Niger Uranium Rumors Wouldn't Die (LA Times tries to support 'Joe the Liar')

See Free Republic 17 Feb 2006.

Poor compensation plans impeding bird flu fight in west Africa - Yahoo! News

Niger had pledged to pay 1,000 CFA francs (1.5 euros) per chicken in case of mass slaughter but poultry farmers say the sum is peanuts.

"It's largely inadequate and unfair. Any poultry expert will tell you that it costs at least 4,000 CFA francs (more than six euros) to raise a chicken until it starts bringing in profits," said Harouna Labo, one of Niger's largest poultry farmers.

A chicken seller in the Niger town of Maradi was more explicit.

"Whoever wants to kill my chickens has to do so over my dead body," said Almou Abdou.

Full story AFP at Yahoo News 23 Feb 2006.

Niger: Journalist freed after 18 days detention in libel case

CPJ News 21 Feb 2006:

The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the release of newspaper director Ibrahim Manzo, who spent 18 days in preventive detention awaiting the outcome of a defamation case. A court in Niamey, capital of Niger, handed Manzo a suspended one-month prison sentence on Monday and ordered his release, local journalists told CPJ.

Niger 'coup' trial of 70 soldiers

From the BBC 21 Feb 2006:

Seventy soldiers have gone on trial in Niger's capital, Niamey, for their alleged role in an attempted coup three years ago.

The soldiers are accused of being part of a group of mutinous troops who violently protested against their living conditions and unpaid wages

It escalated into a mutiny both in the capital and in the region of Diffa.

At one point a state governor and several senior army officers were kidnapped.

At least two civilians were reported to have been killed in the unrest that was finally quelled by troops loyal to the government.

The BBC's Idy Barou in Niger says if the military tribunal convicts the men they could face the death penalty.

France helps Niger test for bird flu

Niger's government launched its first ministerial missions into rural areas this weekend to educate people on how to minimise the threat from bird flu.

A team of French and German experts will visit the country from February 24 to March 4 to assist Niger's response to bird flu, the French embassy said.

Full story Reuters 20 Feb 2006.