Diplomatic and military sources say Niger President Mamadou Tandja has been seized by mutinous soldiers during a coup attempt in Niger's capital.

Media reports quoting senior officials say armed troops stormed the presidential palace Thursday afternoon as a meeting of government ministers was taking place.  Ministers in Mr. Tandja's government also appear to be held captive. 

A U.S. State Department spokesman said it appears there was an assassination attempt on Mr. Tandja but details are still unclear. 

A U.S. appeals court is hearing arguments from a group of multinational corporations seeking to block a lawsuit brought by South African victims of apartheid.
The suit seeks up to $400 billion in compensation for the Black victims.
The corporations are accused of complicity in human-rights abuses during the years they did business in apartheid South Africa.
 After years of legal delays, a US court last year gave the green light for the companies to be sued on US soil under the Alien Tort Claims Act.