In this segment of WION, we bring to you the ground zero of KrishnaKumar speaking to locals in Ahmedabad ahead of Trump's arrival. Watch this ground report from Ahmedabad, where preparations are underway for Trump's visit.

Namaste Trump: WION speaks to locals in Ahmedabad ahead of Trump's visit | India News

Preparations are underway in full swing for the 'Namaste Trump' event in Ahmedabad. Multi-tier security arrangements have been made for the visit with more than 4000 security personnel deployed along with 10 companies of paramilitary forces. In this segment of WION, we bring to you ground zero report from Ahmedabad, where preparations are underway for Trump's visit.

Trump India Visit: Secret Service, NSG to secure President Trump

Namaste Trump: World's largest cricket stadium all set to host US Prez | WION Ground Report Preparations are underway in full swing for the 'Namaste Trump' event in Ahmedabad. Multi-tier security arrangements have been made for the visit with more than 4000 security personnel deployed along with 10 companies of paramilitary forces. In this segment of WION, we bring to you ground zero report from Ahmedabad, where preparations are underway for Trump's visit.

Namaste Trump: World's largest cricket stadium all set to host US Prez | WION Ground Report

Preparations are underway in full swing for the 'Namaste Trump' event in Ahmedabad. Multi-tier security arrangements have been made for the visit with more than 4000 security personnel deployed along with 10 companies of paramilitary forces.

Trump India visit: Any trade announcement in the visit?

Preparations are underway in full swing for the 'Namaste Trump' event in Ahmedabad. Delhi, Agra and Ahmedabad are getting a complete makeover, workers are scrubbing the walls, fountains, pathways and renovating the gardens at the Taj Mahal. In this segment of WION, we question- What message India-US is trying to give from Trump's visit?

What message India-US is trying to give from Trump's visit?

Preparations are underway in full swing for the 'Namaste Trump' event in Ahmedabad. Multi-tier security arrangements have been made for the visit with more than 4000 security personnel deployed along with 10 companies of paramilitary forces. In this segment of WION, we question- What does India stand to gain from Donald Trump's India visit?

What does India stand to gain from Donald Trump's India visit?

Preparations are underway in full swing for the 'Namaste Trump' event in Ahmedabad. Delhi, Agra and Ahmedabad are getting a complete makeover, workers are scrubbing the walls, fountains, pathways and renovating the gardens at the Taj Mahal. Multi-tier security arrangements have been made for the visit with more than 4000 security personnel deployed along with 10 companies of paramilitary forces.

Preparations for 'Namaste Trump' in the final stage

Trump India visit: WION reports from Motera Stadium

Preparations are underway in full swing for the 'Namaste Trump' event in Ahmedabad. Multi-tier security arrangements have been made for the visit with more than 4000 security personnel deployed along with 10 companies of paramilitary forces. In the visit, the US President will raise the issue related to the new Citizenship Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) law.

Trump India visit: CAA, NRC to feature in Trump-Modi talks

In this segment of WION, know what exactly India would gain from the US President Donald Trump's visit to India.

Trump India visit: What does India stand to gain?

The US President will arrive in Ahmedabad at around noon on February 24 for a less that 36-hour visit to India. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including First Lady Melania Trump, the President's daughter Ivanka Trump, son-in-law Jared Kushner

Taj Mahal gets a makeover for Trump's visit

Announcements from Delhi about making the trade deal seems difficult during US President Donald Trump's upcoming India visit. The signing of the deal depends on what India can offer.

White House rules out trade deal with India

The US and India are unlikely to reach a limited trade deal during US President Donald Trump's upcoming India visit, this came as an American business group says that India's proposed tariffs have complicated negotiations.

Trump refuses to sign trade deal with India

A US judge sentenced President Donald Trump's ally Roger Stone for 40 months on February 20. Last year, Stone was convicted in on seven charges including obstruction of justice, lying to Congress and witness tampering in a case related to allegations that Trump campaign conspired with Russia to meddle in the 2016 presidential election.

Roger Stone sentenced for lying in Russia probe

Donald Trump will visit India on February 24th. India is planning to roll out the red carpet for the American President. WION's Palki Sharma tells you what's on the agenda.

Gravitas: Trump to visit India: What's on agenda?

Donald Trump is all set to visit India. The American President could be eyeing big-ticket defence deals. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how the Trump Administration has cleared the decks for a major defence agreement.

Gravitas: Trump eyes major defence deals with India

Donald Trump is often on television, his tweets dominate the headlines. Despite that, he remains unpredictable. Trump calls India a friend, but he has frequently slammed the Indian leadership over trade. WION's Palki Sharma reviews Trump's policy towards India.

Gravitas: The unpredictable Donald Trump

Donald Trump's erratic foreign policy may be a hit with his supporters. But, it has caused the U.S. more pain than gain. On WION Edit Palki Sharma explores if Trump is India's best bet for a strong relationship with the U.S.

WION Edit: Can India deal with Donald Trump?

President Donald Trump on December 12 again publicly mocked teen climate crisis activist Greta Thunberg, tweeting that the 16-year-old Swede who has inspired protesters worldwide has "anger management" issues.

Donald Trump mocks climate activist Greta Thunberg

A Washington appeals court judge ruled Monday that President Donald Trump's top aides must comply with subpoenas issued by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/senior-democrat-says-next-step-underway-in-trump-impeachment-probe-264274">impeachment investigation</a> against him.

In a case involving former White House counsel Don McGahn, who was subpoenaed in May by the House Judiciary Committee, Judge Ketanji Jackson ruled that senior administration officials cannot claim absolute immunity from testifying based on their closeness to the US leader.

While Jackson ruled specifically on McGahn's case, she said it had broad application to all current and former presidential aides.

"Presidents are not kings," Jackson wrote in her decision.&nbsp;

"No one, not even the head of the Executive branch, is above the law."

Watch: Will US President Donald Trump be impeached?

