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

Putin’s Nuclear Warning

At the Valdai forum, Putin warned Russia will resume nuclear tests if “any other nuclear power” does first. He mocked NATO as the real “paper tiger,” threatened escalation if the US sends Tomahawks to Ukraine, and tied confidence to Russia’s new Oreshnik missile complex. With New START treaty set to expire in February, Putin says extension is possible — but only if Washington wants it. Tensions rose further after France detained a Russian-linked tanker, which Putin blasted as “piracy.” The standoff with the West is now being likened to the Cuban Missile Crisis.

India–China Flights Return

After five years, direct flights resume this month. IndiGo will start Kolkata–Guangzhou on Oct 26, with Delhi routes to follow. China Eastern likely next. The move signals thawing ties after Ladakh clashes froze relations and grounded flights. For Beijing, restoring air links was top priority to boost trade with India.

France’s Streets Erupt Again

195,000 protesters marched in 200+ cities, shutting the Eiffel Tower and disrupting trains, schools, and hospitals. Unions demand more public spending and reversal of pension reforms. New PM Lecornu faces pressure even before unveiling the budget. Protests echo last month’s massive half-million march — France’s unrest shows no sign of cooling.

Customs Clash in Chennai

Wintrack Inc quit India, alleging bribery at Chennai Customs. The department hit back with evidence of undeclared goods, misclassified items, and missing permits, calling the allegations a deflection. A central probe is underway, with the Finance Ministry to decide who’s guilty.

Toxic Syrup Scare in Pune

After six child deaths from contaminated cough syrup in MP and cases in Rajasthan, Pune’s FDA launched emergency inspections across 10,000+ retailers and 8,000 distributors. No central order triggered it — local regulators acted fast, warning chemists not to stock unverified products.

#Putin #Russia #Nuclear #IndiaChina #Aviation #FranceProtests #Macron #ChennaiCustoms #Trade #CoughSyrup #HealthIndia #GlobalNews

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