Miners’ Deaths in Niger: Niger State Governor Umaru Bago says the APC has donated N52m to families and survivors of the 37 miners who died in NSCDC custody, as a federal investigative panel begins work and promises a fair, independent probe. Kidnapping and Ransom Pressure: Reports from Niger State and beyond point to escalating abductions of farmers and women, including cases where victims are said to have given birth in captivity, while police in Nigeria’s Abia recover dozens of skulls and bones from suspected criminal camps. Civic Space Under Strain: At the UN Human Rights Council, Niger’s civic space is again condemned as “repressed,” with critics citing restrictions on civil society and media since the 2023 coup. Uranium and Sovereignty Tension: Niamey’s push to tighten control of the Madaouela uranium project—raising its stake to 40%—still depends on securing foreign financing, amid wider debate over the SOMAÏR/SONIDEP failures. Fuel Squeeze in Niamey: Drivers keep turning to informal “yan bumburutu” as petrol supply remains unreliable, with prices rising when official stations run dry. Regional Security Watch: Coverage also highlights how Russia’s Africa Corps is linked to preventing internal collapse in Niger, and how Sahel states are leaning into tougher security postures.