At least four people have been injured in a knife attack at the site of a pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong.

The attack happened at the Cityplaza mall in the Tai Koo district on Hong Kong Island, local media reports said.

One of the injured had his ear partially bitten off by an as-yet unidentified male attacker, who was subdued by passersby in the mall.

Cityplaza had been the scene of one of the protests on Sunday linked to the ongoing pro-democracy campaign.

The campaign initially began with protesters demonstrating against proposals to allow extradition to mainland China.

These proposals have now been dropped, but the protests widened to include more demands, including the implementation of complete universal suffrage (the right of almost all adults to vote in elections).

What happened at Cityplaza?
Local media report that the attack on Sunday evening was prompted by political differences.

The attacker injured at least four people before being beaten up by an angry crowd and arrested, the reports say.

Among those injured was local councillor Andrew Chiu Ka-yin, the South China Morning Post said. His ear was severed.

The paper quoted another victim, a female, as saying the suspect brought out a knife after an argument with her sister and her husband. They were also injured.

The Hong Kong Free Press reported that that attacker was a Mandarin-speaking pro-Beijing supporter, and that police later dispersed the crowd.

Riot police descended upon Shatin to pre-emptively arrest young people in the vicinity for unknown reasons early Sunday afternoon, following calls for protests in various districts.

Photo: Telegram. #hongkong pic.twitter.com/BYCvzuknVL

— Hong Kong Free Press (@HongKongFP) November 3, 2019

JUST IN: In Tai Koo's Cityplaza, a pro-Beijing supporter with a knife attacked bystanders, cutting off part of a pro-democracy district councillor's ear. The armed man was then beaten by locals, before police dispersed the crowd.

Photo: Stand News. #hongkong pic.twitter.com/3IAfYmkrt4

— Hong Kong Free Press (@HongKongFP) November 3, 2019

China's mobile operators have made 5G services available to consumers, as the country seeks to become a global technology leader.

State-owned carriers China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom unveiled their 5G data plans on Thursday.

It comes as Beijing and Washington have been embroiled in a power struggle over trade and technology.

South Korea, the US and the UK have all rolled out their next generation 5G networks this year.

5G is the fifth-generation of mobile internet connectivity. It promises much faster data download and upload speeds, wider coverage and more stable connections.

The Chinese carriers had initially scheduled the launch for next year, but accelerated the rollout.

The superfast service is now available to consumers in 50 Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, with prices for monthly plans ranging from 128 yuan ($18; £14) to 599 yuan, according to state media Xinhua.

More than 130,000 5G base stations will be activated by the end of the year to support the 5G network, the government said in the statement.

This would make it one of the world's largest 5G deployments, it said.

Finally, 5G is here - but so what?
What Huawei battle tells us about US and China
China and the US have been fighting for leadership in the technology sector in recent months, with Chinese tech giant Huawei at the centre of their power struggle.

Huawei has supplied the largest amount of network equipment for China's 5G rollout and has been in talks with various other countries to help with their 5G networks.

However, the US has blacklisted the company, arguing it poses a national security risk and has lobbied allies to shun Huawei from their 5G networks.

Huawei denies this, and many in China see the US actions as part of its efforts to curb the rise of the world's second largest economy.

All39 people found dead in a refrigerated container truck in Englandlast week were Vietnamese nationals, British police said, as three more people were arrested in Ireland and Vietnam in the sprawling international investigation into what appears to be a people-smuggling tragedy.

British detectives initially said thevictims discovered near the southeast port of Purfleet on October 23were from China, butfamilies from Vietnamhave contacted authorities there with concerns for missing relatives.

Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Tim Smith said on Friday that at this time, we believe the victims are Vietnamese nationals, and we are in contact with the Vietnamese government.

He said police think they have tracedthe relatives of some of the dead.

Source: NAN

Fifty-three soldiers were killed Friday in a terrorist attack on a Mali military post in the northeast of the country, the government said. The assault is one of the deadliest strikes against Malis military in recent Islamist militant violence.

A civilian was also killed at the outpost in Indelimane, in the Menaka region, close to the border with Niger, the countrys communication minister Yaya Sangare said on Twitter. The situation is under control.

