Angel Di Maria was hailed as "exceptional" after scoring twice against his former club as Paris Saint-Germain shrugged off the absences of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe and thrashed Real Madrid 3-0 on Wednesday to get off to the perfect start in the Champions League.

Di Maria beat Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at his near post to put PSG ahead in the 14th minute at the Parc des Princes, but it was his second goal just after the half-hour that really lit up this encounter.

The Argentine, who starred for Real for four years and won the Champions League with them in 2014 before moving to Manchester United, gave Courtois no chance with a left-footed shot from 20 yards out that arrowed into the corner.

Thomas Meunier added the gloss at the death but it was Di Maria who had cleared the way, stepping into the gap left by the injured Mbappe and Edinson Cavani as well as suspended Neymar.

"We can't be too surprised because he has been showing for more than a year now that he is capable of performances like that," said PSG coach Thomas Tuchel. "He was exceptional tonight. He is always dangerous."

After a summer dominated by the saga of whether Neymar would leave, it was a reminder that the French champions have others capable of winning such games.

These two clubs are trying to recover some of their lustre after disappointing campaigns in Europe last season, but for PSG this result is a measure of revenge for their defeat at the hands of Real in the last 16 the previous year.

They remain unbeaten at home in the Champions League group stage since 2004 and they are already in control of Group A before facing Galatasaray and Club Brugge, who drew 0-0 on Wednesday.

"Everyone was saying how could we win with all these players out but maybe that meant we were not the favourites and it can also help when you don't feel too much pressure," Tuchel added.

'No intensity'

Real remain far from convincing since Zinedine Zidane's return for a second spell as coach of the 13-time European Cup winners. There is still much work to be done if they are to go deep in this competition again after being humbled by Ajax in the last 16 last spring.

"PSG are a good team and created lots of chances but what worries me is that my team played without any intensity," Zidane lamented as his team failed to muster a shot on target.

"We didn't really ever get going. We usually create lots of chances and today, well we scored two goals but both were disallowed. Apart from that there was nothing."&nbsp;

Hazard makes little impact

They had a Gareth Bale goal disallowed for handball after a VAR review just after going two behind, while Eden Hazard struggled to make an impact on his first start since his move from Chelsea.

Madrid were also handicapped by the absences of Sergio Ramos, Nacho and Marcelo in defence as well as Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric in midfield.

PSG, confusingly wearing white while the visitors wore dark blue, opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Di Maria latched onto a Juan Bernat cutback from the left byline and fired in.

Hazard shot just wide at the other end moments later and Bale curled a free-kick over the bar from the edge of the area. Just after that, in the 33rd minute, Di Maria took a touch and smashed a shot into the right-hand corner to make it 2-0.

Then came Bale's disallowed goal, and the Welshman came close again in first-half stoppage time, yet the Spanish giants created little in the second half apart from a Karim Benzema goal that was ruled out for offside.

Hazard, meanwhile, departed 20 minutes from time having failed to make his mark, and PSG scored again in stoppage time, Meunier exchanging passes with Bernat before finishing.

Both sides should still make it through but for now it is PSG, six months on from their horror show against Manchester United, who have more reason to be optimistic. Especially with so much firepower still to return.

Angel Di Maria was hailed as "exceptional" after scoring twice against his former club as Paris Saint-Germain shrugged off the absences of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe and thrashed Real Madrid 3-0 on Wednesday to get off to the perfect start in the Champions League.

