A 16-year-old boy in Australia has died after being attacked by a large crocodile in the Torres Strait, authorities say.

According to Fox News, the incident occurred on Thursday off the waters of Saibai Island, a relatively-remote island of around 500 people.

Saibai Island is geographically close to Papua New Guinea and it is part of the Australian state of Queensland, around 560 miles north of the city of Cairns.

Local media outlet, Brisbane Times reported that the victim was swimming with a 13-year-old boy before he was killed.

The pair had been using a dinghy when its engine suddenly stopped working properly, and the teenagers decided to brave the waters and swim to shore.

Queensland Police’s Far North District Senior Sergeant Greg Giles told newsmen that the victim vanished after the boys went into waist-deep water.

“Unfortunately the older boy’s body was located in the mangroves,” Giles explained, adding “we are working with the coroner to identify that person.”

According to the police spokesman, the 13-year-old boy did not see a crocodile before the 16-year-old went missing.

“He’s pretty shaken up as you could imagine.

“He was very close to the other boy when he went missing so no doubt it would have affected him,” Giles said.

A Queensland Police wildlife officer confirmed that the victim’s injuries were consistent with a crocodile attack.

Authorities believe the reptile that killed the teenager was nearly four yards long.

“Injuries sustained are consistent with a large crocodile in the vicinity of 3.5 metres in size, possibly slightly larger,” officer Simon Booth explained.

Local residents have asked authorities to find the crocodile that killed the boy.

A Department of Environment, Science and Innovation in a statement said, “Wildlife officers will survey the waters off Saibai Island by helicopter this afternoon in an attempt to locate the crocodile involved.

“The local community has requested the animal involved in the incident be removed from the wild.

“[DESI] extends its condolences to the family and friends of a teenager who died in waters off Saibai Island.”

Two people were killed and six others wounded in a shooting at a block party on Saturday in the US city of Memphis, local police said.

Two people were found deceased at the scene, and one of the six wounded “remains in critical condition” at an area hospital, the Memphis Police Department wrote on social media platform X.

The shooting occurred at an unpermitted block party with about 200 to 300 people near Orange Mound Park in the southern state of Tennessee, the department said on X earlier.

Gun violence is common in the United States, a country where there are more firearms than people.

Attempts to clamp down on gun rights are always met with stiff political resistance.

The United States has recorded 120 mass shootings this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a nongovernmental organization that defines a mass shooting as four or more people wounded or killed.

Last year ended with a total of 656 such shootings.

At least two persons have been confirmed dead while several others were seriously injured in a shooting that took place at a street party in Memphis, Tennessee, United States.

According to CNN, the US police have said that both the fatalities were males, noting that one of the victims was in critical condition.

The incident occurred on Saturday night when over 300 people gathered for a street party in the Memphis city.

The Memphis Police Chief, C.J. Davis said at least two people opened fire at the event, resulting in the death of two persons while about 16 others were injured.

“We are working tirelessly tonight to identify the individuals who were involved in this shooting,” Davis said Saturday night.

The police chief noted that investigation into the shooting was ongoing, stressing that the department has received video footage from the scene and is looking for those responsible.

Former president of the United States of America, Donald Trump has expressed sadness as he had to reschedule his rally over devastating rainfall.

He announced to thousands of supporters gathered at Wilmington airport that the event would no longer go on as scheduled but would be rescheduled ‘bigger and better’.

Shortly before calling off the rally initially scheduled to hold at Willington, North Carolina, the former US President called for debates with President Joe Biden.

The rally was cancelled due to a rain storm that approached the airport where it was staged on Saturday.

Trump called as he was approaching the international airport to tell rally goers that the event would be rescheduled “bigger and better”.

It would have been the first time the Republican Presidential candidate addressed supporters in public after a week of relative silence in a New York courtroom.

“I’m devastated that this could happen but we want to keep everybody safe,” Trump said, his voice amplified by speakers to thousands of supporters, many of whom had lined up since early morning in hot and humid conditions.

