Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is likely to unveil measures to boost economic growth, which slipped to a six-year low of 5% in the April-June quarter, two government sources said on Thursday.

The measures include a review of import tariffs on certain items ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States, the sources said.

"We are waiting for the approval from the prime minister's office, and the measures could be announced on Friday," one of the government sources told Reuters.

The sources declined to be named as they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Any relaxation of tariffs on US&nbsp;imports would be seen as a step in easing a trade row between the two countries that has accelerated in Modi's second term.

The trade row has prompted both countries to raise tariffs and created unease over the depth of their security alliance.

The federal government is also urging the Goods and Services Tax (GST) council to cut tax rates on items including auto sector products and tourism, said one of the sources, who attended a meeting of state and federal officials in Panaji on Thursday to discuss the impact of the economic slowdown and implications of possible tax cuts.

Some states oppose tax cuts as they fear it would impact their revenue collections, and may not boost sales, he said.

Finance ministry officials have warned that the economic slowdown has led to lower tax collections, and they may have to utilize an extra dividend of nearly 580 billion rupees&nbsp;this year from the central bank to fund budgeted spending.

"We were planning to spend RBI money (the extra dividend) for new investments. It does not seem possible now," said one of the sources.

The government would have to resort to spending cuts in the January-March quarter because of a fall in tax collections and stiff fiscal deficit target for this year, the sources said.

As the government seeks to keep liquidity flowing, Sitharaman urged banks on Thursday to increase lending to small businesses and retail borrowers to spur spending ahead of the final quarter festive season.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is likely to unveil measures to boost economic growth, which slipped to a six-year low of 5% in the April-June quarter, two government sources said on Thursday.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is likely to unveil measures to boost economic growth, which slipped to a six-year low of 5% in the April-June quarter, two government sources said on Thursday. The measures include a review of import tariffs on certain items ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States, the sources said. "We are waiting for the approval from the prime minister's office, and the measures could be announced on Friday," one of the government sources told Reuters. The sources declined to be named as they were not authorized to speak to the media. Any relaxation of tariffs on US imports would be seen as a step in easing a trade row between the two countries that has accelerated in Modi's second term. The trade row has prompted both countries to raise tariffs and created unease over the depth of their security alliance. The federal government is also urging the Goods and Services Tax (GST) council to cut tax rates on items including auto sector products and tourism, said one of the sources, who attended a meeting of state and federal officials in Panaji on Thursday to discuss the impact of the economic slowdown and implications of possible tax cuts. Some states oppose tax cuts as they fear it would impact their revenue collections, and may not boost sales, he said. Finance ministry officials have warned that the economic slowdown has led to lower tax collections, and they may have to utilize an extra dividend of nearly 580 billion rupees this year from the central bank to fund budgeted spending. "We were planning to spend RBI money (the extra dividend) for new investments. It does not seem possible now," said one of the sources. The government would have to resort to spending cuts in the January-March quarter because of a fall in tax collections and stiff fiscal deficit target for this year, the sources said. As the government seeks to keep liquidity flowing, Sitharaman urged banks on Thursday to increase lending to small businesses and retail borrowers to spur spending ahead of the final quarter festive season.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman likely to unveil measures to boost economic growth: Sources

Emphasising citizens to adhere to the amended new Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act 2019, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari defended the law saying that stringent rules were "much needed" as the people were not following the traffic rules seriously.&nbsp;

Saying that there was neither fear nor respect among people towards adhering to the traffic rules, Gadkari said, "Stringent rules were much needed as people had taken traffic laws very lightly and there was neither fear nor respect for the law."

Gadkari, who launched Transport Corporation of India Ltd's (TCI) 'Safe Safar awareness' on Thursday, said, "I am surprised that people are protesting against a law (Motor Vehicle Act) that has been created in the national interest. If one obeys the traffic rules, one should not have to worry about heavy fines."

Speaking about the importance of awareness campaign, the Union Minister said that the idea is to reduce accidents and save as many lives by having more awareness campaigns. "It is time that people must take all cautions while travelling on the road as we face the highest road accidents/deaths," he asserted.

He also flagged off a specially-designed truck which will move around the country to spread awareness about road safety.

The Delhi Transport Union called for a one-day strike on Thursday against the hefty fines imposed for violating traffic rules under the newly amended Motor Vehicles (MV) Act 2019.

Last month, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had notified the provisions of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, which was implemented in several states from September 1.

The law enforces heavy fines and stricter penalties for traffic violations. There have been several instances where people have coughed up hefty fines for traffic violations in many parts of the country.

Emphasising citizens to adhere to the amended new Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act 2019, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari defended the law saying that stringent rules were "much needed" as the people were not following the traffic rules seriously.

