Top of the Morning

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. Oracle's TikTok Lifeline Oracle, Andreessen Horowitz plot TikTok takeover to dodge US ban. ByteDance drops to <20% ownership while American investors grab majority. Trump-Xi call Friday decides fate of 170M users. India Gets 2nm Chips ARM opens Bengaluru lab designing world's most advanced 2nm chips for AI servers. Only second company after Renesas to hit this milestone in India. 278 institutions now have chip design tools. Birthday Call Saves Trade Trump's birthday wishes to Modi breaks trade war ice. Personal chemistry restarts India-US talks after weeks of tension over Russian oil purchases and 50% tariffs. Diplomacy through friendship works. France Explodes Thursday 800,000 protesters to flood French streets against Macron's austerity budget. Unions call it "horror show" as roads, rails, schools shut down. Biggest protest since 2023 pension reform chaos. Dad Fights Crash Probe 91-year-old father demands formal investigation into Air India crash killing 241. Accuses authorities of selective leaks tarnishing pilot son's 25-year unblemished career. Wants independent panel with Supreme Court judge. #TikTok #Oracle #ARM #Bengaluru #ModiTrump #FranceStrikes #AirIndia #USChina #IndianTech #Austerity #PlaneCrash #TechNews #GlobalNews #Breaking Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.  India's Supreme Court delivered a crushing victory for the Ambani family, declaring their massive Vantara zoo legally untouchable and slamming the door on future complaints. The 3,500-acre facility housing 2,000 species survived allegations of smuggling and money laundering after a thorough investigation. Meanwhile, India-US trade talks resumed with Washington's chief negotiator flying to New Delhi. After the US slapped brutal 50% tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases, both sides are pushing for a deal by fall 2025. The stakes are high - India's been cozying up to China while these talks stalled. Domestically, railways announced that starting October 1, only Aadhaar-verified users can book tickets during the crucial first 15 minutes online. Out of 130 million IRCTC users, only 12 million are verified - meaning 118 million need to authenticate or wait. Nature struck Uttarakhand as cloudbursts swallowed the ancient Tapkeshwar temple in Dehradun. No lives lost, but it's part of escalating Himalayan disasters that killed 200+ in 2021's Chamoli catastrophe. Globally, Gaza burns under relentless bombing just after US Secretary Rubio's Jerusalem visit backing Israel's assault. At least 16 Palestinians died as America signals no immediate ceasefire push. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. No Extension on ITR Filing The Income Tax Department has shut down viral fake news about another deadline extension. September 15 stays the final date to file returns, despite a bogus notice circulating online. Over 6 crore ITRs have already been filed, and officials are urging last-minute filers to act now. #IncomeTax #ITRFiling #FakeNewsAlert #TaxDeadline GST Cuts Spark FMCG Rush India’s consumer goods majors are liquidating stock before GST rates drop on September 22. From shampoo to butter, taxes will fall sharply, pushing HUL, P&G, and L’Oréal to offer steep discounts. The idea: clear old inventory before new lower prices kick in. Consumers could see big festival season savings. #GSTCuts #FMCG #Discounts #FestivalShopping Dallas Murder Fuels Immigration Clash An Indian-origin motel manager was brutally beheaded in Dallas by a Cuban migrant with a long criminal record. The suspect had avoided deportation after Cuba refused to take him back. The killing has ignited a political firestorm, with Trump blaming the Biden administration’s immigration policies. #DallasMurder #ImmigrationCrisis #Trump #USPolitics Far-Right Surge in London Over 100,000 people joined Tommy Robinson’s “Unite the Kingdom” march, one of the largest far-right rallies in UK history. The protest focused on immigration, with clashes breaking out between demonstrators and counter-protesters. Police made multiple arrests as tensions ran high. #LondonProtest #FarRight #ImmigrationDebate #UKPolitics Tata Bets Big with Global JVs Tata International is investing $100 million in two joint ventures — one with Mitsubishi to expand in Africa, and another with Mercuria for commodities trading. The goal is clear: move beyond shoes and auto parts and emerge as a global trading powerhouse. #TataInternational #GlobalTrade #Mitsubishi #Mercuria Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. Infosys is launching its largest-ever buyback, repurchasing shares worth ₹18,000 crore at a 19% premium. The move matches TCS’s record buyback but covers a bigger slice of equity, signalling confidence after a 20% stock slump this year. Analysts say it’s a clear sign the stock is undervalued, even as the IT sector battles slowing growth and cautious investors. PM Mark Carney announced Canada will cap temporary residents, including foreign students, at under 5% of the population by 2027. Already, Indian students are reeling — four out of five faced rejections this quarter, with study permits dropping 66% year-on-year. The cuts reflect anti-immigrant sentiment and pressure on housing and jobs, reshaping Canada’s image as a top study hub. Donald Trump’s pick for US ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, told senators a trade deal with New Delhi could be sealed “within weeks.” He credited Trump’s personal friendship with PM Modi for keeping talks alive despite earlier tensions over Russian oil. The plan: deepen defence ties, push big-ticket arms sales, and double trade to $500 