Angel Di Maria was hailed as "exceptional" after scoring twice against his former club as Paris Saint-Germain shrugged off the absences of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe and thrashed Real Madrid 3-0 on Wednesday to get off to the perfect start in the Champions League. Di Maria beat Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at his near post to put PSG ahead in the 14th minute at the Parc des Princes, but it was his second goal just after the half-hour that really lit up this encounter. The Argentine, who starred for Real for four years and won the Champions League with them in 2014 before moving to Manchester United, gave Courtois no chance with a left-footed shot from 20 yards out that arrowed into the corner. Thomas Meunier added the gloss at the death but it was Di Maria who had cleared the way, stepping into the gap left by the injured Mbappe and Edinson Cavani as well as suspended Neymar. "We can't be too surprised because he has been showing for more than a year now that he is capable of performances like that," said PSG coach Thomas Tuchel. "He was exceptional tonight. He is always dangerous." After a summer dominated by the saga of whether Neymar would leave, it was a reminder that the French champions have others capable of winning such games. These two clubs are trying to recover some of their lustre after disappointing campaigns in Europe last season, but for PSG this result is a measure of revenge for their defeat at the hands of Real in the last 16 the previous year. They remain unbeaten at home in the Champions League group stage since 2004 and they are already in control of Group A before facing Galatasaray and Club Brugge, who drew 0-0 on Wednesday. "Everyone was saying how could we win with all these players out but maybe that meant we were not the favourites and it can also help when you don't feel too much pressure," Tuchel added. 'No intensity' Real remain far from convincing since Zinedine Zidane's return for a second spell as coach of the 13-time European Cup winners. There is still much work to be done if they are to go deep in this competition again after being humbled by Ajax in the last 16 last spring. "PSG are a good team and created lots of chances but what worries me is that my team played without any intensity," Zidane lamented as his team failed to muster a shot on target. "We didn't really ever get going. We usually create lots of chances and today, well we scored two goals but both were disallowed. Apart from that there was nothing." Hazard makes little impact They had a Gareth Bale goal disallowed for handball after a VAR review just after going two behind, while Eden Hazard struggled to make an impact on his first start since his move from Chelsea. Madrid were also handicapped by the absences of Sergio Ramos, Nacho and Marcelo in defence as well as Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric in midfield. PSG, confusingly wearing white while the visitors wore dark blue, opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Di Maria latched onto a Juan Bernat cutback from the left byline and fired in. Hazard shot just wide at the other end moments later and Bale curled a free-kick over the bar from the edge of the area. Just after that, in the 33rd minute, Di Maria took a touch and smashed a shot into the right-hand corner to make it 2-0. Then came Bale's disallowed goal, and the Welshman came close again in first-half stoppage time, yet the Spanish giants created little in the second half apart from a Karim Benzema goal that was ruled out for offside. Hazard, meanwhile, departed 20 minutes from time having failed to make his mark, and PSG scored again in stoppage time, Meunier exchanging passes with Bernat before finishing. Both sides should still make it through but for now it is PSG, six months on from their horror show against Manchester United, who have more reason to be optimistic. Especially with so much firepower still to return.

Champions League: Angel Di Maria stars as Paris Saint-Germain tear apart Real Madrid

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah will address his party's MPs on September 21, during which he is likely to announce programs to be taken up to spread the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi as part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of the Father of the Nation.

Sources in the party said that Shah will address the MPs, who have been asked to be present at state party headquarters on September 21, through video conferencing. Shah will be present at the BJP headquarters in Delhi.

The party has already asked its MPs to take out 'padyatras' across the country to spread the teachings of the Father of the Nation.

Shah, also the Union Home Minister, is likely to officially announce the initiatives and activities to be taken up by the MPs in their respective constituencies as part of celebrations.

During the course of the yatra, Shah is likely to ask leaders to make cleanliness drive, tree plantation, eliminate single-use plastic and other social initiatives of the Modi government a mass movement.

The government has decided to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at the national and international level to propagate his message. A committee has also been constituted for this purpose.

In his last address on his monthly radio program 'Mann ki Baat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that mega preparations are underway to mark the birth anniversary.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah will address his party's MPs on September 21, during which he is likely to announce programs to be taken up to spread the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi as part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of the Father of the Nation.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah will address his party's MPs on September 21, during which he is likely to announce programs to be taken up to spread the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi as part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of the Father of the Nation. Sources in the party said that Shah will address the MPs, who have been asked to be present at state party headquarters on September 21, through video conferencing. Shah will be present at the BJP headquarters in Delhi. The party has already asked its MPs to take out 'padyatras' across the country to spread the teachings of the Father of the Nation. Shah, also the Union Home Minister, is likely to officially announce the initiatives and activities to be taken up by the MPs in their respective constituencies as part of celebrations. During the course of the yatra, Shah is likely to ask leaders to make cleanliness drive, tree plantation, eliminate single-use plastic and other social initiatives of the Modi government a mass movement. The government has decided to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at the national and international level to propagate his message. A committee has also been constituted for this purpose. In his last address on his monthly radio program 'Mann ki Baat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that mega preparations are underway to mark the birth anniversary.

