Indigenous leaders and Ecuador's president prepared Sunday for face-to-face talks after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-president-lenin-moreno-orders-curfew-military-control-in-quito-255562">nearly two weeks of violent street protests</a> over austerity measures instituted to obtain a multibillion-dollar loan from the IMF.

As both sides geared up for negotiations in the afternoon, one indigenous leader said protesters who have converged from far away will stay in the capital Quito until some kind of agreement is reached on painful reforms such as a doubling of some fuel prices.

"Not just the leaders but the rank and file -- and we will stay until there is a solution," said Salvador Quishpe of an indigenous umbrella grouping called CONAIE.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ecuador-indigenous-group-rejects-talks-to-end-fuel-protests-255404">The 12 days of rolling demonstrations have left six people dead</a> and nearly 2,100 wounded or detained, according to authorities. Protesters on Saturday targeted a television station and a newspaper and set fire to the controller general's office.

President Lenin Moreno declared a curfew and placed the city under military control to stop the unrest. On Sunday, police dispersed a group of protesters who tried to erect a barricade with debris from Saturday's violence.&nbsp;

The crisis broke out in early October after Moreno ordered fuel subsidies cut as part of a deal struck by his government to obtain a $4.2 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund.

CONAIE had previously rejected an offer of dialogue but reversed course Saturday and said the talks would focus on "the repeal or revision of the decree" that has left consumers paying more than double for fuel.

"Our hope is that, God willing, today we can sit down and talk and end all this," said Quishpe, a former governor of an Amazon province.

Ecuador's indigenous groups make up a quarter of the country's 17.3 million people. Thousands from disadvantaged communities in the Amazon and the Andes have travelled to Quito where they are spearheading demands that the subsidies continue.

Media attacked

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/clashes-at-protests-in-ecuador-over-fuel-price-hike-oil-facilities-seized-254404">Demonstrators on Saturday ransacked and set fire to the building housing the controller general's office</a>, which was shrouded in thick smoke after being attacked with fire bombs.

The prosecutor's office said 34 people were arrested.

Nearby, protesters built barricades in front of the National Assembly building as police fired tear gas at them.

The Teleamazonas TV channel interrupted its regular broadcast to air images of broken windows, a burned vehicle and heavy police presence on the scene.

The station evacuated 25 employees, none of them hurt.

El Comercio newspaper reported on Twitter that its offices were attacked by a "group of unknowns." It did not provide further details.

"We have nothing to do with the events at the comptroller's office and Teleamazonas," said CONAIE.

Protesters did not immediately heed the curfew that went into effect at 2000 GMT, with security forces still struggling to impose order in some parts of the city as night fell.

"Where are the mothers and fathers of the police? Why do they let them kill us?" cried Nancy Quinyupani, an indigenous woman.

The restrictions in Quito, a city of 2.7 million, came on top of a state of emergency Moreno had declared on October 3, deploying some 75,000 military and police and imposing a nighttime curfew in the vicinity of government buildings.

The violence has forced Moreno to relocate his government to Ecuador's second city, Guayaquil, and has hit the oil industry hard with the energy ministry suspending more than two-thirds of its distribution of crude.

Protesters seized three oil facilities in the Amazon earlier this week.

Moreno is struggling with an economic crisis that he blames on waste and corruption by Correa's administration.

Indigenous leaders and Ecuador's president prepared Sunday for face-to-face talks after nearly two weeks of violent street protests over austerity measures instituted to obtain a multibillion-dollar loan from the IMF.

Indigenous leaders and Ecuador's president prepared Sunday for face-to-face talks after nearly two weeks of violent street protests over austerity measures instituted to obtain a multibillion-dollar loan from the IMF. As both sides geared up for negotiations in the afternoon, one indigenous leader said protesters who have converged from far away will stay in the capital Quito until some kind of agreement is reached on painful reforms such as a doubling of some fuel prices. "Not just the leaders but the rank and file -- and we will stay until there is a solution," said Salvador Quishpe of an indigenous umbrella grouping called CONAIE. The 12 days of rolling demonstrations have left six people dead and nearly 2,100 wounded or detained, according to authorities. Protesters on Saturday targeted a television station and a newspaper and set fire to the controller general's office. President Lenin Moreno declared a curfew and placed the city under military control to stop the unrest. On Sunday, police dispersed a group of protesters who tried to erect a barricade with debris from Saturday's violence. The crisis broke out in early October after Moreno ordered fuel subsidies cut as part of a deal struck by his government to obtain a $4.2 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund. CONAIE had previously rejected an offer of dialogue but reversed course Saturday and said the talks would focus on "the repeal or revision of the decree" that has left consumers paying more than double for fuel. "Our hope is that, God willing, today we can sit down and talk and end all this," said Quishpe, a former governor of an Amazon province. Ecuador's indigenous groups make up a quarter of the country's 17.3 million people. Thousands from disadvantaged communities in the Amazon and the Andes have travelled to Quito where they are spearheading demands that the subsidies continue. Media attacked Demonstrators on Saturday ransacked and set fire to the building housing the controller general's office, which was shrouded in thick smoke after being attacked with fire bombs. The prosecutor's office said 34 people were arrested. Nearby, protesters built barricades in front of the National Assembly building as police fired tear gas at them. The Teleamazonas TV channel interrupted its regular broadcast to air images of broken windows, a burned vehicle and heavy police presence on the scene. The station evacuated 25 employees, none of them hurt. El Comercio newspaper reported on Twitter that its offices were attacked by a "group of unknowns." It did not provide further details. "We have nothing to do with the events at the comptroller's office and Teleamazonas," said CONAIE. Protesters did not immediately heed the curfew that went into effect at 2000 GMT, with security forces still struggling to impose order in some parts of the city as night fell. "Where are the mothers and fathers of the police? Why do they let them kill us?" cried Nancy Quinyupani, an indigenous woman. The restrictions in Quito, a city of 2.7 million, came on top of a state of emergency Moreno had declared on October 3, deploying some 75,000 military and police and imposing a nighttime curfew in the vicinity of government buildings. The violence has forced Moreno to relocate his government to Ecuador's second city, Guayaquil, and has hit the oil industry hard with the energy ministry suspending more than two-thirds of its distribution of crude. Protesters seized three oil facilities in the Amazon earlier this week. Moreno is struggling with an economic crisis that he blames on waste and corruption by Correa's administration.

