Saudi Arabias attorney general sought the death penalty for five of 11 defendants charged with the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi as their high-profile trial opened in Riyadh on Thursday.

All 11 accused were present with their lawyers at the first session of the trial, the attorney general said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Saudi Arabia had twice submitted formal requests for evidence from Turkey where Khashoggi was murdered inside the kingdoms Istanbul consulate on October 2 but had received no response, the statement added.

The names of the defendants have not been officially released. Five top officials in Saudi Arabia including royal court insider Saud al-Qahtani were sacked over the Khashoggi murder, but there is no proof they are among those charged.

Khashoggi, a contributor to the Washington Post, was murdered in what Riyadh called a rogue operation, tipping the kingdom into one of its worst diplomatic crises.

The 59-year-old Saudi insider-turned-critic was strangled and his body cut into pieces by a team of 15 Saudis sent to Istanbul for the killing, according to Turkish officials.

There have been reports that his remains, which have never been found, were dissolved in acid.

The defence team on Thursday requested a copy of the charge sheet and a timeframe within which to review the charges.

The prosecution agreed to both requests, SPA said. No date has been set for the next hearing.

The Khashoggi murder shocked the world at a time when Saudi Arabia and its de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, were pushing an aggressive public relations campaign to rebrand the ultraconservative kingdom as a modern state.

Among Prince Mohammeds strongest allies is US President Donald Trump, who now faces increased pressure to approve measures against Saudi Arabia.

The US has slapped sanctions on 17 Saudis in connection with the Khashoggi murder. France and Canada have also imposed sanctions on Saudis.

The US Central Intelligence Agency has reportedly concluded that Prince Mohammed very likely ordered Khashoggis murder. A bipartisan resolution approved by the US Senate last month held the crown prince responsible for the killing.

But in November the Saudi attorney general ruled out any involvement by the young crown prince, whose reformist credentials abroad have been seriously tarnished by the murder.

The United Nations and human rights groups have called for an independent investigation into Khashoggis killing.

Given the possible involvement of Saudi authorities in Khashoggis murder and the lack of independence of Saudi Arabias criminal justice system, the impartiality of any investigation and trial would be in question, Samah Hadid, a Middle East director at Amnesty International, told AFP on Thursday.

Source: NAN

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep sympathy with the victims of Wadata Market fire incident in Makurdi, Benue on Wednesday.

Buhari, who was reacting to the fire disaster, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu in Abuja on Thursday, said he was greatly saddened by the unfortunate incident.

He said: Regardless of our status in life, we are bound by our common humanity and, therefore, I share the pains of the victims with a sincere sense of sympathy and empathy.

The President prayed God to replenish their losses and multiply their blessings as they try to pick up their lives once again from the ashes of economic ruins.

He commended the immediate response of the state government, led by Gov. Samuel Ortom in trying to bring relief to the victims.

who announced the donation when he inspected the burnt section of the market.on Wednesday, said the amount was an interim support to the traders.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fire which started 2a.m. razed many shops in the fish, yams, butchers, grain as well as industrial and allied material sections of the market.(NAN)

Source: NAN

The Founder of the Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministry, Abuja, Prophet Emmanuel Omale has prophesied that President Muhammadu Buhari, would win the Feb. 16 presidential elections

Omale made the declaration as part of his his 36 prophesies for year 2019 made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar would show amazing efforts but he saw President Buhari ruling again.

Omale, however said that Buhari would require serious prayers for his health as that could be an avenue to sway a judicial victory in favour of Abubakar.

The prophet also said that the forthcoming elections would be peaceful, advising Nigerians not to be afraid.

On the international seen, Omale said that the Prime Minister Theresa May of UK may not survive as Prime Minister in 2019 as she would succumb to a second Referendum on BREXIT.

Below is the detail of the prophesies:

2019 PROPHESIES FROM PROPHET DR EMMANUEL OMALE

Founder of the Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministry, Abuja.

Brethren!

