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Cruz clashes with Nigeria over his claims 50,000 Christians killed since 2009 in religious violence
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FIRST ON FOX: A diplomatic battle is being waged between leading Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Nigerian government officials. The Texas senator has warned he will hold officials accountable for the reported «mass slaughter» of tens of thousands of Christians in Nigeria. The officials say Cruz is lying, with one claiming that despite even the pope publicly calling out the killings, there is religious harmony in the country.
Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian, according to international Christian advocacy group Open Doors International’s 2025 World Watch List (WWL). An estimated 48% of the population is Christian. But of the 4,476 Christians reported killed worldwide in WWL’s latest reporting period, 3,100 – 69% – were in Nigeria.
WHITE HOUSE RESPONDS TO SURGE IN CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION CRISIS ACROSS SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act, which he said would target officials «with powerful sanctions and other tools.» (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
On Saturday, the spokesperson for Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu told a Lagos newspaper that Cruz should «stop these malicious, contrived lies» over the murders.
In response, Cruz, the chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, told Fox News Digital, «Nigeria’s federal government and a dozen state governments enforce blasphemy laws in their criminal and sharia codes, and they ignore or facilitate mob violence targeting Christians.»
On Friday, the Nigerian minister of information, Mohammed Idris, spoke exclusively to Fox News Digital, rejecting Cruz’s claims of Christian massacres in his country. «The Nigerian government rejects that. This is certainly not true,» he said.
In reaction, Cruz told Fox News Digital that the killings «are the result of decisions made by specific people, in specific places, at specific times. The United States knows who those people are, and I intend to hold them accountable».
Pope Leo XIV condemned the killings of up to 200 people in Yelewata community in Nigeria on June 13, 2025. (Associated Press)
Cruz said, «Since 2009, over 50,000 Christians in Nigeria have been massacred, and over 20,000 churches and Christian schools have been destroyed. These atrocities are directly linked to the policies of Nigerian federal and state officials. They are the result of decisions made by specific people, in specific places, at specific times – and it says a great deal about who is lashing out now that a light is being shone on these issues.»
On Friday, Cruz posted on X: «Officials in Nigeria are ignoring and even facilitating the mass murder of Christians by Islamist jihadists. It’s time to hold those responsible accountable.» He went on to refer to a new bill he has introduced in the Senate: «My Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act would target these officials with powerful sanctions and other tools.»
FEARS REMAIN THIS EASTER THAT CHRISTIANS IN NIGERIA ARE BEING ‘WIPED OUT’ BY MUSLIM EXTREMISTS
This drew an immediate response from Nigerian presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga. Interviewed by the Nigerian Daily Post the next day, Onanuga demanded, «Senator, stop these malicious, contrived lies against my country. Christians are not targeted. We have religious harmony in our country.»
Idris told Fox News Digital that Cruz’s comments are «very misleading. This is not true. This is not the reflection of what is on the ground. I mean it’s false where you say over 20,000 churches have been burned. It’s also false if you say 52,000 (Christians killed), where did he get those numbers from? I think this is absolutely absurd. It’s not supported by any facts whatsoever. The Nigerian government rejects that. No Nigerian officials will willingly, deliberately indulge in the act of siding with violent extremists to target any particular religion in this country. This is absolutely false.»
Idris also stated, «Nigeria is a multi-faith country, meaning that it’s a country that has multiple religions. We have Christians, we have Muslims, we even have those who don’t believe in any of these two religions. Nigeria is a very tolerant country. The government of Nigeria is committed to ensuring that there is religious freedom in this country, but we do have extremist organizations in this country.»
Members of St Leo Catholic Church hold a procession to mark Palm Sunday in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, on April 13, 2025. (Adekunle Ajayi/Getty Images)
Idris continued, «It’s unfortunate sadly, that some of these extremists have killed a number of Christians and a number of Muslims almost everywhere where this violent extremism has support. So it’s (the accusation by Sen. Cruz) not true. We find that to be very unfortunate. It’s despicable, it’s not right. This is absolutely false to say that there is a calculated or a deliberate attempt to kill a particular religious group, is not correct and we find that really very, very unfortunate.
