A United States congressional committee will hold a hearing this week to review Nigeria's record on protecting Christians and tackling violence in the Middle Belt.

The hearing

The House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee will hold the session on Thursday, 12 November 2026, according to a notice from the office of its chairman, Republican Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey, issued on Monday. The hearing is titled 'One Year Later: Assessing Nigeria's Efforts to Protect Christians and Secure the Middle Belt'.

What will be discussed

The hearing will examine religious violence by extremist groups, including Boko Haram, and how effectively the Nigerian government has responded to attacks on vulnerable communities. It will also consider what measures the United States could press for to make sure perpetrators are held accountable and to prevent future attacks on Christians and non-radical Muslims. The first panel will hear from two senior State Department officials, Frank Garcia, assistant secretary of state for African affairs, and Riley Barnes, assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labour, followed by outside experts.

Background

The title refers to developments around a year ago, when the US designated Nigeria a 'Country of Particular Concern' over religious freedom. The Nigerian government has rejected claims of a targeted genocide against Christians, saying insecurity affects people of all faiths, and has pointed to military operations against armed groups. Attacks have continued in states such as Plateau and Benue, including a deadly attack in Barkin Ladi at the weekend.

American actress and model Toukie Smith has died at the age of 74.

What happened

Her twins, Airyn and Julian, whom she shared with her former partner, actor Robert De Niro, said she died in New York on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, after a long and courageous battle with multiple sclerosis. The news was reported on Tuesday, 10 November.

Her career

Smith was best known for playing Eva Rawley on the NBC sitcom '227', which she joined in 1989, first as a guest star. She also appeared in 'Miami Vice' and worked as a model, including in campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent. Born Dorris Smith in 1952, she took her stage name from a nickname given to her by her grandmother.

Background

Smith and De Niro began dating in 1988, and their twins were born via a surrogate. The couple's on-off relationship ended in 1996.

The White House was briefly placed on lockdown on Monday, 9 November 2026, after a car crashed into a security barrier near the complex.

What happened

Shortly before 10am, a silver sedan mounted the pavement and hit a sign at the northern end of Lafayette Park, directly opposite the White House, according to reports. Witnesses said the driver got out and became involved in a physical confrontation with Secret Service agents and National Guard troops. Two people were arrested. The press area was locked down, reporters were ordered indoors, and roads around the park were closed. President Donald Trump was in the White House at the time. Officials said the driver was combative but was quickly arrested.

Background

The incident came days after the Secret Service arrested an armed man near the White House who allegedly said voices had told him to kill the President. Officials have said the White House has seen a rise in security incidents, many linked to mental health problems. No motive for Monday's crash was given, and there were no reports of serious injuries.

British comedian and actor Russell Brand has been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison.

The sentence

Brand, 51, was sentenced on Monday, 9 November 2026, after a jury of eight men and four women found him guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others, in offences dating back to 2004. He was cleared of two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault. Brand had maintained his innocence, saying all his encounters were consensual.

The judge's remarks

Judge Joel Bennathan said Brand had shown a casual and arrogant disregard for women's right to say no, and placed the crimes in the context of his rise to fame about 20 years ago, when he was widely seen as clever, funny and charismatic.

Background

Brand became famous in the 2000s as a stand-up comedian, television and radio presenter and Hollywood actor, and was known for his outrageous on-air behaviour and his public battles with drug and alcohol addiction. The allegations against him first emerged in a joint media investigation in 2023, after which he was charged by British police. In recent years he had reinvented himself as an online commentator with a large following.