Tag

Niger

All articles tagged with #niger

world6 days ago•44 min saved

Inland Sahara Unveils Scimitar-Crest Spinosaurus Mirabilis

Scientists led by Paul Sereno describe Spinosaurus mirabilis, a new inland Sahara spinosaurid from Niger dating to about 95 million years ago. It has a distinctive scimitar-shaped crest and likely hunted fish in shallow water far from the sea, challenging the idea that spinosaurids were coastal. The crest may have been for display; the team used CT scans and 3D models to reconstruct the skull. The discovery suggests an inland habitat and a new evolutionary phase for the group, with fossils set to be displayed in Niamey and the find published in Science.

via Good News Network|

#dinosaurs #niger #paleontology

science6 days ago•43 min saved

Desert dig unearths giant Spinosaurus fossils in Niger

A three-day off-road trek to a remote Niger desert site yielded fossils of Spinosaurus mirabilis—one of the largest meat-eating dinosaurs—dating to about 95 million years ago, uncovered across multiple localities that researchers dub a fossil-rich "Spinosaur archipelago."

via Reuters|

#dinosaurs #niger #paleontology

science7 days ago•47 min saved

New Spinosaurus crest sharpens river-dwelling dinosaur debate

A newly described Spinosaurus mirabilis from Niger (~95 million years ago) features a dramatic scimitar-shaped head crest and interlocking teeth, fueling the longstanding debate over whether Spinosaurus was aquatic, wading, or fish-hunting. The discovery—published in Science—suggests riverine adaptations and possible display signals, but researchers say more complete fossils are needed to settle exactly how this giant predator lived and hunted.

via Yahoo|

#dinosaurs #niger #paleontology

science7 days ago•3 min saved

Inland Sahara Spinosaurus Mirabilis Reveals Unseen Crest and Semi-Aquatic Life

A new Spinosaurus species, Spinosaurus mirabilis, was uncovered in Niger's inland Sahara, notable for a striking skull crest and evidence for a semi-aquatic, fish-eating lifestyle unlike other coast-dwelling relatives. Led by Paul Sereno, researchers even assembled 3D skull models on solar power in the Sahara; the crest may have been keratin-covered for display, suggesting a visual display role akin to modern birds. The study was published in Science.

via ScienceAlert|

#dinosaurs #niger #paleontology

science8 days ago•2 min saved

Colossal Spinosaurus mirabilis Unearthed in the Sahara, Redrawing Fish-Eating Dinosaur Tales

Paleontologists led by Paul Sereno have named Spinosaurus mirabilis, a colossal new spinosaur discovered in Niger’s Sahara dating to more than 95 million years ago. It features a distinctive scimitar-shaped head crest and interlocking teeth suited for catching fish, and was found far from coastlines, suggesting a forested, riverine habitat. The skull was reconstructed in 3D and described in Science, reinforcing fish-eating traits while leaving open questions about how aquatic these dinosaurs truly were.

via BBC Science Focus Magazine|

#dinosaurs #niger #paleontology

science8 days ago•5 min saved

New Spinosaurus mirabilis unearthed in Niger, inland giant of the Cretaceous

Paleontologists in Niger have identified a new Spinosaurus species, Spinosaurus mirabilis, about 12 meters long and 5–7 tons, with a 50 cm head crest and interlocking, fish-trapping teeth. Found inland in the Sahara, the fossils indicate a shallow-water predator that hunted fish rather than a fully aquatic hunter, challenging prior aquatic-only hypotheses for Spinosaurus; this makes mirabilis the second known Spinosaurus species after S. aegyptiacus.

via Reuters|

#dinosaurs #niger #paleontology

science8 days ago•33 min saved

Inland Sahara Unearths a New Spinosaurus with an Unprecedented Skull Crest

Paleontologists led by Paul Sereno have named Spinosaurus mirabilis from inland Niger in the Sahara, a coastal-dwelling genus found far from the ocean. The specimen features a unique skull crest and crocodile-like teeth, hinting at a possible semi-aquatic lifestyle. The discovery, published in Science, challenges previous assumptions about where Spinosaurus lived and how its skull crest looked.

