What Is The Govt Saying

Lula celebrates Brazil's cinema reaching a high point, praising "O Agente Secreto" for four Oscar nominations. He also congratulates cinematographer Adolpho Veloso. The ceremony is March 15.

Collins Bay Institution staff seized contraband including tobacco, marijuana, shatter, and weapons on January 20, 2026. The estimated value is $207,221. CSC uses scanners, dogs, and a tip line to enhance security.

Canada and Manitoba extend the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program for 2 years, investing $300,000. The program offers confidential, farm-focused counselling for producers. Federal Minister Heath MacDonald and Manitoba Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced the renewal.

Minister Julie Dabrusin issued a Decision Statement for the Eskay Creek Revitalization Project. Benefits outweigh impacts. The gold and silver mine will create 700+ jobs in northern BC. Rigorous safeguards and Indigenous engagement are key.

Canada invests $950 million in 55 new subway trains for Toronto's Line 2. The deal prioritizes the Buy Canadian Policy, requiring 55% Canadian content. This supports 900 direct and 1,700 indirect jobs, primarily at Alstom Canada facilities in Quebec.

Parliamentary Secretary Ryan Turnbull will announce Canadian Heritage funding for a new Whitby project on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. on behalf of Minister Marc Miller. Media must confirm attendance by 4 p.m. Thursday, January 22.

Chancellor Merz in Davos: Welcomed US tariff withdrawal. Urged Europe to boost High North security & support Ukraine. Pledged German solidarity with Denmark. Stressed investing in security, competitiveness, and infrastructure with €500 billion. Raised defense spending to 5% of GDP.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh hailed NIFT as a key economic driver, with graduates supporting 8,000-10,000 jobs. India is developing indigenous design standards like IndiaSize, moving from foreign benchmarks. NIFT celebrated 40 years at its Mumbai conference.

India's energy transition drives industrialization, jobs, and competitiveness. Minister Pralhad Joshi stated 267 GW non-fossil capacity achieved, with renewables at 52%. Schemes like PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM empower citizens and farmers.

India's Sec. Sanjeev Kumar urged Kenya Defence Forces to partner with 21 Indian defence firms at the 3rd India-Kenya Defence Exhibition. Meetings with Kenya MoD officials aimed to boost ties.

PM Modi spoke with Brazil's President Lula. They reaffirmed the India-Brazil Strategic Partnership, noting progress in trade, tech, defense, energy, health, agriculture. They discussed global issues and Modi looks forward to Lula's visit to India.

AYUSH Republic Day tableau, "Ayush ka Tantra, Swasthya ka Mantra," showcases India's holistic health vision. It highlights integration of traditional medicine with modern healthcare, emphasizing self-reliance and heritage. Minister Prataprao Jadhav stated Ayush offers credible solutions.

PM Meloni met EU leaders in Brussels for an informal summit. Discussions focused on key European issues.

Palazzo Chigi hosts meeting on Law no. 1/2026. Court of Auditors President Guido Carlino and Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano agree to form a working group. The law, effective Jan 7, 2026, amends Court of Auditors functions and liability rules.

PM Takaichi met Jan 22, 2026, on economic/fiscal policy. FY2026 budget keeps new bonds under ¥30T for 2nd year. Primary surplus achieved for first time in 28 years. Projections show debt-to-GDP ratio declining.

Japan's economy is moderately recovering, but faces risks from U.S. trade policies, particularly in the auto sector. The January report anticipates continued recovery driven by employment and income improvements, while warning of potential downsides from financial markets and trade policy shifts.

Japan Innovation Party proposed quantitative management to restrict foreign nationals as a population strategy. Prime Minister Takaichi received the proposal on January 22, 2026.

PM Takaichi received a proposal on foreign nationals policy from the Liberal Democratic Party on Jan. 22, 2026.

PM Takaichi met with Tokyo Governor Koike on Jan. 22, 2026. The meeting occurred at the Prime Minister’s Office.

President Tinubu swore in Federal Character Commission members, urging them to ensure fairness and national stability. He called the FCC the "conscience of our nation." Chairman Hulayat Ayo Omidiran pledged to uphold the mandate.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulated Hulayat Ayo Omisiran, the new Chairperson of the Federal Character Commission, at the State House, Abuja. Commissioners were sworn in on January 22, 2026.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, January 22, 2026, for a courtesy visit.

President Tinubu approves targeted incentives for Shell's Bonga South West project. Aims to unlock jobs, FX inflows. “Ring-fenced and investment-linked,” he stated. Expects FID within this term. Shell invested $7 billion in Nigeria recently.

VP Shettima at Davos calls food security a macroeconomic, security, and governance issue. Nigeria's strategy focuses on increased production, sustainability, and regional integration. The Back to the Farm Initiative aims to boost local output and curb inflation.

Sentencing Act becomes law, ending automatic release for badly behaved offenders. £700 million boost for probation service. Jake Richards states reforms will keep dangerous offenders locked up and protect the public.

UK Flood Forecasting Centre extends Rapid Flood Guidance service through 2028. Funded by Defra, it provides alerts for England/Wales. 2,450 responders used it in 2025. Service runs May-October.

UK updates isotretinoin prescribing. MHRA removes two-prescriber rule for under-18s, speeding access. Safety measures are working. “Ensuring patients who need isotretinoin... are able to access it when it is needed,” says Dr. Alison Cave.

HM Land Registry processed 1,607,440 applications in December. The South East led with 389,667. This is down from 1,888,068 in November. InfoTrack Limited was the top customer with 158,968 applications.

NDA highlights decommissioning's role in UK clean energy goals. Hunterston B transfer in April 2026 marks major expansion. Plutonium immobilisation progresses. £1.9bn annual spend supports 40,000 jobs.

U.S. officials inspected five foreign Antarctic stations Jan. 16-20. The State Department-led team visited Australia, China, India, and Russia sites. This 16th inspection since 1963 ensures compliance with the Antarctic Treaty. Report due May 2026.

Secretary Rubio praises President Trump's vision for peace, citing the Gaza hostage situation as an example of overcoming the impossible. He credits Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff for their work on the Board of Peace.

Dylan Johnson appointed Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs, effective January 26, 2026. Johnson, formerly Special Assistant to the President, will lead strategic communications and media engagement.

U.S. Special Envoy Sergio Gor visits Turkmenistan Jan. 22-23. He'll meet officials and business leaders to boost bilateral cooperation, regional stability, and economic ties.

Under Secretary Allison Hooker travels Jan. 21-29 to Nigeria, Oman, Bahrain, and Rome. In Nigeria, she'll focus on Christian communities, counter-terrorism, and investment. Oman and Bahrain dialogues will advance security, economic, and cultural cooperation. Rome meetings address Ukraine, Venezuela, Middle East peace, and U.S. aid oversight with UN agencies.