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She said Congress has the power to subpoena any of the president's advisors, whether they are involved in domestic policies or sensitive national security issues.

"It goes without saying that the law applies to former White House Counsel Don McGahn, just as it does to other current and former senior-level White House officials," she wrote.

That ruling could open a path for the House Intelligence Committee,&nbsp;which is building a case for impeachment charges against Trump based on his pressuring Ukraine for domestic political help,&nbsp;to force testimony from three top witnesses: former national security advisor John Bolton, White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

All are believed to have direct knowledge of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-democrat-says-more-testimony-hearings-possible-in-trump-impeachment-264258">Trump's alleged demand</a> that Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky open investigations into his Democratic rivals in exchange for a high profile summit and much-needed military aid.

The ruling could also give fresh life to the stalled impeachment case in the Judiciary Committee, which has tried to develop charges against Trump for obstructing the Russian collusion investigation led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

Mueller's final report in April outlined 10 acts of alleged obstruction by the president.

"Don McGahn is a central witness to allegations that President Trump obstructed Special Counsel Mueller's investigation," Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler said in a statement.

"The administration's claim that officials can claim 'absolute immunity' from Congressional subpoenas has no basis in law, as the court recognized today."

But <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-accuses-impeachment-witness-of-lying-defends-use-of-giuliani-264142">testimony won't happen right away</a>, as the Justice Department plans to appeal Jackson's decision, said department spokesperson Kerri Kupec.

That could take the case to the Supreme Court, and in the meantime, the department could seek a court stay to prevent McGahn or others from speaking before the two committees.

A Washington appeals court judge ruled Monday that President Donald Trump's top aides must comply with subpoenas issued by the impeachment investigation against him.

A Washington appeals court judge ruled Monday that President Donald Trump's top aides must comply with subpoenas issued by the impeachment investigation against him. In a case involving former White House counsel Don McGahn, who was subpoenaed in May by the House Judiciary Committee, Judge Ketanji Jackson ruled that senior administration officials cannot claim absolute immunity from testifying based on their closeness to the US leader. While Jackson ruled specifically on McGahn's case, she said it had broad application to all current and former presidential aides. "Presidents are not kings," Jackson wrote in her decision. "No one, not even the head of the Executive branch, is above the law." Watch: Will US President Donald Trump be impeached? She said Congress has the power to subpoena any of the president's advisors, whether they are involved in domestic policies or sensitive national security issues. "It goes without saying that the law applies to former White House Counsel Don McGahn, just as it does to other current and former senior-level White House officials," she wrote. That ruling could open a path for the House Intelligence Committee, which is building a case for impeachment charges against Trump based on his pressuring Ukraine for domestic political help, to force testimony from three top witnesses: former national security advisor John Bolton, White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. All are believed to have direct knowledge of Trump's alleged demand that Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky open investigations into his Democratic rivals in exchange for a high profile summit and much-needed military aid. The ruling could also give fresh life to the stalled impeachment case in the Judiciary Committee, which has tried to develop charges against Trump for obstructing the Russian collusion investigation led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Mueller's final report in April outlined 10 acts of alleged obstruction by the president. "Don McGahn is a central witness to allegations that President Trump obstructed Special Counsel Mueller's investigation," Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler said in a statement. "The administration's claim that officials can claim 'absolute immunity' from Congressional subpoenas has no basis in law, as the court recognized today." But testimony won't happen right away, as the Justice Department plans to appeal Jackson's decision, said department spokesperson Kerri Kupec. That could take the case to the Supreme Court, and in the meantime, the department could seek a court stay to prevent McGahn or others from speaking before the two committees.

White House must comply with impeachment subpoenas: Court

U.S. Space Command 'Space Com' To Be the Command Center For Space Military Operations

Gravitas: Trump Officially launches U.S Space Command

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that other countries must assume the battle against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/any-role-for-pakistan-backed-extremists-in-afghanistan-is-bad-news-for-south-asia-244288">Islamic extremists</a> as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-president-ashraf-ghani-vows-to-eliminate-islamic-state-says-will-take-revenge-for-our-people-244235">US negotiates</a> a withdrawal from Afghanistan.

He also warned Europeans to take back nationals captured fighting for the Islamic State, or he will release them back to their countries.

Asked by journalists if he is concerned about the reemergence of the Islamic State group in Iraq, Trump said forces under his lead had wiped out the extremists' caliphate.

Watch: Other countries need to take up fight against Islamic State militants, says Trump

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"At a certain point Russia, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, they are going to have to fight their battles too."

"We wiped out the caliphate 100 per cent. I did it in record time. But at a certain point, all of these other countries, where ISIS is around ... are going to have to fight them. Because do we want to stay there another 19 years? I don't think so."

He singled out India and Pakistan as frontline countries that are doing little to fight jihadist groups.

"Look, India's right there, they are not fighting it, we're fighting it. Pakistan is next door. They're fighting it, very little.... it's not fair. The United States is seven thousand miles away," he told reporters.

The Trump administration has reduced the US military presence in Syria and Iraq and is negotiating a US withdrawal from Afghanistan with the Taliban insurgents.

But defence experts warn that a vacuum left by the United States could allow an extremist resurgence.

A recent Pentagon report said that the Islamic State is reforming and launching attacks after losing their hold on physical territory in Iraq and Syria.

Trump, meanwhile, assailed France and Germany for not repatriating citizens who had fought with the Islamic State and are now being held in camps in Syria.

"We're holding thousands of ISIS fighters right now. And Europe has to take them," he said.

"If Europe doesn't take them, I'll have no choice but to release them into the countries from which they came. Which is Germany and France and other places."&nbsp;

"We captured them, we've got thousands of them, and now, as usual, our allies don't want 'em," he said.

"The United States is not going to put them in Guantanamo for the next 50 years and pay for it."

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that other countries must assume the battle against Islamic extremists as the US negotiates a withdrawal from Afghanistan.

