An Australian Supreme Court on Friday sentenced a 25-year-old man, Anthony Harvey, who admitted to killing his three young daughters; twins and a three-year-old with their mother and grandmother to life imprisonment.
The people were found dead inside their home in suburban Perth in September 2018, after Harvey, walked into a police station in the Pilbara region and reported himself.
Supreme Court Justice, Stephen Hall, held that Harvey’s crimes were exceptionally horrific and sentenced him to life in prison.
Hall said Harvey was the first person in Western Australia that will never be released from jail, a provision that was introduced to the state’s homicide laws in 2008.
“There is no other case that is truly comparable,’’ the judge said, as the women were unsuspecting, while the children were asleep before they were horribly murdered.
However, Harvey had written in a journal about embracing his “darkness and animal instincts and eliminating’’ his family.
“I am no psycho. I feel too much, I always have, I will regret what I do,’’ he wrote, according to Australian news agency AAP.
Hall said the journal entries were “not a mere record of dark fantasies’’ and added that Harvey had planned the murder for days.
Nigeria has been drawn with Sierra Leone, Lesotho and Benin Republic in Group L of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The draw took place on Thursday evening at the headquarters of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cairo, NAN reports.
African football icons Nwankwo Kanu, Samuel Eto’o, Khalilou Fadiga, Geremi Njitap, El Hadji Diouf and Jose Clayton were in attendance.
CAF Deputy General Secretary of Football and Development, Anthony Baffoe, was in charge of proceedings and he was assisted by Algerian football great Rabah Madjer, Eto’o and Nigeria’s Kanu.
The 48 teams were drawn into 12 groups of four teams in addition to the four winners of the preliminary round.
In Group A, Mali will join Guinea, Namibia and the winners between Liberia and Chad for size, while Group B has Burkina Faso, Uganda, Malawi and Djibouti/Gambia.
AFCON 2019 quarter-finalists South Africa will have their hands full in Group C against Ghana and Sudan.
AFCON 2019 hosts Egypt have been paired with Kenya, Togo and Comoros Island.
While Togo and Comoros Island could not reach the 2019 Nations Cup, Kenya made the trip to Egypt but could not go farther than the group stage.
Hosts Cameroon will participate in the qualifiers even though the team are guaranteed a spot in the finals regardless of their ranking in the group.
Their matches and results will count in determining the qualification of the other teams from their groups, namely Cape Verde, Mozambique and Rwanda.
Preliminary round of the qualifiers will be played in October 2019, while the group stage will kick off in November and will end in November 2020.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Finals of the 33rd edition except Group F.
In that group, Cameroon automatically qualify as hosts alongside the highest-placed of other three teams.
The top two teams will book their place for the 33rd edition of the championship.
AFCON 2021 QUALIFIERS FULL LIST
Group A – Mali, Guinea, Namibia, Liberia/Chad
Group B – Uganda, Malawi, Burkina Faso, South Sudan/Seychelles.
Group C – South Africa, Sudan, Ghana, Mauritius/Sao Tome.
Group D – Gabon, Angola, DR Congo, Djibouti/Gambia.
Group E – Mauritania, Central African Republic, Morocco, Burundi.
Group F – Mozambique, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Rwanda.
Group G – Egypt, Kenya, Togo, Comoros Island.
Group H – Zimbabwe, Zambia, Algeria, Botswana
Group I – Guinea Bissau, Congo, Senegal, Eswatini.
Group J – Tanzania, Libya, Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea.
Group K – Madagascar, Niger, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia.
The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Dr. Samson Ayokunle, says the Christian group will not condemn the founder of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Pastor Abiodun Fatoyinbo over an allegation of rape.
According to him, no matter how egregious an allegation may be, it remains an allegation until proven otherwise; that is until it is properly investigated and we have a truth to hold on to.
”We have told you without mincing words that we will never support immorality in whatever form, it is alien to the culture of the church, to the teachings of Christ.
”And there is no pulpit that I know in Nigeria that the members are taught immorality, but we will not condemn until we have reasons to condemn, let the panel come out with the result let’s know what the truth is.
”I told you in the press release we issued that we have given the right to Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), because we don’t deal with individual churches, we deal with blocs.
”We have directed PFN, an arm of a bloc, which is also large enough to investigate that matter. I am telling you under God that PFN has set up that panel and that panel had been given two weeks within which to submit its report,
”Not only that, the two individuals involved have been invited by the committee and we are assuring them that nothing will be covered,” he said.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Mr Amaju Pinnick, has been impeached as 1st Vice-President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
His removal took place on Thursday at CAF Executive Committee meeting, after a well attended congress in Cairo Egypt.
