Arizona Pastor Arrested, Jailed for Holding Bible Study in Home; His Wife Says It ‘Defies Logic’

Bible study leader Michael Salman is sitting in jail today after his home was raided earlier this week by more than a dozen Phoenix, Ariz. police officers and city officials. His offense? The city says people aren’t allowed to hold private Bible studies on their own property.

Follow @loritosan on Twitter!

Salman was sentenced to 60 days in jail, three years probation and received a $12,180 fine for “the crime.” His wife Suzanne spoke with Fox and Friends this morning to express her shock and disbelief at the entire situation. According to Suzanne, the city told her that her husband was essentially arrested because the Bible study was at a private house .. and that essentially, it’s a church. Since they weren’t zoned for church, they were told they were breaking the rules.

“It defies logic, honestly. I don’t understand … that something so small got so large like this,” Suzanne said. “People do it all over the United States all the time.”

John Whitehead of the Rutherford Institute believes the family is being discriminated against because of their faith. “The key is — the Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of religion … the right to assemble and talk to each other wherever you want to be – in public or in your home,” he said. “The thing that I think is so shocking is that you might expect this in Iran or [some place] around the world … but happening in the United States, this is so shocking it’s beyond belief.”

Phoenix City Prosecutor Vicki Hill said in a statement: “It came down to zoning and proper permitting. Anytime you are holding a gathering of people continuously as he does, we have concerns about people being able to exit the facility properly in case there is a fire, and that’s really all this comes down to.”

What do you make of this case? As Suzanne says in the below interview, is this different than a regularly meeting Tupperware group or the like? And if so, how and why?

P-Square's Mum Dies After A Brief Illness

Naija Duo, P-Square comprising Peter and Paul Okoye have lost their mother, Mrs Okoye.
Mrs Okoye died on wednesday night after a brief illness. She was flown to India few months ago after being first admitted at St Nicholas Hospital, Yaba, Lagos.
Peter and Paul with mum - November 18th 2010

Mrs Okoye was a good pillar to P-Square while she was alive. She was also reported to be very useful in shaping the music career of P-Square with priceless advice and care she gives the Nigerian music stars when needed.

May God grants the Okoyes the fortitude to bear this huge loss. And May her soul rest in peace.

Exclusive...NO Bomb Blast At Bauchi NYSC..

A lot of rumour and news has been making the rounds since early morning that there was a bomb blast at the NYSC Camp Bauchi State and that fifty Youth Corpers have lost their lives.
But we can authoritatively confirm that there was nothing like that.A call some minutes ago made by 3m360 Nigeria to the State Coordinator of NYSC Bauchi confirmed that no such incidence happened in the camp.
According to him,he has to called a roll call of all the Youth Corpers when he also heard the rumour..
He has also informed the DG NYSC I Abuja that no such incidence happened..He called on 3m360 Nigeria to help eliminate the tension being generated by such rumours and to help them inform parents that all their children are safe in Bauchi..CKN

Photos: Mass burial for Jos mass killings ( Graphic)

My heart bleeds as I see this photo... these unexplained deaths only highlights the incompetence of the government by not being able to make any arrests, the security level in the country is at its all time low. As it is, Nigerians are yet to know what the solution is for these senseless killings. Slowly this will becoming a norm if immediate and effective measures are not taken to curb these violence. May prayers go out to their families and may their souls rest in peace. Amen.