Home Minister Amit Shah to addres BJP MPs on September 21

Solar panels, vegan diets, no flights: Meet America's climate revolutionaries

Scores of buildings situated in the low-lying areas of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/up-rise-in-yamuna-ganga-water-level-leads-to-flooding-in-parts-of-prayagraj-250163">Prayagraj</a> have been partially submerged owing to the rise of water level of rivers Ganga and Yamuna due to heavy rainfall.

Schools located in Prayagraj city will remain closed for three days starting today in view of floods situation in the region.

In a letter written to schools principals, the district schools coordinator said, "As precaution measure and safety of students, it has been decided that all schools situated in city area will remain closed for three days from September 19 to September 21 due to flood situation in Prayagraj.

"As many as 210 people were moved into relief camps near Ganganagar village in the district on Sunday after water burst into a few villages as rivers continue to swell owing to heavy rainfall in the region.

According to the people in the relief camps, proper arrangements have been made for the stay but there are still some problems.

Incessant rains have led to a flood in the region with villages near the bank of Ganga river partially submerged in water.

Scores of buildings situated in the low-lying areas of Prayagraj have been partially submerged owing to the rise of water level of rivers Ganga and Yamuna due to heavy rainfall.

Scores of buildings situated in the low-lying areas of Prayagraj have been partially submerged owing to the rise of water level of rivers Ganga and Yamuna due to heavy rainfall. Schools located in Prayagraj city will remain closed for three days starting today in view of floods situation in the region. In a letter written to schools principals, the district schools coordinator said, "As precaution measure and safety of students, it has been decided that all schools situated in city area will remain closed for three days from September 19 to September 21 due to flood situation in Prayagraj. "As many as 210 people were moved into relief camps near Ganganagar village in the district on Sunday after water burst into a few villages as rivers continue to swell owing to heavy rainfall in the region. According to the people in the relief camps, proper arrangements have been made for the stay but there are still some problems. Incessant rains have led to a flood in the region with villages near the bank of Ganga river partially submerged in water.

Prayagraj's low-lying areas partially submerged as water level rises in Ganga, Yamuna

Equity indices faced bearish tendencies during the afternoon on Thursday as selling pressure extended across all segments.

At 2 pm, the BSE S&amp;P Sensex was down by 496 points or 1.3 per cent at 36,068 while the Nifty 50 slipped by 129 points to 10,711.

At the National Stock Exchange, all sectoral indices were in the red. Nifty media plunged by 4.6 per cent, PSU bank by 2.4 per cent, metal by 2.7 per cent and pharma by 1.8 per cent.

Among stocks, Yes Bank was the top loser which shed 12 per cent to Rs 56.35 per share after CARE Ratings downgraded ratings of non-convertible debentures of Morgan Credits, one of the private lender's promoter entities.

Other private lenders like IndusInd Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank too were in the red.

Zee Entertainment plunged by 8 per cent following reports that its promoter has been restricted from selling its stake in the media company. Tata Steel and JSW Steel were down by 4.6 per cent and 2.3 per cent respectively.

The other prominent losers were Indiabulls Housing Finance which slipped by 7.7 per cent, Vedanta by 4 per cent and Reliance Industries by 2.1 per cent.

However, those which showed some gains were Tata Motors, Bharti Airtel, Asian Paints, Britannia and Coal India.

Equity indices faced bearish tendencies during the afternoon on Thursday as selling pressure extended across all segments. At 2 pm, the BSE S&P Sensex was down by 496 points or 1.

Equity indices faced bearish tendencies during the afternoon on Thursday as selling pressure extended across all segments. At 2 pm, the BSE S&P Sensex was down by 496 points or 1.3 per cent at 36,068 while the Nifty 50 slipped by 129 points to 10,711. At the National Stock Exchange, all sectoral indices were in the red. Nifty media plunged by 4.6 per cent, PSU bank by 2.4 per cent, metal by 2.7 per cent and pharma by 1.8 per cent. Among stocks, Yes Bank was the top loser which shed 12 per cent to Rs 56.35 per share after CARE Ratings downgraded ratings of non-convertible debentures of Morgan Credits, one of the private lender's promoter entities. Other private lenders like IndusInd Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank too were in the red. Zee Entertainment plunged by 8 per cent following reports that its promoter has been restricted from selling its stake in the media company. Tata Steel and JSW Steel were down by 4.6 per cent and 2.3 per cent respectively. The other prominent losers were Indiabulls Housing Finance which slipped by 7.7 per cent, Vedanta by 4 per cent and Reliance Industries by 2.1 per cent. However, those which showed some gains were Tata Motors, Bharti Airtel, Asian Paints, Britannia and Coal India.

