Episodios

  • India-UK Free Trade Pact | Fire On AI315 | Trump Exits UNESCO | H1-B Visa Shakeup |
    Jul 23 2025
    Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. Flight Frights: Safety Under the Scanner It’s been a tense 48 hours in Indian aviation, with three back-to-back incidents raising concerns over safety and monsoon preparedness. On Tuesday, Air India Flight AI 315 from Hong Kong landed safely in Delhi, only for a fire to break out in the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit (APU) just after parking. Luckily, passengers had started disembarking and no injuries were reported. The aircraft has been grounded for checks. This followed two other incidents on Monday: one Kolkata-bound flight aborted takeoff in Delhi due to a technical snag, and another Air India aircraft skidded off the runway in rain-hit Mumbai while arriving from Kochi. In both cases, passengers were unharmed. Adding to the list, an IndiGo flight from Goa to Indore made an emergency landing after a mid-air landing gear warning. All 140 passengers are safe, but the spate of issues has raised tough questions about maintenance protocols and weather-readiness. H1-B Overhaul: Skill May Trump Luck Donald Trump is moving to restructure the U.S. H1-B visa lottery. On July 17, the Department of Homeland Security filed a proposal to introduce a “weighted and wage-linked selection system.” If approved, higher-paid and more skilled applicants will be prioritized over the current random lottery system. This could mark a seismic shift for Indian professionals, who make up over 70% of all approved H1-B visas annually. In FY24, 77% of the 320,000 slots went to Indian nationals. Elon Musk supported the move with a one-word post on X: “Great.” Musk has previously called the system “broken,” and this change could reflect a “merit-first” model, especially appealing to the tech sector. Still, it’s a divisive move within Trump’s own MAGA base, which often pushes for stricter immigration. The proposal is under regulatory review, with final details yet to be confirmed. Akasa on Ascent: Fastest-Growing Indian Airline Akasa Air is flying high. In just two years, the airline has built a fleet of 30 Boeing 737 MAX jets and placed orders for 226 aircraft to be delivered by 2032. The numbers are impressive: revenue grew 49% year-on-year, Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) rose 48%, and EBITDA margins improved by 50% over FY24. Akasa’s RASK (revenue per seat) now stands at 13%, while CASK (cost per seat) remains below 10%. The airline plans to expand international operations from 16% to 25%, targeting Middle East and Southeast Asia routes. CFO Ankur Goel says Akasa is on track to grow its fleet by 25–30% annually, and the upcoming Navi Mumbai and Noida airports could offer strong domestic growth levers. From startup to serious contender, Akasa is becoming India’s most ambitious young airline. Modi–Starmer FTA: A Landmark Trade Handshake As PM Narendra Modi heads to the UK for his first visit since Keir Starmer took office, the two leaders are set to sign a long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Cleared by India’s Cabinet, the FTA promises to cut tariffs on 90% of British goods, making 85% of them duty-free over 10 years. In return, the UK will remove tariffs on 99% of Indian exports, boosting industries like textiles, gems, auto parts, marine goods, and chemicals. This is a big win for Indian exporters, especially in apparel and home textiles, which currently face 8–12% UK duties. The deal also aims to unlock India-UK trade, which currently makes up just 2% of India’s global trade—a surprisingly low figure given their historic ties. Once signed, the FTA will go to the British Parliament for ratification. If passed, this could become Britain’s biggest trade deal post-Brexit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  • Vice President Resigns | Jane Street Back in Action | Afcons Bags Croatian Deal | China’s Mega Dam Sparks Tension
    Jul 22 2025
    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  • Big Earnings Week | Iran, EU Back to the Table | Honda Flags ABS Deadline Risks | $44M Hack Hits CoinDCX
    Jul 21 2025
    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  • Amazon Cuts Jobs | Trump’s Bruises & Swollen Legs | India’s Missile Flex
    Jul 18 2025
    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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  • Alaska Quake Sparks Tsunami Alert | Ola’s Profit Pivot | IndiGo Mid-Air Scare | SBI’s ₹45,000 Cr Fund Rush
    Jul 17 2025
    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. “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. 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. 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 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. Tsunami Alert After 7.3 Quake Shakes AlaskaOla’s Stock Jumps—but Is the Turnaround Real?SBI’s ₹45,000 Cr Capital PlayIndia Crosses Climate Milestone—5 Years Early Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  • NATO 100% Warning to India & China | Nvidia’s China Move | Tesla Finally Rolls Into India