POPE, STATE DEPARTMENT CONDEMN LATEST MASSACRE OF CHRISTIANS BY ISLAMIST MILITANTS IN NIGERIA
Open Doors’ Natalie Blair says independent data from Nigeria shows «Christians can be targeted by radical extremists, and radical extremists can also kill Muslims who do not conform to their radical ideology.» But Blair, a senior member of Open Doors Advocacy team, told Fox News Digital, «Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) have explicitly and repeatedly declared Christians as targets. And many victims have told us that when Fulani militants attack they don’t just shout ‘Allahu Akbar’, (God is Great), they yell, ‘We will destroy all Christians.’
Blair added: «According to the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, data of civilians killed – exempting out the military and terrorist deaths – in northern Nigeria is unequivocal: more Christians are killed by the extremists than Muslims – if you are a Christian you are 6.5 times more likely to be killed than a Muslim. This does not make the suffering of a Muslim less significant, it just makes it less likely.» President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently told a Nigerian newspaper that Sen. Ted Cruz should «stop these malicious, contrived lies» over the killings. (Ton Molina/Getty Images) Bishop Wilfred Anagbe’s Makurdi Diocese is almost exclusively Christian. But the constant and escalating attacks by Muslim Fulani militants led him to testify at a congressional hearing in March in Washington, saying there is «a long-term Islamic agenda (in Nigeria) to homogenize. The population has been implemented over several presidencies through a strategy to reduce and eventually eliminate the Christian identity of half of the population all over Nigeria. These terrorists are going about on a jihad and conquering territories and renaming them accordingly.» CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Idris was dismissive of the bishop’s congressional testimony: «Let me say that the bishop’s position is an extreme one. It’s not true. The Nigerian government has debunked that in the past.» Funerals for some 27 Christians who were reportedly killed by Islamist Fulani tribesmen in the village of Bindi Ta-hoss, Nigeria. (Courtesy: Christian Solidarity International (CSI)) Open Doors’ Blair, with access to Nigerian villagers, responded, «We must listen to the voices of those who have experienced the violence firsthand. People on the ground do not trust that anyone will pay for these violent crimes. This is because they have seen hundreds of suspects arrested over the years and then most of them released, having never been charged or brought to trial.» Blair concluded, «The right to life, guaranteed under Section 33 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, is meaningless unless the state acts decisively to punish those who violate it. The ongoing culture of impunity will only result in more bloodshed and continue to erode public trust in the rule of law.»
africa,christianity religion,persecutions,terrorism,ted cruz,national security
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Estados Unidos: golpeado por las derrotas, Donald Trump sigue atacando a Zohran Mamdani, pero el alcalde electo de Nueva York no se queda callado
Ilustración que muestra los periódicos Daily News y New York Times publicando las noticias sobre la victoria de Zohran Mamdani en las elecciones. Foto ReutersINTERNACIONAL
UFC legend endorses pro-law enforcement pick for California governor: ‘We need his strength’
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EXCLUSIVE: Ultimate Fighting Championship pioneer and legend Royce Gracie has endorsed a pro-law enforcement candidate who is running for governor in California.
One of the biggest names in mixed martial arts and the first UFC champion, Gracie made a name for himself by taking down much larger opponents through precision and skill.
Now he is weighing into the political sphere in the race to replace Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited and widely rumored to have 2028 presidential ambitions.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Gracie said he is endorsing sheriff Chad Bianco’s long-shot bid to replace Newsom in 2026. Gracie, a three-time UFC champion, called Bianco a «fighter» who is «exactly who we need.»
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Riverside County, California sheriff Chad Bianco announces his 2026 Republican campaign for governor, in the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom, in Riverside, California, on Feb. 17, 2025. (Chad Bianco campaign)
«When Gavin Newsom closed businesses, schools, and churches, one person stood against him, Sheriff Chad Bianco,» Gracie told Fox News Digital.
