RSF: Israel Responsible for Nearly Half of Journalist Deaths Worldwide in 2025

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has accused Israel of causing nearly half of all journalist deaths recorded globally in 2025. In its annual report, the group revealed that 67 journalists were killed between December 2024 and December 2025, with Israeli forces responsible for 43% of the fatalities—29 of them Palestinian reporters in Gaza. RSF highlighted a deadly “double-tap” airstrike on a Gaza hospital that killed five journalists, suggesting deliberate targeting. The organisation also noted that nearly 220 journalists have been killed since the Gaza conflict began in 2023. Outside the Middle East, Mexico, Sudan, and Ukraine remained dangerous for media workers. RSF further reported 503 journalists imprisoned worldwide as of December 2025, underscoring escalating threats to press freedom.

#PressFreedom

#RSFReport

#JournalistSafety

Bethlehem Lights Christmas Tree for First Time Since Gaza War, Thousands Celebrate in Historic Square

Bethlehem brought back Christmas cheer for the first time in two years as the city lit its iconic Christmas tree in Manger Square, marking a hopeful moment amid ongoing tensions in the region. Thousands of visitors — Christians, Muslims, locals, and international pilgrims — gathered near the Church of the Nativity to witness the ceremony, which had been suspended since the Gaza war began in October 2023.
The festive event, filled with music, balloons, and emotional reactions, symbolized resilience for residents and visitors who endured years of conflict, travel restrictions, and economic hardship. Despite cautious tourist return and continuing instability in Gaza and Lebanon, Bethlehem’s celebration represents a tentative step toward recovery for the city, whose economy heavily depends on tourism.

Israel’s military has dismissed three generals and punished several other senior officers for failing to prevent Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack — the deadliest in Israel’s history. The dismissed officers include three divisional commanders, one of whom was acting military intelligence chief. The move follows an internal investigation that found widespread intelligence and organisational failures. While the army is taking action, Prime Minister Netanyahu has resisted forming a state inquiry, despite strong public demand. The October 7 attack killed 1,221 people and led to a two-year war in Gaza, where over 69,000 Palestinians have since been killed according to UN-verified figures.

Israel kills 2 Palestinians in Gaza amid fragile ceasefire
JERUSALEM/ABU DHABI - Israeli soldiers killed at least two Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Monday, the military said, describing them as militants who crossed a demarcation line separating areas under Israeli military control.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie has resigned following controversy over a Panorama documentary that allegedly misrepresented a speech by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The programme spliced clips from Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech, making it appear he urged supporters to “fight like hell” during the Capitol riot. The unedited version, however, showed him calling for peaceful support of lawmakers.

Davie and BBC News head Deborah Turness stepped down amid accusations of bias and calls for accountability. UK Culture Minister Lisa Nandy described the allegations as “incredibly serious,” while Trump celebrated the resignations, calling the journalists “corrupt.”

The BBC has pledged a full response to parliament’s culture, media, and sport committee. The row adds to recent criticisms of the broadcaster’s editorial standards, including previous controversies over coverage of Gaza and other sensitive topics.

MURIC blames CAN as Trump designates nigeria country of particular concern.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticized the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) following President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern over alleged Christian genocide—claims the Nigerian government denies.

MURIC Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, called the redesignation “blurred, misplaced, and distorted,” saying it misrepresents the true situation in Nigeria. He urged Nigerians to focus on internal “fifth columnists” rather than debate the U.S. decision.

Akintola noted that some Christian leaders had sent petitions to the U.S. Congress portraying Christians as the sole victims of terrorism in Nigeria. Instead of correcting this narrative, CAN allegedly amplified it.

He condemned CAN’s actions as a betrayal, highlighting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has favored Christians in appointments, with 62% of positions going to them, and that the First Lady has been particularly generous. “Despite all that was done for Nigerian Christians, they still deemed it fit to take Nigeria to the enabler of Gaza genocide,” Akintola said.

He described the act as the “Mother of all Betrayals” and strongly denounced those behind the report.

Asari Dokubo Warns Trump: ‘Nigeria Will Be the Graveyard of Any US Invasion’.

Former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has issued a stern warning to United States President Donald Trump, cautioning him against making good on his alleged threat to launch a military incursion into Nigeria over claims of widespread Christian persecution.

In a viral video shared via Facebook, the ex-leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF) vowed that any American troops sent to Nigeria would meet fierce resistance. According to him, Nigeria would become “the graveyard” of Trump and any invading US forces.

“Let Trump come with his America, they will all die,” Asari declared passionately. “This lunatic wants to annex Canada, wants Iceland, wants to kill the president of Venezuela and the Supreme Leader of Iran. America is a sick country that elects madmen as leaders.”