Emphasising citizens to adhere to the amended new Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act 2019, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari defended the law saying that stringent rules were "much needed" as the people were not following the traffic rules seriously. Saying that there was neither fear nor respect among people towards adhering to the traffic rules, Gadkari said, "Stringent rules were much needed as people had taken traffic laws very lightly and there was neither fear nor respect for the law." Gadkari, who launched Transport Corporation of India Ltd's (TCI) 'Safe Safar awareness' on Thursday, said, "I am surprised that people are protesting against a law (Motor Vehicle Act) that has been created in the national interest. If one obeys the traffic rules, one should not have to worry about heavy fines." Speaking about the importance of awareness campaign, the Union Minister said that the idea is to reduce accidents and save as many lives by having more awareness campaigns. "It is time that people must take all cautions while travelling on the road as we face the highest road accidents/deaths," he asserted. He also flagged off a specially-designed truck which will move around the country to spread awareness about road safety. The Delhi Transport Union called for a one-day strike on Thursday against the hefty fines imposed for violating traffic rules under the newly amended Motor Vehicles (MV) Act 2019. Last month, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had notified the provisions of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, which was implemented in several states from September 1. The law enforces heavy fines and stricter penalties for traffic violations. There have been several instances where people have coughed up hefty fines for traffic violations in many parts of the country.

Surprised that people protesting against Motor Vehicle Act, it's created in national interest: Gadkari

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday reviewed the performance of the banks in a meeting with the top management of public sector bank.

"Finance Minister reviewed at length the implementation of series of measures, following extensive stakeholder consultations, announced since 23.8.2019, including consolidation, to support economic growth," a press statement said.&nbsp;

Discussion held on the performance of the banks was carried out with a focus on supporting credit needs of the economy, in particular, the needs of sectors such as NBFCs, HFCs, MSMEs, sectors under stress and enabling better access to cheaper credit.

At the end of August 2019, overall credit growth in the banking sector stood at 10.1 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which is in parallel with record recoveries and cleaning of bank balance-sheets showing better quality of asset book, it said.

The Finance Minister was apprised that banks loan disbursement to key sector remains robust, with the disbursement of Rs 11.83 lakh crore done for MSME sector in FY 2018-19 as against Rs 8.53 lakh crore done in FY 2017-18.&nbsp;

Bank has also continued to support the housing sector by disbursing Rs. 2.19 lakh crore for home loans in FY 2018-19 as against Rs 1.81 lakh crore in FY 2017-18.

Pool buy-out of NBFC/HFC post-Septemeber, 2018 till Sept 15- 2019 was Rs 93,018 crore, including Rs 9,155 crore under the newly launched partial credit guarantee scheme.&nbsp;

Proposals of another Rs 33,200 crore under the new scheme are also in the pipeline.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday reviewed the performance of the banks in a meeting with the top management of public sector bank. "Finance Minister reviewed at length the implementation of series of measures, following extensive stakeholder consultations, announced since 23.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday reviewed the performance of the banks in a meeting with the top management of public sector bank. "Finance Minister reviewed at length the implementation of series of measures, following extensive stakeholder consultations, announced since 23.8.2019, including consolidation, to support economic growth," a press statement said. Discussion held on the performance of the banks was carried out with a focus on supporting credit needs of the economy, in particular, the needs of sectors such as NBFCs, HFCs, MSMEs, sectors under stress and enabling better access to cheaper credit. At the end of August 2019, overall credit growth in the banking sector stood at 10.1 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which is in parallel with record recoveries and cleaning of bank balance-sheets showing better quality of asset book, it said. The Finance Minister was apprised that banks loan disbursement to key sector remains robust, with the disbursement of Rs 11.83 lakh crore done for MSME sector in FY 2018-19 as against Rs 8.53 lakh crore done in FY 2017-18. Bank has also continued to support the housing sector by disbursing Rs. 2.19 lakh crore for home loans in FY 2018-19 as against Rs 1.81 lakh crore in FY 2017-18. Pool buy-out of NBFC/HFC post-Septemeber, 2018 till Sept 15- 2019 was Rs 93,018 crore, including Rs 9,155 crore under the newly launched partial credit guarantee scheme. Proposals of another Rs 33,200 crore under the new scheme are also in the pipeline.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reviews performance of banks with top management

The number of birds in the United States and Canada has fallen by an astonishing 29 per cent, or almost three billion, since 1970, scientists reported Thursday, saying their findings signalled a widespread ecological crisis.

Grassland birds are the most affected, because of the disappearance of meadows and prairies and the extension of farmland, as well as the growing use of pesticides that kill insects that affects the entire food chain.

But forest birds and species that occur in a wider variety of habitats -- known as habitat generalists -- are also part of the downward trend.

"We see the same thing happening the world over, the intensification of agriculture and land-use changes are placing pressure on these bird populations," Ken Rosenberg, an ornithologist at Cornell University and principal co-author of the paper in Science told AFP.