«Chad Bianco didn’t fold. He’s a fighter, and a fighter is exactly who we need as Governor of California,» he added, saying, «We need his strength to turn this state around after the mess Gavin Newsom has created.»
Bianco, who is a vocal Trump supporter and the sheriff of Riverside County, just east of Los Angeles, announced his gubernatorial candidacy back in February, saying, «Californians deserve better.»
He has framed his candidacy around restoring safety and a better quality of life to California.
«This campaign will not be about the divide between Republicans and Democrats. It will be about the common goal we all have for a better California,» Bianco emphasized at his campaign launch.
«As Californians, we want leadership that actually cares about the cost of living …and leaders who will do something about it,» Bianco said in his address. «We want homes we can afford. We want air conditioning when it’s hot, not rolling blackouts. We want water for the crops and animals that feed us. We want the opportunity to achieve the California Dream, not be prevented from it because of red tape and regulation from government. We want honesty and transparency from our elected officials. We want lower taxes and less government waste. We want sanity restored and common sense to prevail.»
PELOSI SPOKESMAN SIDESTEPS RETIREMENT RUMORS AS DEM PRIMARY THREATS WAIT IN WINGS
Jiu-Jitsu black belt Royce Gracie kicks at cruiserweight boxer Art Jimmerson during a 1st round match in the Ultimate Fighter Championships in Denver, Colorado. Gracie went on to win the match and eventually the championship. (Markus Boes)
Bianco, who has worked in law enforcement for more than three decades, was first elected sheriff in 2018. A vocal critic of Newsom and soft on crime policies, Bianco was one of the leaders who helped push California’s Proposition 36 ballot measure to a landslide victory in last November’s elections. The measure, which took effect in December, mandates stiffer penalties and longer sentences in California for certain drug and theft crimes.
In response to Gracie’s endorsement, Bianco told Fox News Digital that «Californians are waking up, and we are going to clean up this state.»
«Gavin Newsom has been chasing away Californians in record numbers,» he said, adding, «I’m grateful for the support of patriots like Royce Gracie.»
Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom’s office for comment but did not receive a statement by the time of publication.
Bianco is facing a steep uphill battle to win as a Republican in deep blue California. It has been nearly two decades since a Republican won a statewide race.
Though still early, the current frontrunner to be Newsom’s successor is former Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, a progressive who has made resisting President Donald Trump a central theme of her campaign.
CALIFORNIA FIREFIGHTERS TOLD TO IGNORE SIGNS OF A FIRE: REPORT
Republican Sheriff Chad Bianco (left) received an endorsement from UFC legend Royce Gracie (right) for California governor. (Images courtesy of Chad Bianco Campaign)
Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary under the Biden administration and former California attorney general, is also running for the Democratic nomination.
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The Democratic and Republican primaries will be held on June 2 next year and the general election will be on Nov. 3.
california,gavin newsom,elections
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Vladimir Putin ordenó a sus funcionarios iniciar los preparativos para “posibles pruebas nucleares”
El presidente ruso, Vladímir Putin, ordenó este miércoles a sus principales funcionarios estudiar a fondo las intenciones de Estados Unidos y “presentar propuestas” para retomar las pruebas nucleares. La decisión responde a recientes declaraciones del presidente estadounidense, Donald Trump, quien sugirió que Washington podría volver a realizar ensayos atómicos después de treinta años sin hacerlo.
La instrucción de Putin fue emitida durante una reunión del Consejo de Seguridad ruso, donde el mandatario reiteró que Moscú solo retomaría las pruebas si Estados Unidos lo hace primero, pero instó a los ministerios de Defensa y Asuntos Exteriores, así como a otras agencias federales, a recabar información y diseñar un plan de contingencia.