It is that time of the year again when we at Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministry accept the privilege of conveying to you what God, the Creator of the Universe have in stock for His creatures.

Charity must begin from home and we are therefore duty bound to tell Nigerians the visions and plans of God for the year 2019. This incoming year is a very critical and auspicious period for Nigerians as it is a general election year.

Now, behold the Vision I received from the throne of grace and mercy, the seat of love, security and provisions, the God of miracles and wonders.

1. There will be a peaceful election process, we should not be afraid. Though there shall be pockets of skirmishes, the general outlook still looks good and quite far from the negative mind set prevailing

2. What Nigerians should worry about is a massive resurgence of terrorist attacks; early morning train passengers should be vigilant and prayerful always

3. Air passengers on a popular airline should be prayerful to avert any disaster around first quarter of 2019

4. All service chiefs will be changed to avert a likely mutiny

5. The fight to eliminate and discourage corrupt practices will get a boost as I see the current Chairman confirmed, but he must exercise care among his trusted lieutenants against sabotage

6. Government should handle the Shiite uprising carefully as I see the balls of fire in various cities in the Country as a result

7. We should pray for the military. I see the junior officers killing the generals. A lot of them will run away from the force.

8. Nigerians should pray against a health epidemic worse than Ebola

9. Even livestocks may be affected

10. In 2018, we warned about the floods that ravaged the Country. In 2019, people should work and pray to avert draught and fire outbreaks

11. Even a huge oil vessel may catch fire and create extensive damage in the coastal areas

12. The price of oil may drop further and probably rise around mid year

13. The Naira may weaken to around N400/$1

14. A former Principal Officer in the National Assembly must pray against bereavement

15. A former Nigerian ruler may not survive 2019

16. A prominent South-South leader will be called to glory

17. A very wealthy oil Billionaire from the Eastern part of Nigeria may lose his life in a botched assassination and kidnapping and this will spark violence that will see the burning of a popular market

18. A Nigerian international footballer who is a household name must pray against misfortune and calamity

19. Two Judges will be sent to jail around middle of next year if care is not taken

20. An ex-Governor may be jailed, a serving Governor will be impeached

21. A prominent Vice Chancellor in a private university should pray against loss of whole family in a motoring accident

22. A young international music star should pray against mental illness

23. We should pray for the entertainment stars in our country against unhealthy competition, as I see attempts to take each other’s lives

24. A popular blogger who is a source of encouragement to the youths and inspiration for entrepreneurship, should pray to avert an attack.

25. The APC Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu requires urgent and fervent prayers against an illness that can incapacitate him

26. A Party Chairman and his wife should pray against sexual scandal

27. Atiku will show amazing efforts in the coming elections but I see President Buhari Ruling again, However President Buhari would require serious prayers for his health as this could be an avenue to sway a judicial victory in favour of Atiku

28. Dogara, the House of Reps Speaker needs to work harder to return to National Assembly

29. A few States may have inconclusive elections and new dates will be scheduled

30. Adamawa is still APC while Taraba is PDP

31. I see plenty new entrants into National Assembly

32. Bello of Kogi State needs to work twice as hard to come back

On the international scene

33. A West African president needs prayers to avert bereavement

34. President Emmanuel Macron may lose his seat

35. German economy will witness a dip so investors should hedge wisely

36. Prime Minister Theresa May of UK may not survive as Prime Minister in 2019 as she will succumb to a 2nd Referendum on BREXIT

Festus Keyamo, Director, Strategic Communications,APC Presidential Campaign Council has urged Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the main opposition presidential candidate to quit the race now, as investors in 9Mobile and Keystone Bank punctured the share-grabbing allegation against the Buhari family.

Keyamo made the call Wednesday in a statement titled: We call on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to retain some honour by throwing in the towel now’.

The statement followed the refutal by investors in Etisalat, now 9Mobile and Keystone Bank that the family members of President Buhari have nothing to do with both companies.

