Watchdog says Over 180 civilians slain in battle for Syria’s Minbij

No fewer than 182 civilians have been killed since US-backed, Kurdish-led forces launched an offensive to seize the strategic northern Syrian city of Minbij from Islamic State jihadists at the end of May, a monitoring group said on Sunday.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights alleged that the victims included 56 children, adding that 64 of the civilians, including 22 children, died in airstrikes by a US-led coalition.

The Kurdish-led Democratic Forces of Syria (DFS) launched an offensive against Minbij, which lies about 30 kilometres from the Turkish border on May 31, backed by intensive coalition airstrikes.

Capturing the city and its hinterland would cut Islamic State off from its last access route to the border and the outside world.

Nigerian Gay Pastor says 'Gay Means God Adores You, God Accepts You, God Affirms You'

Openly gay Nigerian pastor and founder of House of Rainbow church in the UK, Jide Macaulay, says the real meaning of Gay is God adores you, God accepts you or God affirms you. He said this in a new post on his Facebook wall. 

It reads:

FLASH: Cristiano Ronaldo substituted after just 24mins as a result of knee injury in #Euro2016

Cristiano Ronaldo departed the Euro 2016 final on a stretcher, shedding tears after suffering a knee injury, before being replaced in just the 24th minute.

The Portugal star came off second best after a challenge with West Ham's Dimitri Payet in the seventh minute of the game at the Stade de France. 

Bin Laden’s son, Hamza Bin Laden threatens revenge for father’s assassination

The son of slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has threatened revenge against the U.S. for assassinating his father, according to an audio message posted online.

Hamza bin Laden promised to continue the global militant group’s fight against theU.S. and its allies in the 21-minute speech entitled “We Are All Osama,” according to the SITE Intelligence Group.

“We will continue striking you and targeting you in your country and abroad in response to your oppression of the people of Palestine, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia and the rest of the Muslim lands that did not survive your oppression,” Hamza said.

6 suspected cultists arrested in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command on Sunday confirmed the arrest of six suspected cultists, including their ringleader.

The Command’s Spokesperson, SP Dolapo Badmos, who confirmed the arrests, said the suspects were arrested by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Friday.

Badmos said that the ringleader, one Andrew Awalebi (35), who claimed to belong to the `Eiye Confraternity’, was arrested on Friday morning at a beer parlour, with three other members.

Kogi State: ASUU raises alarm over exodus of lecturers from University

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kogi State University chapter, has raised alarm over the progressive exodus of qualified lecturers from the institution.

The chairman of the chapter, Dr Oluwagbemiga Aina made the remark while briefing newsmen on Sunday in Lokoja.

He said that the exodus was adversely impacting on the quality of teaching and research and other academic activities in the university.

He attributed the cause to delay in payment of salaries and other sundry issues like non-payment of outstanding Earned Academic Allowance from 2009 to 2014.

Andy Murray clinches second Wimbledon title after defeating Canadian Milos Raonic

Britain’s Andy Murray put the finishing touch to an almost faultless fortnight to claim a second Wimbledon title with a 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) win on Sunday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the world number two who was the champion in 2013 defeated big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic in the Centre Court sunshine.

He was in control throughout the two hours 48-minute contest as the power game sixth seed Raonic employed to crush Roger Federer in the semi-finals made little impact on him.

Three years ago near hysteria broke out as Murray ended Britain’s 77-year wait for a Wimbledon men’s singles champion, but this time was different.

Police report on Sex Scandal indicts Akpabio’s media aide

The Nigeria Police has reacted to the ‎controversy surrounding the publication of a nude picture of a 30-year-old woman, Paula Lawrence, allegedly circulated by Anietie Ekong, the media aide to the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Lawrence had dragged the senator’s aide before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, alleging sexual harassment and seeking N100 million as damages for the emotional, psychological pain and torture she had suffered as a result of the harassment.

The Eagle Online reports that the police in their findings after investigation stated that Ekong never denied that the nude picture emanated from his Facebook account, but only claimed his account was hacked.

Reuben Abati: Bukky Ajayi, OJB Jezreel and other stories

Two lives lost recently in the creative industry convey useful messages in terms of the import of their careers and the circumstances of their departure: the elderly actress, simply known as Bukky Ajayi, and the music entrepreneur, multi-talented artiste, producer and musician, Babatunde Okungbowa, popularly known as OJB Jezreel. Bukky Ajayi died aged 82, and she has been well mourned by the artistic community especially members of Nollywood who have described her as a role model, an iconic figure and a motherly figure to younger actors and actresses.

