India, Aug. 23 -- Democracy is alive and kicking in the US, even where the most powerful are concerned. The latest kick is that a New York appeals court has halved the imposition of a billion dollar fine on the Trump organisation, a penalty which was imposed by the trial court in a case involving charges of financial fraud by the Trump organisation.

Characteristically for President Trump, he has characterised the judgement ordering him to pay $500 million as a win, and has said the Trump organisation will appeal the verdict and argue for why it should pay a lower amount. The US has a robust court system and he may get his wish or witness the scrapping of the appeals court verdict and reinstatement of the original fine.

The Trump organis...