"Now, we see fields of corn and other crops right up to the horizon, everything is sanitized and mechanized, there's no room left for birds, fauna and nature."

More than 90 per cent of the losses are from 12 species including sparrows, warblers, blackbirds, and finches.

The figures mirror declines observed elsewhere, notably France, where the National Observatory of Biodiversity estimates a 30 per cent decline in grasslands birds between 1989 and 2017.

The US study combined two data sources.

The first was annual surveys carried out each spring, during the breeding season, conducted by thousands of volunteers, according to an identical methodology, since 1970.

The volunteers stopped every half-mile along a 40 kilometres journey through the countryside, counting all the birds they saw in three minutes. Researchers then compiled and analyzed the results.

The second source came from observations from 143 radar stations which can detect the flocks of birds during migrations that took place at night.&nbsp;

More than half of the North American bird species are migratory, flying either to the southern US or to Central and South America,

The radar information was less precise but also showed a decline of 13.6 per cent between 2007 and 2017, with a margin of error of nine points.

Ducks and geese are the big exception: after a period of decline, their numbers have grown since 1970.&nbsp;

That is thanks to increased awareness among hunters who have supported protection measures, Rosenberg said.

Ornithologists also mention other factors, such as cats left outside, and even birds dying after smashing into the windows of houses.&nbsp;

The number killed in this way is far from insignificant: researchers in 2014 estimated it at between 365 million and a billion per year.

The number of birds in the United States and Canada has fallen by an astonishing 29 per cent, or almost three billion, since 1970, scientists reported Thursday, saying their findings signalled a widespread ecological crisis.

The number of birds in the United States and Canada has fallen by an astonishing 29 per cent, or almost three billion, since 1970, scientists reported Thursday, saying their findings signalled a widespread ecological crisis. Grassland birds are the most affected, because of the disappearance of meadows and prairies and the extension of farmland, as well as the growing use of pesticides that kill insects that affects the entire food chain. But forest birds and species that occur in a wider variety of habitats -- known as habitat generalists -- are also part of the downward trend. "We see the same thing happening the world over, the intensification of agriculture and land-use changes are placing pressure on these bird populations," Ken Rosenberg, an ornithologist at Cornell University and principal co-author of the paper in Science told AFP. "Now, we see fields of corn and other crops right up to the horizon, everything is sanitized and mechanized, there's no room left for birds, fauna and nature." More than 90 per cent of the losses are from 12 species including sparrows, warblers, blackbirds, and finches. The figures mirror declines observed elsewhere, notably France, where the National Observatory of Biodiversity estimates a 30 per cent decline in grasslands birds between 1989 and 2017. The US study combined two data sources. The first was annual surveys carried out each spring, during the breeding season, conducted by thousands of volunteers, according to an identical methodology, since 1970. The volunteers stopped every half-mile along a 40 kilometres journey through the countryside, counting all the birds they saw in three minutes. Researchers then compiled and analyzed the results. The second source came from observations from 143 radar stations which can detect the flocks of birds during migrations that took place at night. More than half of the North American bird species are migratory, flying either to the southern US or to Central and South America, The radar information was less precise but also showed a decline of 13.6 per cent between 2007 and 2017, with a margin of error of nine points. Ducks and geese are the big exception: after a period of decline, their numbers have grown since 1970. That is thanks to increased awareness among hunters who have supported protection measures, Rosenberg said. Ornithologists also mention other factors, such as cats left outside, and even birds dying after smashing into the windows of houses. The number killed in this way is far from insignificant: researchers in 2014 estimated it at between 365 million and a billion per year.

North America lost nearly 3 billion birds over 50 years: Study

The former head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, warned Thursday that global growth is "fragile" and "under threat" and policymakers should work to reduce manmade vulnerabilities.

Policymakers should work together to "try to reduce the fragility and ... resolve the uncertainty," facing the global economy, she told AFP in an interview.

Lagarde, who officially stepped down as IMF managing director last week, decried certain self-inflicted wounds, saying that issues like Brexit and trade frictions "are manmade and can be man-fixed."

But Lagarde, who was the first woman to lead the crisis-lender and is set to become the first woman to take over the leadership of the European Central Bank later this year, said, "a bit of woman wouldn't hurt."

Her comments came on the day the OECD said trade tensions are eroding world growth, prompting it to cut its forecast for this year to the slowest rate since the start of the global financial crisis in 2008, just 2.9 per cent down from the 3.2 per cent expansion previously forecast.

President Donald Trump's trade war with Beijing has undermined business investment and exports at a time when China's economy already is shifting to slower growth.

"What we have at the moment is a rather mediocre growth" which is "fragile and it is under threat," Lagarde said.

She said central banks have done much of the heavy lifting, preventing the financial crisis from becoming a depression, but officials handling government policies and purse strings now must step up.

