Argentina corn farmers had high hopes for this season’s harvest after the end of years of drought. A record crop would also bode well for president Javier Milei’s plan to turn around the nation’s embattled economy. But the corn farmers now have a new enemy- leafhoppers. And the culprit for the growth of these leafhoppers is global warming...

Argentina: Leafhopper bug plagues corn fields in country

The record of growing the world's largest blueberry was broken by a farm in Australia after it produced the fruit, as big as a ping-pong ball.

The fruit, which was picked in November and has been stored in the freezer since then, is 4cm wide and weighs around 20.4g, which is 10 times the weight of an average blueberry.

Earlier, the title of the biggest blueberry was held by a 16.2g berry which was grown in Western Australia. This specimen was of a new variety and was developed to meet the demands of consumers for larger berries by the Costa Group.

Lead horticulturalist Brad Hocking said that the Eterna breed continuously produces huge fruit, however, recent growing conditions had led to the growth of a bumper crop at their farm located in Corindi in northern New South Wales.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/pwc-australia-implements-further-job-cuts-amid-restructuring-following-scandal-699640">PwC Australia implements further job cuts amid restructuring following scandal</a>

Hocking's team had seen some good berries hanging from the tree, however, they were left shocked and "stoked" when the fruits were weighed.

"It wasn't really until we put them on the scale that we realised what we found," said Hocking, while speaking to the BBC.

"The record-breaking fruit was obviously particularly large, but we would have picked 20 or more fruit on that morning that would have broken the previous world record," he added.&nbsp;

<h2>Berry to remain stored and its taste to remain a mystery&nbsp;</h2>

After remaining in the refrigerator for 12 weeks, the berry was given the certification of the heaviest-ever blueberry&nbsp;by Guinness World Records this week.

The berry will remain stored by the team and will not be consumed, hence its taste will always remain a mystery.

Watch:&nbsp;Australia's record-breaking summer heat: Project launched to aid

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"We get second breakfast every day... we don't have to eat this one," Hocking said. And now the producers have been considering what should be done with the fruit.

"There's been a few ideas, maybe like a resin cast and mounting it on the wall or something," he added.&nbsp;

"It's a different experience, eating a berry that is that large. We see it more as people who are consuming them as snacks, more than maybe the traditional uses in breakfasts and baking. But certainly, the flavour and the firmness is there - it's got a really nice crunch to it and a high level of blueberry aromatics," Hocking said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The record of growing the world's largest blueberry was broken by a farm in Australia after it produced the fruit, as big as a ping-pong ball. The fruit, which was picked in November and has been stored in the freezer since then, is 4cm wide and weighs around 20.

The record of growing the world's largest blueberry was broken by a farm in Australia after it produced the fruit, as big as a ping-pong ball. The fruit, which was picked in November and has been stored in the freezer since then, is 4cm wide and weighs around 20.4g, which is 10 times the weight of an average blueberry. Earlier, the title of the biggest blueberry was held by a 16.2g berry which was grown in Western Australia. This specimen was of a new variety and was developed to meet the demands of consumers for larger berries by the Costa Group. Lead horticulturalist Brad Hocking said that the Eterna breed continuously produces huge fruit, however, recent growing conditions had led to the growth of a bumper crop at their farm located in Corindi in northern New South Wales. Also Read: PwC Australia implements further job cuts amid restructuring following scandal Hocking's team had seen some good berries hanging from the tree, however, they were left shocked and "stoked" when the fruits were weighed. "It wasn't really until we put them on the scale that we realised what we found," said Hocking, while speaking to the BBC. "The record-breaking fruit was obviously particularly large, but we would have picked 20 or more fruit on that morning that would have broken the previous world record," he added. Berry to remain stored and its taste to remain a mystery After remaining in the refrigerator for 12 weeks, the berry was given the certification of the heaviest-ever blueberry by Guinness World Records this week. The berry will remain stored by the team and will not be consumed, hence its taste will always remain a mystery. Watch: Australia's record-breaking summer heat: Project launched to aid "We get second breakfast every day... we don't have to eat this one," Hocking said. And now the producers have been considering what should be done with the fruit. "There's been a few ideas, maybe like a resin cast and mounting it on the wall or something," he added. "It's a different experience, eating a berry that is that large. We see it more as people who are consuming them as snacks, more than maybe the traditional uses in breakfasts and baking. But certainly, the flavour and the firmness is there - it's got a really nice crunch to it and a high level of blueberry aromatics," Hocking said. (With inputs from agencies)

World's biggest blueberry, as big as a ping-pong ball, grown in Australian farm

A group of French farmers disrupted a major Paris farm fair on Saturday just before President Emmanuel Macron's planned visit, expressing frustration over expenses, bureaucratic hurdles, and environmental regulations.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-why-are-farmers-protesting-in-france-685265" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-why-are-farmers-protesting-in-france-685265&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiQ1ra98sOEAxUdna8BHSo1ANIQFnoECAUQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3A-SbZJrvbxmv5KBLzduMi" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-why-are-farmers-protesting-in-france-685265" target="_blank">Explained | Why are&nbsp;farmers&nbsp;protesting in&nbsp;France?</a>

Facing a sizeable contingent of police officers inside the trade fair, the farmers voiced their discontent loudly, calling for Macron's resignation and directing explicit language at the French leader.

Shouting, "This is our home!" the farmers clashed with French CRS riot police attempting to control the demonstration. Witnesses reported some skirmishes and at least one protester was arrested.

Watch:&nbsp;Farmer protests erupt in France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Germany

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Pascal Beteille, a participant in the demonstration, expressed scepticism about any positive outcomes from Macron's visit. "This is our home, and he's welcoming us with CRS," he remarked to Reuters.

After meeting with French farmers' union leaders, Macron, scheduled to tour the trade fair, addressed the situation, criticising the disruptive tactics. "I'm saying this for all farmers: you're not helping any of your colleagues by smashing up stands, you're not helping any of your colleagues by making the show impossible, and in a way scaring families away from coming," Macron told reporters.