Ecuador's president, protest leaders in talks to end deadly violence

In line with the central government's push to make India a major defence manufacturing hub, a firm based in Karnataka's Bengaluru&nbsp;has developed the country's first indigenous sniper rifle prototypes that are meant for use by the Indian armed forces. 
 
SSS Defence, which has developed two sniper rifles, is hoping to lead the way for India to become an arms manufacturing and exporting hub. 
 
"We started designing and developing these rifles after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/make-in-india-bullet-resistant-jackets-are-safer-lighter-cheaper-paswan-253870">'Make in India'</a> came in the defence sector. We became one of the few manufacturers allowed to develop arms in the country. These two weapons are entirely made indigenously," SSS Defence Managing Director (MD) Satish R Machani told ANI on Sunday. 
 
The 61-year-old company earlier used to manufacture components (mainly springs) for the automotive industry. 
 
"We have also been supplying components for the defence sector. Our idea is to have a complete system of arms for our forces and we eventually hope to become an arms exporter. Obviously, we have to put in a lot more work to make our weapons global level but we have an excellent Research and Development centre," Machani said. 
 
The company is also constructing an 80,000 sq ft arms factory in Jigani for its manufacturing unit. 
 
Explaining the working of the weapons, CEO Vivek Krishnan said: "We have developed high-end sniper rifles [with] calibre 7.62x51 mm and .338 Lapua Magnum platforms. Each rifle uses a barreled action that is inspected, gauged, hand-worked and accurized. The barrel length options range from 20 inches to 24 inches, based on the mission criteria and use environments."

In line with the central government's push to make India a major defence manufacturing hub, a firm based in Karnataka's Bengaluru has developed the country's first indigenous sniper rifle prototypes that are meant for use by the Indian armed forces.

In line with the central government's push to make India a major defence manufacturing hub, a firm based in Karnataka's Bengaluru has developed the country's first indigenous sniper rifle prototypes that are meant for use by the Indian armed forces. SSS Defence, which has developed two sniper rifles, is hoping to lead the way for India to become an arms manufacturing and exporting hub. "We started designing and developing these rifles after 'Make in India' came in the defence sector. We became one of the few manufacturers allowed to develop arms in the country. These two weapons are entirely made indigenously," SSS Defence Managing Director (MD) Satish R Machani told ANI on Sunday. The 61-year-old company earlier used to manufacture components (mainly springs) for the automotive industry. "We have also been supplying components for the defence sector. Our idea is to have a complete system of arms for our forces and we eventually hope to become an arms exporter. Obviously, we have to put in a lot more work to make our weapons global level but we have an excellent Research and Development centre," Machani said. The company is also constructing an 80,000 sq ft arms factory in Jigani for its manufacturing unit. Explaining the working of the weapons, CEO Vivek Krishnan said: "We have developed high-end sniper rifles [with] calibre 7.62x51 mm and .338 Lapua Magnum platforms. Each rifle uses a barreled action that is inspected, gauged, hand-worked and accurized. The barrel length options range from 20 inches to 24 inches, based on the mission criteria and use environments."

Two sniper rifles developed by Bengaluru-based firm

Ahead of Assembly polls in the state, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/five-died-in-bihar-due-to-illicit-liquor-23058">Election Commission officials</a> on Sunday seized illicit liquor worth Rs 70,000 in Malabar hill Assembly constituency here. 
 
Last week, EC officials&nbsp;seized Rs 63.09 lakh&nbsp;cash from two different places in Mumbai. 
 
Maharashtra will go to polls on October 21 and the counting of votes will take place on October 24.

Ahead of Assembly polls in the state, Election Commission officials on Sunday seized illicit liquor worth Rs 70,000 in Malabar hill Assembly constituency here. Last week, EC officials seized Rs 63.

Ahead of Assembly polls in the state, Election Commission officials on Sunday seized illicit liquor worth Rs 70,000 in Malabar hill Assembly constituency here. Last week, EC officials seized Rs 63.09 lakh cash from two different places in Mumbai. Maharashtra will go to polls on October 21 and the counting of votes will take place on October 24.