    Jul 16 2025
    Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. 1. NATO’s 100% Sanctions Warning to India, China & Brazil NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, with backing from U.S. President Donald Trump, issued a stark ultimatum: any country still trading oil and gas with Russia will face “100% secondary sanctions.” Targeting China, India, and Brazil directly, Rutte urged their leaders to pressure Putin into serious peace talks within 50 days—echoing Trump’s threat of “biting” trade penalties if no progress is made. For India, which has ramped up imports of discounted Russian oil since the Ukraine war began, the message signals growing Western impatience and raises the economic cost of neutrality. 2. Vedanta Faces Fire from Short Seller Viceroy Viceroy Research has reignited scrutiny on Vedanta Ltd, accusing its promoters of secretly holding a 1.91% stake via a trust-controlled entity, PTC Cables Pvt Ltd. The report claims this vehicle was used to funnel ₹1,500 crore in dividends to promoter-linked entities. Vedanta dismissed the allegations as “baseless,” stating full regulatory compliance. Yet public records show links to the Agarwal family and longtime associates. While JP Morgan backed Vedanta with an Overweight rating, the shadow of opaque trust structures and governance concerns continues to hover. 3. Tesla Finally Enters India—With a Luxury SUV, Not Scale Tesla has launched its long-awaited India operations with a flagship showroom in Mumbai’s BKC and the Model Y SUV priced between ₹61–68 lakh. While not aimed at mass adoption, Tesla’s appeal lies in its battery range, tech branding, and cargo space. However, its full self-driving features remain off-limits due to legal and regulatory barriers. India recently eased EV import duties for companies promising local manufacturing within three years, but Elon Musk skipped a planned visit and hasn’t committed to building in India yet. For now, Tesla rides on novelty rather than numbers. 4. Nvidia’s China Chip Move Raises Eyebrows in Washington Nvidia is seeking U.S. approval to resume sales of its H20 AI chips to China—part of a broader deal involving rare earth shipments to U.S. firms. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed the chip sale is linked to this “magnet” trade agreement. While the H20 chips are legally exportable, they remain powerful due to Nvidia’s software ecosystem. Lawmakers, however, are alarmed. Bipartisan critics argue the move undermines national security and could accelerate China’s AI ambitions, especially for companies like DeepSeek. With China generating $17B in revenue for Nvidia last year, CEO Jensen Huang’s balancing act could carry geopolitical consequences. 5. Trump Says US-India Trade Deal “Within Reach”—But Dairy Is a Dealbreaker Former President Donald Trump signaled progress on a long-pending trade pact with India, declaring, “We’re going to have access into India.” He cited a finalized deal with Indonesia as precedent, where U.S. exports face zero tariffs. But talks with India remain stuck—particularly over dairy imports. India has drawn a firm line, refusing U.S. dairy unless it’s certified free of animal byproducts, protecting its cultural norms and small farmers. With bilateral trade hovering around $200 billion and a $500 billion target by 2030, both nations are engaged in a complex tariff tug-of-war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  • Flight 171: The Fatal Switch | China’s 600 kmph Train | Trump’s Ultimatum To Putin | Jaishankar in Beijing
    Jul 15 2025
    Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories. Air India Crash Sparks Urgent Jet Checks After the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 that claimed 260 lives, India’s aviation watchdog DGCA has ordered urgent inspections of fuel switch locking systems on all Boeing 737 and 787 aircraft in the country. A preliminary probe revealed that fuel supply to both engines was cut off within a second after takeoff, with cockpit recordings capturing confusion among the pilots. The incident has cast a spotlight on a 2018 FAA advisory that was not acted upon by Air India as it was non-mandatory. Over 150 aircraft are now being inspected, with DGCA setting a July 21 deadline. The crash has reignited debate on long-ignored safety warnings in Indian aviation. Jaishankar to China: Peace First, Progress Next In his first visit to China since the 2020 Galwan clash, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that resolving border tensions is key to rebuilding trust. “Differences must not become disputes,” he said, urging both nations to maintain momentum in de-escalation and avoid restrictive trade practices—an indirect reference to China’s export curbs on critical minerals. The talks follow the October 2024 Modi-Xi meeting in Kazan and come ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation conclave. Jaishankar underlined that stable India-China ties are vital for global stability, calling for mutual respect and far-sighted