The Buhari campaign took the refutal “as another indication of the fast-collapsing campaign of the Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and that of the PDP”.

“The result of the fact-check which was published in some news outlets, clearly shows the depth of desperation, deceit and debauchery to which the Atiku campaign has sunk. They have no moral compass, no scruples, no direction in their present attempt to smear just everyone in sight in order to run a campaign of ‘we-are-all-corrupt.’

“Rather than respect the feelings of Nigerians by offering clear-cut responses to straight-forward allegations of tax-evasion, grand corruption in and out of office, impending sealed indictment waiting for him in the US, Atiku Abubakar has decided to drag the world down with him as he goes down in a blaze of infamy. He has decided to go wild with unsubstantiated allegations against the President and Vice President, throwing caution to the wind in the process.

“We alerted the public about this impending avalanche of fake news a few days ago. This is the classic hallmark of a sinking campaign boat, clutching at straws, as Nigerians have woken up to the realisation that these are deceitful people who have nothing to offer. That is how its Vice-Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi was reeling out false statistics with a straight face throughout the Vice-Presidential debate. Till today, he has not apologised to Nigerians for taking them for a ride. It is a real shame.

“We call on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the PDP to apologise to Nigerians and especially the family of the President for adopting this unwholesome tactics and telling tales by moonlight that have clearly backfired.

“The public space is now full of jokes about President Buhari buying the whole of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, the National Stadium and even the Presidential Villa.

“Instead of making a mockery of a serious campaign with such infantile lies, Atiku Abubakar should admit it is all over for him and the PDP, throw in the towel and endorse the candidacy of President Buhari. We would be sad to see that happen because democracy desires a healthy contest, a serious challenger and a competent opposition. But as it is, with nothing more to campaign about, it is the only way for him and his party to save face and still retain some modicum of honour before the Nigerian people for future engagements – that is if they survive this massive rejection by the Nigerian people as a result of their bare-faced lies.”

A 43-year-old Islamic studies teacher Abdulsalam Salaudeen has been arrested by the police for defiling a five-year-old girl.

Salaudeen, who lives 16, Awoyemi Street on Igando Road, Ikotun Lagos, was recorded on video while engaging in the act.

The suspected pedophile was allegedly engaged to teach the girl Islamic studies.

A Good Samaritan last Friday took the video evidence to the headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command.

After watching the heart-rending video, Commissioner of Police (CP) Imohimi Edgal, directed the command’s undercover operatives attached to the State Intelligence Bureau to immediately arrest the culprit and hand him over to the Gender Section for detailed investigation.

The operatives went in search of Salaudeen and arrested him near a mosque in Igando, a suburb of Lagos.

A statement by police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), said Salaudeen was taken to the Gender Unit, where the Officer-in-Charge, Abimbola Williams, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) confronted him with the video of him defiling the child by penetrating her anus and private parts.

“On seeing himself captured like an actor in a movie, the suspect broke down in tears and owned up to the crime,” Oti said.

The case, he added, will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.

Oti said: “The CP, while commending the courageous act of the good Nigerian, warned parents and guardians to keep constant watch over their children and wards.

“Nobody should be trusted. Be friends with your children and let them be free to share things with you.

“Do not cover up any crime, no matter who is involved. Raise the alarm on child molesters in your neighbourhood so they can face the law and other nursing such thoughts can be deterred.”

Here is good news for millions of people worldwide contending with diabetes: Scientists have created a new drug cocktail that can induce insulin-producing cells to regenerate at a rate that is fast enough to work in human treatments.

This is a key step in the pursuit of a cure for diabetes that restores the body’s ability to make insulin.

The recent study by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, NY, reveals how a novel combination of two classes of drug can make adult human beta cells replicate at a rate of 5–8 percent per day.

The team reports the findings in a paper that features in the journal Cell Metabolism.

“We are very excited about this new observation,” says lead author Dr. Andrew F. Stewart, who is director of the Mount Sinai Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism Institute, “because, for the first time, we are able to see rates of human cell beta cell replication that are sufficient to replenish beta cell mass in human beings.”

