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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.

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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)

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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.

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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».

Nigerian Christians murdered

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.»

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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.»

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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.» 

Christians in Nigeria

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

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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.»

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.» 

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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.»

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.»

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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.»



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Nursery apologizes for alleged antisemitic remark to jobseeker in rejection text message: ‘Repugnant’

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Public outrage erupted after a young Israeli jobseeker received a rejection message that civil rights activists condemned as «repugnant,» sparking a protest outside an Australian plant nursery and prompting the business to publicly apologize for its co-owner’s alleged antisemitic remarks.

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A 24-year-old Jewish woman, who wished to remain anonymous, received the rejection text after applying for a job at The Garden of Eden Nursery in Albert Park in Melbourne, the Herald Sun reported on Saturday.

Brett Dahan allegedly told the woman that the position had been filled by «someone with a semblance of humanity» and that she should leave the country — just weeks after she had moved to Australia.

«Unfortunately, the position has been filled by someone with a semblance of humanity and who cares for plants, animals, and the environment. Good luck on your journey and I hope you leave Melbourne soon! Free Palestine and end genocide NOW. You’re complicit in IT,» the text read.

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IRAN’S PROXY WAR ON JEWS IS AN ALL-OUT ATTACK ON WESTERN CIVILIZATION. AUSTRALIA GETS IT

The Garden of Eden Nursery in Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Google Maps)

Having expected a warm welcome after her move, the woman said she was «shocked and deeply disappointed» by the hostility of the response, the Herald Sun reported.

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«I came to Australia believing it was a fair and welcoming country but reading those words – so full of hostility – was heartbreaking,» she said. «I was judged, not as a person, but as an Israeli.»

In a phone call with the Herald Sun, Dahan said he «did not know» why he had sent the message. The local outlet added that he repeatedly failed to answer any follow-up questions.

ANTI-ISRAEL ACTIVIST CONFRONTS FORMER IDF SOLDIER ON NEW YORK BEACH, GETS QUESTIONED IN RETURN

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The Melbourne skyline

The Melbourne skyline in Australia. (Chris Putnam/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

The incident has sparked widespread backlash from the Jewish community, with protesters gathering outside the nursery, news.com.au reported.

According to Australia’s Equal Opportunity Act, discriminating against a job applicant based on their nationality is illegal.

In a statement shared by the company on Sunday, the nursery, run by twin brothers Brett and Scott Dahan, later issued a statement apologizing to the Jewish community and expressing regret over the message sent «by a staff member.»

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«The Garden of Eden Nursery would like to express its regret and extend its sincere apologies to the community in regards to the recent message sent to a member of the public by a staff member,» the company said, adding that the matter is being addressed internally.

NETANYAHU SLAMS AUSTRALIA PM, SAYS HE ‘BETRAYED ISRAEL AND ABANDONED AUSTRALIA’S JEWS’

Aerial View over morning commuters towards the city of Melbourne from a hot air baloon, taken at dawn.Melbourne is the capital of Victora State, Australia

Aerial view of Melbourne, Australia. (iStock)

«We are deeply upset and disappointed by the content of the message, which in no way reflects the values, standards, or spirit of our business or team,» the company continued.

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The country’s Anti-Defamation Commission Chairman Dr. Dvir Abramovich criticized the apology Sunday and said true accountability would be to close the business.

«Mr. Dahan’s repugnant text wasn’t a slip. It was a deliberate, written act meant to humiliate and degrade,» Abramovich said in a statement on social media. «Apologizing ‘to the community,’ blaming ‘a staff member,’ and saying it will be handled ‘internally’ is not accountability.»

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Abramovich emphasized that the woman deserves a direct and personal apology from Dahan.

The Garden of Eden Nursery did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.

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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

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Al día siguiente de que su partido sufriera una dura derrota electoral en la ciudad de Nueva York, donde ganó el joven socialista demócrata Zohran Mamdani, el presidente Donald Trump lanzó este miércoles una advertencia a los estadounidenses: “Mientras yo esté en la Casa Blanca, Estados Unidos no se volverá comunista de ninguna manera”, afirmó.

El presidente reaccionó así a un triple golpe que los demócratas le asestaron el martes a su partido y a su propia gestión al frente del gobierno en Nueva York y también en New Jersey y Virginia, donde ganaron dos candidatas demócratas a la gobernación igualmente por amplio margen.

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En una conferencia del American Business Forum organizada en Miami, que nucleó a figuras de la política y el deporte, el principal invitado fue Trump, que se presentó justo al día siguiente de las elecciones. El magnate habló en el mismo evento al que este jueves asistirá Javier Milei y que aglutinó a estrellas como Lionel Messi, los tenistas Rafael Nadal y Serena Williams, la premio Nobel de la Paz María Corina Machado, e jefe de FIFA Gianni Infantino y otros líderes de empresas de primera línea.

“Después de los resultados de anoche, la decisión que enfrentan todos los estadounidenses no podría ser más clara: tenemos una elección entre comunismo y sentido común”, dijo Trump. “Y mientras yo esté en la Casa Blanca, Estados Unidos no se volverá comunista de ninguna manera, forma o figura”.

Mamdani, que era prácticamente un desconocido hace pocos meses, fue elegido alcalde de Nueva York por unos 9 puntos sobre el moderado ex gobernador Andrew Cuomo, a pesar de que Trump salió a amenazar con que quitaría la ayuda federal a la ciudad si ganaba un “comunista” y apoyó abiertamente al rival de Madmani.