The protests caused a delay in opening the show to the public by at least an hour. Macron announced plans to convene farmers' union representatives and other stakeholders at the Elysee Palace in three weeks after canceling a debate intended to take place at the fair with farmers, food processors, and retailers.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-farmers-block-highways-amid-protests-against-government-thousands-of-police-deployed-684896" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/french-farmers-block-highways-amid-protests-against-government-thousands-of-police-deployed-684896&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiQ1ra98sOEAxUdna8BHSo1ANIQFnoECAEQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Acecx260tGa_3bGneZ9WP" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-farmers-block-highways-amid-protests-against-government-thousands-of-police-deployed-684896" target="_blank">French farmers&nbsp;block highways amid protests against government</a>

Macron denied reports of inviting the controversial environmentalist group Soulevements de la Terre to the debate, a move that further angered French farmers.

The impromptu heated discussion between Macron and demonstrators was broadcast live on French news channels. The Paris farm show, a significant event in France, attracts around 600,000 visitors over nine days and serves as a political platform for leaders to engage with the public under intense media scrutiny.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/frances-top-farmers-union-call-for-end-to-road-blockades-686056" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/frances-top-farmers-union-call-for-end-to-road-blockades-686056&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiQ1ra98sOEAxUdna8BHSo1ANIQFnoECAMQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3mGAXkX6MWyPwWCPvw7b2r" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frances-top-farmers-union-call-for-end-to-road-blockades-686056" target="_blank">France's&nbsp;top&nbsp;farmers' unions call for end to road blockades</a>

Amid growing concerns about the political repercussions of farmers' protests, which have spread across Europe, Macron sought to address the issue. The protests, representing a growing constituency for the far right, resumed this week despite Prime Minister Gabriel Attal's promise of new measures worth 400 million euros ($433 million) earlier this month.

(With inputs from agencies)

A group of French farmers disrupted a major Paris farm fair on Saturday just before President Emmanuel Macron's planned visit, expressing frustration over expenses, bureaucratic hurdles, and environmental regulations.

A group of French farmers disrupted a major Paris farm fair on Saturday just before President Emmanuel Macron's planned visit, expressing frustration over expenses, bureaucratic hurdles, and environmental regulations. Also read: Explained | Why are farmers protesting in France? Facing a sizeable contingent of police officers inside the trade fair, the farmers voiced their discontent loudly, calling for Macron's resignation and directing explicit language at the French leader. Shouting, "This is our home!" the farmers clashed with French CRS riot police attempting to control the demonstration. Witnesses reported some skirmishes and at least one protester was arrested. Watch: Farmer protests erupt in France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Germany × Pascal Beteille, a participant in the demonstration, expressed scepticism about any positive outcomes from Macron's visit. "This is our home, and he's welcoming us with CRS," he remarked to Reuters. After meeting with French farmers' union leaders, Macron, scheduled to tour the trade fair, addressed the situation, criticising the disruptive tactics. "I'm saying this for all farmers: you're not helping any of your colleagues by smashing up stands, you're not helping any of your colleagues by making the show impossible, and in a way scaring families away from coming," Macron told reporters. The protests caused a delay in opening the show to the public by at least an hour. Macron announced plans to convene farmers' union representatives and other stakeholders at the Elysee Palace in three weeks after canceling a debate intended to take place at the fair with farmers, food processors, and retailers. Also read: French farmers block highways amid protests against government Macron denied reports of inviting the controversial environmentalist group Soulevements de la Terre to the debate, a move that further angered French farmers. The impromptu heated discussion between Macron and demonstrators was broadcast live on French news channels. The Paris farm show, a significant event in France, attracts around 600,000 visitors over nine days and serves as a political platform for leaders to engage with the public under intense media scrutiny. Also read: France's top farmers' unions call for end to road blockades Amid growing concerns about the political repercussions of farmers' protests, which have spread across Europe, Macron sought to address the issue. The protests, representing a growing constituency for the far right, resumed this week despite Prime Minister Gabriel Attal's promise of new measures worth 400 million euros ($433 million) earlier this month. (With inputs from agencies)

French farmers disrupt Paris farm fair ahead of Macron's visit

Incidents of stubble burning after harvesting paddy crops have more than doubled in September this year, with a significant increase reported from Haryana, Punjab Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

30% year-on-year increase in Stubble burning in northern India, reveals govt data

A plan by a multinational company to build world's first octopus farm to breed the animals for consumption is facing flak, said a BBC report. Octopuses which are consumed in Europe, Asia, Latin America and other regions of the world have not been farmed before. The report says a Spanish multinational company Nueva Pescanova plans to build an octopus farm.

Octopuses are notoriously hard to breed in captivity as the larvae only eat live food and need very careful monitoring of environmental factors. Efforts to try to breed octopuses have been going on for decades. Neuva Pescanova claimed in 2019 that it had had a breakthrough in developing method to breed octopuses in captivity.

Some scientists quoted by the BBC have raised concerns that the proposed method to kill the octopuses was "cruel"

Nueva Pescanova denies that the octopuses will suffer. The company plans to build the farm in Spain's Canary Islands.

As per the report, the plan to breed the animals involves creating 1000 communal breeding tanks which will be kept in dark as well as exposed to light time to time. The octopuses will be slaughtered by keeping them in water at -3 degrees Celsius.

"to kill them with ice would be a slow death … it would be very cruel and should not be allowed," said Prof Peter Tse, a cognitive neuroscientist at Dartmouth University. Professor Tse was quoted by the BBC.

The professor said that octopuses were "as intelligent as cats" and more humane methods should be used if they are to be slaughtered for the purpose of being consumed.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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A plan by a multinational company to build world's first octopus farm to breed the animals for consumption is facing flak, said a BBC report. Octopuses which are consumed in Europe, Asia, Latin America and other regions of the world have not been farmed before.