Sensex drops by 496 points while Nifty hovers around 10,710

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday and said she raised the contentious issue of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) with him.

"Had come here to discuss the 19 lakh people not included in the NRC. They should all be included in it," Mamata said after the meeting at Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) here.

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West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on her meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah: He did not say anything about NRC in West Bengal. I have already clarified my stand that NRC is not needed in West Bengal. <a href="https://t.co/XyJEpyk5JY">https://t.co/XyJEpyk5JY</a>
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The chief minister had yesterday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, her first meeting with him after general elections. During her meeting with Modi, the issue of West Bengal's name change to Bangla was discussed. The Chief Minister made it clear that any suggestion from the Centre will be accepted.

"Bengal is open to any 'addition or alternation' on the name change," Banerjee had said. The Chief Minister specifically mentioned that the meeting was "government to government sans political interferences".

At present, BJP is the key opponent of TMC after the former performed exceptionally well in West Bengal during the Lok Sabha elections, where the party won 18 seats.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday and said she raised the contentious issue of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) with him.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday and said she raised the contentious issue of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) with him. "Had come here to discuss the 19 lakh people not included in the NRC. They should all be included in it," Mamata said after the meeting at Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) here. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on her meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah: He did not say anything about NRC in West Bengal. I have already clarified my stand that NRC is not needed in West Bengal. https://t.co/XyJEpyk5JY — ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2019 × The chief minister had yesterday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, her first meeting with him after general elections. During her meeting with Modi, the issue of West Bengal's name change to Bangla was discussed. The Chief Minister made it clear that any suggestion from the Centre will be accepted. "Bengal is open to any 'addition or alternation' on the name change," Banerjee had said. The Chief Minister specifically mentioned that the meeting was "government to government sans political interferences". At present, BJP is the key opponent of TMC after the former performed exceptionally well in West Bengal during the Lok Sabha elections, where the party won 18 seats.

Mamata banerjee meets Amit Shah, says discussed issue of 19 lakh exculded from NRC

The Delhi Transport Union has called for a one-day strike on Thursday against the hefty fines imposed for violating traffic rules under the newly amended <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/most-of-the-states-support-new-motor-vehicle-rules-gadkari-250331">Motor Vehicles (MV) Act 2019.</a>

A large number of public vehicles, like buses and autos are on strike against the fines, inconveniencing several commuters in Delhi and NCR who depend on these modes of transportation.

An auto-rickshaw driver, Sanjay Kumar Shah said, "The rate of the challans (fines) are very high. Earlier we paid Rs 100 fine which has now increased to Rs 25,000. So we are against this implementation. Our earnings can't meet the heights of challans."

Outlining the plight of commuters, a Delhi local Satendra told ANI, "As all the buses and autos are on strike it is getting difficult for us to manage today. I have been standing at the bus stand for more than an hour. The government should not keep such high challans. It is difficult for the auto people to pay. Their earnings are way less than the challans they are asked to pay."

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.&nbsp;

The Delhi Transport Union has 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.

The Delhi Transport Union has 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. A large number of public vehicles, like buses and autos are on strike against the fines, inconveniencing several commuters in Delhi and NCR who depend on these modes of transportation. An auto-rickshaw driver, Sanjay Kumar Shah said, "The rate of the challans (fines) are very high. Earlier we paid Rs 100 fine which has now increased to Rs 25,000. So we are against this implementation. Our earnings can't meet the heights of challans." Outlining the plight of commuters, a Delhi local Satendra told ANI, "As all the buses and autos are on strike it is getting difficult for us to manage today. I have been standing at the bus stand for more than an hour. The government should not keep such high challans. It is difficult for the auto people to pay. Their earnings are way less than the challans they are asked to pay." 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.

