Philippine President Duterte to retire from politics

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has announced he will retire from politics out of respect for "the wishes of the public".

Mr Duterte's announcement on Saturday will lead to the end of one of the more controversial periods of modern politics in the Asian nation of 100 million people.

Mr Duterte, 76, who came to power in 2016, was known for his outspoken and sometimes contradictory views on the foreign alliances of his country.

Early in his presidency, he showed strong support for Donald Trump, US president at the time, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, but later strongly criticised the policies of both countries.

A harsh crackdown on the drugs trade, which became one of his signature policies, drew widespread condemnation after police were accused of human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings.

Mr Duterte was due to run for vice president in 2022, a move critics said was an attempt to shield him from prosecution by the International Criminal Court.

The ICC has investigated allegations of human rights abuses committed during Mr Duterte's crackdown on drug dealing.

Mr Duterte, who polls show remains almost as popular as when he was swept to victory in 2016 on a promise to rid the country of drugs, is constitutionally barred from seeking a second term as leader.

Duterte faces constitutional crisis

"The overwhelming ... sentiment of the Filipinos is that I am not qualified and it would be a violation of the constitution to circumvent the law, the spirit of the constitution" to run for the vice presidency, Mr Duterte said.

"Today I announce my retirement from politics."

He has also faced a constitutional crisis in recent weeks following an investigation into government corruption in the health sector.

On Thursday, he attempted to block Cabinet members from attending a Senate hearing on the allegations.

After Mr Duterte's surprise announcement, Bong Go, a Filipino senator, will now run for vice president in 2022. Mr Duterte did not specify a date for when he would step away from politics.

Mr Go was previously announced as a presidential candidate in national elections, scheduled for May.

“Given that President Duterte decided to withdraw his acceptance of nomination, I am here to take on the challenge,” Mr Go said.

He pledged to continue Mr Duterte’s policies, including the crackdown on drug dealing.

New challenger's for May election

Mr Duterte’s announcement that he will leave the political scene – 35 years after entering politics working for the Corazon Aquino mayor's office – comes as the 2022 election campaign officially begins.

Candidates have registered for 18,000 local and national government positions, but the playing field will be seen by many as more equal after the Duterte era.

As a presidential candidate Mr Duterte was viewed by some analysts as an outlier, hailing from the impoverished island of Mindanao, but quickly shot to national prominence following a populist line on crime and corruption.

Former House of Representatives member Mong Palatino said Mr Duterte's wilfully controversial approach to electioneering has given rise to a “Duterte effect,” that could see many imitators step forward.

Aside from Mr Go, Ferdinand "Bongbong," Marcos, the only son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, is prime candidate to continue Mr Duterte’s policy programme when the vote is held in May.

Sara Duterte, Mr Duterte’s daughter and the Mayor of Davao City, has said she will not run but analysts believe she may follow her father’s example by entering the race at the last minute.

Their challengers include politician and actor Francisco Domagoso, known by his acting name Isko Moreno, a former supporter turned rival of Mr Duterte, who is currently mayor of Manila.

Former boxer Manny Pacquiao, who like Mr Duterte has promised to take a tough stand against corruption, is also in the running having retired from sport on Thursday.

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Banned items

Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:

Drones
Animals
Fireworks/ flares
Radios or power banks
Laser pointers
Glass
Selfie sticks/ umbrellas
Sharp objects
Political flags or banners
Bikes, skateboards or scooters

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Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.

- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law

What is Folia?

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.

Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."

Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.

In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".

There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.

While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."

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Dimitar Berbatov (Kerala Blasters) Word has it that Rene Meulensteen, the Kerala manager, plans to deploy his Bulgarian star in central midfield. The idea of Berbatov as an all-action, box-to-box midfielder, might jar with Spurs and Manchester United supporters, who more likely recall an always-languid, often-lazy striker.

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Andre Bikey (Jamshedpur) The Cameroonian defender is onto the 17th club of a career has taken him to Spain, Portugal, Russia, the UK, Greece, and now India. He is still only 32, so there is plenty of time to add to that tally, too. Scored goals against Liverpool and Chelsea during his time with Reading in England.

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