Ayoola Atitebi

An unsecured penguin placed in a cardboard box has been identified as the cause of a helicopter crash in South Africa, according to an official investigation report. The South African Civil Aviation Authority determined that the penguin, which was being transported in a box on a passenger's lap, slid off and struck the pilot's controls shortly after takeoff from Bird Island off the Eastern Cape on January 19. The impact sent the helicopter crashing to the ground, though fortunately no one aboard, including the penguin, was injured. Investigators concluded that "the lack of secure containment for the penguin" created the "dangerous situation" that led to the accident. The report, released this week, explained that the flight had been conducting an aerial survey of the island in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape province. After completing the survey and landing, a specialist requested transport […]

Michelle Obama has addressed speculation about her marriage to Barack Obama amid rumors of relationship troubles. The former first lady's absence from several high-profile events, including Donald Trump's inauguration and former President Jimmy Carter's funeral, has fueled conjecture about a potential separation. Without directly referencing these specific occasions, Ms. Obama explained on the Work in Progress podcast hosted by actress Sophia Bush that she now exercises her right to manage her own schedule as a "grown woman." She expressed frustration that people couldn't accept she was "making a decision" independently, saying they "had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing." Ms. Obama acknowledged feeling some guilt about stepping back from certain responsibilities. "That's the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with like disappointing people," she said. "I mean, so much so that this year people […]

Indian police have arrested a man accused of impersonating a British cardiologist and performing surgeries that allegedly resulted in seven patient deaths. Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav, who practiced under the name "Dr N John Camm," worked as a cardiologist at a missionary hospital in Madhya Pradesh state. Police have charged the 53-year-old with fraud, cheating, and forgery, alleging he fabricated his medical credentials despite working as a doctor for nearly two decades. Investigators are examining claims that Yadav appropriated the name of Professor John Camm, a renowned cardiologist at the UK's St George Hospital, to enhance his credibility. Yadav has denied all allegations and, hours before his arrest on Monday, issued legal notices demanding 50 million rupees ($582,985) from numerous individuals and publishers who claimed he impersonated "some other cardiologist." The Mission Hospital in Damoh city, where Yadav briefly worked, denied […]

Severe flooding has claimed at least 33 lives in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital, according to official reports. President Félix Tshisekedi addressed victims on Monday, pledging support and announcing a government crisis meeting. "The republic will not abandon you," he assured affected residents. Citizens are attempting to escape rising waters by wading, swimming, or using makeshift canoes. The metropolis of 17 million sits along the massive Congo River, which recently reached its highest level in 60 years. Flooding is a recurring issue in Kinshasa, with the president previously warning that climate change is exacerbating the situation. Soil erosion also contributes to the city's vulnerability. Following overnight flooding from Friday into Saturday, many homes in western Kinshasa were destroyed. The mayor reports that approximately half of the city's 26 districts have been affected, with rescue teams deployed to assist […]

Iran's rial has plunged to unprecedented lows against the US dollar amid escalating tensions over Iran's nuclear program. The exchange rate initially dropped below 1 million rials during the Persian New Year (Nowruz) celebrations when currency shops closed, forcing informal street trading that added pressure to the market. When traders resumed operations Saturday, the rate declined further to 1,043,000 rials per dollar. Some Tehran merchants even turned off electronic rate displays as uncertainty grew about how much lower the currency might fall. International sanctions have severely impacted Iran's economy, particularly since President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from Tehran's nuclear agreement with world powers in 2018. After returning to the White House in January for his second term, Trump revived his "maximum pressure" campaign, targeting Tehran with sanctions and pursuing companies trading Iranian oil, including those selling discounted crude to China. […]