"I think central bankers have done an awful lot and were for many years regarded as the only game in town," she said.&nbsp;

In her new post leading the ECB, she said she would focus on job creation and stability, but stability alone may not be enough in the lives of real people.

If confirmed, she will step into her new post in an environment where Trump has maintained a relentless campaign against the US Federal Reserve for not cutting interest rates aggressively to stimulate growth.

Trump has also accused outgoing ECB President Mario Draghi of deliberately seeking to weaken the euro to gain unfair trade advantages, something Draghi has refuted.&nbsp;

Others in Europe have criticized Draghi for cutting rates further into negative territory to juice a sluggish EU economy.

But Lagarde said that experience shows that, in cases where politicians meddle with central bank independence, it "doesn't pan out very well."

But she also said central bankers should strive to be "predictable."

"There is enough uncertainty around the world, not to add the uncertainty of what a central banker is going to do."

Central bankers "should deliver on their mandate and," she said, "they should stick to facts and data so that they could be predictable."

The former head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, warned Thursday that global growth is "fragile" and "under threat" and policymakers should work to reduce manmade vulnerabilities.

The former head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, warned Thursday that global growth is "fragile" and "under threat" and policymakers should work to reduce manmade vulnerabilities. Policymakers should work together to "try to reduce the fragility and ... resolve the uncertainty," facing the global economy, she told AFP in an interview. Lagarde, who officially stepped down as IMF managing director last week, decried certain self-inflicted wounds, saying that issues like Brexit and trade frictions "are manmade and can be man-fixed." But Lagarde, who was the first woman to lead the crisis-lender and is set to become the first woman to take over the leadership of the European Central Bank later this year, said, "a bit of woman wouldn't hurt." Her comments came on the day the OECD said trade tensions are eroding world growth, prompting it to cut its forecast for this year to the slowest rate since the start of the global financial crisis in 2008, just 2.9 per cent down from the 3.2 per cent expansion previously forecast. President Donald Trump's trade war with Beijing has undermined business investment and exports at a time when China's economy already is shifting to slower growth. "What we have at the moment is a rather mediocre growth" which is "fragile and it is under threat," Lagarde said. She said central banks have done much of the heavy lifting, preventing the financial crisis from becoming a depression, but officials handling government policies and purse strings now must step up. "I think central bankers have done an awful lot and were for many years regarded as the only game in town," she said. In her new post leading the ECB, she said she would focus on job creation and stability, but stability alone may not be enough in the lives of real people. If confirmed, she will step into her new post in an environment where Trump has maintained a relentless campaign against the US Federal Reserve for not cutting interest rates aggressively to stimulate growth. Trump has also accused outgoing ECB President Mario Draghi of deliberately seeking to weaken the euro to gain unfair trade advantages, something Draghi has refuted. Others in Europe have criticized Draghi for cutting rates further into negative territory to juice a sluggish EU economy. But Lagarde said that experience shows that, in cases where politicians meddle with central bank independence, it "doesn't pan out very well." But she also said central bankers should strive to be "predictable." "There is enough uncertainty around the world, not to add the uncertainty of what a central banker is going to do." Central bankers "should deliver on their mandate and," she said, "they should stick to facts and data so that they could be predictable."

Global growth 'fragile,' 'under threat': Former IMF head Christine Lagarde

Used and abused, oceans key to fighting climate change

Tropical Storm 'Imelda' dumped torrential rains over the Houston-area, killing at least two people, while rescuers in boats pulled hundreds from flooded cars, the airport temporarily halted flights, and tens of thousands of people lost electricity.

Heavy rains had abated by Thursday evening, although flash flood watches remained in effect through Friday morning and rescuers were still working to reach stranded motorists and those trapped in homes late into the night as floodwaters were slow to drain off.

The National Hurricane Centre said in a late Thursday bulletin that up to 45 inches of rain would have fallen in some areas by the time the storm blows off on Friday afternoon.

Ed Gonzalez, the sheriff of Harris County, which includes Houston, confirmed the second death from the storm.

He tweeted on Thursday that he was at the scene where first-responders tried to save a man who had driven his white van headlong into deep waters.

"The water level was about 8 feet high," Gonzalez wrote, describing the incident. "The driver paused briefly, then accelerated into it the water, causing his van to go under", he added.

Gonzalez said that the man driving the van was pulled from the vehicle after some 20 minutes underwater and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

The other victim of the storm was electrocuted southeast of Houston while trying to move his horse to safety, according to a statement on the Facebook page of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. No other details were provided.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport halted all flights for about two hours, and Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster covering more than a dozen counties.

Hundreds of motorists were stranded in their vehicles as some of Houston's main roadways flooded, submerging cars. Firefighters, police and ordinary citizens were out in boats and all-terrain vehicles to pick up people trapped in their homes by the rising waters.