A search and the process of identifying the bodies is continuing, he added, after giving the latest update on the death toll. He said 10 survivors were found at the outpost, which suffered significant damage.

No further details of the attack were given. The Malian government earlier condemned the terrorist attack, saying it had left numerous dead or wounded but without giving a precise toll.

Reinforcements have been dispatched to secure the area and hunt down the attackers, the statement added.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for Fridays assault. It comes a month after two jihadist assaults killed 40 soldiers near the border with Burkina Faso, however several sources said the death toll had been down played.

The deadly assault sparked protests outside a military camp in the countrys capital Bamako. Malis army has been struggling in the face of a jihadist revolt that has spread from the arid north to its centre, an ethnically mixed and volatile region.

The recent assaults are also a humiliation for the so-called G5 Sahel force a much-trumpeted initiative under which five countries created a joint 5,000-man anti-terror force and for France, which is committed to shoring up the fragile region. Northern Mali came under the control of Al-Qaeda linked jihadists after Malis army failed to quash a rebellion there in 2012.

A French-led military campaign was launched against the jihadists, pushing them back a year later.

Source: NAN

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has reinstated the Federal Governments commitment to revive no fewer than 10,000 primary healthcare centres in the country to cater for health of Nigerians.

Ehanire said this when some members of Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ), led by its President, Mr Hassan Zaggi visited the minister in his office on Friday in Abuja.

He said the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari was trying to create a balance to provide health facilities for all Nigerians, even those in the rural areas, villages, and difficult to access areas.

That is the reason that we should not forget those people by creating at least one health centre in every political ward of the country; almost 10,000 primary health care to be revitalised.

Many of them are already there because they are neglected, they are being revived and modernised and the standard expectation of a primary health care now is that it should have modern facilities and infrastructure.

We also expect digital service so we can be able to take care of many of the diseases that occur. We do it in partnership with States and the Local Governments.

The Federal Government has been teaming with the local government to create the network; our expectation is that 60 per cent of diseases in the country can be taken care by the Primary Health Cares, he said.

The minister told the journalists that their work was very important, saying you are the medium between the ministry and the public.

It is important that information is passed on accurately and correctly. You must get your facts correctly. I assure you that we are always available to give you right information.

Similarly, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, the Minister of State for Health, urged the journalists to always get their facts correctly before publishing any report.

We will definitely feel bad if you report us wrongly; I can assure you that the leadership of the ministry is willing to answer your query at any time.

I can also assure you that we are media friendly and I am happy with this media partnership that we solidifying today.

We will be ready to make clarifications when the need arises; I want to assure you that we will be having regular interactions with you now, he said.

Also, Dr Jospeh Amedu, Director of Hospital Services in the ministry, assured the journalists of the ministrys collaboration in covering its programmes and activities.

If you look at the Federal Teaching Hospitals, they are making a lot of breakthrough in terms of providing health care to Nigerians.

We expect you to also publicise the good things that are happening in the sector, he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Sani Gwarzo, a director in the ministers office, advised the journalists to include lectures on communicating health in their forthcoming conference.

The test of our relationship usually come when there is high risk communication period like Ebola period, when we have outbreak or sensational event arising.

The partnership with the ministry this movement, when things are calm is coming at the right movement.

On our part, we are also bracing up to ensure that health information comes across to you, he said.

Earlier, Zaggi told Ehanire that expectations from Nigerians and stakeholders were high and that citizens were looking forward to see a new health sector.

You should do your best to ensure that Nigerians get the best health care.

As journalists covering this beat, we want to assure you that we will support you to be sure that your objectives and programmes are known to Nigerians.

For us to be able to work with you and support you there should be an environment where both of us will understand each other.

Our work is always time conscious; sometimes, a journalist will be under pressure to seek for clarification on issues and seek for information.

But if the information is not handy, he will be forced to use any available information, so we want to appeal to you to make your door open for us, he said.

The official also appealed to the minister to give the members information when the need arises and in good time.

The pressure on us it so much; Nigerians are anxious to hear from us and our editors are anxious to get stories from us; we also request you to have regular engagement with us, he said.

Zaggi, however, invited the minister to the associations Annual Conference coming up on Nov, 28to declare it open. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Delta State Government on Friday approved the construction of drainage in Warri and Effurun to control flooding in the area.

Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, made this known while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the states Executive Council meeting in Asaba.

Aniagwu, who was accompanied by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, said that the approval for the drainage in the area was part of the state governments efforts at addressing flooding in the state.

He explained that the project would cover first and second phases and that work on it would commence in the emerging dry season to ensure that results are yielded quickly and efficiently without fear of interruption by rain.

The commissioner also disclosed that the government approved the construction of roads, including the ones linking Ote-Okpu and Owanta, and Aliesimie to Abavo.

He added that the council gave approval for the construction of Mother and Child Advanced Medical Diagnostics Centre in Ika North East Local Government Area.

According to him, the purpose is to reduce the level of mother and child morbidity and promote the wellness of mother and child in the state.

Aniagwu further stated that the government had approved the construction of a Film Village and Entertainment Park in Ugbolu, near Asaba to boost the entertainment industry in the state as well as create employment for Deltans.

Source: NAN

By Emmanuel Afonne

An Abuja faith based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Beyond Church Walls International (BCWI), says it plans to effect the required change in the society to ensure transformation, excellence and effectiveness within and outside the Church system.

Founder of the group, Ms Offiong Archibong said this atBCWI first symposium and inaugural ceremony for Church Pastors and Leaders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Saturday with the theme Beyond the Walls.

The Symposium featured Christians who are currently impacting beyond church walls and leading in their respective fields of endeavor as key speakers and facilitators.

Archibong explained that the programme was to create a platform to educate, equip and prepare members of the Body of Christ and the Church in general to make positive impact in society.

BCWI is focused on redefining the role of the church, so that she can walk in that understanding, break out of the church walls and invariably impact the world.

BCWIs primary aim is premised on the fact that there is a need for the church to develop the imperatives that will enable her members function optimally in the society.

Our mission is to see millions of believers across the globe coached, mentored, taught and trained to not only become mature believers but also impact their various spheres of influence on the society and the nation.

BCWI through its proven Coaching, Training, Teaching and Mentoring (CTTM) approach will be deployed to bridge the gap between the Church and the society,Archibong said.

Co-founder of BCWI, Mr Femi Joshua, for his part said the symposium was organised to expose participants to seasoned Christians and experts currently leading in different fields of endeavor and impacting society positively.

He stated that each resource person spoke on the different spheres of influence (Business, Government, Religion, Education, Family, Media, Art

The Director, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mrs Esther Kwaghe, says the commission is making efforts to modify Christian pilgrimage and make it more spiritual and developmental.

Kwaghe made this known in a statement by Celestine Toruka, Head, Media and Public Relations, NCPC, on Saturday in Abuja.

She spoke during a sensitisation visit to the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Mannasseh Jatau.

She explained that part of the new developments the commission would introduce in the exercise included skill acquisition and agricultural expositions.

The NCPC boss intimated her host that Gombe state had continued to be one of our key players in pilgrimage development over the years.

She commended the state government for its consistency in sponsorship of Christians to the Holy Land.

She solicited for more sponsorship of Christians to Israel, adding that she had already tasked stakeholders in the state to ensure they complemented the effort of the government.

kwaghe told the deputy governor that the 2019 general pilgrimage was around the corner and that the two major religions in Nigeria Christianity and Islam knew the importance of the exercise.

She explained that pilgrimage to Israel helped Christians to renew their faith in God and at the same time make the Bible alive.

The director informed him that the Gombe state contingent to Israel had never recorded any single case of abscondment and attributed it to the home-grown discipline instilled in the pilgrims by government.

Responding, the deputy governor said that the government of Gombe state realised the spiritual benefits of pilgrimage to both Christians and Muslims.

Jatau stressed that the society had become morally bankrupt and that evil had increased at an alarming rate.

He noted that pilgrimage had a great role to play in the reawaken the conscience of Christians through prayer in the Holy Land.

According to him, we need pilgrimage now more than ever; we need to go back to God.

Jatau promised that the state government would continue to support and sponsor Christians to the Holy Land despite its dwindling resources.

Source: NAN

A killer disease known as gastroenteritis has invaded Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, with 117 residents of the state affected by the disease.

Gastroenteritis, also known as infectious diarrhea, is inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract—the stomach and small intestine. Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Fever, lack of energy and dehydration may also occur.

