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Scientist James Watson, who co-discovered double-helix of DNA and said black people are less intelligent than white people, di£s

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Celebrated scientist James Watson, who shared a Nobel Prize for his groundbreaking DNA discovery, has di£d at the age of 97.

The de@th of Watson was confirmed by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where he worked and researched for decades.

The American pioneer’s co-unearthing of the double helix structure of DNA in 1953 helped spark a revolution in medicine, crimefighting, genealogy and ethics.

The DNA breakthrough – made Watson was just 24 – turned him into a respected figure in the world of science for decades.

However, near the end of his life, he faced condemnation and professional censure for offensive remarks, including saying Black people are less intelligent than white people.

Watson shared a 1962 Nobel Prize with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins for discovering that deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, is a double helix, consisting of two strands that coil around each other to create what resembles a long, gently twisting ladder.

That realisation was a breakthrough. It instantly suggested how hereditary information is stored and how cells duplicate their DNA when they divide. The duplication begins with the two strands of DNA pulling apart like a zipper.

Even among non-scientists, the double helix would become an instantly recognised symbol of science, showing up in such places as the work of Salvador Dali and a British postage stamp.

The discovery helped open the door to more recent developments such as tinkering with the genetic makeup of living things, treating disease by inserting genes into patients, identifying human remains and criminal suspects from DNA samples, and tracing family trees.

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But it has also raised a host of ethical questions, such as whether we should be altering the body’s blueprint for cosmetic reasons or in a way that is transmitted to a person’s offspring.

“Francis Crick and I made the discovery of the century, that was pretty clear,” Watson once said. He later wrote: “There was no way we could have foreseen the explosive impact of the double helix on science and society.”

Watson never made another lab finding that big. But in the decades that followed, he wrote influential textbooks and a best-selling memoir, and helped guide the project to map the human genome. He picked out bright young scientists and helped them. And he used his prestige and contacts to influence science policy.

His initial motivation for supporting the gene project was personal: His son Rufus had been hospitalised with a possible diagnosis of schizophrenia, and Watson figured that knowing the complete makeup of DNA would be crucial for understanding that disease – maybe in time to help his son.

He gained unwelcome attention in 2007, when the Sunday Times quoted him as saying he was “inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa” because “all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours – where all the testing says not really.”

He said that while he hopes everyone is equal, “people who have to deal with black employees find this is not true.”

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PHOTOS: NESREA Investigates Suspected Chemical Spill On Kaduna-Abuja Expressway

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The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has launched an investigation into a suspected chemical spill on the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway following the appearance of a white, foamy substance believed to have resulted from a road accident involving a heavy-duty truck.

A statement issued by the agency’s Assistant Director (Press), Nwamaka Ejiofor, said a team from the NESREA Kaduna State Field Office, led by the State Coordinator, Mr. Hena Dangari Emmanuel, visited the scene to commence investigations.

During the visit, the team met with the Police Commander for Jere, ACP Sani Zubairu, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Commander for the area, and the community leader as part of efforts to gather information on the incident.

According to the statement, “Preliminary findings indicate that a heavy-duty truck was involved in an accident leading to the spillage of its contents at the location.”

NESREA said investigators also gathered information from relevant officials and residents, while samples of the foamy substance, surrounding soil, and water from a nearby stream were collected for laboratory analysis to determine the nature and possible environmental impact of the spill.

The agency appealed to residents and road users to exercise caution pending the outcome of the investigation.

“Members of the public are strongly advised to avoid contact with the foamy substance, the water, and the surrounding soil until the investigation is concluded, to prevent possible exposure to hazardous materials,” the statement said.

NESREA said the laboratory analysis would help establish the composition of the spilled substance and guide any necessary environmental response, adding that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.

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MURIC Rejects Life Imprisonment For Terrorists, Advocates Capital Punishment

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‎The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has rejected the life sentence given to the two notorious terrorists jailed last week, insisting that terrorists must receive capital punishment in order to deter others.

‎In a statement issued by the executive director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola on Wednesday, MURIC averred that it was dangerous to keep terrorists in prison custody because of their deadly networks which they use to organize jailbreaks.

‎MURIC recalled that wo notorious terrorists were given life sentence on Monday, 20th July, 2026.
Justice Emeka Nwite handed down the sentence after convicting Abubakar Abba, popularly known as Abu Baraa, and Mahmud Usman, also known as Mahmuda for terrorist activities.

However, the group rejected the judgment, saying, “We reject this judgement for being too lenient, too dangerous and too disproportionate.
“These are hardened and merciless criminals who should be eliminated with the speed of light. A good surgeon will not hesitate to amputate a rotten limb from the anatomy.

‎”We are of the opinion that terrorists who execute their captives, traumatize families as well as whole nations and subject their victims to inhuman treatments deserve capital punishment.
“It is dangerous to keep terrorists in prison custody temporarily or ad infinitum because of their deadly networks which they use to organize jailbreaks.

‎”They are no longer human beings. It is dangerous to keep them with other inmates if we don’t want them to convert ordinary prisoners into terrorists like them.

‎”It appears the Nigerian authorities are yet to learn their lessons. The terrorists who staged the kidnap of school children and teachers at Oriire, Oyo State recently had demanded the release of the same two terrorists who were sentenced two days ago as a condition for releasing their innocent victims.

‎”That should have sent a red alert to the authorities that terrorists are taking advantage of the democratic environment to abuse our values.
Those who rob others of the dividends of democracy do not deserve to enjoy same. Terrorists have no right to claims of fundamental human rights.

‎”We, therefore demand the death penalty for any terrorist found guilty of active participation in terror attacks.

‎”In view of several audacious attacks on prison facilities and the tendency of terrorists to plan attacks from prison, we also demand that terrorists sentenced to death must be executed within seven days of the judgement.

‎”The federal government should put all necessary legal niceties in place to ensure that due process is followed in this regard,” it added.

See also  Seven killed, 13 injured in Kano–Katsina road crash

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PHOTOS: Woman burnt to de@th in the home of a man she met at a club in Uyo

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An unidentified woman was d!ed early Tuesday morning, July 21, after a fire gutted a residential building along Ikpa Road in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

According to accounts shared online by a social media user, Frank Tochukwu Fidelis, the victim had accompanied a male companion to the residence after the duo met at a local nightclub earlier in the night.

Reports indicate that the fire broke out at approximately 5:30 AM, destroying properties worth millions of Naira. While the male resident managed to escape the burning structure unharmed, the woman was trapped inside and suffered fatal burns.

‘’If you have a friend or relative who went clubbing in Uyo last night and has not returned home, please contact the appropriate authorities or visit the relevant hospital or police station for confirmed information, rather than relying solely on social media posts.” Tochukwu wrote in the caption

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See also  Seven killed, 13 injured in Kano–Katsina road crash
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