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

VP Dhankhar Resigns, Citing Health

In a surprising political turn, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from office on Monday, citing medical reasons and the need to prioritize health. The resignation—submitted under Article 67(a)—was effective immediately.

In an emotional letter to President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar expressed gratitude for her support and recalled their “wonderful working relationship.” He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Members of Parliament, and the Council of Ministers, calling his tenure “a privilege” during a transformative phase of India’s rise.

Known for his sharp legal acumen and parliamentary presence, Dhankhar’s exit comes at a politically sensitive time, raising immediate questions over his successor.

Turbulent Monday for Indian Aviation

Monday saw a series of aviation scares across India.

• IndiGo flight 6E 813 from Goa to Indore reported a technical snag just before landing, but landed safely with all 140 passengers.
• At Mumbai airport, an Air India flight from Kochi veered off the runway in heavy rain, bursting three tyres and possibly damaging an engine.
• In Delhi, another Air India flight aborted take-off due to a technical glitch, leaving 160 passengers grounded.

All incidents ended safely, but they’ve reignited concerns around monsoon preparedness, runway resilience, and aircraft reliability amid growing air traffic.

China’s Giant Dam Raises Red Flags

China has begun building the world’s largest hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet—just upstream from India and Bangladesh. The $167 billion Motuo Dam is projected to generate 3x the output of the Three Gorges Dam.

But India’s not celebrating.

Arunachal CM Pema Khandu called it an “existential threat,” warning the dam could act as a “water bomb” if water is suddenly released. India’s foreign ministry has urged Beijing to respect downstream interests. China, not party to any water-sharing treaty, has promised “no negative impact.”

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma offered a cautious view, saying the river’s flow comes from multiple sources and more study is needed. Meanwhile, India is moving ahead with its own buffer dam project on the Siang river.

Jane Street Cleared to Trade Again

After being barred from Indian markets for alleged ₹43,000 crore index manipulation, US-based hedge fund Jane Street is now back on the NSE and BSE—under tight SEBI conditions.

The firm deposited ₹4,843.5 crore into an escrow account, a key requirement from SEBI’s 3 July interim order. Jane Street denies any wrongdoing, claiming its trades were simple arbitrage.

The return doesn’t mean the probe is over. SEBI will continue monitoring Jane Street’s trades under heightened surveillance, with a final verdict expected in the coming months. Meanwhile, BSE shares jumped nearly 3%, and unlisted NSE stock saw a surge in demand.

Afcons Rides Global Rail Boom

Infrastructure major Afcons just clinched a ₹6,800 crore railway project in Croatia, its second big win in a week. The project involves reconstructing a railway line between Dugo Selo and Novska, including electrification and signaling.

This follows two Croatian road project wins worth ₹4,535 crore, a ₹700 crore Reliance contract in Gujarat, and a ₹463 crore rural water project in Rajasthan.

Despite strong order momentum, Afcons’ stock has underperformed since listing in November at ₹426. It now trades around ₹418, down over 10% from IPO and nearly 27% off its high of ₹570. Still, analysts remain bullish, citing the company’s execution record and robust pipeline.

Step beyond the spotlight with Regena Cassandrra as she sits down with Rushank Shah of Hubtown on The Success Code. From breaking stereotypes in her debut Hindi film to portraying real legends in Rocket Boys, Regena opens up about the pressures of fame, embracing challenging roles, and using her platform to champion unheard voices — including India’s para-athletes.Watch the full conversation on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAyB1B1QF3cAditya Mehta Foundation: https://adityamehtafoundation.org/Democratic Sangha: https://www.democraticsangha.org/Regena Cassandra:    / reginacassandra  Origin Story:    / @originstory-o3o  #TheSuccessCode

#ReginaCassandra #RocketBoys #Podcast #Leadership

Step inside the soulful sanctuary of Dr. Jai Madaan—Vastu expert, astrologer, and energy coach. In this special episode of Home Along, we explore her thoughtfully designed home and uncover easy Vastu tips to align your own space for peace, prosperity, and positive energy. In this video, you’ll discover:🔸 A full tour of Jai Madaan’s home🔸 Simple Vastu tips you can apply without renovation🔸 How to balance the 5 elements in your living space🔸 Common Vastu myths busted🔸 Small space hacks for home offices & meditation cornersand much more. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more home tours & mindful living stories!#JaiMadaan #HomeTour #VastuTips #HomeAlong #HouseTourIndia #InteriorDesign #EnergyHealing #VastuForHome #MindfulLiving #vastutips #vastu ‪@JaiMadaanLadyofFortune‬

Watch the whole episode on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2J49w3YZI-M

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

Earnings Tsunami Incoming

The Q1 FY26 earnings season has officially begun, with Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank leading the charge. Over 95 major companies are set to report their numbers this week, covering sectors like tech, pharma, infra, and finance.

