Odita Sunday 
WORLD • FRANCE
France’s Second Saturday of Protests: 70,000 Police Deployed as Government Seeks to Ban Unauthorised Gatherings
About 70,000 police and gendarmes, 10,000 more than a week ago, were deployed across France for a second Saturday of protests, with fifteen water cannon and elite units mobilised, according to Czech outlet Around Prague. Last Saturday the Interior Ministry counted 550,000 protesters while organisers claimed 800,000; about 2,700 people were detained and 217 jailed. President Macron blamed organised far-left groups for the violence, and the government wants to ban unauthorised gatherings and let union demonstrations continue only on its terms.
A Paris court upheld the police route over the one agreed by unions. In Lyon police used tear gas and demonstrations were banned in part of the centre. In Orléans about 15,000 National Rally supporters gathered for Marine Le Pen’s first major campaign rally, with a counter-demonstration of up to 30,000 expected. We do not yet have reports of how the day ended.
On Friday a gunman killed one person and wounded five in Trappes and La Verrière, near Paris; Macron called it a racist terrorist act, and a 39-year-old suspect was detained.
WORLD • HEALTH & UNITED STATES
WHO Starts First Ebola Vaccine Trial as Congo Toll Passes 4,600
The World Health Organization has begun its first trial of an Ebola vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain, TVC reports, as the outbreak in DR Congo has killed at least 4,600 people and infected more than 9,500, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The US has told its citizens to reconsider travel to Kenya.
In the United States, President Trump was due to vote early in Florida on Saturday. The midterms are on 3 November, and campaigns are focused on fuel costs linked to the Iran war. The US government has declared two Nigerians wanted and disclosed their alleged crimes, TVC reports; we have not seen the names or charges.
AFRICA • HEALTH
Uganda Says It Has No Active Ebola Cases and Disputes Nigeria Link
Uganda’s health ministry says it had zero active Ebola cases as of 20 October and that “travel through Uganda does not establish that infection occurred here.” It says the patient came from DR Congo, transited Uganda in early October without symptoms, and developed symptoms after reaching Nigeria, and that Nigeria has not shared a detailed itinerary. Uganda’s health director-general said the location of exposure remains under investigation. Kenya has reported at least nine infections since 6 October.
NIGERIA • POLITICS
Tinubu Launches Re-election Campaign in Kaduna; Atiku Says He Is “Delusional”
President Tinubu went to Kaduna under heavy security on Saturday to flag off the APC’s 2027 campaign. He blamed his opponents for hunger and poverty, and the Presidency listed investments made under his administration. Atiku Abubakar responded that Tinubu is “delusional,” and the APC Presidential Campaign Council accused Atiku and the ADC of a disinformation campaign to discredit the Kaduna flag-off. Lawyer Chidi Odinkalu accused Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani of putting billboards ahead of residents’ safety.
The NDC National Campaign Council is due to be inaugurated on Monday. Cross River Governor Bassey Otu warned politicians against arming thugs ahead of the elections, and INEC in Taraba mapped election-security flashpoints.
NIGERIA • HEALTH
FG Says Nigeria’s Ebola Strain Is Genetically Linked to a Kenya Case; Lagos Activates Emergency Measures
The Federal Government says the virus in Nigeria’s Ebola case is genetically linked to a case in Kenya, TVC reports; we have not seen a second source for the sequencing claim. Nigeria still has one confirmed case, which the government earlier this week said showed “significant improvement.” Forty-six contacts remain barred from flying for 21 days. Lagos activated emergency preparedness measures.
NIGERIA • SECURITY
Air Strike Reportedly Kills 15 in Borno; Over 40 Bandits Die in Zamfara Factional Clash
A military air strike on a terrorist hideout in Borno killed 15 people, a single outlet reports. Over 40 bandits were killed when rival factions clashed in Zamfara State on Friday. Both tolls are unconfirmed by independent sources.
A woman said her brother died in a police cell over a plantain theft allegation; the police have not responded in the reports we saw. A building collapse in Lagos was also reported.
NIGERIA • ECONOMY & DIASPORA
CBN Gives JPMorgan Approval-in-Principle for Merchant Bank; Canada Reportedly Grants Asylum to 7,643 Nigerians
The CBN granted JPMorgan approval-in-principle to set up a merchant bank in Nigeria; a final banking licence is still needed. Reports say Canada granted asylum to 7,643 Nigerians. NiDCOM says diaspora remittances are near $1 billion a month.
NIGERIA • TRIBUTE
Nollywood Actor Francis Duru Dies at 57
Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru died on Friday aged 57.
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