Many mourners have added that her death is shocking: every death in Nigeria is considered shocking ironically, even when the dead is as old as 100, or has been known to be terminally ill. In March 2016, when Bukky Ajayi received the Industry Merit Award at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Ceremony, she was already wheel-chair bound and terminally ill. But I guess we are always shocked by death, because we always expect our loved ones to live forever. And 82-year old Mama Ajayi was truly a lovable figure. In a rich career that spanned 50 years, she proved her mettle as a talented and committed artiste. She started out as a television assistant, and later became a presenter, a producer of programmes, a newscaster and an actress.

Kidnapped Ondo monarch regains Freedom

The Ondo state Police command has said the abducted Laragunsin of Ode-Iyasan ‎community, Oba Abiodun Oyewunmi has been rescued unhurt.

Police public relations officer, Mr Femi Joseph said the royal father regained his freedom at Gbelegun village, a riverine community in Edo state early on Sunday through a combined efforts of the marine police, Police anti-kidnapping squad and some military officers.

The Monarch was abducted at his palace in Irele local government area of the State by some unknown kidnappers early last week.

The hoodlums demanded N40million ransom but it was not sure as at the time of filing this report if his abductors were paid the money before he was rescued.

The Duchess of Cambridge rocks £1580 Bardot dress to a London Award Ceremony

The 34-year-old mother of two was at the Natural History Museum in London for an award ceremony and she flashed a little flesh in a pricey dress. The Duchess has been criticised for her safe fashion choices so she took things up a notch in a £1580 shoulder-baring dress by relatively unknown Brazilian-born, London-based designer Barbara Casasola. She completed the look with towering £140 pink suede heels which onlookers say were so high she wobbled in them.

Business Mogul, Folorunsho Alakija covers July edition of Today’s Woman Magazine

Oil & gas mogul, fashion designer and philanthropist Folorunsho Alakija tells Today’s Woman Magazine, exclusively why she wants more money & it’s not what you think! 

For the first time EVER astute businesswoman Folorunsho Alakija is setting the record straight about being the richest black woman in the world, Maryam Babangida giving her THAT oil block, her personal covenant with God and loads more! 

Master Olaseinde narrates how his father missed the one-day Governor meeting with Ambode

Winner of the 2016 Spelling Bee Competition, Master Olaseinde Olufemi Joshua on Friday narrated how his father, Mr. Olaseinde missed the meeting with Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and members of the State Executive Council.

Joshua, a student of Shasha Community Senior High School in Alimosho area of Lagos, who spoke at the Lagos House in Ikeja while being hosted as the 16th One-day Governor of the State, said his father would have loved to be present at the event but was unable to attend due to some health challenges.

Happening Now: Clash between Fulani and Gbagyi in Bosso, Niger State leaves 10 dead

About 10 persons have been reported dead in an ongoing communal clashed between the Fulanis and Gbagyi people in Bosso Local Government in Niger State. 

According to an eyewitness who spoke exclusively with IREPORTERONLINE, said the clash started when a Fulani man was allegedly killed by a Gbagyi and in retaliation, the Fulani people living in the community went on to kill a Gbagyi. This has since provoked the Gbagyi community people who have gone on a rampage in killing Fulanis in the Local Government. As at the time of the reports, about 10 persons has been confirmed dead.

Beautiful Karrueche hits Beautycon Event looking Splendid

Model, Karrueche Tran also attended the Beautycon event Bisola Kola-Daisi attended in LA. 

Lamar Odom finally responds to divorce papers, also ask Judge to deny spousal support to Khloé

According to court documents obtained by People, Lamar Odom has finally responded to Khloe Kardashian's May divorce filing, the second one she has filed since 2013, agreeing with Khloe who cited "irreconcilable differences" for the cause of their divorce.

Odom has also requested that the judge denies spousal support to Kardashian. 

Tiwa Savage wins 'Hero Of the Month' Award in South Africa

Tiwa Savage who is in South Africa received the Hero of the month award for her contribution in assisting underprivileged children across Africa. 

She shared the award and wrote:

Father's Duty: Newlywed Russell Wilson plays with his stepson, Future Zahir

Newly released photos show Russell and his wife Ciara's first child, Future Zahir Wilburn getting fitted in their Armani wedding tuxedos. We only hope this doesn't piss off Rapper Future, but hey Russel is married to Ciara (Future's baby momma) so Future just has to deal with it.

