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?" France's construction sector continued to deteriorate at a rapid pace midway through the third quarter, a recent survey by S&P Global showed on Thursday. The construction activity levels in all three monitored segments dropped, with housing once again substantially falling in August compared to the previous month. A lack of interest in new construction projects was also evidenced by a further sharp decline in new orders. Purchasing activity and employment also declined in August, and business expectations for the next 12 months remained pessimistic. In August, the headline HCOB France Construction PMI Total Activity Index — which measures the monthly changes in total industry activity — was little-changed from July's six-month low of 39.7. Experiencing only a marginal rise to hit 40.1 in August, the headline index signalled another steep month-on-month contraction in total construction activity midway through the third quarter. French construction companies continued to lessen their purchasing activity throughout August, the sixteenth month running that this has been the case. However, the rate of reduction was a little weaker than in July, which saw the fastest pace in just over three-and-a-half years. Nevertheless, despite less strain on suppliers, input prices hiked at the fastest pace in the year -to-date during August. French constructors are still pessimistic towards the 12-month outlook for activity. Fears of a worsening in demand led some companies to even expect a contraction over the coming year, anecdotal evidence showed. "There is no sign of improvement in the French construction sector anytime soon. The HCOB Total Activity Index remained at a level almost ten points below the expansion threshold. Constructors are struggling with weak demand due to restrictive interest rate levels and high charges. Significant interest rate cuts by the ECB (European Central Bank) are needed to revive the French construction sector. Unfortunately, we only expect one more rate cut by September for the rest of the year." said Norman Liebke, economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank. Attribution: S&P Global Subediting: Y.Yasser Download
