Smolensk region's agricultural financing from the federal budget has tripled, with total state support for the agro-industrial complex exceeding 2.4 billion rubles by the end of 2025. Production reached 170 billion rubles, with significant increases in grain, potato, and rapeseed yields, as well as egg and milk production.
Japan Post is set to receive approximately ¥65 billion annually in state support through a revised postal privatization law, despite ongoing scandals. The bill passed the Lower House Committee unanimously, with the government emphasizing the postal service's role as a "last resort" for local communities. However, criticism persists due to recent incidents including bribery, improper handling of deliveries, and misuse of customer information, even after governance reforms.
Russia's sowing campaign is underway with over 50 regions participating. The success relies on domestic seed selection, genetics, and high technologies, supported by state initiatives like the 'Food Security' national project and the creation of agrobiotech parks. New high-yield domestic seed varieties are being developed and registered.
China is rapidly integrating AI into its industrial sectors, aiming for widespread adoption by 2030. Experts at an IDC summit noted the shift to agentic AI but cautioned that high-risk markets like healthcare and aerospace may face challenges.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited a local market in Kolkata during the assembly election campaign, speaking with vendors about essential prices and welfare schemes. The visit comes amid intense political rivalry with BJP, with Mamata attacking PM Modi's jhalmuri incident in Jhargram as staged and questioning BJP's confidence ahead of the second polling phase on April 29.
NATO ambassadors have approved an official statement reiterating support for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) ahead of a U.N. review conference in New York from April 27 to May 22. The 1968 treaty, with 191 signatories including five nuclear-armed states, faces unprecedented pressure from Russia's war in Ukraine, China's nuclear armament, and the U.S. refusal to extend the New START pact with Moscow.