“I think we’re gonna have to just do a rain check. I’m so sad,” Trump said.

“I am calling for Debates, ANYTIME ANYWHERE ANYPLACE,” the post said.

“The debates can be run by the corrupt DNC or their subsidiary, the Commission on Presidential debates (CPD).”

Two mayoral candidates were reported killed in Mexico on Friday, one in the country’s northeast and another in the south.

Authorities described the incident as part of a wave of political violence ahead of the June elections.

In Tamaulipas, a state plagued by organised crime situated on the US border, a manhunt was launched for the person who stabbed candidate Noe Ramos, according to state attorney general Irving Barrios.

Local media reported the centre-right candidate, who was seeking reelection as head of the municipality of Mante, was walking through the streets to meet with residents when he was attacked by a man with a knife on Friday.

Ramos subsequently died of his wounds, state security spokesman Jorge Cuellar told Milenio television.

Meanwhile, in the southern state of Oaxaca, another mayoral candidate, Alberto Antonio Garcia, was found killed on Friday after going missing this week, according to the state prosecutor’s office.

Authorities had been searching for Garcia, a candidate with the ruling Morena party, and his wife, Agar Cancino, the current mayor of San Jose Independencia, after they were reported missing on Wednesday.

Cancino was found alive on Friday, but Garcia was dead, the prosecutor’s office said.

For years, the spiral of violence linked to organized crime has claimed the lives of Mexican politicians from various parties, especially those who hold or are seeking regional positions.

Since September 23, when the process for the June general elections began, 15 candidates for regional positions have been murdered, the consulting firm Integralia had reported before the deaths of Ramos and Garcia.

Earlier this month, an aspiring mayor in one of Mexico’s most dangerous cities, Celaya, was gunned down in the street during a visit to meet supporters.

The Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, has confirmed that four individuals lost their lives in a tragic accident along the Owerri-Onitsha Express Road on Friday.

Okoye made this known in a post he shared on his X handle on Friday.

He wrote, “This avoidable accident occurred today, April 19, 2024, along Owerri-Onitsha Expressway as a result of the truck driver’s recklessness.

“Four persons have been confirmed dead while other injured victims are still responding to treatment.

“Always exercise caution when plying the highway. Observe the speed limit and avoid overloading. Drive safe like the popular saying ‘drive you own and another driver’s own’

“I wish the injured victims quick recovery and commiserate with the families of the deceased victims.”

Two people were killed and three others injured in an accident, which occurred around 8:24 pm. after Ogbere Junction, along the Ijebu-Ode-Ore-Benin Expressway.

Those who died were said to have been trapped inside one of the vehicles involved in the crash.

The crash, which was attributed to route violation and excessive speed, involved a DAF truck with number plate AYE886ZQ and a Volvo truck with number plate MUS246YH.

The spokesperson for the Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Florence Okpe, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Saturday.

Okpe said the three injured victims have been taken to the General Hospital, Ijebu Ode, while one of the corpses was also deposited at the morgue of the hospital.

The second corpse was said to have been handed over to the family for burial.

The statement partly read, “FRSC Ogbere Outpost Command carried out a rescue operation late last night on Ijebu Ode-Ore Expressway after Ogbere Junction, on a crash that occurred at about 2034hrs.

“The crash involved two vehicles; a DAF truck with number plate AYE886ZQ and a Volvo truck with number plate MUS246YH

“A total of five male adults were involved, three of which were injured, while the other two were killed and trapped inside the vehicle.

“The injured victims were taken to State General Hospital, Ijebu Ode, while one of the corpses was handed over to the families of the deceased and the second one deposited at the General Hospital morgue Ijebu-Ode.

“The suspected causes of the crash were route violation and speed violation.

“The crash obstructed the expressway and to prevent any incident of traffic mishaps or secondary crash, traffic along the affected route has been temporarily diverted from inward Benin to outward.”

However, Sector Commander, Anthony Uga has expressed his sadness at the rate at which motorists engage in excessive speed which often leads to fatal crashes.

