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Worldnews

US Attacks Yemen Again After At Least 80 People Killed In Hodeidah

UN chief Antonio Guterres says he is ‘gravely concerned’ about US air strikes this week on Yemen. The United States has carried out 13 air strikes on Hodeidah’s port and airport, the Houthi-affiliated TV channel Al Masirah says, two days after a US air strike targeted the Ras Isa port, also in Hodeidah, killing at least 80 people and wounding more than 150. Al Masirah also reported Saturday that three people were killed and four injured due to a US attack on al-Thawra, Bani Matar, and al-Safiah districts in the capital Sanaa. The Houthis have promised to carry out “more operations” despite the ongoing US attacks. US President Donald Trump’s administration announced a major military offensive against the Houthis a few weeks ago. It said the air strikes are aimed at forcing the Houthis to stop threatening ships sailing on the Red Sea on a route crucial to international trade. Since November 2023, the group has reportedly launched more than 100 attacks on vessels it says are linked to Israel in response to Israel’s war on Gaza and in solidarity with Palestinians. On Friday, Houthi official Mohammed Nasser al-Atifi told Al Masirah that the “American enemy’s crimes” will not deter the Yemeni people from supporting Gaza, but “rather will strengthen their steadfastness and resilience”. The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah or “supporters of God”, are an armed group that controls most parts of Yemen, including Sanaa. The group emerged in the 1990s but rose to prominence in 2014 when it seized Sanaa and forced President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to flee the country. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “is gravely concerned about the airstrikes conducted by the United States over the course of 17 and 18 April in and around Yemen’s port of Ra’s Isa, which reportedly resulted in scores of civilian casualties, including five humanitarian workers injured,” Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement on Saturday. Guterres expressed fears of damage to the port and “possible oil leaks into the Red Sea”, Dujarric added. The strikes on Ras Isa aimed to cut off supplies and funds for the Houthis, the US military said. It was the deadliest attack of Washington’s 15-month campaign against the Iran-aligned group. About 70 percent of Yemen’s imports and 80 percent of its humanitarian assistance pass through the ports of Ras Isa, Hodeidah and as-Salif. Ras Isa also is the terminus of Yemen’s main oil pipeline, which, along with its port, are “critical and irreplaceable infrastructure” in Yemen, according to the UN Development Programme. Follow Al Jazeera English:...

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News_Naija

Author Pledges Book Proceeds For Polio Eradication

An author, Mr Abiodun Oshinibosi, has promised to commit proceeds from his book, “Project Management Extraordinaire” to fund polio eradication efforts in Nigeria. Oshinibosi gave the commitment during his 50th birthday celebration and book launch, held recently. Reacting to his announcement that proceeds from the sale of the book will go into the fight against polio, the chairman of Nigeria’s National PolioPlus committee, Joshua Hassan, stressed the urgency of such intervention. “Nigeria bears 30 per cent of global polio cases. Misinformation fuels vaccine hesitancy, but contributions like Oshinibosi’s will save lives. We cannot relent until polio is history.” Speakers at the event described the book as informative in bridging gaps in project management and experiential marketing. The author, who is Project Marshal of Abelinis Limited, stressed that the book spotlighted the release of his seminal work, Project Management Extraordinaire.  Speakers to include Programme Director at Nottingham Business School, UK, Dr Rotimi Olaniyan, said the book demystifies project execution in experiential marketing, offering wisdom for professionals, students, and brands. “It passes the test of invaluable literature—a must-read for anyone serious about mastering their craft,” Olaniyan said. On his part, the project manager/product specialist at Dell Technology USA, Tolu Fadamitan noted that the book demystifies planning, stakeholder management, risk mitigation, and ROI analysis in experiential projects. “It’s an eye-opener, showing project management isn’t just for big corporations. The sections on post-project reconciliation and ROI are game-changers,” Fadamitan added. Canadian Rotary Club representative, Warren Thomson emphasized its strategic value. “PMX is a vivid guide on trust, risk assessment, and assembling the right teams. Make it your career companion—read it, revisit it, and let it guide your journey,” Thomson said. A major highlight of the book launch was the special awards recognition for 13 exceptional individuals who have made contributions to the fields of Experiential Management and Marketing. They included, Executive Director, The Eureka Tribe of Marketing & Communication Ltd, Dele Olukoju; Group Managing Director, Republicom Group, Tunji Adeyinka; Chief Executive Officer, Emporium Communications Ltd, Olajire Anifalaje; Lead Consultant, Aster Integrated Marketing Ltd, Tolu Medebem; CEO, Nilayo Sports Management Ltd, Bukola Olopade. Others are Lead Consultant, PRM Africa, ; Mike Dada; CEO, Zapphaire Events, Funke Bucknor-Obruthe; Specialist, Event & Entertainment Consult, Wale Oluwaleimu; Head Consultant, Showbiz Network Services Ltd/Patagonia Multi-Media Productions, Edi Lawani; Co-Founder, The Wedding Guru Nigeria, Christine Ogbeh; Head Consultant, Indoor Design & Concept Ltd, Kingsley James.