billion by 2030. In the West Bank, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu bluntly declared: “There will never be a Palestinian state.” He signed off on the $1 billion E1 settlement project, a move critics say could kill the two-state solution. The announcement, coming days after Israel’s strike attempt on Hamas leaders in Qatar, risks isolating Israel further as some Western nations weigh recognising Palestine at the UN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. Wangchuk’s Hunger Protest in Ladakh Sonam Wangchuk has begun a 35-day fast, demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule protection for Ladakh. With Gandhi Jayanti as a symbolic milestone, Wangchuk says Delhi’s silence has pushed locals to the edge. Patience is running thin since Article 370’s revocation left the region without autonomy. UPI Levels Up Digital payments just got a boost. Starting Sept 15, UPI limits rise to ₹10 lakh for insurance, travel, and capital markets, and ₹6 lakh for credit card and jewellery purchases. With over 10 billion monthly transactions, UPI is now more than small payments — it’s India’s financial backbone. Modi Rebukes Israel Over Qatar Strike Israel’s hit on Hamas leaders inside Doha drew an unusually sharp response from PM Modi, condemning the “violation of Qatar’s sovereignty.” With 8.3 lakh Indians in Qatar and $14 billion trade ties, India’s balancing act between Israel and Qatar just got trickier as ceasefire efforts wobble. Defense Deals Survive Tariff Storm Despite Trump’s tariff offensive, the US and India are moving ahead with talks for six more P-8I surveillance aircraft worth $4B. With China looming in the Indian Ocean, both sides know defense ties outweigh political spats. India’s Diplomatic Punch at UN When Switzerland criticized India on minority rights, diplomat Kshitij Tyagi hit back, citing Swiss racism and xenophobia. With Switzerland chairing the UNHRC, India’s rebuttal was sharp and unapologetic — a sign of growing confidence to push back on global criticism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. Power Shifts in Motion The world feels off its axis. India is choosing a new vice president while fending off Trump’s trade wars. Nepal’s Gen Z has taken to the streets in bloody clashes against corruption. The US just slammed shut a visa loophole Indians depended on. And India and Israel are sealing billion-dollar investment deals even as rockets fly. Different stories, same thread: power — who has it, who wants it, and how far they’ll go to keep it. US Visa Roadblock America now requires all Indians to apply at home, ending the long-used “fast track” via other countries. Wait times stretch up to 9 months, and with interview waivers gone, even kids and seniors must queue. Business trips and family emergencies just got harder. India’s VP Race After Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden health resignation, two southern heavyweights battle for the VP chair. BJP’s CP Radhakrishnan has the numbers, but the opposition’s Sudershan Reddy keeps the fight alive. A secret ballot could still spring surprises. Trade Wars Heat Up At a BRICS summit, India’s S. Jaishankar slammed Trump’s punitive tariffs, calling out “weaponized trade.” With China and Russia backing him, BRICS is drawing battle lines that could reshape global commerce. Nepal’s Youth Revolution Nineteen killed, over 100 injured as Nepal’s Gen Z confronted corruption in Kathmandu. Sparked by TikTok clips of politicians’ kids flaunting wealth, the protests mirror Sri Lanka and Bangladesh’s youth-led uprisings. A government crackdown may have only fueled the fire. India–Israel Pact New Delhi and Jerusalem signed an ironclad investment treaty shielding investors and opening trade corridors. With $3.76B trade already flowing, the deal expands into fintech, defense, and cyber. Both nations gain: Israel’s tech meets India’s market scale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. Tariffs, Oil & Trump’s India Puzzle Trump doubled tariffs on India to 50% over Russian oil purchases, hoping Delhi would bend. It hasn’t. Ex-diplomat KP Fabian says Trump’s “Triple T – Trumped-up Trump Tariffs” failed. Modi and Trump still call each other “friends,” but beneath the smiles, India is sticking to its long game: dealing with the US, Russia, and China without picking sides. Tharoor Fires Back Congress MP Shashi Tharoor dismissed US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s claim that India will “say sorry” to Trump. “We have nothing to apologize for,” he said, pointing out that past US governments encouraged India to buy Russian oil. With Trump’s team threatening harsher sanctions, Tharoor warned against his “mercurial temperament,” stressing India’s right to protect its energy security. Physics Wallah’s $437M Leap As Byju’s and Unacademy crash, Physics Wallah is preparing a $437 million IPO. Revenue jumped 49% to $330 million, losses shrank, and the founders are betting on affordable, quality learning and physical coaching centers. Proof that content beats hype. Tihar’s Image Makeover To overcome UK courts blocking extraditions, India let British officials inspect Tihar Jail. They were “largely impressed,” and Delhi even offered a special enclave for fugitives. With 178 extradition cases pending, including Mallya and Nirav Modi, India is desperate to fix its global image. India’s $1.8M Trump Whisperer India hired Trump’s ex-strategist Jason Miller for $1.8M a year to lobby in Washington. Miller recently posed with Trump at the White House, signaling Delhi now has a direct line into Trumpworld—an investment already paying off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. Food apps hike