Shirley U. Emehelu, a lawyer born in Nigeria, has been appointed lieutenant governor of New Jersey in the United States.

The appointment

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill appointed Emehelu on Monday, 9 November 2026, making her the state's fifth lieutenant governor and the first immigrant to hold the office. She was sworn in at the Statehouse in Trenton by the state's Chief Justice, Stuart Rabner. The appointment also means that, for the first time in New Jersey's history, women hold the state's two highest executive offices at the same time. Emehelu will also serve as Secretary of State, a role that covers government administration and oversight of elections.

Why she was chosen

Sherrill described Emehelu as an experienced public servant and pointed to her record prosecuting financial crimes, protecting consumers, defending civil rights and tackling government waste. The governor also praised her leadership as acting Secretary of State, including overseeing the state's recent elections.

Her Nigerian roots

Emehelu, who moved from Nigeria to the United States as a child, said she was proud of what the appointment means for Black women, immigrants and people who share her Nigerian heritage, and expressed hope that it would inspire young people to serve. She said she would work with the governor on the cost of living and economic opportunity.

At least 20 people have reportedly been killed in an operation involving Salvadoran troops targeting suspected gang members in Haiti.

A country held hostage

The reported incident comes as Haiti continues to struggle with widespread gang violence, kidnappings and insecurity, particularly in areas where armed groups have taken control of communities and forced thousands of residents to flee.

For years, ordinary Haitians have lived under the constant threat of armed gangs, with many families unable to go about their daily lives without fear.

Foreign forces on the ground

Soldiers from El Salvador have been in Haiti since early 2025 as part of an internationally backed mission to help the Haitian police fight the gangs, alongside forces from other countries.

The reported operation has raised fresh questions about the growing role of foreign security forces in efforts to restore order in the troubled Caribbean nation.

What we don't know

The circumstances of the reported deaths, including the identities of those killed and the exact role played by the Salvadoran troops, have not been independently confirmed.

Over to you

Can foreign military intervention finally help Haiti regain control from armed gangs, or will it only lead to more bloodshed?

The United States has imposed a temporary travel restriction on people who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) because of Ebola.

The rule

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said anyone who has been in the DRC in the past 21 days may not board a flight to the United States, according to reports on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. The rule applies to American citizens as well as foreigners, and covers passengers whose aircraft stopped at a DRC airport even if they did not leave the plane. Affected travellers must wait until 21 days have passed since they left the DRC. The US Embassy in Kinshasa announced the measure on social media.

Why 21 days

The period matches the maximum incubation time of the Ebola virus.

Background

The restriction comes amid an Ebola outbreak in Central Africa. Nigeria is currently monitoring contacts of one imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease, a species of Ebola, and says no further cases have been confirmed.

A suspended Reform UK councillor in England has been convicted over a social media post about Nigerians.

The case

Glenn Gibbins, 66, was found guilty at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court of sending a malicious communication, according to reports on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. In a Facebook post, he had complained about the number of Nigerians in the town and said they should be melted down and used to fill potholes. He told the court on Monday that the post was 'naughty' but that he did not mean it literally. The prosecutor said the comment conjured up despicable images and implied that Nigerians were less than human.

How it came to light

The post was found by the anti-racism group Hope Not Hate when it reviewed Gibbins's social media after he was announced as a Reform UK candidate for Sunderland City Council. He was later suspended by the party.

Background

Reform UK is led by Nigel Farage. Nigerians make up one of the largest African communities in the UK.