A retired law professor with an awkward public manner, little money, no political party and a commitment to an experimental form of direct democracy looks set to be Tunisia's new president.

Two exit polls projected that Kais Saied handily won Sunday's runoff election against media magnate Nabil Karoui, though no formal results have been announced.

Saied won the support of both Islamists and leftists, though his radical but socially conservative politics do not neatly chime with either group. It has left both his critics and supporters scrambling to define him.

"I did not make traditional promises or a traditional programme...but new ideas that can be realised..today we entered a new stage in the history of Tunisia," he told Reuters after the first round of the election in September.

Tunisians also gave him most votes in the first round against an array of veteran political leaders, the sharpest rejection of Tunisia's ruling elite since the 2011 uprising that ushered in democratic rule.

"He convinced us that change is possible and in our own hands," said Bassam Naffati, a 22-year-old biology student who volunteered for Saied's campaign.

The balding, 61-year-old, speaking in his usual ultra-formal style of classical Arabic, has described his success as "like a new revolution".

Though he did well in opinion polls for months, his lack of an established political or media base made him something of a dark horse and a less familiar figure to many Tunisians than Karoui.

Both are relative outsiders, but they are very different.

The wealthy, slickly presented Karoui has a television station and a large election team. He spent most of the election period in custody on suspicion of tax evasion and money laundering, which he denies.

Supporters of Saied, who spent so little on his campaign that Tunisians say it cost the price of a coffee and a packet of cigarettes, present him as a paragon of personal integrity.

Austerity

His austere approach is plain in his campaign headquarters: a small upstairs apartment in an old downtown building with no elevator, broken windows and peeling paintwork equipped with little more than a small television and some plastic chairs.

"I knew him up close in 2011 after the revolution, during the first movement of youth against the old guard. He was one of the few who understood our demands. He listened to us," said Sonia Chriti, 40, a former student of Saied.

A former law faculty colleague, Jawher Ben Mubarek, said that during those tumultuous days they would wander late into the night through the narrow streets of the Kasbah and the grand colonial boulevards downtown, discussing politics.

"We would stop a lot and talk to the protesters about their demands," he said.

In his office, the supporters gathered there included hijab-wearing conservatives, left-wing students, unemployed workers, and university professors.

His conservative social views - favouring the death penalty and opposing homosexuality and equal inheritance for men and women - appear to have won him much support among Islamists.

However, Ben Mubarek, who has known Saied for many years, says he is neither an Islamist nor a fundamentalist. He has spoken against changing the constitution to base it on Islamic law and his wife, a judge, does not wear a headscarf.

He has urged a crackdown on foreign money in Tunisia, including on spending by non-government and civil society organisations, which he sees threatening Tunisian society.

The stripped-back campaign had no formal manager, but Saied's closest adviser is Rida Mekki, a veteran leftwinger whose popular nickname is "Rida Lenin". It was their collaboration over the past few years that pushed him from being an academic into politics, said Ben Mubarek.

'Eaten&nbsp;by&nbsp;a&nbsp;donkey'

Saied was in the committee of experts that helped parliament draft Tunisia's post-revolution constitution, adopted in 2014, and was sometimes invited on to television as a commentator. He was first noticed publicly when asked what stage the draft constitution was in, he said: "It has been eaten by a donkey".

The remark underscored his contempt for party politics and a directly elected parliament, something he wants Tunisia to entirely abandon in favour of a "democracy of individuals".

He wants Tunisians to elect small local councils based on the character of their representatives rather than party or ideology. They would in turn choose regional representatives who would choose national ones.

"Power must belong to people directly," Saied said.

With politicians in Tunis dominating the post-revolutionary era, a period that included great economic disappointment, that sort of radical decentralisation appeals to many of those who rose up across the country eight years ago.

"We demanded the dignity and development of the marginalized regions... his proposal was to strengthen decentralization in governance, and the voting system is the first step in giving more dignity and development to those regions," said Chriti.

Saied appears to stand little chance of implementing this system. Changing the constitution needs a two-thirds majority in parliament, which is deeply fragmented after last week's legislative election.

How "Robocop", as some social media users dubbed him for the mechanical timbre of his voice, handles the frustrations of political life may determine what sort of president he would be.

A retired law professor with an awkward public manner, little money, no political party and a commitment to an experimental form of direct democracy looks set to be Tunisia's new president.

A retired law professor with an awkward public manner, little money, no political party and a commitment to an experimental form of direct democracy looks set to be Tunisia's new president. Two exit polls projected that Kais Saied handily won Sunday's runoff election against media magnate Nabil Karoui, though no formal results have been announced. Saied won the support of both Islamists and leftists, though his radical but socially conservative politics do not neatly chime with either group. It has left both his critics and supporters scrambling to define him. "I did not make traditional promises or a traditional programme...but new ideas that can be realised..today we entered a new stage in the history of Tunisia," he told Reuters after the first round of the election in September. Tunisians also gave him most votes in the first round against an array of veteran political leaders, the sharpest rejection of Tunisia's ruling elite since the 2011 uprising that ushered in democratic rule. "He convinced us that change is possible and in our own hands," said Bassam Naffati, a 22-year-old biology student who volunteered for Saied's campaign. The balding, 61-year-old, speaking in his usual ultra-formal style of classical Arabic, has described his success as "like a new revolution". Though he did well in opinion polls for months, his lack of an established political or media base made him something of a dark horse and a less familiar figure to many Tunisians than Karoui. Both are relative outsiders, but they are very different. The wealthy, slickly presented Karoui has a television station and a large election team. He spent most of the election period in custody on suspicion of tax evasion and money laundering, which he denies. Supporters of Saied, who spent so little on his campaign that Tunisians say it cost the price of a coffee and a packet of cigarettes, present him as a paragon of personal integrity. Austerity His austere approach is plain in his campaign headquarters: a small upstairs apartment in an old downtown building with no elevator, broken windows and peeling paintwork equipped with little more than a small television and some plastic chairs. "I knew him up close in 2011 after the revolution, during the first movement of youth against the old guard. He was one of the few who understood our demands. He listened to us," said Sonia Chriti, 40, a former student of Saied. A former law faculty colleague, Jawher Ben Mubarek, said that during those tumultuous days they would wander late into the night through the narrow streets of the Kasbah and the grand colonial boulevards downtown, discussing politics. "We would stop a lot and talk to the protesters about their demands," he said. In his office, the supporters gathered there included hijab-wearing conservatives, left-wing students, unemployed workers, and university professors. His conservative social views - favouring the death penalty and opposing homosexuality and equal inheritance for men and women - appear to have won him much support among Islamists. However, Ben Mubarek, who has known Saied for many years, says he is neither an Islamist nor a fundamentalist. He has spoken against changing the constitution to base it on Islamic law and his wife, a judge, does not wear a headscarf. He has urged a crackdown on foreign money in Tunisia, including on spending by non-government and civil society organisations, which he sees threatening Tunisian society. The stripped-back campaign had no formal manager, but Saied's closest adviser is Rida Mekki, a veteran leftwinger whose popular nickname is "Rida Lenin". It was their collaboration over the past few years that pushed him from being an academic into politics, said Ben Mubarek. 'Eaten by a donkey' Saied was in the committee of experts that helped parliament draft Tunisia's post-revolution constitution, adopted in 2014, and was sometimes invited on to television as a commentator. He was first noticed publicly when asked what stage the draft constitution was in, he said: "It has been eaten by a donkey". The remark underscored his contempt for party politics and a directly elected parliament, something he wants Tunisia to entirely abandon in favour of a "democracy of individuals". He wants Tunisians to elect small local councils based on the character of their representatives rather than party or ideology. They would in turn choose regional representatives who would choose national ones. "Power must belong to people directly," Saied said. With politicians in Tunis dominating the post-revolutionary era, a period that included great economic disappointment, that sort of radical decentralisation appeals to many of those who rose up across the country eight years ago. "We demanded the dignity and development of the marginalized regions... his proposal was to strengthen decentralization in governance, and the voting system is the first step in giving more dignity and development to those regions," said Chriti. Saied appears to stand little chance of implementing this system. Changing the constitution needs a two-thirds majority in parliament, which is deeply fragmented after last week's legislative election. How "Robocop", as some social media users dubbed him for the mechanical timbre of his voice, handles the frustrations of political life may determine what sort of president he would be.

