Top of the Morning

AI stocks now make up 30% of the S&P 500 is a bubble brewing? India's burnout crisis hits Parliament with the Right to Disconnect Bill. RBI slams the door on stablecoins and bets on the Digital Rupee. Netflix makes an $83 billion play for Warner Bros that could reshape India's streaming wars. Plus, Acko preps for a blockbuster IPO. Five stories shaping money, markets, and policy all in one episode.

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Welcome to Top Of The Morning. I'm Nelson John.

In this episode, we explore how India's UPI has become the world's largest real-time payment system, processing more daily transactions than Visa globally. We break down Mexico's new 50% tariffs threatening nearly $2 billion in Indian auto exports. We follow the story of how Prada turned a cultural appropriation controversy into an $800 collaboration with Indian artisans. We examine Amazon's massive $75 billion commitment to India across e-commerce, cloud, and quick commerce. And we unpack Disney's surprising $1 billion investment in OpenAI that brings Mickey Mouse to AI video generation.<...

Good Morning, I'm Nelson John..

In this episode, we unpack five major developments reshaping India's economic and trade landscape. We start with the government's exploration of higher ethanol blends beyond E20, including E23 and E27, and why the auto industry is pushing for flex-fuel vehicles instead. Then we examine the US-India trade negotiations happening under the shadow of a Supreme Court case that could invalidate Trump's tariffs entirely. We break down TCS's $700 million acquisition of Coastal Cloud and what it signals about the future of India's largest IT services company. Next, we look at...

Welcome to Top of the Morning, I'm Nelson John.

Peak XV's Meesho IPO success. AI's enterprise determinism problem. Adani's 15,000 crore bankruptcy play. RCB's $2 billion sale question. China's eight-month manufacturing slump. Five stories that show how money, technology, and power are being repositioned globally.

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Good Morning, I'm Nelson John.. This week on Top of the Morning: SEBI delivers its biggest finfluencer crackdown, ordering Avadhut Sathe and his trading academy to return ₹546 crore in "unlawful gains." IndiGo's pilot shortage cancels 3,600+ flights and exposes years of staffing decisions. Putin visits Delhi amid US tariffs and sanctions, signing 16 agreements as India maintains its strategic balancing act. Wakefit opens its ₹1,289 crore IPO, asking public markets to validate a premium valuation. And Indian VCs bet big on consumer AI startups from Kuku FM to Dashverse. Five stories, one theme: accountability.

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Today,

India’s workplaces, industries, and digital systems are all shifting at once. Gen Alpha is rewriting the rules of work before they’ve even entered the workforce — expecting hybrid setups, AI partners, VR meetings, and shorter weeks. In the market, BYD’s rapid rise in EV sales shows how fast global players are reshaping India’s electric future. At the same time, India’s new data protection law is tightening consent and compliance, forcing companies to rethink how they collect and move data. Stream...

A JetBlue flight suddenly drops altitude. Investigation reveals: solar radiation corrupted flight control data. The result? The largest mass recall in Airbus history, with 6,000 jets grounded worldwide. Meanwhile, British Airways announces major India expansion, adding a third daily Delhi-London flight. India's DoT mandates that WhatsApp and Telegram must link to active SIM cards. And PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat celebrates 8.2% GDP growth and record 357 million tonnes of food grain production. Systems everywhere are being recalibrated.

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Welcome to Top of The Morning, I'm Nelson John.

Today,

Canada's immigration dream turns into a 10 year wait. China's pharma grip tightens. Mahindra bets big on electric SUVs. Indian unions strike. The tax net widens. Five stories about systems under pressure and what happens when the rules change.

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Welcome to Top of The Morning, I'm Nelson John..

What's something really worth? This episode explores the price of ambition from Wall Street's growing panic over a $5 trillion AI bubble, to Tesla opening its first all-in-one centre in Gurugram, India's ₹7,280 crore bet on rare earth magnets after China nearly shut down our EV industry, UPI's historic linkage with Europe's payments system, and a Haryana number plate that sold for ₹1.17 crore. Five stories, one question: Are we building the future or overpaying for it?

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Welcome to Top of the Morning, I'm Nelson John.