Election Commission seizes illicit liquor worth Rs 73,000 in Mumbai ahead of elections

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-and-uk-bid-to-save-brexit-talks-before-key-summit-255299">British Prime Minister Boris Johnson played down hopes of a breakthrough in his last-ditch bid to strike an amicable divorce deal with the European Union</a>.

Negotiators went behind closed doors for intensive talks in Brussels after Johnson outlined a new set of proposals to Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Thursday.

They have very little time left to succeed.

EU leaders will meet on Thursday and Friday for a summit held under the pressures of the October 31 Brexit deadline just two weeks away.

The 27 would ideally like to have a full proposal to vote on by then.

But the sides are trying to achieve in a few days what they had failed to in the more than three years since Britons first voted to leave the European Union after nearly 50 years.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will discuss the available options with French President Emmanuel Macron late Sunday.

European officials said the bloc's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier will also brief EU ambassadors on the state of play on Sunday evening.

Downing Street said Johnson told his cabinet to brace for a cliff-hanger finish in the coming days.

Johnson reiterated "that a pathway to a deal could be seen but that there is still a significant amount of work to get there and we must remain prepared to leave on October 31," a Downing Street spokesman said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/make-significant-concessions-if-you-want-brexit-deal-eu-to-british-pm-johnson-254948">Outgoing EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker said British politics were getting more difficult to decipher</a> than the riddle of an "Egyptian sphinx".

"If the British ask for more time, which they would probably will not, it would in my view be historic&nbsp;nonsense to refuse them," Juncker told Austria's Kurier newspaper.

Johnson rose to power in July on a promise not to extend Brexit for the third time -&nbsp;even for a few weeks.

Breaking that pledge could come back to haunt him in an early general election that most predict for the coming months.

Johnson is under parliamentary orders to seek an extension until January 31 of next year if no deal emerges by Saturday.

He has promised to both follow the law and get Britain out by October 31 -&nbsp;a contradiction that might end up being settled in court.

Watch: Typhoon Hagibis: 19 killed, at least 70 injured

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/typhoon-hagibis-19-killed-at-least-70-injured-255666/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Parliamentary pressure

Ireland's Varadkar hinted on Thursday that he could support the talks running on up to the October 31 deadline if a deal seemed within reach.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-ready-to-make-major-concession-on-brexit-deal-the-times-newspaper-254717">The few details that have leaked out suggest a compromise around the contentious Irish border issue</a>&nbsp;with Britain's Northern Ireland partially aligned with EU customs rules.

Whether such a fudge suits both Brussels and the more ardent Brexit backers in parliament who must still approve a deal should become clearer by the end of the week.

Britain will only avoid a chaotic breakup with its closest trading partners if the agreement is also passed by the UK parliament -&nbsp;something it has failed to do three times.

Johnson heads a minority government and must rely on the full backing of not only his own fractured Conservatives but also Northern Ireland's small Democratic Unionist Party.

DUP's parliamentary leader&nbsp;Nigel Dodds warned Johnson that "Northern Ireland must remain entirely in the customs union of the United Kingdom" and not the EU.

"And Boris Johnson knows it very well," Dodds told Italy's La Repubblica newspaper.

The comments do not necessarily rule out DUP support.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-brexit-minister-to-meet-eu-negotiator-thursday-london-254756">UK media are presenting Johnson's mooted compromise as a "double customs"</a> plan that could be interpreted to mean that Northern Ireland is leaving EU rules.

Yet details are still under discussion and the prime minister's allies are urging lawmakers to give the British leader a chance.

Main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn signalled Sunday that he would wait for the outcome of the EU summit before trying to force an early election.