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Estadounidense naturalizado, nacido en Uganda, hijo de padres de India y musulmán, Mamdani rompió todos los esquemas al proponer un programa de reformas radicales para la ciudad, que incluye transporte y guarderías gratis para los vecinos, un freno a los precios de los alquileres y la construcción de viviendas accesibles y también supermercados subsidiados para vender alimentos baratos. Financiaría esas medidas con un aumento de impuestos a los multimillonarios y a las corporaciones financieras.

El presidente Donald Trump aborda el Air Force One el miércoles 5 de noviembre de 2025 en el Aeropuerto Internacional de Miami, rumbo a Washington. Foto AP

Trump buscó sembrar el miedo a Mamdani al final de la campaña, pero los estadounidenses lo castigaron: mujeres, jóvenes, universitarios y minorías (especialmente latinos y asiáticos), lo votaron en masa.

En un conferencia de prensa tras su victoria Mamdani prometió gobernar para todos e incluso que estaba dispuesto a hablar con Trump. “Estoy interesado en tener una conversación con el presidente Trump sobre las formas en que podemos trabajar juntos para servir a los neoyorquinos, ya sea cumpliendo sus promesas de campaña sobre el costo de vida o los muchos temas que los neoyorquinos me han compartido acerca de los impactos drásticos que la legislación que el presidente Trump ha impulsado en Washington significará para ellos y sus vidas”.

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“Espero con interés tener esas conversaciones y dejar claro que, si alguna vez hay algo de lo que se pueda hablar que beneficie a la gente de la ciudad, estoy listo y dispuesto a hablar con quien sea sobre ello”, agregó el alcalde electo.

Además, Mamdani respondió a las críticas sobre la retórica de su campaña hacia Israel y la guerra en Gaza, diciendo: “Tomo el tema del antisemitismo muy en serio”. “Mi alcaldía se mantendrá firme junto con los neoyorquinos judíos en la lucha contra el flagelo del antisemitismo en toda la ciudad”, señaló.

Mas allá de las palabras conciliadoras de Mamdani, Trump continuó con su ofensiva contra el alcalde electo. «Ahora los demócratas son tan extremos que Miami pronto se convertirá en refugio para quienes están huyendo del comunismo en Nueva York. Huyen, huyen. ¿Dónde vives? En Nueva York, pero estoy tratando de irme porque no quiero vivir en un régimen comunista», dijo. Y agregó que “Estados Unidos perdió un poco de soberanía anoche en Nueva York».

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Ilustración que muestra los periódicos Daily News y New York Times publicando las noticias sobre la victoria de Zohran Mamdani en las elecciones. Foto ReutersIlustración que muestra los periódicos Daily News y New York Times publicando las noticias sobre la victoria de Zohran Mamdani en las elecciones. Foto Reuters

El de Miami fue el primer gran evento público de Trump tras los comicios del martes, en los que los demócratas ganaron en Nueva York, New Jersey y Virginia y también una votación sobre la Proposición 50 en California para crear un mapa electoral que dará cinco nuevos escaños para el Partido Demócrata.

Abigail Spanberger, una excongresista demócrata, ganó la gobernación de Virginia con una campaña que destacó las consecuencias de los recortes al gobierno federal que hizo Trump (Virginia es un estado lindero a Washington DC). La congresista demócrata Mikie Sherrill ganó en New Jersey con la promesa de declarar el estado de emergencia en los costos de los servicios públicos y congelar las tarifas. Ambas trinfaron por dos dígitos.

Por la mañana Trump había reconocido que los republicanos habían «aprendido mucho» tras las victorias demócratas y atribuyó la derrota al cierre del Gobierno, convertido ya en el más largo de la historia del país, con cientos de miles de empleados públicos en sus casas sin cobrar sueldos porque demócratas y republicanos no se ponen de acuerdo en el Congreso por la ley de Presupuesto.

Este cierre, más la situación económica general, elevó el malhumor del electorado. Trump prometió bajar la inflación desde el día cero y no lo está logrando porque los estadounidenses ven que los precios de los alimentos suben en el supermercado.

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También han caído mal algunos gestos de Trump, como el derribo del ala este de la Casa Blanca para construir un nuevo salón de baile, la remodelación del lujoso baño de Lincoln, y las fiestas de Halloween que celebró durante el cierre del gobierno, mientras los empleados públicos no cobran.

«Trump es indiferente al dolor que sienten las familias estadounidenses», dijo la representante Suzan DelBene de Washington, quien lidera la campaña de los demócratas de la Cámara de Representantes de cara a las elecciones legislativas de 2026.

Solo el 30 por ciento de los votantes cree que Trump ha estado a la altura de sus expectativas para abordar la inflación y el costo de vida, según una encuesta reciente de NBC News, su calificación más baja sobre cualquier tema. Y un escaso 27 por ciento de los votantes en una encuesta de CNN a fines de octubre dijo que las políticas de Trump habían mejorado las condiciones económicas del país.

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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.

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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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KATIE PORTER SAYS SHE REGRETS VIRAL OUTBURSTS AT REPORTER, STAFFER

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.

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«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.

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«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

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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.»

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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.

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CALIFORNIA FIREFIGHTERS TOLD TO IGNORE SIGNS OF A FIRE: REPORT

Sheriff Chad Bianco and Royce Gracie

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.

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