NAAPE Shuts Down Bristow Helicopters Operations

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The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has shut down operations of Bristow Helicopters in Lagos and Rivers states.

The NAAPE said that the two-day warning strike was over alleged pay disparity between expatriate and Nigerian pilots.

Officials of the company were seen manning the gates of the premises on Thursday morning.

They workers insisted that meetings with officials of NAAPE had not yielded any result, which was what prompted the industrial action.

In a swift reaction, Bristow Helicopters through its Public Relations agency, said it would respond shortly.

Military Commences Inter-Security Training To Tackle Kidnapping, Insurgency

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The Nigerian Military has commenced  joint inter-security agencies and other security stakeholders training, to properly manage the situation of kidnapping and insurgency in the country.

This was made known by the Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Air Vice Marshal Suleiman Dambo while declaring the training tagged “Operation Haske Biyu 2016″ open.

The Commandant charged Security Agents in the country to always be conscious and observant at all times as they go about their respective duties.

‎He said the exercise has become imperative in the face of treats posed by the dynamism of the current security challenges in the country, where kidnapping and insurgency has become a threat to the country.

The Commandant urged them to ensure that their disclosure of information to outside sources, movement, association and other actions do not undermine national security.

The training was drawn from all security agencies, the media and the Civil Society Organisations.

US, Nigeria Partner To Tackle Security, Economy, Corruption Threats

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The United States (US) and Nigeria have agreed to establish groups, focused on strengthening security cooperation, the economy and tackling corruption, after a day-long dialogue at the State Department.

In a joint statement, the countries said the groups would come up with a paper work within a month to finalise the goals.

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, is meeting the US Secretary of State, Mr John Kerry, Thursday on the sidelines of a two-day nuclear security summit in Washington DC, comprising of leaders from at least 50 countries.

Mr Kerry and Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, held meetings and acknowledged the security challenges posed by the Boko Haram insurgents in Nigeria’s northeast and neighboring countries, as well as tough economic times caused by the fall in oil prices.

According to the US Secretary of State, the United States is committed to helping Nigeria tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.

He warned that security forces must avoid human rights abuses, even as they step up the fight against the dreaded terrorists. He also commended the efforts to end insurgency.

“Under President Buhari, Nigeria has been involved in the fight against Boko Haram and it has reduced Boko Haram’s capacity to launch full-scale attacks,” Mr Kerry said.

The US Secretary of State added that in recent months, US military trainers have been helping Nigeria’s security forces to improve information sharing tactics, as well as train and equip two infantry battalions.

PDP Chairmanship: S/West Supports Northern Candidate

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The South West chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has declared its support for a Northern candidate, asking other regions to follow suit as only that can guarantee cohesion and strength for the Party.

The National Vice Chairman, South West, Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe, in his remark at the stakeholders’ meeting held in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, said the uproar that trailed the proposal for the North to retain the position of the National Chairman of PDP was not necessary.

He added that the South-West is aligning with the position of the majority of the northern elders, which was premised on the fear of the party shrinking to a regional party and losing its national appeal in the process.

Ogundipe noted that the PDP controls 10 of the 17 states in the South, with 10 Governors, 32 Senators and 96 Members of the House of Representatives while in the North, the PDP controls only two states, with two governors, 15 senators and about 30 members of the House of Representatives.

He added that the zone will be further weakened and marginalised if denied the position of the National Chairman of the party, further stressing that the lack of cooperation in the South West zone will constitute a challenge to the National Chairman from the region.

“It is unfair to the masses of the South-West for anyone to insulate that our position in canvassing that the National Chairman of our great party should come from the North amounts to pushing away good things coming to the region”, he said.

The Vice Chairman further noted that over 70 percent of the functional leaders of the zone, under the leadership of the zonal chairman, arrived at the decision to allow the North retain the position of National Chairman of the party.

“It should be noted that the South-West had the Presidency for eight years as well as Speaker of the House of Representatives for four years; these positions are more influential than the chairmanship of the party, which some now argue must be given to the South-West because no one from the region has ever served as National Chairman.”

Other leaders of the party from the zone used the occasion to publicly endorse the zoning and retention of the chairmanship position to the northern region.

Those that attended the meeting include the party’s scribe Wale Oladipo, its spokesperson, Olisa Metuh, Senator Buruji Kahsamu and South West State Chapter Chairmen – Captain Tunji Shelle (Lagos), Yinka Taiwo (Oyo), Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa (Osun) and their counterparts from Ondo, Ekiti and Ogun.