Today

America puts a price tag on citizenship, India-Canada restart trade talks, China's air got clean while India's didn't, nuclear power opens to private players, and AI transforms farming. Five stories, one theme: execution beats intention

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I'm Nelson John. Welcome to "Top of The Morning" by Mint.

Five stories, one theme: strategic inflection points. India launches a comprehensive plan to combat antibiotic resistance threatening millions of lives globally. Fluence Energy bets on India as supply chains shift away from concentrated manufacturing bases. India implements its biggest labour reform since Independence, overhauling 29 colonial-era laws amid union opposition. Canadian PM Carney secures major investment deals at a Trump-boycotted G20, signaling a fundamental realignment in global partnerships. And CoinDCX, India's first crypto unicorn, faces existential challenges after spectacular boom and bust. Systems under...

Welcome to Top Of The Morning, I'm Nelson John.

India launches biometric e-passports, faces pressure to extradite Bangladesh's ex-PM, debates a billionaire's 72-hour workweek proposal, explores Russian shipbuilding partnerships, and gets Google AI localized. Five stories revealing how India's rebuilding infrastructure—both physical and digital—for global competition.

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Welcome to Top Of The Morning, I'm Nelson John.

Today's Top of the Morning: WhatsApp finally brings multi-account to iPhone (2 years late), Russia offers India unrestricted Su-57 tech transfer, Indian Railways heads for record ₹2.76T budget, and half of young American men are gambling. Four stories about big bets.

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Welcome to Top of The Morning with me Nelson John.

Today: NHAI raises ₹46,000 crore through highway InvITs attracting global investors, BIS overhauls cybersecurity and wind energy standards, ED attaches more RCom properties amid ₹40,000 crore fraud probe, Delhi's air pollution crisis kills 1.72 million Indians annually per Lancet study, and the US approves $93 million defense deal for Javelin missiles and Excalibur rounds.

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Happy Monday! Welcome to Top of The Morning, I'm Nelson John.

Today: Byju's gets carved up in bankruptcy court, India ditches cash for UPI, Trump's investment conflicts deepen, American voters inadvertently save Indian exporters, and India plays both superpowers while maintaining strategic autonomy.

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Welcome to Top Of The Morning, I'm your host Nelson John.

In today's Top of the Morning, we dissect five major developments that illuminate the complexities of Asian economic transformation. We begin with India's latest anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese steel products, exploring how importers are already circumventing the $121.50/tonne levy by importing semi-finished products instead – highlighting the cat-and-mouse game between policymakers and market players.

The arrest of Jaypee Infratech's former MD Manoj Gaur by the Enforcement Directorate brings into sharp focus the governance challenges in India's real estate sector, with ₹14,599 crore allegedly dive...

Good Morning, I'm Nelson John

New episode explores five interconnected stories reshaping global business: from H-1B policy reversals to Pakistan's governance transformation to India's infrastructure revolution. The boundaries between tech and traditional industry are dissolving faster than ever.

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Welcome to Top of the Morning, I’m your host Nelson John

This episode connects five seemingly disparate stories - SoftBank selling Nvidia for OpenAI, Trump cutting India tariffs from 50% to 15%, Adani building massive battery storage, Modi strengthening Bhutan ties, and India's pharma crackdown - to reveal how India is transitioning from rule-taker to rule-maker on the global stage.

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Welcome to Top of the Morning, I’m Nelson John.

From Beijing to Bengaluru: Four stories about what happens when the rules suddenly change. China eases rare earth export restrictions after Trump-Xi meeting Ather Energy overtakes Ola Electric despite being the smaller player Vodafone Idea fights for survival with ₹2 trillion debt Cognizant introduces mouse-tracking surveillance for employees Different industries, different challenges, same lesson: adaptation under pressure is everything.

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Welcome to Top of the Morning.. I’m Nelson John.

This week’s stories may look unrelated a US government shutdown, a pharma firm duped by an email typo, Google Maps getting an AI brain, SEBI’s digital gold warning, and a billion-dollar jet engine deal. But they all point to one thing: how fragile our systems really are.

In the US, a 40-day shutdown is pushing air travel toward collapse. Air traffic controllers aren’t being paid, flights are being slashed, and political gridlock is grounding families ahead of Thanksgiving. Infrastructure, it turns...

