News for 'Materials and Energy'

NASA, ISRO to send joint space missions

NASA, ISRO to send joint space missions

Rediff.com22 Jun 2023

"On space, we will be able to announce that India is signing the Artemis Accords, which advance a common vision for space exploration for the benefit of all humankind," a senior administration official said hours before the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden in the Oval Office.

These Scientists Shaped India

These Scientists Shaped India

Rediff.com15 Aug 2023

I suggest we build a Vigyan Mandir (Temple of Science) with the ambience of a place of worship, so that it becomes a destination for pilgrims. We should embed on its walls bronze plaques describing each scientist mentioned here along with about a dozen of our ancient mathematicians, recommends Professor Kalyan Singhal, historian of science and technology.

Huge win for India as G20 adopts New Delhi declaration

Huge win for India as G20 adopts New Delhi declaration

Rediff.com9 Sep 2023

"Have just got the good news that due to the hard work of our teams and your cooperation, a consensus has been reached on New Delhi G20 Leaders Summit Declaration," Modi said while addressing the second session of the Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

How To Invest In Gold, Silver?

How To Invest In Gold, Silver?

Rediff.com22 Dec 2023

Commodity investments can help you diversify your portfolio in asset classes other than equity and debt, says Dwaipayan Bose.

Rating agencies, partner ease Adani's pain

Rating agencies, partner ease Adani's pain

Rediff.com3 Feb 2023

After a tumultuous past few days that almost halved value of the Adani group, embattled tycoon Gautam Adani-led conglomerate had some pressure eased on Friday as two global rating firms stuck with their calls on its credit profile and its French partner backed its investments in the group firms. Also for the first time since January 24, shares of the group's flagship firm Adani Enterprises ended in positive territory after erasing an intraday loss of 35 per cent. Adani Ports and SEZ also ended 8 per cent higher. This is after a over $100-billion rout in value of group stock since the US short seller Hindenburg Research accused Adani group of stock manipulation and accounting fraud.

ISRO all set, Sun mission to take 125 days to reach exact radius

ISRO all set, Sun mission to take 125 days to reach exact radius

Rediff.com1 Sep 2023

Days after landing on the Moon, India will aim for the Sun on Saturday with its maiden solar expedition, as ISRO's trusted PSLV will carry the Aditya L1 mission on a 125-day voyage to the Sun.

Hurdles in biofuel use: Few vehicles, weak ethanol-blended petrol rollout

Hurdles in biofuel use: Few vehicles, weak ethanol-blended petrol rollout

Rediff.com25 Sep 2023

The limited availability of flexible (flex)-fuel vehicles in the Indian market and the slow rollout of ethanol-blended petrol by oil-marketing companies (OMCs) remain major obstacles to achieving widespread use of biofuels in the transportation sector in India. Recently, two Union ministers have emphasised India's biofuel potential, arguing that it has the capacity and potential to lead a transition towards widespread biofuel adoption. Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari signalled that this transition is well underway and urged car manufacturers to quickly adapt and introduce new biofuel-run vehicles, lest the government resort to taxing diesel vehicles.

The Archies Review: Return To Innocence

The Archies Review: Return To Innocence

Rediff.com7 Dec 2023

The Archies is an evergreen thought passed on from generation to generation. But Sukanya Verma wishes it had some of the comic's tee-hee humour and hyuk hyuk too.

PM Modi flags concerns over bias in AI

PM Modi flags concerns over bias in AI

Rediff.com27 Aug 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for a global framework for ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as he flagged concerns surrounding bias in such modern technologies and their impact on the society. Days ahead of the G20 Summit, the prime minister also made a strong case for developing an integrated approach to deal with issues concerning cryptocurrencies. Modi, addressing B20 Summit India 2023 organised by CII, said India is preparing a global framework for Green Credit and urged industry leaders to adopt life and businesses with emphasis on planet positive actions.