The former professor out to remake Tunisian politics

Convicted: Who are the 12 Catalan separatist leaders?

The Syrian regime sent troops towards the Turkish border on Monday to contain Ankara's deadly offensive against the Kurds, stepping in for US forces due to begin a controversial withdrawal.

Outgunned and without US protection, the autonomous Kurds in northeastern Syria had few other options to stop the rapid advance of Turkish troops and their Syrian proxies.

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Turkey wants to create a roughly 30-kilometre (20-mile) buffer zone along its border to keep Kurdish forces at bay and also to send back some of the 3.6 million Syrian refugees it hosts.

The United States and its partners, who spent years fighting alongside the Kurds against the Islamic State group in Syria before deserting them, have condemned the Turkish invasion, but their threats of sanctions have failed to stop it.

Washington says that it is planning to pull out 1,000 troops &nbsp;-- almost the entire ground force -- from Syria's north, in a move welcomed Monday by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as "a positive approach."

The chaos in the areas targeted in the six-day-old Turkish assault has already led to the escape of around 800 foreign women and children linked to IS from a Kurdish-run camp, Kurdish authorities said.

The Kurds had repeatedly warned of that scenario when Western countries refused to repatriate their IS-linked nationals and when US President Donald Trump made it clear he wanted to end the US military presence.

But Trump on Monday said the Kurds "may be releasing" IS prisoners to keep the US involved in Syria.

Wasting no time to fill the void, Moscow -- already the top broker in Syria -- clinched a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/celebrations-erupt-as-kurds-and-syrian-government-reach-a-deal-255737">deal between the Kurds and Damascus</a>, whose ties had been icy since the minority threw its lot with Washington and unilaterally declared self-rule.

"In order to prevent and confront this aggression, an agreement has been reached with the Syrian government," the Kurdish administration said in a statement late Sunday.

Averting 'genocide'

In an editorial published in Foreign Policy magazine, the head of the main Kurdish force wrote: "If we have to choose between compromises and the genocide of our people, we will surely choose life for our people."

By Monday morning, Syrian government forces were already moving to within several kilometres (miles) of the border, AFP correspondents on the ground said.

Residents around the town of Tall Tamr welcomed regime forces with cheers and Syrian state television showed some of them waving national flags and portraits of President Bashar al-Assad.

Syrian troops also deployed in the areas of Tabqa and Ain Issa in the northern province of Raqa, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor.

According to a newspaper close to the Damascus regime, Syrian forces were also expected to deploy in the areas of Manbij and the border town of Kobane.

The main remaining flashpoint along the border was the town of Ras al-Ain, where Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have put up stiff resistance against Turkish air strikes and shelling for almost a week.

"There is a large tunnel network under the town" said Abou Bassam, a Syrian rebel commander fighting with Ankara's forces.

The SDF "are moving swiftly, mostly underground, and all buildings in Ras al Ain have trenches" he told AFP.

According to Observatory, the Turkish attack -- which uses Syrian proxies on the ground -- has already left 128 SDF fighters and 69 civilians dead.

The United Nations says 130,000 people have been displaced.&nbsp;

Rising toll

On the Turkish side, four soldiers and 18 civilians have been confirmed killed in six days, either in fighting or from Kurdish cross-border fire, according to Turkish sources.

The Observatory put the number of pro-Turkish Syrian forces killed in the offensive at 94.

An internal document circulated by the Kurdish administration on Monday, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, stressed the deal with Damascus was purely of a military nature and did not affect the work of the semi-autonomous institutions.

But the de-facto statelet the Kurdish administration had set up in northeastern Syria has fast unravelled in recent days, with its forces losing control of a 120-kilometre-long segment of the border.

The area that is now under the control of Turkey and its proxies is ethnically Arab-dominated and some residents welcomed Turkish-backed forces.

Betrayal

Kurdish officials and residents alike in northeastern Syria have expressed outrage at what they call a US betrayal that shortchanges the sacrifices made in the fight against IS.

Since 2014, the SDF have been the US-led anti-IS coalition's main partner on the ground in Syria, spearheading some key battles on the way to eliminating the jihadists' self-proclaimed "caliphate" earlier this year.

"The United States has lost its defeat mechanism against the Islamic State," the Institute for the Study of War wrote in a brief.

"It took years for the US to realise that the SDF were the only capable partners. They will not partner with us again," it said.

The Syrian regime sent troops towards the Turkish border on Monday to contain Ankara's deadly offensive against the Kurds, stepping in for US forces due to begin a controversial withdrawal.

