News for 'fossil'

US private equity firm drops out of BPCL race

US private equity firm drops out of BPCL race

Rediff.com12 Nov 2021

US private equity firm I Squared Capital is dropping out of the race to buy India's second-largest state oil firm, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) owing to a complex deal structure and lack of financial backers for the transaction, sources said. I Squared Capital through its Indian arm, Think Gas was among the three suitors that had evinced interest in buying the government's near 53 per cent shareholding in BPCL. "The company has made a decision not to participate in the financial bidding," a source with direct knowledge of the development said.

Egg-straordinary! Chinese workers unearth 43 dinosaur eggs

Egg-straordinary! Chinese workers unearth 43 dinosaur eggs

Rediff.com22 Apr 2015

Dozens of fossilised dinosaurs eggs have been discovered by builders carrying out road works in China

Bhupender Yadav: Minister To Watch Out For

Bhupender Yadav: Minister To Watch Out For

Rediff.com29 Nov 2021

As a politician, Yadav is amiable and a consensus-maker, not hamstrung by dogma.

Divestment's Tough Climate Call: The hurdle in govt's fund-raising path

Divestment's Tough Climate Call: The hurdle in govt's fund-raising path

Rediff.com4 Jan 2022

There is money to buy the central public sector enterprises, but buyers will need a firm assurance that the disvestment programme will keep environment issues front and centre of their corporate plans.

Fully charged up over Ola's electric scooter

Fully charged up over Ola's electric scooter

Rediff.com1 Dec 2021

It takes a while to get used to the constant and instant supply of power that is the case with EVs, and handling the S1 Pro when it takes a corner or makes a turn can be tricky, says Pavan Lall.

Modi to present India's climate action plan at COP26 summit

Modi to present India's climate action plan at COP26 summit

Rediff.com31 Oct 2021

During his three-day UK visit until Tuesday, Modi is listed to address the COP26 summit with a national statement about India's climate action plan in the afternoon session on Monday, ahead of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Torrid summer, acute coal shortage trigger blackouts in many states

Torrid summer, acute coal shortage trigger blackouts in many states

Rediff.com28 Apr 2022

From Jammu and Kashmir to Andhra Pradesh, consumers are facing power cuts ranging from 2 hours to 8 hours.

Further rise in bond yields seen; oil likely at $100/barrel

Further rise in bond yields seen; oil likely at $100/barrel

Rediff.com1 Mar 2021

The rise in US bond yields spooked investors last week and there could a further increase given the inflation dynamics, according to Christopher Wood, global head of equity strategy at Jefferies. "The US bond market sell-off has continued over the past week, and with it the increased potential for an inflation scare. "Still, there is plenty of scope for bonds to sell off more since the last time the 5-year forward inflation expectation rate was running at current levels (namely in early December 2018), the 10- and 30-year bond yields were significantly higher at 2.91 per cent and 3.17 per cent, respectively," the market guru said in his newsletter GREED & fear. The 10-year and 30-year US Treasury finished at 1.34 per cent and 2.13 per cent, respectively, last week.

'Not seen such inflation in 7-8 years'

'Not seen such inflation in 7-8 years'

Rediff.com20 Jul 2021

Higher prices are burdening household budgets and threatening the margins of leading manufacturers.

Kerala governor reads out criticism of Centre in House address as Oppn cries foul

Kerala governor reads out criticism of Centre in House address as Oppn cries foul

Rediff.com18 Feb 2022

Amid the opposition UDF's sloganeering against him, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Friday delivered the customary address to the assembly with the policy document outlining the Left government's administrative achievements and criticising the Centre for allegedly pushing the state to financial constraints by reducing its resource allocations.

US begins formal withdrawal from Paris climate accord

US begins formal withdrawal from Paris climate accord

Rediff.com5 Nov 2019

Although Trump had announced his decision to withdraw from the historic Paris Agreement on climate change on June 1, 2017, the process began on Monday with the formal notification and the US will be out of the pact on November 4, 2020.

'Our scriptures, they all respect nature: Bhoomi, Prithvi and Dharti Mata'

'Our scriptures, they all respect nature: Bhoomi, Prithvi and Dharti Mata'

Rediff.com18 Aug 2020

'Respect nature, working with (it) rather than against it.'

Automakers in India gear up to launch affordable EVs

Automakers in India gear up to launch affordable EVs

Rediff.com22 Dec 2021

India's electric mobility goal, which has so far been riding on two wheels, is all set to graduate to four wheels. At least, the journey has begun. Hyundai Motor India said it would invest Rs 4,000 crore till 2028 to launch half-a-dozen electric vehicles (EVs) in India. It would eventually straddle premium and mass segments. The first of these - the electrified version of an internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered model - will go on sale as early as next year.