NICKI MINAJ BOOED IN SCOTLAND AFTER ARRIVING LATE

Nicki Minaj was reportedly booed by a Scotland crowd this past weekend after taking the stage 50 minutes late and only performing for a half hour for her scheduled T In The Park concert set.
The UK publication, THE SUN, reports that it was even worse than that, as the Young Money princess allegedly hitthe backstage crew with some major diva-like attitude.
One source told the UK publication that Nicki was annoyed that the grass surrounding her dressing room was too long and ordered that it was cut right then and there. "Nicki went off on one about the grass around her area, saying it was far too long for her to walk on. She threw a complete stop, pouting and pointing and asking someone to get a lawnmower to sort it out."
In Nicki's defense, the rap superstar seemed to be late to her scheduled set after a longer than usual airport check by the TSA.
"Pretty sure I was just overtly fondled @ this check point. By a very old lady w/an accent. Word?" NICKI TWEETED Monday (July 9) after enduring the alleged mistreatment and the concert.
"There she go," Nicki added, snapping a quick shot of TSA security. "So TSA always takes pics of me while doing their job! But wld u believe they just told ME EYE couldn't take pics???? Wow."
Still her excuse didn't seem to sit well with fellow artists on the T In The Park bill.
British singer FRANK TURNER TWEETED: "You can (I suppose) be a d*** to your own crew, you're paying them. But everyone else? Not to mention the people out front. Ugh. To clarify: Nicki Minaj has been a selfish s**head to all the hard-working crew backstage at T. Pathetic. F*** off."
From the sounds of things, Nicki has already moved on.
"The US leg of the Pink Friday tour begins July 16th in CHICAGO!" she tweeted Tuesday (July 10).

MYSONNE ATTACKS FRANK OCEAN ON TWITTER FOR BEING "FAKE"

Most artists have given their full support to Frank Ocean since he came out as a bisexual last Tuesday (July 3).
Odd Future's R&B crooner received support from the likes of his OF family TYLER, THE CREATOR and Earl Sweatshirt, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, Jay-Z, wife BEYONC, BUSTA RHYMES and TRINA to name a few.
Yet, one MC is questioning Ocean's decision to come out at time he did. Shortly after Ocean announced he was bisexual via his TUMBLR account, he surprised fans by releasing his Channel Orange** album yesterday (July 9), moving it up from the original date of July 17 amongst the worldwide trending topic-buzz of his coming out announcement.
New York City rapper MYSONNE TOOK TO HIS TWITTER on Tuesday (July 10), blasting the singer for what he believes was a carefully-plotted ploy to sell more albums.
"it time for #Realtalk i haven't talked about some realshit in a min...Now how do yall feel about this Frank Ocean Situation?" Mysonne started the dialogue saying. "i think these niggas is cowards that looking for exposure and buzzes, so they wait til albums drop to tell you there true Sexuality."
"Never mind that youve built a career off of obvious deceit and false hood, but people say its ok cuz he can sing," he added. What happened to integrity? What happened to judging a man by his character. There are no more boundaries or rules and this is why Suckas can Rule! the fact that he's gay means nothing to me and had he been real and i still liked his music i would support him, But fake shit is fake shit!"
An article posted on ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY'S website today (July 10), the outlet confirmed that Ocean's early album release, New York Times write-up and surprise announcement of the LP moving up in date made on LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON.
"Frank's appearance on the show was on the books for almost two months, well before his letter last week," Late Night booker Jonathan Cohen confirmed to EW in an e-mail. "The announcement of the early digital release was part of the plan from the very beginning."--Jakinder Singh

NORTH PHILLY MINISTER CALLS FOR BOYCOTT OF MEEK MILL DUE TO "AMEN" TRACK

A North Philadelphia minister thinks Meek Mill's track "Amen" is blasphemous to the church and is calling for a boycott of the hometown rhyme slinger and MMG star.
"I'm a hip-hop fan, but I believe there is a need to really call him out and say enough is enough," Reverend Jomo K. Johnson of Philly's Open Air church told the PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS. "He seems to really be using the church as a backdrop and a parallel for some of the sinful things that he does."
"As a hip-hop fan, I want to encourage every rap fan in Philadelphia who is a believer in Jesus Christ, to boycott Meek Mill until he acknowledges this blatant disrespect," Johnson added. "And being resident of North Philadelphia and pastor, I revoke Meek's 'hood pass' until this happens."
He also self-published an e-book called, NO AMEN: WHY BOYCOTTING MEEK MILL WILL HELP SAVE HIP HOP. And this isn't the first time that a rapper has irked Johnson, either.Johnson previously tried to analyze the cultural impact of Lil Wayne with his book, Deadest Rapper Alive, the contrary to Weezy's self-proclaimed "Greatest Rapper Alive" title, andhad theDEADESTRAPPERALIVE.COM website to match.
Johnson was irate about certain Meek lyrics off the Drake-assisted single, in particular.
"I just wanna thank God/For all the pretty women he let into my life/All the Benjamins he let me count ..." Meek begins talking over the track, before getting into the hook of the song.
"Now it's a lot of bad bitches in the building (Ooh, Amen)," he says. "A couple real niggas in the building (Amen)/I'm finna kill niggas in the building (Amen)."
Meek is scheduled to release his highly-anticipated DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES album on August 28.

