Mint Podcast

Economist Jeffrey Sachs delivers a fiery takedown of Trump’s tariffs and U.S. diplomacy in an exclusive with HTDS! Sachs dissects the Trump-Putin Alaska summit, the Russia-Ukraine war’s NATO roots, and Washington’s 50% tariffs on India, calling them “unconstitutional.” He urges India to avoid US-led alliances like the Quad and strengthen ties with China for a multipolar world.

Watch the unfiltered geopolitical truth bombs!#Trump #trumptariffs #IndiaChina #USIndiaTrade #RussiaUkraineWar

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

Quake Flattens Afghan Villages

A 6.0 earthquake has left eastern Afghanistan shattered — more than 800 killed, nearly 3,000 injured. Entire villages in Kunar province are gone, with survivors describing terrifying jolts and endless aftershocks. Helicopters are the only way in as floods and landslides block roads. Hospitals in Jalalabad are overwhelmed, and the Taliban has appealed for urgent international aid.

SCO Backs India on Terror

At its Tianjin summit, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and backed India’s demand that “double standards” on terrorism must end. Leaders from India, China, Russia, and Pakistan signed a declaration pledging zero tolerance for terror and more cooperation against cross-border threats. The statement also condemned violence in Gaza and strikes on Iran, while urging reforms at the UN, IMF, and World Bank. India, however, refused to endorse China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Trump Targets India Again

US President Donald Trump has reignited trade tensions, calling the India-US equation a “one-sided disaster.” He claimed India has offered to cut tariffs on American goods to “nothing,” but also linked Washington’s steep 50% tariffs to India’s oil trade with Russia. New Delhi has pushed back, defending farm protections and accusing the US of moving the goalposts.

Rupee Sinks to 88.33

The Indian rupee has slipped to a fresh record low of 88.33 against the dollar, pressured by US tariffs, heavy importer hedging, and foreign outflows. Analysts warn it could slide toward 89–90 if the dispute drags on, though RBI may intervene. This comes even as India’s economy logged a robust 7.8% growth last quarter.

SpiceJet Fined Over Delay

A Mumbai consumer court has ordered SpiceJet to pay ₹55,000 to a passenger after a 14-hour Dubai–Mumbai delay where the airline served only a burger and fries. The ruling reminded carriers that technical glitches don’t excuse neglecting passengers.

Parag Agrawal is up to something interesting. The former CEO of Twitter, now “X” is back in Silicon Valley with a bold new startup. He’s launched a new company, Parallel Web Systems, which is trying to do exactly what it sounds like - create a parallel web… and this will be dominated by AI, not by humans. Agrawal is basically trying to create a web for machines - infrastructure and tools that are optimised for AI agents to access, verify and organise data, not for people clicking links and scrolling feeds. It’ll work in real time, it scales easily… and most importantly, he’s trying to ensure that it can be trusted. But just how viable is this whole idea? Let’s take a deeper look!Watch Full Video on Youhttps://youtu.be/kQW4jG4sSdc

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

Dragon & Elephant Talk Peace

In Beijing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping struck a rare note of harmony at the SCO summit. After years of border tensions, both leaders stressed that India and China are “partners, not rivals,” agreeing to resume direct flights and even restart the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Xi said it was “vital for the dragon and elephant to walk together” in shaping a multipolar world.

Macron Rekindles Two-State Push

In Paris, Emmanuel Macron reignited the two-state debate by recognizing Palestine, despite protests from Israel and the US. Macron argued Gaza’s humanitarian crisis demands urgent action, while critics warned recognition could embolden militants. Several Western nations may follow France’s lead at the UN next month.

India’s Next Biofuel Leap

New Delhi is moving its biofuel experiment off the roads and onto construction sites. Bulldozers, cranes and heavy carriers that consume nearly 4% of India’s diesel could soon run on blended fuels. The move cuts oil imports, lowers emissions, and boosts farmer incomes by using crop-based fuels.

Navarro Labels India ‘Maharaja of Tariffs’

White House trade advisor Peter Navarro sharpened his attack on India, calling it “a laundromat for the Kremlin” and the “Maharaja of tariffs,” even alleging “Brahmins are profiteering.” India hit back, saying its Russian oil buys are driven by national security, not politics.