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Worldnews

Vaibhav Suryavanshi Breaks Record For Youngest IPL Debutant At 14

At 14 years and 23 days, Vaibhav Suryavanshi made an immediate impact for Rajasthan by scoring 34 runs, including three sixes, against Lucknow. Vaibhav Suryavanshi was thrust into the Indian Premier League (IPL) spotlight as its youngest debutant, and the 14-year-old announced himself in spectacular style with a massive six off the first ball he faced. The Rajasthan Royals left-hander came into the squad for the clash with the Lucknow Super Giants in place of captain Sanju Samson on Saturday and was an impact substitute during their chase of 181, where he started by smashing Shardul Thakur over extra cover. “My word, what the hell was that?” Australia’s Shane Watson said during the broadcast. “One of the hardest shots in cricket is to gain power over cover off the front shoe … Power to burn from the 14-year-old. What a way to announce yourself to the world.” Suryavanshi, who idolises West Indian great Brian Lara, hit two more sixes in his stunning 20-ball, 34-run innings and was dismissed after forging an 85-run opening stand with Yashasvi Jaiswal, but his team went on to lose the match by two runs. “It was important to give him an opportunity. He batted well in the nets, his preparation was good,” Rajasthan’s spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule told reporters. “Obviously we missed Sanju but it created an opportunity for Vaibhav and he made the most of it. He batted beautifully. “He’s a great kid with a really good head on his shoulders. He’s got a game that’s almost 360 degrees. He’s courageous and you saw his approach. He’s dominating and wants to play his shots. His theory is, ‘watch the ball, hit the ball’.” Suryavanshi grabbed headlines in November when he became the youngest player to earn a contract in the lucrative Twenty20 league at the age of 13 after his team outbid the Delhi Capitals and signed him for 11 million Indian rupees ($128,750). The youngster made his debut in the domestic Ranji Trophy red-ball competition aged 12 last year and has played for India’s Under-19 side against Australia, scoring a 58-ball ton. There were murmurs about his immense talent after he made a triple-century in a local tournament in his home state of Bihar, and fans will hope he can continue to sparkle for his IPL team. Follow Al Jazeera English:...

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News_Naija

Osun Gov Urged To Return Mission Schools To Original Owners

Bishop of the Diocese of Ife, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Reverend Olubunmi Akinlade has asked the Osun State Government to release mission schools to their original owners. Akinlade spoke on Tuesday during a press conference at Ile-Ife, Osun State, to herald the second session of the twelfth synod of the diocese. They premised the church’s demand for the return of the mission schools on the need to stall further deterioration of the school structure. The cleric lamented the decay in school infrastructure owing to years of abandonment. He urged Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State to emulate President Bola Tinubu who, as governor of Lagos State, approved the return of mission schools to their original owners. “Honestly, I am appealing to the Osun State Government, because it is in their hands to please release this school back to us so that we can develop the place and put in a very conducive learning environment in place, in that space. In any case, it belongs to us. “If you took it away from us and you can’t do anything with it, can you please give it back to us? That’s all I’m going to say on that. “It’s an eyesore. I’ve been speaking about this right from the time of the administration of Rauf Aregbesola as governor. I’ve been asking them to release this school back to us, but this has been done. “The roof of this school has caved in yet there are still students there. I pray that Governor Adeleke will hear us this time around. “There are other schools that we should ask for, for instance, Anglican Grammar School, Ile-Ife. Why is the government holding on to it? It’s our property. They should also give us that school and some other schools we founded.” He recalled that the immediate past Diocesan Bishop, Oluranti Odubogun, made similar calls without any positive response from the government. The two-day synod, with the theme, “The essential secrets in a noisy world: Lessons in Matthew 6:1-18,” will be held on 26 and 27 April at St Philip Anglican Church, Aiyetoro, Ile-Ife, Osun State. Giving account of his stewardship, Akinlade said the diocese established a secondary school, named Divine Royal College, to enable young people to have access to education, paying subsidised, affordable school fees. “Divine Royal College is a secondary school established by this diocese 10 years ago. It started just before I came to the Diocese of Ife. And it has been my job to try and make sure the school survives. It is a conventional secondary school. And everybody is welcome there. We are building it up on scholarship. The diocese has provided 50 scholarships for students who may want to go to college. Right now, we’re charging about N25,000 to N30,000 per term. “We have two buses that we use to convey students. And they are supposed to pay. But because of the current fuel prices and everything, it’s going to be almost impossible for them to pay. The prices will be too much, so the diocese is subsidising the transportation heavily. “More than 75 per cent of the transportation cost is being subsidised by the diocese. So, we are trying to grow this school gradually.” He disclosed that the church was working hard to meet the WAEC and NECO requirements to be able to have external exams in the school.