Shoigu’s deputy is detained for corruption

Shoigu’s deputy is detained for corruption — Illustrative Photo by Pixabay

The Deputy Minister of Defence of Russia, Timur Ivanov, was detained for corruption, he is suspected of taking bribes in particularly large amounts, the press service of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation announced.

President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu have been informed of the deputy defense minister’s detention, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

It is clear from the report of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation that the deputy minister was detained on suspicion of receiving a particularly large bribe. A particularly large amount under Russian laws starts at 1 million rubles. The maximum penalty for this offense is up to 15 years in prison.

Timor Ivanov is now being investigated. According to TASS, citing its source, the investigation will file a request for his arrest.

Today in the afternoon, judging by a video on the website of the military department, Timur Ivanov was on the council of the Ministry of Defense. Ivanov’s last public activity was on April 20. It was reported that he was traveling on a business trip to the troops of the Leningrad Military District.

Ivanov is responsible for the departments “Construction”, “Planning and Coordination of the Development of the Troops”, “Housing Construction and Management of the Housing Fund”, “Military Properties”, as well as the Directorate “State Expertise”, the Main Military Medical Directorate and the Federal Directorate “Accumulating mortgage system for housing insurance for military personnel”.

In his capacity as Deputy Minister of Defense of Russia, Timur Ivanov is responsible for the organization of property management, troop accommodation, housing and medical insurance. He is also responsible for the planning of public procurement for goods, construction and services within the framework of the state defense procurement. Among the issues it oversees are engineering studies, architectural and construction design, construction, reconstruction and capital repair of the facilities of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Timur Ivanov is 49 years old. He was appointed Deputy Minister of Defense by presidential decree in May 2016. Before that, from 2013 to 2016, he was the general director of Oboronstroy, subordinate to the Ministry of Defense, which specialized in building housing for the military, as well as socially significant and strategic military sites. In 2018, he was included in the “Forbes” ranking “The richest representatives of law enforcement agencies in Russia – 2019.” with a family income of 136.7 million rubles.

Before starting work at the Ministry of Defense in May-November 2012, Timur Ivanov was the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Moscow Region. During this period, Sergei Shoigu was the governor of the Moscow region. Before that, Timur Ivanov worked in the energy sector: in the Department for the Construction of Nuclear Power Plants in Minatom, he was the vice president of “Atomstroyexport” and he headed the Russian Energy Agency under the Ministry of Energy.

A new name for a sustainable future

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26 April 2024

A new name for a sustainable future — The Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung becomes the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials. Image credit: Sustainable Materials

Understanding and managing global change and achieving a sustainable future is a task to which the Max Planck Society is committed. This is also reflected in the reorientation of the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung. The Düsseldorf-based institute has been investigating how to optimise steel and other metallic for applications in energy, mobility, infrastructure, production, and medicine over the past few decades. In recent years, researchers have increasingly focused on how steel and other metallic materials can be produced with minimal greenhouse gas emissions, as well as on maximising the efficiency of limited raw materials for electronic devices, electric motors, and generators. To reflect this shift in research focus, the Institute has undergone a name change: it will now be known as the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials.

Around twenty percent of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the production of materials that people need for buildings, infrastructure, and various products. The steel industry alone accounts for eight percent of CO2 emissions. At the same time, many of the raw materials needed for modern societies and a climate-friendly economy are in limited supply or are extracted under environmentally and socially questionable conditions. Examples include aluminium, used for lightweight car bodies, the production of which produces toxic red mud: lithium, essential for batteries, and sourced from a limited number of locations globally; and rare earth metals, vital for smartphones, electric motors, and wind turbine generators, yet also facing scarcity issues.