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that other countries must assume the battle against Islamic extremists as the US negotiates a withdrawal from Afghanistan. He also warned Europeans to take back nationals captured fighting for the Islamic State, or he will release them back to their countries. Asked by journalists if he is concerned about the reemergence of the Islamic State group in Iraq, Trump said forces under his lead had wiped out the extremists' caliphate. Watch: Other countries need to take up fight against Islamic State militants, says Trump × "At a certain point Russia, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, they are going to have to fight their battles too." "We wiped out the caliphate 100 per cent. I did it in record time. But at a certain point, all of these other countries, where ISIS is around ... are going to have to fight them. Because do we want to stay there another 19 years? I don't think so." He singled out India and Pakistan as frontline countries that are doing little to fight jihadist groups. "Look, India's right there, they are not fighting it, we're fighting it. Pakistan is next door. They're fighting it, very little.... it's not fair. The United States is seven thousand miles away," he told reporters. The Trump administration has reduced the US military presence in Syria and Iraq and is negotiating a US withdrawal from Afghanistan with the Taliban insurgents. But defence experts warn that a vacuum left by the United States could allow an extremist resurgence. A recent Pentagon report said that the Islamic State is reforming and launching attacks after losing their hold on physical territory in Iraq and Syria. Trump, meanwhile, assailed France and Germany for not repatriating citizens who had fought with the Islamic State and are now being held in camps in Syria. "We're holding thousands of ISIS fighters right now. And Europe has to take them," he said. "If Europe doesn't take them, I'll have no choice but to release them into the countries from which they came. Which is Germany and France and other places." "We captured them, we've got thousands of them, and now, as usual, our allies don't want 'em," he said. "The United States is not going to put them in Guantanamo for the next 50 years and pay for it."

India should take a larger role in fighting terrorism in Afghanistan: Donald Trump

Gold&nbsp;prices jumped more than 1per cent to their highest in more than six years on Monday, as the escalating trade war between the United States and China along with global growth worries drove investors towards safe haven assets. 
&nbsp; 
Spot gold was up 1.1per cent at $1,456.51 per ounce as of 0725 GMT,&nbsp;after hitting its highest since May 2013 at $1,459.47 earlier in the session. 
&nbsp; 
US gold&nbsp;futures rose 0.8 per cent to $1,468.50 an ounce. 
&nbsp; 
"Gold&nbsp;is certainly benefiting from the global concerns about the outlook for growth, and central banks are likely to maintain their accommodative stance, so safe havens like&nbsp;gold&nbsp;are in demand," said Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist, CMC Markets. 
&nbsp; 
"<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/hong-kong-stocks-fall-amid-us-china-trade-tensions-protests-in-city-239117">Trade tensions between the US and China</a> are an important factor, the potential for escalation is very high ... we might not get what markets are fearing, but it is all adding to the real concerns about the outlook for growth assets." 
&nbsp; 
On Friday, China said it will fight back against US President Donald Trump's decision to impose an additional 10% tariff on $300 billion worth of Chinese imports. 
&nbsp; 
The tariffs may force<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/nasdaq-ends-at-record-high-dollar-falls-as-us-fed-signals-possible-rate-cut-234814"> the Federal Reserve </a>to cut interest rates more than it had hoped was necessary to protect the US&nbsp;economy from trade policy risks. 
&nbsp; 
Meanwhile, recent economic readings from the US cemented expectations that the Fed will cut interest rates again in September after it delivered its first rate reduction in more than a decade last month. 
&nbsp; 
Lower interest rates decrease the opportunity cost of holding on yielding bullion and weigh on the dollar. 
&nbsp; 
Helping the bullion's appeal, the dollar index touched a one week low, making&nbsp;gold&nbsp;cheaper for investors holding other currencies. 
&nbsp; 
Adding to the global economic gloom, China's services sector expanded at the slowest pace in five months in July despite a sharp upturn of new export orders, a private survey showed on Monday. 
&nbsp; 
"Near-term outlook for&nbsp;gold&nbsp;looks positive. All this volatility, growth fears, persistent weakness in economic data will be good enough for risk off environment," said Benjamin Lu, an analyst at Phillip Futures. 
&nbsp; 
Further helping&nbsp;gold's allure, Asian shares slid to 6 1/2 month lows on Monday. 
&nbsp; 
On the technical front, spot&nbsp;gold&nbsp;may climb to a range of $1,461 $1,474 per ounce, said Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao. 
&nbsp; 
Holdings of SPDR&nbsp;Gold&nbsp;Trust, the world's largest&nbsp;gold backed exchange traded fund, rose 0.36per cent to 830.76 tonnes on Friday from Thursday. 
&nbsp; 
Hedge funds and money managers raised their bullish stance in COMEX&nbsp;gold&nbsp;and silver contracts in the week to July 30, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission said on Friday. 
&nbsp; 
Elsewhere, silver gained 1.9 per cent to $16.51 per ounce and platinum climbed 1.4per cent to $854.33. 
&nbsp; 
Palladium rose 1per cent to $1,420.60 an ounce.

Gold prices jumped more than 1per cent to their highest in more than six years on Monday, as the escalating trade war between the United States and China along with global growth worries drove investors towards safe haven assets.

