The Hindu

• Sea port or real estate: A look into the Vizhinjam port project in Kerala; what are the advantages of a port there, why Vizhinjam, what are the challenges likely to be created, what the model of PPP is like etc. This is a primer to understand not just this particular project, but also a generalisation of other deep water ports that are being developed in the country.

International / World Affairs

• Chinese investments, with strings attached: China is extending its footprint into South America, and has virtually taken over the Ecuadorian economy. (Google Ecuador and see how close it is to the US. There is a battle going on in Asia over control of the South China Sea, but the real battle is between China and the US over the control of the Pacific Ocean. This will give an indication of the global order of affairs, and whichever country manages to dominate the Pacific – it is the US currently, but China is making huge advances – will emerge as the bigger power over the other).

Economy/Business

• Neglect leads to misery: NPK fertilizer manufacturers are considering cutting down investment into the sector as the business has become unattractive. Factors include the excess focus and usage of urea, delayed subsidy payments to manufacturers, inconsistent Government policy, non-availability of feedstock, obtaining domestic gas (the main feedstock for production of fertilizers). Must read.

• Steel industry woes not due to FTA: The current woes of the Indian Steel industry, which is reeling under profitability and margin pressure, cannot be attributed to cheaper imports from Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners such as South Korea, Japan and Malaysia, the Commerce Minister has said, citing that the amount of imports are not much compared to the amounts being produced in the country.