In view of the outbreak, the Lagos State Government reiterated the need for citizens to maintain high standard of personal and environmental hygiene at all times as part of the measures to prevent the outbreak of epidemics, especially the spread of gastroenteritis also known as vomiting and diarrhea which has been reported in the State.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi who stated this on Thursday while reviewing the situation report of cases of the gastroenteritis recorded in the State after the weekly biosecurity update meeting disclosed that 117 cases of the disease had been seen at health facilities in five local government area.

“Following the report of these cases, Rapid Response Teams at the affected LGAs led by the Medical Officers of Health were activated, stool specimen were collected for laboratory test to confirm the micro-organism causing the vomiting and diarrhea while surveillance have also been scaled up in communities within the affected LGAs to stop the spread of the infection. The results of laboratory tests will be published once the source pathogen is identified,” he said.

He stated that the local government areas were cases have been reported are Lagos Island, Ajeromi, Apapa, Mushin and Ikeja adding that out of the 117 cases reported, 109 have been treated and discharged.

Abayomi noted that the increase in number of cases of gastroenteritis was not unconnected with persistent rain with flooding of some LGAs in the State. He indicated that the State government through Rapid Response Teams is however providing information for members of the affected community and the public on personal hygiene and environmental sanitation to halt the spread of the infection.

The Commissioner explained that Gastroenteritis is caused by micro-organisms like those causing typhoid fever, cholera and certain viruses, adding that it could be contacted by eating or drinking contaminated foods such as uncooked seafood or shellfish from estuarine waters.

He averred that lack of access to safe water and food supplies, attending large gatherings of people including ceremonies such as weddings or funerals and contact with persons who died of gastroenteritis were other pre-disposing factors to contacting the infection.

“Patients with gastroenteritis present with severe acute watery diarrhea and profuse vomiting. Those infected with micro-organisms causing the disease shows signs and symptoms within 12 hours to one week after ingesting contaminated food or water. The disease affects both children and adult and can kill within hours if untreated,” Abayomi said.

The Commissioner, while stressing the need to ensure and maintain high standard of hygiene listed measures to be taken to reduce the risk of contracting the infection as including washing of hands with soaps and water frequently and thoroughly and boiling of water before drinking if the source of the water is in doubts.

He emphasized the need for citizens to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating; cook food thoroughly; dispose waste material properly, avoid open and indiscriminate defecation and keep water containers clean noting that these are part of the measures that can help curtail the spread and prevent the diseases.

“Citizens must ensure proper disposal of waste and ensure they avoid possible backflow connection between water and sewer system. It is important that citizens wash hands with soap and running water thoroughly especially after defecation, before eating or food preparation and when they have been in contact with a sick person or touch any item or surface that may have been contaminated”, Abayomi said.

The Commissioner also advised health workers to ensure that they take universal safety precautions when dealing with patients stressing that they must practice good hand washing techniques and report any alarming increase in cases gastroenteritis-vomiting and diarrhea to the Medical Officer of Health in their local government or the Directorate of Disease Control through these lines: 08023169485 and 08023608195

The Court of Appeal, Ibadan, on Friday, dismissed the petition filed by the former Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, challenging the verdict of the Election Petition Tribunal on Feb. 23 National Assembly Election for Oyo South.
The Election Petition Tribunal had upheld the victory of Sen. Kola Balogun (Oyo South). Balogun polled a total of 105,720 votes to defect Ajimobi who had 92,218 votes.
Delivering judgment, Justice Haruna Tsammani, dismissed Ajimobi’s petition for lacking in merit. Tsammani affirmed the decision of the tribunal, adding that the tribunal was right in its judgment.
The judge held that the petitioner does not have the right to raise the issue of the non-qualification of the respondent based on the conduct of PDP primary. He further held that a person that does not participate in the party primary does not have the right to challenge the outcome of the primary.
Tsammani said a person is qualified to contest once such a person satisfied the condition of the party and INEC confirmed such a person.
The judge said most of the witnesses presented by the petitioner were not qualified to tender exhibits and give evidence because they are not the maker of those documents tendered.
He also said the tribunal was right in upholding the victory of Balogun and dismissed the petition.