Solutions for a sustainable metal industry

“Metals, semiconductors, and numerous other materials form the bedrock of global society. Without them, there would be no housing, mobile phones, means of transportation, and infrastructure – in short, society as we know it today would cease to exist. However, producing and utilising such materials significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental deterioration,” explains Dierk Raabe, Managing Director at the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials. “At our Institute, we address this very challenge: how can we establish a new industrial base within a short period of time? The ongoing reorientation reflects the shift in our focus areas. We are working on fundamental questions about how our modern industrial society can become more sustainable overall. “

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute in Düsseldorf are looking for ways to produce iron and steel from ores using hydrogen, aiming to replace coal in the process. They are investigating how to enhance metal recycling techniques, particularly for rare and energy-intensive metals. Moreover, they aim to reduce the environmental impact of the metals industry in general, such as the development of low-CO2 steel derived from red mud, a toxic waste product from aluminium production. In the development of new materials, they are increasingly using artificial intelligence to develop new materials.

“Climate change and securing our livelihoods are among the greatest challenges facing humanity today,” says Max Planck President Patrick Cramer. ” The Max Planck Society is committed to contributing to finding solutions for these challenges. Today’s reorientation of the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung towards research into sustainable materials underscores this commitment, reaffirming its dedication to adressing scientific and social progress.”

Briefing for media on the 2024 European Elections | News

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25 April 2024

Briefing for media on the 2024 European Elections | News

When: 29 April, from 10.00-11.00

Where: Anna Politkovskaya press room in Brussels and via Interactio, Parliament’s webstreaming and EbS+

Parliament’s Spokesperson Jaume Duch Guillot will open the media briefing, summarising Parliament’s main legislative achievements during its ninth term, as well as unfinished business for the new Parliament after the elections.

This will be followed by a briefing on practical information for the media by the EP Press and Audiovisual services, on:

9 May – One month to go
23 May – Eurovision debate with the lead candidates to the EU Commission Presidency in Parliament’s hemicycle in Brussels
9 June – Election night from Parliament’s premises in Brussels.

Delphine Colard, Parliament’s Deputy Spokesperson, will then speak about how the EU is working to protect the 6-9 June elections from disinformation.

Closing the session, Philipp Schulmeister, Parliament’s director for campaigns, will present the EP’s election campaign, including the screening of its TV advertising spot.

Find the detailed programme here.

Information for the media – Use Interactio to ask questions

Interactio is only supported on iPad (with the Safari browser) and Mac/Windows (with the Google Chrome browser).

When connecting, enter your name and the media you are representing in the first name / last name fields.

For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for interventions with video, so you should switch on your camera when asking a question. It is recommended to use one of these microphones to ensure that questions can be interpreted.

Journalists who have never used Interactio before are asked to connect 30 minutes before the start of the press conference to perform a connection test. IT assistance can be provided if necessary.

When connected, open the chat window (upper right corner) to be able to see the service messages.

For more details, check the connection guidelines and recommendations for remote speakers.

Parliament condemns Iran’s attack on Israel and calls for de-escalation

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25 April 2024

Parliament condemns Iran’s attack on Israel and calls for de-escalation — European Parliament - Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel, the need for de-escalation and an EU response (debate)

In a resolution adopted on Thursday, MEPs strongly condemn the recent Iran’s attack on Israel with drones and missiles and call for further sanctions against Iran.

Condemning the Iranian strikes on 13 and 14 April, Parliament voices serious concern over the escalation and threat to regional security. MEPs reiterate their full support for the security of the State of Israel and its citizens and condemn the simultaneous rocket launches carried out by Iran’s proxies Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi rebels in Yemen against the Golan Heights and Israeli territory before and during the Iranian attack.

At the same time, they deplore the attack on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus on 1 April, which is widely attributed to Israel. The resolution recalls the importance of the principle of the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises, which must be respected in all cases under international law.

Need for de-escalation, put Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on EU terror list

While calling on all parties to avoid any further escalation and to show maximum restraint, Parliament expresses deep concerns over the destabilising role that the Iranian regime and its network of non-state actors play in the Middle East. MEPs welcome the EU’s decision to expand its current sanctions regime against Iran, including by sanctioning the country’s supply and production of unmanned drones and missiles to Russia and the wider Middle East. They demand that these sanctions be urgently put in place and call for more individuals and entities to be targeted.