The Syrian regime sent troops towards the Turkish border on Monday to contain Ankara's deadly offensive against the Kurds, stepping in for US forces due to begin a controversial withdrawal. Outgunned and without US protection, the autonomous Kurds in northeastern Syria had few other options to stop the rapid advance of Turkish troops and their Syrian proxies. Also read: Big sanctions coming on Turkey, declares US President Trump Turkey wants to create a roughly 30-kilometre (20-mile) buffer zone along its border to keep Kurdish forces at bay and also to send back some of the 3.6 million Syrian refugees it hosts. The United States and its partners, who spent years fighting alongside the Kurds against the Islamic State group in Syria before deserting them, have condemned the Turkish invasion, but their threats of sanctions have failed to stop it. Washington says that it is planning to pull out 1,000 troops -- almost the entire ground force -- from Syria's north, in a move welcomed Monday by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as "a positive approach." The chaos in the areas targeted in the six-day-old Turkish assault has already led to the escape of around 800 foreign women and children linked to IS from a Kurdish-run camp, Kurdish authorities said. The Kurds had repeatedly warned of that scenario when Western countries refused to repatriate their IS-linked nationals and when US President Donald Trump made it clear he wanted to end the US military presence. But Trump on Monday said the Kurds "may be releasing" IS prisoners to keep the US involved in Syria. Wasting no time to fill the void, Moscow -- already the top broker in Syria -- clinched a deal between the Kurds and Damascus, whose ties had been icy since the minority threw its lot with Washington and unilaterally declared self-rule. "In order to prevent and confront this aggression, an agreement has been reached with the Syrian government," the Kurdish administration said in a statement late Sunday. Averting 'genocide' In an editorial published in Foreign Policy magazine, the head of the main Kurdish force wrote: "If we have to choose between compromises and the genocide of our people, we will surely choose life for our people." By Monday morning, Syrian government forces were already moving to within several kilometres (miles) of the border, AFP correspondents on the ground said. Residents around the town of Tall Tamr welcomed regime forces with cheers and Syrian state television showed some of them waving national flags and portraits of President Bashar al-Assad. Syrian troops also deployed in the areas of Tabqa and Ain Issa in the northern province of Raqa, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor. According to a newspaper close to the Damascus regime, Syrian forces were also expected to deploy in the areas of Manbij and the border town of Kobane. The main remaining flashpoint along the border was the town of Ras al-Ain, where Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have put up stiff resistance against Turkish air strikes and shelling for almost a week. "There is a large tunnel network under the town" said Abou Bassam, a Syrian rebel commander fighting with Ankara's forces. The SDF "are moving swiftly, mostly underground, and all buildings in Ras al Ain have trenches" he told AFP. According to Observatory, the Turkish attack -- which uses Syrian proxies on the ground -- has already left 128 SDF fighters and 69 civilians dead. The United Nations says 130,000 people have been displaced. Rising toll On the Turkish side, four soldiers and 18 civilians have been confirmed killed in six days, either in fighting or from Kurdish cross-border fire, according to Turkish sources. The Observatory put the number of pro-Turkish Syrian forces killed in the offensive at 94. An internal document circulated by the Kurdish administration on Monday, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, stressed the deal with Damascus was purely of a military nature and did not affect the work of the semi-autonomous institutions. But the de-facto statelet the Kurdish administration had set up in northeastern Syria has fast unravelled in recent days, with its forces losing control of a 120-kilometre-long segment of the border. The area that is now under the control of Turkey and its proxies is ethnically Arab-dominated and some residents welcomed Turkish-backed forces. Betrayal Kurdish officials and residents alike in northeastern Syria have expressed outrage at what they call a US betrayal that shortchanges the sacrifices made in the fight against IS. Since 2014, the SDF have been the US-led anti-IS coalition's main partner on the ground in Syria, spearheading some key battles on the way to eliminating the jihadists' self-proclaimed "caliphate" earlier this year. "The United States has lost its defeat mechanism against the Islamic State," the Institute for the Study of War wrote in a brief. "It took years for the US to realise that the SDF were the only capable partners. They will not partner with us again," it said.

Syria regime steps in to halt Turkish assault on Kurds

Turkey denied that its offensive in northern Syria had allowed Islamic State prisoners to break out of detention camps, charging Monday that Kurdish militants had instead deliberately "emptied" a prison.&nbsp;

"There is only one Daesh (Islamic State) prison in our (operation) region and we have seen it was emptied by the YPG (the Kurdish People's Protection Units militia)," Defence Minister Hulusi Akar told reporters.

"There are pictures and films of it," he added, without naming the prison.&nbsp;

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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier hit out at "disinformation" reports that Turkey's offensive against Kurdish forces had allowed jihadists to escape.&nbsp;

"This is actually disinformation aimed at provoking America or the West," he said, quoted by the Hurriyet daily.&nbsp;

Kurdish authorities said Sunday that 800 IS family members being held in a camp at Ain Issa had fled due to Turkish bombing.&nbsp;

But relatives back in France told AFP that Kurdish guards had forced the women and children to leave the camp.

"Today (Sunday), the Kurdish guards opened the doors to the foreign women and asked them to leave the camp," said the mother of a 24-year-old woman, who had been kept at the camp with her infant son for the past 18 months.&nbsp;

"They didn't escape. They (the Kurdish forces) didn't want them. They were expecting to be taken over by Syrian or Turkish forces, but they were kicked out. For several days, the bombs were falling closer and closer to the camp, where there were no more NGOs, no more help," she added.&nbsp;

Kurdish forces also claimed that five IS jihadists escaped on Friday from a prison in the region.

Turkey is in the sixth day of its offensive in Syria against the YPG, which it sees as "terrorists" but which were a crucial ally for the United States and western powers against IS.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump denied Monday that removing US troops from the region was risking a mass escape of IS prisoners held by the Kurdish forces.&nbsp;

"Kurds may be releasing some to get us involved. Easily recaptured by Turkey or European Nations from where many came, but they should move quickly," he wrote on Twitter.

France, which accounts for the largest number of European jihadists in Syria, said Sunday it was "worried" by the situation and has called for an end to the Turkish offensive.

Turkey denied that its offensive in northern Syria had allowed Islamic State prisoners to break out of detention camps, charging Monday that Kurdish militants had instead deliberately "emptied" a prison.

Turkey denied that its offensive in northern Syria had allowed Islamic State prisoners to break out of detention camps, charging Monday that Kurdish militants had instead deliberately "emptied" a prison. "There is only one Daesh (Islamic State) prison in our (operation) region and we have seen it was emptied by the YPG (the Kurdish People's Protection Units militia)," Defence Minister Hulusi Akar told reporters. "There are pictures and films of it," he added, without naming the prison. Also read: Big sanctions coming on Turkey, declares US President Trump President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier hit out at "disinformation" reports that Turkey's offensive against Kurdish forces had allowed jihadists to escape. "This is actually disinformation aimed at provoking America or the West," he said, quoted by the Hurriyet daily. Kurdish authorities said Sunday that 800 IS family members being held in a camp at Ain Issa had fled due to Turkish bombing. But relatives back in France told AFP that Kurdish guards had forced the women and children to leave the camp. "Today (Sunday), the Kurdish guards opened the doors to the foreign women and asked them to leave the camp," said the mother of a 24-year-old woman, who had been kept at the camp with her infant son for the past 18 months. "They didn't escape. They (the Kurdish forces) didn't want them. They were expecting to be taken over by Syrian or Turkish forces, but they were kicked out. For several days, the bombs were falling closer and closer to the camp, where there were no more NGOs, no more help," she added. Kurdish forces also claimed that five IS jihadists escaped on Friday from a prison in the region. Turkey is in the sixth day of its offensive in Syria against the YPG, which it sees as "terrorists" but which were a crucial ally for the United States and western powers against IS. President Donald Trump denied Monday that removing US troops from the region was risking a mass escape of IS prisoners held by the Kurdish forces. "Kurds may be releasing some to get us involved. Easily recaptured by Turkey or European Nations from where many came, but they should move quickly," he wrote on Twitter. France, which accounts for the largest number of European jihadists in Syria, said Sunday it was "worried" by the situation and has called for an end to the Turkish offensive.

Turkey denies offensive triggered IS prison break

Tens of thousands of rescuers worked into the night Monday to find survivors of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/typhoon-hagibis-how-does-how-japan-survive-earthquakes-and-other-natural-calamities-255761">powerful typhoon in Japan</a> that killed at least 56 people, as fresh rain threatened to hamper their efforts.

Typhoon Hagibis crashed into the country on Saturday night, unleashing high winds and torrential rain across 36 of the country's 47 prefectures, triggering landslides and catastrophic flooding.

The death toll from the disaster has risen steadily, with national broadcaster NHK saying Monday night that 56 people had been killed and 15 were still missing.

It cited its own tally based on local reporting. The government has given lower numbers but is still updating its information.

"Even now, many people are still unaccounted for in the disaster-hit area," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told an emergency disaster meeting on Monday.

"Units are trying their best to search for and rescue them, working day and night," Abe said.

