Niger’s new penal code: Niger’s military rulers have passed laws criminalising homosexuality and making participation in same-sex marriage a crime, with penalties of five to ten years. Sahel security shift: A new report says Islamic State’s Sahel affiliate has moved into a more advanced phase, with stronger organisation and territorial control, as rivalry with other jihadist groups intensifies. Border talks: Niger’s PM met Libya’s PM in Tripoli to discuss border security, cross-border crime, irregular migration, and reactivating a joint higher committee. Mining sovereignty: Nigerien officials met GoviEx on a revised mining convention for the long-delayed Madaouela uranium project, aiming to strengthen state control and revenue. Power disruption in Niger State: Nigeria’s TCN warns vandals have repeatedly attacked transmission lines in Niger State, damaging 132kV conductors and costing about N32 million to repair. Local security in Nigeria’s north-central: Nasarawa police say they rescued seven kidnapping victims and arrested 35 suspects in anti-crime operations. Court crackdown on terror: Nigeria’s federal government secured 150 convictions on the first day of mass terrorism trials in Abuja, as prosecutors push ahead with hundreds of cases.