In earlier work, the team had investigated a small molecule that blocks an enzyme called dual-specificity tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A). This molecule led to a beta cell proliferation rate of 1.5 to 3 percent.

In the new study, the team demonstrated how adding a small molecule from a different class of drug raised the proliferation rate to an average of 5–8 percent. The second drug blocks members of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily (TGFβSF).

However, while the study has taken an important step by showing that the drug combination can regenerate beta cells fast enough for treatment, there is still some work to do.

As Dr. Stewart explains, “The next big hurdle is figuring out how to deliver them directly to the pancreas.”

Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose rises to harmful levels. Persistent high blood glucose damages blood vessels, nerves, and other body systems. It can lead to vision loss, kidney disease, and heart problems.

Blood glucose levels rise because of difficulties with producing and using insulin, a hormone that helps the body’s cells absorb and use glucose to make energy.

According to the World Health Organisation, estimates suggest that there could be as many as 300 million people worldwide with diabetes by 2025.

There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Around 90–95 percent of adults with diabetes have type 2.

In type 1 diabetes, the lack of control of blood glucose occurs because the immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.

Type 2 diabetes usually starts with insulin resistance, a condition in which cells become less effective at using insulin. The pancreas initially compensates by making more insulin, but this is not a long-term solution, and blood glucose levels eventually climb.

Although the two types have differences, recent studies reveal that type 1 and type 2 diabetes share a major feature: a diminished supply of functioning insulin-producing beta cells.

Dr. Stewart says that none of the drugs currently available for the treatment of diabetes are sufficiently effective in getting human beta cells to regenerate.

Researchers are investigating other approaches, such as transplantation of beta cells or the pancreas and treatments that use stem cells to generate new beta cells. However, none of these are in widespread use, Dr. Stewart notes.

In the earlier work, he and his colleagues had shown that a DYRK1A inhibitor called harmine was able to stimulate a sustained proliferation of adult human beta cells in laboratory cultures.

In addition, mice with human beta cells in place of their own were able to keep blood sugar levels in the normal range following treatment with harmine.

This was a major step forward. However, the rate of new beta cell production was too low for the treatment to be effective in humans with diabetes.

The researchers got the idea of adding a TGFβSF inhibitor to harmine while they were investigating a type of benign tumour that forms in beta cells. This uncovered a novel set of targets for drugs that might enhance beta cell proliferation.

So, the aim of the recent study was to investigate whether combining the two classes of drug might work — and it did.

The investigators write that the study reveals how blocking “DYRK1A and TGFβSF signaling induces remarkable and previously unattainable rates of human beta cell proliferation […] and actually increases human and mouse beta cell numbers.”

The study also explores the mechanisms behind the “remarkable rate of proliferation.” The findings show that the drug combination works not only in beta cells that scientists recovered from “normal cadaveric human islets,” but also in beta cells that they grew from human stem cells and “those from people with type 2 diabetes.”

“Since these drugs have effects on other organs in the body, we now need to develop methods to deliver these drugs specifically to the beta cell in humans.”

The average Nigerian wage earner loves to work; he/she is a ‘workaholic’ who will give whatever it takes to keep his/her job and please the employer – all in the quest for survival. Amidst all these, health and/or well-being is often not given the needed attention, and in no distant time, the body gets to be weighed down as a result of the pressing demands that had been placed on it. As though this negligence is not enough, our office space is not usually set up in an ergonomic fashion.

Time and again, we have heard or even seen a colleague slumped or simply lost it and unable to contribute much productive inputs as he/she would normally do. There is certainly a limit to how far we can push the body, and while not disputing the importance of having a sound and undisturbed sleep from time to time, it is highly advisable to seek some other ways of arresting the situation [of getting the body overworked] before things go out of hand. We have got to make it a point of duty to learn how to relieve stress, and interestingly, massage can be very helpful in this regard.