Later in the day, he pledged to "do whatever the country can" for victims and survivors, ordering the defence ministry to call up to 1,000 reserve troops to join 31,000 active forces in search operations.

But rescue work that was continuing into the night risked being hampered by additional rain falling in central and eastern Japan that officials warned could cause fresh flooding and landslides.

"I would like to ask people to stay fully vigilant and continue watching for landslides and river flooding," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference.

In Nagano, one of the worst-hit regions, officials said they were working cautiously.

"We are concerned about the impact of the latest rain on rescue and recovery efforts," local official Hiroki Yamaguchi told AFP.

"We will continue operations while watching out for secondary disasters due to the current rain."

56 dead, 15 missing: NHK

The death toll continued to rise into Monday evening, with bodies pulled from flooded cars and homes, swollen rivers and landslides.

The casualties included a municipal worker whose car was overcome by floodwaters and at least seven crew from a cargo ship that sank in Tokyo Bay on Saturday night, a coast guard spokesman said.

Four others, from China, Myanmar and Vietnam, were rescued when the boat sank and the coast guard was still searching for a last crew member.

Hagibis packed wind gusts of up to 216 kilometres (134 miles) per hour, but it was the heavy rains that caused the most damage.

A total of 176 rivers flooded -- mainly in eastern and northern Japan -- with their banks collapsing in two dozen places, local media said.

In central Nagano, a levee breach sent water from the Chikuma river gushing into residential neighbourhoods, flooding homes up to the second floor.

Television footage from the area showed patients being transferred by ambulance from a Nagano hospital where some 200 people had been cut off by flooding.

Elsewhere, rescuers used helicopters to winch survivors from roofs and balconies, or steered boats through muddy waters to reach those trapped.

Japan dedicates rugby win to victims

By Monday afternoon, some 75,900 households remained without power, with water cut off to 135,000 homes.

The disaster left tens of thousands of people in shelters, with many unsure when they would be able to return home.

"Everything from my house was washed away before my eyes, I wasn't sure if it was a dream or real," a woman in Nagano told NHK.

"I feel lucky I'm still alive."

The storm brought travel chaos over the holiday weekend, grounding flights and halting commuter and bullet train services.

By Monday, most subway trains had resumed service, along with many bullet train lines, and flights had also restarted.

The storm also brought havoc to the sporting world, forcing the delay of Japanese Grand Prix qualifiers and the cancellation of three Rugby World Cup matches.

But a crucial decider pitting Japan against Scotland went ahead, with the hosts dedicating their stunning 28-21 win to the victims of the disaster.

"To everyone that's suffering from the typhoon, this game was for you guys," said Japan captain Michael Leitch.

Tens of thousands of rescuers worked into the night Monday to find survivors of a powerful typhoon in Japan that killed at least 56 people, as fresh rain threatened to hamper their efforts.

Tens of thousands of rescuers worked into the night Monday to find survivors of a powerful typhoon in Japan that killed at least 56 people, as fresh rain threatened to hamper their efforts. Typhoon Hagibis crashed into the country on Saturday night, unleashing high winds and torrential rain across 36 of the country's 47 prefectures, triggering landslides and catastrophic flooding. The death toll from the disaster has risen steadily, with national broadcaster NHK saying Monday night that 56 people had been killed and 15 were still missing. It cited its own tally based on local reporting. The government has given lower numbers but is still updating its information. "Even now, many people are still unaccounted for in the disaster-hit area," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told an emergency disaster meeting on Monday. "Units are trying their best to search for and rescue them, working day and night," Abe said. Later in the day, he pledged to "do whatever the country can" for victims and survivors, ordering the defence ministry to call up to 1,000 reserve troops to join 31,000 active forces in search operations. But rescue work that was continuing into the night risked being hampered by additional rain falling in central and eastern Japan that officials warned could cause fresh flooding and landslides. "I would like to ask people to stay fully vigilant and continue watching for landslides and river flooding," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference. In Nagano, one of the worst-hit regions, officials said they were working cautiously. "We are concerned about the impact of the latest rain on rescue and recovery efforts," local official Hiroki Yamaguchi told AFP. "We will continue operations while watching out for secondary disasters due to the current rain." 56 dead, 15 missing: NHK The death toll continued to rise into Monday evening, with bodies pulled from flooded cars and homes, swollen rivers and landslides. The casualties included a municipal worker whose car was overcome by floodwaters and at least seven crew from a cargo ship that sank in Tokyo Bay on Saturday night, a coast guard spokesman said. Four others, from China, Myanmar and Vietnam, were rescued when the boat sank and the coast guard was still searching for a last crew member. Hagibis packed wind gusts of up to 216 kilometres (134 miles) per hour, but it was the heavy rains that caused the most damage. A total of 176 rivers flooded -- mainly in eastern and northern Japan -- with their banks collapsing in two dozen places, local media said. In central Nagano, a levee breach sent water from the Chikuma river gushing into residential neighbourhoods, flooding homes up to the second floor. Television footage from the area showed patients being transferred by ambulance from a Nagano hospital where some 200 people had been cut off by flooding. Elsewhere, rescuers used helicopters to winch survivors from roofs and balconies, or steered boats through muddy waters to reach those trapped. Japan dedicates rugby win to victims By Monday afternoon, some 75,900 households remained without power, with water cut off to 135,000 homes. The disaster left tens of thousands of people in shelters, with many unsure when they would be able to return home. "Everything from my house was washed away before my eyes, I wasn't sure if it was a dream or real," a woman in Nagano told NHK. "I feel lucky I'm still alive." The storm brought travel chaos over the holiday weekend, grounding flights and halting commuter and bullet train services. By Monday, most subway trains had resumed service, along with many bullet train lines, and flights had also restarted. The storm also brought havoc to the sporting world, forcing the delay of Japanese Grand Prix qualifiers and the cancellation of three Rugby World Cup matches. But a crucial decider pitting Japan against Scotland went ahead, with the hosts dedicating their stunning 28-21 win to the victims of the disaster. "To everyone that's suffering from the typhoon, this game was for you guys," said Japan captain Michael Leitch.

Japan searches for survivors as Typhoon Hagibis death toll hits 56

Conservative academic Kais Saied, a political outsider, was headed for a landslide victory in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/media-mogul-academic-face-off-as-tunisians-choose-president-255611">Tunisia's presidential runoff</a>, sweeping aside his rival, media magnate Nabil Karoui, exit polls said.

In a contest that reflected <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/outsiders-battle-political-elite-as-tunisia-votes-254065">Tunisia</a>'s shifting post-revolution political landscape, Saied, an independent, scooped 72.5 per cent of the vote according to the Emrhod exit poll on Sunday, and 76.9 per cent in the Sigma one -- over 40 points ahead of Karoui.

Thousands of people took to the streets of the capital Tunis to celebrate Saied's victory, honking horns and singing the national anthem.

"It's a historic day: Tunisia is reaping the fruits of the revolution," said Boussairi Abidi, a 39-year-old mechanic. "Kais Saied is going to put an end to corruption, he will be a fair <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tunisias-ex-president-zine-el-abidine-ben-ali-dies-in-exile-250697">president</a>."

The official results are expected Monday.

In his first reaction, Saied thanked the country's young people "for turning a new page", and vowed to try to build "a new Tunisia".

