Miscellaneous
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