“Markets will first react to Reliance, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank,” said Ajit Mishra, SVP, Religare Broking.

Key dates to watch:

• July 22: Colgate-Palmolive, Dixon, IRFC, JSW Infra, Paytm

• July 23: Infosys, Dr. Reddy’s, Tata Consumer, Coforge

• July 24: Bajaj Finance, Canara Bank, Nestle, Mphasis, SBI Life

• July 25: Cipla, Bajaj Finserv, Bank of Baroda

• July 26: Kotak Bank, IDFC First, Balkrishna Industries

Markets are closely tracking profitability trends, rural demand, and input cost pressures. With large and midcaps on center stage, investor sentiment could shift fast.

$44M Crypto Hack Hits CoinDCX

India’s leading crypto exchange CoinDCX has confirmed a $44 million security breach, after hackers compromised an internal liquidity account over the weekend.

Co-founder Sumit Gupta said customer wallets remain safe and losses will be fully covered by treasury reserves. Trading was briefly paused but services are now live.

The company is also launching a bug bounty program and working with cybersecurity partners to trace the stolen assets.

This breach follows last year’s WazirX hack worth $230M, adding urgency ahead of India’s first crypto policy paper, expected this month.

EU Sanctions Nayara Refinery, Rosneft Hits Back

The European Union has sanctioned Nayara Energy’s refinery in Vadinar, Gujarat, drawing sharp condemnation from Rosneft, which owns a 49% stake.

Rosneft called the move “unjustified and illegal,” warning it could undermine India’s energy security and hurt the economy. It emphasized that Nayara is a locally governed and taxed Indian entity, with profits reinvested in the country.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded firmly:

“We do not recognize unilateral sanctions. There should be no double standards, especially in energy trade,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

The EU also slashed the Russian oil price cap to $47.6/barrel and clamped down on “shadow fleet” ships—efforts to reduce Moscow’s wartime revenue.

Iran-EU Nuclear Talks Back On

In a diplomatic shift, Iran has agreed to restart nuclear talks with the UK, France, and Germany—collectively known as the E3. Deputy foreign ministers will meet Friday, separate from any talks with the US.

These nations were part of the original 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), which the US exited in 2018. Talks have remained frozen since an Israeli airstrike in June disrupted a round of Oman-mediated negotiations.

Iran is demanding security guarantees after joint US-Israel strikes targeted its nuclear infrastructure. While expectations are low, any movement is seen as a sign of thaw in an otherwise tense region.

Honda Hits the Brakes on ABS Deadline

With a January 2026 deadline approaching for mandatory ABS (anti-lock braking systems) on all two-wheelers, Honda Motorcycles has joined Hero MotoCorp in raising red flags.

“Cost is one issue. But the real concern is supply chain readiness,” said Yogesh Mathur of Honda.

Currently, only bikes above 125cc require ABS. The new norms would impact 84% of the two-wheeler market, adding ₹3,000–₹5,000 per unit in cost.

70% of key ABS parts—like ECUs and sensors—are still imported, mostly from China and ASEAN nations. Industry body SIAM has asked the government to push the deadline, but the Ministry remains firm, citing India’s high road fatality rate.

Analysts say the domestic ABS market could grow 5X to ₹80,000 crore, though full localization may take up to 18 months.