Gold prices jumped more than 1per cent to their highest in more than six years on Monday, as the escalating trade war between the United States and China along with global growth worries drove investors towards safe haven assets. Spot gold was up 1.1per cent at $1,456.51 per ounce as of 0725 GMT, after hitting its highest since May 2013 at $1,459.47 earlier in the session. US gold futures rose 0.8 per cent to $1,468.50 an ounce. "Gold is certainly benefiting from the global concerns about the outlook for growth, and central banks are likely to maintain their accommodative stance, so safe havens like gold are in demand," said Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist, CMC Markets. "Trade tensions between the US and China are an important factor, the potential for escalation is very high ... we might not get what markets are fearing, but it is all adding to the real concerns about the outlook for growth assets." On Friday, China said it will fight back against US President Donald Trump's decision to impose an additional 10% tariff on $300 billion worth of Chinese imports. The tariffs may force the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates more than it had hoped was necessary to protect the US economy from trade policy risks. Meanwhile, recent economic readings from the US cemented expectations that the Fed will cut interest rates again in September after it delivered its first rate reduction in more than a decade last month. Lower interest rates decrease the opportunity cost of holding on yielding bullion and weigh on the dollar. Helping the bullion's appeal, the dollar index touched a one week low, making gold cheaper for investors holding other currencies. Adding to the global economic gloom, China's services sector expanded at the slowest pace in five months in July despite a sharp upturn of new export orders, a private survey showed on Monday. "Near-term outlook for gold looks positive. All this volatility, growth fears, persistent weakness in economic data will be good enough for risk off environment," said Benjamin Lu, an analyst at Phillip Futures. Further helping gold's allure, Asian shares slid to 6 1/2 month lows on Monday. On the technical front, spot gold may climb to a range of $1,461 $1,474 per ounce, said Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao. Holdings of SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold backed exchange traded fund, rose 0.36per cent to 830.76 tonnes on Friday from Thursday. Hedge funds and money managers raised their bullish stance in COMEX gold and silver contracts in the week to July 30, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission said on Friday. Elsewhere, silver gained 1.9 per cent to $16.51 per ounce and platinum climbed 1.4per cent to $854.33. Palladium rose 1per cent to $1,420.60 an ounce.

Gold  hits six year high as trade, growth concerns boost demand

Instead of waging a trade war with China, the United States should drop its win-at-all-costs mentality and consider the interests of its people as well as the global community, the official People's Daily said an editorial on Saturday.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alibaba-is-the-force-behind-hit-chinese-communist-party-app-report-198138">Chinese Communist Party</a>'s newspaper urged the United States to cancel all tariffs on Chinese goods, saying the only way to resolve trade issues was through "equal dialogue".

Hopes that the two sides can rekindle negotiations were raised in the run-up to a meeting next week between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-rekindle-trade-talks-ahead-of-donald-trump-xi-jinping-g20-meeting-228545">President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Donald Trump</a> in Japan, where they will both attend a Group of 20 summits.

The Office of the US Trade Representative is holding seven days of hearings from manufacturers and other businesses likely to be affected by a new round of tariffs on $300 billion worth of Chinese imports proposed by US President Donald Trump.

The People's Daily said all previous hearings had shown "overwhelming" opposition to tariff increases from all walks of life, but it had made no difference.

"It seems that some people in the United States are waving the tariff stick to strengthen their so-called 'industrial competitive advantage'," it said.

"They do not consider public opinion, do not consider national conditions, and do not take the international economic order into account. They just want the renown as 'winners' but cannot understand the fact that they basically cannot win."

The US National Retail Federation (NRF) said on Friday that the proposed tariff extension on Chinese goods, including cellphones and computers, could cost US consumers an additional $12.2 billion each year.

Instead of waging a trade war with China, the United States should drop its win-at-all-costs mentality and consider the interests of its people as well as the global community, the official People's Daily said an editorial on Saturday.

Instead of waging a trade war with China, the United States should drop its win-at-all-costs mentality and consider the interests of its people as well as the global community, the official People's Daily said an editorial on Saturday. The Chinese Communist Party's newspaper urged the United States to cancel all tariffs on Chinese goods, saying the only way to resolve trade issues was through "equal dialogue". Hopes that the two sides can rekindle negotiations were raised in the run-up to a meeting next week between President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Donald Trump in Japan, where they will both attend a Group of 20 summits. The Office of the US Trade Representative is holding seven days of hearings from manufacturers and other businesses likely to be affected by a new round of tariffs on $300 billion worth of Chinese imports proposed by US President Donald Trump. The People's Daily said all previous hearings had shown "overwhelming" opposition to tariff increases from all walks of life, but it had made no difference. "It seems that some people in the United States are waving the tariff stick to strengthen their so-called 'industrial competitive advantage'," it said. "They do not consider public opinion, do not consider national conditions, and do not take the international economic order into account. They just want the renown as 'winners' but cannot understand the fact that they basically cannot win." The US National Retail Federation (NRF) said on Friday that the proposed tariff extension on Chinese goods, including cellphones and computers, could cost US consumers an additional $12.2 billion each year.

China state media urges United States to drop win-at-all-costs trade stance

America&#39;s bilateral trade deficit with four major countries, including India, narrowed in the first three quarters of 2017 as compared to the previous year, the US administration said in a report according to which India&#39;s growth has slowed due to the effects of its structural economic reforms.

The Economic Report of the President (ERP) that shows a path for continued growth and paints a rosy picture for the American economy, alleges that countries, including India and Brazil - both GATT signatories since 1948 - have been far less open, preserving high bound rates and avoiding universal binding coverage.

&quot;Growth in India has slowed due to the effects of its structural economic reforms. India&#39;s demonetisation of large-denomination notes in November 2016 invalidated 86 per cent of the cash in circulation in an economy where more than 90 per cent of transactions were cash-based,&quot; it said.

&quot;The introduction in July 2017 of a single, country-wide sales tax replaced a vast number of different state and local tax rates, and has created short-term uncertainty,&quot; the report noted. 
The report expressed concern over increasing share of non-performing loans (NPLs) in India&#39;s banking sector, which it said poses further risks.

According to country-sourced statistics provided to the IMF, NPLs as a share of all loans in India stood at 9.7 per cent in the third quarter of 2017, compared with 1.7 per cent in China (IMF 2017).

&quot;NPLs have increased at an alarming rate in recent years, with the current NPL slippage ratio in India almost double that in FY 2014/15 (IMF 2017b). Public sector banks, with the State Bank of India as a leading example, account for the lion&#39;s share of NPLs in the banking sector,&quot; it said.

The Reserve Bank of India predicts that gross NPLs as a proportion of all loans will increase to 10.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2018, and to 11. 1 per cent by September 2018.