Ekiti Lawmakers Vow To Resist Fayose’s Arrest

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Lawmakers from Ekiti State on Wednesday said they are determined to resist any plot by the APC-led Federal Government to cripple the government of Governor Ayo Fayose.

The lawmakers also added that they remain resolute in their commitment to the success of his administration.

Speaking during a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) council office in Ibadan, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Youths and Sports, Honourable Gboyega Aribisogan, said the press conference had to take place in Ibadan as they no longer feel safe in their own state.

Commenting on the alleged latest plot by Police to arrest 11 members of the House, Honourable Aribisogan disclosed that the current plot to coerce lawmakers in the state into a plot to impeach Governor Fayose has thrown the state under siege in the last few weeks.

He added that after the release of one of its members Honourable Afolabi Akanni by DSS, having spent 18 days in custody, they have it on good authority that the next move was an alleged plot to arrest 11 lawmakers.

The lawmakers disclosed that they could no longer sleep in their various homes alleging that there are threats to their lives.

“We are however undaunted in our unflinching support for our governor, Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose and wish to state that freedom of thought and expression is guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and in exercising this right, Governor Fayose won’t be intimidated by any agency of the federal government.

“Everybody should understand that human right activists are nowhere to be found, there is conspiracy of silence from the other angle, the only hope is the press. We are not going to hide, the Ekiti lawmakers are not going to neglect our duties”, he said

The lawmakers said despite all the problems they are facing, the House has recently passed some bills. The bills include Remuneration of Local Government’s Executives Bill as well as Bill on Forestry and Environment to increase the internally generated revenue base of the state.

Harrysong Drops ‘BabaForTheGirls’

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Five Star Music act, Harrysong has released a new single titled ‘BabaForTheGirls’

The song features his label mate, Kcee. ‘BabaForTheGirls’ was produced by Dr. Amir.

Click to Listen!

Anambra PDP Urges INEC To Respect Supreme Court’s Judgment

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Aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday staged a protest at  the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), asking the the Commission to respect the Supreme Court’s judgment of February 2016.

Members of the Ejike Oguebego’s faction of the PDP on Wednesday, staged the protest in Abuja to demand that the Commission should issue Certificate of Return to their members.

The protesters, who were prevented by security officials from gaining access into the premises of INEC, decried the delay on the part of the electoral commission to entertain their demands despite repeated correspondence and visits to the Commission.

Although the National Chairman of INEC was not on ground to address the protesters, the Director of Security of INEC, Shettima Ngliladar, assured them that their demands would be passed on to the Chairman.

House To Send 2016 Budget To Presidency In Two Weeks

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The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin on Wednesday said details of the 2016 Budget is still being worked on and will hopefully be sent to the Presidency within the next two weeks.

According to the lawmaker, usually the details are not sent to the President with the estimates but noted that the President reserves the right to insist that it be sent.

The lawmaker said the 2016 Budget is one of the most difficult budget ever dealt with by the National Assembly and the lawmakers have a responsibility to ensure that what they pass is without errors.

The National Assembly had passed the 2016 budget of 6.06 trillion Naira.

The budget passed on Wednesday, March 23 by the Senate and the House of Representatives was 17 billion Naira lower than the figure of 6.07 trillion Naira presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly in December.

Addressing reporters after the passage of the budget, the chairmen of Appropriation Committees in the Senate and the House of Representatives said that for the first time, the National Assembly had reduced the size of the aggregate expenditure, consequently reducing the total recurrent expenditure, deficit and borrowing plan.

Miami Open: Djokovic, Nishikori Advance To Quarter-Final

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Top-seeded world number one, Novak Djokovic has beaten powerful Austrian Dominic Thiem 6-3 6-4 to advance to the quarter-final at the Miami Open in Florida.

Djokovic needed four match points before finally prevailing against the world number 14.

Next up for the Serb is a quarter-final against Czech’s Tomas Berdych, who beat Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-4 3-6 7-5 in an endurance.

Japan’s Kei Nishikori also advanced to the last eight following a 6-2 6-4 defeat of Spain’s Robert Bautista.

Sixth seed Nishikori used his strong backhand to punish Bautista for any tactical errors.

He took just under an hour and a half to beat the Spaniard and would face Gael Monfils in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

AFCON Exit: Nigeria Shifts Focus to 2018 FIFA World Cup

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After failing to qualify for next year’s African Cup of Nations in Gabon, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says special attention will be given to ensure the Super Eagles feature at the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia.