PHOTO GALLERY: Spain & Barcelona's Andres Iniesta weds!

The hectic schedule of top footballers through the season means that once the summer comes, they all try to squeeze in important personal events like weddings.The latest to tie the knot is Barcelona superstar Andres Iniesta, who got hitched to Anna Ortiz, his long-term partner and mother of his daughter.The ceremony was held at Tamarit Castle in Spain. Sources tell us World Cup and double European Championship winner Iniesta walked into the castle with his mother as the theme to Gladiator his favourite film - was played.


Continue to see photos of Iniesta's pals from Barca who were all in attendance, including Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas and their WAGs

Family of 9 die, mysteriously, after grandmother's funeral

Nine people, including a pregnant woman, died mysteriously in their sleep yesterday after they had participated in the burial ceremony of their grandmother, Mrs. Felicia Onyetumaku Njoku, aged 98.
The incident, which happened at Umuakuru Emekuku in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, had thrown the entire village into confusion as the youth went on the rampage, destroying everything on their way.
The cause of the death is yet to be ascertained. The deceased lay lifeless in their bedrooms, with foams covering their mouths.
It was learnt that Mr. Pascal Njoku, whose five children, Ebere, Ifenyiwa, Chibueze, Jacklin and Uchechi including his wife, Juliana, died along with him, came home to bury his mother, the late Felicia, at his compound where he built his new house.
The remaining two, Mrs. Christiana Uba, an expectant mother, and Mrs. Kathrin Ahanaku, both came to assist Pascal and his late wife in the burial ceremony.

Sources said that after the burial of the late Mrs. Felicia Njoku on Saturday, Pascal and his family went to sleep, hoping to be up the next day for the Sunday service, but they did not live to attend the service.
Many people, who spoke with our correspondent, ruled out poison.
They, however, said that Pascal and his wife had a long unresolved family squabble, which led to the man’s partial stroke.
He was said to have escaped to his in-laws’ house at Umuodu in Owerri Municipal Council where he lived for about a year with his family before returning to his new house to bury his late mother on Saturday.
It was learnt that the family started experiencing strange happenings in the house as one pastor invited to pray for the family on Wednesday was said to have been attacked spiritually, forcing him to run for his life.
Amidst tears, Mr. Evans Uba, Christiana’s husband, said if not for divine intervention his children would have perished in the mysterious death.
He said: “I told my wife to come home with me after we had buried the deceased, but her sister, Mrs. Juliana Njoku pleaded that I allow her to assist them entertain guests and clean the compound before returning home.”
Uba said that he ruled out poison because “many people would have died since the food they ate was the food they cooked and served the guests”.
Also, a family member, Eric Ibe, said the deceased did not give any sign of ill health as they all danced and entertained guests before going to sleep.
Meanwhile, the corpses have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owerri.
Nine people, including a pregnant woman, died mysteriously in their sleep yesterday after they had participated in the burial ceremony of their grandmother, Mrs. Felicia Onyetumaku Njoku, aged 98.
The incident, which happened at Umuakuru Emekuku in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, had thrown the entire village into confusion as the youth went on the rampage, destroying everything on their way.
The cause of the death is yet to be ascertained. The deceased lay lifeless in their bedrooms, with foams covering their mouths.
It was learnt that Mr. Pascal Njoku, whose five children, Ebere, Ifenyiwa, Chibueze, Jacklin and Uchechi including his wife, Juliana, died along with him, came home to bury his mother, the late Felicia, at his compound where he built his new house.
The remaining two, Mrs. Christiana Uba, an expectant mother, and Mrs. Kathrin Ahanaku, both came to assist Pascal and his late wife in the burial ceremony.