&quot;However, the stress of India&#39;s banking sector may be ameliorated in the future, given that the government recently announced a $ 32.4 billion package to recapitalise publicly- owned banks,&quot; the report said.

Noting that India has been the most frequent user of anti-dumping measures, the White House said delays in the approval of agricultural products derived from biotechnology in China, the EU, India, and other countries result in increased market uncertainty among technology providers, farmers, and traders of US corn, soy, cotton, and alfalfa&mdash;leading to reduced exports of these products.

The Trump administration also blamed India for not implementing the WTO ruling on poultry.

&quot;India has failed to revise its requirements for poultry in a manner that would allow for US imports, and the case continues to be litigated in the WTO,&quot; it said.

&quot;Since 2007, India has restricted various US agricultural products, including poultry meat, eggs, and live pigs, supposedly to prevent the entry of avian influenza into India,&quot; the report said.

The US has maintained that no scientific basis supports the ban.

In March 2012, the US initiated a WTO dispute by requesting consultations with India.

In emerging and developing economies, such as Brazil, China, India, Russia, and certain other countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, strengthening the external environment continues to help output growth recover.

&quot;There are, however, certain risks to future growth. As monetary policy normalises with higher interest rates in advanced economies, emerging and developing economies could face an outflow of capital,&quot; it said.

&quot;Financial stability risks are also increasing due to the increase in nonperforming loans on the private sector balance sheets of two of the biggest and fastest-growing emerging market economies - China and India.

Credit growth in China has arguably also become excessive, as it continues to shift from growth led by exports and investment to an economy led by internal demand,&quot; it said.&nbsp;

'Growth in India has slowed due to the effects of its structural economic reforms. India's demonetisation of large-denomination notes in November 2016 invalidated 86 per cent of the cash in circulation in an economy where more than 90 per cent of transactions were cash-based, Economic Report said

America's bilateral trade deficit with four major countries, including India, narrowed in the first three quarters of 2017 as compared to the previous year, the US administration said in a report according to which India's growth has slowed due to the effects of its structural economic reforms. The Economic Report of the President (ERP) that shows a path for continued growth and paints a rosy picture for the American economy, alleges that countries, including India and Brazil - both GATT signatories since 1948 - have been far less open, preserving high bound rates and avoiding universal binding coverage. "Growth in India has slowed due to the effects of its structural economic reforms. India's demonetisation of large-denomination notes in November 2016 invalidated 86 per cent of the cash in circulation in an economy where more than 90 per cent of transactions were cash-based," it said. "The introduction in July 2017 of a single, country-wide sales tax replaced a vast number of different state and local tax rates, and has created short-term uncertainty," the report noted. The report expressed concern over increasing share of non-performing loans (NPLs) in India's banking sector, which it said poses further risks. According to country-sourced statistics provided to the IMF, NPLs as a share of all loans in India stood at 9.7 per cent in the third quarter of 2017, compared with 1.7 per cent in China (IMF 2017). "NPLs have increased at an alarming rate in recent years, with the current NPL slippage ratio in India almost double that in FY 2014/15 (IMF 2017b). Public sector banks, with the State Bank of India as a leading example, account for the lion's share of NPLs in the banking sector," it said. The Reserve Bank of India predicts that gross NPLs as a proportion of all loans will increase to 10.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2018, and to 11. 1 per cent by September 2018. "However, the stress of India's banking sector may be ameliorated in the future, given that the government recently announced a $ 32.4 billion package to recapitalise publicly- owned banks," the report said. Noting that India has been the most frequent user of anti-dumping measures, the White House said delays in the approval of agricultural products derived from biotechnology in China, the EU, India, and other countries result in increased market uncertainty among technology providers, farmers, and traders of US corn, soy, cotton, and alfalfa—leading to reduced exports of these products. The Trump administration also blamed India for not implementing the WTO ruling on poultry. "India has failed to revise its requirements for poultry in a manner that would allow for US imports, and the case continues to be litigated in the WTO," it said. "Since 2007, India has restricted various US agricultural products, including poultry meat, eggs, and live pigs, supposedly to prevent the entry of avian influenza into India," the report said. The US has maintained that no scientific basis supports the ban. In March 2012, the US initiated a WTO dispute by requesting consultations with India. In emerging and developing economies, such as Brazil, China, India, Russia, and certain other countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, strengthening the external environment continues to help output growth recover. "There are, however, certain risks to future growth. As monetary policy normalises with higher interest rates in advanced economies, emerging and developing economies could face an outflow of capital," it said. "Financial stability risks are also increasing due to the increase in nonperforming loans on the private sector balance sheets of two of the biggest and fastest-growing emerging market economies - China and India. Credit growth in China has arguably also become excessive, as it continues to shift from growth led by exports and investment to an economy led by internal demand," it said.

India's growth slowed due to demonetisation, GST: USA

The yellow M-shaped logo, long noisy queues, children with balloons in their hands: at first glance it seems McDonald&#39;s has reopened its doors in separatist hub Lugansk in Eastern Ukraine. 
 
But in fact this is only a replica after the building where the US fast food chain once had its restaurant was taken over by rebels and now local entrepreneurs have opened their own cafe, with just a few tweaks. 
 
Its facade has been modified and now reads &quot;Burger&quot;, the name of the new restaurant, and it is decked out with a flag of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People&#39;s Republic. 
 
Inside hungry diners cannot tuck into the world-famous &quot;Big Mac&quot;, but they can enjoy a very similar &quot;Big Mag&quot; burger. 
 
&quot;That&#39;s how it goes here: department stores and cafes are taken over by the authorities, they only change the name slightly,&quot; said 18-year-old student Nikita, who refused to give his surname due to security fears, enjoying a meal with four friends. 
 
&quot;They can&#39;t invent anything new.&quot; 
 
Nikita and his classmates have been visiting the &quot;Burger&quot; restaurant regularly since it was reopened two months ago. 
 