Delhi Transport Union on strike against hefty fines under new Motor Vehicles Act

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Sanjay Seth and Surinder Singh Nagar, who was re-elected to Rajya Sabha this week, took oath as members in the Chairman's chamber on Thursday.

Earlier on September 16, Seth and Nagar, who both have resigned from the House as Samajwadi party members, were elected unopposed from Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

The by-election and its results were scheduled to be held on September 23, however, as no other candidate filed nomination, Seth and Nagar were elected unopposed.

Both the former Samajwadi Party leaders joined the BJP a month back.&nbsp;

After quitting Akhilesh Yadav's party they were elected as BJP candidates for the by-election to Rajya Sabha on September 3.

The by-election and its results were scheduled to be held on September 23, however, as no other candidate filed nomination, Seth and Nagar were elected unopposed.&nbsp;

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Sanjay Seth and Surinder Singh Nagar, who was re-elected to Rajya Sabha this week, took oath as members in the Chairman's chamber on Thursday.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Sanjay Seth and Surinder Singh Nagar, who was re-elected to Rajya Sabha this week, took oath as members in the Chairman's chamber on Thursday. Earlier on September 16, Seth and Nagar, who both have resigned from the House as Samajwadi party members, were elected unopposed from Uttar Pradesh. The by-election and its results were scheduled to be held on September 23, however, as no other candidate filed nomination, Seth and Nagar were elected unopposed. Both the former Samajwadi Party leaders joined the BJP a month back. After quitting Akhilesh Yadav's party they were elected as BJP candidates for the by-election to Rajya Sabha on September 3. The by-election and its results were scheduled to be held on September 23, however, as no other candidate filed nomination, Seth and Nagar were elected unopposed.

BJP members Surendra Nagar, Sanjay Seth take oath as MPs in Rajya Sabha

Former Jharkhand Congress president Ajoy Kumar joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the presence of senior party leader and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia here on Thursday.

After being inducted into the party, Kumar said AAP is the answer to today's politics.

"Common people like us should come forward and cooperate in honest politics and politics of good governance. AAP is the answer to today's politics. I thank Manish Ji, Arvind Ji (Kejriwal), Saurabh Ji (Bharadwaj) and Durgesh Ji (Pathak) for inducting me into the party," said Kumar, a former 1986-batch IPS officer.

Lauding AAP for its policies, Kumar said that people from Jharkhand and Bihar, who are residing in Delhi, are getting benefited.

"You are all aware of AAP's policies on health, education, water, and electricity. If you see Jharkhand and Bihar, the poor, middle-class people who are in Delhi and those who are doing their job here are getting benefited. Parents are now sending their children to government schools instead of private schools," the 57-year-old leader said.

Asked about his role in AAP in the forthcoming Jharkhand Assembly polls, Kumar remarked, "I have joined today. I will have to wait for the party to assign any responsibility to me."

In August, Kumar had resigned from the post of Jharkhand Congress president.

He was elected to the Lok Sabha in July 2011 in a mid-term election on a ticket of Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik).

He joined Congress in August 2014 and was appointed the party's state unit president in November 2017.

Former Jharkhand Congress president Ajoy Kumar joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the presence of senior party leader and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia here on Thursday.

Former Jharkhand Congress president Ajoy Kumar joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the presence of senior party leader and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia here on Thursday. After being inducted into the party, Kumar said AAP is the answer to today's politics. "Common people like us should come forward and cooperate in honest politics and politics of good governance. AAP is the answer to today's politics. I thank Manish Ji, Arvind Ji (Kejriwal), Saurabh Ji (Bharadwaj) and Durgesh Ji (Pathak) for inducting me into the party," said Kumar, a former 1986-batch IPS officer. Lauding AAP for its policies, Kumar said that people from Jharkhand and Bihar, who are residing in Delhi, are getting benefited. "You are all aware of AAP's policies on health, education, water, and electricity. If you see Jharkhand and Bihar, the poor, middle-class people who are in Delhi and those who are doing their job here are getting benefited. Parents are now sending their children to government schools instead of private schools," the 57-year-old leader said. Asked about his role in AAP in the forthcoming Jharkhand Assembly polls, Kumar remarked, "I have joined today. I will have to wait for the party to assign any responsibility to me." In August, Kumar had resigned from the post of Jharkhand Congress president. He was elected to the Lok Sabha in July 2011 in a mid-term election on a ticket of Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik). He joined Congress in August 2014 and was appointed the party's state unit president in November 2017.