Sources said that after the burial of the late Mrs. Felicia Njoku on Saturday, Pascal and his family went to sleep, hoping to be up the next day for the Sunday service, but they did not live to attend the service.
Many people, who spoke with our correspondent, ruled out poison.
They, however, said that Pascal and his wife had a long unresolved family squabble, which led to the man’s partial stroke.
He was said to have escaped to his in-laws’ house at Umuodu in Owerri Municipal Council where he lived for about a year with his family before returning to his new house to bury his late mother on Saturday.
It was learnt that the family started experiencing strange happenings in the house as one pastor invited to pray for the family on Wednesday was said to have been attacked spiritually, forcing him to run for his life.
Amidst tears, Mr. Evans Uba, Christiana’s husband, said if not for divine intervention his children would have perished in the mysterious death.
He said: “I told my wife to come home with me after we had buried the deceased, but her sister, Mrs. Juliana Njoku pleaded that I allow her to assist them entertain guests and clean the compound before returning home.”
Uba said that he ruled out poison because “many people would have died since the food they ate was the food they cooked and served the guests”.
Also, a family member, Eric Ibe, said the deceased did not give any sign of ill health as they all danced and entertained guests before going to sleep.
Meanwhile, the corpses have been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owerri.

Katie Holmes And Tom Cruise Reach Divorce Settlement

Less than two hours after releasing a joint statement announcing that they were working to amicably reach a divorce settlement and custody arrangement for their 6-year-old daughter, Suri Cruise, Katie Holmes' attorney confirmed that his client has already nailed down a divorce deal with ex-husband Tom Cruise.
According to People magazine both sides appear happy with the plan, which was hammered out less than two weeks after Holmes' shocking divorce action began. "The case has been settled and the agreement has been signed," announced Holmes' attorney Jonathan Wolfe of the blindingly fast (by Hollywood standards) agreement.
"We are thrilled for Katie and her family and are excited to watch as she embarks on the next chapter of her life ... We thank Tom's counsel for their professionalism and diligence that helped bring about this speedy resolution."
No details of the deal were announced, but earlier on Monday morning (July 9), Cruise and Holmes issued a joint statement in which they asked for privacy and said they were focusing on what was best for Suri. "We are committed to working together as parents to accomplish what is in our daughter Suri's best interests," they said. "We want to keep matters affecting our family private and express our respect for each other's commitment to each of our respective beliefs and support each other's roles as parents."
People had earlier quoted unnamed sources close to both sides saying that the couple were working on an arrangement that would allow Suri to live in New York with Holmes and give Cruise generous visitation rights.
Cruise was said to be blindsided by the divorce filing, which cited irreconcilable differences and asked for sole custody of Suri. In the time since, Holmes has been spotted with her daughter all around New York, where the two are living in a new three-bedroom apartment that Holmes moved into at some point before the filing.

Exclusive photos 'Dark Knight Rises' Scenes

Detroit Woman Killed When Off-Duty Cop’s Gun Goes Off During Hug

Police in Detroit are calling it a freak accident after an off duty police officer’s firearm went off at a party and killed a woman. The woman was celebrating her 25th birthday, and investigators say that she hugged the police officer from behind and touched his waist when his gun went off and shot her in the lungs and heart. They say that there is no evidence that the officer ever touched the gun. Detroit police officers are allowed to carry their guns when they are off duty.

Arthur Aidala weighed in on the incident on Studio B, saying, “Something’s not making sense, Shepard. You don’t just hug somebody and a weapon discharges. There’s more to it than that!”

Drew Findling says that a more extensive investigation is going to have to take place. “I think there’s going to have to be a neutral investigation of this and determine forensically if, as Arthur points out, the gun was in a loaded position. But nevertheless, this doesn’t fall within an issue of criminality. We can’t make a crime when there’s been no crime. The only issue becomes is there some degree of negligence involved,” he said.