Uga stated that excessive speed which is known to be a human factor, should be controlled and should not be over the set limit.

He disclosed that the corps marshal has directed that all commercial vehicles must install speed limit devices, to curtail the frequent road carnage.

Uga has, therefore, advised motorists to drive within the stipulated speed limit and observe road signs to curb the daily loss of lives on Nigerian roads.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has hailed renowned chess master, Tunde Onakoya, for setting a new 60-hour chess marathon record.

In a statement posted on his X account on Saturday, Sanwo-Olu hailed Onakoya for breaking the world chess marathon record in Times Square, New York.

He praised Onakoya’s journey from Lagos, Nigeria to global recognition, stating that it embodies the spirit of the city.

He wrote, “Congratulations to chess master, Tunde Onakoya, on breaking the world chess marathon record in Times Square, New York. “Your journey from Lagos, Nigeria to global recognition embodies the spirit of our great city.

“#Tunde_OD continues to demonstrate that greatness can emerge from even the most humble beginnings. His remarkable story serves as a blueprint for all of us in Lagos-a city where his impact has been felt the most, showing that with determination, dreams can indeed soar to monumental heights.

“Tunde’s entire journey was showcased on digital billboards and celebrated with watch parties, capturing the true spirit of Lagos. Despite enduring pain and fatigue, Tunde persevered, driven by his commitment to empower the children he champions.

“This is your moment, Tunde, and Lagos stands with you every step of the way.”

Onakoya broke the record of Norwegian players, Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, who played for 56-hour, 9-minute in 2018.

Giving an update, his foundation, Chess in Slums Africa, wrote, “60 Hours for those who dare to dream! 60 Hours for the millions of children who have been told to abandon their dreams!

“60 Hours because one person decided that there is no future worth dreaming of that does not include them! It is now #Tunde60HoursofChess #Tunde_OD.”

The new record holder said his attempt was to raise funds and awareness for providing educational opportunities to underprivileged children across Africa.

President Bola Tinubu has commended Chess maestro, Tunde Onakoya, on setting a new world chess record.

Tinubu thanked Onakoya for “sounding the gong of Nigeria’s resilience, self-belief, and ingenuity at the square of global acclaim”.

The Presidency said in a statement signed by the President’s Spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale on Saturday.

The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu congratulates Tunde Onakoya on new world chess record.’

Onakoya broke the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon on Saturday, after playing for over 58 hours undefeated.

At the marathon taking place at New York’s Times Square, Onakoya exceeded the record set by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.

The President celebrated the Nigerian Chess Champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa for the rare feat, but especially “for the reason driving this compelling demonstration of character, which is raising funds for African children to learn and find opportunity through chess,” said the statement.

Tinubu stated that Mr. Onakoya has shown a streak customary among Nigeria’s youth population, “the audacity to make good change happen; to baffle impossibility, and propel innovations and solutions to the nation’s challenges, even from corners of disadvantage.”

The President affirmed that Nigeria’s youths have demonstrated in all fields, including Afrobeats, Nollywood, the pulsating skit-making enterprise, education, science and technology, that great exploits can truly come from small quarters.

He commended the inclination of Nigerians – across artificial partitions – for unity, once again exemplified through their undiluted support for the epoch-making endeavour.

The President, therefore, assured all citizens that his administration remains strongly committed to creating and expanding opportunities for the youth to explore and exercise their abilities and become the symbols of greatness our nation represents in the future.

A non-governmental organisation, Hotoro United Community Foundation has conducted a week-long free Computer-Based Testing training for 50 candidates, in preparation for the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, in Kano State.

The Chairman of the foundation, Muhammad Abdulwahab, made this known at the closing of the training on Friday at NITDA Computer Centre, in Hotoro, Nasarawa Local Government Area.

Mr Abdulwahab said that the initiative was aimed at equipping the participants with the necessary computer skills and knowledge to navigate the CBT examination effectively.

“This included understanding computer basics, learning how to choose the right subject combinations, and gaining insights into what to expect during the examination,” he said.

