What Is The Govt Saying

Central West flood victims: $100k grants available for home raising/relocation, $50k for resilient retrofits. Deadline March 31, 2026. Expos connect homeowners with funding, builders with work. Parkes (Jan 28), Forbes (Feb 25), Eugowra (Mar 25).

NSW invests $3M+ in 28 early learning centers, supporting 840 children. Funding enables new educator roles and extended hours, benefiting working families. This is part of a larger $769M commitment to public preschools.

NSW Pattern Book offers architect-designed homes for $1 until Jan 31. Over 21,000 designs sold globally. Fast-track approvals in 10 days. Minister Paul Scully highlights value.

North Coast families can claim $12.4 million in unclaimed money. 41,208 items are waiting. Check the Revenue NSW website. Reforms aim to return funds faster.

NSW schools get $200 million summer maintenance blitz. 850+ public schools receive upgrades, including 1,300+ projects like painting, flooring, and bathroom renovations. Acting Minister Courtney Houssos stated, "work is underway... to ensure students return to a great learning environment."

President Lula announced R$ 2.7 billion in Agrarian Reform measures at the MST meeting. This includes ten new settlements and land acquisition across six states. A Paraná agreement will benefit 1,900 families.

Lula celebrates 2 million Minha Casa, Minha Vida housing contracts, ahead of schedule. 1,337 homes delivered in Maceió. Goal: 1 million more by 2026. “Every Brazilian will have their nest to care for their family.”

President Lula visits Panama Jan. 27-28 for the Latin America and Caribbean International Economic Forum. Brazil is guest of honor. He'll meet President José Raúl Mulino. Bilateral trade hit $1.6 billion, up 78%.

President Lula and ministers delivered 1,337 homes in Maceió, celebrating 2 million Minha Casa, Minha Vida contracts since 2023. The program, relaunched in 2023, exceeded its goal a year early. Alagoas has seen 36,318 units contracted.

Brazil's President Lula signed MP 1.335 for the 2027 Women's World Cup. The measure protects intellectual property, marketing, and broadcast rights for the June-July 2027 tournament in eight cities. This ensures legal security for the event.

Competition Bureau Canada wins appeal against Cineplex. The Federal Court of Appeal upheld a ruling finding Cineplex engaged in deceptive "drip pricing." Acting Commissioner Jeanne Pratt stated, "Canadians deserve transparency." The Bureau continues to fight misleading advertising.

Minister Tim Hodgson heads to India Jan. 27-30, 2026. He'll attend India Energy Week in Goa, discussing low-carbon fuels and critical minerals. Media can register for events.

Newfoundland and Labrador farmers hit by 2025 drought can now apply for AgriStability support. Deadline for late 2025 applications is September 30, 2026. Minister Heath MacDonald announced the measure.

Canada and Manitoba launch 2026 AgriInsurance pilot. Farmers get lower premiums for sustainable practices. 15% discount for perennial forage. Coverage reaches $4.3 billion. Producer cost per acre drops to $11.46.

Health Canada approves genetically modified pigs resistant to PRRS virus. This marks the first approval of GM animals for food in Canada. The pigs, developed by Reviral, are intended to improve animal welfare and reduce economic losses.

NMDC begins coal mining at Tokisud North Coal Mine, Jharkhand, on Jan 23, 2026. This marks a strategic diversification beyond iron ore, aiming to boost domestic coal supply and energy security. Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy highlighted the move as crucial for national resource security.

Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited ASML HQ in the Netherlands. India's new semiconductor fab in Dholera will use ASML equipment. Global makers are drawn to India's talent and PM Modi's policies.

India's OPSA released a White Paper on AI governance. It proposes a "techno-legal" framework to balance risk mitigation with innovation. PSA Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood stated it's a prerequisite for technological progress. This is the second paper in the series.

IWDC 3.0 OK'd ₹1,500 crore+ in projects for green mobility, cargo, and river tourism. ₹900 crore for new waterway projects, ₹465 crore for asset procurement. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal chaired the Kochi meeting.

Nitin Gadkari announces 30 GHz radio frequency for vehicle-to-vehicle communication to cut road deaths. MoRTH committee stresses multi-pronged safety approach, AI tech, and fixing black spots.

Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met at the Italy-Germany Business Forum in Rome. The meeting focused on strengthening economic ties between the two nations.

Meloni met German Chancellor Merz at the Italy-Germany Intergovernmental Summit in Rome. They signed agreements and issued press statements.

PM Meloni met on Cyclone Harry damage in southern Italy. A Council of Ministers on Monday will declare a state of emergency, with initial funds allocated. No fatalities reported due to swift institutional action.

PM Takaichi dissolves Japan's House of Reps. Seeks mandate for fiscal policy, security upgrades, and a new LDP-Innovation Party coalition. Addresses voters amid heavy snowfall and exam season, urging participation.

Japan's House of Representatives dissolved. New Takaichi Cabinet, formed by LDP-Komeito coalition with Japan Innovation Party, prioritizes anti-inflation measures. Focus on household aid, business support, and fiscal reform for a stronger economy.

At WEF 2026, VP Shettima urged Africa to build homegrown solutions, not rely on aid. Citing Nigeria's Dangote Refinery, he stated the continent must shift to local production. "Prosperity is not imported; it is built," he said.

President Tinubu approves 3 ambassador-designate postings: Ayodele Oke to France, Lateef Are to the USA, and Amin Dalhatu to the UK. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will notify host nations.

£82M project at MOD Lyneham delivers new training facilities and 168 bedspaces for armed forces. RAF No 4 School of Technical Training relocates from St Athan. Solar farm included. Opens 2026.

UK and US nuclear experts partner. NTS and Westinghouse sign deal for Pegasus transport package for next-gen fuel. Agreement boosts energy security, sharing expertise. £10.5 million UK funding for HALEU transport.

The Low Pay Commission seeks input on the National Minimum Wage. Commissioners visit Bradford (March), Blackpool (April), Aberdeen (May), Peterborough (June), Wrexham (July), and Derry (July). Evidence shapes recommendations for 2026 rates. Contact: Joseph.Wilkinson@lowpay.gov.uk.

UK maintains anti-dumping duties on Russian ammonium nitrate for five years. Duties range from £24.085 to £27.374 per tonne. The Trade Remedies Authority found dumping and injury to UK production would likely recur if duties were removed.

Civil Nuclear Constabulary tested its Command and Control Centre during Operation Hermes. The exercise simulated a site attack, evaluating response times and notifications to partners like the Home Office police and EOD. “The pressure mirrors real-life incidents,” said Steve Warren.

U.S. sanctions eight entities, nine vessels in Iran's shadow fleet. Action denies regime resources for oppression, funds proxies. Continues maximum pressure campaign under NSPM-2, E.O. 13902.

Secretary Rubio spoke with Colombian Foreign Minister Villavicencio about commercial ties, regional security, and counternarcotics. They discussed the upcoming February presidential bilateral meeting between Presidents Trump and Petro.

Deputy Secretary Landau visits Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti Jan. 24-Feb. 1. He'll promote U.S. business, discuss regional security with leaders including PM Abiy Ahmed, and meet AU Chair Youssouf.

US applauds Iraq for detaining ISIS terrorists in secure facilities. “Iraq is on the front line,” the State Department stated. The US urges countries to repatriate their citizens held in Iraq.

Deputy Secretary Rigas visited Thailand Jan. 22-24. He dedicated the new U.S. Consulate General Compound in Chiang Mai and met Thai officials. Discussions focused on strengthening the alliance and supporting the Thai-Cambodia ceasefire.