US President faces criticism for conceding Putin’s “election meddling” remark
In a major development in the international political arena President of US Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have committed for improving relations between the two major countries, with Putin saying there was no longer any reason for tensions between their countries.
However, media in both the countries indicate that Trump has lost the battle against Russia while US political circle call it a bad performance by their president in Helsinki.
The two leaders met in the Finnish capital Helsinki on Monday to talk about “everything from trade to military to missiles to China”.
“There are no objective reasons for difficulties [between Russia and the US]. The Cold War is a thing of the past, the situation in the world has drastically changed,” said Putin.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump blamed his country’s past “foolishness and stupidity” for the two powers’ hostile relations.
At a press conference following the summit, Trump praised their “direct, open and deeply productive dialogue” and emphasised the need for continued diplomacy over confrontation. “A productive dialogue is not only good for the United States and good for Russia, but it is good for the world,” he said.
“Our relationship has never been worse than it is now, however that changed as of about four hours ago… To refuse to engage would not accomplish anything.”
Putin said the two countries would need to work together to cope with challenges such as terrorism, international crime, the economy and the environment, while pointing to counterterrorism and cyber security as areas in which they are already doing so.
“As major nuclear powers, we bear special responsibility for maintaining international security,” he said.
Putin said the US and Russia could collaborate to “establish peace and reconciliation” in Syria, with Trump adding by working together to end the conflict, the US and Russia could “save hundreds of thousands of lives”.
The two leaders also committed to securing Israel’s border with Syria in accordance with the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israel and Syria.
However, quick scanning of Russian and American media indicates that Trump has won while US has lost during the Helsinki summit. Russian media has been appreciative of Putin’s moves while US media and political leaders have started criticizing Trump of being “caved” under Putin’s prowess.
The Moscow Times published its lead story “Trump says ‘No reason to believe’ Russia hacked US election” with a hand-shake picture depicting Putin scaring into Trump’s eyes, give lots of score in favour of Putin.
The story intro say, “US President Donald Trump said on Monday he saw no reason to believe Russia had hacked the 2016 US presidential election to help him win, and Vladimir Putin “was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today.”
Moscow Times further reports, “At a rambling news conference after a one-on-one meeting with the Russian president, Trump said not a single critical word about Russia on any of the issues that have brought relations between the Washington and Moscow to a post-Cold War low.”
The Russian daily said, “Asked if he trusted U.S. intelligence agencies which concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election, he said he had been told by his CIA chief that it was Russia, but that he saw no reason to believe it.”
However, one of the several tweets Donald Trump posted during transatlantic flight taking him to Washington, his words seemed changed:
As I said today and many times before, “I have GREAT confidence in MY intelligence people.” However, I also recognize that in order to build a brighter future, we cannot exclusively focus on the past – as the world’s two largest nuclear powers, we must get along! #HELSINKI2018
Russian official TASS news agency report says, “Russian President Vladimir Putin has called his summit talks with US President Donald Trump the first move towards “clearing the backlog” of problems in relations between the two countries.
It quoted Putin saying, “Of course, numerous problems persist, and we have failed to clear the backlog in full, it was impossible to do this, but I believe we have made the first important step in that direction.”
Putin said, “The talks with President of the United States Mr. Donald Trump were held in a frank, business-like atmosphere,” he said. “I view them as successful and useful.”
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On the other hand CNN reports that after President Donald Trump’s stunning news conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin, members of Congress including some powerful Republicans were quick to rebuke Trump’s performance on the world stage and Trump’s refusal to call Putin out for interfering in the US election.
House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, contradicted several comments Trump made during his Helsinki news conference, most notably backing the US intelligence community assessment that Russia meddled with the US 2016 presidential election.
Ryan said, “There is no question that Russia interfered in our election and continues attempts to undermine democracy here and around the world. That is not just the finding of the American intelligence community but also the House Committee on Intelligence.”