El 30 de octubre, Trump indicó públicamente en redes sociales, desde Corea del Sur, que evalúa la posibilidad de reanudar las pruebas de armas nucleares estadounidenses “en una base igualitaria” con Rusia y China. Sin embargo, el secretario de Energía estadounidense, Chris Wright, aseguró el domingo que los nuevos ensayos ordenados por Trump no contemplan detonaciones nucleares. Estados Unidos no ha realizado explosiones atómicas desde 1992, aunque continúa probando sistemas de armas con capacidad nuclear.
Putin emitió su directriz poco después de que Estados Unidos y Rusia comunicaran avances en el desarrollo y modernización de sus arsenales. La semana anterior, el presidente ruso anunció pruebas exitosas de un misil de crucero y un dron submarino de propulsión nuclear y capacidad atómica, destacando ante su Consejo de Seguridad que esas armas “no pueden ser interceptadas”. Según la visión de Putin, recogida durante el encuentro y reproducida por la agencia estatal TASS, esta demostración pretende dejar claro a Trump la postura firme de Rusia sobre sus demandas en el conflicto de Ucrania.
Durante la sesión del Consejo de Seguridad, el ministro de Defensa, Andrei Belousov, transmitió al presidente que Washington está avanzando en la modernización de su arsenal nuclear. Belousov sostuvo que, junto con un eventual regreso estadounidense a las pruebas nucleares, estas iniciativas “incrementan significativamente el nivel de amenazas militares para Rusia”. Por ello, recomendó iniciar de inmediato los preparativos para posibles pruebas en el archipiélago ártico de Nueva Zembla, donde la extinta Unión Soviética llevó a cabo su último ensayo en 1990. Añadió que esa instalación está en condiciones de reanudar los ensayos rápidamente si es necesario.
El jefe del Estado Mayor ruso, el general Valery Gerasimov, respaldó esa recomendación y advirtió en que preparar un ensayo nuclear puede requerir desde varios meses hasta años, dependiendo del tipo de prueba. En su intervención ante Putin y los altos cargos reunidos, Gerasimov insistió sobre el alto coste de respuesta si no se tomaban medidas preventivas, considerando las señales contradictorias de Washington en torno a futuras explosiones nucleares estadounidenses.
Finalizada la ronda de intervenciones, Putin ordenó a las agencias gubernamentales “reunir información adicional sobre el tema, analizarla en el marco del Consejo de Seguridad y presentar propuestas coordinadas sobre el posible inicio de los trabajos para prepararse para pruebas de armas nucleares.”
El portavoz del Kremlin, Dmitri Peskov, aclaró en declaraciones citadas por la agencia Tass que Putin no ha autorizado iniciar los preparativos para nuevas pruebas, sino únicamente analizar la situación internacional y determinar la necesidad de tomar esa medida. Peskov subrayó que el gobierno ruso debe comprender perfectamente las intenciones de la Casa Blanca antes de avanzar en cualquier decisión.
Horas más tarde, Dmitri Medvédev, vicepresidente del Consejo de Seguridad, intervino en la red social X para recalcar la gravedad de las declaraciones de Trump: “Nadie sabe qué quiso decir Trump con ‘pruebas nucleares’ (probablemente ni él mismo lo sabe). Pero es el presidente de Estados Unidos. Y las consecuencias de tales palabras son ineludibles: Rusia se verá obligada a evaluar la conveniencia de realizar sus propias pruebas nucleares a gran escala”, afirmó Medvédev.
La tensión en torno al Tratado de Prohibición Completa de los Ensayos Nucleares (TPCE) vuelve a quedar en evidencia. El acuerdo, firmado en 1996 por el entonces presidente estadounidense Bill Clinton pero nunca ratificado por el Senado, ha sido respetado en la práctica por todas las potencias atómicas salvo Corea del Norte. En 2023, Putin promulgó una ley que revocó la ratificación rusa del tratado, argumentando que Moscú necesitaba situarse “en igualdad de condiciones” respecto a Washington.
(Con información de AP)
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