Overview
- The White House confirmed it is preparing options at President Trump's direction to stop killings of Christians in Nigeria, with CNBC reporting targeted drone strikes are under consideration.
- Nigeria's defense chief Olufemi Oluyede rejected claims of Christian persecution and stressed long-running counterterrorism efforts and recent security leadership changes.
- Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar cited constitutional protections for religious freedom and said government‑backed persecution in Nigeria is impossible.
- Evangelical Church of Nigeria leader Elijah Ayodele accused Washington of seeking access to resources rather than defending Christians, urging cooperation with Abuja over threats.
- The New York Times reported senior advisers are pushing scenarios to remove Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro, but U.S. envoy Richard Grenell dismissed the story as error‑filled as the U.S. boosts forces in the Caribbean, including the USS Gerald R. Ford.