div class="content user-select-text" tabindex="0" aria-description="" aria-label="Sent by Copilot: **EU Allocates €1.3 Million to WHO Europe for Nurse Retention** The European Union has signed a €1.3 million agreement with the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO Europe) to help retain nurses and make the profession more attractive. Funded by the EU4Health programme, this 36-month initiative will focus on countries with significant nurse shortages. Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, highlighted the importance of nurses, stating, "Nurses are the backbone of our health systems and are critical in ensuring that patients receive high-quality, professional care when they need it." The funding will support recruitment action plans, mentoring programmes, workforce impact assessments, and training opportunities. These efforts aim to address structural shortages, improve nurse wellbeing, and leverage digital transformation in healthcare. The initiative will be tailored to national and sub-national needs through cooperation with Member States, nurses' organisations, and social partners. --- Would you like more details on any specific aspect of this initiative?" div class="content user-select-text" tabindex="0" aria-description="" aria-label="Sent by Copilot: **Turkey Seeks BRICS Membership to Expand Global Influence** Turkey has formally applied to join the BRICS group of emerging-market nations, aiming to enhance its global influence and establish new ties beyond its traditional Western allies. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's administration views the geopolitical center of gravity as shifting away from developed economies. This diplomatic push reflects Turkey's aspirations to cultivate relationships in a multipolar world while maintaining its commitments as a key NATO member. Frustrated by the lack of progress in its bid to join the European Union, Turkey submitted its BRICS application months ago. The move also stems from rifts with NATO members after Turkey maintained close ties with Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Erdogan emphasized the importance of balancing relations with both the East and the West, stating, "Turkey can become a strong, prosperous, prestigious, and effective country if it improves its relations with the East and the West simultaneously." The BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, recently expanded to include Iran, the UAE, Ethiopia, and Egypt. Further enlargement, potentially including Turkey, may be discussed at a summit in Kazan, Russia, from October 22-24. BRICS positions itself as an alternative to Western-dominated institutions like the World Bank and IMF, offering new members access to financing and broader political and trading relationships. Turkey believes BRICS membership could enhance economic cooperation with Russia and China and position it as a trade conduit between the EU and Asia. Despite this, Turkey continues efforts to rejuvenate EU membership talks, which remain a strategic target. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan highlighted the importance of BRICS in diversifying global economic approaches and identities. --- Would you like more details on any specific aspect of Turkey's BRICS application or its broader diplomatic efforts?" Egypt plans to incorporate over 50 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030 and hopes that China Energy will seriously consider partnership opportunities in these projects, Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly stated on Thursday. This statement came during Madbouly's meeting with China Energy Chairman Song Hailiang on the sideline of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation in Beijing. Madbouly emphasised Egypt's strong interest in localising solar panel production and other renewable energy technologies, acknowledging China's leadership in these fields, particularly in energy storage batteries. He expressed Egypt's readiness for collaboration and highlighted the country's appreciation for Chinese investments, including those from China Energy. The prime minister mentioned the ongoing solar power plant project and China Energy's proposal to invest in Cairo International Airport's cargo village as key areas of interest. Song Hailiang noted that China Energy is involved in 12 projects in Egypt, with a total investment of $2 billion. He attributed the success of these projects to the Egyptian government's ongoing support and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for this. Song also revealed plans for a significant green hydrogen project in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) and hopes to strengthen cooperation in exporting renewable energy to Europe. Additionally, China Energy is considering relocating its North Africa headquarters to Egypt and is interested in establishing the region's first green ammonia factory. The partnership aims to enhance collaboration in renewable energy, with China Energy looking forward to accelerating the establishment of green ammonia production facilities and other related ventures. Attribution: The Egyptian Cabinet Subediting: M. S. Salama