The students say they used to come to the McDonald&#39;s before the conflict between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists tore through this industrial region, claiming some 9,500 live since April 2014. 
 
But they complain about the significantly increased prices in the place since it reopened under the new management. 
 
&quot;Now we can afford only two portions of French fries. It has become too expensive here, although initially this place was designed for students,&quot; Nikita laments adding that a serving of fries costs some 90 rubles (about one euro). 
 
The US firm, which in 2014 closed all its restaurants in the rebel-controlled areas, said in a statement that they &quot;have nothing to do with business activities in the premises of McDonald&#39;s&quot; in the rebel strongholds of Lugansk and Donetsk. 
 
The company has complained to the Ukrainian government about the &quot;illegal seizure of the premises&quot; in the conflict zone. 
 
But local customers say they find the food being served now similar enough to original. 
 
Dan Bertsch, an American from Virginia in his fifties who arrived in Lugansk three years before the start of the conflict to marry a local woman, is among them. 
 
&quot;In America I do not eat a lot in McDonald&#39;s but in Lugansk I think it is nourishing to have a hamburger,&quot; said Bertsch, who wore a t-shirt with the image of Russian President Vladimir Putin. 
 
&quot;We don&#39;t have a lot of food choices in Lugansk because of war.&quot; 
 
Anti-US rhetoric 
 
The manager of &quot;Burger&quot;, 25-year-old Sergei, who gave only his first name, said the higher prices are down to difficulties in getting food delivered to the conflict-wracked region, but he insisted quality has gone up. 
 
&quot;Although there are similarities in our ingredients, we are not McDonald&#39;s,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;There is a difference in the quality of ingredients, ours are better. We bring them frozen from Finland via Russia.&quot; 
 
In Donetsk, another rebel stronghold in eastern Ukraine, two other former McDonald&#39;s opened their doors under the named &quot;DonMak&quot; in early July. 
 
Similar to the one in Lugansk, they are located in the former premises of the US chain and offer the same kind of products. 
 
Their opening was a sensation in the de facto capital of the pro-Russian separatists, despite the rebel leadership frequently slamming the United States as an enemy as it emphasises cultural ties with Russia. 
 
Within a few days people were already lining up in queues for over an hour outside the fast-food restaurant in anticipation of their Coke, burger or fries. 
 
Housewife Elena waited 40 minutes in the crowded establishment to place an order for her son. 
 
&quot;Before they opened this place, I always wondered where to go with my child. Now we can celebrate his birthday here,&quot; the 24-year-old said. 
 
The fact the restaurant had opened even though rebels denounce any presence of Western influence in the area under their control does not seem to bother the young woman. 
 
&quot;It might be worth opening something Russian-style,&quot; she laughed, as she waited for her burger. 
 
(AFP)

The new restaurant called 'Burger' has come in place of the original McDonald's after it was taken over by rebels

The yellow M-shaped logo, long noisy queues, children with balloons in their hands: at first glance it seems McDonald's has reopened its doors in separatist hub Lugansk in Eastern Ukraine. But in fact this is only a replica after the building where the US fast food chain once had its restaurant was taken over by rebels and now local entrepreneurs have opened their own cafe, with just a few tweaks. Its facade has been modified and now reads "Burger", the name of the new restaurant, and it is decked out with a flag of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic. Inside hungry diners cannot tuck into the world-famous "Big Mac", but they can enjoy a very similar "Big Mag" burger. "That's how it goes here: department stores and cafes are taken over by the authorities, they only change the name slightly," said 18-year-old student Nikita, who refused to give his surname due to security fears, enjoying a meal with four friends. "They can't invent anything new." Nikita and his classmates have been visiting the "Burger" restaurant regularly since it was reopened two months ago. The students say they used to come to the McDonald's before the conflict between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists tore through this industrial region, claiming some 9,500 live since April 2014. But they complain about the significantly increased prices in the place since it reopened under the new management. "Now we can afford only two portions of French fries. It has become too expensive here, although initially this place was designed for students," Nikita laments adding that a serving of fries costs some 90 rubles (about one euro). The US firm, which in 2014 closed all its restaurants in the rebel-controlled areas, said in a statement that they "have nothing to do with business activities in the premises of McDonald's" in the rebel strongholds of Lugansk and Donetsk. The company has complained to the Ukrainian government about the "illegal seizure of the premises" in the conflict zone. But local customers say they find the food being served now similar enough to original. Dan Bertsch, an American from Virginia in his fifties who arrived in Lugansk three years before the start of the conflict to marry a local woman, is among them. "In America I do not eat a lot in McDonald's but in Lugansk I think it is nourishing to have a hamburger," said Bertsch, who wore a t-shirt with the image of Russian President Vladimir Putin. "We don't have a lot of food choices in Lugansk because of war." Anti-US rhetoric The manager of "Burger", 25-year-old Sergei, who gave only his first name, said the higher prices are down to difficulties in getting food delivered to the conflict-wracked region, but he insisted quality has gone up. "Although there are similarities in our ingredients, we are not McDonald's," he said. "There is a difference in the quality of ingredients, ours are better. We bring them frozen from Finland via Russia." In Donetsk, another rebel stronghold in eastern Ukraine, two other former McDonald's opened their doors under the named "DonMak" in early July. Similar to the one in Lugansk, they are located in the former premises of the US chain and offer the same kind of products. Their opening was a sensation in the de facto capital of the pro-Russian separatists, despite the rebel leadership frequently slamming the United States as an enemy as it emphasises cultural ties with Russia. Within a few days people were already lining up in queues for over an hour outside the fast-food restaurant in anticipation of their Coke, burger or fries. Housewife Elena waited 40 minutes in the crowded establishment to place an order for her son. "Before they opened this place, I always wondered where to go with my child. Now we can celebrate his birthday here," the 24-year-old said. The fact the restaurant had opened even though rebels denounce any presence of Western influence in the area under their control does not seem to bother the young woman. "It might be worth opening something Russian-style," she laughed, as she waited for her burger. (AFP)

Ersatz McDonald's becomes hit in rebel East Ukraine

If US Republican candidate Donald Trump is elected president, it would be have a dangerous outcome and &quot;complicate&quot; relations between Europe and the United States, French President Francois Hollande has warned. 
 
