US President Donald Trump has announced a major counterterror success after a joint operation involving American and Nigerian forces reportedly eliminated senior ISIS figure Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki in Africa’s Sahel region. Trump described the mission as a significant blow to the global ISIS terror network, calling the operation a high-level intelligence-driven strike coordinated between US and Nigerian security forces. According to statements from the White House, the ISIS second-in-command was tracked through an extensive intelligence network before the complex raid was launched. Trump praised Nigerian authorities and military personnel for their role in the operation, saying the mission prevented future terror threats targeting both Africa and American interests. WATCH

The FBI says it has thwarted a potential ISIS-inspired terror attack planned for New Year’s Eve in North Carolina, arresting an 18-year-old suspect before any harm could occur. Federal prosecutors allege the suspect, Christian Sturdivant of Mint Hill near Charlotte, attempted to provide material support to ISIS after making contact with individuals he believed were affiliated with the terror group. Authorities say those contacts were actually FBI undercover agents.