According to the Federation, the board remains united and resolute in its commitment to building a sustainable football culture for the country, by employing resources at its disposal diligently, purposefully and responsibly.

The Nigeria Football Federation issued a statement following the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals:

The NFF, like most Nigerians, are saddened by the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final competition, following a 1-0 defeat by seven –time African champions Egypt in Alexandria on Tuesday, 29th March 2016.

We see this failure to qualify as an unfortunate turn of events, because it came despite the undoubted efforts of the Coaching crew led by Coach Samson Siasia and the players led by the captain, Mikel Obi, and the efforts of the NFF leadership who not only supported the technical crew but also provided necessary support regarding comfortable traveling arrangement and accommodation for the team’s home and away matches.

. Football being the paramount national pastime in our dear country, we understand and share the disappointment in the land. But we crave the indulgence of all to continue to support the team and the NFF going forward as we continue to nurture and navigate a painful but positive path towards a glorious future for Nigeria football.

It is rather unfortunate that Chad, one of the teams in the qualification group, suddenly pulled out of the race, leaving only three teams left in the group, and only the winner of the the group guaranteed qualification. This appeared to have taken away our worst –case scenario of qualification. However, our legal unit is looking at the propriety of changing the rules midstream.

. In the next one week, the Technical and Development Committee will meet to make recommendations to the NFF Board on the way forward for the Super Eagles, but already, we can disclose that the NFF has now fully shifted its focus to activating its already prepared plan to give the team all the support it needs to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, while continuing to build a sustainable football culture for Nigeria in order to make Nigerian football once more a force to be reckoned with.

Failure to reach the Africa Cup of Nations remains a gnawing pain, but we have decided to take a number of positives from the unsuccessful campaign and in particular the two matches against Egypt. The development of a new and youthful team playing swashbuckling, strong, resolute and exciting kind of football Nigeria has been known for was a soothing balm even in the face of the challenging campaign.

. In preparing for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers starting later this year, the NFF will ensure that it utilizes all FIFA windows for international friendlies for the Super Eagles, starting in June with two games against teams of high ranking. The outstanding Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania in September would also serve as a tune –up for the World Cup qualification games.

. We want to use this medium to commend the efforts of Samson Siasia and Emmanuel Amuneke, who took very seriously and professionally the job of preparing the Super Eagles for the matches, with only three weeks to do the job. They have shown extraordinary courage and purposefulness, and the NFF will never forget their contributions to Nigeria football.

As it is, Nigeria is one of only three teams that will represent Africa at this year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, having won the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations in Senegal in December 2015. The NFF will give Coach Siasia all the support to excel at the Games, by winning the football gold. We will also continue to support the U-20 men squad, managed by Amuneke, in order to ensure the team’s qualification for the 2017 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations and the U-20 World Cup, as well as the U-17 boys for the 2017 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations and the U-17 World Cup, for which we are the defending champions.

. We are also working on maximum support for the women’s National Teams ahead of the African Women Cup of Nations, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – all taking place this year.

Our sincere appreciation goes to the Federal Government for continued support for Nigeria football, and our sponsors for the invaluable role they play in the nation’s football development. We particularly commend the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, for their very kind gesture and solid support for the Super Eagles in both matches against Egypt, and indeed other matches before these.

Nigeria missed out of the 2012 edition, won the title in 2013 in South Africa, failed to qualify for the tournament in 2015 and will not compete in the 2017 edition in Gabon.

Experts Decry Stigmatisation Against HIV/AIDS Patients

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The National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA) says discrimination against people living with HIV remains a major challenge to eliminating new infections.

This is coming one year after the National HIV and AIDS Anti-discrimination Bill was signed into law.

The Director-General of NACA, Professor John Idoko, lamented that continued discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS was an obstacle to achieving the 90% reduction of new infections and death by the year 2030.

Professor Idoko made the remarks at a gathering to unveil the popular version of the HIV and Aids Anti-discrimination Law in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The Country Program Manager, AIDS Health Care Foundation, Adetayo Towolawi, said the event was organised to enable less educated people living with HIV/AIDS know and enforce their rights.

The National Secretary of the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWAN), Abdulkadri Ibrahim, also said that despite the enactment of the law, discrimination is making access to treatment difficult for their members.

Federal Government To Improve Primary Health Care

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to address inadequate facilities in 10,000 primary health care centres across the country as part of efforts to reduce the health care challenges in the nation.

Announcing the plan in Abuja‎, the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said the Federal Government was committed to improving the health care needs of Nigerians in order to sustain the progress so far recorded in the health sector.