'Covid has made Ayurveda mainstream'

'Covid has made Ayurveda mainstream'

Rediff.com24 Jul 2021

'The spurt in demand for Ayurvedic products has exhausted our production capacity.'

IOC to build India's first green hydrogen plant

IOC to build India's first green hydrogen plant

Rediff.com20 Jul 2021

India's largest oil firm IOC will build the nation's first 'green hydrogen' plant at its Mathura refinery, as it aims to prepare for a future catering to the growing demand for both oil and cleaner forms of energy. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has drawn a strategic growth path that aims to maintain focus on its core refining and fuel marketing businesses while making bigger inroads into petrochemicals, hydrogen and electric mobility over the next 10 years, its chairman Shrikant Madhav Vaidya said. The company will not set captive power plants at all its future refinery and petrochemical expansion projects and instead use the 250 MW of electricity it produces from renewable sources like solar power, he told PTI in an interview.

Ladakh was a coastal area: Scientists

Ladakh was a coastal area: Scientists

Rediff.com27 Mar 2007

Palaeobotanists scouring the icy heights of Jammu and Kashmir came across a set of plant fossils near Tsokar in the Eastern Ladakh region a proof of the existence of a coastal environment in the region.

Want to buy a dinosaur?

Want to buy a dinosaur?

Rediff.com21 Sep 2020

Standing 13 feet high and 40 feet long, including its tail, Stan is made up of 188 bones, making it one of the largest and most complete T-rex skeletons in the world.

India needs to reinvent manufacturing: Mukesh Ambani

India needs to reinvent manufacturing: Mukesh Ambani

Rediff.com19 Oct 2020

India's most valuable company Reliance Industries was once fined for producing more than its licensed capacity, its owner and richest Indian Mukesh Ambani said on Monday as he pitched for a push to manufacturing to make the country 'Aatmanirbhar' or self-reliant.

Trio wins Chemistry Nobel for work on lithium-ion batteries

Trio wins Chemistry Nobel for work on lithium-ion batteries

Rediff.com9 Oct 2019

Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionised our lives since they first entered the market in 1991.

IOC Should Not DIE!

IOC Should Not DIE!

Rediff.com23 Aug 2021

If IOC is not allowed to run its own affairs, then we can see it close down in the next 10 to 15 years, warns Sudhir Bisht.

Mercedes-Benz's A35 AMG limousine: Made for the thrill seekers

Mercedes-Benz's A35 AMG limousine: Made for the thrill seekers

Rediff.com6 Apr 2021

Step on the gas and the power that propels the compact four-seater will take you by surprise as it hurtles towards the 80 kmph like a racing thoroughbred, never compromising any stability thanks to its rigid chassis and solid 1,600-kg kerb weight that gives it a well-planted feel along straights, corners and tricky lanes and roads, says Pavan Lall.

How Reliance managed to stay afloat amid Covid blues

How Reliance managed to stay afloat amid Covid blues

Rediff.com12 Jul 2021

More than a year of Covid-19 has pushed most businesses into gloom but Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) managed to reduce its gross debt 25 per cent, enabling it to turn towards its next phase of capital expenditure that has come in the form of a Rs 75,000-crore plan for green energy and power storage. The company managed to stay afloat during the pandemic because of its large presence in the consumer-centric businesses of retail and telecommunication (see chart: "A new Reliance"). These two businesses constituted 45 per cent of its EBITDA during FY21 from 36 per cent in FY20.

Why India was made the Fall Guy at COP26

Why India was made the Fall Guy at COP26

Rediff.com17 Nov 2021

The game plan is to pressure India and China to come back and commit to further emissions cuts by next year's UN meeting. Neither China nor India has 2030 targets anywhere near in line with a 1.5 degree centigrade pathway, and so will be on the target list of nations under pressure to return next year with more ambition, predicts Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

India Inc bets big on biodiesel

India Inc bets big on biodiesel

Rediff.com25 Sep 2008

Apart from the increase in the number of players entering the sector -- there were just 25 entities two years ago -- the scale of operations has also increased substantially, with 30 companies planning large-scale operations, experts said. The capacity of biodiesel plants set up by these companies will range between 30 tonnes per day and 300 tonnes per day. Based on the capacity, it will cost between Rs 300 million and Rs 3 billion to set up these plants.

Industry divided over Budget sops for EVs

Industry divided over Budget sops for EVs

Rediff.com8 Jul 2019

While home-grown firms like Tata and Mahindra have been actively participating in the government's e-mobility mission, by launching electrified versions of their existing models, the global firms believe electric is not the best solution for a country where the primary source of power generation is coal, and where infrastructure is a big impediment.

Climate Change: Looking for hope beyond Lima conference

Climate Change: Looking for hope beyond Lima conference

Rediff.com22 Dec 2014

With the weaker-than-expected agreement at the recent Climate Change Conference at Lima, there is an urgent need to highlight endeavours in civil society and business for a sustainable global economy with grassroots empowerment, say Rajni Bakshi.

Indian-Americans taking over US, says Biden

Indian-Americans taking over US, says Biden

Rediff.com5 Mar 2021

Indian-Americans are taking over the country, United States President Joe Biden said on Thursday, referring to the high number of people from the community getting a place in his administration.

Why Modi's goal to cut oil import by 2022 will be unfulfilled

Why Modi's goal to cut oil import by 2022 will be unfulfilled

Rediff.com9 Jul 2021

India's dependence on imported crude oil to meet domestic demand has been a matter of concern for years. Delivering the inaugural address at the global energy summit - Urja Sangam - in 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for enhancing domestic oil and gas production to cut the import burden. He aimed at lowering it by at least 10 per cent by 2022 - to coincide with the platinum jubilee of India's independence. But this target is far from being achieved and the country's import reliance has only risen.

India's luxury market growing fast

India's luxury market growing fast

Rediff.com4 Jun 2007

With consumers for luxury goods more in numbers than adult population of several countries, luxury brands are setting up shops in India to tap the growing market.

Climate Change: India Must Walk The Talk

Climate Change: India Must Walk The Talk

Rediff.com25 Nov 2021

India lost around 38.5 thousand hectares of tropical forest in the last decade. Nearly 14 per cent of the country's tree cover! It is one thing for Modi to announce that India will reach a net-zero level of emissions in 2070. But if it is serious, it needs to start today, points out Ramesh Menon.

15% COVID-19 deaths related to air pollution: Study

15% COVID-19 deaths related to air pollution: Study

Rediff.com27 Oct 2020

The results are based on epidemiological data collected up to third week in June 2020 and the researchers say a comprehensive evaluation will need to follow after the pandemic has subsided.

Check these 16 products sold at record-breaking prices!

Check these 16 products sold at record-breaking prices!

Rediff.com3 Apr 2014

A violin that costs $45 million, a dress that costs $1.27 million are some of the most expensive collectible items.

Brazil's 200-yr-old museum gutted in huge fire

Brazil's 200-yr-old museum gutted in huge fire

Rediff.com3 Sep 2018

It housed around 20 million artefacts, including varieties of rare exhibits relating to the history of America.

'Climate change is used as an excuse for calamities'

'Climate change is used as an excuse for calamities'

Rediff.com11 Sep 2021

'It is high time that we act instead of just talking about how and why the climate is changing.'

Lessons for India to curb global warming

Lessons for India to curb global warming

Rediff.com8 Jan 2016

Emissions would still keep rising till 2030, and the path towards global warming would improve to 2.7c.

Sorry, folks, the Samosa Is Not Indian

Sorry, folks, the Samosa Is Not Indian

Rediff.com3 Dec 2021

Where paneer came to India from... How sambar got its name... Gulab jamun does not have Indian roots...

Tiny new species of human found

Tiny new species of human found

Rediff.com28 Oct 2004

The hobbit-like humans, who had skulls about the size of grapefruits, lived with pygmy elephants and Komodo dragons on a remote island in Indonesia as recently as 13,000 years ago.

Most polluting countries in the world, India ranks 3

Most polluting countries in the world, India ranks 3

Rediff.com8 Aug 2013

These are typically the nations with the biggest industries, biggest production capabilities and the biggest populations.

'Only nuclear power can provide clean, abundant energy'

'Only nuclear power can provide clean, abundant energy'

Rediff.com5 Dec 2013

'We need abundant affordable clean energy to help lift out of poverty the remaining part of humanity that is still living in poverty. I don't see any other viable candidate on the scene for doing that except advanced generation nuclear power,' says Dr James Hansen, a stout opponent of energy based on fossil fuels.

We must `reform to transform`: Modi@ASEAN

We must `reform to transform`: Modi@ASEAN

Rediff.com21 Nov 2015

He stressed that reform for him was just a way station on the long journey to the destination and the destination is the transformation of India.