What really makes a city liveable? Is it roads, tall buildings and other modern infrastructure?Because most big Indian cities have all of these ... but they're nowhere near even the top 100 most liveable cities in most lists. Delhi and Mumbai, which rank among India's most liveable cities... are ranked 141st out of the 173 cities evaluated in the 2025 Global Liveability Index which was published by the Economist Intelligence Unit. And these are India's top metros ... cities where people from the entire country flock to, in search of better jobs and opportunities. So... how can we make India's cities more liveable? Zoho's Sridhar Vembu has a suggestion. Watch. #india #denmark #citylife Watch the full episode on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI3r2lSZlZY

Dakshita Das, Fmr MD & CEO Of National Housing bank speaks to Abhinav Trivedi, Deputy Editor, Livemint on why most Indian homes in metros are out of reach for most people. Why real estate prices are so high and what can be done to make homes in the metros more affordable for people. #realestate #home #homeloan #dakshitadas #nationalhousingbank #finance #house #homeownership #flat #abhinavtrivedi #realestate

Watch the full episode on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=369y4nPm6YI&t=13s

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

 Trade Tensions Explode: Lula vs Trump

It’s no longer just a tariff—it’s personal. After Donald Trump imposed a sweeping 50% duty on all Brazilian imports, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva fired back, declaring: “No gringo is going to give orders to this president.” The tariff, effective April 1, was justified by Trump as retaliation for Brazil’s treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro—calling his trial a “witch hunt”. Trump’s letter also accused Brazil of censorship and undermining free speech.

Lula stood firm, defending Brazil’s right to regulate U.S. tech giants, whom he blames for spreading misinformation. While Lula is open to talks, no meeting has been scheduled yet. In the meantime, Brazil is consulting industries and weighing retaliatory tariffs. It’s not just a trade spat anymore—it’s about sovereignty, censorship, and global pride.

🩺 Trump’s Bruises & Swollen Legs Spark Rumors—Again

A familiar bruise. A flaky patch of makeup. And the internet was off to the races with speculation about Donald Trump’s health. Close-ups before his Pittsburgh trip showed the same discolored mark on his right hand seen in February, April, and June. But the White House insists: it’s just handshakes and aspirin.

Meanwhile, concerns about Trump’s swollen legs were addressed with a confirmed diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)—a common, age-related condition where blood pools in the legs due to weakened vein valves. Tests ruled out serious issues like blood clots or heart disease. The official line? “The President remains in excellent health.”

💻 Amazon Cuts Cloud Jobs to Fuel AI Future

Amazon is trimming its cloud—literally. The tech giant has begun layoffs at Amazon Web Services (AWS) as it pivots hard toward artificial intelligence. The job cuts come after an internal review of priorities, with spokesperson Brad Glasser noting that the company will continue investing in innovation.

CEO Andy Jassy had hinted at this direction in June, predicting AI automation would shrink future headcounts. AWS, a profit engine for Amazon, is now being streamlined to adapt to rising AI costs. As of March, Amazon had 1.56 million employees, including over 350,000 corporate roles. Microsoft, too, recently laid off 9,000 workers citing similar AI-related recalibrations. The message across Big Tech is loud and clear: AI is changing not just what we do—but who does it.

🏭 Adani Exits FMCG Game as Wilmar Takes Over

Gautam Adani is stepping back. In a ₹7,150 crore deal, Adani Group is selling a 20% stake in AWL Agri Business Ltd to Singapore’s Wilmar International at ₹275 per share. Once cleared, Wilmar’s stake will rise to 64%, making it the majority owner—officially overtaking Adani.

This move is part of Adani’s broader strategy to exit the FMCG space and double down on core infrastructure businesses. It follows a phased exit plan first announced in December 2024. With this sale, Adani’s ownership drops below 11%, completing a strategic shift away from the consumer goods arena. It’s a clear sign of Adani realigning priorities amid India’s rapidly evolving business landscape.

🚀 India Flexes Missile Power with Back-to-Back Tests

India just reminded the world why it’s a force to reckon with. In a powerful show of strength, the Strategic Forces Command test-fired two nuclear-capable ballistic missiles—Prithvi-II and Agni-I—from Odisha, validating all technical and operational parameters. Both missiles are central to India’s nuclear deterrence doctrine.

And just a day earlier, India successfully launched Akash Prime—an upgraded air defence system—in high-altitude Ladakh. The missile hit two aerial targets above 4,500 meters near the Line of Actual Control. Featuring an indigenous radio frequency seeker, Akash Prime is part of India’s growing focus on homegrown, high-precision defence tech.