Adani plans to be India's most profitable cement manufacturer

Adani plans to be India's most profitable cement manufacturer

Rediff.com19 Sep 2022

Days after completing a $6.5 billion acquisition of Ambuja Cements and ACC, billionaire Gautam Adani said his group has planned to double cement manufacturing capacity and become the most profitable manufacturer in the country. He saw a multifold rise in cement demand in India on the back of record-breaking economic growth and the government's infrastructure creation push, which will give significant margin expansion. In a speech made at an event to mark the completion of the acquisition on September 17, the Adani Group founder and chairman said the ports-to-energy conglomerate has in a single stroke become the second largest cement manufacturer in the country.

Can Stalin Repeat 2019 Lok Sabha Result In 2024?

Can Stalin Repeat 2019 Lok Sabha Result In 2024?

Rediff.com5 Jan 2024

Stalin still enjoys a lot of sympathy and empathy as someone wishing well for the state, but not full-throated support as in 2019 and 2021, notes N Sathiya Moorthy.

'I want to be in a committed relationship'

'I want to be in a committed relationship'

Rediff.com3 Aug 2023

'I am writing two films. Something very different from Rocky Aur Rani.' 'I know I'm back on the set next year.'

Modi calls for global framework for ethical use of AI, flags bias

Modi calls for global framework for ethical use of AI, flags bias

Rediff.com27 Aug 2023

Modi called business communities and governments to work together to ensure usage of ethical AI as "we have to sense the potential disruptions in different sectors. This problem has to be solved under the global framework."

WHO criticises China for withholding Covid origin data

WHO criticises China for withholding Covid origin data

Rediff.com18 Mar 2023

"We continue to call on China to be transparent in sharing data and to conduct the necessary investigations and share the results. Understanding how the pandemic began remains both a moral and scientific imperative," Ghebreyesus said.

Reliance net profit drops 11 pc in Q1 on weak O2C business

Reliance net profit drops 11 pc in Q1 on weak O2C business

Rediff.com21 Jul 2023

Reliance Industries Ltd on Friday reported an 11 per cent drop in its June quarter net profit largely due to weak oil-to-chemical (O2C) vertical and higher interest and depreciation cost. Net profit was Rs 16,011 crore, or Rs 23.66 per share, in April-June - the first quarter of current 2023-24 fiscal year - compared with Rs 17,955 crore, or Rs 26.54 a share, earning a year back, according to a company's stock exchange filing.

Rupee @ 80: Forex deficit to hurt India Inc's margins

Rupee @ 80: Forex deficit to hurt India Inc's margins

Rediff.com28 Jul 2022

The rupee breached the 80-mark against the dollar on Tuesday. The steady depreciation in the value of the rupee against the US dollar is likely to prove expensive for corporate India. The listed companies' revenue expenses in foreign currency or imports exceed their export revenues or revenue earnings in forex. In their latest financial year, BSE500 companies, excluding banks and non-banking finance companies and insurance (BFSI), reported combined forex expenses of Rs 12.31 trillion against forex earnings of around Rs 10 trillion.

Varun Beverages part of trillion-rupee club; growth strong across regions

Varun Beverages part of trillion-rupee club; growth strong across regions

Rediff.com26 May 2023

Since its results, the stock of bottling and beverage distribution company Varun Beverages (VBL) is up 7 per cent on the back of a strong 2022-23 January-March quarter performance, robust outlook, and revision in profit estimates. Given the sharp uptick, it is now part of the trillion-rupee club, with its market capitalisation at Rs 1.01 trillion. The stock is one of the best performers in the consumer space as well as the S&P BSE 200, of which it is a constituent.

In US, Jaishankar replies to questions on Russian oil import

In US, Jaishankar replies to questions on Russian oil import

Rediff.com12 Apr 2022

India's total purchase of oil from Russia in a month is probably less than what Europe does in an afternoon, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said.

Oppenheimer: Film-Making At Its Exhilarating Best

Oppenheimer: Film-Making At Its Exhilarating Best

Rediff.com5 Aug 2023

The narrative is faithful to the source, American Prometheus, but what makes it absolutely spell-binding is Christopher Nolan's technique, notes Shreekant Sambrani.

In an era of EVS has Auto Expo run out of gas?

In an era of EVS has Auto Expo run out of gas?

Rediff.com25 Jan 2023

This year's edition, three years lost to the pandemic and scheduling, wore a distinctive shade of green, and, as would befit an era of technology shift from internal combustion engines to electric motors, had a clutch of high-technology exhibits and concepts. But the excitement of the expo's heyday was missing.