But he added that there there was "a strong possibility" that those polls would come before the Christmas break.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson played down hopes of a breakthrough in his last-ditch bid to strike an amicable divorce deal with the European Union. Negotiators went behind closed doors for intensive talks in Brussels after Johnson outlined a new set of proposals to Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Thursday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson played down hopes of a breakthrough in his last-ditch bid to strike an amicable divorce deal with the European Union. Negotiators went behind closed doors for intensive talks in Brussels after Johnson outlined a new set of proposals to Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Thursday. They have very little time left to succeed. EU leaders will meet on Thursday and Friday for a summit held under the pressures of the October 31 Brexit deadline just two weeks away. The 27 would ideally like to have a full proposal to vote on by then. But the sides are trying to achieve in a few days what they had failed to in the more than three years since Britons first voted to leave the European Union after nearly 50 years. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will discuss the available options with French President Emmanuel Macron late Sunday. European officials said the bloc's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier will also brief EU ambassadors on the state of play on Sunday evening. Downing Street said Johnson told his cabinet to brace for a cliff-hanger finish in the coming days. Johnson reiterated "that a pathway to a deal could be seen but that there is still a significant amount of work to get there and we must remain prepared to leave on October 31," a Downing Street spokesman said. Outgoing EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker said British politics were getting more difficult to decipher than the riddle of an "Egyptian sphinx". "If the British ask for more time, which they would probably will not, it would in my view be historic nonsense to refuse them," Juncker told Austria's Kurier newspaper. Johnson rose to power in July on a promise not to extend Brexit for the third time - even for a few weeks. Breaking that pledge could come back to haunt him in an early general election that most predict for the coming months. Johnson is under parliamentary orders to seek an extension until January 31 of next year if no deal emerges by Saturday. He has promised to both follow the law and get Britain out by October 31 - a contradiction that might end up being settled in court. Watch: Typhoon Hagibis: 19 killed, at least 70 injured Parliamentary pressure Ireland's Varadkar hinted on Thursday that he could support the talks running on up to the October 31 deadline if a deal seemed within reach. The few details that have leaked out suggest a compromise around the contentious Irish border issue with Britain's Northern Ireland partially aligned with EU customs rules. Whether such a fudge suits both Brussels and the more ardent Brexit backers in parliament who must still approve a deal should become clearer by the end of the week. Britain will only avoid a chaotic breakup with its closest trading partners if the agreement is also passed by the UK parliament - something it has failed to do three times. Johnson heads a minority government and must rely on the full backing of not only his own fractured Conservatives but also Northern Ireland's small Democratic Unionist Party. DUP's parliamentary leader Nigel Dodds warned Johnson that "Northern Ireland must remain entirely in the customs union of the United Kingdom" and not the EU. "And Boris Johnson knows it very well," Dodds told Italy's La Repubblica newspaper. The comments do not necessarily rule out DUP support. UK media are presenting Johnson's mooted compromise as a "double customs" plan that could be interpreted to mean that Northern Ireland is leaving EU rules. Yet details are still under discussion and the prime minister's allies are urging lawmakers to give the British leader a chance. Main opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn signalled Sunday that he would wait for the outcome of the EU summit before trying to force an early election. But he added that there there was "a strong possibility" that those polls would come before the Christmas break.

Britain's Johnson plays down Brexit breakthrough hopes

Tens of thousands of rescuers were working through Sunday night to reach people feared trapped in Japan by landslides and floods caused by a powerful typhoon that killed at least 26, officials and local media said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-14-dead-nine-missing-after-typhoon-hagibis-hits-japan-rescue-operation-underway-255603">Typhoon Hagibis moved away from land on Sunday morning</a>, but while it largely spared the capital it left a trail of destruction in surrounding regions.

More than 100,000 rescuers - including 31,000 troops - were working through the night to reach people feared trapped after torrential rain caused landslides and filled rivers until they burst their banks.

The destruction forced the Rugby World Cup being hosted by Japan to cancel several games, but the "Brave Blossoms", as the national team is known, lifted spirits with a stunning 28-21 victory over Scotland Sunday that puts them into the quarter-finals of the tournament for the first time.

The government put the death toll at 14, with 11 people missing, but local media said at least 26 people had been killed, and at least 15 were still unaccounted for.

Rivers overspilled their banks at close to dozen locations -&nbsp;including in central Japan's Nagano, where a levee breach sent water from the Chikuma river gushing into residential neighbourhoods, flooding homes up to the second floor.

Military and fire department helicopters winched survivors from roofs and balconies in several locations, but in Fukushima, one rescue went tragically awry when a woman died after falling from a chopper cradle.

Elsewhere, rescue workers carried out an hours-long boat operation to evacuate hundreds of people from a retirement home in Kawagoe, northwest of Tokyo, which was flooded up to its top floor.

One elderly woman wearing an orange life vest was brought out from a boat on the back of a hard-hat wearing rescuer. Others were hoisted onto wheelchairs and pushed along a muddy shore on arrival by boat.

Hagibis smashed into the main Japanese island of Honshu on Saturday night as one of the most violent typhoons in recent years, with wind gusts of up to 216 kilometres per hour.

'Please do your best'

The storm claimed its first victim even before making landfall, when high winds flipped a vehicle, killing its driver.

Landslides and flooding claimed more lives overnight, and the toll climbed higher after sunrise on Sunday, as the scale of the devastation wrought by Hagibis became clear.

Bodies were retrieved from submerged homes and vehicles, from raging overflowing rivers, and from buildings buried in landslides.

The dead included a municipal worker whose car was overcome by floodwaters and two Chinese crew members aboard a boat that sank overnight in Tokyo Bay.

Four of the crew were rescued, but authorities were still searching for another six.

"The government will do its utmost," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said, vowing that rescue efforts would run through the night.

"Please do your best," he told a disaster management meeting.

More than 110,000 homes were still without power by Sunday evening, with others experiencing water outages.

At the storm's peak, more than seven million people were placed under non-compulsory evacuation orders, and over 135,000 people were still in government shelters by Sunday evening.

The storm prompted the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue its highest-level rain disaster warning, saying "unprecedented" downpours were expected.

'I don't know where to start'

"The water came up higher than my head in the house," Hajime Tokuda, a finance professional living in Kawasaki near Tokyo told AFP.

He moved to his family's home nearby, but that flooded too and they had to be rescued by boat.

In Saitama's Higashi Matsuyama city, northwest of Tokyo, rice and flower farmers were counting their losses, with water submerging warehouses full of freshly harvested produce.

"We never had a flood like this before in this neighbourhood," said one farmer, who declined to give his name.