The chairman said that while the programme initially focused on the Hotoro Kudu community, the foundation planned to expand its reach in 2025.

“This year’s programme targeted 50 candidates, including male and female students,” he said.

Also speaking, Secretary of the foundation, Lawan Isa, said that the training was successful, achieving its primary goal of preparing students for the CBT exam.

Mr Isa expressed satisfaction with the programme’s outcome, ensuring the participants felt “super ready” for their upcoming computer-based test.

One of the beneficiaries, Maryam Ahmad who spoke on behalf of her colleagues, said that it was her first time having access to a computer.

“This newfound opportunity opened our eyes to a world of knowledge and possibility that we never knew before. We are being excluded from the digital world due to lack of resources. We urge the government to come in and support some of us,” Ms Ahmad said.

She also lauded the foundation for the gesture and urged others to emulate it.

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has raised the monthly subvention to state-owned Rovers Football Club from N5m to N10m.

The governor made the 100 percent increment when the club and its technical team paid a visit to him yesterday.

He said the increment underscores his determination to reposition football and sports in general in the state and to run football as a business.

He also promised to provide the team with a brand new bus in 2025, as well as look into other teething challenges bothering the football club.

“Let me thank and congratulate you for what you have been doing over the years even with a paucity of funds. Rovers is a club with a very rich history. This government is poised to promote sports as a business.”

Otu commended the Rovers’ goalkeeper, 18 year old Clinton Andy, who was on international duties with Nigeria’s under 20 national team, for flying Cross River colours and making the state proud.

He prayed for more open doors for the players as they pursue their football dreams, with a charge to staff and player of Rovers Football Club to double their efforts in the hope of returning the Club to its pride of place as a major force in Nigerian football.

The governor directed that immediate medical attention be given to all the injured footballers.

Commissioner for Sports Development, Mrs Agnes Atsu, the players’ visit to the governor became necessary to present some challenges bedeviling Rovers Football Club, which is five games away from concluding the Nigerian National Football League.

Rovers’ captain, Inyang Asuquo highlighted some of the issues facing them, including lack of adequate funding, rickety team bus, poor medical attention to players, funding for players’ camping, among others.

The captain thanked the governor for the increment of subvention for the team.

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four men for allegedly stealing three tricycles from an Ojota-based mobility company.

The command’s spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest to newsmen in Lagos on Saturday.

He said the Secretary of the mobility company reported the theft on Tuesday to the Ogudu Police Division at about 10:00 am.

Hundeyin further stated that the company’s secretary reported that on Tuesday at about 7:00 am, he received a tip-off that three of the company’s tricycles were stolen by unknown persons.

According to him, acting on the report, a team of detectives from the division swung into action and tracked the tricycles to different locations, leading to the arrest of four suspects (names withheld).

“First suspect was arrested at Ondo Town in Ondo State with the first tricycle and second suspect was arrested at Mile 12 in Lagos State with the second tricycle.

“The third and fourth suspects were arrested at Idiroko, a boundary town between Lagos State and Ogun with the third tricycle.

“The suspects will be arraigned after completion of investigation,” he said.

One person was killed and eight wounded in an overnight explosion at an Iraqi military base housing a coalition of pro-Iranian armed groups.

The explosion hit the Kalsu military base in Babylon province, south of Baghdad, where Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces, or Hashed al-Shaabi, is stationed.

It comes days after Iran launched an unprecedented assault on Israel which reportedly responded with a drone strike on the Islamic republic, amid tensions fuelled by the Gaza war.

The Iraqi security forces media unit said an explosion and a fire hit the Kalsu base in the early hours of Saturday, leaving one person dead and eight wounded.

Air defence command said in a statement that there were no drones or combat aircraft in the airspace of Babylon province before or during the explosion.

An interior ministry official had initially reported an aerial bombing on the site.

In a statement, Hashed al-Shaabi said an explosion had inflicted “material losses and casualties” without giving a number.

The group confirmed its premises on the military base had been hit and that investigators had been sent to the site.