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John

Apple is paying Google around $1 billion annually for AI to power Siri's overhaul. Meanwhile, India is pushing for bigger banks, negotiating trade deals with Peru and Chile to diversify from the US market, and dealing with a trademark battle between IndiGo and Mahindra. The common thread? Scale, strategy, and survival in an increasingly competitive world.

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This week's episode explores five major developments shaping business, politics, and society. In New York City, 34-year-old Zohran Mamdani made history as the first Muslim and Indian-origin mayor, defeating Andrew Cuomo with a progressive platform that embraced his multicultural heritage—though his criticism of PM Modi sparked fierce debate in India. Meanwhile, United Spirits announced a review of its Royal Challengers Bangalore investment, potentially valuing Virat Kohli's IPL team at $2 billion and setting a new benchmark for cricket franchises. On the global stage, the US-China trade war saw a temporary thaw as Beijing suspended most retaliatory tariffs following a Tr...

US HIRE Act: India's IT Under Threat

IndiGo's ₹2,600 Crore Forex Loss

Canada's Mass Visa Cancellation Plan

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Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has sold stocks for 12 consecutive quarters, building a record $382 billion cash pile as the legendary investor prepares to step down as CEO, signaling caution about market conditions. Meanwhile, Big Tech is going the opposite direction—Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta are collectively spending over $380 billion on AI infrastructure, though investor reactions have been mixed due to unclear ROI paths, especially for Meta. India faces a severe trade crisis as US tariffs hit 50%, causing exports to plummet 37.5% between May and September, devastating sectors from textiles to smartphones. On a positive note, ISRO successfully launched India's heaviest co...

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, I’m your host Nelson John — This is your smart, daily briefing on what matters. From big moves in business to headlines shaping India and the world, we cut through the noise so you start your day informed and ahead.

Trump & Xi Strike Deal

India Wins 6-Month Chabahar Exemption

JioBlackRock Enters India

Crypto Legally Recognized as Property in India

OpenAI Eyes $1 Trillion IPO

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Air India’s flying through turbulence — a ₹4,000-crore hit from Pakistan’s airspace closure, route detours, and a crash have made it Tata’s biggest loss-maker despite rising revenue. Meanwhile, Apple’s hitting new highs in India. The iPhone 17 is smashing records, driving Apple past $10 billion in local revenue as Indians buy premium phones like never before. In telecom, Vodafone Idea finally sees hope after the Supreme Court allowed a reassessment of its ₹9,450-crore dues — a potential lifeline for India’s most indebted carrier. SEBI’s also shaking up the mutual fund industry, slashing brokerage costs and boosting transparency to protect retail in...

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint, I’m your host Nelson John — This is your smart, daily briefing on what matters. From big moves in business to headlines shaping India and the world, we cut through the noise so you start your day informed and ahead. 

It's Wednesday, October 29th. Let's get started!

crushing global card networks with UPI. SEBI's slashing mutual fund fees by 83%. Your phone's about to show caller names. Blume Ventures is betting big on AI. And shrimp farmers say Trump's tariffs might be the wake-up call...

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.

California Tragedy Sparks National Debate:

Dashcam footage captured the terrifying moment a semi-truck slammed into stopped traffic on California’s I-10 — killing three, injuring four, and igniting a firestorm over how commercial licenses are issued. The driver, 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh, an undocumented immigrant allegedly high on drugs, had somehow obtained a California CDL. Federal officials are calling it a “systemic failure,” while Washington froze $40 million in funding over weak language standards for truckers. Singh faces manslaughter...

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.

Modi Skips ASEAN Summit as Trump Heads to Malaysia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the ASEAN Summit virtually, skipping what’s being billed as the largest gathering of world leaders in ASEAN history. The decision, officially linked to Chhath Puja, comes as US President Donald Trump lands in Kuala Lumpur in person. Over 30 leaders, including China’s Li Qiang and Brazil’s Lula, are attending. With India-US ties strained by Trump’s steep 50% tariffs on Indian goods...

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.

Politics and diplomacy are both running hot today — from Gandhinagar to Washington, and beyond.