As demand for EV batteries picks up, makers eye lithium reserves

As demand for EV batteries picks up, makers eye lithium reserves

Rediff.com3 Jul 2023

The EV industry is at an inflection point and batteries will play a critical role ahead -- batteries and related components typically constitute 35-45 per cent of an EV's costs.

Shortage of charging stations may short-circuit India's EV revolution

Shortage of charging stations may short-circuit India's EV revolution

Rediff.com4 Aug 2022

Only a few thousand chargers dot the Indian landscape, some in working condition, others not, with some held hostage to the power supply vagaries of local utilities, reports S Dinakar.

Reliance to replace auto fuels with electricity, hydrogen

Reliance to replace auto fuels with electricity, hydrogen

Rediff.com15 Jul 2020

Reliance has a 24 per cent conversion rate of 'oil-to-chemicals' at present and may be targeting 70 per cent conversion.

Infrastructure Funds: What You Must Know

Infrastructure Funds: What You Must Know

Rediff.com21 Nov 2022

Since infrastructure projects have long gestation periods, investors need to enter them with a long horizon of at least 10 years.

How Amazon Works With Indian Railways

How Amazon Works With Indian Railways

Rediff.com13 Oct 2023

'Building a whole product with the railways was challenging; we had to figure out how to load and unload a train when it stops for only about five minutes at a station.' 'We also helped them understand the revenues this would generate for them.'

'You will succeed as long as you remember that the project is bigger than you'

'You will succeed as long as you remember that the project is bigger than you'

Rediff.com30 Aug 2023

'When a Project Director is appointed, the whole organization -- including the Chairman ISRO -- works for his success. It is a lesson that has been of abiding value all through the other projects I have worked on,' recalls the late President, one of the earliest pioneers at ISRO.

Reliance invests euro 25 mn in German solar firm

Reliance invests euro 25 mn in German solar firm

Rediff.com13 Oct 2021

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries has invested euro 25 million in German solar wafer maker NexWafe GmbH to use the firm's technology to set up giga-scale wafer manufacturing facilities in India. "NexWafe GmbH (NexWafe) today announced the induction of Reliance New Energy Solar Limited (RNESL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (Reliance) as a strategic lead investor in its euro 39 million ($45 million) Series C financing round with an investment of euro 25 million ($29 million) in phase one," the Indian firm said in a late Tuesday evening statement. The investment by Reliance will accelerate product and technology development for NexWafe, including the completion of the commercial development of NexWafe's solar photovoltaic products on prototype lines in Freiburg.

'I don't think I will die so fast'

'I don't think I will die so fast'

Rediff.com16 Nov 2023

'My wife, family members as well as members of the workers will be trustees.' 'The trust will take all decisions -- no family member can individually take any decision.'

'A very long time since India experienced such high inflation'

'A very long time since India experienced such high inflation'

Rediff.com20 Jun 2022

Inflation trajectory, domestically as also globally, is what will shape the economy, and therefore the market, over the next couple of quarters.'

NASA successfully crashes spacecraft into asteroid

NASA successfully crashes spacecraft into asteroid

Rediff.com27 Sep 2022

National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) -- the world's first planetary defence technology demonstration -- successfully impacted its asteroid target on Monday, the agency's first attempt to move an asteroid in space.

Reliance buys British battery firm for 100 mn

Reliance buys British battery firm for 100 mn

Rediff.com31 Dec 2021

Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd on Friday announced the buyout of British battery maker Faradion Ltd for an enterprise value of 100 million, as the oil-to-retail conglomerate continued with the acquisition of end-to-end technology for its multi-billion-dollar clean energy portfolio. Reliance New Energy Solar Ltd (RNESL), a unit of the nation's most valuable company, signed definitive agreements to acquire 100 per cent shareholding in Faradion for an enterprise value of 100 million and will invest an additional 25 million as growth capital to accelerate the commercial roll-out, the company said in a statement. Based out of Sheffield and Oxford in the UK and with its patented sodium-ion battery technology, Faradion is one of the leading global battery technology companies.