The Minister believes Nigeria is moving in the right direction, having succeeded in reducing the number of child and maternal deaths.

Dr Ehanire was speaking during a gathering of health experts as the World Bank convened a round table on the health care sector in Nigeria.

At the occasion which commenced with the inauguration of a policy makers summit, the Minister of State for Health announced the government’s plan to improve the nation’s health care sector.

The acting Country Director of the World Bank, however, advised the Federal Government to go beyond rhetoric by addressing the poverty level in Nigeria.

The policy makers summit put together by the World Bank is expected to, among other things, evaluate ‎maternal and child health impact on Nigerians including a general overview of the nation’s health sector.

Khamenei Says Missiles, Not Talks, Key To Iran’s Future

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Iran’s top leader on Wednesday said missiles were key to the Islamic Republic’s future, offering support to the hardline Revolutionary Guards that have drawn criticism from the West for testing ballistic missiles.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei supported last year’s nuclear deal with world powers but has since called for Iran to avoid further rapprochement with the United States and its allies, and maintain its economic and military strength.

“Those who say the future is in negotiations, not in missiles, are either ignorant or traitors,” Khamenei, who has the final say on all matters of state, was quoted as saying by his website.

“If the Islamic Republic seeks negotiations but has no defensive power, it would have to back down against threats from any weak country.”

His comments may have been directed at former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the de facto leader of a more moderate political alliance, who last week tweeted “the future is in dialogue, not missiles”.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards conducted ballistic missile tests earlier this month, in what they said was a demonstration of Iran’s non-nuclear deterrent power.

The United States and several European powers said the tests defied a U.N. Security Council resolution that calls on Iran not to test nuclear-capable missiles, in a joint letter seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

But Russia, a veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, said the tests did not violate Resolution 2231. Iran has consistently denied that its missiles are designed to carry nuclear weapons.

Russia, Despite Draw Down, Shipping More To Syria Than Removing

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When Vladimir Putin announced the withdrawal of most of Russia’s military contingent from Syria there was an expectation that the Yauza, a Russian naval icebreaker and one of the mission’s main supply vessels, would return home to its Arctic Ocean port.

Instead, three days after Putin’s March 14 declaration, the Yauza, part of the “Syrian Express”, the nickname given to the ships that have kept Russian forces supplied, left the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk for Tartous, Russia’s naval facility in Syria.

Whatever it was carrying was heavy; it sat so low in the water that its load line was barely visible.

Its movements and those of other Russian ships in the two weeks since Putin’s announcement of a partial withdrawal suggest Moscow has in fact shipped more equipment and supplies to Syria than it has brought back in the same period, a Reuters analysis shows.

It is not known what the ships were carrying or how much equipment has been flown out in giant cargo planes accompanying returning war planes.

But the movements – while only a partial snapshot – suggest Russia is working intensively to maintain its military infrastructure in Syria and to supply the Syrian army so that it can scale up again swiftly if need be.

Putin has not detailed what would prompt such a move, but any perceived threat to Russia’s bases in Syria or any sign that President Bashar al-Assad, Moscow’s closest Middle East ally, was in peril would be likely to trigger a powerful return.

Russia operates an air base in Hmeymim and a naval facility at Tartous. Putin has said Russia will keep both and that they will need to be well protected.

“Since the main part of the force de facto stayed there, there is no reason to reduce the traffic,” said Mikhail Barabanov, a senior research fellow at the Moscow-based CAST military think tank. “Supplies for the Syrian army remain significant as well.”

Moscow has not revealed the size of its force in Syria, nor has it given details of its partial withdrawal.

Reuters has calculated that around half of Russia’s fixed-wing strike force based in Syria flew out of the country in the days after the partial draw down was made public. The precise number of planes Russia had was secret, but analysis suggested it had about 36 fixed-wing military jets there.

On Monday, state TV showed three heavy attack helicopters being flown out of Syria along with some support staff.

Slain Army Officer Buried In Kaduna

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The remains of the late Army Officer that was abducted and later killed by yet to be identified gunmen in Kaduna State, Colonel Samaila Inusa, have been laid to rest.

He was buried at the old  Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Muslim Cemetery in the state capital on Wednesday.

Prayers were offered for the deceased at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital mosque in the presence of relations, colleagues and  friends before his remains were later taken to the NDA Muslim cemetery for interment.

