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Iran launches over 180 ballistic missiles on Israel

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Millions of Israelis rushed to shelters after being warned of the missile attack

Iran launches over 180 ballistic missiles on Israel

Israel says Iran has launched more than 180 missiles towards the country in a large-scale attack that has further heightened fears of an all-out regional war.

Millions of people rushed to shelters before explosions lit up the night skies above Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. A man was killed by falling missile debris in the city of Jericho in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian officials said.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran had made a “big mistake” and “will pay for it”.

Iranian state TV said Iran had fired 200 missiles towards Israel. These included hypersonic weapons, it said, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the strikes were in retaliation for the killings of the leaders of its allies Hezbollah and Hamas.

Within hours of the massive barrage on Tuesday evening local time, Israel’s military resumed air strikes against what it said were Hezbollah targets in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

US President Joe Biden said the Iranian missile attack appeared to have been “defeated and ineffective”. The US Department of Defense confirmed its forces had helped shoot down missiles in support of its Middle East ally.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the majority of missiles were “intercepted by Israel and a defensive coalition led by the United States”.

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres condemned what he called the “broadening conflict in the Middle East”, adding: “This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire.”

There was support for Israel from allies including Britain, France, Japan and Australia – with UK Defence Secretary John Healey issuing a statement saying the armed forces “had played their part in attempts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East”.

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The missile attack came hours after Israeli troops began an invasion of southern Lebanon to remove what the military said were “Hezbollah terror targets” in border villages that posed a threat to residents of northern Israel.

Israel has gone on the offensive against the Iran-backed Shia Islamist political and military organisation after almost a year of cross-border hostilities sparked by the war with Hamas in Gaza, saying it wants to ensure the safe return of residents of border areas displaced by Hezbollah rocket, drone and missile attacks.

Air raid sirens sounded all across Israel at around 19:30 local time (16:30 GMT) on Tuesday, as the IDF warned missiles had been launched from Iran.

Within a few minutes in Jerusalem, loud explosions were heard in Jerusalem as missiles flew overhead and were intercepted by Israeli air defence systems.

Videos shared on social media showed streams of light as the missiles flew over Israel, and clouds of smoke as they were intercepted or detonated on impact.

Just over an hour later, the IDF announced that people were allowed to leave their protected spaces because it did “not identify any additional aerial threats from Iran”.

Later, IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a statement that “there were a small number of hits in the centre of Israel, and other hits in Southern Israel”.

“The majority of the incoming missiles were intercepted by Israel and a defensive coalition led by the United States.”

He added: “Iran’s attack is a severe and dangerous escalation. There will be consequences.

“Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest levels of readiness. Our operational plans are ready.

“We will respond wherever, whenever, and however we choose, in accordance with the directive of the government of Israel.”

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House that he did “not know of any damage to aircraft or strategic military assets in Israel”.

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“In short, based on what we know at this point, this attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective,” he added.

He also condemned the attack as “a significant escalation” and warned: “We have made clear that there will be consequences, severe consequences, for this attack, and we will work with Israel to make that the case.”

Speaking on Wednesday, Iran’s chief of staff Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri told state TV that it would hit infrastructure across Israel if it decides to strike back.

The barrage “will be repeated with bigger intensity and all infrastructure of the regime will be targeted”, Mr Bagheri said.

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps said it had targeted unspecified “sensitive security and military” centres in retaliation for the “violation of Iran’s sovereignty and the martyrdom” of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed by an explosion in Tehran in July that Iranian officials blamed on Israel, but Israeli officials did not claim.

The statement described the missile barrage as having been “in line with the legitimate right of the nation to defend itself”.

It also said the attack was in response to the Israeli air strike in the southern suburbs of Beirut on Friday that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Brig-Gen Abbas Nilforoushan, the operations commander of the IRGC’s overseas arm, the Quds Force.

Later, Iranian state media claimed that missiles had hit the Nevatim, Hazterim and Tel Nof air bases, as well as Israeli tanks in Netzarim – a reference to an Israeli military corridor in central Gaza – and gas installations in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon.

The attack took place about an hour after a senior White House official told reporters that the US had indications that Iran was preparing to imminently launch missiles at Iran.

In April, Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel in retaliation for a deadly strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria that killed several top commanders.

Almost all of them were shot down by Israel, the US and other Western allies and their Arab partners, and an air base in southern Israel sustained only minor damage when it was hit.

Israel responded by launching a missile that hit an Iranian air base Western calls for restraint.

On Saturday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had promised that the death of his close ally Hassan Nasrallah would “not go unavenged”.

He gave no details, but said: “The fate of this region will be determined by the forces of resistance, with Hezbollah at the forefront.”

Iran has built a network of allied armed groups across the Middle East, which are all opposed to the US and Israel and sometimes refer to themselves as the “Axis of Resistance”. Besides Hezbollah, they include Hamas in the Palestinian territories, the Houthis in Yemen, and a number of Shia militias in Iraq and Syria.