"I don't know where to start cleaning this mess."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-military-begins-rescue-effort-as-typhoon-hagibis-weakens-4-dead-255547">The storm brought travel chaos during a long holiday weekend in Japan, grounding flights and halting local and bullet train services.</a>

On Sunday, train services began resuming and operations also slowly restarted at the two airports serving the capital, although many flights were cancelled.

But some lines remained halted, with aerial footage in Nagano showing rows of bullet trains partially submerged by flooding.

The storm also caused havoc for the sports world, delaying Japanese Grand Prix qualifiers and forcing the cancellation of several Rugby World Cup matches.

But a crucial decider saw the home team reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time ever.

"To everyone that's suffering from the typhoon, this game was for you guys," said Japan captain Michael Leitch.

Tens of thousands of rescuers were working through Sunday night to reach people feared trapped in Japan by landslides and floods caused by a powerful typhoon that killed at least 26, officials and local media said.

Tens of thousands of rescuers were working through Sunday night to reach people feared trapped in Japan by landslides and floods caused by a powerful typhoon that killed at least 26, officials and local media said. Typhoon Hagibis moved away from land on Sunday morning, but while it largely spared the capital it left a trail of destruction in surrounding regions. More than 100,000 rescuers - including 31,000 troops - were working through the night to reach people feared trapped after torrential rain caused landslides and filled rivers until they burst their banks. The destruction forced the Rugby World Cup being hosted by Japan to cancel several games, but the "Brave Blossoms", as the national team is known, lifted spirits with a stunning 28-21 victory over Scotland Sunday that puts them into the quarter-finals of the tournament for the first time. The government put the death toll at 14, with 11 people missing, but local media said at least 26 people had been killed, and at least 15 were still unaccounted for. Rivers overspilled their banks at close to dozen locations - including in central Japan's Nagano, where a levee breach sent water from the Chikuma river gushing into residential neighbourhoods, flooding homes up to the second floor. Military and fire department helicopters winched survivors from roofs and balconies in several locations, but in Fukushima, one rescue went tragically awry when a woman died after falling from a chopper cradle. Elsewhere, rescue workers carried out an hours-long boat operation to evacuate hundreds of people from a retirement home in Kawagoe, northwest of Tokyo, which was flooded up to its top floor. One elderly woman wearing an orange life vest was brought out from a boat on the back of a hard-hat wearing rescuer. Others were hoisted onto wheelchairs and pushed along a muddy shore on arrival by boat. Hagibis smashed into the main Japanese island of Honshu on Saturday night as one of the most violent typhoons in recent years, with wind gusts of up to 216 kilometres per hour. 'Please do your best' The storm claimed its first victim even before making landfall, when high winds flipped a vehicle, killing its driver. Landslides and flooding claimed more lives overnight, and the toll climbed higher after sunrise on Sunday, as the scale of the devastation wrought by Hagibis became clear. Bodies were retrieved from submerged homes and vehicles, from raging overflowing rivers, and from buildings buried in landslides. The dead included a municipal worker whose car was overcome by floodwaters and two Chinese crew members aboard a boat that sank overnight in Tokyo Bay. Four of the crew were rescued, but authorities were still searching for another six. "The government will do its utmost," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said, vowing that rescue efforts would run through the night. "Please do your best," he told a disaster management meeting. More than 110,000 homes were still without power by Sunday evening, with others experiencing water outages. At the storm's peak, more than seven million people were placed under non-compulsory evacuation orders, and over 135,000 people were still in government shelters by Sunday evening. The storm prompted the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue its highest-level rain disaster warning, saying "unprecedented" downpours were expected. 'I don't know where to start' "The water came up higher than my head in the house," Hajime Tokuda, a finance professional living in Kawasaki near Tokyo told AFP. He moved to his family's home nearby, but that flooded too and they had to be rescued by boat. In Saitama's Higashi Matsuyama city, northwest of Tokyo, rice and flower farmers were counting their losses, with water submerging warehouses full of freshly harvested produce. "We never had a flood like this before in this neighbourhood," said one farmer, who declined to give his name. "I don't know where to start cleaning this mess." The storm brought travel chaos during a long holiday weekend in Japan, grounding flights and halting local and bullet train services. On Sunday, train services began resuming and operations also slowly restarted at the two airports serving the capital, although many flights were cancelled. But some lines remained halted, with aerial footage in Nagano showing rows of bullet trains partially submerged by flooding. The storm also caused havoc for the sports world, delaying Japanese Grand Prix qualifiers and forcing the cancellation of several Rugby World Cup matches. But a crucial decider saw the home team reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time ever. "To everyone that's suffering from the typhoon, this game was for you guys," said Japan captain Michael Leitch.

At least 26 dead as Typhoon Hagibis slams Japan

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-are-encouraging-e-vehicles-by-reducing-gst-says-nitin-gadkari-at-wions-emobility-summit-253008">Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari</a> will inaugurate a conference on 'One Nation One Fastag' in the national capital on Monday. 
 
The conference will see the signing of Memorandums of Understanding&nbsp;(MoUs) with state departments and other agencies for bringing in a unified electronic tolling solution across the country. 
 
"This would mean enabling the use of the same Fastag affixed on the windscreen of a vehicle at every toll plaza in the country under the jurisdiction of different states and agencies and other entities. This will help provide seamless services to consumers across the country," an official statement said. 
 
