Ayoola Atitebi

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. […]

Instagram owner Meta and Pinterest have made substantial donations to the charity established in memory of Molly Russell, a 14-year-old who took her own life in 2017 after viewing suicide and self-harm content on their platforms. A coroner determined that online material contributed to her death. The donations went to the Molly Rose Foundation, which advocates for internet safety. Both companies declined to comment when approached by the BBC. Molly's family stated they decided against legal action and would "never accept compensation" for her death. Through their solicitor, they explained they would "pursue the aims we share with Meta and Pinterest through the Molly Rose Foundation to help ensure young people have a positive experience online." Meanwhile, Meta faces multiple lawsuits in the US from families claiming their children were harmed by social media, with attorneys general from over 40 […]

A federal judge has ordered the US government to temporarily resume funding legal aid for unaccompanied migrant children, stating it enhances fairness in the immigration system. US District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin of San Francisco issued the order Tuesday, preventing thousands of children traveling alone from losing their legal representation. The ruling follows the Trump administration's March 21 cancellation of a contract with the Acacia Center for Justice, a nonprofit that facilitates legal representation for these minors. Acacia criticized the termination, arguing that legal assistance for vulnerable children is "more crucial than ever" as deportations increase under the new administration. "The administration's decision to end these services undermines due process, disproportionately impacts vulnerable children, and puts children who have already experienced severe trauma at risk for further irreparable harm or exploitation," said Shaina Aber, Acacia's executive director, in a press release. […]