Former Jharkhand Congress president Ajoy Kumar joins Aam Aadmi Party

The US Federal Reserve cut interest rates again on Wednesday to help sustain a record-long economic expansion but signalled a higher bar to further reductions in borrowing costs, eliciting a fast and sharp rebuke from President Donald Trump.

Describing the US economic outlook as "favourable," Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the rate cut was designed "to provide insurance against ongoing risks" including weak global growth and resurgent trade tensions.

"If the economy does turn down, then a more extensive sequence of rate cuts could be appropriate," Powell said in a news conference after the Fed announced it had lowered its benchmark overnight lending rate by a quarter of a percentage point to a range of 1.75% to 2.00%. It was the second Fed rate cut this year.

But, Powell said, "what we think we are facing here is a situation which can be addressed, which should be addressed, with moderate adjustments to the federal funds rate," noting that the US&nbsp;labour market was strong and inflation was likely to return to the Fed's 2% annual goal.

"We are going to be highly data-dependent ... We are not on a pre-set course, we are going to be making decisions meeting by meeting," Powell said, adding that the Fed would stop cutting rates "when we think we've done enough."

Trump blasted Powell, saying the central bank chief had "No 'guts,' no sense, no vision!"

"A terrible communicator," Trump tweeted before Powell had even begun his news conference.

Later, Trump told reporters during a trip to California: "I think it's fine. I think that frankly they should have acted faster."

Underscoring divisions within the central bank, the quarter-point rate cut on Wednesday drew dissents from three of the 10 voting policymakers.

Kansas City Fed President Esther George and Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren called for no rate cut, and St. Louis Fed President James Bullard wanted a bigger half-point rate cut.

Forecasts from all 17 policymakers released at the end of the meeting showed even broader disagreement, with seven expecting a third rate cut this year, five seeing the current rate cut as the last for 2019, and five who appeared to have been against even Wednesday's move.

Technical adjustments

The central bank also widened the gap between the interest it pays banks on excess reserves and the top of its policy rate range, a step taken to smooth out problems in money markets that prompted a market intervention by the New York Fed this week.

In a hint that the Fed may soon take bigger steps, Powell acknowledged that strains in funding markets had been bigger than expected, and he said the central bank may need to resume increases to the Fed's balance sheet "earlier" than previously thought.

US stocks, lower ahead of the statement, extended their losses and the US Treasury yield curve flattened. The 10-year Treasury note yield inched up to 1.79%.

The dollar gained ground against the euro and yen.

"Another rate cut from the Fed to try to shield the US economy from global headwinds," said Joe Manimbo, senior market analyst at Western Union Business Solutions in Washington. "Today’s move was more of a hawkish easing in that the Fed’s median forecasts for rates suggested no more cuts this year, while some officials dissented."

Still, traders of interest rate futures were betting on one more quarter-point rate cut this year.

New projections showed Fed policymakers at the median expected rates to stay within the new range through 2020.

"There is a lot of uncertainty" around rate-path views and the economic outlook, Powell said.

There was little change in policymakers' projections for the economy, with GDP growth seen at a slightly higher 2.2% this year and the unemployment rate to be 3.7% through 2020. Inflation is projected to be 1.5% for the year, below the Fed's 2% target, before rising to 1.9% next year.

The Fed also cut rates in July, the first such move since 2008, as it responded to risks from Trump's trade war with China and other overseas developments.

The US Federal Reserve cut interest rates again on Wednesday to help sustain a record-long economic expansion but signalled a higher bar to further reductions in borrowing costs, eliciting a fast and sharp rebuke from President Donald Trump.

