A woman who was held as a slave in Niger — where slavey is illegal, but still persists — won a lawsuit against the government over its failure to protect her. The landmark settlement, which awarded the woman $12,000 (the equivalent of a fortune in Niger), also paves the way for others in West Africa to similarly use the courts to force governments into enforcement of their own laws. (Read full story at BBC News) Thanks to Bill F. for submitting this good news!