Pinnick was elevated to the position after the corruption case brought against former Ghana FA President and CAF First VP, Kwesi Nyantakyi.
CAF executive committee on Wednesday agreed to allow FIFA Secretary General to take charge of the administration of CAF for a period of 6 months.
The FIFA Secretary is expected to take over the running of CAF in spite of objection by some Executive Committee members.
Samoura will be in charge for an initial six-month period due to begin on August 1, with her team responsible to carry out a “full forensic audit” of CAF, whose President Ahmad Ahmad is facing an allegation of corruption.
Ahmad was arrested over corruption charges in Paris last month, News Agency of Nigeria reports.
A Twitter user, Osasu Obayiuwana, who is in Egypt tweeted a message saying that it was unclear why Pinnick was removed.
Janet Jackson, 50 Cent and Chris Brown were among artists who performed Thursday at a concert in Saudi Arabia that rapper Nicki Minaj pulled out of citing human rights concerns.
A cheering crowd danced to the thumping music at Jeddah World Fest, hosted in the Red Sea city of western Saudi Arabia.
Such scenes, unimaginable just two years ago, reflect how the ultra-conservative Islamic kingdom is easing decades-old restrictions on entertainment.
Minaj — well-known for her provocative, profanity-laced lyrics and skin-baring music videos — pulled out of headlining the concert in a show of solidarity for women’s and gay rights in the ultra-conservative Islamic kingdom.
The cancellation triggered a social media storm, with many fans in the kingdom voicing disappointment and demanding ticket refunds.
The singer insisted on Twitter that her decision was not intended to “disrespect” the Saudi government.
The announcement of her performance had prompted an online backlash from arch-conservatives as the kingdom pursues a contentious liberalisation drive.
Citing unnamed sources, a few Saudi media outlets including the pro-government Okaz newspaper insisted it was the kingdom that cancelled her show, as it went against local “customs and values”.
The country has faced intense international scrutiny over its human rights record since last year’s killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul and the ongoing trial of women activists.
The Human Rights Foundation has urged artists not to perform in the kingdom.
“It’s clear that, after losing Nicki Minaj on the basis of the Saudi regime’s atrocious human rights record and their treatment of women and the gay community, Crown Prince (Mohammed bin Salman) has chosen to spend whatever it takes to give the appearance that things are normal and that this is just another concert,” HRF president Thor Halvorssen said in a statement.
“Except it isn’t.”
Saudi Arabia is boosting entertainment for its citizens to have fun, in what some see as an attempt to blunt public frustration over an economic downturn and high youth unemployment.
The country’s General Entertainment Authority said it plans to pump $64 billion into the sector in the coming decade.
But some acts have fuelled anger in a country still steeped in conservatism.
A 37-year-old guard, Wasiu Orilonise, has confessed to an Oyo State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ibadan that he raped his 15-year-old daughter in order to ascertain her virginity and protect her.
Orilonise begged the court not to punish him as he had carnal knowledge of the victim for protection and to confirm if she was still a virgin.
The accused was arraigned on one count of having unlawful carnal knowledge of his daughter.
The prosecutor, Mr Sunday Ogunremi, told the court that the accused had sometime in December 2018 at Omo village, Agbofieti, Ibadan, in the Ibadan Magisterial District, raped the victim without her consent.
Ogunremi said the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 34, sub-sections 1 and 2 of the Child Rights Law of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2006.
The plea of the accused was, however, not taken during the arraignment.
When the Chief Magistrate, Mr Taiwo Olaniran, sought to know what pushed him into defiling his biological daughter, Orilonise said since he lost his wife a few years ago, he had been taking care of the victim and her siblings.
He told the court that he committed the act in order to protect his daughter.
Orilonise said the incident happened when he was trying to ascertain if the victim had lost her virginity, adding that upon discovering that she was still a virgin, he started having sex with her regularly before she would leave for school and at night.
The magistrate berated fathers, who were fond of sexually abusing their daughters and other under-aged girls, saying they were allowing the devil to use them to destroy the society.
He, thereafter, ordered that the accused be remanded in the Agodi Prison pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions and adjourned the case till July 30, 2019.
Steering clear of certain foods and beverages may help to lessen your cancer risk, according to a growing body of evidence.