The US Federal Reserve cut interest rates again on Wednesday to help sustain a record-long economic expansion but signalled a higher bar to further reductions in borrowing costs, eliciting a fast and sharp rebuke from President Donald Trump. Describing the US economic outlook as "favourable," Fed Chair Jerome Powell said the rate cut was designed "to provide insurance against ongoing risks" including weak global growth and resurgent trade tensions. "If the economy does turn down, then a more extensive sequence of rate cuts could be appropriate," Powell said in a news conference after the Fed announced it had lowered its benchmark overnight lending rate by a quarter of a percentage point to a range of 1.75% to 2.00%. It was the second Fed rate cut this year. But, Powell said, "what we think we are facing here is a situation which can be addressed, which should be addressed, with moderate adjustments to the federal funds rate," noting that the US labour market was strong and inflation was likely to return to the Fed's 2% annual goal. "We are going to be highly data-dependent ... We are not on a pre-set course, we are going to be making decisions meeting by meeting," Powell said, adding that the Fed would stop cutting rates "when we think we've done enough." Trump blasted Powell, saying the central bank chief had "No 'guts,' no sense, no vision!" "A terrible communicator," Trump tweeted before Powell had even begun his news conference. Later, Trump told reporters during a trip to California: "I think it's fine. I think that frankly they should have acted faster." Underscoring divisions within the central bank, the quarter-point rate cut on Wednesday drew dissents from three of the 10 voting policymakers. Kansas City Fed President Esther George and Boston Fed President Eric Rosengren called for no rate cut, and St. Louis Fed President James Bullard wanted a bigger half-point rate cut. Forecasts from all 17 policymakers released at the end of the meeting showed even broader disagreement, with seven expecting a third rate cut this year, five seeing the current rate cut as the last for 2019, and five who appeared to have been against even Wednesday's move. Technical adjustments The central bank also widened the gap between the interest it pays banks on excess reserves and the top of its policy rate range, a step taken to smooth out problems in money markets that prompted a market intervention by the New York Fed this week. In a hint that the Fed may soon take bigger steps, Powell acknowledged that strains in funding markets had been bigger than expected, and he said the central bank may need to resume increases to the Fed's balance sheet "earlier" than previously thought. US stocks, lower ahead of the statement, extended their losses and the US Treasury yield curve flattened. The 10-year Treasury note yield inched up to 1.79%. The dollar gained ground against the euro and yen. "Another rate cut from the Fed to try to shield the US economy from global headwinds," said Joe Manimbo, senior market analyst at Western Union Business Solutions in Washington. "Today’s move was more of a hawkish easing in that the Fed’s median forecasts for rates suggested no more cuts this year, while some officials dissented." Still, traders of interest rate futures were betting on one more quarter-point rate cut this year. New projections showed Fed policymakers at the median expected rates to stay within the new range through 2020. "There is a lot of uncertainty" around rate-path views and the economic outlook, Powell said. There was little change in policymakers' projections for the economy, with GDP growth seen at a slightly higher 2.2% this year and the unemployment rate to be 3.7% through 2020. Inflation is projected to be 1.5% for the year, below the Fed's 2% target, before rising to 1.9% next year. The Fed also cut rates in July, the first such move since 2008, as it responded to risks from Trump's trade war with China and other overseas developments.

US Federal Reserve cuts interest rates, signals holding pattern for now

An Indonesian cargo plane with four people on board lost contact with air traffic control on Wednesday, an official said, the latest incident to hit the country's poor aviation record.

The Twin Otter DHC6-400 set off from the city of Timika on Wednesday at 10:39am&nbsp;and was headed to Ilaga, a mountainous region in the remote eastern province of Papua and was scheduled to arrive 50 minutes after taking off.

"After 2.5 hours, there has been no information from the nearest airport on the plane's whereabouts, we decided to announce the plane has lost contact," local transportation agency head, Yan Purba told Metro TV.

The aircraft was carrying three crew members and one passenger as well as 1.7 tonnes of rice.

Search and rescue have been assembled for the missing plane which was flying in a good weather condition, Purba said.

Indonesia relies heavily on air transport to connect its thousands of islands, but mountainous Papua is a particularly difficult area to reach.

The country has a poor aviation safety record and Papua is a particularly problematic place to fly due to its mountainous terrain and frequent poor weather.

In June, a military helicopter with 12 people on board lost contact just minutes after it took off from a remote Papua district Oksibil, to Sentani, also in Papua.

The remains of the aircraft have not been found to this day.

Earlier in 2016, a cargo plane carrying construction materials crashed in Ilaga, killing all four people on board.

An Indonesian cargo plane with four people on board lost contact with air traffic control on Wednesday, an official said, the latest incident to hit the country's poor aviation record.