Studies have shown that stress is often responsible for the onset of a host of chronic diseases. It also leads to the stiffness of muscles and could even cause depression and anxiety. A good and regular massage can however help a great deal to curtail these conditions. Massage ensures that the muscles are eased of tension thus helping one to relax better and maintain a very active mind.

And the truth is that you do not have to frequent the masseuse or a spa to have a good massage session; you can do it right in the comfort of your home – and all by yourself. Here, you will find the different ways you can relieve your body parts from stress. Even more exciting is the prospect of using massage chair for the purpose of stress relief. These chairs are usually equipped with features that will subject your body to varying types of massage techniques – talk about Shiatsu massage, deep tissue massage, Swedish massage to mention just a few. With the chair, trigger point massage is also achievable, and one feature that never ceases to amaze me is the zero-gravity technology [incorporated in some massage chair] that makes the experience all the more gratifying.

Besides all that have been discussed, stress relief can also be achieved through the following means:

• Regular exercise. This basically keeps your body in a good condition.
• Daily meditation
• Taking a nap [even while at work]. Many bosses have found it ‘abominable’ for employees to take a nap at work but research has shown that such nap could be very beneficial in sustaining and/or promoting productivity.
• Eating healthily. Avoid taking peppery foods or beverages containing caffeine to relieve stress – the urge for these foods and drinks might be heightened with the onset of stress. Rather take yogurt, leafy vegetables, fruits like orange, banana, nuts – especially those rich in Omega-3 fatty acid, etc.

Bonus point: Do not ‘bottle things up’; let out thoughts bothering your mind. You can do this by keeping a journal [of these thoughts] or just share with your loved ones. And finally, make out time to enjoy nature’s beauty – go on a sight-seeing escapade and give yourself a good treat.

The electoral bill has been in the news lately and the major talking point has hinged on the president’s refusal to sign it into law. The president’s action and/or inaction has thus far brought about divided opinion especially among political parties – with the top two opposition parties taking the centre stage. The bill does not however seem to evoke much of a concern among the public, and it is with this in mind that it behooves to take a peep at some of the electoral amendment act 2018.

The bill is intended to ensure the credibility of the 2019 elections. It contains provisions that are aimed at ensuring good conducts during and after elections thus preserving the ‘true’ mandate of the electorate. An interesting part of the bill is the proposal for the utilization of the electronic card reader which [if the bill eventually signed into the law] will help to put in check most of the electoral malpractices that have bedevilled our electoral system. Incidences such as child voting, voting by unregistered persons and the stuffing of ballot boxes at unaccredited places will not be the order of the day. This is simply a way of letting justice and fairness prevail by making the most of the available technology. Permit me to deviate a little; I could remember vividly how prior to deployment of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in football matches, controversial calls were left unaddressed and at the end of the day, the outcome [of a match] became compromised. However, with VAR in place, the centre referees can now make better calls.

INEC as the centre umpire, in the case of our electoral process may become incapacitated without resources [such as the electronic card reader] in monitoring the excesses of certain despicable political players who are out to rig election and dubiously take hold of the people’s mandate. The president is however not helping matters by dilly-dallying in signing the bill into the law as he kept pinpointing some rather ‘trivial matters’ [in the bill] that ought to be corrected hence delaying the whole process.

Though some political topshots might have applauded the president on his refusal to sign the bill considering the short time-gap to the 2019 elections but it does seem they have forgotten that he (the president) is the reason why the bill has taken this long to be enacted. There appears to be ‘underground’ moves to frustrate the efforts of the Senate and allow the status quo [whereupon election malpractices thrive] remain. The issue at hand is not about aiming to put the president under undue pressure but making sure that national interest takes primacy.