A plan by a multinational company to build world's first octopus farm to breed the animals for consumption is facing flak, said a BBC report. Octopuses which are consumed in Europe, Asia, Latin America and other regions of the world have not been farmed before. The report says a Spanish multinational company Nueva Pescanova plans to build an octopus farm. Octopuses are notoriously hard to breed in captivity as the larvae only eat live food and need very careful monitoring of environmental factors. Efforts to try to breed octopuses have been going on for decades. Neuva Pescanova claimed in 2019 that it had had a breakthrough in developing method to breed octopuses in captivity. Some scientists quoted by the BBC have raised concerns that the proposed method to kill the octopuses was "cruel" Nueva Pescanova denies that the octopuses will suffer. The company plans to build the farm in Spain's Canary Islands. As per the report, the plan to breed the animals involves creating 1000 communal breeding tanks which will be kept in dark as well as exposed to light time to time. The octopuses will be slaughtered by keeping them in water at -3 degrees Celsius. "to kill them with ice would be a slow death … it would be very cruel and should not be allowed," said Prof Peter Tse, a cognitive neuroscientist at Dartmouth University. Professor Tse was quoted by the BBC. The professor said that octopuses were "as intelligent as cats" and more humane methods should be used if they are to be slaughtered for the purpose of being consumed. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Plan to build first-ever octopus farm in the world raises concerns

A farm in South Australia has become the site of an ambitious project to plant 3,50,000 trees covering a third of the 550 hectare property. The re-vegetation initiative aims to capture carbon and reduce harmful gases in the atmosphere that causes global warming.

WION Climate Tracker | Farm in Australia becomes site of re-vegetation project

In the southeastern Turkish province of Sanliurfa, thousands of scorpions are kept in clear plastic boxes and line the walls of a breeding laboratory, waiting to be milked for their pricey venom that is used to make medicines.

Turkish scorpion breeding lab milk arachnids for their expensive venom

At a farm in northern Ukraine, a spooked-looking heifer has been limping since one of her hind legs was shredded by shrapnel in a Russian attack that has been mirrored on farms across the country since the war began.

The four-month-old survived bombardments that killed around a third of animals on the meat and dairy facility in Mala Rogan, a village around 25 kilometres (15 miles) south of Ukraine's second city Kharkiv.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-months-into-the-russian-aggression-ukraine-retreats-from-key-embattled-city-of-sievierodonetsk-491358">Four months into the Russian aggression, Ukraine retreats from key embattled city of Sievierodonetsk</a>

It was a "nightmare" recalls owner Lyubov Zlobina, 62, who says she is "haunted by the howls of cows burned alive" during the attacks on March 26.

"I cling on to this little miracle," she said, referring to the injured heifer, the distant thuds of shelling echoing in the background.

"I gave her antibiotics twice but sadly the wound is still oozing and she isn't putting on weight," she added.

"If we could take out the shard, maybe she would recover. For surgery, we'd have to take her very far away and we can't," said Zlobina visibly upset.

In the first weeks of the war, Mala Rogan was captured by Russian forces. They have since been beat back, leaving behind a battle-scarred hellscape.

Zlobina's husband, who served in the Soviet army in Afghanistan, showed AFP journalists several videos taken during the attacks.

"We were running in every direction out of the shed," Mykolai Zlobin, 57, recalled, describing how hay in the shed burst into flames. A cow that was giving birth had its head severed.

They had to knock down a segment of wall with a tractor to get the trapped cows out, all while explosions were falling around the panicked herd.&nbsp;

"I tried to save a few piglets but their mothers were protecting them under their bellies," said Zlobina. The hens, she said, clucked and pecked through the attack as if nothing was happening.

Yulia Koval, a 38-year-old farm employee said part of a roof fell in while she was trying to hurry calves from a farm building.

Watch |&nbsp;Ukraine to get more US rocket systems as Russia closes in on Severodonetsk

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"We could have not done it because everything around was falling apart. But we didn't have time to think it over, she says. We just wanted to save them, that's all."

Animals with serious injuries have since had to be put down.

'Attacking the cattle'

The shed now is a burnt out, rusted skeleton. Animals graze and mull about in fields surrounding the farm, which, unlike much farmland in eastern Ukraine does not appear to have been mined.

For the youngest and most vulnerable animals, a hastily-constructed shelter offers some protection but a more robust alternative will have be found for the winter.

Farms and agricultural land across Ukraine have been devastated by the war. Local media routinely report huge losses caused by Russian shelling.

Government figures suggest that 15 percent of the country's livestock have been killed since Russia invaded on February 24.&nbsp;

The NGO Open Cages Ukraine said in a June report that it expects the number of farm animals killed during the conflict to be around 300,000 by the year's end.

Also roaming the two-hectare farm in Mala Rogan are exhausted and starving stray dogs, abandoned by their owners who fled Russia's advance to towns and cities in eastern Ukraine.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amnesty-international-accuses-russia-of-war-crimes-in-ukranian-city-of-kharkiv-487872">Amnesty International accuses Russia of ‘war crimes’ in Ukranian city of Kharkiv</a>

"Look at this injured ewe with her three lambs," Zlobina says, pointing at her as she tries to hide.

"She was attacked not even 24 hours ago."&nbsp;

"At first, the dogs ate the bodies of abandoned Russian soldiers and we sometimes found a foot or a hand on our land. Now they are attacking the cattle," she said.

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At a farm in northern Ukraine, a spooked-looking heifer has been limping since one of her hind legs was shredded by shrapnel in a Russian attack that has been mirrored on farms across the country since the war began.