The former warlord accused Trump of hypocrisy, saying the US ignored several humanitarian crises around the world while choosing to target Nigeria. “He can’t see the genocide in Congo, Gaza, or Sudan, but he’s talking about genocide against Christians in Nigeria,” he said. “If you come here, you’ll die here Nigeria will be your graveyard.”

Asari, who described himself as a Muslim raised among non-Muslims, also dismissed the idea that the killings in Nigeria are purely religious, insisting that both Muslims and Christians are victims of the ongoing violence.

He concluded by warning that unlike others who merely talk, he and his allies are ready to act if Nigeria’s sovereignty is threatened.

Trump’s military threat: ‘Nigeria will become your grave yards’ – Asari Dokubo warns US.

Former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has warned President Donald Trump of the United States, US, against carrying out his threat of military incursion into Nigeria following allegations of Christian genocide.

Asari warned that Nigeria will be the grave yard of Trump and any US military if they dared to attack the country.

In a viral video on Facebook, the former leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, NDPVF, said US soldiers will be killed if they invade Nigeria in line with Trump’s threat.

He said: “Let Trump come with his America, they will all die, this lunatic wants to annex Canada, he wants Iceland, wants to kill the president of Venezuela, he wants to kill the Supreme leader of Iran.

“And that is why when they talk of America, I say it’s a sick country, a country of mad people, insane people and that is why they can elect a lunatic as their president.

“Satan has blessed and cursed him, even if America comes we will fight them, did America not go to Vietnam? Didn’t they run? Where have they gone to and stayed? Let Trump come with his America, you will all die.

“South Africa is committing genocide against Whites but he can’t see the genocide in Congo, in Gaza, in Sudan but he is saying South Africa is committed genocide against White, in Nigeria it’s genocide against Christians. I want to assure you, if you come to Nigeria, you all will die here, it will be your grace yard, Nigeria will be your grace yard.

“Everybody knows that people are being killed left, right and centre, this is not a lie. But is it Muslim or Christian? I’m a Muslim who is in the oasis of non-muslim.

“What I am today was not made by Muslims, I was made by non-Muslims, you people talk too much. We always tell you that we don’t just talk, we perform.

UPDATE Israel said it received the remains of three additional captives from Hamas as part of a hostage-prisoner exchange under the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday ordered the military to carry out intense strikes on the Gaza Strip, after accusing Hamas of violating the US-brokered ceasefire.

Vatican Finally Breaks Silence on Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria.

The Vatican has finally spoken out on the growing international narrative of an alleged genocide against Christians in Nigeria.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, addressed the issue while presenting a new global report on religious freedom by the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) in Rome.

His comments come amid heated global debates following remarks made by Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, at the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month.

Shettima’s call for peace in Gaza sparked a wave of reactions online, with some Western voices, including American security contractor Eric Prince, alleging that Christians in Nigeria were facing genocide.

Prince had even called on “the Vatican, the Pope, President Donald Trump, and Christian leaders worldwide to ‘fund and support’ a private Christian army to ‘protect the Christian community in Nigeria.’”

However, Parolin dismissed such claims, urging caution in labeling Nigeria’s security crisis as religious genocide.

According to him, the violence in Nigeria is not exclusively targeted at Christians but has broader social and ethnic roots.

“It is not a religious conflict. Much of the violence stems from social causes such as land disputes between herders and farmers in the North-Central region,” he said.

“We should also recognise that many Muslims in Nigeria are themselves victims of this same intolerance. These are extremist groups that make no distinctions in pursuing their goals. They use violence against anyone they see as an opponent.”

Actor Threatens To Lead Mass Boycott Of Al Jazeera Over Article Denying ‘Christian Genocide’ In Nigeria.

Okechukwu’s intervention came after Al Jazeera published an opinion article by Gimba Kakanda, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Research and Analytics, on October 2, 2025.

Nigerian actor and media consultant Joseph Chidi Okechukwu, also known as J. C. Okechukwu, has threatened to lead a mass boycott of Qatar-based global news network Al Jazeera after the outlet published an opinion piece denying that Christians in Nigeria are the victims of a coordinated, faith-targeted extermination.

Okechukwu’s intervention came after Al Jazeera published an opinion article by Gimba Kakanda, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Research and Analytics, on October 2, 2025.

The Al Jazeera piece argued that claims of a “Christian genocide” mischaracterise Nigeria’s complex security crises and risk inflaming divisions.

The controversy has played out publicly on social media, where Okechukwu used his X account to issue a direct challenge to the broadcaster and to the author of the piece.

“Hi @AlJazeera World if you don't take this post down and tender unreserved apology to the grieving Christian faithfuls in Nigeria, we will carry out a massive boycott campaign the likes of which you've never seen before,” he wrote.

Okechukwu accused the network of a double standard in its global reporting, saying, “It is such a shame that you guys had your global viewers glued to your TV as you constantly screamed genocide over Israel’s actions in Gaza, only to turn around and deny the genocide of Christians in Nigeria that has gone on for more than a decade, which you’ve never reported.”

He also cited casualty figures, asking: “There are reports that about 70,100 Palestinians were killed and the whole world unanimously called it a genocide. In Nigeria, Christian deaths has since surpassed 125,000 and counting and you claim there’s no Christian Genocide?

Israel Halts Gaza Aid, Launches New Strikes After Accusing Hamas Of Violating Ceasefire.

Israel has launched a new wave of air strikes in southern Gaza and suspended humanitarian aid deliveries into the territory, accusing Hamas of carrying out attacks in “blatant violation” of the ongoing ceasefire agreement.

An Israeli military spokesperson confirmed late Sunday that the strikes targeted what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described as “terrorist infrastructure” in Rafah and other parts of southern Gaza.

“Hamas carried out multiple attacks against Israeli forces beyond the yellow line, the area our troops have withdrawn to in accordance with phase one of the US-brokered deal,” the spokesperson said.

“This is a bold violation of the ceasefire, and we will respond firmly.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly ordered defence and security officials to “act forcefully against terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip.”

In a swift response, Hamas denied any involvement in the alleged attacks and accused Israel of breaking the agreement.

“We affirm our full commitment to implementing everything that was agreed upon, foremost among which is the ceasefire in all areas of the Gaza Strip,” Hamas said in a statement.

“We are unaware of any events or clashes taking place in the Rafah area… Contact with our remaining groups there has been cut off since the resumption of war in March of this year.”

Netanyahu said the Gaza war will continue until Hamas is disarmed and Gaza demilitarized. His comments came after Hamas handed over two more hostage bodies under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Israel has tied reopening the Rafah crossing to the return of all hostages, while aid efforts in Gaza remain difficult amid ongoing devastation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Saturday that the war in Gaza would not be over until Hamas was disarmed and the Palestinian territory demilitarised.

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he would consider allowing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resume military action in Gaza if Hamas refuses to uphold its end of the ceasefire deal, telling CNN that Israeli forces could return to the streets “as soon as I say the word.”

A bulldozer deployed by the Gaza Municipality clears building rubble from main axes and streets in Gaza City, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian factions, on October 14, 2025. (Photo by AFP)

Trump Admits Doubts About Making Heaven, Says He’s Tried to Make Life Better for Many.

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again expressed uncertainty about his chances of making heaven, admitting he is not confident about his eternal fate.

Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said he doubted that his deeds would earn him a place in paradise.
“I don’t think there’s anything that’s going to get me into heaven,” he confessed. “I’m not sure I’ll make it, but I’ve made life a lot better for a lot of people. I don’t think I’m heaven-bound.”

The president also reiterated his belief that he could have prevented Russia’s invasion of Ukraine if the 2020 election had not been, in his words, “rigged.”
“Millions of people are dead because of a crooked election,” Trump alleged, describing his successor’s administration as “incompetent.”

Commenting on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Trump said the Israel–Gaza crisis had become “much harder to resolve” under the Democrat-led government.

This is not the first time Trump has linked his spiritual reflections to global peace efforts. In August, during a phone interview on Fox & Friends, he stated that one of his main goals for a second term would have been to broker international peace agreements as a way to “get to heaven.”
“I want to try to get to heaven if possible,” he said at the time. “I’m hearing that I’m not doing well.”

“I’m Not Sure I’ll Make Heaven, But I’ve Made Life Better for Many” — Trump Speaks on Salvation and Global Conflicts


Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again expressed concern about his eternal destiny, admitting he is unsure of making it to heaven despite his belief that he has made life better for many people.

Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump told reporters that he does not feel confident about his salvation.

“I’m not sure I’m going to be able to make heaven, but I’ve made life a lot better for a lot of people,” he said. “I think I’m not heaven-bound.”


Trump also claimed that the Russia-Ukraine war could have been avoided if the 2020 U.S. presidential election had not been “rigged.”

“Millions of people are dead because of a crooked election,” he said, accusing his successor and the previous administration of incompetence.


The former president further criticized the current government for its handling of the Israel-Gaza crisis, saying the conflict became harder to resolve under the Democrat-led administration.

In August, Trump had also revealed his desire to secure global peace deals during a potential second term — a move he said could help him “make heaven.”

During a Fox & Friends phone interview, he lamented the devastating impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and stressed the need for a permanent ceasefire to save lives.

“I want to try to get to heaven if possible… I’m hearing that I’m not doing well,” Trump had said, hinting at his hope for divine approval through his peace efforts.


While Trump’s remarks continue to stir mixed reactions globally, they reflect his ongoing attempts to balance his political ambitions with his personal reflections on faith and morality.

US President Donald Trump declared Sunday that the “war is over in Gaza” as he headed on a high-stakes peace trip to Israel and Egypt.