Around 90 per cent of 18- to 25-year-olds voted for Saied, according to estimates by the Sigma polling institute, compared with 49.2 per cent of voters over 60.

"Kais Saied, voice of the people," a gathered crowd chanted. "Long live Tunisia!"

"We are very happy. Tunisia has an honest man at the helm now. The difference between the two candidates was the work he has been doing," said Mustafa El Ghali, a family member.

The runoff was contested by two political newcomers -- pitting Saied, nicknamed "Robocop", against businessman, Karoui, who is dubbed Tunisia's "Berlusconi".

They trounced the old guard in a September 15 first round, highlighting voter anger over a stagnant economy, joblessness and poor public services in the cradle of the Arab Spring.

Adding controversy and suspense to the contest, Karoui only walked free from jail on Wednesday, having spent more than a month behind bars on suspicion of money-laundering.

The poll, Tunisia's second free presidential election since its 2011 revolt, followed the death of president Beji Caid Essebsi in July. Turnout was higher than in the first round, and estimated at around 57 per cent.

'Peaceful transition'

In one polling station, voters said they were divided between "the one who will apply the law" and the one "who helps the poor", referring to a charity television show that boosted Karoui's popularity.

The 56-year-old tycoon Karoui portrayed himself as a bulwark against political Islam, which he accused his rival of supporting.

He called the result a "denial of justice", saying he had been penalised by his incarceration.

"It's like competing in the Olympics and one breaks one's knee before doing the 100 meters," he said.

Saied, a 61-year-old constitutional law expert, campaigned on the values of the 2011 revolution, based on opposition to Westernised and corrupt elites, and in favour of radical decentralisation.

"You have created a new concept of revolution, let your conscience guide you," he said, casting his ballot.

"Congratulations to Tunisia; less for whom they voted, and more for showing a continued commitment to resolving differences via peaceful transitions," said H.A. Hellyer, a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, in a tweet.

For what was the third election in four weeks, some Tunisians organised car-sharing and free transport for students who had to travel far to their hometowns to cast their ballots.

"I am doing it out of love for my country. I support the one who embodies hope for Tunisia," said taxi driver Bakri who offered free rides to Saied supporters between Tunis and the coastal city of Nabeul.

The Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party, which won the most seats in parliament in general elections earlier this month, had called on supporters to back Saied.

But the runoff outcome had remained uncertain, with a ban on opinion polls.

Saied topped the first round with 18.4 per cent of votes, while Karoui followed with 15.6 per cent.

Sharp contrast

While the candidates were both seen as anti-establishment figures, the contrast between them was sharp, with Saied earning his nickname for his rigid and austere manner.

A social conservative, he has defended the death penalty, criminalisation of homosexuality and a sexual assault law that punishes unmarried couples who engage in public displays of affection.

Karoui presented himself as a candidate for the poor whose appeal stemmed largely from his media empire and philanthropic activity.

Karoui, who always appeared in designer suits, has dismissed the allegations against him as politically motivated.

Conservative academic Kais Saied, a political outsider, was headed for a landslide victory in Tunisia's presidential runoff, sweeping aside his rival, media magnate Nabil Karoui, exit polls said.

Conservative academic Kais Saied, a political outsider, was headed for a landslide victory in Tunisia's presidential runoff, sweeping aside his rival, media magnate Nabil Karoui, exit polls said. In a contest that reflected Tunisia's shifting post-revolution political landscape, Saied, an independent, scooped 72.5 per cent of the vote according to the Emrhod exit poll on Sunday, and 76.9 per cent in the Sigma one -- over 40 points ahead of Karoui. Thousands of people took to the streets of the capital Tunis to celebrate Saied's victory, honking horns and singing the national anthem. "It's a historic day: Tunisia is reaping the fruits of the revolution," said Boussairi Abidi, a 39-year-old mechanic. "Kais Saied is going to put an end to corruption, he will be a fair president." The official results are expected Monday. In his first reaction, Saied thanked the country's young people "for turning a new page", and vowed to try to build "a new Tunisia". Around 90 per cent of 18- to 25-year-olds voted for Saied, according to estimates by the Sigma polling institute, compared with 49.2 per cent of voters over 60. "Kais Saied, voice of the people," a gathered crowd chanted. "Long live Tunisia!" "We are very happy. Tunisia has an honest man at the helm now. The difference between the two candidates was the work he has been doing," said Mustafa El Ghali, a family member. The runoff was contested by two political newcomers -- pitting Saied, nicknamed "Robocop", against businessman, Karoui, who is dubbed Tunisia's "Berlusconi". They trounced the old guard in a September 15 first round, highlighting voter anger over a stagnant economy, joblessness and poor public services in the cradle of the Arab Spring. Adding controversy and suspense to the contest, Karoui only walked free from jail on Wednesday, having spent more than a month behind bars on suspicion of money-laundering. The poll, Tunisia's second free presidential election since its 2011 revolt, followed the death of president Beji Caid Essebsi in July. Turnout was higher than in the first round, and estimated at around 57 per cent. 'Peaceful transition' In one polling station, voters said they were divided between "the one who will apply the law" and the one "who helps the poor", referring to a charity television show that boosted Karoui's popularity. The 56-year-old tycoon Karoui portrayed himself as a bulwark against political Islam, which he accused his rival of supporting. He called the result a "denial of justice", saying he had been penalised by his incarceration. "It's like competing in the Olympics and one breaks one's knee before doing the 100 meters," he said. Saied, a 61-year-old constitutional law expert, campaigned on the values of the 2011 revolution, based on opposition to Westernised and corrupt elites, and in favour of radical decentralisation. "You have created a new concept of revolution, let your conscience guide you," he said, casting his ballot. "Congratulations to Tunisia; less for whom they voted, and more for showing a continued commitment to resolving differences via peaceful transitions," said H.A. Hellyer, a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, in a tweet. For what was the third election in four weeks, some Tunisians organised car-sharing and free transport for students who had to travel far to their hometowns to cast their ballots. "I am doing it out of love for my country. I support the one who embodies hope for Tunisia," said taxi driver Bakri who offered free rides to Saied supporters between Tunis and the coastal city of Nabeul. The Islamist-inspired Ennahdha party, which won the most seats in parliament in general elections earlier this month, had called on supporters to back Saied. But the runoff outcome had remained uncertain, with a ban on opinion polls. Saied topped the first round with 18.4 per cent of votes, while Karoui followed with 15.6 per cent. Sharp contrast While the candidates were both seen as anti-establishment figures, the contrast between them was sharp, with Saied earning his nickname for his rigid and austere manner. A social conservative, he has defended the death penalty, criminalisation of homosexuality and a sexual assault law that punishes unmarried couples who engage in public displays of affection. Karoui presented himself as a candidate for the poor whose appeal stemmed largely from his media empire and philanthropic activity. Karoui, who always appeared in designer suits, has dismissed the allegations against him as politically motivated.

Outsider Saied set for landslide in Tunisia presidency: Exit polls

Strife-torn <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-police-make-arrests-as-small-flashmob-protests-erupt-255623">Hong Kong</a> is sliding towards becoming a police state, US senator Josh Hawley warned Monday, as the financial hub braces for a rally calling on Washington to punish <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anyone-attempting-to-split-china-will-end-in-shattered-bones-xi-jinping-in-nepal-255724">China</a> over sliding freedoms.