The storm knocked out power of around 100,000 people in Houston and southeast Texas, according to reports from energy companies, while work at oil refineries in the area was slowed or halted.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said that the city was better prepared to rescue stranded residents and deal with flooding than when Hurricane Harvey had hit in 2017, leading to dozens of deaths in Houston and billions of Dollars in damage.

The small town of Winnie, about 100 km&nbsp;east of Houston, was also badly hit. Officials there evacuated Riceland Hospital and tried to rescue people marooned in their vehicles after roads turned into lakes.

Parts of Interstate 10, a major east-west highway, were closed near Winnie.

Imelda made landfall as a tropical storm near Freeport, Texas, on Tuesday.

Tropical Storm 'Imelda' dumped torrential rains over the Houston-area, killing at least two people, while rescuers in boats pulled hundreds from flooded cars, the airport temporarily halted flights, and tens of thousands of people lost electricity.

Tropical Storm 'Imelda' dumped torrential rains over the Houston-area, killing at least two people, while rescuers in boats pulled hundreds from flooded cars, the airport temporarily halted flights, and tens of thousands of people lost electricity. Heavy rains had abated by Thursday evening, although flash flood watches remained in effect through Friday morning and rescuers were still working to reach stranded motorists and those trapped in homes late into the night as floodwaters were slow to drain off. The National Hurricane Centre said in a late Thursday bulletin that up to 45 inches of rain would have fallen in some areas by the time the storm blows off on Friday afternoon. Ed Gonzalez, the sheriff of Harris County, which includes Houston, confirmed the second death from the storm. He tweeted on Thursday that he was at the scene where first-responders tried to save a man who had driven his white van headlong into deep waters. "The water level was about 8 feet high," Gonzalez wrote, describing the incident. "The driver paused briefly, then accelerated into it the water, causing his van to go under", he added. Gonzalez said that the man driving the van was pulled from the vehicle after some 20 minutes underwater and was later pronounced dead at a hospital. The other victim of the storm was electrocuted southeast of Houston while trying to move his horse to safety, according to a statement on the Facebook page of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. No other details were provided. George Bush Intercontinental Airport halted all flights for about two hours, and Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster covering more than a dozen counties. Hundreds of motorists were stranded in their vehicles as some of Houston's main roadways flooded, submerging cars. Firefighters, police and ordinary citizens were out in boats and all-terrain vehicles to pick up people trapped in their homes by the rising waters. The storm knocked out power of around 100,000 people in Houston and southeast Texas, according to reports from energy companies, while work at oil refineries in the area was slowed or halted. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said that the city was better prepared to rescue stranded residents and deal with flooding than when Hurricane Harvey had hit in 2017, leading to dozens of deaths in Houston and billions of Dollars in damage. The small town of Winnie, about 100 km east of Houston, was also badly hit. Officials there evacuated Riceland Hospital and tried to rescue people marooned in their vehicles after roads turned into lakes. Parts of Interstate 10, a major east-west highway, were closed near Winnie. Imelda made landfall as a tropical storm near Freeport, Texas, on Tuesday.

Torrential Imelda rains kill two, flood homes

Britain's bailed-out <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/rbs-to-appoint-alison-rose-as-ceo-in-coming-weeks-report-242063">Royal Bank of Scotland</a> (RBS) on Friday appointed a long-serving banker Alison Rose as its Chief Executive, making her the first female boss of a major UK lender.

Rose, currently the Deputy Head of both NatWest Holdings and the bank's commercial and private banking, business, will replace Ross McEwan on November 1, the company said in a statement.

"I am delighted that we have appointed Alison as our new CEO", said RBS Chairman Howard Davies.

"She brings extensive experience and a track record of success from her previous roles at the bank", he added.

Rose, who has worked at the Edinburgh-based giant for 27 years, takes the helm amid a period of heightened global turmoil that includes Brexit, the US-China trade war, and faltering economic growth.

"This is an exciting time as we enter a new chapter for this bank", she said in the statement.

"Our industry is facing a series of challenges; from the ongoing economic and political uncertainty to shifts in the behaviour and expectations of our customers, driven by rapid advances in technology... It will be my priority to make sure we are ready to meet these challenges", she added.

McEwan will step down on October 31 after holding the top job since 2013, having steered it through a steady recovery following a government bailout during the 2008 global financial crisis.

The New Zealander is leaving RBS to become the Chief Executive at National Australia Bank.

RBS is still 62 per cent owned by the government after receiving the world's biggest banking bailout during the crisis.

Britain's bailed-out Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) on Friday appointed a long-serving banker Alison Rose as its Chief Executive, making her the first female boss of a major UK lender.

