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New Delhi, July 16 : President Pranab Mukherjee Tuesday called upon agricultural scientists to find solutions to challenges faced by millions of small and marginal farmers

Addressing agricultural scientists and policymakers at the 85th foundation day celebrations of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research here, the president drew attention to issues like quality seed production, agro-processing and post-harvest handling of farm produce and development and introduction of genetically modified crops, a statement said.

Mukherjee also asked them to prepare Indian agriculture for climate change.

Increasing food prices, especially unprecedented increase in prices of onion have contributed to inflation over the past few weeks.

After registering considerable decline since the start of this year, India’s wholesale price index (WPI) jumped to 4.9 per cent in June. In the previous month, WPI was recorded at 4.7 per cent.

The jump in WPI was mainly due to increase in food prices, which increased from 8.3 per cent in May to 9.7 per cent in June.

London, July 16 : Singer Nicole Scherzinger was reportedly not impressed when the host of "The X Factor" auditions mentioned about her new single status.

The singer was dressed to the occasion in a pink short dressed and was geared up to select contestants here when presenter Ian Royce said to the audience: "Nicole's single."

Scherzinger, who parted ways with F1 champion Lewis Hamilton this month, did not look pleased when Royce tried to flirt with her, reports thesun. co. uk.

He said: "I haven't got a race car but I'm single too."

New Delhi, July 16 : Not many know that sweet and tangy, red coloured, tiny seasonal fruit cherry contains plethora of health benefits. Experts say cherry not only helps reduce blood uric-acid levels, but also cures muscle pain. It also slows down the process of ageing and reduces skin problems like acne and vulgaris.

On the National Cherry Day, Tuesday, femalefirst. co. uk shares health benefits of the fruit:

London, July 16 : Singer-actor Justin Timberlake reportedly decided to stay in a low budget inn rather than a five-star suite after performing at Wireless Festival.

Timberlake paid out 95 pounds for his room at the premier inn here and his troupe also did not complain and enjoyed their stay, reports thesun. co. uk.

"It's great, it's right on site. We're having a chilled-out get-together with the guys after the gig - beer, cider, burgers and chips, no frills," a source on the site said.

Chennai, July 16 : Commercial vehicles maker Ashok Leyland closed the first quarter with a turnover of Rs. 2,363.81 crore and net loss of Rs. 141.75 crore as against a turnover of Rs. 3,026.89 crore and a net profit of Rs.
66.94 crore posted during the corresponding period the previous year.

"What we are experiencing is one of the harshest and steepest of downturns and while we are combating it, the situation also affords us an opportunity to streamline our processes towards becoming a leaner and far more customer-oriented organisation," Vinod K. Dasari, managing director, said here Tuesday.