Trump threatens aid cutoff and “fast, vicious and sweet” action against Nigeria; Abuja rejects premise, offers engagement ()

In a series of posts and broadcast remarks, the U.S. president escalated pressure on Africa’s most populous nation over alleged killings of Christians, pairing threats of force with a move to list Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.”

"President Trump has threatened to take military action against Nigeria unless it does more to protect Christians from attack by Islamist extremists."

"Writing on social media, Mr Trump said he had instructed the Pentagon to prepare for possible action, saying it would be 'fast, vicious and sweet.'"

The designation signals possible sanctions and aid cuts.

"On Friday, he announced that he was adding Nigeria to the U.S. list of countries of particular concern — nations accused of violating religious freedom."

"He said that if the country's government continued to allow the killing of Christians... the U.S. would stop providing aid and may very well intervene militarily to completely wipe out those behind the mass killings."

German radio captured both a threat and a contradictory directive.

"Donald Trump hat gedroht... Falls die nigerianische Regierung nicht gegen das Töten von Christen vorgehe, werde Washington sämtliche Hilfen sofort einstellen und könne mit gezückten Waffen einmarschieren." "“Donald Trump threatened... If Nigeria’s government does not act against the killing of Christians, Washington will immediately cut all aid and could march in ‘with guns drawn.’”"

"Nach den Worten Trumps habe er das Verteidigungsministerium angewiesen, einen möglichen Krieg zu verhindern." "“Trump said he had instructed the Defense Department to prevent a possible war.”"

"Er habe das Verteidigungsministerium angewiesen, einen möglichen Einsatz vorzubereiten." "“He said he had instructed the Defense Department to prepare a possible deployment.”"

Abuja rejected the premise and stressed protections.

"President Tinubu posted on X… characterising Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect its national reality. He said religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet."

"However, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said his country opposed religious persecution and had constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths."

In a conciliatory note carried by the BBC, Abuja signaled it would talk.

"Nigeria, broadly Christian in the south and Muslim in the north, says it's willing to work with Washington to deepen its understanding of the country's religious and ethnic complexities."

Reporters and analysts cautioned on victim profiles and the insurgency’s reach.

"Analysts who study Nigeria say that Christians are not necessarily the majority of victims; in the predominantly Muslim north, Muslims are often the primary targets of attacks, frequently by Islamist insurgents."

"Extremist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province are operating in parts of the country."

"They target civilians indiscriminately."

Israel–Hezbollah front flares: four killed, “security belt” vow, and threat to strike Beirut ()

Cross‑border hostilities surged in southern Lebanon, with casualties and unusually explicit threats from a senior Israeli minister about escalating strikes.

"An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon has killed four people."

"Lebanese health officials said a missile struck a car in the Nabitiya district and three other people were injured. Israeli attacks against alleged Hezbollah targets have stepped up recently. Israel's defence minister said on Sunday Israel will continue and deepen its strikes."

RFI said Israel’s leadership is linking firepower to a long‑stalled disarmament demand.

"« Israël intensifie les attaques contre le mouvement libanais dans le sud du Liban... L'engagement à désarmer le Hezbollah et à le chasser du sud du Liban doit être pleinement tenu. »" "“Israel is stepping up attacks against the Lebanese movement in southern Lebanon... The commitment to disarm Hezbollah and drive it from the south must be fully met.”"

"« Dans un communiqué, le ministre israélien Israel Katz a déclaré que l'engagement à désarmer le Hezbollah et à le chasser du sud du Liban doit être pleinement tenu. »" "“In a statement, Minister Israel Katz said the commitment to disarm Hezbollah and drive it from southern Lebanon must be fully met.”"

On Al Jazeera, Katz warned any fire would trigger deep strikes.

"الحزام الأمني: لقد حققنا الهدوء في الجليل... وإذا كانت هناك أي محاولة لإطلاق النار باتجاه أي بلدة إسرائيلية..." "“Security belt: We have achieved calm in the Galilee... And if there is any attempt to fire at any Israeli town...”"

"وأقول للجميع: إذا كانت هناك أي محاولة لإطلاق النار باتجاه أي بلدة إسرائيلية فنحن سنهاجم في بيروت." "“And I say to everyone: if there is any attempt to fire at any Israeli town, we will strike in Beirut.”"

Israeli media detailed targeted killings against Hezbollah’s Radwan force.

"בנושאים הביטחוניים: צה"ל תקף וחיסל הלילה ארבעה מחבלים מכוח רדואן... בהתקיפה חוסל אחראי על סיוע לוגיסטי של כוח זה בדרום לבנון." "“Security: The IDF struck and killed four militants from Hezbollah’s Radwan force... the strike eliminated the logistics support chief of that force in southern Lebanon.”"