diplomacy. MRP Reform on the Cards: No More Fake Discounts? Why does a product tagged ₹5,000 regularly sell at ₹2,500? The government wants to know. The Centre is considering a major revamp of the MRP (Maximum Retail Price) system, with plans to link prices to actual production and marketing costs. The aim is to prevent “price illusions” and deceptive discounts. A recent meeting led by the Consumer Affairs Department explored guidelines that could ensure more transparency in retail pricing. While officials insist it’s not about price control, industry players warn that cost-plus pricing may hurt flexibility and product variety. It’s early days yet—but the move could change how India shops. Trump’s 50-Day Threat to Russia Donald Trump has issued a 50-day deadline to Russia: broker peace with Ukraine or face 100% tariffs and secondary sanctions on oil buyers. In a high-stakes policy shift, the former president said countries purchasing Russian oil—including China and India—could also face penalties. The announcement was made during his meeting with NATO Secretary General and caused a brief rally in Russian markets, as investors welcomed the grace period. Trump also revealed a new U.S. weapons package for Ukraine, with NATO nations footing the bill. With the ceasefire deadline looming, global eyes are now on Moscow—and its oil partners. Maglev Mania: China’s 600 kmph Train In just seven seconds, it rockets to 600 kmph. China’s latest Maglev train is faster than a plane, covering the Beijing-Shanghai 1,200 km route in just 150 minutes. Unveiled at the 17th Modern Railways Expo, the train levitates using magnetic fields to eliminate friction—offering a silent, ultra-fast ride. A vacuum-tube test in Hubei Province clocked the train at 404 mph in under 7 seconds. Built by state-run CRRC, it boasts a futuristic interior and aerodynamic design. The full high-speed track is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. China isn’t just advancing rail tech—it’s reimagining time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  • Plane Crash At UK Airport | Dividend Week Ahead | VIP Promoters Sell 32% Stake | ₹500 Note Ban Rumour Squashed
    Jul 14 2025
    Welcome to Top of the Morning by Mint.. I’m Nelson John and here are today’s top stories.Fireball Grounds Flights at Southend Airport A small aircraft crash sparked chaos at London Southend Airport on Sunday, halting all flight operations. Eyewitnesses captured a dramatic fireball and thick smoke, with unconfirmed reports pointing to a Beech B200 Super King Air. Authorities are investigating, but details remain scarce. Essex Police confirmed the 12-metre aircraft went down around 4 p.m., prompting evacuations of nearby golf and rugby clubs. Emergency crews, including four ambulances and air rescue teams, remain on high alert. The airport, 35 miles from London, is closed until further notice. It was a tough Friday for Indian markets. TCS’s weak Q1 results and fresh tariff threats from Donald Trump against Mexico and the EU sent shockwaves through Dalal Street. The Sensex fell 690 points, and the Nifty slipped 205, both ending at weekly lows. Ajit Mishra of Religare says, “Volatility is here to stay.” Still, Bajaj Broking believes the dip may be temporary, expecting a bounce if Nifty holds above 24,900. Also in the mix: FPIs pulled out over ₹5,000 crore, oil prices surged, and over 50 Q1 earnings are due this week. That viral WhatsApp forward claiming ₹500 notes will disappear from ATMs by September 2025? Totally false. The PIB Fact Check team debunked the claim, saying RBI has issued no such order. ₹500 notes remain legal tender. The misleading message also claimed 90% of ATMs would stop dispensing the denomination by March 2026—again, untrue. On a real currency note, the RBI will soon release new ₹20 notes signed by new Governor Sanjay Malhotra. Old ₹20 notes remain valid. Big change at VIP Industries. Promoters Dilip Piramal and family have sold 32% stake to a group led by Multiples PE and investor Mithun Sancheti, handing over control of the ₹6,400-crore company. The deal—reportedly worth ₹1,764 crore—was struck at a 15% discount to market price and triggers an open offer. VIP, which commands 44% of India’s organized luggage market, faces rising heat from startups like Mokobara and Nasher Miles. This could mark a fresh direction for a legacy brand known for Skybags, Carlton, and more. It’s a dividend-heavy week ahead! Market leaders like TCS, Bharti Airtel, Kotak Bank, Dabur, and IDBI Bank will trade ex-dividend starting Monday, July 14. Over 50 companies, including Bajaj Electricals, Blue Star, Cummins, and Happiest Minds, are on the list. Some are also announcing bonus or rights issues, creating opportunities for dividend-focused investors. If you’re chasing payouts, timing is key—own the shares before their ex-date to be eligible. TCS Miss, Trump Tariffs Rattle MarketsFake ₹500 Note Ban Claim BustedVIP Industries Gets a New CrewDividend Week: 50+ Stocks Go Ex-Dividend Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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