At a farm in northern Ukraine, a spooked-looking heifer has been limping since one of her hind legs was shredded by shrapnel in a Russian attack that has been mirrored on farms across the country since the war began. The four-month-old survived bombardments that killed around a third of animals on the meat and dairy facility in Mala Rogan, a village around 25 kilometres (15 miles) south of Ukraine's second city Kharkiv. Also read | Four months into the Russian aggression, Ukraine retreats from key embattled city of Sievierodonetsk It was a "nightmare" recalls owner Lyubov Zlobina, 62, who says she is "haunted by the howls of cows burned alive" during the attacks on March 26. "I cling on to this little miracle," she said, referring to the injured heifer, the distant thuds of shelling echoing in the background. "I gave her antibiotics twice but sadly the wound is still oozing and she isn't putting on weight," she added. "If we could take out the shard, maybe she would recover. For surgery, we'd have to take her very far away and we can't," said Zlobina visibly upset. In the first weeks of the war, Mala Rogan was captured by Russian forces. They have since been beat back, leaving behind a battle-scarred hellscape. Zlobina's husband, who served in the Soviet army in Afghanistan, showed AFP journalists several videos taken during the attacks. "We were running in every direction out of the shed," Mykolai Zlobin, 57, recalled, describing how hay in the shed burst into flames. A cow that was giving birth had its head severed. They had to knock down a segment of wall with a tractor to get the trapped cows out, all while explosions were falling around the panicked herd. "I tried to save a few piglets but their mothers were protecting them under their bellies," said Zlobina. The hens, she said, clucked and pecked through the attack as if nothing was happening. Yulia Koval, a 38-year-old farm employee said part of a roof fell in while she was trying to hurry calves from a farm building. Watch | Ukraine to get more US rocket systems as Russia closes in on Severodonetsk "We could have not done it because everything around was falling apart. But we didn't have time to think it over, she says. We just wanted to save them, that's all." Animals with serious injuries have since had to be put down. 'Attacking the cattle' The shed now is a burnt out, rusted skeleton. Animals graze and mull about in fields surrounding the farm, which, unlike much farmland in eastern Ukraine does not appear to have been mined. For the youngest and most vulnerable animals, a hastily-constructed shelter offers some protection but a more robust alternative will have be found for the winter. Farms and agricultural land across Ukraine have been devastated by the war. Local media routinely report huge losses caused by Russian shelling. Government figures suggest that 15 percent of the country's livestock have been killed since Russia invaded on February 24. The NGO Open Cages Ukraine said in a June report that it expects the number of farm animals killed during the conflict to be around 300,000 by the year's end. Also roaming the two-hectare farm in Mala Rogan are exhausted and starving stray dogs, abandoned by their owners who fled Russia's advance to towns and cities in eastern Ukraine. Also read | Amnesty International accuses Russia of ‘war crimes’ in Ukranian city of Kharkiv "Look at this injured ewe with her three lambs," Zlobina says, pointing at her as she tries to hide. "She was attacked not even 24 hours ago." "At first, the dogs ate the bodies of abandoned Russian soldiers and we sometimes found a foot or a hand on our land. Now they are attacking the cattle," she said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ukraine farm animals burned alive in Russian bombing

It is a story that sounds like the plot of a Hollywood thriller. Imagine this a group of robbers break into a farm, what do they discover? Four million dollars in cash, hidden in the furniture but here's the plot twist this money was actually black money that was stashed there so what does the owner of the farm do he recovers some of the loot and instead pays the robbers to keep quiet and here's a even bigger plot twist- the owner of this farm is South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa.

What is Phala Phala farm robbery scandal? What is South African prez Cyril Ramaphosa's role in it?

Portugal’s mid-Atlantic Azores archipelago is rattled by thousands of earthquakes, Cows can be found in every corner of Sao Jorge. Now these dairy farmers are scared that their businesses would be affected due to the earthquakes.

Why these islanders in Portugal are scared of earthquakes

The McKay family run one of Australia's largest Red Angus herds on a station on the Northern Territory's southern border. While keeping cattle fed in the middle of a desert has its challenges it hasn't stopped them building their dynasty, even purchasing the neighbouring farm from royalty.

Life on one of Australia's largest Red Angus farms

India is all set to sign a long-dragging deal with Sri Lanka to jointly develop oil tank farm in the island’s north-eastern Trincomalee province, making its entry into the ‘China Bay’, according to reports.

The signing of the deal will reflect a positive sign, amidst strained relationship between the two countries.

The timing&nbsp;of the deal comes amid tensions between Sri Lanka and China over a contaminated consignment of organic fertiliser.

<img alt="An aerial view of oil tank farm in north-eastern Trincomalee province " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f492eb9c-d7b8-4790-8e7b-86a86027edde" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/gt3.jpeg" />

Sri Lankan energy minister Udaya Gammanpila told Indian newspaper The Hindu that New Delhi and Colombo are close to finalising the terms of the project after negotiating for 16 months.

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas |&nbsp;India and Sri Lanka to jointly develop oil farms in Trincomalee Harbour

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“We don’t have a Cabinet meeting this week because of the holidays. We will get the decision ratified in the next one,” Gammanpila was quoted as saying.

The Trincomalee oil tank farm, located in 'China Bay', was built during the Second World War by the British to serve as a refuelling station.

The nearly century-old oil tanks need an urgent overhaul, which might cost of millions of dollars, if they are to be fit for use again.
<img alt="Indian foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla " data-caption="Indian foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla&amp;nbsp;standing near one of the storage tanks run by India" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74bc4d82-2559-449f-85ff-40900c35b29a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/gt2.jpeg" />
According to local media reports, the Trincomalee oil farm&nbsp;has 99 storage tanks with a capacity of 12,000 kilolitres each and spread across the Upper Tank Farm and the Lower Tank Farm, where LIOC— a subsidiary of Indian Oil Corporation— currently runs 15 tanks.

The new agreement being negotiated pertains to the remaining tanks.

The deal is part of the 1987 India-Sri Lanka Accord, whereby it was decided that the work of refurbishing the tank would be undertaken jointly by the two countries.

But the deal never came to fruition because of the civil war in Sri Lanka, where the government was fighting against local Tamil insurgents.

(With inputs from agencies)

India is all set to sign a long-dragging deal with Sri Lanka to jointly develop oil tank farm in the island’s north-eastern Trincomalee province, making its entry into the ‘China Bay’, according to reports.