In Gujarat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has hit the reset button — all 16 ministers resigned, giving him a clean slate to rebuild his cabinet. BJP insiders call it a strategic reset ahead of the 2027 polls. The new team, to be sworn in at Mahatma Mandir, could nearly double in size. Amit Shah and JP Nadda are flying in, underscoring how high the stakes are for...

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.

India’s global playbook just got a shake-up.

First, President Trump dropped a bombshell from the Oval Office—Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to stop buying Russian oil. After months of U.S. pressure and hefty 50% tariffs on Indian goods, Modi reportedly told Trump the shift will happen “within a short period.” If India follows through, it could hit Moscow’s war chest hard—India’s been one of Russia’s biggest crude buyers since the Ukraine war bega...

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.

First up, China’s rare earth chokehold just tightened. Beijing has slapped export bans on companies linked to foreign militaries — a blow to the US, whose fighter jets and missiles rely on these critical minerals. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says allies like India and Europe are rallying to build alternative supply chains. Washington’s betting on India’s new Strategic Mineral Recovery plan to extract rare earths and lithium from heavy industries. The race to break China’s monopoly has o...

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.

1. Trump’s “Peace Talk” Moment Gets Awkward

At the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt, Donald Trump had a classic off-script moment. While praising PM Modi, he turned around to ask Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif if India and Pakistan will “live very nicely together.” Sharif smiled, and the cameras loved it. Trump has been claiming he stopped a war between India and Pakistan last May by threatening massive tariffs. India denies any US mediation, saying peace came through direct t...

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.

Donald Trump just made a dramatic claim aboard Air Force One: “The war in Gaza is over.” The US President is flying to the Middle East, first stopping in Israel to address parliament, then co-hosting a peace summit in Egypt with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. His peace deal’s first step — Hamas frees all Israeli hostages from the October 7 attack, while Israel releases 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and allows aid into Gaza. Netanyahu called it a “victory,” though he warned the fight isn’t...

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.

India Fortifies Its Partnerships

India and Australia signed three major defense agreements in Canberra on Thursday, covering intelligence sharing, submarine rescue cooperation, and joint military staff talks. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh met Australian Deputy PM Richard Marles as part of the inaugural Defense Ministers' Dialogue, marking five years of their comprehensive strategic partnership.

Singh was blunt about Pakistan: "Terror and talks cannot go together." But the real focus is the Indo-Pacific, wher...

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.

1. Trump’s Gaza Gamble: A Ceasefire on Paper

After over a year of war, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire — brokered by Donald Trump. Hostages will be freed, troops pulled back, and prisoners exchanged. Netanyahu called it “a great day for Israel,” while Hamas urged guarantees of compliance. Talks in Egypt, with Qatar and Turkey mediating, sealed the deal. Trump may visit Israel soon, marking his first trip since moving the US embassy t...

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.

1. Starmer’s India Pitch: Eastward Bound

British PM Keir Starmer touched down in Mumbai with a 125-company strong business entourage, marking his first India visit. After clinching a landmark trade deal in July, he’s here to turn paperwork into partnership. “It’s a launchpad for growth,” he said, ahead of talks with PM Modi. With Trump’s tariffs reshaping global trade, Britain’s clearly betting on India — the world’s fastest-growing major economy — to anchor it...

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.

Trump, Tariffs & Turnarounds

Here’s the twist: Trump and Brazil’s Lula just had a surprisingly warm 30-minute call — and Bolsonaro, the man who caused their diplomatic fallout, wasn’t even mentioned. Earlier this year, Trump hit Brazil with 50% tariffs after its courts refused to drop coup charges against Bolsonaro. But this week, Lula flipped the script — pitching trade relief and reminding Trump that Brazil actually runs a deficit with the US. The call ended wit...

Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.

The week began with tragedy in the hills. Relentless rain turned Darjeeling and Kalimpong into death zones — 18 dead, thousands stranded, homes buried in landslides between 2 and 3 a.m. Roads caved in, bridges collapsed, and tourists trapped as five NDRF teams dug through debris. With NH-10 cut off and two steel bridges washed away, rescue ops stretched thin. Politics followed quickly — BJP hit out at Mamata Banerjee for staying at Kolkata’s Puja carnival; TMC shot back saying she was monito...