Commodities

Hirosaki University in Japan has developed the Kimito apple variety, known for its refreshing sweetness, and has partnered with Wismettac Foods to cultivate it in South Africa for year-round availability and export. The goal is to protect intellectual property rights, generate royalty fees for the university, and introduce the high-quality Kimito apple to new markets in Asia and beyond.

Six months after the Noto Peninsula earthquake, the Japanese government deployed a new reconstruction task force to accelerate recovery efforts and demonstrate its commitment to the region. The task force aims to streamline efforts, enhance efficiency, and rebuild communities with enhanced disaster resilience.

Researchers have discovered a vast deposit of manganese nodules rich in cobalt and nickel, critical metals for electric vehicles and smartphones, on the seafloor near Minami-Torishima island in Japan's exclusive economic zone. With plans for trial collection starting in 2025, this discovery could significantly boost Japan's domestic supply of these essential resources and enhance its economic security.

BRS leader KT Rama Rao criticized the Congress government in Telangana for neglecting the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, leading to a shortage of water for farmers in the state. The project, envisioned to benefit farmers and industries, has become a subject of political controversy with accusations of mismanagement and corruption.

Torrential rains in Gujarat's Navsari district have caused severe waterlogging, leading to the deployment of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for evacuations and prompting the municipality to prepare 20,000 food packets for those affected. The incessant rainfall has also impacted other districts, resulting in loss of life and prompting the Chief Minister to conduct an aerial survey of the affected areas.