Britain's bailed-out Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) on Friday appointed a long-serving banker Alison Rose as its Chief Executive, making her the first female boss of a major UK lender. Rose, currently the Deputy Head of both NatWest Holdings and the bank's commercial and private banking, business, will replace Ross McEwan on November 1, the company said in a statement. "I am delighted that we have appointed Alison as our new CEO", said RBS Chairman Howard Davies. "She brings extensive experience and a track record of success from her previous roles at the bank", he added. Rose, who has worked at the Edinburgh-based giant for 27 years, takes the helm amid a period of heightened global turmoil that includes Brexit, the US-China trade war, and faltering economic growth. "This is an exciting time as we enter a new chapter for this bank", she said in the statement. "Our industry is facing a series of challenges; from the ongoing economic and political uncertainty to shifts in the behaviour and expectations of our customers, driven by rapid advances in technology... It will be my priority to make sure we are ready to meet these challenges", she added. McEwan will step down on October 31 after holding the top job since 2013, having steered it through a steady recovery following a government bailout during the 2008 global financial crisis. The New Zealander is leaving RBS to become the Chief Executive at National Australia Bank. RBS is still 62 per cent owned by the government after receiving the world's biggest banking bailout during the crisis.

Royal Bank of Scotland names Alison Rose as Chief Executive

A day after Alipore Judges Court said that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has right to arrest IPS officer Rajeev Kumar in Saradha chit fund scam case, the latter moved it to file an anticipatory bail petition.

District Judge Sujoy Sengupta accepted his petition. The matter is likely to be heard tomorrow.

The investigating agency yesterday sought a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Kumar, who is presently posted as Additional Director of the Crime Investigation Department (CID). The court, however, turned down the CBI's plea.

The plea for grant of NBW came after he failed to appear before the agency despite being summoned several times.

The court directed the CBI to approach the court if its officers are manhandled during an arrest bid.

Kumar had also moved a plea contending that the CBI requires the West Bengal government`s nod to arrest him as he is a government official.

The Calcutta High Court had last week withdrawn protection from arrest granted to the former Kolkata Commissioner in the case.

Kumar is accused of tampering with evidence in Saradha scam case. He was a part of the SIT constituted by the state government to probe the scam before the Supreme Court transferred it to the CBI.&nbsp;

A day after Alipore Judges Court said that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has right to arrest IPS officer Rajeev Kumar in Saradha chit fund scam case, the latter moved it to file an anticipatory bail petition.

A day after Alipore Judges Court said that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has right to arrest IPS officer Rajeev Kumar in Saradha chit fund scam case, the latter moved it to file an anticipatory bail petition. District Judge Sujoy Sengupta accepted his petition. The matter is likely to be heard tomorrow. The investigating agency yesterday sought a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Kumar, who is presently posted as Additional Director of the Crime Investigation Department (CID). The court, however, turned down the CBI's plea. The plea for grant of NBW came after he failed to appear before the agency despite being summoned several times. The court directed the CBI to approach the court if its officers are manhandled during an arrest bid. Kumar had also moved a plea contending that the CBI requires the West Bengal government`s nod to arrest him as he is a government official. The Calcutta High Court had last week withdrawn protection from arrest granted to the former Kolkata Commissioner in the case. Kumar is accused of tampering with evidence in Saradha scam case. He was a part of the SIT constituted by the state government to probe the scam before the Supreme Court transferred it to the CBI.

Saradha chit fund scam: Former Kolkata Police commissioner Rajeev Kumar moves anticipatory bail plea

Gulalai Ismail's campaigns to empower Pakistani girls have won her international awards and recognition as one of her country's foremost activists.

But when she spoke out against sexual violence and disappearances allegedly carried out by the army in northwestern Pakistan, her fortunes quickly changed.

The 32-year-old said she feared for her life. After four months on the run, she succeeded in eluding a vast hunt and has turned up in the United States, where she is seeking asylum.

Ismail said she never sought to become an overseas dissident but sees a closing of the political space in Pakistan, where the army has remained the dominant power-broker for most of the country's history.

"I never wanted to leave Pakistan," she told AFP in an interview in Washington. "I believe that I can better work towards democracy and civil supremacy and peace in Pakistan."

But she concluded she would be more effective abroad, saying: "If I had ended up in prison and tortured for many years, my voice would have been silenced."

Ismail, who speaks with poise and passion though she remains afraid, believed she posed a special threat as a vocal woman.

"When a man stands up, he is mostly against the state oppression," she said. "But when a woman stands up, she is fighting oppression on many levels -- fighting cultural norms, fighting the patriarchy and the state oppression."

Taking up an unpopular cause

Ismail was still a teenager when she co-founded Aware Girls in 2002, which promotes gender equality in the deeply conservative northwestern district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In 2017, she won the prestigious Anna Politkovskaya Award for human rights advocacy. The year before, she was honoured for conflict prevention by France's Chirac Foundation and has been welcomed by former first lady Michelle Obama.

But she came under greater scrutiny last year when she started speaking in support of the Pashtun Protection Movement, which defends the rights of the Pashtun tribal population in the northwest.