India & Japan Seal $68B Pact

In Tokyo, Modi and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced a 10-year roadmap, with Japan pledging $68 billion in private investment into India. Both leaders called it a “golden chapter,” combining Japanese technology and Indian talent to drive growth, while reinforcing security ties in the Indo-Pacific.

AMFI Chief Venkat Chalasani in this exclusive interview with Mint explains exactly why India's growth story remains on track despite Donald Trump's tariff chaos. "Tailwinds like the recent upgradation by S&P are very positive for thecountry, inflation is very much under control. We have the youngest population, demographic dividend. If you need to take the fruits of this growth story, you need to invest into the equity markets", says Chalasani, who heads India's mutual fund body. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fGnz4NJ5alc

Last year, Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy made headlines when he spoke about reviving HMT. India's first watch brand, once called the timekeeper to the nation, had been liquidated back in 2016. For a moment, it appeared that the government was considering stepping in. But the talk soon faded, and the brand slipped back into obscurity. Now, the conversation has been picked up by a group outside government. NYU City Design Labs, a venture design collective in Mumbai, has begun exploring what a revival could look like.Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bORiObVChxY

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

It was a rescue straight out of a disaster drill. Heavy rain stalled two Mumbai monorails on Tuesday—one carrying 200 passengers, another with 582—leaving hundreds trapped mid-air for hours. The worst was at Mysore Colony, where rescuers smashed windows and used cranes and scissor lifts to evacuate over 500 people from a train stuck on a curve. By 9:50 pm, all were safe. Another train between Wadala and Acharya Atre was towed back after 200 passengers were rescued.

Officials blamed overcrowding: the monorail overshot its 104-tonne limit, hitting 109 tonnes, which snapped power contact and jammed brakes. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde called it “a major accident averted,” while CM Devendra Fadnavis ordered an inquiry. Meanwhile, local trains—the city’s lifeline—were also hit, with 17 inches of water flooding tracks. For commuters, it was another monsoon reminder of how fragile Mumbai’s transport really is.

India is preparing a sweeping ban on online games played with money, potentially shaking a sector worth billions. A draft bill reviewed by Reuters says no one can “offer, aid or engage” in real-money gaming. That would put fantasy cricket giants Dream11 ($8B) and Mobile Premier League ($2.5B) in the firing line.

The government argues these apps use “addictive algorithms” that fuel compulsive behaviour and financial ruin. Offenders could face up to three years in jail. With India’s gaming market projected at $3.6B by 2029, the ban could send shockwaves through investors. Popular during IPL season, these apps allow entry for as little as 8 rupees with million-rupee prize pools, often endorsed by cricket stars. Now the government’s message is blunt: play for fun, not for money.

As India pulls back, China is stepping in. Analysts say Chinese refiners bought 15 cargoes of Russian Urals crude for October–November, each up to a million barrels. Until last month, India was Russia’s biggest seaborne buyer, but shrinking discounts made state refiners pause—cutting imports by nearly 700,000 barrels/day.

China, the world’s top importer, usually buys ESPO crude from Russia’s Far East, but cheaper Urals—priced $2–3 below Middle Eastern oil—sparked fresh demand. The shift could pressure Dubai crude, already softening. Yet, analysts caution Beijing won’t absorb all volumes; Urals isn’t a staple grade for its refineries. Another risk: U.S. sanctions. Donald Trump hinted penalties could hit buyers of Russian oil “in two or three weeks” if peace talks stall. For now, the balance tilts: India out, China in—with Washington watching.

The Opposition’s Vice-Presidential candidate, B. Sudershan Reddy, kept his message simple: “There’s only one citizenship in this country.” He faces NDA nominee and Maharashtra governor CP Radhakrishnan in the September 9 vote.

Both hail from the south—Radhakrishnan from Tamil Nadu, Reddy from Andhra Pradesh—adding a subtle regional undertone. But Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge and Goa’s first Lokayukta, stressed unity: MPs, not the public, elect the Vice President, he reminded. Born in 1946, Reddy rose from Andhra Pradesh’s High Court to Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, and in 2007, the Supreme Court, serving until 2011. His candidacy, announced at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, sets up a heated Parliament battle.