Another MoU is expected to be signed tomorrow, between the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) and Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) for the integration of Fastag with GST E-Way Bill System. 
 
The GST Council has already accorded 'in-principle' approval for this integration. 
 
"The integration of EWB system with Fastag will help revenue authorities <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/looking-for-integrated-approach-to-solve-problems-says-nitin-gadkari-at-wions-emobility-summit-253033">track the movement of vehicles</a> and ensure that they are travelling to the same destination that the transporter or the trader had specified while generating the e-way bill," said the statement. 
 
MoS in the Road Transport and Highways Ministry General (Retd) VK Singh will also be present on the occasion, along with ministers and senior officials from state governments.

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate a conference on 'One Nation One Fastag' in the national capital on Monday. The conference will see the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with state departments and other agencies for bringing in a unified electronic tolling solution across the country.

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate a conference on 'One Nation One Fastag' in the national capital on Monday. The conference will see the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with state departments and other agencies for bringing in a unified electronic tolling solution across the country. "This would mean enabling the use of the same Fastag affixed on the windscreen of a vehicle at every toll plaza in the country under the jurisdiction of different states and agencies and other entities. This will help provide seamless services to consumers across the country," an official statement said. Another MoU is expected to be signed tomorrow, between the Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) and Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) for the integration of Fastag with GST E-Way Bill System. The GST Council has already accorded 'in-principle' approval for this integration. "The integration of EWB system with Fastag will help revenue authorities track the movement of vehicles and ensure that they are travelling to the same destination that the transporter or the trader had specified while generating the e-way bill," said the statement. MoS in the Road Transport and Highways Ministry General (Retd) VK Singh will also be present on the occasion, along with ministers and senior officials from state governments.

Nitin Gadkari to inaugurate conference on 'one nation, one fastag' tomorrow

Environmentalists on Sunday paid tribute&nbsp;to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-asks-maharashtra-government-to-not-cut-more-trees-in-aarey-forest-254181">trees which were felled in Aarey colony</a>&nbsp;by the authorities to construct a car shed for Mumbai Metro. 
 
They lit candles at the spot where around 2,000 trees were cut by the authorities earlier this month. 
 
The Supreme Court, on October 7, had ordered the Maharashtra government not to axe any more trees in Mumbai's Aarey colony and maintain status quo till further orders. 
 
Prior to this, the Bombay High Court had upheld the permission granted to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) tree authority to axe tree to make a metro-car shed. 
 
The metro corporation said that on October 4 and 5, it axed over 2,185 trees in the area in concurrence with the order of the High Court. 
 
Earlier, a protest broke out in the area after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/aarey-row-29-protesters-released-from-thane-jail-254162">Bombay High Court dismissed all the petitions challenging the felling of trees</a>. This led police to issue prohibitory orders, thereby banning unlawful assembly. 
 
Following the imposition of the orders, scores of protesters were held and sent to judicial custody. They were, however, released on bail the next day.

Environmentalists on Sunday paid tribute to the trees which were felled in Aarey colony by the authorities to construct a car shed for Mumbai Metro. They lit candles at the spot where around 2,000 trees were cut by the authorities earlier this month.

Environmentalists on Sunday paid tribute to the trees which were felled in Aarey colony by the authorities to construct a car shed for Mumbai Metro. They lit candles at the spot where around 2,000 trees were cut by the authorities earlier this month. The Supreme Court, on October 7, had ordered the Maharashtra government not to axe any more trees in Mumbai's Aarey colony and maintain status quo till further orders. Prior to this, the Bombay High Court had upheld the permission granted to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) tree authority to axe tree to make a metro-car shed. The metro corporation said that on October 4 and 5, it axed over 2,185 trees in the area in concurrence with the order of the High Court. Earlier, a protest broke out in the area after the Bombay High Court dismissed all the petitions challenging the felling of trees. This led police to issue prohibitory orders, thereby banning unlawful assembly. Following the imposition of the orders, scores of protesters were held and sent to judicial custody. They were, however, released on bail the next day.

Environmentalists pay tribute to trees felled in Aarey colony

Police on Sunday busted a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/fake-currency-notes-printing-unit-busted-one-held-in-tamil-nadu-141749">fake currency printing unit</a> in Idigarai in Coimbatore. Five persons including a woman have been arrested.

The accused have been identified as Boopathy, Dhanraj, Praveen Kumar and Ranjith. The&nbsp;arrested woman is Ranjith's wife. 
 
Fake currency amounting to Rs 14 lakh in Rs 100, 200, 500 and 2000 denominations have been seized by police from the accused. 
 
Further investigation is underway.

Police on Sunday busted a fake currency printing unit in Idigarai in Coimbatore. Five persons including a woman have been arrested. The accused have been identified as Boopathy, Dhanraj, Praveen Kumar and Ranjith.

Police on Sunday busted a fake currency printing unit in Idigarai in Coimbatore. Five persons including a woman have been arrested. The accused have been identified as Boopathy, Dhanraj, Praveen Kumar and Ranjith. The arrested woman is Ranjith's wife. Fake currency amounting to Rs 14 lakh in Rs 100, 200, 500 and 2000 denominations have been seized by police from the accused. Further investigation is underway.

