Business — Page 7
Companies, markets, economy, finance, trade and commercial activity

Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Dept Reports Success with App-Based Fertilizer Distribution
Andhra Pradesh's agriculture department has reported successful implementation of an app-based fertilizer distribution system during the kharif season. The APAIMS App facilitated transparent and timely access to fertilizers for over 1.5 million farmers.

Rapido Secures Five-Year Cab Licence in Karnataka, Valid Until 2031
Rapido has received a five-year licence from the Karnataka State Transport Authority, allowing its cab services to operate until August 2031. The company aims to enhance its services and support the state's urban transport ecosystem.

LPG Price Hikes Fuel Food Inflation in Telangana, Exceeding National Average
Food prices in Telangana have risen sharply, with a popular restaurant noting a 25% increase in its thali price over eight months. Telangana recorded the highest inflation rate in India at 6.32% in July.

Apollo Secures EasyJet Takeover in £5.7 Billion Deal
Apollo Global Management has successfully acquired EasyJet for £5.7 billion, ending a bidding war. Shareholders face potential dilution of rights and limited dividends if they roll over their stakes.

India's Onion Procurement Slowed by System Overhaul, Price Hikes
India's government faced significant delays in onion procurement due to a system overhaul and quality issues, leading to increased prices and relaxed quality standards. Despite an early start, initial purchases were far below targets.

Entrepreneurial Mini-Greenhouse Promises Major Water Savings for Small Farmers
An agricultural startup founded in 2015 has developed a compact greenhouse solution aimed at protecting smallholder farmers from extreme weather and water scarcity. The 'Greenhouse-in-a-Box' reportedly saves 98% of water compared to open-field cultivation.
Kudumbashree Mission Prepares for Record Onasadya Sales in Kollam
Kollam's Kudumbashree Mission is deploying 83 cafes for Onasadya sales with enhanced logistics and quality control. The initiative aims to boost revenue for women-led ventures and provide authentic Onam feasts.

Silver Price Surges Past $66 Ahead of Key Inflation Data
Silver prices climbed above $66 per ounce on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, reaching levels not seen since June. This rise occurred as market participants awaited key inflation reports that could influence Federal Reserve interest rate decisions.

Suriya's 'Vishwanath and Sons' Eyeing August 14 Release Amidst Strong Pre-Release Business
Suriya's upcoming film 'Vishwanath and Sons' is set for an August 14 release and has already secured a significant pre-release valuation. The film's advance bookings are being closely watched to gauge its potential box office performance.

Tamil Nadu Government Secures Rs 67,542 Crore Investment Commitments in 100 Days
The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government marked its first 100 days by signing 97 MoUs worth Rs 67,542 crore, aiming to foster business confidence and expand industrial opportunities beyond traditional centers.

Tata Trusts Initiate Search for N Chandrasekaran's Successor
Tata Trusts have begun the process to find a successor for N Chandrasekaran as Chairman of Tata Sons. This follows Chandrasekaran's decision not to seek a third term, reportedly due to a lack of board unanimity.

Outlander filming location, Finnich Glen, listed for sale in Scotland
Finnich Glen, a Scottish gorge made famous by the TV series Outlander, has been put up for sale. The 23-acre site, known for its red sandstone and as the Devil's Pulpit, has attracted over 70,000 visitors annually and has approved plans for a visitor center.

T-Hub Launches 12-Month Deep Tech Founder Fellowship, Names 14 Startups
T-Hub has introduced Blueprint, a 12-month fellowship designed to assist deep tech startup founders in scaling their ventures. Fourteen companies have been selected for the program's initial cohort.

Mahindra Global Pik Up: Scorpio N Design, August 2026 Debut
Mahindra is set to unveil the Global Pik Up pickup truck on August 14, 2026. The new model draws design inspiration from the Scorpio N and will feature a double-cab configuration for international markets.

Indian Stocks Decline Amid Elevated Oil Prices and Geopolitical Tensions
Indian equity markets opened lower on Thursday, August 13, 2026, with benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declining. Elevated crude oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty were cited as key factors influencing investor sentiment.
Dell Expands North American Distribution for AI Servers and Storage
Dell Technologies has broadened its distribution network in the US and Canada through an expanded partnership with D&H Distributing. This move aims to increase customer access to Dell's AI-focused servers and storage solutions.

Indian Companies Raised ₹1.9 Lakh Crore Via IPOs in Fiscal Year 2026
Indian corporations successfully raised ₹1.9 lakh crore through Initial Public Offerings during the fiscal year 2026. The average listing-day gains for these offerings stood at approximately 7%.

Air India mandates pilot drug screening after substance abuse incident
Air India will screen all pilots for substance abuse before departures following an incident where the captain of a turbulent flight tested positive for marijuana. The airline aims to exceed regulatory requirements to ensure passenger safety and trust.

WeRide's Global Ambitions: Asset-Light Model Fuels Overseas Robotaxi Expansion
Chinese autonomous driving firm WeRide is expanding its global robotaxi operations using an asset-light model, focusing on technical service fees. The company reported significant year-over-year revenue growth and is exploring new markets in Asia and Europe.

Air India Mandates Pilot Screening for Prohibited Substances
Air India will implement comprehensive screening for prohibited substances and medications for all its pilots starting August 13, 2026. This measure follows an incident where a pilot tested positive for marijuana after a flight experienced technical issues.

South Carolina Lottery Releases Aug. 12, 2026, Winning Numbers for Powerball, Pick 3, and More
The South Carolina Education Lottery has announced the winning numbers for its Powerball, Pick 3, Pick 4, Cash Pop, Palmetto Cash 5, and Powerball Double Play games for the August 12, 2026 drawings. Information on claiming prizes and draw schedules is also available.

Virginia Lottery Reports Record $6.36 Billion in Sales for Fiscal Year 2026
The Virginia Lottery achieved record-breaking sales of $6.36 billion in fiscal year 2026, with a significant portion coming from its online platform. The lottery contributed over $914 million to K-12 public schools.

India Approves Fourth Rail Line for Strategic 'Chicken's Neck' Corridor
India's Centre has approved a fourth railway line through the vital 'Chicken's Neck' corridor, a narrow land route connecting the Northeast to the rest of the country. The project aims to significantly enhance capacity and connectivity in the strategically important region.

Hang Seng Index Falls as Beijing Withholds Major Economic Stimulus
The Hang Seng Index opened down 0.8% on August 12, reacting to Beijing's indication of economic support without new, large-scale stimulus measures. The absence of forceful intervention left investor sentiment fragile.