Puneet A

On June 13 this year, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced the legal recognition of 100 per cent ethanol as a transport fuel, allowing vehicles to run entirely on the biofuel. The following month, Gadkari revealed that plans are underway to convert ethanol to isobutanol, a biofuel that can be blended […]

This is the first part in a series comparing India and Brazil’s ethanol transitions. Brazil has run on ethanol for decades, with drivers choosing from different blends of ethanol in petrol at fuel stations. India is moving through E20 as the default fuel blend, with far less consumer choice. This story looks at what that

In 2022, Pushpendra Rana and his colleagues projected using a machine learning model that Himachal Pradesh would spend $100 million (approximately ₹95 crores) between 2020 and 2030 on planting trees that were unlikely to survive. They published the findings in the journal World Development. But Rana, a serving Indian Forest Officer, didn’t just stop at

The Arabian Sea was listless as we headed out one morning to spot Indian Ocean humpback dolphins, famously extroverted and known for their acrobatics. A needlefish darted across the surface, pirouetting over the chop as the sun beat down on the deck, turning the railings hot to the touch. When you stare at the ocean

Status of waterbodies in Gautam Budh Nagar The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the district magistrate of Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh July 14, 2026 to file a fresh report stating the status of waterbodies in the district.  The report should contain information on waterbodies in tabulated form with specific reference to the three authorities,

Low-pressure system over Bay of Bengal strengthens, triggering heavy rainfall alerts across Odisha, eastern states, while northern regions continue facing heat and humidity. Odisha receives red alert as extremely heavy rains threaten flooding, waterlogging and disruptions across vulnerable districts amid intensifying monsoon activity. Delhi-NCR and northwest India witness weakened monsoon conditions, with persistent humid weather

China has become one of Africa’s largest development financiers. Since 2000, Chinese and other state-backed institutions have committed more than US$180 billion in loans to African countries. The money has been used to finance roads, railways, power stations, ports, water infrastructure and industrial projects. Agriculture has also become part of this expanding partnership. Food systems