The international finance hub was battered by another weekend of unrest Sunday as hardcore pro-democracy protesters and police fought running battles across the city.&nbsp;

Protests pushing for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability have raged for the last 19 weeks and there is little end in sight as Beijing and local leaders refuse concessions.

Watch: Protesters set ATMs on blaze in Hong Kong

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A large crowd is expected to gather in the heart of the city's commercial district Monday evening calling for US politicians to pass a bill that could dramatically alter Washington's relationship with the trading hub.

The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which could be discussed and voted on by the House of Representatives as early as this week, would require annual reviews of the territory's special trading status -- and potentially sanction some Chinese officials.

Monday's rally is expected to be large because it is one of the few protests in recent weeks to be granted permission to go ahead by police.

Among the bill's sponsors is Hawley, a Republican senator for Missouri.

He made a quick two-day trip to Hong Kong and watched the protests on Sunday night in the crowded district of Mongkok, later meeting with prominent democracy activist Joshua Wong.

"The situation here is urgent," he told reporters on Monday.&nbsp;

Asked what his message would be on returning to Washington he replied: "That Hong Kong is in danger of sliding towards a police state and that representative government in Hong Kong is at risk, and that the one country two systems model is at risk."

One country, two systems is deal China agreed to ahead of the 1997 handover by Britain in which it agreed to allow Hong Kong to keep its unique freedoms such as free speech and an independent judiciary for 50 years.

Democracy activists inside Hong Kong have long accused Beijing of chipping away at those freedoms, a gripe that has fuelled years of growing resentment which exploded this summer.&nbsp;

Threats from Xi

China has accused "external forces" of fuelling unrest in the semi-autonomous city and has seized on supportive comments by western politicians to back its claims.&nbsp;

Hawley's remarks came after Chinese President Xi Jinping issued his most dire warning yet amid the anti-Beijing unrest in Hong Kong.

"Anyone who attempts to split any region from China will perish, with their bodies smashed and bones ground to powder," he said during a trip to Nepal.

"Any external forces that support the splitting of China can only be regarded as delusional by the Chinese people," he said, according to the foreign ministry.

Hawley, at 39 the youngest serving senator and a vocal China hawk, described Xi's comments as "violent rhetoric" that illustrated why he believed the US and its European allies needed to take a stronger line at Beijing's growing regional threat.

Republican China hawks such as Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have become some of the most vocal supporters of Hong Kong's democracy movement on Capitol Hill -- although the proposed bill is rapidly gathering bipartisan support, especially in the Senate.

Cruz also made a visit to Hong Kong on Saturday during which he accused Beijing of trying to impose a "dictatorship" on the city.&nbsp;

He also said Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam cancelled a meeting because he refused to promise to keep the conversation private -- although Lam's office said she had "other commitments".

During Sunday's clashes one policeman was slashed in the neck with a knife while another undercover officer was beaten.

Police said a remote-controlled homemade bomb exploded near them in Mongkok, the first time such a device had been used. No-one was injured.&nbsp;

Strife-torn Hong Kong is sliding towards becoming a police state, US senator Josh Hawley warned Monday, as the financial hub braces for a rally calling on Washington to punish China over sliding freedoms.

Strife-torn Hong Kong is sliding towards becoming a police state, US senator Josh Hawley warned Monday, as the financial hub braces for a rally calling on Washington to punish China over sliding freedoms. The international finance hub was battered by another weekend of unrest Sunday as hardcore pro-democracy protesters and police fought running battles across the city. Protests pushing for greater democratic freedoms and police accountability have raged for the last 19 weeks and there is little end in sight as Beijing and local leaders refuse concessions. Watch: Protesters set ATMs on blaze in Hong Kong × A large crowd is expected to gather in the heart of the city's commercial district Monday evening calling for US politicians to pass a bill that could dramatically alter Washington's relationship with the trading hub. The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which could be discussed and voted on by the House of Representatives as early as this week, would require annual reviews of the territory's special trading status -- and potentially sanction some Chinese officials. Monday's rally is expected to be large because it is one of the few protests in recent weeks to be granted permission to go ahead by police. Among the bill's sponsors is Hawley, a Republican senator for Missouri. He made a quick two-day trip to Hong Kong and watched the protests on Sunday night in the crowded district of Mongkok, later meeting with prominent democracy activist Joshua Wong. "The situation here is urgent," he told reporters on Monday. Asked what his message would be on returning to Washington he replied: "That Hong Kong is in danger of sliding towards a police state and that representative government in Hong Kong is at risk, and that the one country two systems model is at risk." One country, two systems is deal China agreed to ahead of the 1997 handover by Britain in which it agreed to allow Hong Kong to keep its unique freedoms such as free speech and an independent judiciary for 50 years. Democracy activists inside Hong Kong have long accused Beijing of chipping away at those freedoms, a gripe that has fuelled years of growing resentment which exploded this summer. Threats from Xi China has accused "external forces" of fuelling unrest in the semi-autonomous city and has seized on supportive comments by western politicians to back its claims. Hawley's remarks came after Chinese President Xi Jinping issued his most dire warning yet amid the anti-Beijing unrest in Hong Kong. "Anyone who attempts to split any region from China will perish, with their bodies smashed and bones ground to powder," he said during a trip to Nepal. "Any external forces that support the splitting of China can only be regarded as delusional by the Chinese people," he said, according to the foreign ministry. Hawley, at 39 the youngest serving senator and a vocal China hawk, described Xi's comments as "violent rhetoric" that illustrated why he believed the US and its European allies needed to take a stronger line at Beijing's growing regional threat. Republican China hawks such as Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have become some of the most vocal supporters of Hong Kong's democracy movement on Capitol Hill -- although the proposed bill is rapidly gathering bipartisan support, especially in the Senate. Cruz also made a visit to Hong Kong on Saturday during which he accused Beijing of trying to impose a "dictatorship" on the city. He also said Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam cancelled a meeting because he refused to promise to keep the conversation private -- although Lam's office said she had "other commitments". During Sunday's clashes one policeman was slashed in the neck with a knife while another undercover officer was beaten. Police said a remote-controlled homemade bomb exploded near them in Mongkok, the first time such a device had been used. No-one was injured.

US senator warns Hong Kong of becoming 'police state'

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan accused international media Friday of a "double standard", saying news outlets give more prominence to the ongoing protests in Hong Kong than to the situation in Kashmir.

Khan, who returned this week from a trip to Beijing, also told a crowd of roughly 300 people at a rally in Islamabad that Hong Kong "is a part of China".

Hong Kong has been battered by 18 consecutive weekends of unrest, fanned by widespread public anger over Chinese rule and the police response to protests.

Khan appeared to minimise the impact of the Hong Kong protests.

"As far as I know, till now only a few people have been injured, maybe two or three people have been killed due to accidents" in the strife-torn city, he said.

Hundreds have been wounded in the four months of clashes in Hong Kong. One death has been linked to the unrest, when a demonstrator protesting on the side of a building fell during a botched rescue attempt.

Khan, whose government has been criticised for shrinking press freedoms in recent months, also expressed his frustration with the global community, which has historically stayed out of Kashmir.&nbsp;

"I regret that the world only sees that (India) is a country with one billion (people), so they can trade and make money from them, and money is more important for these countries then humans," he said.