Eat this, don’t eat that, don’t eat this, eat that … the advice from scientific studies and the media (raises hand) on healthy eating can be confusing at best. But even so, there are certain foods that researchers routinely find appear to be linked to cancer. For starters, here are a handful of them. You may notice that many of them come with an environmental cost as well.
1. Processed meat
A report from the World Health Organization (WHO) doesn’t really mince words when it comes to cancer and processed meats, “According to the most recent estimates by the Global Burden of Disease Project, an independent academic research organization, about 34,000 cancer deaths per year worldwide are attributable to diets high in processed meat,” notes the organization. Defining processed meats as “meat that has been transformed through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, or other processes to enhance flavour or improve preservation,” they put processed meats in the same category (IARC Group 1, carcinogenic to humans) as smoking and asbestos for cancer risk. The designation means there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans. Examples include hot dogs, ham, sausages, corned beef, beef jerky, and canned meat.
2. Red meat
The same WHO report classified red meat as Group 2A, meaning that red meat is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” The organization writes, “In the case of red meat, the classification is based on limited evidence from epidemiological studies showing positive associations between eating red meat and developing colorectal cancer as well as strong mechanistic evidence.” They also note evidence of links with pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer. Red meat includes all “mammalian muscle meat,” including, beef, veal, pork, lamb, mutton, horse, and goat.
Aside from reducing one’s risk for cancer, giving up or cutting down on red meat consumption also provides relief to a planet over-burdened by an industry trying to grow enough animals to meet our appetites.
3 Soda and juice
There has been some flipping and flopping about the link between sugar and cancer, but a large new study out of France just concluded that drinking a small glass of a sugary drink per day (100 milliliter, or about 3.3 ounces) is linked to an 18 percent increase in overall cancer risk and a 22 percent increase in risk for breast cancer. And it wasn’t just sugary sodas to blame; 100 percent fruit juice was implicated as well. (Most experts recommend eating the whole fruit, which comes with all that good fiber, rather than just the juice, which is primarily sugar; natural sugar, but sugar nonetheless.)
From the study: “We found that an increase in sugary drink consumption was positively associated with the risk of overall cancer and breast cancer. When the group of sugary drinks was split into 100% fruit juices and other sugary drinks, the consumption of both beverage types was associated with a higher risk of overall cancer.”
The cohort study involved more than 100,000 participants, and the findings suggest that sugary drinks could be a modifiable risk factor for cancer prevention.
4. Alcohol
For those of us who love wine with dinner, the Mediterranean diet and its red wine gave us the green light for some moderate tippling. Alas, the National Cancer Institute may put the kibosh on that, noting: “There is a strong scientific consensus that alcohol drinking can cause several types of cancer. In its Report on Carcinogens, the National Toxicology Program of the US Department of Health and Human Services lists consumption of alcoholic beverages as a known human carcinogen.”
The Institute cites evidence that the more one drinks, especially regularly and over time, the higher their risk of developing an alcohol-related cancer. “Even light drinkers (those who have no more than one drink per day) and binge drinkers have a modestly increased risk of some cancers.” Sigh.
5. Ultra-processed foods
Research from the NutriNet-Santé cohort study – the group for which the data on sugary drinks was compiled – also found a connection between cancer and ultra-processed food. Ultra-processed food, according to the study, includes:
“…Mass produced packaged breads and buns; sweet or savoury packaged snacks; industrialised confectionery and desserts; sodas and sweetened drinks; meat balls, poultry and fish nuggets, and other reconstituted meat products transformed with addition of preservatives other than salt (for example, nitrites); instant noodles and soups; frozen or shelf stable ready meals; and other food products made mostly or entirely from sugar, oils and fats, and other substances not commonly used in culinary preparations such as hydrogenated oils, modified starches, and protein isolates. Industrial processes notably include hydrogenation, hydrolysis, extruding, moulding, reshaping, and pre-processing by frying.”
The researchers found that a 10 percent increase in the amount of ultra-processed foods consumed was linked to a 12 percent increase in cancer. They were unable to isolate the specific components of these foods responsible for the results, so until further notice it may be best to avoid them altogether.
Study have found that babies who were born pre-term are less likely to form romantic relationships, have sexual relations or experience parenthood than those who were born full term, a new study shoes.
According to a recent report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), India is the leading country of preterm births where babies are born before completed 37 weeks of gestation and this number is rising.