India is all set to sign a long-dragging deal with Sri Lanka to jointly develop oil tank farm in the island’s north-eastern Trincomalee province, making its entry into the ‘China Bay’, according to reports. The signing of the deal will reflect a positive sign, amidst strained relationship between the two countries. The timing of the deal comes amid tensions between Sri Lanka and China over a contaminated consignment of organic fertiliser. Sri Lankan energy minister Udaya Gammanpila told Indian newspaper The Hindu that New Delhi and Colombo are close to finalising the terms of the project after negotiating for 16 months. Watch: Gravitas | India and Sri Lanka to jointly develop oil farms in Trincomalee Harbour “We don’t have a Cabinet meeting this week because of the holidays. We will get the decision ratified in the next one,” Gammanpila was quoted as saying. The Trincomalee oil tank farm, located in 'China Bay', was built during the Second World War by the British to serve as a refuelling station. The nearly century-old oil tanks need an urgent overhaul, which might cost of millions of dollars, if they are to be fit for use again. According to local media reports, the Trincomalee oil farm has 99 storage tanks with a capacity of 12,000 kilolitres each and spread across the Upper Tank Farm and the Lower Tank Farm, where LIOC— a subsidiary of Indian Oil Corporation— currently runs 15 tanks. The new agreement being negotiated pertains to the remaining tanks. The deal is part of the 1987 India-Sri Lanka Accord, whereby it was decided that the work of refurbishing the tank would be undertaken jointly by the two countries. But the deal never came to fruition because of the civil war in Sri Lanka, where the government was fighting against local Tamil insurgents. (With inputs from agencies)

India to enter Sri Lanka's ‘China Bay’ with Trincomalee oil farm deal

In an address to the nation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the government has decided to repeal the three controversial farm laws. The leader appealed to the farmers to return home and stop protesting.

There have been different reactions in response to the repealing of laws.

The Bharatiya Kisan Union's (BKU) Ugrahan faction welcomed PM Modi's announcement to repeal the three farm laws. Joginder Singh Ugrahan, the leader of BKU's Ugrahan faction told PTI, "It is a good move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Gurupurab."

Bollywood actor Sonu Sood appreciated the decision. Taking to Twitter, he deemed it as a "wonderful news." 
"Hope you will happily return to be with your families on the Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji today," the actor wrote.&nbsp;

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काले कृषि कानूनों पर मेरी प्रेस वार्ता। <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8_%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#जीता_किसान_हारा_अभिमान</a> <a href="https://t.co/8S6iKphUEY">https://t.co/8S6iKphUEY</a>
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/priyankagandhi/status/1461619552282808325?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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देश के अन्नदाता ने सत्याग्रह से अहंकार का सर झुका दिया। 
अन्याय के खिलाफ़ ये जीत मुबारक हो! 
 
जय हिंद, जय हिंद का किसान!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FarmersProtest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FarmersProtest</a> <a href="https://t.co/enrWm6f3Sq">https://t.co/enrWm6f3Sq</a>
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1461550273185255424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-pm-modi-repeals-three-controversial-farm-laws-asks-protesting-farmers-to-return-home-430403">Also read |&nbsp;Indian PM Modi repeals three controversial farm laws, asks protesting farmers to return home</a>

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This is a wonderful news! 
Thank you,<a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ji, <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a>, for taking back the farm laws. Thank you, farmers, for raising just demands through peaceful protests. Hope you will happily return to be with your families on the Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji today.
— sonu sood (@SonuSood) <a href="https://twitter.com/SonuSood/status/1461559914011131908?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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On the other hand, the CPI(M) said that PM Modi should apologise for the trouble caused by his "dictatorial step." CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, in a tweet, said, "The quest for justice for those targeted by the government and its agencies through false cases will continue."

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The quest for justice for those targeted by the government and its agencies through false cases will continue. 
The PM must apologise for the hardship and trouble caused by his dictatorial step of farm laws to benefit his crony business partners. <a href="https://t.co/5tFOWuX6hp">https://t.co/5tFOWuX6hp</a>
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) <a href="https://twitter.com/SitaramYechury/status/1461563734501904384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Modi expresses no remorse over the deaths of our annadatas due to his year long obduracy. 
Modi continues to justify these black laws even now! 
Refuses to learn from this historic, spirited, inspiring and brave struggle. <a href="https://t.co/wAZjuVlBZi">https://t.co/wAZjuVlBZi</a>
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) <a href="https://twitter.com/SitaramYechury/status/1461568130312933376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati said that the move came very late. She further demanded framing a law to assure support price for farmers' produce.&nbsp;

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin welcomed the decision.&nbsp;

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I wholeheartedly welcome Hon'ble <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PMOIndia</a>'s decision to repeal the three anti-farmer laws. 
 
History teaches us that people's wishes shall prevail in a democracy. 
 
I congratulate all the farmers &amp; bow down to their determination for having achieved this through Gandhian means.
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) <a href="https://twitter.com/mkstalin/status/1461569448372965376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Actor Urmila Matondkar also appreciated the decision. On her twitter handle, she shared an image of farmers with an important message.

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जीत के ख़ातिर जुनून चाहिए, 
जिसमे उबाल हो ऐसा खून चाहिए, 
ये आसमान भी आएगा जमीन पर, 
बस इरादों मे जीत की गूँज चाहिए।<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%A8?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#किसानआंदोलन</a> जिंदाबाद ✊✊ 
किसान बहन-भाईओं को मुबारक 
शहीद किसानोंको नमन 🙏💐 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#जयकिसान</a> हमेशा हमेशा 🇮🇳 🇮🇳 <a href="https://t.co/5vT3uuVtSC">pic.twitter.com/5vT3uuVtSC</a>
— Urmila Matondkar (@UrmilaMatondkar) <a href="https://twitter.com/UrmilaMatondkar/status/1461557845808140288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

In an address to the nation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the government has decided to repeal the three controversial farm laws. The leader appealed to the farmers to return home and stop protesting.