Pakistan calls China, which has invested billions in the country, its "all-weather friend".

Chinese state media has repeatedly warned foreign firms that voicing support for Hong Kong protesters could cost them access to China's market of 1.4 billion people, with the NBA the latest to be targeted.

China has also defied escalating global criticism over its treatment of Muslims in Xinjiang province, where rights groups say one million people have been put in re-education camps.

Pakistan, which borders Xinjiang, has shrugged at the accusations. "Frankly, I don't know much about that," Khan told the Financial Times in March. 
&nbsp;

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan accused international media Friday of a "double standard", saying news outlets give more prominence to the ongoing protests in Hong Kong than to the situation in Kashmir.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan accused international media Friday of a "double standard", saying news outlets give more prominence to the ongoing protests in Hong Kong than to the situation in Kashmir. Khan, who returned this week from a trip to Beijing, also told a crowd of roughly 300 people at a rally in Islamabad that Hong Kong "is a part of China". Hong Kong has been battered by 18 consecutive weekends of unrest, fanned by widespread public anger over Chinese rule and the police response to protests. Khan appeared to minimise the impact of the Hong Kong protests. "As far as I know, till now only a few people have been injured, maybe two or three people have been killed due to accidents" in the strife-torn city, he said. Hundreds have been wounded in the four months of clashes in Hong Kong. One death has been linked to the unrest, when a demonstrator protesting on the side of a building fell during a botched rescue attempt. Khan, whose government has been criticised for shrinking press freedoms in recent months, also expressed his frustration with the global community, which has historically stayed out of Kashmir. "I regret that the world only sees that (India) is a country with one billion (people), so they can trade and make money from them, and money is more important for these countries then humans," he said. Pakistan calls China, which has invested billions in the country, its "all-weather friend". Chinese state media has repeatedly warned foreign firms that voicing support for Hong Kong protesters could cost them access to China's market of 1.4 billion people, with the NBA the latest to be targeted. China has also defied escalating global criticism over its treatment of Muslims in Xinjiang province, where rights groups say one million people have been put in re-education camps. Pakistan, which borders Xinjiang, has shrugged at the accusations. "Frankly, I don't know much about that," Khan told the Financial Times in March.

Imran Khan blasts media's 'double standard' over Hong Kong protests

Afghanistan's election commission is orchestrating "systematic fraud" following presidential polls last month, a top candidate's running mate alleged Saturday, an accusation likely to inflame political tensions following the key vote.

The claims by Asadullah Saadati, who is running beside <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/we-have-the-most-votes-in-this-election-abdullah-claims-victory-in-afghanistan-election-252846">Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah</a>, come as the country is in the midst of an uneasy waiting period after the September 28 election.

Election officials have called on candidates to show restraint and wait for the announcement of preliminary results in a bid to avoid a repeat of the disastrous election of 2014 which was marred by duelling claims of victory and fraud by Abdullah and his top rival Ashraf Ghani, who went on to win the presidency.

"Circles within the election commission and the palace are jointly organising systematic fraud," Saadati told a news conference, without citing any evidence.

"The result sheets that are being counted are fraudulent and their entries must stop."

Voting this year is supposed to be more secure than ever, with each voter verified through biometric machines to ensure no one can cast multiple ballots.

Saadati claimed the Independent Election Commission (IEC) was counting "fraudulent" and non-biometric votes.

The IEC has repeatedly said it would only count ballots verified biometrically.

Highlighting the challenges it faces, the commission on Saturday said unidentified hackers had unsuccessfully attempted to break into its computer servers.

On September 30, just two days after the election and before all votes had even arrived in Kabul for counting, Abdullah claimed victory in a move that international and local observers panned as premature.

Preliminary results are not due until October 19 but officials have already said that date will likely be pushed back by a few days.

The IEC has said about 2.7 million of Afghanistan's 9.6 million registered voters cast a ballot -- a record low turnout amid fears of fraud, and threats of deadly Taliban violence. However not all of those votes have been verified.

After a recent visit to the IEC, Canada's ambassador to Afghanistan Dave Metcalfe said he was "impressed" by the commission's attempts to fight voter fraud.&nbsp;

"The checks and balances implemented by the IEC represent a new standard for Afghan elections," he said in a statement.

Afghanistan's election commission is orchestrating "systematic fraud" following presidential polls last month, a top candidate's running mate alleged Saturday, an accusation likely to inflame political tensions following the key vote.

Afghanistan's election commission is orchestrating "systematic fraud" following presidential polls last month, a top candidate's running mate alleged Saturday, an accusation likely to inflame political tensions following the key vote. The claims by Asadullah Saadati, who is running beside Afghanistan's Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, come as the country is in the midst of an uneasy waiting period after the September 28 election. Election officials have called on candidates to show restraint and wait for the announcement of preliminary results in a bid to avoid a repeat of the disastrous election of 2014 which was marred by duelling claims of victory and fraud by Abdullah and his top rival Ashraf Ghani, who went on to win the presidency. "Circles within the election commission and the palace are jointly organising systematic fraud," Saadati told a news conference, without citing any evidence. "The result sheets that are being counted are fraudulent and their entries must stop." Voting this year is supposed to be more secure than ever, with each voter verified through biometric machines to ensure no one can cast multiple ballots. Saadati claimed the Independent Election Commission (IEC) was counting "fraudulent" and non-biometric votes. The IEC has repeatedly said it would only count ballots verified biometrically. Highlighting the challenges it faces, the commission on Saturday said unidentified hackers had unsuccessfully attempted to break into its computer servers. On September 30, just two days after the election and before all votes had even arrived in Kabul for counting, Abdullah claimed victory in a move that international and local observers panned as premature. Preliminary results are not due until October 19 but officials have already said that date will likely be pushed back by a few days. The IEC has said about 2.7 million of Afghanistan's 9.6 million registered voters cast a ballot -- a record low turnout amid fears of fraud, and threats of deadly Taliban violence. However not all of those votes have been verified. After a recent visit to the IEC, Canada's ambassador to Afghanistan Dave Metcalfe said he was "impressed" by the commission's attempts to fight voter fraud. "The checks and balances implemented by the IEC represent a new standard for Afghan elections," he said in a statement.

Top candidate's running mate in Afghan poll alleges 'systematic fraud'

Two unidentified bike-borne miscreants on Saturday snatched the purse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s niece in North Delhi`s Civil Lines.

The incident took place when Damayanti Ben Modi, the daughter of the Prime Minister`s brother, was alighting from an auto-rickshaw outside the gates of Gujarati Samaj Bhavan in Civil Lines.

Damayanti returned to Delhi from Amritsar today morning and had booked a room at the Gujarati Samaj Bhavan. She was to leave for Ahmedabad on the same evening.

As the victim arrived at Civil Lines from Old Delhi Railway Station, the robbers came and snatched her purse after she got down from the auto-rickshaw, police said.

According to Damayanti, she had Rs 56,000 cash, two mobile phones and some important documents in the purse snatched by the robbers.&nbsp;

The crime spot is just a few kilometres away from the residences of Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The police said that Damayanti has filed a case of snatching and investigation is underway to nab the culprits.

Taking cognisance into the matter, DCP (North) Monika Bhardwaj said, "A case of snatching has been filed. We are analysing the CCTV footage from the railway station to Civil Lines. The investigation is underway and we will soon nab the accused."