The security sources did not say who may have been behind the attack.

The explosion came in response to Tehran’s unprecedented attack on Israel last weekend, in retaliation for a deadly strike on Iran’s embassy in Damascus.

Iraq’s foreign ministry expressed strong concern on Friday over the blast in Iran, warning of the risks of military escalation which threatens security and stability in the region.

“This escalation must not be allowed to divert attention from what’s happening in the Gaza Strip,” it said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Western countries to respond to the Israeli government’s killings of Palestinians.

“We’ve seen Western countries responding unanimously to Iran’s retaliation,” Mr Erdogan said at a joint press conference with visiting Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. “These same actors now need to unite in telling Israel ‘enough’.”

Mr Erdogan said they discussed the steps that can be taken against the “brutality in the occupied Palestinian territories.”

He said Israel’s attempts to “distort the agenda, hide the brutality in Gaza, and remove it from the agenda” should not be given an opportunity.

An immediate and lasting ceasefire must be achieved as soon as possible in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and then steps must be taken to realise a two-state solution, the Turkish president said.

Ms Hassan said she exchanged views with Mr Erdogan on important regional and global issues.

“Tanzania supports Turkey’s efforts to find peaceful solutions to international disputes,” she said.

“We also support the call for an urgent ceasefire for situations that are detrimental to Gazans.”

Ms Hassan said her country also supports the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Iran had launched hundreds of missiles and drones on Saturday towards Israeli military targets to retaliate against a deadly Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria’s capital, on April 1.

Israel said it had intercepted the majority of the Iranian missiles and drones, whereas Iran said it had “successfully hit and destroyed” important Israeli military targets.

Ghana’s newly acquired train from Poland has collided with a lorry during a trial run in the Eastern Region, officials report.

The train reportedly hit the vehicle which was abandoned on the Tema-Mpakadan railway line, resulting in minor damage to the cabin.

The train driver, railway inspectors, and passengers all emerged unscathed, BBC reports.

Police stated that the driver of the abandoned lorry has been arrested.

The Ministry of Railways Development in a statement on Friday, Railways Minister John Peter Amewu said there was no one in the lorry when the accident occurred.

The ministry added that the lorry was not parked in a location designated as an authorised level crossing.

“Despite the immediate application of the emergency braking system, the train was unable to come to a complete stop before colliding with the vehicle,” it added.

Amewu described the incident on Facebook as “unfortunate, irresponsible, and unpatriotic!”.

The Ghana Police in a separate statement said Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspected driver left the truck unattended on the railway line, leading to a collision with the train.

The Police added that the investigation into the incident would continue, and ensure the safe operation of the railway system.

Ghana bought two diesel-powered trains from Poland to boost the railway transport system.The first new Diesel Multiple Unit train designated to operate on the new 100km (60-mile) Tema-Mpakadan line arrived in the country 14 days ago.

The railway agency chief, Yaw Osuwu, informed local media that the second train is slated for shipment in May, with an anticipated arrival in August.

Meanwhile, the initial train, comprising 12 contemporary passenger coaches, was undergoing a trial run on the new route designed to enhance public transportation and facilitate access to Ghana’s eastern corridor.

This railway line forms part of an extensive 1,000 km project aiming to link Ghana and Burkina Faso via the Tema port, according to reports from local media.

Gift of Chess, a New York-based non-profit organisation with the mission of distributing chess sets around the world, has revealed that Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya, on Thursday, experienced intense vomiting and stomach pain during his ongoing marathon but refused to quit.

Onakoya and his United States counterpart, Shawn Martinez, are both attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon at New York City’s iconic Times Square, which is scheduled to end on Friday, April 19.

Gift of Chess wrote on X, “That’s #Tunde_OD curled over in pain. Yesterday, we did not think we could continue, as he was experiencing intense vomiting and stomach pain.

“When given the choice to quit, he said, ‘I will play on for the dreams of millions of children.’

“Tunde has never quit on the kids. Let’s not quit on him. Everyone who has liked a photo, we ask you now to donate.”

