What Is The Govt Saying

Singleton Bypass on track to open late 2026. $560M federal, $140M NSW investment. Will divert 15,000 vehicles daily from town. 1,300 workers on project.

NSW releases Blue Mountains-Central West Corridor White Paper, prioritizing safety, resilience, reliability. Focuses on road upgrades, rail improvements, active transport. Rejects past tunnel promises. Bells Line of Road gets $100 million upgrade.

NSW toll relief is back. Over 35,000 claims filed for Q4 2025. $60 weekly cap is now permanent. $215 million returned to motorists since cap's 2023 start. Check eligibility at Service NSW.

NSW Lung Bus begins Newcastle tour offering free health checks for 5,000+ workers annually. Detects dust diseases like silicosis. SafeWork NSW data shows 12,214 workers on the Silica Register. Checks take 30 minutes.

NSW Pattern Book terraces begin construction at Edmondson Park. Designed by Other Architects, built by Landcom. Six homes to be sold, one retained as demonstration. Expected completion early 2027. Aims to accelerate housing delivery.

Brazil and the EU establish mutual data transfer recognition. VP Geraldo Alckmin calls it a win for legal security, business, and reciprocal investment. Digital trade may grow 7-9%.

Brazil and the European Union recognize equivalent data protection. This creates the world's largest secure data flow area, covering 700 million people. Vice President Geraldo Alckmin attended the announcement on January 27.

President Lula signed seven decrees to expand land access for agrarian reform. Six farms and one nursery in five states (SP, MT, MG, RS, RN) are declared of social interest for expropriation.

Minister McGuinty and Japan's Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi signed an Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement. This pact deepens defense ties, enabling co-development and technology sharing between Canada and Japan.

CanNor and the Northwest Territories signed an MOU to boost economic development. Focus on critical minerals and infrastructure. A symposium for Indigenous governments is planned.

Minister Sean Fraser appointed Jason L. Wilkins, K.C. and Peter D. Banks to the Court of King's Bench of Alberta in Calgary. Wilkins replaces Justice Poelman, Banks replaces Justice Neufeld.

Minister Tim Hodgson met UAE Minister Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber on Jan. 27, 2026. They discussed Canada-UAE energy cooperation and UAE investment in Canadian projects. Both aim to advance shared priorities.

Canada and India renewed their Ministerial Energy Dialogue in Goa. Minister Timothy Hodgson met with India's Hardeep Singh Puri. They aim to boost energy trade, including Canadian LNG, LPG, and crude oil to India.

China revises drug regulations. New rules aim to spur innovation and tighten oversight. Focus on drug safety and efficacy.

President Murmu hosted EU leaders on Jan 27, 2026. She highlighted shared values like democracy and the India-EU Free Trade Agreement's positive impact. New security and defense pacts were also discussed.

Amit Shah praises India-EU Trade Deal, calling it a "defining moment" and strategic breakthrough. The deal grants 99% export access, boosting sectors like textiles and auto, aligning with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047.

India and the EU concluded FTA talks. They signed a Security and Defence Partnership, a Green Hydrogen Task Force, and renewed S&T cooperation until 2030. An EU pilot legal gateway office will open in India.

India and the EU signed a historic Free Trade Agreement today, the largest in India's history, involving 27 member states. The deal aims to boost trade, investment, and cooperation. A new mobility framework and Security and Defence Partnership were also established.

India and EU conclude Free Trade Agreement. PM Modi and EC President von der Leyen announced the deal. 99% of Indian exports gain preferential EU access. Trade in goods reached $136.5B in 2024-25.

Italy's NRRP steering committee, led by Minister Foti and Health Minister Schillaci, met to accelerate healthcare measures. A permanent technical working group will boost monitoring of health community houses, hospital upgrades, and digital modernization.

Italy hosts second Italia-Africa Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 13. The event, aligned with the Mattei Plan, marks a first in Africa and coincides with the African Union Summit. Prime Minister Meloni will address the AU Assembly.