Indian Companies Cautious On Expansion Despite Sitting On ₹5 TRILLION Cash Pile, Here’s Why…Indian companies are sitting on a massive cash pile of over ₹5 trillion, cautious in their approach to expand. But why is that? What factors are preventing big private players to apply brakes instead of accelerating growth?Watch Abhinaba Saha decode this India Inc. story!#indiainc #bse #bombaystockexchange #indiaprivatecompanies #tax

Over the last few weeks there have been disturbing cases that have come to light from Ireland, of those from the Indian community facing racist attacks. Victims include taxi drivers, a 40 year old who was strippled and beaten, a 32 year old data scientist, and even a 6 year old girl. These high-profile attacks led even the Indian embassy in Dublin to issue a warning. Now, the 80,000 strong Indian community in Ireland has asked for a cross-departmental taskforce to address this recent spate of violent attacks. Aparna Shuka of the Ireland India Council who met with the authorities regarding these incidents speaks to Mint in this exclusive interview - watch#india #ireland #racism

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

Monorail Chaos in Mumbai

It was a rescue straight out of a disaster drill. Heavy rain stalled two Mumbai monorails on Tuesday—one carrying 200 passengers, another with 582—leaving hundreds trapped mid-air for hours. The worst was at Mysore Colony, where rescuers smashed windows and used cranes and scissor lifts to evacuate over 500 people from a train stuck on a curve. By 9:50 pm, all were safe. Another train between Wadala and Acharya Atre was towed back after 200 passengers were rescued.

Officials blamed overcrowding: the monorail overshot its 104-tonne limit, hitting 109 tonnes, which snapped power contact and jammed brakes. Deputy CM Eknath Shinde called it “a major accident averted,” while CM Devendra Fadnavis ordered an inquiry. Meanwhile, local trains—the city’s lifeline—were also hit, with 17 inches of water flooding tracks. For commuters, it was another monsoon reminder of how fragile Mumbai’s transport really is.

India to Ban Real-Money Gaming?

India is preparing a sweeping ban on online games played with money, potentially shaking a sector worth billions. A draft bill reviewed by Reuters says no one can “offer, aid or engage” in real-money gaming. That would put fantasy cricket giants Dream11 ($8B) and Mobile Premier League ($2.5B) in the firing line.

The government argues these apps use “addictive algorithms” that fuel compulsive behaviour and financial ruin. Offenders could face up to three years in jail. With India’s gaming market projected at $3.6B by 2029, the ban could send shockwaves through investors. Popular during IPL season, these apps allow entry for as little as 8 rupees with million-rupee prize pools, often endorsed by cricket stars. Now the government’s message is blunt: play for fun, not for money.

China Snaps Up Russia’s Oil

As India pulls back, China is stepping in. Analysts say Chinese refiners bought 15 cargoes of Russian Urals crude for October–November, each up to a million barrels. Until last month, India was Russia’s biggest seaborne buyer, but shrinking discounts made state refiners pause—cutting imports by nearly 700,000 barrels/day.

China, the world’s top importer, usually buys ESPO crude from Russia’s Far East, but cheaper Urals—priced $2–3 below Middle Eastern oil—sparked fresh demand. The shift could pressure Dubai crude, already softening. Yet, analysts caution Beijing won’t absorb all volumes; Urals isn’t a staple grade for its refineries. Another risk: U.S. sanctions. Donald Trump hinted penalties could hit buyers of Russian oil “in two or three weeks” if peace talks stall. For now, the balance tilts: India out, China in—with Washington watching.

VP Battle: Reddy vs Radhakrishnan

The Opposition’s Vice-Presidential candidate, B. Sudershan Reddy, kept his message simple: “There’s only one citizenship in this country.” He faces NDA nominee and Maharashtra governor CP Radhakrishnan in the September 9 vote.

Both hail from the south—Radhakrishnan from Tamil Nadu, Reddy from Andhra Pradesh—adding a subtle regional undertone. But Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge and Goa’s first Lokayukta, stressed unity: MPs, not the public, elect the Vice President, he reminded. Born in 1946, Reddy rose from Andhra Pradesh’s High Court to Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, and in 2007, the Supreme Court, serving until 2011. His candidacy, announced at Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, sets up a heated Parliament battle.

Cotton: India’s Olive Branch to US

In a move seen as breaking the ice, India scrapped customs duty and cess on cotton imports until September 30. The exemption, cutting the 11% levy to zero, directly benefits American exporters pushing for access amid escalating tariffs. Cotton is critical for India—employing 35 million people and driving 80% of textile exports.

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