Latest news with #CollegeofLaw

Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Philippines' Marcos expected to announce more cabinet changes
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has called for all department secretaries to submit 'courtesy' resignations as he looks to reinvigorate his government. PHOTO: REUTERS MANILA - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr is expected to announce further changes to his Cabinet on May 29 , his office said, following his call for all department secretaries to submit 'courtesy' resignations as he looks to reinvigorate his government. The sweeping request for resignations, which Mr Marcos had said was necessary to improve performance and efficiency, followed the government's disappointing performance in the May 12 midterm elections. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin will hold a press conference at 2pm to provide an update, the presidential communications office said. The administration said last week it was retaining the entire economic team, including the secretaries of budget, finance, economic planning, and trade, but Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo will be replaced by his undersecretary. Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra told reporters on May 29 that he was being replaced by Darlene Berberabe, Dean of the College of Law of the University of the Philippines. The cabinet shake-up is widely seen as Mr Marcos' attempt to reset the political agenda and assert his authority over the second half of his single six-year term. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
WVU Commencement kicks off for Class of 2025
MORGANTOWN, (WBOY) — Friday marked the beginning of a new chapter for West Virginia University's graduating class of 2025, as commencement began. The College of Law was the first class to graduate, holding its ceremony at 9:00 am. The Schools of Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health and Dentistry followed, alongside the Masters and Doctorate programs in WVU's School of Medicine. Right at Home hosts graduation in Morgantown for latest round of CNAs This class of students is also the last to be under WVU President Gordon E. Gee, after he announced his intent to retire in August 2023. He'll be replaced by former Coastal Carolina University President Michael Benson, who starts this summer. Commencements will continue on both Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18. You can find a full schedule of those ceremonies and links to livestream the events on WVU's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
University of Tennessee College of Law changes name after $32.5M donation
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The University of Tennessee College of Law is now known by a new name, honoring a alum and former Tennessee lawmaker, after a $32.5 million donation was made to the school. On Friday, the UT Board of Trustees approved the name change in honor of Frank Winston. The change was made following a $32.5 million donation by the Bill Gatton Foundation. In addition to being a graduate of the College of Law, a U.S. Air Force veteran and a state house representative, UT said Winston was also a trusted friend and advisor to philanthropist and entrepreneur Carol Martin 'Bill' Gatton. Knoxville man arrested, charged in Sevier County car burglaries 'Their enduring friendship, special attorney-client relationship, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to service will now shape the future of legal education at UT,' the University of Tennessee said. The $32.5 million gift will establish opportunities for law students through two fellowship programs that are designed to produce lawyers who embody the shared values of Winston and Gatton. Those students will be known as the Frank Winston Public Interest Law Fellows and the Frank Winston Business Law Fellows. Both fellowships will award full scholarships that cover three years of Juris Doctor studies plus a generous stipend, paid summer work experience and 'numerous enriching educational and professional activities,' the University of Tennessee said. The gift will also introduce the Frank Winston Law Grants, which are three year scholarships that will give at least 50 students in each class $1,000 annually to provide additional support for costs associated with law school. 'Makes you proud to be an American': Veterans running across US reach East TN 'We are deeply grateful to The Bill Gatton Foundation for investing in our mission to prepare future leaders of the legal profession,' the College of Law wrote on social media. 'Welcome to our new chapter — the Frank Winston College of Law.' The Winston College of Law was founded in 1890 and is the fifth named college at UT. The others are the Herbert College of Agriculture, the Haslam College of Business, the Tickle College of Engineering, and the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Arab Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait's tax vacuum hurts future stability
KUWAIT CITY, May 15: Dr. Jumana Al- Sayrafi, an expert in public financial laws and tax legislation at the College of Law in Kuwait University, emphasized the importance of diversifying sources of income in light of regional and global economic changes. Al-Sayrafi pointed out to the newspaper in a recent interview that 'financial sustainability is emerging as a national necessity, not just an option; especially since Kuwait relies on oil for more than 85 percent of its public revenue. At the same time, ensuring long-term financial stability requires a radical shift in economic policies that enhance the State's ability to fulfill its obligations and prevent the burden from being passed on to future generations.' She stated that despite the budget surpluses achieved by the State in recent years due to rising oil prices, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports confirmed that this abundance does not necessarily mean long-term stability. 'Fluctuations in oil prices and production, along with the global shift toward clean energy, entail that Kuwait must quickly adopt new mechanisms to diversify its sources of income and reduce its sensitivity to external shocks,' she explained. She said achieving financial sustainability requires a package of interconnected reforms; foremost of which is diversifying sources of income through the development of non-oil sectors, such as industry, tourism, and digital services. 'Second, there is a focus on increasing the efficiency of government spending by reducing waste and redirecting the budget toward development projects with a sustainable impact. Third and the most important, is the establishment of a modern and fair tax system that contributes to generating sustainable revenues, especially since taxes in Kuwait represent only a very small percentage of gross domestic product (GDP),' she elaborated. She cited IMF reports to support her view; indicating that non-oil tax revenues remain the lowest among GCC countries, as the State relies primarily on investment profits, not taxes. 'The reports warned that this situation should not continue. In addition, Kuwait is not saving enough for future generations, which reinforces the need for financial and structural reforms that support long-term justice and stability,' she revealed. She added that recognizing the magnitude of the challenges, the State has adopted a package of important legislation to support sustainability; most notably Decree-Law No. 60 of 2025 on Financing and Liquidity, which allows the government to borrow up to KD 30 billion over 50 years to finance the general budget, manage debt and fulfill obligations. She clarified that this step is considered a financial pillar to secure liquidity without compromising wealth funds or resorting to short-term solutions. 'As part of the tax reform, the State, through the Ministry of Finance, announced the preparation of a selective tax law, which will be imposed on goods considered harmful to health like tobacco, energy drinks and sweetened beverages,' she stated. She mentioned statistics from the Gulf Health Council, pointing out that implementing this tax at a moderate rate could generate revenues for Kuwait of approximately K 639 million between 2025 and 2029, while reducing cigarette consumption by around four billion cigarettes and sugary drinks by 220 million liters. 'Revenues could reach KD 997 million if the tax is implemented at a higher rate,' she hinted. 'The Ministry of Finance is also preparing a draft law to impose a tax on local business profits, a move aimed at expanding the tax base and promoting financial fairness, especially since Kuwait currently does not impose a profit tax on most local companies. This comes in parallel with the implementation of a global minimum tax on multinational companies. Decree-Law No. 157/2024 was issued regarding the imposition of a tax on multinational entities, known as the Domestic Transfer Tax (DMTT), in line with the second pillar of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) initiative. This legislation aims to limit tax evasion by large companies by shifting their profits to low-tax countries. It is expected to generate annual revenues estimated at approximately KD 250 million starting in fiscal year 2027-2028, according to Ministry of Finance estimates,' she added. Regarding tax challenges in the digital age, Al-Sayrafi asserted that despite the legislative momentum, the tax system in Kuwait continues to face big challenges, especially with the acceleration of digital transformation and the emergence of new economic models that are not subject to traditional tax frameworks. She said these challenges include the proliferation of cross-border digital services, which are provided without the need for a permanent physical presence or fixed headquarters in the country. 'These services include streaming platforms, electronic applications, cloud software as a service (SaaS), and digital advertising,' she revealed. She affirmed that these activities generate profits from the local market without being subject to tax accountability, creating a clear gap in tax justice and reducing the revenue base. 'This is in addition to the widespread use of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, which represent decentralized assets that are difficult to track and are used in trading and investment without direct banking oversight,' she asserted. She explained that all these aspects open the door to tax evasion and money laundering, as well as to challenges in asset classification. 'Are they treated as currency, capital assets, or commodities? There are practical complications in accurately determining their tax base. 'In the absence of a clear legal and regulatory framework in Kuwait to regulate these digital and virtual activities, there is an urgent need for modern, specialized legislation, accompanied by an integrated electronic infrastructure that links tax authorities with financial and technology service providers. This ensures transparency, compliance, and closing loopholes in tax evasion in the digital age,' she added. She said Kuwait is currently facing a pivotal moment, as it possesses the sovereign reserves and financial capabilities that qualify it to implement comprehensive tax and structural reforms from a position of strength, not under the pressure of crises. 'The IMF has warned that delaying these reforms increases the fragility of the financial system and undermines confidence in its ability to withstand future challenges,' she stressed. She went on to say that building a modern tax system is not just about collecting revenues, but also about achieving social justice and establishing an effective partnership between the State and society in financing development and securing the future of future generations. 'It is a national responsibility that requires conscious political will, clear legislation and societal confidence that reform today guarantees stability tomorrow,' she concluded.


Sharjah 24
09-05-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
UOS and Luxembourg University forge stronger academic ties
Prof. Agamy warmly received the delegation and emphasised the potential to enhance cooperation in the fields of law and business administration. Further, he highlighted opportunities for student exchanges across various graduate programs, including public and private law, European law, space law, media and law, and banking and financial law. In response, the Luxembourg delegation expressed strong support for activating the agreement, particularly through academic visits, guest lectures and joint intensive courses, as well as research stays at both universities. Administrative staff exchanges were also discussed to share expertise in academic and administrative practices. The meeting was attended by key University of Sharjah figures including Prof. Yousef Haik, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Prof. Adnan Sarhan, Dean of the College of Law; Prof. Ahmed Qasim Farah, Deputy Dean; and Dr. Rasha Hattab, Director of the University's Francophonie Center. The Luxembourg delegation included Prof. Élise Poillot, Director of the Master's Program in European Commercial Law, and Prof. Isabelle Riasto, Director of the Master's Program in Investment Fund Law.