Iran launches over 180 ballistic missiles on Israel

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Celebrity Divorce Is More Visible, Not More Common — Temi Kosoko

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Celebrity Divorce Is More Visible, Not More Common — Temi Kosoko

Celebrity Divorce Is More Visible, Not More Common — Temi Kosoko

Nollywood actress Temi Kosoko has said that divorce is often unfairly linked to actors simply because celebrity relationships receive intense public attention, making marital breakups in the entertainment industry appear more common than they actually are.

Speaking during an interview with Oyinmomo TV, the daughter of veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko explained that divorce is a normal occurrence in society and should not be viewed as something peculiar to actors or entertainers.

According to her, the major difference is the level of publicity attached to celebrity marriages.

Divorce happens every month worldwide. It’s not a new thing that people get divorced. The problem is that when actors divorce, it becomes popular and very public,” she said.

The actress noted that many people are quick to conclude that the nature of acting or the demands of the entertainment industry are responsible whenever a celebrity marriage ends.

However, she stressed that marital breakdown can happen for many reasons that are often unrelated to profession.

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There are so many reasons people divorce. It might not even have anything to do with their work,” she added.

Beyond her comments on celebrity divorce, Temi also opened up about the challenges of living under public scrutiny as the daughter of one of Nollywood’s most respected actors.

She admitted that despite working hard to build her own identity in the Nigerian movie industry, many people still attribute her success solely to her father’s influence.

I work hard, and sometimes it hurts that people don’t see my hard work. They say it’s because of my father’s name. Yes, to be honest, it is my father’s name that has brought me this far,” she said.

Temi, however, acknowledged that having a famous surname comes with both opportunities and expectations.

According to her, one of the major misconceptions she has had to deal with is the perception that members of the Kosoko family are proud or unapproachable.

A lot of people think we are proud. When we enter a room, even without speaking, they already assume we are proud. That was the beginning of the problem,” she explained.

Her remarks have since sparked conversations on Nollywood marriages, public scrutiny of celebrities, and the challenges faced by children of established stars trying to carve their own paths in the entertainment industry.

The actress’ comments also highlight growing discussions about how social media attention and public exposure often amplify private issues involving public figures, especially within the Nigerian entertainment space.

 

Celebrity Divorce Is More Visible, Not More Common — Temi Kosoko

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Frank Edoho Scandal: Yul Edochie Tells Men to Walk Away from Cheating Wives

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Frank Edoho Scandal: Yul Edochie Tells Men to Walk Away from Cheating Wives
Popular Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie

Frank Edoho Scandal: Yul Edochie Tells Men to Walk Away from Cheating Wives

Nollywood actor Yul Edochie has weighed in on the topic of infidelity in relationships and marriages, urging men not to forgive cheating women. Yul on his X handle advised men to leave their relationships once they find out their partner is unfaithful. He stressed that failure to do this will make a man appear weak, strongly speaking against negotiating, condoning, or discussing the matter with the spouse or the other party involved. Yul also claimed that men who choose to stay will eventually regret it, adding that the woman will deal with him eventually. He wrote: “Once you find out your wife is cheating on you, leave her immediately. Men, stop tolerating nonsense in the name of marriage. Don’t negotiate anything with her. Don’t condone. Don’t discuss with her boyfriend. Let her go quickly. And move on. If you forgive her and continue, you have confirmed to her that you’re a weak man. Danger looms for you. That decision will come back to haunt you later. Women deal mercilessly with weak men.”

Yul made his latest remark in the wake of the marriage scandal of popular media personality, Frank Edoho. The controversy began after Edoho confirmed a two-year separation from his estranged wife, Sandra Onyenucheya. Tensions escalated following a leaked phone conversation and online rumours linking Sandra to Nigerian singer-songwriter Chike. Sandra later made allegations of domestic abuse, infidelity, and financial misconduct against Edoho, sharing photos of alleged injuries and private chat logs online. In response, Edoho denied the allegations, calling them “false” and misleading. He stated: “Let me state, clearly and unequivocally, that the allegations made against me are false. I have chosen to address these issues through the appropriate legal channels, where facts, not noise, will prevail.”

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However, Yul’s post did not resonate with many netizens. Critics referenced Yul’s infidelity to his first wife, May Edochie, stressing that the actor is not in a position to give such advice. One user wrote: “But you were cheating with Mr Obasi’s wife, oga enter house abeg.” Another said: “Everyone can speak on this topic, certainly not you. It’s the balls to insert yourself when all fingers are pointing at you for committing same sin.” “That’s why May left you naw. She discovered you were cheating on her with a married woman and she left you. See who dey give advise,” another user wrote. “What a time to be alive. Thank God May left you,” a user added. Another comment read: “See who is preaching about infidelity? The double standards ehn.” “You cheated on your wife with a married woman. You are the reason a married woman left her husband. You broke a man’s home,” one user wrote. “But you were begging your ex-wife to take you back after cheating and impregnating your side chick. You’re a hypocrite,” another stated. One user asked pointedly: “Is Judy dealing with you already? Obviously, you didn’t experience this with your ex.”

