MINERAL FERTILISERS
Scientists mixed just 3% volcanic ash into forest soil in a UC San Diego experiment; coleus plants grew roughly three times as much as plants in untreated soil
At UC San Diego, researchers have made an exciting discovery: adding volcanic ash to soil can significantly enhance plant growth. Their study revealed that incorporating just 3% basaltic ash not only boosts the biomass of coleus plants but also positively influences beneficial soil microbes. This finding showcases volcanic ash as a viable solution for rejuvenating poor agricultural soils, making it an effective tool for sustainable practices and carbon capture initiatives.
Jaishankar's Atlanta diplomacy: Quad meeting and several bilaterals on G20 sidelines
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has a busy schedule during the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta. He is expected to engage in discussions with multiple foreign ministers on trade, defense, and energy. Meetings with Canada and Brazil are crucial for redefining relationships and securing resources. Jaishankar will also address India's partnerships with European and East Asian nations.
World Bank sounds alarm on food crisis as energy shock and El Nino push commodity prices up 23%
Global commodity prices are projected to rise significantly in 2026, driven by conflict in the Middle East and supply disruptions. Energy prices are likely to escalate by 32% due to decreased oil supply and increased consumption. Food prices are expected to increase about 10% in 2026 due to rising farm costs and disrupted grain shipments. The World Bank emphasizes the urgency of supporting vulnerable countries facing economic hardships.
Stocks in news: Swiggy, Infosys, HPCL, eMudhra, Adani Power, Shriram Finance, Tata Motors and NLC India
Indian equity markets faced continued downward pressure, marked by persistent selling and negative global indicators. The Nifty 50 index saw a decline, with analysts pointing out critical resistance and support points. Numerous companies disclosed their financial results, showcasing a mix of profits and setbacks for the September quarter. As various firms prepare to announce their quarterly earnings, market participants should remain vigilant over the coming days.
India & Canada aim to close trade deal before Modi visit
"We are hoping to get there. We have another round of negotiation, as I mentioned, on November 9 back in New Delhi. So, I'll be bringing my chief negotiator and the full team with me," Canada's minister for international trade Maninder Sidhu said, adding that the officials of both countries are actively working on wrapping up the trade agreement, with Modi scheduled to visit Canada on December 11-12.
The $50-billion question: Who gets what as India and Canada aim to strike a trade deal?
India and Canada are currently negotiating a free trade agreement designed to enhance bilateral trade significantly. Nearly 300 Canadian business delegates are visiting India to advance these discussions. Both countries aim to increase two-way trade to $50 billion by 2030. Key focus areas include energy, critical minerals, and agriculture, alongside demands for improved market access. The negotiations have resumed after a brief pause, with optimism surrounding the outcome before December.
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Wholesale inflation hits series high of 11.4% in September as fuel, food prices surge
India's wholesale inflation reached 11.4% in September, significantly increasing from 9.9% in August. Rising prices of fuel, food, and manufactured goods contributed to this surge. Food inflation climbed to 8.7%, marking a 23-month high. Retail inflation also saw an increase, rising to 5.54% year-on-year in September. Economists expect inflation to remain elevated in the coming months due to ongoing global commodity pressures.
WPI inflation quickens to 11.39% in September from 9.9% in August
Wholesale prices in India rose significantly to 11.39% in September, driven by rising fuel and food costs. Retail inflation also increased to 5.54%, attributed largely to higher vegetable prices. Concerns remain over food inflation maintaining elevated levels due to factors like uneven monsoon rainfall and El Nino risks. Increased global commodity prices are further affecting food production costs and transportation expenses.
India’s next fertiliser revolution: New-age nutrients to complement conventional fertilisers
India’s fertiliser strategy must, therefore, evolve from a question of choosing between conventional and new-age fertilisers to one of integrating both.
Estimating is not fudging: Decoding the needless jump from 'GDP is estimated' to 'GDP can't be trusted'
India poses an exceptionally difficult statistical challenge because hundreds of millions work on farms, tiny shops, construction sites and in household enterprises that do not produce audited quarterly accounts. So, a significant part of GDP calculations is based on projections and imputations.
Coal India Limited announces ambitious Business Development portfolio for diversification beyond mining
Coal India Limited announced its ambitious business development portfolio on Sunday. This plan focuses on five key platforms for future expansion and growth. Initiatives include coal gasification, thermal power, and renewable energy ventures. The company will also explore critical minerals and advanced materials. This diversification aims for energy and mineral security and import substitution.
Behind the Modi-Xi border thaw, India's dependence on Chinese imports, especially rare earths, keeps deepening
India faces a significant trade deficit with China, importing substantially more goods than it exports. Chinese firms offer superior price and tech competitiveness, impacting Indian industries. India relies heavily on China for critical inputs like rare earths, affecting various sectors.
Dividend alert! Last day to buy Cochin Shipyard, LT Foods among nearly 90 stocks for dividends. Do you own any?
On September 18, ninety companies will observe their dividend record date, and investors must acquire shares prior to this date to be eligible. Notably, Victoria Mills is set to provide the largest dividend at fifty rupees per share. Additionally, numerous companies have shared their dividend announcements, offering a last chance for investors to capitalize on these payouts.
BRICS' trade puzzle: Modi, Putin and Pezeshkian pitch three different fixes
The BRICS Business Forum saw leaders discuss expanding intra-bloc trade and economic resilience. Prime Minister Modi focused on removing trade barriers and India's stability. President Putin addressed countering Western economic pressure and sanctions. President Pezeshkian linked economic security to conflict and rebuilding Iran's economy. New trade data reveals a complex picture of the bloc's internal trade dynamics.