Content Creator ⁨@vellijanani⁩ Reveals Key Way To Stay Relevant: Embrace Being 'Cringe' | InterviewContent creator (‪@vellijanani‬) speaks to Mint's Aayesha Ruth Varma on the struggles of a content creator, the cycle of getting viral & stagnation and much more!Watch the full interview on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkyqYLdnrWk#contentcreation #youtubecreators #instagram

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

PAN-PAN in the Sky: IndiGo’s Emergency Landing

It started with a “PAN PAN PAN”—the aviation distress call for urgent but non-life-threatening situations. That’s what the captain of IndiGo flight 6E 6271 declared mid-air on Wednesday, after detecting an engine snag. The Airbus A320neo, carrying 191 people from Delhi to Goa, made an emergency diversion to Mumbai, landing safely at 9:53 pm with emergency teams on standby. All passengers were safe. This incident adds to a growing list of technical issues for IndiGo: a bird strike on a Patna-Delhi flight and a technical snag on an Indore-Raipur route earlier this week. With monsoon weather disrupting flights across Delhi, India’s busiest airport is under pressure—and so is IndiGo’s reputation.

Tsunami Alert After 7.3 Quake Shakes Alaska

“This is not a drill.” That was the warning after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska near Sand Point, triggering a tsunami alert for parts of the Alaska Peninsula. The quake hit at 12:37 pm local time, just 20 km below the ocean floor—shallow enough to generate tsunami waves. The National Weather Service issued alerts from Kennedy Entrance to Unimak Pass, covering towns like Cold Bay and Kodiak. Alaska lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most seismically active zones. Though no major damage has been reported, the tremors are a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability, echoing the devastating 1964 quake that killed over 250 people.

Ola’s Stock Jumps—but Is the Turnaround Real?

After months of turbulence, Ola Electric’s stock surged 20% this week—but it wasn’t driven by earnings. The company’s revenues halved, and losses widened in the latest quarter. What changed? Ola’s auto business turned Ebitda-positive in June for the first time, thanks to stronger sales of its premium Gen-3 scooters and tighter cost controls. But serious headwinds remain: market share has dipped below 20%, regulatory hurdles continue, and customer complaints persist. While Ola has scaled back its ambitious battery manufacturing targets, it’s betting big on a leaner, profitability-first strategy. The road ahead? Still bumpy—but at least the wheels are turning in a new direction.

SBI’s ₹45,000 Cr Capital Play

India’s biggest lender is raising big money. State Bank of India (SBI) is planning to raise ₹45,000 crore in FY26 via bonds and equity. Its board just cleared ₹20,000 crore worth of Basel III bonds, and it launched its first QIP since 2018, setting a floor price of ₹811.05 per share. Though its capital adequacy stands strong at 14.25%, SBI wants dry powder to support future growth and match peers like HDFC Bank (19.6%). Experts say overall bond activity may slow this year amid weak credit growth and investor wariness around AT1 bonds post-Yes Bank. Public sector banks, including SBI, are increasingly leaning into QIPs—not just to raise capital, but also to meet government disinvestment goals.

India Crosses Climate Milestone—5 Years Early

India has just beaten a major climate target—five years ahead of time. Over 50% of the country’s power capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources, fulfilling a key Paris Agreement commitment well before the 2030 deadline. Renewable energy now makes up 48.3% of total capacity, with nuclear taking the figure over the 50% mark. To further this momentum, the Cabinet has greenlit massive investments: NTPC can invest up to ₹20,000 crore via its green arm, while NLC India can invest ₹7,000 crore through its renewables unit. Experts caution that while capacity is growing fast, actual generation from renewables—especially solar and wind—still lags at just 13%. The next frontier? Turning that potential into real, round-the-clock clean energy output.

The 2025 European heatwave claimed 2,300 lives, with science linking two-thirds of deaths to rising global temperatures. From scorching forests in Canada to flooded streets in Dubai and heatwaves baking Europe, Asia, and America, the planet is sounding the alarm. Experts like Matthew Cappucci and Dr. Laurence Kalkstein reveal how longer, hotter summers are disrupting ecosystems, economies, and health. #ClimateCrisis #EuropeHeatwave #ClimateChange #GlobalWarming