Markets surrender early gains as metal stocks crack

Markets surrender early gains as metal stocks crack

Rediff.com23 May 2022

Equity indices frittered away a good start to close with modest losses on Monday, pressured by heavy selling in metal stocks after the government imposed export duties on steel-making raw materials to curb soaring prices. The 30-share BSE Sensex opened strong and gained momentum as the session progressed, but came under severe selling pressure in afternoon trade to close 37.78 points or 0.07 per cent lower at 54,288.61. On similar lines, the broader NSE Nifty slipped 51.45 points or 0.32 per cent to end at 16,214.70.

How foreign portfolio investors view the 'India story'

How foreign portfolio investors view the 'India story'

Rediff.com5 Jul 2021

IT, FMCG and manufacturing sectors are less attractive to foreign portfolio investors

Reliance reboots Aramco deal, to re-evaluate structure

Reliance reboots Aramco deal, to re-evaluate structure

Rediff.com19 Nov 2021

After missing two self-imposed deadlines, billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd on Friday announced recalibration of a proposed $15 billion deal to sell 20 per cent stake in its oil refinery and petrochemical business to Saudi Aramco, saying the two firms have agreed to re-evaluate the proposed investment in light of the Indian firm's new energy forays. The stake sale talks, which were first officially revealed in August 2019, are being reset in light of Reliance making forays into new energy business in recent months by investing $10 billion in alternative energy over three years. To pivot to green energy, it has already bought a German maker of photovoltaic solar wafers and signed a deal with a Danish company to manufacture hydrogen electrolysers in India.

'Adani Group is a man-made disaster in the making'

'Adani Group is a man-made disaster in the making'

Rediff.com27 Jan 2023

In 1937, a hydrogen-powered German airship flying into New Jersey caught fire and crashed, killing 35 passengers on board. It was sort of a man-made disaster as some 100 people were loaded on to a balloon filled with the most flammable material in the universe. The airship was named Hindenburg. Eight decades later, in 2017, a graduate of international business management from the University of Connecticut founded a "forensic financial research" firm to specialise in spotting wrongdoings and frauds, or what it calls man-made disasters, at companies around the globe and take market bets against them.

Musk releases 'Twitter Files' detailing censorship, suppression of information

Musk releases 'Twitter Files' detailing censorship, suppression of information

Rediff.com3 Dec 2022

Twitter "took extraordinary steps to suppress" The New York Post's Hunter Biden laptop story, removing links and posting warnings that it may be "unsafe."

Sitharaman invites chipmakers to invest in India; offers sops

Sitharaman invites chipmakers to invest in India; offers sops

Rediff.com26 Apr 2022

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday held a meeting with representatives of the semiconductor industry of the US and invited them to make further investments in India. The finance minister spoke about opportunities for companies situated in Silicon Valley and about the government of India's commitment to be a reliable player in the entire semiconductor value chain with dedicated incentive for the sector in mission mode through the Indian Semiconductor Mission. Last year, the government approved a Rs 76,000-crore scheme to boost semiconductor and display manufacturing in the country in a bid to position India as a global hub for hi-tech production, and attract large chip makers.

93% CEOS Plan To Hire More Employees

93% CEOS Plan To Hire More Employees

Rediff.com12 Apr 2023

Many CEOs said they plan to give special leave to women employees so as to encourage their participation in the workforce.

Maruti Suzuki to hike vehicle prices from January

Maruti Suzuki to hike vehicle prices from January

Rediff.com2 Dec 2022

Maruti Suzuki India will increase the prices of its vehicles 'substantially' from next month as it looks to offset the impact of rising input costs and make provisions to update the model range to conform to stricter emission norms which kick in from April 2023. In a regulatory filing on Friday, the country's largest carmaker said it continues to witness increased cost pressure driven by overall inflation and recent regulatory requirements. While the automaker makes maximum effort to reduce cost and partially offset the increase, it has become imperative to pass on some of the impact through a price increase, it added.

Even I can't afford your car: Gadkari to Mercedes-Benz

Even I can't afford your car: Gadkari to Mercedes-Benz

Rediff.com1 Oct 2022

You increase the production, only then it is possible to reduce cost, Gadkari said.