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”.
Myanmar earthquake: Toll crosses 1,600, rescue ops continue; satellite images show extent of devastation across Mandalay
In Thailand, the situation is similarly grim. Reports indicate a rise in the death toll to 17 as of Sunday, with city officials confirming 32 injuries and 83 individuals still unaccounted for, primarily linked to a 30-story construction tower that collapsed.
Satellite imagery has captured the devastating impact of the recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar, leading to cataclysmic destruction and resulting in the loss of over 1,600 lives. As international aid efforts mobilize, the country’s death toll has reached 1,644. In Mandalay, residents are desperately searching through the rubble for survivors, while aftershocks continue to shake the already ravaged city.
In Thailand, the situation is similarly grim. Reports indicate a rise in the death toll to 17 as of Sunday, with city officials confirming 32 injuries and 83 individuals still unaccounted for, primarily linked to a 30-story construction tower that collapsed.
In response to the disaster, India has launched its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. A specialized rescue contingent from the 50 (I) Para Brigade was deployed to Myanmar under Operation Brahma. This team, consisting of 118 members with medical and communication capabilities, arrived at Naypyitaw International Airport yesterday, led by the brigade’s commander.
After unloading crucial supplies and equipment, the team has moved to a nearby harbor area, located approximately 45 minutes from the airport. Today marks the beginning of the mission’s expansion, with a reconnaissance unit that includes an officer and a Junior Commissioned Officer heading into Mandalay, situated 160 miles north of their current base.
Mandalay has been designated as the primary operational center, and plans are in place for the full team to arrive later this morning. While aerial deployment is the primary strategy, road access is also being considered to facilitate the establishment of the operational theater.
In light of the earthquake, neighboring countries have dispatched warships and aircraft filled with relief supplies and rescue teams. India, China, and Thailand, alongside Malaysia, Singapore, and Russia, are among those providing support.
Indian military planes have conducted multiple flights into Myanmar, delivering essential supplies and search-and-rescue teams to Naypyitaw, where significant destruction has occurred. The Indian Army is also working to set up a field hospital in Mandalay, with two navy vessels on their way to Yangon, Myanmar’s commercial center, carrying additional supplies.
Chinese rescue teams have also arrived, including a group that entered via land from Yunnan province, as reported by China’s embassy in Myanmar. Additionally, a 78-member team from Singapore, equipped with rescue dogs, has been active in Mandalay today, according to media reports.
Partial solar eclipse 2025 today: Timings, livestreams, double sunrise effect and safety tips
The first solar eclipse of 2025, occurring today, will not be visible from India but can be watched online via livestreams by NASA and other observatories.
A partial solar eclipse, the first of the year 2025, is set to unfold today, March 29. While this celestial phenomenon will be observable from several parts of the world, it will not be visible from any region in India. The eclipse is expected to start around 2:20:43 PM IST and continue until 6:13:45 PM IST, with visibility dependent on geographic location.
What is a partial solar eclipse?
Unlike a total eclipse where the Moon entirely blocks the Sun, a partial solar eclipse leaves part of the Sun exposed. As the Moon partially covers the Sun, it creates a striking crescent-like shape in the sky. Today’s eclipse is also expected to produce a rare “double sunrise” effect — where the Sun appears to rise, dim briefly, and rise again — typically visible in areas where the eclipse coincides with sunrise.
A global event, but not for Indian skies
According to space data agencies, about 100 crore (1 billion) people will be in locations where they can witness this partial eclipse. However, only around 44,800 people will see at least 90% coverage of the Sun — marking a very limited population for the highest visibility range.
Watch safely — never directly
Experts strongly advise against looking at the Sun directly during any solar eclipse. Viewers should only use certified solar viewing glasses, eclipse glasses, or handheld solar viewers. Watching through regular cameras, binoculars, or telescopes without proper solar filters can lead to severe eye damage.
Livestreaming options for virtual viewing
For those in India and elsewhere who cannot witness the eclipse directly, several global platforms like NASA and SLOOH Observatory are offering live streaming on their websites and social media channels. Indian space authorities like ISRO may also stream the event live. Viewers can access real-time visuals and expert commentary from the comfort of their homes.
The eclipse pairing rule
Astronomers remind us that eclipses always occur in pairs. This solar eclipse follows a total lunar eclipse that occurred just two weeks ago. Another pair of solar and lunar eclipses is expected to occur in September 2025, in line with the seasonal pattern of eclipses occurring roughly six months apart.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, shaking parts of Southeast Asia and eastern India and causing large-scale devastation. The earthquake and its subsequent aftershocks, including one measuring 6.7 in magnitude, have resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people and injured more than 2,376 across Myanmar and Thailand.
Myanmar reels under quake amid ongoing civil conflict
The epicentre was located northwest of Sagaing in Myanmar and struck at a shallow depth of 10 km around 12:50 pm local time. The tremors were felt as far as eastern India, China, Cambodia, and Laos. Myanmar’s military administration confirmed that over 1,000 people have died due to the quake, with rescue and relief efforts severely hampered by the country’s ongoing civil war and under-resourced emergency response system.
In Mandalay, major buildings collapsed, leaving behind mangled steel and concrete. Emergency workers and local residents continue to dig through rubble to rescue those trapped. The Ava Bridge, an almost century-old structure across the Irrawaddy River, also gave way during the tremors.
Thailand reports deaths, dozens feared trapped
In neighbouring Thailand, the quake led to the collapse of a high-rise building under construction near Bangkok’s Chatuchak market, killing 10 people. Authorities fear up to 100 workers may still be trapped in the debris.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra convened an emergency meeting to assess the situation and coordinate rescue efforts.
International aid begins to arrive
Myanmar’s military junta made a rare appeal for global assistance, with General Min Aung Hlaing calling on “any country, any organisation” for support. India promptly responded, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern and offering help.
India’s Air Force dispatched 15 tonnes of relief supplies — including blankets, tents, medicines, and water purifiers — from the Hindon air base to Myanmar.
The United States and European Union also pledged support. US President Donald Trump confirmed communication with Myanmar officials and assured assistance, calling the situation “a real bad one.”
The Indian embassy in Thailand reported no casualties among Indian nationals and advised caution amid aftershocks.
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