&quot;Those who say that Donald Trump could not possibly become the next president of the United States are the same ones who thought that Brexit would never be voted in,&quot; Hollande said, referring to last week&#39;s British referendum which backed withdrawal from the European Union. 
 
Trump has been running on the kind of slogans peddled by the extreme right in France and elsewhere in Europe - fear of the wave of migration, stigmatisation of Islam, questioning representative democracy, denouncing elites - the French leader said in an interview to be published on Thursday in the French financial daily Les Echos. 
 
When asked whether a Trump presidency would be a dangerous thing, he answered &quot;yes&quot;. 
 
Trump&#39;s presence in the White House &quot;would complicate relations between Europe and the United States,&quot; Hollande added. 
 
A new opinion poll in the US showed that the race for the White House is set to be a close call. 
 
Respondents to the latest Quinnipiac University national poll put Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton ahead of Trump by just 42 per cent to 40 per cent, a narrowing from Clinton&#39;s four-point margin in the organisation&#39;s June 1 survey. 
 
Trump, the New York celebrity tycoon, has caused alarm in Europe with his abrasive style and pledges to deport millions of undocumented immigrants and build a wall on the border with Mexico. 
 
His proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States drew ire of Britain&#39;s Prime Minister David Cameron, who called the idea &quot;stupid, divisive and wrong&quot;. 
 
Trump has criticised the continent&#39;s leaders as &quot;weak&quot; and accused them of taking inadequate measures to combat terrorism, following the Islamist attacks on Brussels in March.&nbsp; 
 
Last month French Prime Minister Manuel Valls accused the presumptive US Republican presidential nominee Trump of being a &quot;bad man&quot;. 
 
(AFP)

The French President denounced US Republican candidate Donald Trump's prejudicial stance against immigration, democracy and Muslims

If US Republican candidate Donald Trump is elected president, it would be have a dangerous outcome and "complicate" relations between Europe and the United States, French President Francois Hollande has warned. "Those who say that Donald Trump could not possibly become the next president of the United States are the same ones who thought that Brexit would never be voted in," Hollande said, referring to last week's British referendum which backed withdrawal from the European Union. Trump has been running on the kind of slogans peddled by the extreme right in France and elsewhere in Europe - fear of the wave of migration, stigmatisation of Islam, questioning representative democracy, denouncing elites - the French leader said in an interview to be published on Thursday in the French financial daily Les Echos. When asked whether a Trump presidency would be a dangerous thing, he answered "yes". Trump's presence in the White House "would complicate relations between Europe and the United States," Hollande added. A new opinion poll in the US showed that the race for the White House is set to be a close call. Respondents to the latest Quinnipiac University national poll put Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton ahead of Trump by just 42 per cent to 40 per cent, a narrowing from Clinton's four-point margin in the organisation's June 1 survey. Trump, the New York celebrity tycoon, has caused alarm in Europe with his abrasive style and pledges to deport millions of undocumented immigrants and build a wall on the border with Mexico. His proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States drew ire of Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron, who called the idea "stupid, divisive and wrong". Trump has criticised the continent's leaders as "weak" and accused them of taking inadequate measures to combat terrorism, following the Islamist attacks on Brussels in March. Last month French Prime Minister Manuel Valls accused the presumptive US Republican presidential nominee Trump of being a "bad man". (AFP)

A President Trump would 'complicate' US-Europe ties: Hollande

Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton&#39;s campaign on Wednesday signaled plans for a big assault on Republican Donald Trump, even as she battles to hold off rival Bernie Sanders in California.

Clinton, a former Secretary of State, is to deliver what her campaign described as a major speech today&nbsp;in San Diego to underscore what she feels would be the threat posed by Trump to U.S. national security if he is elected president on Nov. 8.

Her language to describe Trump has grown more aggressive by the day. On Wednesday, she seized on testimony released in a lawsuit against Trump University, in which some former workers said they believed Trump&#39;s for-profit school was fraudulent.

&quot;Trump and his employees took advantage of vulnerable Americans encouraging them to max out their credit cards, empty their retirement savings, destroy their financial futures, all while making promises they knew were false from the beginning,&quot; Clinton told a campaign event in Newark, New Jersey.

&quot;This is just more evidence that Donald Trump himself is a fraud.&quot;

Lawyers for Trump have said most students were satisfied with Trump University, dismissing the former workers&#39; testimony as discredited.

Trump, anticipating Clinton&#39;s foreign policy attacks on him, tried to raise doubts about her leadership skills at a rally in Sacramento, Calif.

&quot;She is a person with absolutely no natural talent,&quot; he said. &quot;All you have to do is watch her speak.&quot;

Repeatedly referring to Clinton as &quot;crooked Hillary,&quot; Trump sharply criticized her handling of foreign policy, including the Sept. 11, 2012, attack by Islamic militants on a U.S. diplomatic facility in Benghazi, Libya, that killed the U.S. ambassador.

&quot;She went to sleep,&quot; Trump added.

Clinton&#39;s effort to define Trump as unfit to be commander-in-chief comes as she faces fierce opposition from Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont who has insisted on staying in the fight for the Democratic presidential nomination despite Clinton&#39;s nearly insurmountable lead.

California&#39;s primary next Tuesday is shaping up to be pivotal in the Democratic contest, with Clinton holding a 13-point advantage over Sanders, 51 percent to 38 percent, according to the Hoover Institution&#39;s Golden State Poll in the state. An NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll gave Clinton a much narrower lead of 49 percent, to 47 percent for Sanders.