A Great Loss

Speaking at the burial ground, the Chief of Army Staff ,who was represented by the Chief Administrative Officer, Major General Ado Abubakar, described the abduction and subsequent murder of the late Colonel as a great loss to the Nigerian Army.

He described him as a very committed officer who never joked with his responsibilities. He announced that the Nigerian army authorities will do everything possible to unmask those behind the abduction and killing of the late colonel.

A high point of the burial was the shooting of three gun salute by officers in honour of the departed colleague.

The late Colonel Inusa,  was kidnapped by unknown gunmen  on Saturday night, and  was later found dead around Ajyaita village, off Eastern Bypass in  Kaduna on Monday.

After his abduction, the military issued a statement, offering a bounty of one million Naira to anyone that would give an information that could lead to the rescue of the Colonel.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday by the acting director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, said that preliminary investigation revealed that, most likely, the late officer was killed same day he was kidnapped by his abductors.

Colonel Inusa was the Commander, 81 Battalion located in Bulabulin, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

He was later  transferred to the Armed Forces and Command and  Staff College, Jaji, where he was served until his abduction last Saturday.

Brazil: Court to consider 'Lula' appointment; impeachment risk grows

(CNN)  Brazil's political crisis has spiraled closer to a tipping point, with the government appearing at risk of implosion months before the Rio Summer Olympics begin.

President Dilma Rousseff's odds of being impeached appear stronger than ever now that the country's largest political party said it's pulling out of her coalition government.On Wednesday, the Supreme Federal Court will reconvene and consider the pressing issue of whether to approve Rousseff's appointment of controversial former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to be her chief of staff.

Regardless of which way the court rules, protests are likely to flare up.

All this political turmoil comes as the world hones in on Brazil over its handling of the Zika virus and the upcoming Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Here's the latest on the Brazil crisis and what it means:

Who are the players?

Brazilian Democratic Movement Party: The country's largest political party announced Tuesday that it's leaving the President's coalition government. That means Rousseff probably won't have enough votes in the National Congress to avoid impeachment proceedings.

Why did the party leave? It is concentrating on "returning to its origins, finding its traditions and taking a position in favor of Brazil and the Brazilian people," said Sen. Romero Juca, the group's second in command.President Dilma Rousseff: A corruption scandal has marred the President's second term and spurred mass protests, but Rousseff has denied the allegations against her. Most recently, she's been criticized for appointing Lula da Silva, popularly known as "Lula," to be her chief of staff.

Former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva: Critics say Rousseff's appointment of Lula da Silva to her Cabinet effectively shields him from a corruption investigation. The Supreme Federal Court will meet Wednesday to deliberate on whether to approve his assignment.

House Speaker Eduardo Cunha: He launched the effort to impeach Rousseff. But Cunha is under scrutiny by the Ethics Committee over accusations he failed to disclose the existence of offshore bank accounts to the Brazilian internal revenue service. If found guilty, he'll likely lose his post.

Vice President Michel Temer: He's the leader of the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party, which just left Rousseff's coalition government. It's unclear whether Temer will resign, but #RenunciaTemer (Temer Quit) became a trending topic online as social media posts pushing for the vice president to step down surged.

How did we get here?

The latest crisis began when federal police took Lula da Silva in for questioning as part of a long-running corruption investigation.

A few days later, Rousseff his handpicked successor and protege named him chief of staff, a move that largely protects him from prosecution. The crisis could get a lot messier for both Brazil and the world.

If impeaching proceedings move forward, they would essentially freeze Rousseff's government for 180 days while the President fights these efforts. During that time, a caretaker government would step in -- possibly headed by the vice president, assuming he doesn't resign.

All this uncertainty comes as Brazil grapples with its longest economic downturn since the 1930s. Brazil is also ground zero for the Zika virus, which the World Health Organization says "is now spreading explosively."Brazil has reported more than 4,000 cases of microcephaly a neurological disorder in which babies are born with small heads in infants born to women infected with Zika while pregnant.

And in less than four months, Brazil will host the Summer Olympics. It's unclear what the government will look like when the world descends on Rio de Janeiro.

Brussels attackers 'searched on net for Belgian PM's home'

BBC NEWS

Jihadist bombers who attacked Brussels airport and metro last week also searched the internet for information about Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel's office and home, reports say. Details were found on a computer dumped in a rubbish bin after the attacks.

Unconfirmed reports suggest it may have contained files with building plans as well as photos of the prime minister's office from the street.

The computer also included a final message from one of the bombers.

In the confused message, one of the airport bombers, Brahim el-Bakraoui, complained of being hunted and not feeling safe any more.