He continued, “The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally. There is no moral equivalence between the United States and Russia, which remains hostile to our most basic values and ideals. The United States must be focused on holding Russia accountable and putting an end to its vile attacks on democracy.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke briefly with reporters Monday, giving his support to the US intelligence community.
Former Vice President John McCain, a Republican senator from Arizona, who has consistently criticized the President, said Trump’s comments were “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.”
Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker said the President “made us look like a pushover” and that Putin was probably eating caviar on the plane home.
“I was very disappointed and saddened with the equivalency that he gave between them (the US intelligence agencies) and what Putin was saying,” said Corker.
Several Republicans in both the houses, even some typically seen as allies of the President, said, in the hours following the Helsinki press conference, that they were concerned over what they heard on Monday.
Senator Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican, Liz Cheney, a Wyoming Republican, Trey Gowdy, a South Carolina Republican, Senator Susan Collins, Maine Republican and many more spoke against Trump’s performance during the summit.
“I am confident former CIA Director and current Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, DNI Dan Coats, Ambassador Nikki Haley, FBI Director Chris Wray, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and others will be able to communicate to the President it is possible to conclude Russia interfered with our election in 2016 without delegitimizing his electoral success,” Gowdy said in a statement.
Meanwhile, New York Times report said,“For nearly two years, Republicans have watched uncomfortably, and often in silence, as President Trump has swatted away accusations that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential race, attacked his own intelligence agencies and flattered President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.”
Stephen Collinson, a CNN analyst writes, “For as long as history remembers Donald Trump, it will be a day that will live in infamy.” He further said, “The President’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on Monday is already one of the most notorious moments in the tortured relations between Washington and Moscow.”
At one point, Collinson writes, “It was his hubris and desire to be unchained from his staff that led him to meet Putin alone for nearly two hours in Helsinki — fueling rumours that he is under the Russian leader’s spell.”
A January 2017 assessment bby theoffice of the Director of National Intelligence (CDN) stated that Russian leadership favored presidential candidate Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton, and that Russian president Vladimir Putin personally ordered an “influence campaign” to harm Clinton’s electoral chances and “undermine public faith in the US democratic process”.
US lawmakers move resolution to roll back Trump’s 50% tariffs on Indian imports
Three US lawmakers have moved a resolution to end Trump’s emergency declaration that imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, calling the move illegal and harmful to trade ties.
Three members of the US House of Representatives have introduced a resolution seeking to end former President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration that led to steep tariffs on imports from India. The lawmakers termed the duties illegal and warned that they have hurt American consumers, workers and long-standing India-US economic ties.
The resolution has been moved by Representatives Deborah Ross, Marc Veasey and Raja Krishnamoorthi. It aims to terminate the emergency powers used to impose import duties that cumulatively raised tariffs on several Indian-origin goods to 50 per cent.
What the resolution seeks to change
According to details shared by media, the proposal specifically seeks to rescind an additional 25 per cent “secondary” tariff imposed on August 27, 2025. This was levied over and above earlier reciprocal tariffs, taking the total duty to 50 per cent under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The House move follows a separate bipartisan effort in the US Senate that targeted similar tariffs imposed on Brazil, signalling growing resistance in Congress to the use of emergency powers for trade actions.
Lawmakers flag impact on US economy and consumers
Congresswoman Deborah Ross highlighted the deep economic links between India and her home state of North Carolina, noting that Indian companies have invested over a billion dollars there, creating thousands of jobs in sectors such as technology and life sciences. She also pointed out that manufacturers from the state export hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of goods to India each year.
Congressman Marc Veasey said the tariffs amount to a tax on American households already facing high costs, stressing that India remains an important cultural, economic and strategic partner for the United States.
Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi described the duties as counterproductive, saying they disrupt supply chains, harm American workers and push up prices for consumers. He added that rolling back the tariffs would help strengthen economic and security cooperation between the two countries.
Background of the tariff hike
Earlier in August 2025, the Trump administration imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, which came into effect from August 1. This was followed days later by another 25 per cent increase, citing India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. The combined duties were justified by the administration as a measure linked to Moscow’s war efforts in Ukraine.