In a separate development, Obasi Emmanuel, Judy Austin’s ex-husband, has countered Yul Edochie’s marriage advice. Obasi, who has accused Yul of snatching Judy from him, said in a Facebook post: “If your only option is to run to another woman when you feel disrespected, you will build three football teams, including the fans, in your lifetime in the name of marriage.” While stating that a real man’s strength lies in his ability to manage a woman’s excesses, Obasi wrote: “Keep shouting, ‘Your respect as a man is non-negotiable.’ If you can’t take or control a woman’s excesses, you are not yet a man; you’re a boy. So you have to be very careful.”

This is not the first time Yul has offered strong advice to men. In April 2026, he urged Nigerian men to leave marriages or relationships in which they are not valued. He expressed that respect for men in marriage is essential and must not be undermined. According to the actor, men who experience disrespect from their wives or girlfriends should terminate the relationship at once. “Men stop tolerating nonsense in the name of marriage or relationship. If your wife or girlfriend doesn’t respect you, dump her immediately and get someone who respects you,” he said.

Yul’s personal life has been a subject of public scrutiny since April 2022. He introduced actress Judy Austin as his second wife while still legally married to May Edochie. In 2023, May Edochie filed for divorce, accusing Yul of adultery and seeking ₦100 million in damages from Judy Austin. The controversy has only intensified public scrutiny of the actor, given his own widely publicized marital issues. Social media users continue to debate the validity of Yul’s advice. Supporters argue that his message about leaving a cheating spouse is valid regardless of his past. Others maintain that the actor should not be the one to preach about infidelity, given his personal history. The backlash has flooded his comment section with users expressing mixed opinions.

Frank Edoho Scandal: Yul Edochie Tells Men to Walk Away from Cheating Wives

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Mercy Johnson Under Fire Over ₦25,000 Girls Tag Menstrual Kit

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Mercy Johnson Under Fire Over ₦25,000 Girls Tag Menstrual Kit
Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie

Mercy Johnson Under Fire Over ₦25,000 Girls Tag Menstrual Kit

Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie has come under intense criticism on social media following her unveiling as a brand ambassador for Girls Tag, a menstrual and puberty care product reportedly priced at ₦25,000, sparking fresh debate over period poverty in Nigeria.

The controversy began after Mercy Johnson and her daughter, Purity Okojie, were introduced as ambassadors for the brand, alongside fellow actress Regina Daniels, who was later also unveiled as a face of the product.

Girls Tag is described as an all-in-one menstrual hygiene and puberty kit designed for girls aged nine and above. The package reportedly includes sanitary pads, period pants, panty liners, wipes, sanitary bags, a purse, and an educational puberty guidebook authored by the actress.

While the brand positions the product as a premium hygiene and education solution, its pricing has triggered widespread outrage online, with many Nigerians describing it as insensitive amid rising inflation and worsening economic hardship.

Across social media platform X (formerly Twitter), users argued that essential menstrual products should not be marketed as luxury items in a country where millions of girls already struggle to afford basic sanitary needs.

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Critics say period poverty in Nigeria remains a serious public health and education challenge, with reports indicating that many schoolgirls miss classes during menstruation due to lack of access to affordable sanitary products.

One user, @Lai, defended the brand’s commercial approach, saying:

“Not everyone is a philanthropist. Nigeria’s problems are not everybody’s problem. She knows who her customers are. This is business.”

However, others strongly disagreed. User @MsJorji wrote:

“Mercy Johnson, you are an embarrassment to women. In a country where women are struggling to afford sanitary pads, you want to charge 25k for a sanitary pad.”

Another user, @ATallEdoGirl, commented:

“The target audience had to be baddies.”

@kenny added:

“Nigeria is a poor country. Elitism should never extend to the basic rights and dignity of girls and women. Sanitary pads are not luxury items.”

Another user, @bidemi wrote:

“In a country where sanitary pads are meant to be free, someone is selling them for 25k and people are defending it because of packaging.”

The backlash highlights growing frustration over the commercialization of essential health products, particularly for women and girls, in Nigeria’s current economic climate.

Supporters of Girls Tag, however, argue that the product goes beyond sanitary pads, combining menstrual hygiene supplies with puberty education, emotional guidance, and confidence-building resources for young girls transitioning into adolescence.

They maintain that the premium pricing reflects the comprehensive nature of the kit, even as critics insist that affordability remains a key issue in addressing menstrual health inequality.

The debate continues to trend online, reigniting broader conversations about women’s health, sanitary pad affordability in Nigeria, and the need for stronger policy interventions to address menstrual hygiene challenges across the country.

Mercy Johnson Under Fire Over ₦25,000 Girls Tag Menstrual Kit

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