International
ECOWAS condemns security breaches in Sierra Leone

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has condemned the security breaches in Sierra Leone.
The condemnation is contained in a statement issued by ECOWAS on Sunday, November 26, in Abuja.
The statement stated: “The bloc has learnt, with utter disgust, a plot by certain individuals to acquire arms and disturb the peace and constitutional order in Sierra Leone.

“ECOWAS condemns this act and calls for the arrest and prosecution of everyone involved in the illegality. The bloc has always maintained its zero tolerance for unconstitutional change of government.
“We want to reaffirm our commitment to supporting the government and the people of Sierra Leone’s quest to deepen democracy and good governance by consolidating peace and security so as to foster socio-economic development.”
A military armoury in Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown came under attack on Sunday, the government announced, as it imposed an immediate national curfew.

The government said those attempting to break into the armoury had been repelled.
The information ministry assured the public that “the government and our state security forces are in control.
“To enable the security forces to continue the process of apprehending the suspects, a nationwide curfew is declared with immediate effect across the country.”
No further details were given on the alleged perpetrators of the attack or their motives.
Sierra Leone, an English-speaking country in West Africa, has been going through a political crisis following presidential and general elections in June this year.
The statement added: “The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has learnt with utter disgust a plot by certain individuals to acquire arms and disturb the peace and constitutional order in Sierra Leone.
“ECOWAS condemns this act and calls for the arrest and prosecution of all participants in this illegal act.”
ECOWAS reiterated its zero-tolerance for unconstitutional change of government, underscoring its commitment to supporting the government and people of Sierra Leone to deepen democracy and good governance, consolidate peace and security as well and foster socio-economic development.
Similarly, in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the US embassy in Freetown “condemn in the strongest possible terms the attempted overnight forceful seizure of Wilberforce Barracks and armoury.
“Such actions have no justification. We urge full cooperation with the government security forces’ ongoing operation to detain those responsible and strongly encourage all to adhere to government guidance regarding the ongoing curfew for their own safety.
“The United States continues to stand with all those working for a peaceful, democratic, healthy, and prosperous Sierra Leone.”
Crime
JUST IN: IDF eliminates terrorist behind January West Bank shooting

Israeli security forces on Wednesday morning killed Muhammad Zakarna, a member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, during a counterterrorism operation near Jenin.
Zakarna was identified as one of the terrorists involved in the deadly shooting attack in the West Bank village of al-Funduq in January.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Zakarna, a resident of Qabatiya, was among three gunmen who opened fire on civilians in al-Funduq on January 6, killing Master Sgt. Elad Yaakov Winkelstein, an off-duty Israeli police officer, and civilians Rachel Cohen and Aliza Raiz.
The IDF said Zakarna was located in a cave near the village of Misilyah following intelligence provided by the Shin Bet security agency.
During the attempted arrest by Yamam, the Israel Police’s elite counterterrorism unit, and IDF troops, a gun battle broke out between the forces and the suspects.
The military said the forces used shoulder-launched missiles during the exchange.
Zakarna and another Islamic Jihad member, Marooh Hazima, also from Qabatiya, were killed.
Hazima had previously been released from Israeli prison in the November 2023 ceasefire-hostage deal with Hamas and had since resumed terrorist activity, the IDF said.
A number of weapons and military gear were recovered from the scene. Several accomplices were also detained and found to be in possession of handguns.
The IDF confirmed that the other two terrorists behind the al-Funduq attack, Qutaiba al-Shalabi and Mohammed Nazal, both affiliated with Hamas — were previously killed in an Israeli operation in Qabatiya on January 23.
International
War: Ukraine loses 235 soldiers in 24 hours

No fewer than 235 soldiers have been lost in the past day by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk direction.
The Russian Defence Ministry made the claim Monday in a statement made available to newsmen.
According to NAN, Ukraine has so far, lost 74,245 service people and 406 tanks during the offensive in the Kursk direction, the ministry also said.
The ministry also stated that in the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 235 service people, an armored personnel carrier; three combat armored vehicles, 14 cars, and four field artillery weapons.
Others include four mortars and a BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system.
It was earlier reported that two Russian missiles on Sunday struck the heart of the city of Sumy in Ukraine, killing at least 31 persons including children.
France President, Emmanuel Macron, while reacting to the sad incident, condemned the development, stating that France is working towards imposing a ceasefire on Russia.
International
Trump defends policy after China fires US with 125% tariffs

US President Donald Trump, on Friday insisted that his tariff policy was doing really well despite China hiking levies on US goods to 125 percent in the spiraling trade war between the world’s two biggest economies.
According to reports, investors dumped US government bonds, the dollar tumbled and stocks seesawed after Beijing’s retaliation against Trump deepened concerns on already traumatized global markets.
Recall that Trump sent financial markets into a tailspin by announcing sweeping import taxes on dozens of trade partners last week, only to abruptly roll them back to 10 percent on Wednesday for 90 days, while raising levies on goods from China.
“We are doing really well on our tariff policy. Very exciting for America, and the World!!! It is moving along quickly,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social network.
Later, the White House said that Trump remained hopeful about a deal with China, adding that 15 other countries have offers on the table during his 90-day pause in their tariffs.
However, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that Trump made it very clear, when the United States was punched that he woul punch back harder.
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