Some 80 percent of Arctic ice may disappear in 30 years, not 90 as scientists had previously estimated, according to a new study on the impact of global warming.

"The amount of the Arctic Ocean covered by ice at the end of summer by then could be only about 1 million square kilometres, or about 620,000 square miles," said US researchers who authored the study published Thursday.

High Court stays operation

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today stayed all operations in mines under litigation in Punjab. The directions by Justice Ranjit Singh of the high court were issued keeping in view the large number of disputes pertaining to the mining rights in the state.

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday sought a report on illegal sand mining operations in coastal districts of Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and neighbouring Navi Mumbai area.

A bunch of PILs, including the one filed by city-based NGO Janhit Manch, has alleged that illegal sand mining is being carried out in several areas of Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, and Navi Mumbai.

New Delhi: With the Lok Sabha elections round the corner, the issue of the Mines Ministry

Iron ore prices are unlikely to move up significantly anytime soon, owing to global surpluses compounded by falling demand from major steel producing countries like China, Japan and the European Union states. That

New Delhi: Mines minister Sis Ram Ola has ignored his own officials and the advice of the Karnataka Government and overlooked the Cabinet secretary by intensely pitching for reserving 1,503 hectares of the prized Ramandurg iron ore mines in the state for PSU Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation (MMTC). MMTC falls under the purview of the commerce ministry.

More than 100 licences would be issued to national and international firms shortly for exploration of multi-billion dollars minerals including gold, copper, lead and coal besides precious stones in vast area in different districts of Northern Areas.

Dilip Kumar Jha / Mumbai March 19, 2009, 0:29 IST

India

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