Italy's Meloni marks Holocaust Remembrance Day, honoring Auschwitz liberation 81 years ago. She condemns antisemitism, calling it a "plague," and denounces the fascist regime's complicity and the 1938 racial laws.

PM Kishida orders maximum effort to gather intel on North Korea's suspected missile launch. Focus on public information, aircraft/vessel safety, and contingency readiness.

VP Shettima: Plateau State's entry into APC shows it's a party for all Nigerians. He welcomed Governor Caleb Mutfwang, citing Plateau's history of unity and contributions to national cohesion. “To have Plateau in the All Progressives Congress is to show the world that we are indeed prepared to be the party for all Nigerians,” he stated.

President Tinubu met Turkish President Erdoğan in Ankara on Jan. 27, 2026. The Nigerian leader inspected a guard of honor during his state visit.

Nigeria's Federal Government raised ₦501 billion in its inaugural power sector bond, fully subscribed. This move aims to settle legacy debts and boost confidence in the electricity industry. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu champions the program.

VP Shettima to launch Nigeria Foundational Learning Fund and Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion (WYFEI) platform on Jan 28, 2026, in Abuja. Initiative aims to boost education, literacy, and economic empowerment for children, women, and youth.

President Tinubu arrived in Ankara, Turkiye on January 26, 2026, for a state visit. He was met by Minister Yusuf Tekin. Tinubu will meet President Erdogan to boost ties and sign MOUs.

Putin meets Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Jan. 28 in Russia. Talks will cover bilateral ties and the Middle East situation.

Putin sent greetings to the 34th International Educational Christmas Readings. The forum, themed "Enlightenment and Morality," focuses on education, youth upbringing, and patriotism. It fosters cooperation between state, church, and civil society.

Putin marked the 82nd anniversary of breaking the Leningrad siege. He visited Nevsky Pyatachok and Piskarevskoye Memorial Cemetery, laying flowers and wreaths. The siege lasted 872 days, from 1941-1944.

Vladimir Putin sent greetings for International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 81st anniversary of Auschwitz-Birkenau's liberation by the Red Army. He vowed to remember Nazi crimes and honor Soviet soldiers.

Lee Child named first Prison Reading Laureate. Role aims to boost prisoner literacy, reduce reoffending. Two-thirds of inmates read below GCSE level. Initiative part of National Year of Reading 2026.

UK pubs and live music venues get 15% business rates relief in 2026-27. Bills will then be frozen by inflation in 2027-28 and 2028-29. Eligibility criteria are detailed.

France, Germany, UK, US welcome 15-day ceasefire extension in NE Syria. Urge permanent ceasefire, talks for integration. Support ISIS fight, civilian protection, aid access.

UK Defence Innovation offers £1.5 million for innovations in conflict wound care. Proposals due March 24, 2026. Funding targets modeling and treating wounds.

IAA releases January 2026 newsletter. Features new Commissioner's message, Border Security Act update, refreshed guidance, and English language requirement changes. Includes link to Home Office consultation on earned settlement.

41 nations met in Prague to boost UN Security Council Resolution implementation against Iran. Discussions focused on Iran's nuclear, missile, and arms threats. The US will offer technical aid to countries. Six UNSCRs were reimposed Sept. 27, 2025.

Deputy Secretary Rigas visited Japan Jan. 25-28 to bolster U.S. Embassy Tokyo operations and affirm the U.S.-Japan alliance. He attended a dinner naming the Chief of Mission Residence MacArthur House and launched Mission Japan’s Freedom 250 campaign.

U.S. and Bahrain held their fifth Strategic Dialogue in Manama on Jan. 26, 2026. Leaders discussed regional security, economic ties, and counterterrorism. Bahrain committed $17 billion in new commercial deals, including Boeing aircraft.

U.S. marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day, honoring 6 million Jews murdered by Nazis. Reaffirms commitment to human dignity, countering antisemitism, and defending Holocaust memory.