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

Putin’s ‘Jelly Legs’ Steal Spotlight

Forget the Alaska handshake—what went viral after Trump and Putin’s summit was the Russian president’s shaky stance. Kremlin footage showed Putin’s knee twitching and toes lifting as he chatted with Trump, sparking a flood of online theories. Ukrainians joked about hidden shoe lifts and exoskeletons, while others speculated about illness, dubbing it “jelly legs.” Some even claimed it wasn’t Putin at all, but a body double—pointing to his missing “gunslinger gait,” a hallmark of his KGB training. The Kremlin has stayed silent, but the optics of wobbly knees may have upstaged Trump’s claims of “big progress.”

India-US Trade Talks Collapse

A breakthrough in India-US trade is off the table for now. Washington has called off its negotiators’ trip to New Delhi, originally planned for August 25–29. That leaves little hope of avoiding Trump’s steep new tariffs—hiked to 50% on Indian goods—set to take effect August 27. Trump says the penalties are “punishment” for India’s Russian oil purchases, which he argues bankroll Moscow’s war. Five rounds of talks collapsed over two sticking points: opening India’s farm and dairy markets, and cutting oil ties with Russia. India hit back, accusing the US and Europe of hypocrisy for still buying Russian goods. For now, tariffs are locked in, and businesses brace for impact.

NDA Picks CP Radhakrishnan as VP Candidate

India’s ruling NDA has named Maharashtra Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan as its candidate for Vice-President. Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi made the announcement on August 17, with elections slated for September 9. A veteran BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan has served as governor in multiple states and is a two-time MP from Coimbatore. His nomination balances experience with regional representation, and the NDA’s numbers got a boost as Shiv Sena pledged unconditional support. The move is seen as another carefully placed piece in India’s political chessboard.

Trump Teases ‘Big Progress’ with Russia

President Trump is fanning speculation after his three-hour Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin—the first time Putin has set foot on Western soil since 2022. On Truth Social, Trump posted in all caps: “BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA. STAY TUNED!” His envoy later hinted at “game-changing” security guarantees for Ukraine, though reports suggest a controversial land-for-peace deal could be on the table. Alarmed, European leaders will join Zelensky in Washington for urgent talks with Trump. Macron, Starmer, Meloni, Merz, and Ursula von der Leyen are flying in, hoping to stiffen Ukraine’s position as Trump presses for a quick peace. The stage is set for a high-stakes diplomatic showdown.

Apple’s ₹1,000-Crore Bengaluru Bet

Apple has made a blockbuster real estate move in Bengaluru—inking a 10-year lease worth over ₹1,000 crore for nearly 2.7 lakh sq ft in Embassy Zenith, a new tower built on the old Le Meridien site. The rent—₹235 per sq ft per month—sets a city record, with Apple shelling out ₹6.3 crore every month for nine floors, plus parking for 362 cars. The lease includes a 4.5% annual hike and an option to expand further. Propstack’s Raja Seetharaman calls it a “huge vote of confidence” in India, aligning Apple’s office expansion with its booming iPhone manufacturing push. Together, it cements India’s role at the center of Apple’s global supply chain.

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