Published in the journal JAMA Network Open, the study shows in the analysis of 4.4 million participants those born pre-term were 28 per cent less likely to form romantic relationships and 22 per cent less likely to become parents, when compared to those born full term.
“It is partly due to pre-term birth being associated with being more often withdrawn and shy, socially excluded and less likely to take risks in adolescence,” said researchers from the University of Warwick.
“The finding that adults who were born pre-term are less likely to have a partner, to have sex and become parents does not appear to be explained by a higher rate of disability. Rather preterm-born children have been previously found to have poorer social interactions in childhood that make it harder for them to master social transitions such as finding a partner, which in turn is proven to boost your wellbeing,” said the study lead author Marina Goulart de Mendonca from the University of Warwick.
More needs to be done in schools and by parents to encourage social interactions at younger ages, so when they transition to adulthood they are more likely to meet someone and increase their wellbeing, said the experts.
According to Amit Garg, Consultant Psychiatrist, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute in Delhi, the hardships followed by premature babies while growing up are indescribable.
“Getting birth before due time not only affects their physical growth but mental growth also and that is for lifetime in some cases. A study says preterm babies are tending to be unromantic during young age, One should be very careful about nutrition and other related illness also so that good health can be maintained,” Garg told IANS.
“Young adults born preterm might experience social challenges in their life, which might affect their romantic relationships and family plannings” he added.
The abductors who kidnapped Beauty Siasia, the mother of former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, have demanded N70m ransom before the 76-year-old could be released, The PUNCH has reliably been informed.
Siasia’s mother was taken away by unidentified armed men on Monday, from her home in Odoni, Sagbama Local Government of Bayelsa State for the second time in four years.
Siasia informed The PUNCH that the abductors had reached out to his family and have made outrageous demands.
“The Nigeria Police Force are doing their best and I hope they get her back,” he said.
“The abductors have demanded N70m as ransom, which is alarming, though no amount is too much to get the soul of one innocent person out of danger.
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“We are pleading that they be considerate in their demands as well. They should please release my mother.”
Siasia’s mother was taken away by the kidnappers without taking along her Blood Pressure drugs and mobile phone.
The stock market extended its losing streak on Thursday as it shed N87bn, bringing the total losses to N708bn in seven days.
The market lost N110bn on Monday, N68bn on Tuesday and N77bn on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the market capitalisation of equities listed on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange dropped from N13.667tn on Wednesday to N13.580tn as the All Share Index declined by 0.64 per cent to settle at 27,864.49 basis points.
Major sell-offs were witnessed in Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated as the year-to-date loss worsened to –11.3 per cent.
Activity level was weaker as 175.4 million units of shares worth N2.7bn exchanged hands in 2,653 deals, representing a decline of 28 per cent and 30.2 per cent, respectively in volume and value traded.
The most traded stocks by volume were FBN Holdings Plc (33.3 million units), Zenith Bank Plc (21.2 million units) and Sterling Bank Plc (16.7 million units) while by the top traded stocks by value were Nigerian Breweries Plc (N461.3m), Zenith Bank (N395.1m) and MTN Nigeria (N334.0m).
All sectors recorded negative performances, save the industrial goods sector, which advanced by 0.06 per cent on the back of bargain hunting activities in Lafarge Africa Plc.
On the flip side, the oil and gas index declined the most, down by 4.74 per cent due to sell-offs witnessed in Seplat.
The insurance index depreciated by 1.69 per cent as a result of major price depreciation in NEM Insurance Plc and Wapic Insurance Plc.
Similarly, the consumer goods index went down by1.19 per cent on account of sell pressures in International Breweries Plc, Nigerian Breweries and PZ Cussons Plc.
The banking index shed 0.37 per cent following losses in Ecobank, Access Bank and Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc.
Investor sentiment saw a rebound as market breadth improved from 0.3x to 0.6x as 12 stocks advanced compared to 19 stocks that depreciated.
Conoil Plc, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Japaul Oil and Maritime Services Plc and FCMB were the top five gainers, posting respective gains of 9.8 per cent, 9.2 per cent, five per cent, 4.8 per cent and 4.6 per cent.
The top five losers were Berger Paints Plc, International Breweries, Seplat, C & I Leasing Plc and NEM Insurance, whose share prices depreciated by 10 per cent, 10 per cent, 9.4 per cent, 9.2 per cent and 9.2 per cent, respectively.
Analysts at Afrinvest Securities Limited said they expected the market to trade bearish in the sessions ahead.
