer value,
all central to INFINITI’s transformation in the Middle East.
​

Maison Jean-Claude Jitrois announces a significant evolution in its creative structure. After more than forty-five years shaping a singular vision of leather and clothing, Jean-Claude Jitrois appoints Tristan Van Bruwaene and Jay Wilson as Creative Directors alongside him, while retaining artistic direction of the House. 

It is a deliberate and forward-looking evolution. The vision remains intact, strengthened and projected into the future. Since its inception, the House has operated as a tribe: a loyal team, trained internally, united by an intimate understanding of the body and the clothing. Jean-Claude Jitrois has always championed a distinctive approach, leather as a second skin, clothing as a living tension between structure and sensuality, creation as a dialogue between designer, body, and the person who wears it. Today, that vision is carried by three. Not three separate directions, but one singular creative language enriched by complementary perspectives, faithful to the material, the savoir-faire, and the Jitrois DNA.

“I have always worked on the dynamics of the body and on the intimate relationship between the garment and the person who wears it. Tristan and Jay carry this vision forward with renewed energy. I remain the guardian of the House’s spirit, but I am proud to see that our tribe is ready to write the next chapter.” Jean-Claude Jitrois

Together, Tristan Van Bruwaene and Jay Wilson now assume responsibility for creation in its broadest sense, from the collections to the global image of the House, accompanying the evolution of its visual identity and its international presence. Tristan Van Bruwaene With more than fifteen years at the House, Tristan Van Bruwaene embodies technical excellence in leather craftsmanship.

Trained in fine arts before turning to fashion, he has developed an approach that merges vector art, sculptural volume, and innovation in leather embroidery. A specialist in the House’s most couture-driven pieces, he works at the intersection of luxury and exceptional craftsmanship, helping to maintain the high standards that define Jitrois’ singularity. Jay Wilson Born in London and trained at Central Saint Martins, Jay Wilson began his career in fashion at a young age before building an international profile in music styling. Now based in Paris, he has collaborated with the House for many years, both in the studio and in the boutique. His dual experience in creative development and image direction now supports the House’s generational evolution and expanding international reach.
With this evolution, Maison Jean-Claude Jitrois reaffirms its ambition to anchor its creative expression firmly within the contemporary landscape, balancing loyalty to its heritage with a capacity to adapt. A strong House does not retreat, it transmits in order to endure.

EXCLUSIVE: Zadig & Voltaire Appoints Dan Sablon Creative Director, reports WWD. Vogue France culture director Dan Sablon will make his runway debut March 9 at Palais Galliera as the brand accelerates into lifestyle and accessories. 
​
​Gillier, who resumed day-to-day creative control after the departure of Cecilia Bönström in 2024, will step back again from the studio while remaining at the helm of the business.
Sablon will oversee ready-to-wear, handbags, eyewear and store design as part of a brand revamp.

“We need to have a new point of view,” Gillier told WWD, describing the appointment as a natural evolution after his two decades building the brand. “It is very important today for what Zadig will become in the future.”

Sablon currently serves as culture director-at-large at Vogue France, and previously was fashion director of Lui magazine. The Parisian-born creative began his career in New York with a six-year stint at Marc Jacobs, and has collaborated with brands including Carhartt and Fenty x Puma as well.
That dual role is unusual for a sitting creative director....

Abu Dhabi, UAE – February 19, 2026: Gold’s pullback below the US$5,000 level this week should not unsettle investors, according to eToro, which views the move as a natural consolidation within one of the strongest bull runs in recent years.

“Gold showed dip below US$5,000 this week that should not rattle investors. If anything, it is a healthy pause in what remains one of the strongest bull runs in recent memory,” said Zavier Wong, Market Analyst at eToro.
The precious metal touched fresh record highs above US$5,000 earlier this month before retreating, following
market reaction to former US President Donald Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve Chair.
Investors interpreted the pick as hawkish, weighing on gold prices in the short term.
The move was further amplified by thinner trading volumes during the Lunar New Year period and US market holidays. However, Wong noted that much of the initial reaction has already been priced in, and the broader drivers behind gold’s rally remain firmly intact.

“Gold has gained more than 14% since the start of the year, and the conditions that have driven that rally – including
geopolitical uncertainty, sticky inflation concerns, and a shifting US rate outlook – haven't gone anywhere,” Wong added.

For UAE investors, the fundamentals supporting gold remain unchanged. Central bank buying continues at a steady pace, ETF inflows are building, and institutional conviction behind the rally appears far from exhausted.
“When you layer in growing expectations that the US Federal Reserve could cut rates later this year, the case for
holding gold only strengthens,” Wong said. “That means another leg higher from here is not off the cards, and
further record highs aren’t out of the question.”
​
Wong emphasised that the current price action should be viewed as the market “catching its breath” rather than losing conviction, with gold continuing to trade near key technical support levels.

“The best way to look at this current consolidation is that the market is essentially catching its breath rather than
losing conviction. Any fresh catalyst – whether a softer US inflation print or an escalation in geopolitical tensions –
could quickly reignite momentum,” he said.

For investors in the UAE already holding gold, this week’s volatility is likely to be short-term noise. For those still on the sidelines, Wong suggested it may offer a more attractive entry point than seen in recent weeks.