"כל מי שינסה לשקם את ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה יותקף. ההבנות בהסכם חייבות להישמר." "“Anyone who tries to rebuild the Hezbollah terror organization will be attacked. The understandings in the agreement must be upheld.””

RFI warned the cross‑border truce “is menaced,” with Israel threatening to intensify operations.

"« Le cessez-le-feu... est menacé, et Israël menace ce matin d'intensifier encore ses attaques. »" "“The ceasefire is at risk, and Israel is threatening this morning to further intensify its attacks.”"

Ukraine: Pokrovsk under pincer pressure as energy war ignites Black Sea oil hub and blackouts ()

Ukraine’s top commander said he is on the front line in Pokrovsk, where a Russian pincer is straining supply lines, even as long‑range drone warfare hit energy infrastructure on both sides.

"To Ukraine now: the country's top military commander, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, says his soldiers are facing difficulties defending the strategic town of Pokrovsk against Russian forces."

"General Syrskyi himself is on the front line overseeing the operation, which shows how important the Ukrainians regard the defence of this town."

"Essentially, there is a pincer movement by Russian forces attempting to take the town, and the Ukrainian defenders there are struggling to be resupplied."

"If Pokrovsk were to fall, it would be the largest city seized by Russia since Bakhmut in May 2023."

Overnight, Russia said drones hit one of its biggest Black Sea oil terminals at Tuapse.

"Large fires are burning at a Black Sea oil terminal, which Russia says was attacked by Ukrainian drones. Russian officials said drone fragments hit a tanker and damaged port infrastructure."

"Russian authorities say Ukrainian drones have caused damage to an oil-exporting facility in Tuapsei, one of the largest oil terminals on the Black Sea, officials said."

Moscow touted an enormous air‑defense tally.

"Украинские беспилотники, сообщило Минобороны: больше всего — 39 дронов — сбили над Чёрным морем; ещё 32 — над Краснодарским краем; 26 — над Крымом; 20 — над Брянской областью; по 9 — над Волгоградской, Ростовской и Орловской областями." "“Ukraine’s drones, the Defence Ministry said: most — 39 — were shot down over the Black Sea; 32 over Krasnodar Krai; 26 over Crimea; 20 over Bryansk; nine over Volgograd, Rostov and Oryol.”"

"В порту Туапсе обломки аппарата упали на объект, в результате чего возник пожар в строении и инфраструктуре нефтеналивного терминала." "“In Tuapse port, debris fell on a facility, causing a fire in a building and the oil terminal’s infrastructure.”"

Inside Ukraine, strikes compounded civilian harm and outages.

"In Ukraine overnight, Moscow also unleashed strikes against energy infrastructure. Around 60,000 people lost power in the Zaporizhia region, and several civilians were reported affected."

"« Nouvelle attaque russe cette nuit en Ukraine, dans les régions d'Odessa et de Dnipro. Six personnes, dont deux enfants, sont mortes... Une autre attaque a touché la région de Zaporizhia, privée d'électricité pour près de 60 000 foyers. »" "“New Russian attack overnight in Ukraine’s Odessa and Dnipro regions. Six people, including two children, were killed… Another strike hit Zaporizhia region, leaving nearly 60,000 households without power.”"

UNRWA: Winter shelter for 1 million blocked from Gaza; trucks plunge to 45 of 600 agreed; “no antibiotics for children” ()

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said winterization supplies for up to a million people are stuck in warehouses and barred from entering Gaza, as aid flows nosedive and the health system collapses.

"قالت وكالة غوث وتشغيل اللاجئين الفلسطينيين (الأونروا) إن لوازم إيواء شتوية تكفي لتلبية حاجيات مليون فلسطيني مكدسة في المستودعات لكنها ممنوعة من الدخول بقرار إسرائيلي." "“UNRWA said winter shelter supplies sufficient for one million Palestinians are piled in warehouses but barred from entry by an Israeli decision.”"

"منذ الحادي والثلاثين من شهر أكتوبر، بلغ المتوسط اليومي لدخول الشاحنات التجارية والمساعدات 145 شاحنة من أصل 600 شاحنة يفترض دخولها يومياً وفقاً للاتفاق." "“Since October 31, the daily average of commercial and aid trucks has been 145 out of 600 expected under the agreement.”"

"اليوم دخلت 45 شاحنة من أصل 600 شاحنة يفترض دخولها يومياً وفق الاتفاق." "“Today, 45 trucks entered out of 600 supposed to enter daily under the agreement.”"

A European bulletin echoed the gap.

"Respecto a la entrada de ayuda en la franja: en lugar de los 600 camiones diarios, no llegan a 150." "“Regarding aid into the Strip: instead of 600 trucks per day, fewer than 150 arrive.”"