Onakoya’s goal is to engage in uninterrupted play for 58 hours against his opponent, Martinez, as the purpose of the attempt is to raise $1,000,000 to empower more children across Africa.

Unknown gunmen, on Thursday night, killed a third-class chief, Abdulmutalib Nuhu, at Sensani Village in the Gasol Local Government Area of Taraba State.

It was gathered that Nuhu was murdered a few hours before the hosting of the Nwonyo Fishing and Cultural Festival organized by the Taraba State Government in the Ibbi Local Government Area of the.

Ibbi is the hometown of Hamisu Bala, popularly known as Wadume, the notorious convicted gun runner, who was released from prison a few days ago.

The assailants stormed Sensani village at about 9 pm on Thursday and headed straight to the palace of the traditional ruler, a few kilometres from Ibbi, the venue of the festival.

The Taraba State Government has, however, assured the people traveling for the event of adequate security during the festival.

The older brother of the slain chief, Nuhu Sanseni, told newsmen that the gunmen came on motorcycles with guns, killed his brother, and left with his phones.

“They came to the area at about 9pm last night, they went straight to his palace, shot him, and snatched his two phones. While they were going, they met with a young man who was coming on a motorcycle, they also shot and broke his leg before leaving the village,” Sansani narrated.

A senior police officer serving in Sansani revealed to our correspondent that his men were already trailing the killers.

Acting Police Public Relations Officer, for Taraba State Police Command, ASP James Lashen, when contacted, said he was still on his way to the office at the time of this report on Friday.

“I am not aware. I’m on my way to the office now, if I receive any situation report, I will inform you,” Lashen stated.

The owner of micro-blogging site, X, Elon Musk, has warned users against indulging in engagement farming.

Musk threatened to suspend any account discovered if corrective action is not taken.

Posting on X, he wrote: “Any accounts doing engagement farming will be suspended and traced to source.”

Engagement farming is a situation when a user wants to get more engagement on social media platforms.

This can be done by participating in multiple Twitter spaces at once, without adding any specific value, but only to pump one’s bag.

The method is used extensively by users to get more followers, likes, comments, and retweets on social media platforms and grow their personal brand.

Engagement farming is a common practice among influencers to join groups, consisting of up-and-coming influencers, to engage with each other’s content in a reciprocal manner.

Whenever one member of the group publishes a post, they share it via messaging services like Instagram DMs or Whatsapp, and other members are expected to like and comment on the post in return.

They do it because it is a fantastic way to create the illusion of a highly engaged audience and also to try and trick the algorithm.

The Lagos State Police Command, on Thursday, rescued three infants who were locked up in a room by their grandmother in the Agodo-Egbe, Ikotun area of Lagos State.

The command spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the grandmother, identified as Fatimo Ganiyu, had been arrested.

The reason for the grandmother’s action was undisclosed, but the children: a girl and two boys between two and four years old, looked malnourished and were said to be wearing only diapers when rescued.

He said: “At about 4:00 pm, information was received at Ikotun Division that three children, a girl and two boys aged between two and four years, were locked up by their grandmother, one Fatimo Ganiyu, around Agodo, Egbe-Ikotun.”

The Divisional Police Officer immediately led a team of anti-crime detectives to the scene and the children were rescued and taken to the station, although they appeared malnourished and unhealthy.

“The suspect was arrested while the infants will be transferred for proper treatment and care. Investigation is ongoing.”

Kenya’s Armed Forces Chief, General Francis Ogolla, and nine other military representatives have been confirmed dead after a helicopter crash.

This was revealed by the Kenyan President, William Ruto at a news conference on Thursday.

The president subsequently announced three days of national mourning.

It was gathered that the helicopter crashed in the west of the country in the Elgeyo Marakwet district, shortly after taking off from the village of Chesegon.

The high-ranking military delegation has been visiting Kenyan soldiers in the region.

The cause of the crash was initially unclear.

According to reports, only two of the 12 people on board survived.