Sierra Leone declares nationwide curfew
Freetown, Nov 26: Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio declared a nationwide curfew Sunday after gunmen attacked the military’s main and largest barracks in the West African nation’s capital, raising fears of a breakdown of order amid a surge of coups in the region. The unidentified gunmen attacked the military armoury within the Wilberforce barracks in the capital, Freetown, early morning, Bio said in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, adding that they were driven back by security forces and “calm has been restored”. “As the combined team of our Security Forces continue to root out the remnant of the fleeing renegades, a nationwide curfew has been declared and citizens are encouraged to stay indoors,” he wrote. (AP)

Pope to attend Dubai event despite lung inflammation
Vatican City, Nov 26: Pope Francis on Sunday revealed that he has a lung inflammation but will go later this week to Dubai to address the climate change conference. Francis skipped his weekly on Sunday appearance at a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, a day after the Vatican said he was suffering from a mild flu. Instead, Francis gave the traditional noon blessing in an appearance televised live from the chapel in the Vatican hotel where he lives. “Brothers and sisters, happy Sunday. Today I cannot appear at the window because I have this problem of inflammation of the lungs,’ Francis said. The pontiff, whose 87th birthday is next month, added that a priest, sitting beside him, would read out his day’s reflections for him. In those comments, Francis said he was going to the UAE for the COP28 gathering on climate change and that he would deliver his speech, as scheduled to the participants. He described the climate change problem as a serious problem, especially for young people. (AP)