PM Modi & Trump discussed the US trade deficit & Afghanistan issue: White House

In a statement, the White House said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the U.S. President Trump had a telephonic call on Monday, wherein, they discussed about lowering the US trade deficit with India and on increasing their cooperation in Afghanistan.

The official White House statement read, "The leaders agreed to strengthen the US-India strategic partnership in 2019 and exchanged perspectives on how to reduce the US trade deficit with India, expand security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, and increase cooperation in Afghanistan,"
Recently, the US Administration raised the tariffs on import of steel and aluminum from India, recently. This was one of the major step taken by the administration, under the Trump’s drive to reduce the U.S. deficit and promote manufacturing jobs in the U.S.

While India threatened the U.S. for a strong retaliation, it also added that the country won’t take any action until the end of this month.

Prime Minister Modi and President Trump also discussed about the two countries cooperating at the Afghanistan issue. As per the records, a U.S. official recently declared that President Trump is planning to withdraw a major segment of the U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The news suggest that out of 14000 U.S. Troops, Trump will recall 5000. 

The reduced presence of U.S. Military in Afghanistan means that there would be minimization of the mission of training Afghan forces and waging an air campaign against the Taliban and other militant groups. 

On the other hand, Trump seems to be in trouble with his border wall project. Recently, Trump gave a statement wherein he said that the ex-Presidents of America wanted to install the border wall. However, 4 ex-presidents have already declined the statement, claiming it is not true.
"This should have been done by all of the presidents that preceded me," Trump said. "And they all know it. Some of them have told me that we should have done it."

Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter have said that the statement is false.
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7.1-magnitude earthquake: death toll rises to 230 in Mexico

A 7. Magnitude earthquake hit Mexico after 1:00 pm local time and has caused hundreds of deaths with several buildings collapsed and residents fleeing on the streets. The director of the government's civil protection service, Luis Felipe Puente tweeted that till Wednesday, the death toll has reached 223 due to the disastrous earthquake. 

Over 93 deaths were reported in Mexico City, 69 deaths in the Morelos state, 43 in Puebla, 13 deaths in Mexico state, four in Guerrero and one death in Oaxaca. 

The entire Mexico city was turned into a war ground where rescue workers were seen rushing injured people to the nearest first aid center. This was the second earthquake strike in the city in less than two weeks. On September 7th an 8.1 magnitude hit southern Mexico and killed more than 98 people. The damage was recorded in several homes. 

The latest earthquake, however, has recorded more damage despite the low magnitude in compared to the first one. 

An entire primary school collapsed with several children below its roof. Jorge Vidal, the director of operations at Save the Children in Mexico said, "Children are often the most vulnerable in emergencies such as this, and we are particularly concerned because schools across the region were in session and filled with students.’ 

There are many areas left without power and connectivity and several people estranged at various locations. 

A local resident, who was at the Mexico Airport said, "I felt the ground shaking, and I heard everyone screaming and starting to run," U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted Tuesday afternoon, "God bless the people of Mexico City. We are with you and will be there for you." 

Vice President Mike Pence echoed those comments, tweeting, "Our hearts are with the people of Mexico City. We're thinking of you and, as @POTUS said, we are with you." 

The State Department said in a statement, "We stand ready to provide assistance should our neighbors request our help. Our embassy in Mexico City has sent out public messages to U.S. citizens in Mexico, and the embassy stands ready to provide consular assistance to any U.S. citizens who may have been affected. We offer our condolences to any who were injured or lost loved ones." 

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