ABU DHABI // A judge rebuked a lawyer in court yesterday for not realising DNA evidence had been presented against his client, who is accused of murder and sexual assault.
The lawyer, representing a Pakistani, FS, told the judge his client did not intend to kill as he was acting in self-defence.
He said FS was sitting with friends when the victim asked him to go outside. They walked a little and then the victim pulled a knife from his trousers and tried to stab his client, the lawyer said.
"My client did not have any weapons ... and was surprised," the lawyer said. "He took the knife because he was terrified."
The lawyer said forensic science evidence showed cuts on his client's hands confirmed F S held the knife by its blade.
When the judge asked him about the sex assault charge, the lawyer replied: "The other one is easy because there is no evidence against him, and he denied that before prosecutors."
Chief Justice Saeed Abdul Baseer said there was DNA evidence that corroborated the sex assault.
"How do you rate yourself in terms of ethics?" he asked. "As a defence lawyer, you should have studied the papers well."
The lawyer apologised and asked for leniency for his client on the sex assault charge and acquittal on the murder charge. The judge is expected to issue a verdict on October 5.
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Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
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- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
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Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
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Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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