EX-GENERAL’S MURDER: Joint police patrol for Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

LAGOS – Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, in charge of Zone 2, Onikan Lagos, Mr. Mamman Tsafe, said, yesterday, that a joint police patrol of Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, by men from Lagos and Ogun state commands would  soon start.

The police boss said this following the brutal killing of Brigadier-General Sylvester Iruh (rtd), by persons suspected to be Fulani herdsman atop the long bridge near Berger Bus-stop, Lagos, last Friday.

The ex-army general was on his way from Ilorin where he attended a burial of  a church member before he met his untimely death.

Sources said when he got to the long bridge that leads to Lagos, his attention was drawn by other motorists that he had a flat tyre.

He promptly pulled over with a view to attending to his vehicle when some armed men emerged from the bush and attacked him.  He was stabbed several times by his assailants who were also said to have dispossessed him of valuables including cash.

The retired general, who hailed from Boji-Boji, Agbor, Delta State, was  rescued by Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, officials patrolling the road, to a nearby hospital  where he later died.
Others with him at the time of attack were also said to have sustained injuries.

The AIG, who assured that the incident would not recur,  stressed that arrangement had been concluded by the Commissioners of Police of Ogun and Lagos states to commence a 24-hour patrol of the expressway, especially the black spots.

Tsafe said: “Yes, we are aware of the attack, but I can assure you that we are making effort to commence a joint patrol of the entire area; that I can assure you.”

Sources hinted that the spot is noted for its notoriety as the accused Fulani herdsmen were reputed to have terrorised  motorists plying the way at one point or another.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, who confirmed the attack, said the attackers were hoodlums, adding that five suspects had been arrested.

He said the arrested suspects were helping the police in their investigations and were undergoing interrogation.

According to him, the arrest followed a mid-night raid on the scene where the attack took place

Usher Stepson's Jet Ski Accident: More Details Emerge

Details from the tragic Jet Ski accident that left Kyle Glover, stepson to R&B superstar Usher Raymond, brain dead continue to emerge. The incident report, obtained by MTV News from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, identified Jeffrey S. Hubbard as the vehicle's operator.
According to the report, Hubbard was operating the watercraft in Atlanta's Lake Lanier when he ran over two juveniles being towed on an inner tube by another boat at approximately 3:25 p.m. ET on Friday. Both of the injured children were flown to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. While the incident report didn't identify any of the injured by name, it has been reported that 11-year-old Kyle Glover sustained a head injury and had been declared brain dead by doctors, but officials have declined  to speak on his condition, citing privacy issues. The second victim, a 15-year-old girl, is said to have suffered a cut on the head and a broken arm.
A media representative at Georgia's DNR told MTV News that Hubbard was no stranger to Glover and that he was a friend of the family. Glover's mother, Tameka Foster, spoke  to RadarOnline, simply saying, "He's bad."
According to the site, the distraught mom also took to her Facebook page to send this message: "Kyle, You are strong.. You'll be saved I know it. I love you my baby. I need all #Prayers for my son! thanks you everybody!"
Foster and Usher were married in 2007, but divorced two years later in 2009 and are currently going through a custody battle. They are both reportedly at the hospital.
This tragedy comes a month after Usher released his latest #1 album, Looking 4 Myself.

Fresh Attacks In Plateau, As More Than 130 Corpses Litter Deserted Villages

3m360 has learnt that more than 130 corpses have been found in two deserted villages in Barkin Ladi local government area in of Plateau following fresh attacks by out-of-control killers.
The gruesome discovery came barely two days after two top politicians were killed by gunmen as they attended a burial ceremony for numerous victims of a mass slaughter.
A security source told SaharaReporters that displaced persons seeking refuge at different locations have disclosed that more than 130 corpses currently litter several villages affected by the worsening crisis. Our source added that emergency workers had yet to reach the areas most affected by the carnage owing to a lack of security.
An eyewitness source in Jos, the capital of Plateau, revealed that gunmen had sacked several villages. “These gunmen have stormed different areas, engaging in sporadic shooting and burning of houses,” he said.
The source added, “We became aware because the news reached us before we could go to pick the death bodies of our relations in other villages.”