Belgian authorities announced late on Tuesday that they had identified all 32 victims murdered in the twin attacks. Seventeen were Belgian, and the other 15 from around the world. Another 94 people are still in hospital, and dozens of them are in intensive care.

The first funeral has taken place, for Raghavendran Ganeshan, whose body was returned to the Indian city of Chennai on Tuesday.

FBI involved

The discovery of the computer emerged the day after the Brussels attacks. It had been abandoned in a bin in Max Roos street in the Brussels area of Schaerbeek.

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Belgian police have released CCTV footage of a man wanted for the attack on Zaventem airport

The three suspects captured on airport CCTV had left a house on the same street by taxi and the driver had later guided police to the address, where explosive materials were found.

Quoting reliable sources, De Tijd newspaper said that files on the computer contained details and photos of the prime minister's building and office at 16 Rue de la Loi (Wetstraat in Dutch) as well as details of his official residence in Lambermont street.

The office is on the same street as Maelbeek station, where Brahim el-Bakraoui's brother blew himself up little over an hour after the airport attack.

De Standaard newspaper said that Mr Michel's offices had only been the focus of internet searches by the attackers. "But they Googled hundreds of other things besides," its security sources pointed out.

The computer has become a vital source for Belgian investigators searching for the third airport suspect, who is thought to have fled the airport when his suitcase did not explode.

They have sent the FBI copies of laptop hard drives linked to suspects in the Brussels attacks, according to reports from the US.

Image copyrightReuters

Image captionDamage to the departure hall is so bad it will take months to repair

Brussels airport remained closed for flights on Wednesday, after a test involving hundreds of staff.

A temporary check-in area has been installed along with enhanced security measures. But officials say they will only resume flights when they are able to operate at 20% capacity,

Chief executive Arnaud Feist has said it will take months to reopen fully, as the departures hall will have to be rebuilt "from the air conditioning to the check-in desks".

Several airlines have diverted flights to Liege, Antwerp Ostend and Charleroi. However, Brussels Airlines is running only 40% of its flights and says it is losing €5m a day because of the closure of Brussels airport.

Paris attacks: Hollande drops plans to strip nationality

BBC NEWS

French President Francois Hollande has dropped plans to change the constitution to strip militants convicted of terror attacks of their French nationality.

"A compromise appears out of reach," Mr Hollande said after the two houses of parliament failed to agree the reforms. The proposal followed November's Paris attacks which killed 130 people.

But it ran into huge opposition and led to Justice Minister Christiane Taubira resigning in February.

Two-tier system

France's president outlined the changes in the aftermath of the gun and bomb attacks by Islamist militants who targeted a concert hall, a major stadium, restaurants and bars on 13 November 2015.

The plans included emergency powers to be given a new status under the constitution - which is also being abandoned - and stripping those with dual citizenship of their French nationality if they were convicted of terrorist offences. Sole French nationals were excluded from the proposal. Under international law, governments cannot make citizens stateless.

The lower house removed the reference to dual nationality when it approved the bill, even though opponents pointed out that the proposal would create a two-tier system - it could only be applied to dual-nationality French citizens.

The upper house, the Senate, restored the original wording that had sparked the initial debate.

Constitutional changes in France need the approval of three-fifths of the combined houses of parliament.

France has been under a state of emergency since 14 November. It is currently due to expire on 26 May.

Analysis: Lucy Williamson, BBC News, Paris

It's a brave leader who sets out to change France's constitution. The nation likes to date much of its identity from the revolution that created it.

Changing it would be achievement enough for a president in the flush of a political honeymoon. For President Hollande and his deeply divided Socialist Party, it's proved a step too far.

Mr Hollande's tough response to the November attacks brought him a brief uptick in approval. He and his prime minister have been pushing back against the left-wing of his party, in a bid to show he can deliver leadership and change.

With fractures running through both the Socialist Party and the centre-right opposition, and many French voters complaining of stasis at the heart of their political establishment, this is one defeat he could do without.

One battle too many for beleaguered Hollande

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The UN Declaration on Human Rights says that if you strip a mono-national of his nationality, then he or she become nation-less.

Adopted on 10 December 1948, following a vote in which 48 nations voted in favour, none against, and eight abstained (the Soviet Union, the Soviet Republics of Ukraine and Belarus, Yugoslavia, Poland, South Africa, Czechoslovakia, and Saudi Arabia).

Contains 30 Articles designed to act as "a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations",

Article 15:

(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality

(2) No-one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality