Sahel Security: Niger State patrols under Operation Savannah Shield arrested 10 suspected terrorist informants and collaborators during clearance operations across multiple communities, with suspects held for interrogation. Anti-LGBTQ Law: Niger’s military government criminalised consensual same-sex relationships in a new penal code, with penalties of up to 10 years and fines, drawing sharp condemnation from rights groups. Human Rights Alarm: Amnesty International says at least 1,100 people were abducted in Nigeria between January and April 2026, describing torture and other abuses in captivity. Finance for Recovery: NAB Consulting says it has completed a €250m structured finance facility for Niger, backed by Afreximbank, targeting agriculture, energy, healthcare, infrastructure and SMEs. Climate-Smart Farming: 2,180 people from disability communities across six states and the FCT will receive training in climate-smart agriculture to boost resilience and livelihoods. Regional Energy Push: Algeria has started work on its Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline segment, linking Nigeria’s gas through Niger to Europe via Hassi R’Mel. Sports Note: Niger’s Chovken team won bronze at the Chovken World Championship in Baku after a 3-2 loss to Chile in the semifinal.