In an address to the nation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the government has decided to repeal the three controversial farm laws. The leader appealed to the farmers to return home and stop protesting. There have been different reactions in response to the repealing of laws. The Bharatiya Kisan Union's (BKU) Ugrahan faction welcomed PM Modi's announcement to repeal the three farm laws. Joginder Singh Ugrahan, the leader of BKU's Ugrahan faction told PTI, "It is a good move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Gurupurab." Bollywood actor Sonu Sood appreciated the decision. Taking to Twitter, he deemed it as a "wonderful news." "Hope you will happily return to be with your families on the Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji today," the actor wrote. काले कृषि कानूनों पर मेरी प्रेस वार्ता। #जीता_किसान_हारा_अभिमान https://t.co/8S6iKphUEY — Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) November 19, 2021 × देश के अन्नदाता ने सत्याग्रह से अहंकार का सर झुका दिया। अन्याय के खिलाफ़ ये जीत मुबारक हो! जय हिंद, जय हिंद का किसान!#FarmersProtest https://t.co/enrWm6f3Sq — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 19, 2021 × Also read | Indian PM Modi repeals three controversial farm laws, asks protesting farmers to return home This is a wonderful news! Thank you,@narendramodi ji, @PMOIndia, for taking back the farm laws. Thank you, farmers, for raising just demands through peaceful protests. Hope you will happily return to be with your families on the Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji today. — sonu sood (@SonuSood) November 19, 2021 × On the other hand, the CPI(M) said that PM Modi should apologise for the trouble caused by his "dictatorial step." CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, in a tweet, said, "The quest for justice for those targeted by the government and its agencies through false cases will continue." The quest for justice for those targeted by the government and its agencies through false cases will continue. The PM must apologise for the hardship and trouble caused by his dictatorial step of farm laws to benefit his crony business partners. https://t.co/5tFOWuX6hp — Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) November 19, 2021 × Modi expresses no remorse over the deaths of our annadatas due to his year long obduracy. Modi continues to justify these black laws even now! Refuses to learn from this historic, spirited, inspiring and brave struggle. https://t.co/wAZjuVlBZi — Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) November 19, 2021 × Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati said that the move came very late. She further demanded framing a law to assure support price for farmers' produce. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin welcomed the decision. I wholeheartedly welcome Hon'ble @PMOIndia's decision to repeal the three anti-farmer laws. History teaches us that people's wishes shall prevail in a democracy. I congratulate all the farmers & bow down to their determination for having achieved this through Gandhian means. — M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) November 19, 2021 × Actor Urmila Matondkar also appreciated the decision. On her twitter handle, she shared an image of farmers with an important message. जीत के ख़ातिर जुनून चाहिए, जिसमे उबाल हो ऐसा खून चाहिए, ये आसमान भी आएगा जमीन पर, बस इरादों मे जीत की गूँज चाहिए।#किसानआंदोलन जिंदाबाद ✊✊ किसान बहन-भाईओं को मुबारक शहीद किसानोंको नमन 🙏💐 #जयकिसान हमेशा हमेशा 🇮🇳 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/5vT3uuVtSC — Urmila Matondkar (@UrmilaMatondkar) November 19, 2021 ×

India reacts to PM Modi's decision to repeal three controversial farm laws

Sir Paul McCartney may have all the protection in the world, but even he needs to keep his valuable hemp hidden from local youngsters who like to grab it.

The Beatles icon has revealed that he is cultivating hemp on his own farm in Peasmarsh, near Rye, on his huge estate.

At his house in Peasmarsh in Rye, the 79-year-old Beatles legend began growing hemp, barley, rye, and pea beans. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/justin-bieber-announces-a-new-cannabis-line-names-it-peaches-418410">Also read | Justin Bieber announces a new cannabis line, names it 'Peaches'</a>

Hemp is a plant that comes from the same species as cannabis and is allowed to cultivate in the UK with a licence.

Hemp, on the other hand, contains very low amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol compared to cannabis (THC).&nbsp;

Hemp is a plant that belongs to the same family as cannabis.

Hemp, on the other hand, has significantly lower amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which affects cannabis users.

Cloth, cosmetics, rope, printer's ink, wood preservative, detergents, soaps, and lighting oil are all made from hemp.&nbsp;

Sir Paul, who has been a vegetarian for decades, converted his farm to organic status 20 years ago and confesses that producing his own food and crops gives him a lot of joy.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Sir Paul McCartney may have all the protection in the world, but even he needs to keep his valuable hemp hidden from local youngsters who like to grab it. The Beatles icon has revealed that he is cultivating hemp on his own farm in Peasmarsh, near Rye, on his huge estate.

Sir Paul McCartney may have all the protection in the world, but even he needs to keep his valuable hemp hidden from local youngsters who like to grab it. The Beatles icon has revealed that he is cultivating hemp on his own farm in Peasmarsh, near Rye, on his huge estate. At his house in Peasmarsh in Rye, the 79-year-old Beatles legend began growing hemp, barley, rye, and pea beans. Also read | Justin Bieber announces a new cannabis line, names it 'Peaches' Hemp is a plant that comes from the same species as cannabis and is allowed to cultivate in the UK with a licence. Hemp, on the other hand, contains very low amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol compared to cannabis (THC). Hemp is a plant that belongs to the same family as cannabis. Hemp, on the other hand, has significantly lower amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which affects cannabis users. Cloth, cosmetics, rope, printer's ink, wood preservative, detergents, soaps, and lighting oil are all made from hemp. Sir Paul, who has been a vegetarian for decades, converted his farm to organic status 20 years ago and confesses that producing his own food and crops gives him a lot of joy. (With inputs from agencies)

Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney reveals he’s growing hemp on his farm

Bill Gates-backed firm vows to revolutionise agriculture, firms are also using AI and robots for farming. Watch this report for more reports.

Bill Gates-backed firm vows to revolutionise agriculture

Growing global demand for food is putting a squeeze on available land and one French startup says it has the answer: indoor insect farming.