Speaking about national interest; the senate, in its entirety, does not appear to be awaken to this reality as party interest is placed above a sacrosanctity such as the electoral bill that is under review. If not, why should it be difficult to get two-third of the House to veto the stance of the presidency over something that will benefit the nation’s polity on the long run? And why should the Senate majority leader, Ahmad Lawan come out to say that the Electoral Act of 2010 is enough to see us through the 2019 elections – even considering the problems that surrounded previous elections? The fact remains that we cannot solve a problem created with a particular level of thinking without breaking away from an ‘outdated’ way of doing things. There is an urgent need to address those things that have not profited us and learn to put ‘new wine in new wineskin’.

And to those politicians that have exercised fear over the tendency of technological innovations – electronic card reader in this case – to fail; a democratic system that has permitted lapses and allowed ‘men of dishonour’ have glorious seats in the corridors of power is nothing less than a ‘failed system’. So, except something is done to correct some of these issues, the incoming elections may yet left on a razor’s edge.

Controversial Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, the Spiritual Director, Adoration Ministry, Enugu has again called on Nigerians to support President Muhammad Buhari.

Mbaka, who has ignored critics over his support for Buhari, urged Nigerians to pray hard so that the country would overcome what he tagged ‘impending unimaginable difficulty’ in 2019.

Mbaka said on Tuesday during his New Year prophetic message and crossover service, Punch reported.

Mbaka said that the type of difficulty the country was going to face was such that has not been “witnessed in its 58 years history.”

The Catholic priest also urged Nigerians to pray for the country and its leaders.

He said Nigerians should support President Muhammad Buhari to continue his fight against corruption.

The clergyman said that at the Catholic Church supports the fight against corruption and that was why she created “prayers against bribery and corruption.”

“A President that is fighting corruption needs to be supported,” he said.

Mbaka’s latest call for support to Buhari has hit the social media.

The fiery catholic priest and the spiritual director, adoration ministry Enugu Nigeria, Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka has endorsed president Muhammed Buhari's second term reelection bid.... https://t.co/GOptyH9q3h

— share throughts (@share_throughts) January 1, 2019

I've just posted a new blog: 2019 Prophesy: "A President That Is Fighting Corruption Needs To Be Supported" - Rev. Fr. Mbaka https://t.co/NHrpsOqUvl

— Tosin Gideon (@tosing13) January 1, 2019

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, ex-Chairman of EFCC, has unveiled the “Black Cap Revolution Movement’’ and donated 40 vehicles to mobilise the people for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari in Adamawa.

Ribadu black cap movement was set up to campaign for President Buhari and his running mate, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Expressing his commitment to deliver Adamawa to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ribadu said that the state is “100 per cent in support of Buhari’’.

Ribadu announced that 40 vehicles were donated by his support group.

The former EFCC boss said he will make sure Buhari was re-elected because he (Buhari) deserved another term to continue the work he has started for Nigeria.

He said his appointment as Director General Field operations is to campaign for Buhari, adding that his support group promised the president a hundred perbcent support in Adamawa state.

CLARIFICATION: What we did yesterday was to convert our governorship campaign machinery (offices & 10 vehicles) for the @MBuhari campaign. Most of those items were donated to my campaign last year. Reports in @TheNationNews and @PremiumTimesng have more accurate accounts. pic.twitter.com/Wuuo7c7LAv

— Nuhu Ribadu (@NuhuRibadu) January 1, 2019

“We have decided to convert everything we had for Buhari’s campaign, the meeting here is a dedication and a donation of everything – officers, vehicles and good committees for the campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari,” Ribadu said.

The former anti-graft chief said the presidential election in 2019, is a referendum between a past “that should forever be forgotten and a new chapter of probity and accountability”.

The Nuhu Ribadu Organization has said it would campaign for all candidates of the APC, not President Buhari alone.

In a tweet, Ribadu further explained he converted their governorship campaign machinery for Buhari’s campaign.

“CLARIFICATION: What we did yesterday was to convert our governorship campaign machinery (offices & 10 vehicles) for the @MBuhari campaign. Most of those items were donated to my campaign last year. Reports in @TheNationNews and @PremiumTimesng have more accurate accounts.’’