What Is The Govt Saying

Argentine Army chief Gen. Oscar Zarich opened the Superior War School academic year. He stressed strategic leadership training is key to modernization, focusing on innovation and adapting to complex operations.

Argentina's ARCA introduces monthly electronic billing via Resolution General 5824/26. Financial, insurance, and educational entities must now issue electronic invoices. This simplifies tax compliance, with changes effective July 1, 2026.

Argentina's Hidrovía waterway tender nears completion. A Control Council is forming with users, provinces, and businesses. Offers are due Feb 27. Private operator expected by May.

Argentina's Atenea microsatellite joins NASA's Artemis II mission orbiting the Moon. Launching March 6, 2026, Atenea will deploy 70,000 km from Earth, a record for an Argentine satellite. It will test radiation, components, GPS, and communication tech.

Argentina's Armed Forces conducted extensive operations in January for emergencies. Key efforts included fighting forest fires in Patagonia, particularly Chubut, and aiding flood victims in Comodoro Rivadavia. They deployed aircraft, vehicles, and personnel.

NSW invests $350 million over five years in Aboriginal organisations to support children and families. This record funding, co-designed with communities, aims to keep families together and address the over-representation of Aboriginal children in care. Contracts begin July 1, 2026.

Maitland Hospital launches home birthing pilot. Offers women more choice with continuity of care. Part of $44.8 million investment in regional maternity services.

$50 million Glen Innes Hospital Redevelopment builder TCQ Construction appointed. New acute services building, expanded ED. Project supports 90 direct jobs. Construction starts soon.

NSW invests $15 million in its Renewable Energy Skills Strategy. The plan, launched by Ministers Penny Sharpe and Steve Whan, aims to create 7,000 construction and 4,500 ongoing jobs for the state's energy transition.

Bellambi estate rezoning proposal seeks 30% social homes, 3-6 story buildings, new local center, and improved green space. Public exhibition until March 13. Aims to boost housing supply in Wollongong.

President Lula visited Aché's Pernambuco factory expansion, set to produce 40 million drugs yearly. He stated Brazil will be a "power in drug production," aiming for 100% domestic manufacturing. The project received R$267 million in federal incentives.

Brazil promulgates International Solar Alliance agreement via Decree 12.850. Signed in 2016, the accord aims to boost global solar energy use, mobilizing over $1 trillion in investments by 2030.

Canada consults on domestic content rules for Clean Technology and Clean Electricity investment tax credits. Stakeholders can submit comments by March 13, 2026.

Minister Dominic LeBlanc leads Team Canada Trade Mission to Mexico, Feb. 15-20, 2026. Over 370 delegates from 240 organizations aim to deepen North American trade ties in sectors like manufacturing and clean tech.

Health Minister Marjorie Michel tabled the 2024-2025 Canada Health Act Report. It details federal administration and provincial/territorial compliance. $62.2M in deductions and $51.9M in reimbursements were made to CHT payments.

Minister Champagne heads to Brussels Feb. 16. He'll address the Eurogroup on geo-economic risks, a first for a Canadian Finance Minister. He'll also push the Defence, Security, and Resilience Bank and reaffirm Canada's 5% GDP defence investment pledge.

G7 Rapid Response Mechanism welcomes Poland as an associate member. Established in 2018, the RRM counters foreign threats to democracies. Poland adds valuable experience in foreign interference detection.

France sees increased visibility for bipolar disorder thanks to public figures like singer Laurēm and psychiatrist Chantal Henry. “Sharing this voice helps others recognize themselves and seek help sooner,” says Laurēm. Stabilization is possible, though not a cure.

Sophie Adenot launched Feb. 13, 2026, to the ISS. The second French woman in space, she'll be the longest-serving European on a single mission. Selected by ESA in 2022, Adenot's flight highlights French innovation and women in STEM.

PM Modi at ET Now Global Business Summit: India, once the 11th largest economy, is now 3rd largest. Amid global disruption, India's growth is strong. “India will drive global growth; it will emerge as the new engine of the world economy.”

PM Modi at ET Now Global Business Summit: India's decade saw unprecedented development amid disruptions. Now the 3rd largest economy, India drives 16% of global growth. “India is riding the Reform Express,” he stated.

Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat hailed ITDC as a "growth engine" at its 60th anniversary and The Ashok Hotel's 70th. New tech initiatives launched, including a comic book with Amar Chitra Katha.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlights ₹1 lakh crore in agri-infra via Agriculture Infrastructure Fund. 44,243 Custom Hiring Centres, 25,854 Processing Centres, and 17,779 Warehouses built. He calls farmers "life givers," contrasting Modi govt's farmer welfare with past failures.

C-DOT and Rashtriya Raksha University signed an MoU to boost collaborative research in telecom and cybersecurity. An Innovation-cum-Experience Centre will be established at RRU for developing cutting-edge technologies like TRINETRA.

Italy held its second Italia-Africa Summit in Addis Ababa, reviewing the Mattei Plan. President Meloni emphasized making the plan more effective and concrete. She met with Angola's President Lourenço and AU Commission Chair Youssouf.

Nigeria pushes for health security sovereignty at 39th AU Summit. VP Kashim Shettima calls for self-sufficient African health systems, moving from aid reliance. He stressed the need for local manufacturing, financing, and workforce development.

President Tinubu visits Kebbi State on Saturday to inaugurate projects by Governor Dr. Nasir Idris. He will also attend the 61st Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival, a UNESCO-recognized event.

Nigeria secures permanent seat on African Central Bank Board. Also gains seat on African Monetary Institute board. ECOWAS candidates elected to Peace and Security Council. Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar led discussions on democracy.

VP Shettima arrives Ethiopia for 39th AU Summit (Feb 14-15, 2026). He represents President Tinubu, attending sessions on water, sanitation, and Agenda 2063. He'll also engage in bilateral talks.

Putin met with Archpriest Alexander Tkachenko of the Circle of Kindness Foundation. The foundation, established five years ago on Putin's order, supports children with severe illnesses. Tkachenko reported saving tens of thousands of lives and presented Putin with an icon.

President Ramaphosa outlined R1 trillion for infrastructure, 4 quarters GDP growth, and lowest inflation in 20 years. 56 municipalities charged for water failures. 2.5 million job opportunities created. 88% matric pass rate achieved.

Student Finance England applications for 2026/27 open March 23, 2026. Students can sign up for reminders. Apply early to ensure funding by term start. Processing takes 6-8 weeks. Courses from Jan 2027 use the Lifelong Learning Entitlement.

Professor Brian Bell appointed Chief Economic Advisor to the Treasury, effective March 9th. He will advise the Chancellor and PM on macroeconomy and fiscal policy. Bell previously chaired the Migration Advisory Committee.

UK Ministry of Defence awards £12 million contract to Amentum UK for hypersonic missile development. Aims to boost sovereign capability and national security, supporting NATO allies. Contract awarded in 31 days.

7 new Trustees join the National Museums Liverpool Board. Appointed from January 19, 2026, to January 18, 2030, the new members include Peter Duffy, Lord John Grantchester, Sue Harris, and Nigel Lowe.

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander visited Navantia UK in Methil. £12m+ investment announced for skills centre, machinery. 120 new jobs, 20 apprentices to be hired. Yard workforce grew to 230.

US airlifted 25 pallets, over 6,000 kg, of priority medical supplies to Venezuela. This is the first shipment in a plan to stabilize the country's health system and support its recovery.

Trump Admin issues five general licenses for Venezuelan oil. GL 46 allows US firms to market oil. GL 47 permits sale of US-origin diluent. GLs 48, 49, 50 authorize goods, services, and investment in oil infrastructure.

Sec. Rubio met German Chancellor Merz in Munich. They discussed global challenges, Ukraine aid ($76B+ since 2022), and U.S.-Europe partnership.

Secretary Rubio heads to Germany (Feb 13-15) for the Munich Security Conference. Then, Slovakia and Hungary (Feb 15-16) to boost security, energy ties, and military modernization.

Secretary Rubio heads to Munich, stressing a "new era" in geopolitics. He anticipates meeting President Zelenskyy and discusses Greenland efforts. Rubio calls Russian bombardments "terrible" and hopes for war's end. He also plans a bilateral visit with Hungary's Viktor Orban.