festive fees Swiggy and Zomato (now Eternal) have raised platform fees—₹15 and ₹12 in metros—while adding surge, rain, and distance charges. With GST now at 18% on deliveries, your festive orders will cost more. But convenience rules, and platforms know demand spikes 30–50% during this season. Even a ₹2–3 hike per order translates into crores as they process 5 million orders daily. Afghan quake toll rises Twin earthquakes have killed over 2,200 and injured 3,600 in eastern Afghanistan, flattening villages and leaving 6,700 homes in ruins. Survivors face harsh weather and dwindling aid as the UN warns food and medicine could run out in weeks. Entire communities are shattered, with almost 98% of homes destroyed in some districts. EU looks to India European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen says India has a key role in ending the Ukraine war, after talks with PM Modi. Both sides also push to conclude a long-delayed free trade pact this year, with the next round of talks set for September 8 in New Delhi. Gold slips, stocks jump Gold cooled as investors shifted to equities after GST reforms. MCX gold futures fell to ₹1,06,704, silver to ₹1,24,850, even as Sensex and Nifty rallied nearly 1%. Analysts advise booking profits and waiting for dips before fresh gold buys. SoftBank trims Ola stake SoftBank cut its Ola Electric holding to 15.68%, selling 95 million shares. Ironically, Ola stock soared 61% in August—its best rally since listing—driven by Bhavish Aggarwal’s roadmap and China lifting rare earth restrictions. Losses narrowed, but revenue halved year-on-year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. Rat Bite Horror in Indore Two newborns bitten by rats inside Indore’s government-run MY Hospital died within 24 hours, sparking outrage. Hospital authorities insist the deaths were due to septicemia and congenital conditions, not the bites. But the Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission has demanded answers, opposition leaders call it systemic negligence, and the state government has suspended staff and fined the pest control agency. For grieving families, accountability comes too late. China’s Power Parade Marking 80 years since WWII, Xi Jinping unveiled a stunning display of military might in Beijing. From hypersonic Yingji missiles and DF-series ICBMs to stealth fighters, drones, and truck-mounted lasers, the showcase highlighted China’s growing edge in numbers and technology. Analysts, though, caution that parade power doesn’t equal battlefield experience—yet Beijing’s message to rivals is unmistakable: it’s preparing to outproduce and outpace them. Jaguar Land Rover Cyber Hit Luxury automaker JLR confirmed a cyberattack that forced global system shutdowns, disrupting production and retail. While no customer data breach is evident, the disruption adds to its troubles—delayed EV launches and trade headwinds. The attack highlights how UK firms remain prime targets for sophisticated hackers, raising fresh alarms on corporate cyber readiness. Putin Opens Door to Zelensky Talks In Beijing, Vladimir Putin said he’s ready to meet Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky in Moscow—if talks are well-prepared. But he also warned Russia would continue fighting if diplomacy fails. With Trump pushing for a trilateral summit, both sides trade blame for delays. For now, Putin’s remarks offer only a slim glimmer of dialogue amid the grinding war. GST Rate Reset Before Diwali Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s GST Council has slashed rates on essentials—footwear and clothes up to ₹2,500 now fall under the 5% slab, doubling the earlier limit. Bigger reforms are coming: most 12% goods will drop to 5%, and many 28% items to 18%. Sin goods stay at 40%. The move ties back to PM Modi’s “Diwali gift” promise—lighter bills for households, heavier worries for states losing tax revenue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. India is at the center of some big moves this week—diplomatic, economic, and corporate. In Beijing, Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif tried to woo Vladimir Putin, praising Russia’s “balancing act” in South Asia and calling him a “dynamic leader.” But here’s the truth—India’s ties with Moscow run deeper, built over decades of defense and energy cooperation, far outweighing Islamabad’s fresh overtures. Meanwhile, Singapore’s new PM Lawrence Wong has chosen New Delhi for his maiden visit, underlining confidence in India’s growth story. Deals on aviation, space, finance, and digital innovation are on the table, along with a $1.3 billion PSA port project. Singapore remains India’s top investor and is doubling down with plans to put in $15 billion this year. On the energy front, Russia has offered India even bigger discounts on crude, just as the Trump administration slapped 50% tariffs on Indian exports. New Delhi isn’t backing down—its refiners find Russian oil too cost-effective to resist. PM Modi reinforced at the SCO summit that Russia remains a “special partner.” Back home, Tata Consultancy Services finally landed a mega deal after a long dry spell—a $640 million contract with Danish insurer Tryg. The win comes at a time when rivals have been snapping up billion-dollar clients and TCS faces investor concerns after weak growth and job cuts. And setting the stage for long-term reform, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a new task force to cut red tape and ease compliance for small businesses, paired with GST reforms. With GDP at 7.8%, inflation at an eight-year low, and a recent S&P upgrade, India’s economic resilience is shining through. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices