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Gulf Today
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Philippine Senate launching probe of Duterte's ICC arrest
The Philippine Senate said on Monday it will conduct a formal probe of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte's arrest and swift handover last week to the International Criminal Court, which is to try him for alleged crimes against humanity. The 79-year-old, the first Asian former head of state charged by the ICC, stands accused of the crime against humanity of murder over his years-long campaign against drug users and dealers that rights groups have said killed thousands. The probe was initiated by Senator Imee Marcos, sister of President Ferdinand Marcos but a close friend of Duterte's eldest daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte. The two families have had a spectacular falling out since Marcos teamed with Duterte to win an election landslide in 2022. The latter has since been impeached on charges that include an alleged assassination plot against the president. 'As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, I am calling for an urgent investigation into the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, an issue that has deeply divided the nation,' Imee Marcos said in a statement Monday. 'It is imperative to establish whether due process was followed and to ensure that his legal rights were not just upheld but protected,' she said, adding: 'Our sovereignty and legal processes must remain paramount.' Duterte was arrested at Manila airport on March 11 after a brief trip to Hong Kong and flown to the Netherlands just hours later where he was turned over to the ICC. The Senate has set a public hearing for Thursday and invited top police and other government officials to give evidence. Imee Marcos has tracked a course largely independent from her brother on many issues, though she is running for re-election under the administration's ticket in the May 12 midterm elections. Hours after Duterte's arrest, Imee Marcos warned at a news conference that it could 'only lead to trouble'. Separately, a veteran international lawyer with ICC experience has been tapped to join the former president's defence team. Nicholas Kaufman, a British-Israeli national, has previously represented clients at The Hague including former Congolese rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba and Aisha Kadhafi, daughter of the deceased Libyan leader. 'The president (has) already appointed Nicholas Kaufman as his lawyer,' Vice President Duterte confirmed at a press briefing outside the Hague, according to a transcript made public Sunday by her office. 'We had a meeting with him yesterday, and then we will have a meeting in person when he arrives this weekend,' she told reporters after her father's Friday appearance. In an email to AFP, Kaufman said he was 'honoured to have been asked to assist former President Duterte in composing his defence team in which my future role is yet to be precisely determined'. 'Indeed, I look forward to denouncing the State-sponsored abduction of the former President to a case in The Hague devoid of jurisdiction'. As Duterte stated his name for the International Criminal Court on Friday, a murmur of disdain crept through a cramped room in a Manila church. Eight women sat watching a video stream of the proceedings, some clutching photos of a husband or son lost to the brutal drug crackdown that was the signature policy of Duterte's presidency. The 79-year-old, who was allowed to appear remotely, stands accused of crimes against humanity for the years-long campaign, which rights groups say killed thousands of mostly poor men. The widows and mothers who gathered thousands of miles away were told beforehand their former president would be required to say little beyond his name. But Duterte's name was enough to 'cause us fear and disdain', said Normita Lopez, 60, who could later be heard weeping in the audience. Philippine police shot her son five times for 'fighting back', a phrase used to justify the killings of alleged drug suspects. Agence France-Presse
Sharjah 24
15-02-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
3rd UAE Schools and Nursery Show kicks off at Expo Centre Sharjah
Extensive participation from educational institutions Organised by the Centre with support from the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the event features an extensive list of key players in the UAE education sector, with over 50 exhibitors, including major educational institutions, schools, and private learning centres. Holistic picture of modern educational practices The exhibition provides a holistic picture of the latest educational practices, systems, and methodologies, offering valuable insights into the best courses and offers by top private schools and educational centres across the country. Inauguration of the Schools and Nursery Show This year's Schools and Nursery Show was officially inaugurated by His Excellency Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Expo Centre Sharjah, in the presence of His Excellency Ali Al Hosani, Director General of the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA), and H.E Waleed AbdelRahman BuKhatir, Second Vice Chairman of SCCI, as well as several SCCI board members. Key highlights and innovative solutions at the Show Also present were His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, along with senior government officials, dignitaries, and representatives from the organising and supporting bodies. Following the inauguration, attendees toured the exhibition pavilions, where they received briefings from representatives of educational institutions and school administrators on key academic and training programmes, as well as enrollment and registration-related services available to students. They were also introduced to the latest innovative solutions supporting the educational process, including AI-powered learning support robots. Additionally, they explored dedicated platforms showcasing advanced "smart school transportation" systems designed to ensure safe and efficient mobility for students. The Show's role in strengthening the UAE's educational ecosystem In his remarks, His Excellency Abdullah Sultan Al Owais said that the UAE Schools and Nursery Show is part of the Sharjah Chamber's efforts to enrich Expo Centre Sharjah's event calendar with specialised and education exhibitions. These efforts aim to reinforce the UAE's advanced educational ecosystem, acknowledging education as a cornerstone for building competitive economies driven by knowledge and innovation. He underscored the exhibition's significance in providing educational institutions with an essential platform to showcase their programmes, promote their services, and expand their outreach by engaging directly with parents and guardians. The Show's growing importance in UAE's education sector For his part, His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Midfa noted that the UAE Schools and Nursery Show has established itself as a key event in the UAE's education sector. He underscored its role as a strategic addition to Expo Sharjah's lineup of specialised exhibitions, notably the International Education Show. 'The continued success of the UAE Schools and Nursery Show is evident in the strong participation of educational institutions, private schools, and various academic centres and institutes, reaffirming its significance as a premier platform for educational engagement and collaboration,' he added. High turnout and exclusive educational opportunities The UAE Schools and Nursery Show's opening day witnessed a remarkable turnout from parents eager to explore a diverse range of educational opportunities provided by schools and private education centres across the UAE. Visitors can learn about the latest exemplary learning methodologies and educational curricula, in addition to after-school programmes, services of centres for disabled children, child development initiatives, and extracurricular activities. They can also take advantage of the exclusive discounts on tuition fees for new students, offered by participating institutions. Workshops and seminars for parents and educators This year's edition of the UAE Schools and Nursery Show presents an extensive lineup of workshops and educational seminars delivered by a distinguished lineup of education professionals and experts, along with school principals, teachers, and educators. These sessions delve into contemporary educational frameworks and cutting-edge and innovative learning methodologies. They also explore the importance of integrating e-learning tools into curriculum development. Family-friendly activities and programmes for children Additionally, the exhibition, open to visitors on Saturday and Sunday from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, features a variety of joyful cultural and creative activities and programmes specially designed for children.