Counterfeit currency unit busted in Coimbatore, five held

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-china-ink-18-agreements-two-letters-of-understanding-255661">China and Nepal hailed the "beginning of a new era" in relations</a> Sunday as President Xi Jinping ended his visit with promises of a railway and tunnel connecting the two countries.

Xi, in the first state visit by a Chinese leader in 23 years -&nbsp;announced $493 million&nbsp;of aid between 2020-2022 "to uplift the living standard of Nepali people" during talks with President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, an official said.

Kathmandu has also sought closer ties and much-needed energy and infrastructure investments from Beijing.

In a joint statement, the two countries said Xi's visit "marked the beginning of a new era in Nepal-China relations and served as an important milestone in the history of friendly cooperation".

During the visit, Nepali and Chinese officials signed&nbsp;at least 15 agreements, including a feasibility study for a cross-border railway project that would give Beijing access to the south through Nepal's open border with India.

"We will develop a multi-dimensional trans-Himalayan connectivity network and help Nepal to realise its dream to transform itself from a landlocked country to land-linked country," Xi said in his address during a banquet on Saturday evening.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-to-carry-out-feasibility-study-on-trans-border-railways-linking-nepal-xi-255565">They also undertook to carry out another feasibility study to construct a tunnel from China's Kerung to Kathmandu</a> and to repair existing highways, as well as to strengthen hydropower, security, trade and education links.

Prime Minister KP&nbsp;Sharma Oli's foreign affairs adviser Rajan Bhattarai said Xi showed "China is ready to help Nepal with [an]&nbsp;open heart on its goal of development and prosperity, [helping with]&nbsp;infrastructure development and enhancing connectivity".

Nepali Times editor Kunda Dixit said the key test would be if China's deals help boost the impoverished nation's economy.

"The big test of whether or not Xi's visit will benefit Nepal is if these infrastructure projects will help Nepal become more self-reliant and use access to China to sell our goods, not increase our dependence," he told AFP.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nepal-eyes-railway-deal-with-china-during-xi-visit-255507">China has intensified its presence in Nepal in recent years</a>, pumping millions of dollars into projects ranging from roads to hydropower plants.

In 2017, Nepal signed up to China's Belt and Road initiative, a vast global infrastructure programme, which includes the building or upgrading of highways and airports in the country.

China and Nepal hailed the "beginning of a new era" in relations Sunday as President Xi Jinping ended his visit with promises of a railway and tunnel connecting the two countries.

China and Nepal hailed the "beginning of a new era" in relations Sunday as President Xi Jinping ended his visit with promises of a railway and tunnel connecting the two countries. Xi, in the first state visit by a Chinese leader in 23 years - announced $493 million of aid between 2020-2022 "to uplift the living standard of Nepali people" during talks with President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, an official said. Kathmandu has also sought closer ties and much-needed energy and infrastructure investments from Beijing. In a joint statement, the two countries said Xi's visit "marked the beginning of a new era in Nepal-China relations and served as an important milestone in the history of friendly cooperation". During the visit, Nepali and Chinese officials signed at least 15 agreements, including a feasibility study for a cross-border railway project that would give Beijing access to the south through Nepal's open border with India. "We will develop a multi-dimensional trans-Himalayan connectivity network and help Nepal to realise its dream to transform itself from a landlocked country to land-linked country," Xi said in his address during a banquet on Saturday evening. They also undertook to carry out another feasibility study to construct a tunnel from China's Kerung to Kathmandu and to repair existing highways, as well as to strengthen hydropower, security, trade and education links. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's foreign affairs adviser Rajan Bhattarai said Xi showed "China is ready to help Nepal with [an] open heart on its goal of development and prosperity, [helping with] infrastructure development and enhancing connectivity". Nepali Times editor Kunda Dixit said the key test would be if China's deals help boost the impoverished nation's economy. "The big test of whether or not Xi's visit will benefit Nepal is if these infrastructure projects will help Nepal become more self-reliant and use access to China to sell our goods, not increase our dependence," he told AFP. China has intensified its presence in Nepal in recent years, pumping millions of dollars into projects ranging from roads to hydropower plants. In 2017, Nepal signed up to China's Belt and Road initiative, a vast global infrastructure programme, which includes the building or upgrading of highways and airports in the country.

China's Xi promises aid, development in Nepal visit

Pakistan-backed terror groups are using <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nia-to-probe-incidents-of-pakistan-drones-smuggling-arms-into-india-253236">small drones to smuggle weapons and narcotics into India</a>, in view of which the security forces have been given clearance to shoot down drones flying at 1,000 feet or below. 
 
"Security agencies deployed along the international border have been given the clearance to shoot down drone crossing the boundary and flying at 1,000 feet and below," government sources told ANI. 
 
For any drone flying at heights above 1,000 feet, the final clearance will have to be taken from the agencies concerned as the flying object can be an aeroplane also, the sources said. 
 
Recently, the security forces including the Border Security Force have been spotting small drones crossing the international border in Punjab where the Chinese-origin unmanned aerial vehicles have even been used to supply assault rifles and drugs. 
 
Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at Hussainiwala border post in Ferozepur spotted a drone on Monday night entering into India from the Pakistani border. A search operation was launched after Punjab police were informed about the development. The local police are investigating the matter," BSF sources had said. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bsf-spots-drone-along-india-pakistan-border-254531">The sightings come amid escalated tensions between India and Pakistan</a> over the Kashmir issue.

