New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven interventions and science-led agri-startups have the potential to significantly boost India’s agricultural economy by improving farm productivity, increasing farmers’ incomes and creating large-scale rural employment, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday. He stressed that integrating technology, innovation and entrepreneurship into agriculture will be crucial for achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047.Addressi…

Melbourne, July 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Melbourne late Friday evening, Australia time, on the second leg of his three-nation tour. After arriving in the Australian city, PM Modi stated that he is looking forward to the talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday and his visit will add vigour to the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. “Landed in Melbourne, Australia. This visit will add vigour to the India-Australia Comprehensive Str…

New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) A Right to Information inquiry has found that the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG), operated by a Chinese company, has evaded Municipal C Council assessment taxes totalling over LKR 125.9 million, a new report has said.The report from Times Asian cited official records that show the total outstanding balance for the port property at LKR 125,938,793.50 as of 31 December 2025, including warrant charges and penalty interest.To recover arrears, the Hambantota Munic…

Ankara, July 8 (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Wednesday renewed his call for the United States to control Greenland, describing the Arctic island as vital to global security and arguing that Denmark has little strategic use for the territory. Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte before a meeting of alliance leaders in Ankara, Trump said Greenland remains a key US national security priority and suggested discussions with Denmark were progressing.”Greenland is very important f…

Bengaluru, July 8 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V. Anbu Kumar on Wednesday rejected allegations of irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, asserting that the exercise is being carried out strictly in accordance with the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) guidelines. Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Anbu Kumar dismissed allegations by political parties that the Election Commission in Karnataka was colluding with the Congress…

Gandhinagar, July 8 (IANS) A target of planting more than 1.1 crore trees across the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency during 2026-27 has been set as part of a large-scale afforestation campaign led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, with a mass tree-plantation drive scheduled for July 12. The campaign, to be held under the theme “Gandhinagar Lok Sabha – Green Lok Sabha”, will cover all seven Assembly segments of the constituency.Citizens have been urged to plant one sapling for each family me…

Kolkata, July 8 (IANS) A husband attempted suicide after hacking his wife to death on the road in broad daylight. The incident took place in Sodepur, North 24 Parganas district, on Wednesday. According to the police, the deceased woman has been identified as Geeta Das, aged 33. Her husband hacked her with a sharp weapon on School Road in the Future Gate area of Sodepur. She soon collapsed on the road. The incident took place in front of locals. Before anyone could do anything, the young man also…

Jalandhar, July 8 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu on Wednesday said allegations by certain politicians regarding the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or the Central government’s role in the removal of “Satluj” film from the OTT platform “are baseless, misleading and devoid of facts.” He said it is important to place the issue in its proper context. The events depicted in the film take place during a period when both the government of Punjab and the government of India…

Mumbai, July 8 (IANS) In a major announcement, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday stated in the Legislative Assembly that the lands held by Christian missionaries across the state will be thoroughly inspected. The Settlement Commissioner (Jamabandi Ayukt) will conduct this investigation within the next three months.Furthermore, the minister stated that data regarding land purchases made by non-farmers in Dhule district is being compiled. To curb illegal transactio…

Shimla, July 8 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Wednesday said the implementation of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) is not in the interest of the state. He pointed out that in the previous scheme, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), the Central government had provided 100 per cent funding, while under the new scheme the state government is required to bear 10 per cent of the expendit…