An Indonesian cargo plane with four people on board lost contact with air traffic control on Wednesday, an official said, the latest incident to hit the country's poor aviation record. The Twin Otter DHC6-400 set off from the city of Timika on Wednesday at 10:39am and was headed to Ilaga, a mountainous region in the remote eastern province of Papua and was scheduled to arrive 50 minutes after taking off. "After 2.5 hours, there has been no information from the nearest airport on the plane's whereabouts, we decided to announce the plane has lost contact," local transportation agency head, Yan Purba told Metro TV. The aircraft was carrying three crew members and one passenger as well as 1.7 tonnes of rice. Search and rescue have been assembled for the missing plane which was flying in a good weather condition, Purba said. Indonesia relies heavily on air transport to connect its thousands of islands, but mountainous Papua is a particularly difficult area to reach. The country has a poor aviation safety record and Papua is a particularly problematic place to fly due to its mountainous terrain and frequent poor weather. In June, a military helicopter with 12 people on board lost contact just minutes after it took off from a remote Papua district Oksibil, to Sentani, also in Papua. The remains of the aircraft have not been found to this day. Earlier in 2016, a cargo plane carrying construction materials crashed in Ilaga, killing all four people on board.

Cargo plane carrying four missing in eastern Indonesia

British home improvement retailer Kingfisher on Wednesday reported a 6.4 per cent fall in underlying first-half profit, mainly hurt by the weak performance of its French operation, underlining the task ahead for its new chief executive.

Kingfisher is in the fourth year of a five-year programme that was designed to boost earnings. However, profits went backward in 2018-19 and the group said in March it would part company with Veronique Laury, its CEO since 2014.

She exits next week and will be succeeded by Carrefour veteran Thierry Garnier.

Kingfisher's shares have fallen 24 per cent over the last year and some analysts believe the firm is vulnerable to a possible bid from private equity.

The group, whose main businesses are B&amp;Q and Screwfix in Britain and Castorama and Brico Depot in France and elsewhere, said it made an underlying pretax profit of 353 million pounds in the six months to July 31. While that was ahead of analysts' average forecast of 342 million pounds, it was down from 377 million pounds made in the same period last year.

Total sales fell 0.9 per cent on a constant currency basis to 6 billion pounds. Like-for-like sales were down 1.8 per cent, with growth in Screwfix, Poland, and Romania offset by B&amp;Q and France.

Kingfisher said its outlook by geography remained mixed, highlighting continued uncertainty around UK consumer demand.

It maintained its forecast for a flat gross margin for the full 2019-20 year.

Prior to Wednesday's update analysts were on average forecasting a 2019-20 underlying pretax profit of 658 million pounds, down from 693 million pounds made in 2018-19.

British home improvement retailer Kingfisher on Wednesday reported a 6.4 per cent fall in underlying first-half profit, mainly hurt by the weak performance of its French operation, underlining the task ahead for its new chief executive.

British home improvement retailer Kingfisher on Wednesday reported a 6.4 per cent fall in underlying first-half profit, mainly hurt by the weak performance of its French operation, underlining the task ahead for its new chief executive. Kingfisher is in the fourth year of a five-year programme that was designed to boost earnings. However, profits went backward in 2018-19 and the group said in March it would part company with Veronique Laury, its CEO since 2014. She exits next week and will be succeeded by Carrefour veteran Thierry Garnier. Kingfisher's shares have fallen 24 per cent over the last year and some analysts believe the firm is vulnerable to a possible bid from private equity. The group, whose main businesses are B&Q and Screwfix in Britain and Castorama and Brico Depot in France and elsewhere, said it made an underlying pretax profit of 353 million pounds in the six months to July 31. While that was ahead of analysts' average forecast of 342 million pounds, it was down from 377 million pounds made in the same period last year. Total sales fell 0.9 per cent on a constant currency basis to 6 billion pounds. Like-for-like sales were down 1.8 per cent, with growth in Screwfix, Poland, and Romania offset by B&Q and France. Kingfisher said its outlook by geography remained mixed, highlighting continued uncertainty around UK consumer demand. It maintained its forecast for a flat gross margin for the full 2019-20 year. Prior to Wednesday's update analysts were on average forecasting a 2019-20 underlying pretax profit of 658 million pounds, down from 693 million pounds made in 2018-19.

Kingfisher profit falls 6.4% on weak French performance

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