Quoting witnesses, Ismail said the army crackdown on Pashtun militants near the border with Afghanistan had led to frequent disappearances as well as sexual assaults.

Most women stay silent due to stigma, she said, but when a boy came forward about how security forces were barging into their home and harassing his mother, she went to investigate.

"Dozens of women had come to tell us that the incident of sexual harassment was not unique. It is systematic. It had been happening for years."

Eluding intense search

Ismail was detained briefly in 2018 but her fears mounted in February when she was taken into custody for two days after attempting to hold a news conference.

She said that she was held in a cold, dirty room with a urine-soaked sheet on the ground. She said she was denied food and water, with other female inmates warned against talking to the "high-profile terrorist."

In May, police filed a complaint against Ismail under an anti-terrorism law after she spoke out about the rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl.&nbsp;

Ismail declined to discuss how she escaped Pakistan, saying she did not want to put others at risk.

Authorities widely circulated her name to seek her arrest, with airport authorities told not to let her leave.

"There were videos created online by military trolls which were clearly saying that the moment I'm in custody they will teach me a lesson. I spoke about the issue of rape -- now they will 'teach me' what rape is," she said.

She said security forces roughed up both her driver and a friend who she said was handcuffed, beaten and administered electric shocks for 14 hours in a bid to extract information on her whereabouts.

Ismail is living for now with her sister in New York. She said her initial fears of being sent back to Pakistan, a historic ally of the United States, were eased after she held meetings in Washington at the State Department and with staff of lawmakers including Chuck Schumer, who represents New York and is the top Democrat in the Senate.

"I was told that there was no chance that the US will ever take such action as extraditing me or handing me over because they know that it is a case of political revenge," she said.

But she remains worried for her parents in Pakistan. She said that they have become socially isolated, with security forces interrogating anyone who does so much as text them.

"I wanted to speak freely and that's why I'm here," she said.

"However, when it comes to the future of Pakistan, I do not see a prosperous Pakistan until the military establishment decides it needs to go back to its barracks."

Gulalai Ismail's campaigns to empower Pakistani girls have won her international awards and recognition as one of her country's foremost activists. But when she spoke out against sexual violence and disappearances allegedly carried out by the army in northwestern Pakistan, her fortunes quickly changed.

Gulalai Ismail's campaigns to empower Pakistani girls have won her international awards and recognition as one of her country's foremost activists. But when she spoke out against sexual violence and disappearances allegedly carried out by the army in northwestern Pakistan, her fortunes quickly changed. The 32-year-old said she feared for her life. After four months on the run, she succeeded in eluding a vast hunt and has turned up in the United States, where she is seeking asylum. Ismail said she never sought to become an overseas dissident but sees a closing of the political space in Pakistan, where the army has remained the dominant power-broker for most of the country's history. "I never wanted to leave Pakistan," she told AFP in an interview in Washington. "I believe that I can better work towards democracy and civil supremacy and peace in Pakistan." But she concluded she would be more effective abroad, saying: "If I had ended up in prison and tortured for many years, my voice would have been silenced." Ismail, who speaks with poise and passion though she remains afraid, believed she posed a special threat as a vocal woman. "When a man stands up, he is mostly against the state oppression," she said. "But when a woman stands up, she is fighting oppression on many levels -- fighting cultural norms, fighting the patriarchy and the state oppression." Taking up an unpopular cause Ismail was still a teenager when she co-founded Aware Girls in 2002, which promotes gender equality in the deeply conservative northwestern district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In 2017, she won the prestigious Anna Politkovskaya Award for human rights advocacy. The year before, she was honoured for conflict prevention by France's Chirac Foundation and has been welcomed by former first lady Michelle Obama. But she came under greater scrutiny last year when she started speaking in support of the Pashtun Protection Movement, which defends the rights of the Pashtun tribal population in the northwest. Quoting witnesses, Ismail said the army crackdown on Pashtun militants near the border with Afghanistan had led to frequent disappearances as well as sexual assaults. Most women stay silent due to stigma, she said, but when a boy came forward about how security forces were barging into their home and harassing his mother, she went to investigate. "Dozens of women had come to tell us that the incident of sexual harassment was not unique. It is systematic. It had been happening for years." Eluding intense search Ismail was detained briefly in 2018 but her fears mounted in February when she was taken into custody for two days after attempting to hold a news conference. She said that she was held in a cold, dirty room with a urine-soaked sheet on the ground. She said she was denied food and water, with other female inmates warned against talking to the "high-profile terrorist." In May, police filed a complaint against Ismail under an anti-terrorism law after she spoke out about the rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl. Ismail declined to discuss how she escaped Pakistan, saying she did not want to put others at risk. Authorities widely circulated her name to seek her arrest, with airport authorities told not to let her leave. "There were videos created online by military trolls which were clearly saying that the moment I'm in custody they will teach me a lesson. I spoke about the issue of rape -- now they will 'teach me' what rape is," she said. She said security forces roughed up both her driver and a friend who she said was handcuffed, beaten and administered electric shocks for 14 hours in a bid to extract information on her whereabouts. Ismail is living for now with her sister in New York. She said her initial fears of being sent back to Pakistan, a historic ally of the United States, were eased after she held meetings in Washington at the State Department and with staff of lawmakers including Chuck Schumer, who represents New York and is the top Democrat in the Senate. "I was told that there was no chance that the US will ever take such action as extraditing me or handing me over because they know that it is a case of political revenge," she said. But she remains worried for her parents in Pakistan. She said that they have become socially isolated, with security forces interrogating anyone who does so much as text them. "I wanted to speak freely and that's why I'm here," she said. "However, when it comes to the future of Pakistan, I do not see a prosperous Pakistan until the military establishment decides it needs to go back to its barracks."