Staff access is also being curbed and violence persists near aid routes.

"اعتُقل أحد موظفي المنظمة الدولية داخل الخط الأخضر... تم التنسيق له مسبقاً لدخول هذا المكان." "“A staff member of the international organization was arrested inside the Green Line... his entry to this place had been pre‑coordinated.”"

"تتعرض المناطق لإطلاق النار واستهداف مباشر من الطائرات المسيرة... كما كثفت القوات الإسرائيلية في الساعات القليلة الماضية إطلاق القذائف على أحياء الشجاعية والتفاح." "“Areas are under fire and direct targeting by drones… Israeli forces have also intensified shelling of Shujaiya and Tuffah neighborhoods in recent hours.”"

Clinicians warned of a system without basics.

"نحن أمام كارثة بمعنى الكلمة وغير مسبوقة، لأن الاحتلال يصر على منع دخول الأدوية ويمنع الكثير من المساعدات الحيوية." "“We face a literal, unprecedented catastrophe, as the occupation insists on blocking medicines and much vital aid.””

"للأسف لا يوجد داخل قطاع غزة وفي النظام الصحي مضادات حيوية للأطفال، ولا مسكنات، ولا حتى مستلزمات طبية أساسية." "“Sadly, Gaza’s health system has no antibiotics for children, no painkillers, not even basic medical supplies.”"

"الشتاء قادم ولا توجد أماكن لإيواء الناس... نفايات متكدسة... ولا يوجد مياه صالحة للشرب." "“Winter is coming and there are no shelters… garbage piles up… and there is no potable water.”"

UN condemns U.S. lethal strikes on suspected drug boats as “extrajudicial executions” amid Caribbean escalation ()

Broadcasters across three continents reported a new U.S. strike on a suspected narcotrafficking boat “in international waters,” as the UN urged Washington to stop such attacks and Venezuela’s president called them a regime‑change pretext.

"« De nouvelles frappes américaines ont eu lieu cette nuit dans les Caraïbes. Le ministre de la Défense des États-Unis annonce la mort de trois narcotrafiquants. »" "“New U.S. strikes took place last night in the Caribbean. The U.S. defense minister announced the deaths of three narcotraffickers.”"

"« dans les eaux internationales selon Washington, [la frappe] a visé un bateau utilisé par des narcotrafiquants ; trois occupants ont été tués. »" "“In international waters, according to Washington, the strike targeted a boat used by narcotraffickers; three occupants were killed.”"

"« les frappes américaines... se sont accrues : une quinzaine d'attaques ont été signalées depuis début septembre, faisant plus de 60 morts... »" "“U.S. strikes have increased: about fifteen attacks reported since early September, leaving more than 60 dead…”"

"« le président du Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, dénonce un prétexte pour imposer un changement de régime à Caracas. »" "“Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro denounces a pretext to impose regime change in Caracas.”"

The BBC noted unverified claims and a growing U.S. naval footprint.

"The US has conducted another lethal strike on what it says was a drug‑trafficking boat from Venezuela."

"Claims that each attack in international waters was ordered by President Trump have raised fears in the region of an escalation of military action..."

"There is already a substantial array of U.S. Navy vessels in the Caribbean, with an aircraft carrier and more warships set to come."

"A post claimed vessels were carrying poison to the U.S., though no evidence was given."

"The 22‑second clip shows a boat and an explosion. The post's assertion about poisonous cargo to the U.S. remains unverified."

The UN demanded a halt and denounced the pattern.

"Na sexta-feira, a ONU solicitou ao governo dos Estados Unidos que interrompa os ataques contra embarcações suspeitas de envolvimento com tráfico de drogas." "“On Friday, the UN requested that the U.S. government stop attacks against vessels suspected of involvement in drug trafficking.””

"O alto comissariado... classificou as investidas como execuções extrajudiciais. Esse é o décimo sexto ataque a embarcações desse tipo em pouco mais de um ano." "“The High Commissioner… labeled the raids as extrajudicial executions. This is the sixteenth attack on such vessels in just over a year.”"

German radio underscored the disputed legal basis and Venezuela’s denial.

"Bei der Attacke in internationalen Gewässern seien drei Männer getötet worden, teilte Verteidigungsminister Hexerth mit." "“In the attack in international waters three men were killed, said Defense Minister Hexerth.”"

"Die Meldungen konnten vorerst nicht verifiziert werden." "“The reports could not yet be verified.”"

"Venezuelas Präsident Maduro wies Vorwürfe zurück." "“Venezuela’s President Maduro rejected the accusations.”"

"UNO-Menschenrechtsexperten werfen Washington vor, mit diesen Einsätzen gegen das Völkerrecht zu verstoßen." "“UN human‑rights experts accuse Washington of violating international law with these operations.”"