Wider push against unilateral trade actions
The latest resolution is part of a broader push by congressional Democrats to challenge unilateral trade measures and reassert Congress’ constitutional authority over trade policy. In October, the same lawmakers, along with several other members of Congress, had urged the President to reverse the tariff decisions and work towards repairing strained bilateral relations with India.
Mexico imposes 50% tariff on Indian imports, auto exports maybe hit
Mexico’s approval of 50% import duties on select goods from India and other Asian countries threatens nearly $1 billion worth of Indian exports, especially in the automobile sector.
Mexico has cleared steep import duties of up to 50% on several goods from Asian nations, a move that places nearly $1 billion worth of Indian exports at risk from January 1, 2026. The decision targets countries that do not have a trade agreement with Mexico, including India, South Korea, China, Thailand and Indonesia.
Mexico moves to shield domestic industry
The new duties—covering items such as automobiles, auto parts, textiles, plastics, steel, footwear, furniture, toys, appliances, leather goods, and cosmetics—are aimed at strengthening local manufacturing. Mexico says the tariff push is designed to reduce dependence on Asian imports and support domestic producers.
China stands to face the highest impact, with Mexican imports from the country touching $130 billion in 2024. According to Mexico, the revised tax structure is also expected to generate $3.8 billion in additional revenue.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has backed the decision, framing it as an investment in domestic employment creation. Analysts, however, believe the move may also align with the United States’ expectations ahead of the upcoming United States–Mexico–Canada (USMCA) review.
Impact on India’s automobile exports
The sharpest blow for India will fall on its automobile sector. Imports of passenger cars into Mexico will now face 50% duty instead of the earlier 20%, threatening the competitiveness of major exporters including Volkswagen, Hyundai, Nissan and Maruti Suzuki.
Industry estimates cited in a report say around $1 billion worth of Indian automobile shipments could be affected. Ahead of the tariff announcement, an industry body had urged the Indian government to engage with Mexican authorities to safeguard market access.
Mexico is currently India’s third-largest car export destination, trailing only South Africa and Saudi Arabia.
Luthra brothers detained in Thailand after Goa nightclub fire tragedy
Delhi restaurateurs Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, accused in the Goa nightclub fire that killed 25 people, have been detained in Thailand as India moves to secure their deportation.
Delhi-based restaurateurs Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, wanted in connection with the Goa nightclub fire that claimed 25 lives, have been detained in Thailand. Images circulating online show the brothers with their hands tied, holding their passports, as they stand beside Thai police officials.
Brothers held in Phuket as India seeks deportation
The Luthra brothers, who run the Romeo Lane chain across multiple cities and countries, left for Phuket just hours after a massive blaze gutted their ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub in north Goa’s Arpora. They are facing charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and negligence. Indian agencies are now preparing to push for their deportation so they can be tried in Goa.
Deadly fire triggered by flammable decor and safety lapses
The late-night blaze erupted during a musical event attended by around 100 people, most of them tourists. The use of electric firecrackers during a performance is suspected to have triggered the fire. The venue’s heavy use of flammable décor and absence of functional fire extinguishers or alarms turned it into a death trap.
A narrow access road further delayed fire engines, forcing responders to park nearly 400 metres away, significantly hindering rescue operations. By the time the blaze was doused, 25 people — including five tourists and 20 staff members — had died, most due to toxic smoke inhalation in the basement.
Police pursuit and legal battle
Following the incident, four staff members were arrested and a search began for the Luthras. Investigators from Goa and Delhi discovered the brothers had booked their tickets soon after the fire and left the country within hours. Their business partner, Ajay Gupta, has already been arrested in Delhi.
The brothers have moved a Delhi court seeking anticipatory bail, arguing they were licensees, not owners, of the building. They claimed they were not present at the nightclub when the fire occurred and said their travel to Thailand was for a business meeting, not to evade investigation. Their plea seeks four weeks of protection from arrest upon their return to India.
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