Pakistan women’s rights activist who highlighted atrocities by military escapes to US

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amit-shahs-call-for-hindi-as-national-language-triggers-political-row-249706">Union Home Minister Amit Shah</a> chaired the 29th meeting of the Northern Zonal Council (NZC) here on Friday.

The Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar, who is also Vice-Chairman of the Council, hosted the meeting.

The Northern Zonal Council consists of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu &amp; Kashmir, and Delhi.

Chief Ministers from the member states in the zone along with two ministers each, administrators of Union Territories, Chief Secretaries and senior officers from the State Governments and the Central Government are members of NZC.

The Council takes up issues involving Centre and States and one/many States falling in the Zone. The Zonal Councils thus provide a forum for resolving disputes and irritants between Centre and States and among many States in the Zone.

The Zonal Councils discuss a broad range of issues which include boundary-related disputes, security, infrastructure-related matters like road, transport, industries, water, power, matters pertaining to forests and environment, housing, education, food security, tourism, transport, etc.

Five Zonal Councils were set up in the year 1957 under the States Reorganization Act, 1956. The Union Home Minister is the Chairman of each of these five Zonal Councils and Chief Ministers of the host State (to be chosen by routine every year) is the Vice-Chairman. Two more Ministers from each State are nominated as Members by the Governor.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 29th meeting of the Northern Zonal Council (NZC) here on Friday. The Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar, who is also Vice-Chairman of the Council, hosted the meeting.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 29th meeting of the Northern Zonal Council (NZC) here on Friday. The Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar, who is also Vice-Chairman of the Council, hosted the meeting. The Northern Zonal Council consists of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, and Delhi. Chief Ministers from the member states in the zone along with two ministers each, administrators of Union Territories, Chief Secretaries and senior officers from the State Governments and the Central Government are members of NZC. The Council takes up issues involving Centre and States and one/many States falling in the Zone. The Zonal Councils thus provide a forum for resolving disputes and irritants between Centre and States and among many States in the Zone. The Zonal Councils discuss a broad range of issues which include boundary-related disputes, security, infrastructure-related matters like road, transport, industries, water, power, matters pertaining to forests and environment, housing, education, food security, tourism, transport, etc. Five Zonal Councils were set up in the year 1957 under the States Reorganization Act, 1956. The Union Home Minister is the Chairman of each of these five Zonal Councils and Chief Ministers of the host State (to be chosen by routine every year) is the Vice-Chairman. Two more Ministers from each State are nominated as Members by the Governor.

Home Minister Amit Shah chairs 29th meeting of Northern Zonal Council

The Indian Army destroyed nine live mortar shells of 120mm found at different locations in the district on Wednesday.

The shells were found at Sandote, Basoni and Balakote villages in Mendhar sub-division of the district.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Indian Army destroyed 9 live mortar shells of 120mm in Sandote, Basoni and Balakote village of Balakote sector in Mendhar sub-division of Poonch district, yesterday. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JammuAndKashmir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JammuAndKashmir</a> <a href="https://t.co/GDqVdJvR8J">pic.twitter.com/GDqVdJvR8J</a>
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Further details are awaited.&nbsp;

The Indian Army destroyed nine live mortar shells of 120mm found at different locations in the district on Wednesday. The shells were found at Sandote, Basoni and Balakote villages in Mendhar sub-division of the district.

The Indian Army destroyed nine live mortar shells of 120mm found at different locations in the district on Wednesday. The shells were found at Sandote, Basoni and Balakote villages in Mendhar sub-division of the district. #WATCH Indian Army destroyed 9 live mortar shells of 120mm in Sandote, Basoni and Balakote village of Balakote sector in Mendhar sub-division of Poonch district, yesterday. #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/GDqVdJvR8J — ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2019 × Further details are awaited.

Jammu and Kashmir: Indian Army destroys 9 live mortar shells in Poonch district

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