What Is The Govt Saying

NSW Women of the Year 2026 finalists announced. 5 categories, including Premier's Woman of Excellence, Aboriginal Woman, Community Hero, Regional Woman, and Young Woman. Winners revealed March 5 at ICC Sydney. Awards celebrate inspiring women across the state.

St George Hospital upgrade complete. New 9-storey Kensington Street Building opens soon, housing outpatient & community care. Redevelopment includes 750 jobs supported. Part of 32 new/upgraded hospitals for NSW.

Rachael Ward appointed Children's Guardian for five years. She brings 24 years child protection law experience. The Office receives $5.5 million over two years, boosting its budget by over $10 million annually.

President Lula in Salvador, Bahia on Feb 6 delivers R$ 345 million in Novo PAC Saúde investments. Includes 107 SAMU ambulances, 32 dental units, 1,030 basic health equipment kits, and 10 surgical kits.

Brazil launches National Pact Against Femicide. President Lula calls for men's involvement. The pact aims to speed up protective measures and strengthen networks against violence, which claims four lives daily.

Brazil's three branches of government launch "Todos por todas" pact against femicide. Aims to prevent, protect, and prosecute. In 2025, 15,453 femicide cases were judged. 621,202 protective measures issued.

Canada to unveil new auto industry strategy on Feb. 5. Senior officials from ISED, Transport, and Environment Canada will brief media. Registration required.

Canada raised $2 billion via its sixth green bond offering. The 10-year bond saw strong demand from responsible investors. This brings total green bond issuance to $17.5 billion since March 2022.

Canada introduces Bill S-5, the Connected Care for Canadians Act, to mandate secure digital health data sharing. The law requires IT firms to adopt common standards, aiming to improve patient safety and efficiency. Minister of Health Marjorie Michel stated it empowers Canadians with control over their health data.

Canada's $8 billion fish industry gets regulatory updates. Minister Joanne Thompson announced initiatives to cut red tape, review inshore rules for harvester independence, and offer gear tending flexibility in Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and Nunavut.

Freedom Online Coalition condemns Iran's internet shutdown since Jan 8, 2026. Calls it a violation of rights, restricting protests and hindering documentation of abuses. FOC urges Iran to end repression.

AIIA New Delhi marked World Cancer Day 2026 with awareness events. Feb 3-4 activities included student contests and patient education. Dr. Ashok Patel of IIT Delhi lectured on cancer genomics.

Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi marked NSIC's 71st Foundation Day on Feb 4, 2026. He stressed MSME support and Atmanirbhar Bharat. Prof. S. Mahendra Dev spoke on economic policy. NSIC reaffirmed its commitment.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs held a national meeting in New Delhi on tribal development. Secretary Ranjana Chopra stressed community-led solutions. Over 30 States/UTs and line ministries attended. Focus on PM-JANMAN, health, housing, and eco-tourism for tribal welfare.

PLASTINDIA 2026 opens Feb 5-10 in New Delhi. The world's largest plastics exhibition features 2,000+ exhibitors, focusing on "Bharat Next" and sustainability. The Indian plastics industry is valued at ₹3–3.5 lakh crore.

ANRF Foundation Day is 5 February 2026 in New Delhi. Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Dr. Jitendra Singh will attend. The event marks ANRF's role in India's research ecosystem.

Meloni met Czech PM Babiš. They discussed EU competitiveness and agreed on a 2026-2030 Action Plan for energy, infrastructure, and defense cooperation.

VP Shettima launched Vision 2050, a 25-year blueprint for Nigeria's South-East. President Tinubu approved the South East Investment Company Limited to mobilize funds. The plan aims for economic development and job creation.

President Tinubu at Nigeria International Energy Summit: Nigeria ready to partner for secure, affordable, cleaner energy. Focus on gas as transition fuel, renewables. Rig counts rose from 8 to 69 by late 2025.

Putin and Xi Jinping held their sixth annual call on Feb. 4. The 1 hr. 25 min. talk covered bilateral ties and global issues. They agreed to intensify consultations via security councils and foreign ministries.

Putin and Xi Jinping held February 4, 2026 videoconference. Putin called relations "spring throughout the year," noting the 25th anniversary of a friendship treaty. They affirmed support for sovereignty and security.

Russia announces 2025 Presidential Prize winners for young scientists. Andrei Fursenko and Nikita Marchenkov revealed recipients contributing to science, tech, and defense. Winners receive 5 million rubles.

Putin addressed the Oncopatrol National Information and Education Project. He highlighted Russia's priority in fighting cancer via state programs and new centers. He praised Oncopatrol's awareness events for strengthening citizen health protection.

Employment Rights Act 2025 reshapes union recognition from April 6, 2026. Unions no longer need to prove majority support beforehand. Ballots require only a simple majority, dropping the 40% rule.

Nuclear Restoration Services has begun permanent disposal of 192 low-level radioactive waste containers at Dounreay. The waste, from old nuclear reactors, is grouted and stacked in an underground vault. This marks a new staged approach to disposal.

UK Defence uses science fiction to prepare for 2122. Dstl's "Creative Futures" collection, edited by Dr. Allen Stroud, explores AI, autonomous warfare, and quantum tech. “Fiction gives us the freedom to explore scenarios,” says Prof. Tim Dafforn.

SIA Executive Director Sarah Kenny is leading Martyn's Law regulation. She met with Figen Murray OBE and sector partners. Consultation on section 12 guidance is upcoming to ensure public safety.

Corin Robertson CMG appointed UK Ambassador to Japan, starting August 2026. She succeeds Julia Longbottom CMG. Robertson previously served as Ambassador to Mexico and held senior roles at the FCDO.

Secretary Rubio highlights Critical Minerals Ministerial with 55 partners. Goal: reliable, diverse supply chains to counter geopolitical leverage and disruptions. US leads with domestic permitting reform and a strategic stockpile.

VP Vance and Sec. Rubio opened the Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington. The event focused on diversifying supply chains and securing access to critical minerals. Vance emphasized the administration's commitment to this issue.

U.S. and Hungary signed an MOU to support persecuted Christians in the Middle East and Africa. Deputy Secretary Rigas and State Secretary Azbej inked the deal, calling it a "golden era" for bilateral ties.

Rubio met India's Jaishankar to boost critical minerals cooperation. They welcomed the Trump-Modi trade deal, stressing democratic partnership for economic growth and energy security. Commitment to expand Quad cooperation for a prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Secretary Rubio met ROK Foreign Minister Cho. They affirmed the U.S.-ROK Alliance, discussing civil nuclear power, submarines, and ROK investments. Both committed to DPRK denuclearization and U.S.-Japan-ROK cooperation.