Ynsect raised $224 million from investors including Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr.`s Footprint Coalition this month to build a second insect farm in Amiens in northern France.

The company breeds mealworms that produce proteins for livestock, pet food and fertilisers, and will use the funds to build what it says will be the world`s largest insect farm.

Due to open in early 2022, it will produce 100,000 tonnes of insect products such as flour and oil annually and conserve land use while creating 500 jobs.

The 40-metre-tall plant spread over 40,000 square metres, will be "the highest vertical farm in the world and the first carbon-negative vertical farm in the world," Ynsect CEO and co-founder Antoine Hubert told Reuters.

He spoke at the company`s first factory, which it opened in Dole, eastern France in 2016, where conveyor belts carried trays with millions of squirming mealworms.

"It`s important to develop insect sectors today because the world needs more proteins, more food, more feed to feed the animals that will make eventually meat and fish...But beyond this, obviously, human food is a market," Hubert said.

Growing global demand for food is putting a squeeze on available land and one French startup says it has the answer: indoor insect farming. Ynsect raised $224 million from investors including Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr.

Growing global demand for food is putting a squeeze on available land and one French startup says it has the answer: indoor insect farming. Ynsect raised $224 million from investors including Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr.`s Footprint Coalition this month to build a second insect farm in Amiens in northern France. The company breeds mealworms that produce proteins for livestock, pet food and fertilisers, and will use the funds to build what it says will be the world`s largest insect farm. Due to open in early 2022, it will produce 100,000 tonnes of insect products such as flour and oil annually and conserve land use while creating 500 jobs. The 40-metre-tall plant spread over 40,000 square metres, will be "the highest vertical farm in the world and the first carbon-negative vertical farm in the world," Ynsect CEO and co-founder Antoine Hubert told Reuters. He spoke at the company`s first factory, which it opened in Dole, eastern France in 2016, where conveyor belts carried trays with millions of squirming mealworms. "It`s important to develop insect sectors today because the world needs more proteins, more food, more feed to feed the animals that will make eventually meat and fish...But beyond this, obviously, human food is a market," Hubert said.

French startup Ynsect to build world's biggest bug farm

The European Commission declared Monday it has "zero tolerance for fraud" after the New York Times alleged the gigantic EU agriculture budget shores up political corruption in eastern member states.

The Commission has "very clear rules for how funds should be managed" and "takes any allegation of misuse very seriously," spokesman Daniel Rosario insisted.

Spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said the EU anti-fraud office, OLAF, looks into such allegations and added that the main responsibility for correct spending of the budget falls on member state governments.

"We are not here to replace national governments," she said. "We cannot and will not do the work for them."

The defensive statements came a day after a detailed New York Times report alleged that some of the EU's 59-billion-euro ($65-billion) farm subsidies from its common agriculture policy (CAP) prop up "oligarchs and political patrons" in eastern countries including, notably, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

The report found the system to be "warped by corruption and self-dealing" and argued that it had become too important to keeping the European Union together to be fundamentally reformed.

The Commission spokespeople shot back by saying that past abuses had been caught and referred to OLAF, and further investigations are ongoing.&nbsp;

But they admitted the European Union is only now about to get its first European Public Prosecutor's Office to go after wrongdoing involving EU funds that national governments are unable,&nbsp;or unwilling,&nbsp;to prosecute.

"We have a framework in place and this framework is working," Rosario said.

He added that "we are actually following up" on issues of conflict of interest as highlighted in the New York Times piece, which focused on alleged patronage under the system by Hungary's populist, and anti-EU,&nbsp;prime minister, Viktor Orban.

For its part the Hungarian government insisted that "the procedures in Hungary for administering EU agricultural subsidies fully satisfy EU rules and regulations for the management of these funds".

"The NYT's questions and sources clearly reflect a biased preconception about the topic," a government press spokesman said in a statement to AFP.

The CAP is a much-coveted line in the EU's budget. It consumes about 40 per cent of the bloc's overall budget, making it the largest single area of its spending.

While the Commission has proposed reducing it, major EU members including France and Spain firmly argue to maintain it, seeing it as essential in developing the Union and its cohesion.

The European Commission declared Monday it has "zero tolerance for fraud" after the New York Times alleged the gigantic EU agriculture budget shores up political corruption in eastern member states.

The European Commission declared Monday it has "zero tolerance for fraud" after the New York Times alleged the gigantic EU agriculture budget shores up political corruption in eastern member states. The Commission has "very clear rules for how funds should be managed" and "takes any allegation of misuse very seriously," spokesman Daniel Rosario insisted. Spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said the EU anti-fraud office, OLAF, looks into such allegations and added that the main responsibility for correct spending of the budget falls on member state governments. "We are not here to replace national governments," she said. "We cannot and will not do the work for them." The defensive statements came a day after a detailed New York Times report alleged that some of the EU's 59-billion-euro ($65-billion) farm subsidies from its common agriculture policy (CAP) prop up "oligarchs and political patrons" in eastern countries including, notably, Hungary and the Czech Republic. The report found the system to be "warped by corruption and self-dealing" and argued that it had become too important to keeping the European Union together to be fundamentally reformed. The Commission spokespeople shot back by saying that past abuses had been caught and referred to OLAF, and further investigations are ongoing. But they admitted the European Union is only now about to get its first European Public Prosecutor's Office to go after wrongdoing involving EU funds that national governments are unable, or unwilling, to prosecute. "We have a framework in place and this framework is working," Rosario said. He added that "we are actually following up" on issues of conflict of interest as highlighted in the New York Times piece, which focused on alleged patronage under the system by Hungary's populist, and anti-EU, prime minister, Viktor Orban. For its part the Hungarian government insisted that "the procedures in Hungary for administering EU agricultural subsidies fully satisfy EU rules and regulations for the management of these funds". "The NYT's questions and sources clearly reflect a biased preconception about the topic," a government press spokesman said in a statement to AFP. The CAP is a much-coveted line in the EU's budget. It consumes about 40 per cent of the bloc's overall budget, making it the largest single area of its spending. While the Commission has proposed reducing it, major EU members including France and Spain firmly argue to maintain it, seeing it as essential in developing the Union and its cohesion.