Pakistan-backed terror groups are using small drones to smuggle weapons and narcotics into India, in view of which the security forces have been given clearance to shoot down drones flying at 1,000 feet or below.

Pakistan-backed terror groups are using small drones to smuggle weapons and narcotics into India, in view of which the security forces have been given clearance to shoot down drones flying at 1,000 feet or below. "Security agencies deployed along the international border have been given the clearance to shoot down drone crossing the boundary and flying at 1,000 feet and below," government sources told ANI. For any drone flying at heights above 1,000 feet, the final clearance will have to be taken from the agencies concerned as the flying object can be an aeroplane also, the sources said. Recently, the security forces including the Border Security Force have been spotting small drones crossing the international border in Punjab where the Chinese-origin unmanned aerial vehicles have even been used to supply assault rifles and drugs. Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at Hussainiwala border post in Ferozepur spotted a drone on Monday night entering into India from the Pakistani border. A search operation was launched after Punjab police were informed about the development. The local police are investigating the matter," BSF sources had said. The sightings come amid escalated tensions between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue.

Security forces cleared to shoot down drones flying at 1000 feet amid sightings across border

Pope canonises Indian nun Mariam Thresia, four others

In a big boost to strengthen rural infrastructure, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/valmiki-community-in-jk-was-deprived-of-basic-rights-until-abrogation-of-article-370-pm-modi-255632">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> on Sunday said that Rs 25 lakh crore will be spent on infrastructural development in the villages across the country. 
 
"The rural economy of the country is now being given as much attention as never before. Already the work is going on on the roads of the village. Now in the coming years, Rs 25 lakh crore will be spent to develop infrastructure in the villages. The money will also be used to construct modern storage centres for crops," he said. 
 
Addressing an election rally at Sakoli, the Prime Minister said the work is being done with a larger vision for farmers. 
 
"We have tried to change the situation and have taken steps to solve the problems of farmers permanently," he said. 
 
Modi also highlighted that Rs 3.5 lakh crore will be used for water conservation and building facilities for water conservation. 
 
"We started the Jal Jeevan Mission as soon as we formed the government for the second time. In the coming years, Rs 3.5 lakh crore will be used for water conservation and building facilities for water conservation," he said. 
 
"When pure water is made available to everyone, you and your cattle will be healthier. The industry will develop swiftly in drought-hit regions with the proper supply of water. This will provide new sources of employment," he added. 
 
The Prime Minister called upon the people to develop hotels and other infrastructure facilities in Bhandara to attract tourists in the region. 
 
"This entire area is full of forests ... There is a lot of potential for tourism here. The area also has plenty of products produced by tribal society. It is important to make Chulband river and Nagzhira National Park more attractive to tourists. It will pave the way for self-employment of local people," he said. 
 
PM Modi said the projects related to the development of tribal areas and their self-employment is in full swing. 
 
"A comprehensive network of Eklavya Model School is being prepared by the government to enhance the education and skills of tribal children," added Modi. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-rahul-gandhi-to-rally-for-maharashtra-assembly-polls-on-sunday-255572">The Assembly polls in Maharashtra are scheduled for October 21 along with Haryana</a>. The counting of votes will take place on October 24.

In a big boost to strengthen rural infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that Rs 25 lakh crore will be spent on infrastructural development in the villages across the country.

In a big boost to strengthen rural infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that Rs 25 lakh crore will be spent on infrastructural development in the villages across the country. "The rural economy of the country is now being given as much attention as never before. Already the work is going on on the roads of the village. Now in the coming years, Rs 25 lakh crore will be spent to develop infrastructure in the villages. The money will also be used to construct modern storage centres for crops," he said. Addressing an election rally at Sakoli, the Prime Minister said the work is being done with a larger vision for farmers. "We have tried to change the situation and have taken steps to solve the problems of farmers permanently," he said. Modi also highlighted that Rs 3.5 lakh crore will be used for water conservation and building facilities for water conservation. "We started the Jal Jeevan Mission as soon as we formed the government for the second time. In the coming years, Rs 3.5 lakh crore will be used for water conservation and building facilities for water conservation," he said. "When pure water is made available to everyone, you and your cattle will be healthier. The industry will develop swiftly in drought-hit regions with the proper supply of water. This will provide new sources of employment," he added. The Prime Minister called upon the people to develop hotels and other infrastructure facilities in Bhandara to attract tourists in the region. "This entire area is full of forests ... There is a lot of potential for tourism here. The area also has plenty of products produced by tribal society. It is important to make Chulband river and Nagzhira National Park more attractive to tourists. It will pave the way for self-employment of local people," he said. PM Modi said the projects related to the development of tribal areas and their self-employment is in full swing. "A comprehensive network of Eklavya Model School is being prepared by the government to enhance the education and skills of tribal children," added Modi. The Assembly polls in Maharashtra are scheduled for October 21 along with Haryana. The counting of votes will take place on October 24.

PM Modi says Rs 25 lakh crore will be spent on infrastructure development in rural areas

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Zee News Rajasthan

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Bharat Sharma

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