House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs has condemned the death of a 29-year-old Nigerian in Zurich. A statement by the Chairman of the committee, Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the committee expressed deep concern over the death of the unnamed Nigerian. She however, called for full scale investigation into the remote and immediate causes of the death.

The unnamed Nigerian died at Zurich airport on March 17, after collapsing in handcuff.

Meanwhile, Switzerland has halted special flights to deport asylum seekers, after a Nigerian man on hunger strike died on the tarmac at Zurich airport. Swiss police say they had shackled the 29-year-old man, who was being forcibly deported along with 15 other Nigerians, whose asylum bids had been rejected. Swiss officials said the man fell ill on Wednesday and a doctor tried in vain to revive him. The authorities have since launched an investigation into the incident.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole has charged INEC Chairman, Maurice Iwu to do what is right during the 2011 elections. Hon. Bankole who spoke while receiving the INEC Chairman, said what is right is not always popular. The Speaker stressed that Nigeria is a complicated country, which needs someone with a proper understanding of the system to conduct a free and fair election.

Meanwhile, INEC Chairman, Maurice Iwu has alerted the speaker of a plot by certain individuals, to frustrate the commission in its bid to update voters register, as well as conduct credible elections in 2011. Stressing the importance of having early polls, Prof. Iwu said the Commission is using the Anambra election and the April 10 Area Council elections in the FCT, as a test case.

As the 2011 electioneering draw nearer, reactions have begun to trail INEC's preparations towards the conduct of free and fair elections. Even with the recent release of elections’ time table by INEC, Nigerians have continued to call for the removal of its chairman, saying he would be an unfair umpire.

They told correspondent Johnson Ayedun that many politicians in the country use the electoral body under Professor Iwu to commit election malpractices. 

The Interparty Advisory Council has commended recent statements by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu that the senate would pass the Freedom of Information Bill next month.

Speaking to correspondent Ogechi Iwu, IPAC Chairman, Perry Opara said the FOI Bill is the major tool for ensuring transparent and corruption free governance. Dr Opara however, expressed misgivings over plans by the Senate to incorporate certain restrictions into Bill, saying it would go against the wishes of Nigerians.

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Stephen Oronsaye, has advised permanent secretaries in the Federal Service against discharging responsibilities beyond limits of their position. A statement by Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, Tope Ajakaiye stated that the caution became imperative so that the permanent secretaries would operate within the directive.

It quoted the HOSF as giving this directive at a meeting held on issues arising from the dissolution of the cabinet on Wednesday.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has reiterated its decision to probe allegations of financial misappropriation brought against Governor, Babatunde Fashola. In a telephone chat with Georges Adebajo, Majority Leader of the House, Kolawole Taiwo said the court ruling did not consider the position of the law on publication made in its weekly legislative bulletin.          

Hon. Taiwo said the law provided options of either publishing the House resolution in the State gazette or its weekly legislative bulletin.

Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang has relaxed the 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. curfew imposed on Jos, despite recent attacks of some communities near the city. A statement said the curfew would now hold between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. The statement by the Commissioner for Information, Gregory Yenlong, stated that Governor Jang, in consultation with the State Security Council, approved the review of the curfew.

Clashes between south Sudan's army and armed northern nomads have killed 13 in the latest flare-up in the oil-producing border region, escalating tensions ahead of April elections. Army spokesman, Kuol Diem Kuol who explained that there were political motives behind the attacks, said the Misseriya graze their cattle to the south of the border.

Sudan's north and south have not agreed on key issues like common border, citizenship and the rights of communities.

Israeli aircraft struck about six targets in the Gaza Strip today, after a rocket fired from the Palestinian enclave killed a Thai worker in Israel. Hamas security officials and witnesses said two civilians were wounded in one of three attacks on smuggling tunnels along the border with Egypt.

Israeli military spokesman confirmed six sites had been targeted, including two tunnels dug near the Israeli border fence and a weapons manufacturing site.

Meanwhile, the international Quartet of Middle East peace mediators has called on Israel to freeze all settlement activity. Speaking for the Quartet, UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon condemned Israel's announcement of plans to build new homes in disputed East Jerusalem.

The announcement has undermined US efforts to restart indirect Israeli-Palestinian talks.

BUSINESS

Some hotel operators in Lagos say multiple-taxation by the State, irregular power supply and low patronage, have affected their operations negatively. The hoteliers listed the taxes, as consumption tax, value added tax, tourism and hotel charges. They said the situation had forced them to increase tariffs, because of various challenges they were facing.

On the floor of the Nigerian Stock Market today, FLOURMILL topped the gainers with one naira, 39 kobo, followed by NNFM with one naira, 26 kobo and ZENITHBANK with 84 kobo. BCC, on the other hand, led the losers with three naira, 23 kobo, followed by UAC-PROP with 97 kobo and ASHAKACEM with 92 kobo.

Market capitalization settled at 5.863 trillion naira, with all shares index of 24.262.34 points.

EXCHANGE RATE

1 US Dollar = 153 Naira

1 British Pound = 233 Naira

1 Euro = 208 Naira

ENTERTAINMENT

A songwriter and music producer, Rob Fusari, who claims he helped launch Lady Gaga's career, is suing the US pop star. Fusari who is credited on Gaga's album The Fame, alleges the singer denied him his share of song royalties and merchandising revenue.

He reportedly launched a $30.5m legal action against the Grammy Award-winning performer in New York, claiming his former girlfriend, Gaga, dropped him, as her career took off.

SPORTS

Heartland's CAF Champions League first leg, second round match against Cameroon's Tiko United will now take place at the Douala Reunification Stadium on Saturday. The game was originally scheduled for the Omnisports Ahmadu Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde, where Tiko were held to a 2-2 draw by Vital’O of Burundi. Heartland FC Media Officer, Cajetan Nkwopara said the new venue was communicated to the team on arrival in Cameroun.

England coach, Fabio Capello has invited David Beckham to join the England squad at the World Cup in South Africa, despite the midfielder's ankle injury. Beckham had surgery in Finland on Monday, but the former England captain, 34, will not be fit for South Africa.

Capello also said there was still time for Manchester City full-back Wayne Bridge to rethink his decision to make himself unavailable for England.

Arsenal is to face Barcelona in a mouthwatering repeat of the 2006 final, in the Champions League quarter-final draw.

Manchester United's pairing with Bayern Munich will evoke memories of the Red Devils' triumph in 1999.

Should they progress, United will face either Lyon or Bordeaux, while Arsenal would take on the winners of Inter Milan and CSKA Moscow's tie.

In the Europa league quarter-final draw:

FULHAM v Wolfsburg

Hamburg v Standard Liege

Valencia v Atletico Madrid

Benfica v LIVERPOOL

TENNIS

Defending champion, Rafael Nadal booked his place in the BNP Paribas Open semi-finals in Indian Wells, following a 6-4 7-6 win over Czech Tomas Berdych.  Nadal fought back from 3-1 down in the second-set tie-break to win the last three points of the match.

The Spaniard will face Ivan Ljubicic, who beat Argentina's Juan Monaco 4-6 6-2 6-1 earlier in the day