EU vows 'zero tolerance' after reported farm budget abuse

At his home in rural Costa Rica, biologist Federico Paniagua joined his family at the dining table to devour several types of insects that he raised on his farm and whose flavor he compares to potato chips.

Looking for low-cost and highly nutritious? Go for insects!

Chinese companies have stopped buying US agricultural products, China's Commerce Ministry said on Tuesday (August 06), a blow to US farmers who have already seen their exports slashed by the more than year-old trade war.

US farmers suffer 'body blow' as China slams door on farm purchases

China on Tuesday announced that its firms have suspended purchases of US agricultural products nearly a week after President Donald Trump announced his decision to slap <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinas-new-un-envoy-beijing-ready-to-fight-us-on-trade-240448">additional tariffs on Chinese exports</a>.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-designates-china-a-currency-manipulator-as-yuan-hits-record-low-240948">US designates China a currency manipulator as yuan hits record low</a>

China "has not ruled out import tariffs on US agricultural products purchased after August 3, and related Chinese companies have suspended purchasing US agricultural products," South China Morning Post reported quoting state-run Xinhua News Agency."

It is hoped that the US will conscientiously implement the consensus reached at the meeting between the heads of state of China and the US, and have the confidence to implement the commitments to create the necessary conditions for cooperation in the agricultural fields between the two countries," the Xinhua report said.

On August 1, Trump had announced that he would impose a 10 per cent tariff on the remaining US $300 billion worth of untaxed imports from China, which came after trade talks between the two sides were held in Shanghai. &nbsp;

This means everything that China sells to the US, including clothes and iPhones to chemicals and construction equipment, will have levies of between 10 and 25 per cent on them starting in September, escalating the trade tensions between the two countries.

Calling the US` decision a "serious violation" of the consensus reached by the two sides at the G20 summit in Osaka, Beijing said the move deviated from the right course and will in no way help to end the protracted trade war between the two world`s largest economies.

Following the US` announcement, China allowed the Yuan to fall to its lowest level in more than a decade. The Yuan traded above 7 per US dollar.

China on Tuesday announced that its firms have suspended purchases of US agricultural products nearly a week after President Donald Trump announced his decision to slap additional tariffs on Chinese exports.

China on Tuesday announced that its firms have suspended purchases of US agricultural products nearly a week after President Donald Trump announced his decision to slap additional tariffs on Chinese exports. Also read: US designates China a currency manipulator as yuan hits record low China "has not ruled out import tariffs on US agricultural products purchased after August 3, and related Chinese companies have suspended purchasing US agricultural products," South China Morning Post reported quoting state-run Xinhua News Agency." It is hoped that the US will conscientiously implement the consensus reached at the meeting between the heads of state of China and the US, and have the confidence to implement the commitments to create the necessary conditions for cooperation in the agricultural fields between the two countries," the Xinhua report said. On August 1, Trump had announced that he would impose a 10 per cent tariff on the remaining US $300 billion worth of untaxed imports from China, which came after trade talks between the two sides were held in Shanghai. This means everything that China sells to the US, including clothes and iPhones to chemicals and construction equipment, will have levies of between 10 and 25 per cent on them starting in September, escalating the trade tensions between the two countries. Calling the US` decision a "serious violation" of the consensus reached by the two sides at the G20 summit in Osaka, Beijing said the move deviated from the right course and will in no way help to end the protracted trade war between the two world`s largest economies. Following the US` announcement, China allowed the Yuan to fall to its lowest level in more than a decade. The Yuan traded above 7 per US dollar.

China suspends purchase of US farm products after Trump's tariffs

Cooperative Minister Udayalal Awjana on Friday said that the Rajasthan government has waived short term loans of Rs 7,179 crores of state farmers.

"Rajasthan government has waived short term loans of Rs 7,179 crores of farmers. Out of 19,99,000 applicants, 200 applications of loan waiver received till February 17, 2019. Around 19,70,135 basis based certificates and 19,40,596 loan exemption certificates have been issued," Awjana said here in the Legislative Assembly.

He maintained that injustice will not be made to the state farmers due to loan waiver.&nbsp;

"The adjustment of the loan amount in the accounts of the farmers, whose debts have been waived, has been postponed and loan certificates have been issued to them," Awjana said.

He said that negotiations with scheduled banks regarding the loan waiver of 2 lakh farmers are continuing and the loan will also be waived once the consent is reached.

Cooperative Minister Udayalal Awjana on Friday said that the Rajasthan government has waived short term loans of Rs 7,179 crores of state farmers. "Rajasthan government has waived short term loans of Rs 7,179 crores of farmers.

Cooperative Minister Udayalal Awjana on Friday said that the Rajasthan government has waived short term loans of Rs 7,179 crores of state farmers. "Rajasthan government has waived short term loans of Rs 7,179 crores of farmers. Out of 19,99,000 applicants, 200 applications of loan waiver received till February 17, 2019. Around 19,70,135 basis based certificates and 19,40,596 loan exemption certificates have been issued," Awjana said here in the Legislative Assembly. He maintained that injustice will not be made to the state farmers due to loan waiver. "The adjustment of the loan amount in the accounts of the farmers, whose debts have been waived, has been postponed and loan certificates have been issued to them," Awjana said. He said that negotiations with scheduled banks regarding the loan waiver of 2 lakh farmers are continuing and the loan will also be waived once the consent is reached.

Rajasthan government waives short-term agricultural farm loans over Rs 7,000 crore

Dutch company Protix opened on Tuesday (June 11) one of the largest known farms dedicated to producing insects for use in animal feed, as it looks to boost output of cheap, environmental friendly protein.

Dutch company generates buzz with fly larvae farm

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