via Yahoo|

#crest #niger #paleontology

world25 days ago•2 min saved

Russia says its forces helped repel Niger’s Niamey airport attack

Russia confirms its African Corps helped Nigerien forces repel an IS-linked attack on Niamey’s main airport, with 20 attackers killed and four Nigerien soldiers wounded; Niger’s junta welcomed Moscow’s involvement and the leader later visited a Russian base.

via Vanguard News|

#airport-attack #niamey #niger

africa26 days ago•7 min saved

US Signals Engagement with Sahel Juntas as Russia Deepens Ties

The United States is shifting its West Africa policy to engage with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger—junta-led states that have aligned with Russia and broken with France—by sending Nick Checker to Bamako to discuss sovereignty and chart a new security-economics-focused relationship. The move signals a de-emphasis of democracy rhetoric, aims to provide intelligence support and potential weapons without a large-scale military redeployment, and seeks to counter jihadist threats while protecting regional minerals, as Russia’s growing presence in the Sahel prompts Washington to balance Moscow’s influence amid Ecowas’ evolving stance.

via BBC|

#africa #burkina-faso #mali

world26 days ago•2 min saved

Niger joins eight African nations under the U.S. Level 4 travel alert

Niger is now on the U.S. Level 4 travel advisory, raising Africa’s Level 4 countries to eight due to terrorism, kidnapping, violence, civil unrest, and weak emergency/healthcare capacity. Outside Niamey, foreigners require military escorts; U.S. staff must travel in armored vehicles and follow strict curfews, with a state of emergency in effect. A recent airport attack highlights elevated risks. Other Level 4 African states include Libya, Mali, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, and parts of the Sahel, signaling broader insecurity affecting travel, investment and diplomacy across the region.

via Business Insider Africa|

#level4 #niger #sahel

world26 days ago•7 min saved

US Elevates Niger to Do-Not-Travel Amid Growing Security Risks in 2026

The U.S. State Department added Niger to its Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisory in January 2026 due to terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime, civil unrest, and limited emergency/healthcare capacity. Non-Niamey travel requires military escorts, and consular services are limited outside Niamey. Niger joins eight African countries under the highest travel alert (Libya, Mali, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, and parts of the Sahel), reflecting ongoing regional insecurity.

via Vanguard News|

#do-not-travel #niger #security

world27 days ago•2 min saved

IS Claims Coordinated Niamey Airport and Air Base Strike in Niger

Islamic State in the Sahel claimed responsibility for a midnight, coordinated assault on Niamey’s international airport and nearby air force base, using motorcycle troops, heavy weapons and drones. The attack damaged three planes (Air Côte d’Ivoire and two Asky jets) as security forces repelled the assault, killing about 20 attackers and arresting 11; authorities said the operation was thwarted and noted a cache of ammunition burning. The incident highlights widening jihadist activity in the Sahel amid Niger’s junta-led crisis and shifting regional alignments.

via The Guardian|

#airport-attack #drones #islamic-state-in-the-sahel

world28 days ago•3 min saved

Niger’s junta vows retaliation after Niamey airport gunfire

Heavy security was deployed around Niamey’s main airport after overnight gunfire and explosions; General Abdourahmane Tchiani accused France, Benin and Côte d’Ivoire and vowed retaliation, with observers suggesting a jihadist attack. Reports on state TV of damage to aircraft and a French national killed remain unverified, as Niger’s junta tightens control and deepens ties with Russia amid persistent insurgencies.

via The Guardian|

#airport #jnim #junta

africa28 days ago•4 min saved

Jihadist assault on Niamey airport tests Niger's security and alliances

Suspected jihadists attacked Diori Hamani International Airport near Niamey, injuring four Nigerien troops and killing about 20 attackers; a French national was among the dead, 11 suspects were arrested, and airport operations were briefly disrupted before resuming. Niger's junta praised Russia's help and accused France and regional leaders of backing the attackers, highlighting ongoing security tensions in the region.

via BBC|

#africa #airport-attack #jihadists

africa29 days ago•5 min saved

Gunfire and blasts rock Niamey’s airport area amid Niger unrest

Gunfire and explosions were heard near Niamey’s international airport in Niger’s capital early Thursday; casualties and the cause are unclear. The airport houses an air force base and is close to the presidential palace, amid Niger’s ongoing jihadist violence and regional security efforts led by the junta with allies in the Sahel.

via France 24|

#africa #attack #jihad