Future finally reacts to Ciara's marriage to Russel Wilson

HollywoodLife.com is claiming Future is pleased with Ciara and Russell Wilson getting married on July 6th and the Rapper is very happy that his baby mama is out of his life. The website said Future hopes the newlyweds go on a two-year honeymoon so that they stay out of his life and Ciara stops making false allegations about him. 

A source told the site that Future wants nothing more than to wipe his hands off Ciara. The source said:

Ekiti State Govt alleged 20 Policemen invading Ekiti to arrest key officials on Monday

Ekiti State Government has raised the alarm over alleged invasion of the State by Policemen on Sunday, to begin indiscriminate arrest of top officials of the government, leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as members of the State House of Assembly on Monday based on frivolous petitions orchestrated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) over governorship election that the party lost two years ago.

The government alleged that the 20 Policemen to be led by one ACP Olusola Oke, a native of Isan Ekiti, the hometown of the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi were already in Alagbon, Lagos ready to move to Ekiti by 9am on Sunday in three white coloured Toyota Hummer buses.

Nigerian man found dead in his flat in Nalasopara, India (PHOTO)

Nigerian man identified as Daniel Henry, 30, was found dead in his rented flat in Moregaon, Nalasopara, India on Thursday night, July 7, the Tuling Police said.

According to Times of India, the Police has ruled out murder and suspect the victim to have been electrocuted in the kitchen. A police Inspector said the deceased may have died around three days ago due to electrocution in the kitchen where the body was found decomposed.

Ban Child Marriage: Tanzania & Gambia set 18 as the minimum age for marriage

Henceforth, it is illegal for girls and boys who are younger than 18 to marry in Tanzania and Gambia as both countries have outlawed child marriage. In a landmark decision, the Tanzanian High Court on Friday, July 8, ruled in favour of protecting girls from the harms of early marriage.

The court ruled unconstitutional section 13 and 17 of the 1971 Tanzania Law of Marriage Act, which allows girls to marry at age 15 with parental permission and at age 14 with the permission of a court.

Gladys Hooper, Britain's oldest person dies at the age of 113

Britain's oldest person Gladys Hooper - who was born the same year the aeroplane was invented - has died at the age of 113. Mrs Hooper broke a Guinness World Record last year when she became the oldest person to undergo a hip replacement operation.

89-year-old Renowned Islamic Scholar who already has 61 children marries another wife

According to journalist Jaafar Jaafar, 89-year-old renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, married the daughter of late Senegalese scholar and Tijjaniya caliph, Sheikh Ibrahim Niasse. Online Hausa publication, Rariya reports that the marriage was officiated by Sheikh Baba Laminu Niasse in Kaolack, Senegal. Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi took his first bride in 1948 and has 61 children.

Nigerian woman and her little kids are part of those rescued from a rubber boat in the Mediterranean Sea today

A Nigerian family are among the 120 people rescued this morning from two rubber boat in the Mediterranean Sea in a joint operation between MSF Sea and Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) They are safe on board the rescue ships and are doing well.

This is so disheartening, see the look in the eyes of those innocent kids. Why risk their life to travel abroad?

Twitter User lambasted for relating a woman's vagina to a fan belt (See Comments)

So what started as an advice turn sour when this twitter user named Sola Adio said women should be smart enough to close their legs so that men would not slack their 'fan-belt' (vagina) and end up going to marry someone else. The word "fanbelt" didn't please a lot of persons as they started a rage on Sola. See comments in slides above

Copper thief roasted while attempting to steal high voltage power lines

Photo Credit Libya Observer

This is a case of "everyday for the thief, one day for the owner"A man was burnt to death in Sabha, Libya, while trying to steal high voltage power lines.

Official: Footballer Emmanuel Emenike in relationship with Former MBGN, Iheoma Nnadi

Footballer Emmanuel Emenike has finally admitted he's dating former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, Iheoma Nnadi. Emmanuel shared the photos above of them on vacation in Turkey. 

He Captioned it: 'My Sunday afternoon spent with my special.'

Senate Dino Melaye Conferred With Chieftaincy Title in Osun (PHOTOS)

Senator Dino Melaye was yesterday honoured by Oba Festus Adeyemi Adekunle, as 'Agba Akin' of Akola Ijesha, Osun State.

Austin Eguavoen says NFF still owes him

Former Super Eagles captain and coach Austin Eguavoen in this interview with ’TANA AIYEJINA talks on the issue of mafia in the national team, how he’s being owed by the NFF years after quitting as coach and more

There’s still this feeling that some group of players tagged mafia were involved in selection of players and decision making in the Super Eagles’ 1994 squad. As an influential member of the team, were these allegations true?