Indian Railways expands passenger connectivity, freight capacity; freight loading grows by 5.4 per cent
Indian Railways expanded connectivity and services significantly in August 2026. Fourteen Amrit Bharat services were regularized, and five new Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals were commissioned. Freight loading grew by 5.4 percent, with key commodities showing healthy increases. Passenger traffic also rose, especially in suburban services during the festival season. This expansion strengthens the railway network as a driver of economic activity and connectivity.
Dividends and stock splits: Hindustan Copper, Cochin Shipyard among 200+ stocks with record dates this week. Check full list
Over 90 companies have fixed September 18 as the record date for dividends and other corporate actions. Victoria Mills leads with a Rs 50 per share dividend, followed by Sharda Motor Industries at Rs 20. The list also includes several companies announcing dividends, while Oriana Power and Kairosoft Ai Solutions have set record dates for stock splits.
As assured, Russia to further boost fertiliser supplies to India: Andrey Guryev at BRICS
Russia has significantly increased fertilizer shipments to India this year. President Putin assured Prime Minister Modi of continued vital agricultural supplies. Russian producers supplied 6.5 million tonnes of fertilizers to India last year. India now imports one in every three tonnes of fertilizer from Russia. BRICS nations receive half of all Russian mineral fertilizer exports.
Odisha secures Rs 2.43 lakh crore investment proposals during UAE outreach
Odisha secured investment proposals exceeding Rs 2.43 lakh crore from the UAE. The outreach program yielded twenty-four MoUs and investment intents from various sectors. These proposed projects are expected to create over 6.18 lakh jobs in Odisha. Major companies signed MoUs for LNG storage, green energy, and housing projects. The initiative concluded with an investors' meet and engagement with the Odia diaspora.
BRICS 2026: PM Modi sits down with Putin, talks $100 bn trade by 2030; Plan to deepen defence, energy, nuclear ties
India and Russia agreed to expand industrial collaboration across manufacturing and critical minerals. They aim to reach a $100 billion bilateral trade target by the year 2030. Defence and energy cooperation progress was also reviewed by the two leaders. Discussions included boosting Make in India and reducing the trade gap. Both nations are also exploring joint energy projects and civil nuclear cooperation.
BRICS 2026: PM Modi calls for top 10 trade barriers to be removed; says India is building ‘economic bridges’ to shield Global South
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged BRICS members to identify and remove their top 10 trade barriers as the grouping enters its third decade, saying India is building economic bridges as trade barriers rise globally. At the BRICS Business Forum, Modi also positioned India as a source of growth, stability and global solutions.
In talks with Putin, Modi raises safety of Indians in Black Sea
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the safety of Indian seafarers in the Black Sea and India’s readiness to support peace efforts in the Ukraine conflict. The two leaders agreed to target $100 billion in annual bilateral trade by 2030 and deepen cooperation across defence, energy and other sectors.
'Confident people-to-people ties will grow with Russian translation of Thirukkural': PM Modi as he gifts sacred Tamil scripture to Putin
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed confidence that people-to-people ties between India and Russia will grow further with the translation of the Thirukkural into Russian, as he gifted the Russian version of the classical Tamil scripture to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their bilateral talks in New Delhi.
India's new supply-chain wonder is set to shift the gears of growth
The operationalization of India’s freight corridors marks a transformative step for the nation’s logistics landscape, strategically positioned along major economic routes. These advanced routes not only expedite transport times but also elevate reliability for businesses, fostering better supply chain management with reduced costs. As a result, manufacturing exports are set to rise, and raw materials can be moved more affordably, further shooting India's economic efficiency to new heights.
2026 Chief Secretaries’ Meet to focus on mining, infra & AI in govt; only 224 of 422 action points completed since 2022
At the upcoming Chief Secretaries Conference, key discussions are expected to focus on mining initiatives and infrastructure development. Technology-driven governance is also likely to take centre stage as a key theme. Notably, reform completion rates have remained disappointingly low following previous conferences, prompting states to identify their critical priorities for Viksit Bharat@2047. The agenda will also address the need for deregulation and greater competition among states.
In 1994, NASA flew four Japanese red-bellied newts on STS-65 for nearly 15 days; two adults died, but 32 newt eggs hatched
Space Shuttle Columbia's 1994 mission studied animal reproduction in zero gravity. Four red-bellied newts and medaka fish were part of biology experiments. At least 32 newt eggs and 25 medaka fry hatched successfully during the flight. This experiment provided crucial data on embryonic development without gravity. The findings confirmed life's ability to start and multiply far above Earth.
"Conflict will not be resolved by buying or not buying oil": S Jaishankar on US sanctions bill
"But let me just add this. You know, this conflict, which is today in its third year, will not be solved because somebody is buying or not buying oil or alumina or minerals or metals or fertiliser. This conflict will be solved by dialogue, by diplomacy, by negotiation. And that is why it is something we would encourage," he added.
India's national interest guides its energy purchases, MEA says on Russian oil imports
India's energy purchases are guided by national interest and the needs of its people. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated the Russia-Ukraine conflict will not be solved by oil purchases. He emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy are essential for resolving the ongoing conflict. India maintains its position that the war should not be resolved on the battlefield.
India in continuous touch with Ukraine and Russia to held end the conflict: Jaishankar
India remains in continuous contact with both Ukraine and Russia. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar seeks ideas to mitigate the ongoing conflict. He discussed global challenges and the war with Poland's Deputy Prime Minister. India believes endless war must give way to a peaceful resolution. Promoting dialogue and diplomacy is India's strong conviction and action.
Russia Sanctions Bill: India gets a breather as Trump’s 100% tariff weapon stalls in US House
A US Senate bill to impose tougher sanctions on Russia is facing growing opposition in the House, making it unlikely to move before the November midterm elections. The bill could allow President Donald Trump to impose 100% tariffs on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India, China and Turkey.
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