Several cases of snatching from various parts of the national capital have surfaced in recent times.&nbsp;

Two unidentified bike-borne miscreants on Saturday snatched the purse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s niece in North Delhi`s Civil Lines. The incident took place when Damayanti Ben Modi, the daughter of the Prime Minister`s brother, was alighting from an auto-rickshaw outside the gates of Gujarati Samaj Bhavan in Civil Lines.

Two unidentified bike-borne miscreants on Saturday snatched the purse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s niece in North Delhi`s Civil Lines. The incident took place when Damayanti Ben Modi, the daughter of the Prime Minister`s brother, was alighting from an auto-rickshaw outside the gates of Gujarati Samaj Bhavan in Civil Lines. Damayanti returned to Delhi from Amritsar today morning and had booked a room at the Gujarati Samaj Bhavan. She was to leave for Ahmedabad on the same evening. As the victim arrived at Civil Lines from Old Delhi Railway Station, the robbers came and snatched her purse after she got down from the auto-rickshaw, police said. According to Damayanti, she had Rs 56,000 cash, two mobile phones and some important documents in the purse snatched by the robbers. The crime spot is just a few kilometres away from the residences of Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The police said that Damayanti has filed a case of snatching and investigation is underway to nab the culprits. Taking cognisance into the matter, DCP (North) Monika Bhardwaj said, "A case of snatching has been filed. We are analysing the CCTV footage from the railway station to Civil Lines. The investigation is underway and we will soon nab the accused." Several cases of snatching from various parts of the national capital have surfaced in recent times.

PM Modi's niece robbed in Delhi, snatchers decamp with Rs 56,000 cash, mobiles

A suspected Students` Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) terrorist Azharuddin, also known as `Chemical Ali` who was allegedly involved in the 2013 Bodhgaya and Patna bomb blasts was on Friday nabbed by Chhattisgarh police from Hyderabad airport after he landed from Saudi Arabia, a senior police officer said Saturday.

"Azharuddin, a resident of Moudhapara in Raipur named in connection with the blasts, had been absconding for the past six years and was hiding in Saudi Arabia where he was working as a driver and a salesman at a supermarket," Senior Superintendent of Police Arif Sheikh told reporters at a press conference here.

A joint team of Chattisgarh Police along with Anti-Terrorism Squad squad made the arrests based on specific input about Azharuddin`s arrival at the airport here.

The team under the direction of Deputy Inspector General of Police and Senior Superintendent of Police, Arif H. Shaikh, under the leadership of Municipal Superintendent of Police, Civil Line Trilok Bansal (IPS) Raipur Police and ATS special team made the arrest and brought him to Raipur.

The SIMI operative, is said to be part of a sleeper cell and had allegedly given shelter to the accused in the Bodhgaya and Patna bomb blasts, will be produced in the court today and the probe agencies will seek a two-day police remand.

One passport, two driving licenses, a voting pass and a voter identity card has been seized from the possession of the accused, the police officer said.

A Tibetan monk and a tourist were injured in the 2013 blast that took place when a large number of devotees had gathered near the sacred Bodhi tree for morning prayers.&nbsp;

As many as nine blasts took place within a span of 30 minutes which rocked the sacred city of Bodh Gaya, marking the first terrorist attack on the soil of Bihar.

Not only that, but the terrorists had also planted a cylinder bomb under the Bodhi tree as well which fortunately did not explode.

In October 2013, there were crude bomb explosions in Patna before Narendra Modi arrived to address thousands of supporters and launch his party`s campaign for the national election.

A total of 17 were arrested in connection with the Bodhgaya and Patna blasts and Azharuddin had been absconding, police said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A suspected Students` Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) terrorist Azharuddin, also known as `Chemical Ali` who was allegedly involved in the 2013 Bodhgaya and Patna bomb blasts was on Friday nabbed by Chhattisgarh police from Hyderabad airport after he landed from Saudi Arabia, a senior police officer said Saturday.

A suspected Students` Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) terrorist Azharuddin, also known as `Chemical Ali` who was allegedly involved in the 2013 Bodhgaya and Patna bomb blasts was on Friday nabbed by Chhattisgarh police from Hyderabad airport after he landed from Saudi Arabia, a senior police officer said Saturday. "Azharuddin, a resident of Moudhapara in Raipur named in connection with the blasts, had been absconding for the past six years and was hiding in Saudi Arabia where he was working as a driver and a salesman at a supermarket," Senior Superintendent of Police Arif Sheikh told reporters at a press conference here. A joint team of Chattisgarh Police along with Anti-Terrorism Squad squad made the arrests based on specific input about Azharuddin`s arrival at the airport here. The team under the direction of Deputy Inspector General of Police and Senior Superintendent of Police, Arif H. Shaikh, under the leadership of Municipal Superintendent of Police, Civil Line Trilok Bansal (IPS) Raipur Police and ATS special team made the arrest and brought him to Raipur. The SIMI operative, is said to be part of a sleeper cell and had allegedly given shelter to the accused in the Bodhgaya and Patna bomb blasts, will be produced in the court today and the probe agencies will seek a two-day police remand. One passport, two driving licenses, a voting pass and a voter identity card has been seized from the possession of the accused, the police officer said. A Tibetan monk and a tourist were injured in the 2013 blast that took place when a large number of devotees had gathered near the sacred Bodhi tree for morning prayers. As many as nine blasts took place within a span of 30 minutes which rocked the sacred city of Bodh Gaya, marking the first terrorist attack on the soil of Bihar. Not only that, but the terrorists had also planted a cylinder bomb under the Bodhi tree as well which fortunately did not explode. In October 2013, there were crude bomb explosions in Patna before Narendra Modi arrived to address thousands of supporters and launch his party`s campaign for the national election. A total of 17 were arrested in connection with the Bodhgaya and Patna blasts and Azharuddin had been absconding, police said.

SIMI terrorist arrested at Hyderabad airport

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said the BJP-led government`s work for the development of Vidarbha region in last 5 years is much more than the 15 years of Congress-NCP government`s work.

"What we have done for Vidarbha in these 5 years is much more than the 15 years of Congress-NCP government," he said while addressing "Maha JanadeshSankalp Sabha" here.

BJP is contesting on 150 seats and its ally Shiv Sena on 124 constituencies in Maharashtra.&nbsp;

Alliance partners of BJP have fielded 14 candidates on party`s lotus symbol.&nbsp;

The voting for the 288-member Assembly will be held on October 21 in a single phase. The counting of votes will take place on October 24.&nbsp;

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said the BJP-led government`s work for the development of Vidarbha region in last 5 years is much more than the 15 years of Congress-NCP government`s work.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said the BJP-led government`s work for the development of Vidarbha region in last 5 years is much more than the 15 years of Congress-NCP government`s work. "What we have done for Vidarbha in these 5 years is much more than the 15 years of Congress-NCP government," he said while addressing "Maha JanadeshSankalp Sabha" here. BJP is contesting on 150 seats and its ally Shiv Sena on 124 constituencies in Maharashtra. Alliance partners of BJP have fielded 14 candidates on party`s lotus symbol. The voting for the 288-member Assembly will be held on October 21 in a single phase. The counting of votes will take place on October 24.

We worked more in last 5 years for Vidarbha than Congress-NCP did in 15 years: Fadnavis

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Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.