Clinton, with 2,312 delegates, needs 71 more delegates to reach the required 2,383 for the Democratic nomination. Sanders has 1,545. At stake in the California primary are 548 delegates who are awarded proportional to the vote. Five other states also vote next Tuesday, including New Jersey, which could also turn the tide for Clinton.

Despite Clinton&#39;s perceived advantage, there are lingering concerns among some Democrats about possible weakness, given the protracted battle with Sanders, a democratic socialist whose calls for free college tuition have energized young voters.

Doug Schoen, a Democratic pollster, wrote in the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday that California voters appeared to be leaning toward Sanders in recent days.

Sanders has been holding events every day this week in the state. Clinton canceled a New Jersey event planned for today&nbsp;to go to California a day earlier than anticipated and is to stay there until Monday.

&quot;The inevitability behind Mrs. Clinton&rsquo;s nomination will be in large measure eviscerated if she loses the June 7 California primary to Bernie Sanders,&quot; Schoen wrote. &quot;That could well happen.&quot;

&nbsp;

&#39;CAN&#39;T IGNORE TRUMP&#39;

Other Democrats expressed confidence in Clinton&#39;s position and her move to assail Trump on foreign policy.

&quot;I think she has to,&quot; said Democratic strategist Jim Manley. &quot;Leaving aside California, I think they can&rsquo;t just ignore Donald Trump in that they should be spending a majority of time focusing on him instead of Sanders at this point, because based on the math Sanders can&rsquo;t win.&quot;

Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, has faced criticism for a variety of positions on foreign policy, such as his willingness to talk to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his idea that Japan and South Korea might need to develop nuclear arsenals.

On the other hand, past Republican presidents and current Democratic President Barack Obama have, like Trump, said NATO nations should pay more for their defense to ease the U.S. burden. Trump, however, has declared NATO obsolete and in need of reconfiguring.

A Clinton aide said &nbsp;Hillary Clinton,&nbsp;would say Trump had not outlined a coherent foreign policy doctrine and had proven himself to be temperamentally unfit to serve as president.

Democratic Presidential front runner Hillary Clinton plans for a big assault on Republican Donald Trump, even as she battles another Democratic rival Bernie Sanders

Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton's campaign on Wednesday signaled plans for a big assault on Republican Donald Trump, even as she battles to hold off rival Bernie Sanders in California. Clinton, a former Secretary of State, is to deliver what her campaign described as a major speech today in San Diego to underscore what she feels would be the threat posed by Trump to U.S. national security if he is elected president on Nov. 8. Her language to describe Trump has grown more aggressive by the day. On Wednesday, she seized on testimony released in a lawsuit against Trump University, in which some former workers said they believed Trump's for-profit school was fraudulent. "Trump and his employees took advantage of vulnerable Americans encouraging them to max out their credit cards, empty their retirement savings, destroy their financial futures, all while making promises they knew were false from the beginning," Clinton told a campaign event in Newark, New Jersey. "This is just more evidence that Donald Trump himself is a fraud." Lawyers for Trump have said most students were satisfied with Trump University, dismissing the former workers' testimony as discredited. Trump, anticipating Clinton's foreign policy attacks on him, tried to raise doubts about her leadership skills at a rally in Sacramento, Calif. "She is a person with absolutely no natural talent," he said. "All you have to do is watch her speak." Repeatedly referring to Clinton as "crooked Hillary," Trump sharply criticized her handling of foreign policy, including the Sept. 11, 2012, attack by Islamic militants on a U.S. diplomatic facility in Benghazi, Libya, that killed the U.S. ambassador. "She went to sleep," Trump added. Clinton's effort to define Trump as unfit to be commander-in-chief comes as she faces fierce opposition from Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont who has insisted on staying in the fight for the Democratic presidential nomination despite Clinton's nearly insurmountable lead. California's primary next Tuesday is shaping up to be pivotal in the Democratic contest, with Clinton holding a 13-point advantage over Sanders, 51 percent to 38 percent, according to the Hoover Institution's Golden State Poll in the state. An NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll gave Clinton a much narrower lead of 49 percent, to 47 percent for Sanders. Clinton, with 2,312 delegates, needs 71 more delegates to reach the required 2,383 for the Democratic nomination. Sanders has 1,545. At stake in the California primary are 548 delegates who are awarded proportional to the vote. Five other states also vote next Tuesday, including New Jersey, which could also turn the tide for Clinton. Despite Clinton's perceived advantage, there are lingering concerns among some Democrats about possible weakness, given the protracted battle with Sanders, a democratic socialist whose calls for free college tuition have energized young voters. Doug Schoen, a Democratic pollster, wrote in the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday that California voters appeared to be leaning toward Sanders in recent days. Sanders has been holding events every day this week in the state. Clinton canceled a New Jersey event planned for today to go to California a day earlier than anticipated and is to stay there until Monday. "The inevitability behind Mrs. Clinton’s nomination will be in large measure eviscerated if she loses the June 7 California primary to Bernie Sanders," Schoen wrote. "That could well happen." 'CAN'T IGNORE TRUMP' Other Democrats expressed confidence in Clinton's position and her move to assail Trump on foreign policy. "I think she has to," said Democratic strategist Jim Manley. "Leaving aside California, I think they can’t just ignore Donald Trump in that they should be spending a majority of time focusing on him instead of Sanders at this point, because based on the math Sanders can’t win." Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, has faced criticism for a variety of positions on foreign policy, such as his willingness to talk to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his idea that Japan and South Korea might need to develop nuclear arsenals. On the other hand, past Republican presidents and current Democratic President Barack Obama have, like Trump, said NATO nations should pay more for their defense to ease the U.S. burden. Trump, however, has declared NATO obsolete and in need of reconfiguring. A Clinton aide said Hillary Clinton, would say Trump had not outlined a coherent foreign policy doctrine and had proven himself to be temperamentally unfit to serve as president.

Battling to hold off Sanders,Clinton to assail Trump on foreign policy

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