The resolution also reiterates Parliament’s long-standing call to include Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the EU list of terrorist organisations, stressing that such a decision is long overdue due to malign Iranian activities. It similarly calls on the Council and EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell to add Hezbollah in its entirety to the same list.

Iran must abide by its obligations under the country’s nuclear deal

With Iran persistently failing to comply with its legal safeguard obligations under its nuclear deal – formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – MEPs urge the Iranian authorities to immediately abide by these requirements and address all related outstanding issues. They also condemn Iran’s use of hostage diplomacy – keeping foreign nationals jailed as bargaining chips – and urge the EU to launch a strategy to counter it with a dedicated task force to better assist detainees’ families and effectively prevent further hostage-taking.

The resolution finally welcomes the Council’s decision to launch the EU Naval Force Operation ASPIDES to safeguard freedom of navigation off the coast of Yemen, while calling on Iran and entities under its control to ensure the release and safe return of captured European crewmembers taken from vessels passing in the region.

For the full details, the resolution, adopted by 357 votes in favour, 20 against with 58 abstentions, will be available in full here (25.04.2024).

Parliament signs up for new EU Body for Ethical Standards

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25 April 2024

man writing on paper — Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash

The agreement was reached between Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the Court of Justice, the European Central Bank, the European Court of Auditors, the European Economic and Social Committee, and the European Committee of the Regions. It provides for the joint creation of a new Body for Ethical Standards. This Body will develop, update, and interpret common minimum standards for ethical conduct, and publish reports on how these standards have been reflected in each signatory’s internal rules. The institutions participating in the Body will be represented by one senior member and the position of Chair of the Body will rotate every year between the institutions. Five independent experts will support its work and be available for consultation by the participating institutions and bodies about standardised written declarations, including declarations of interest.

A successful push for watchdog functions

Parliament was represented in the negotiations by Vice-President Katarina Barley (S&D, DE), Chair of the Constitutional Affairs Committee Salvatore De Meo (EPP, IT), and rapporteur Daniel Freund (Greens/EFA, DE). They improved significantly the Commission’s proposal, described as “unsatisfactory” by MEPs in July 2023, by adding to the tasks of the independent experts the competence to examine individual cases and issue recommendations. The agreement was approved by the Conference of Presidents.

Only the first step

The accompanying report by Daniel Freund (approved with 301 votes in favour, 216 against, and 23 abstentions) underlines that final decision-making rests with the signatories and that any consultation of the independent experts on an individual case begins with a request by a signatory. MEPs also point out that the declarations of financial interests of Commissioners-designate should as a rule be subject to examination by the independent experts.

Parliament reiterates its commitment to developing the independent ethics body in the future so it would be capable of carrying out investigations on its own initiative and of issuing recommendations for sanctions. A body like this should be composed of independent experts as full members, and cover members of EU institutions and bodies before, during, and after their term of office or service, as well as staff. MEPs are disappointed the European Council declined to join the agreement, and regret the unwillingness of the Council to allow the Body to cover at least the representatives at ministerial level of the member state holding the Council Presidency, and provides arguments against the relevant reasoning.

The text includes Parliament’s positions on financing provisions, the criteria for the consensus-based appointment of the experts, the existing legal pathways for the Body’s information-gathering, and the modalities of the independent experts’ work. It also sets out the need for the Body to lead by example by publishing its work-related information in a machine-readable open data format accessible to citizens, while protecting the privacy of the individuals concerned to an appropriate extent, and the presumption of innocence.

Finally, MEPs stress the need to define how the mandate of the Vice-President (and the alternate member) representing Parliament will be determined, and to put in place accountability mechanisms (which should include the Constitutional Affairs Committee) to ensure MEPs will have a say in the development of standards that will be binding for them.

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Rapporteur Daniel Freund (Greens/EFA, DE) commented: “Without the tireless efforts of the European Parliament pushing for more transparency, we would not have come this far. The fact that the new body can also deal specifically with individual cases is an enormous negotiating success. Today, we are creating more transparency, laying the foundation for greater citizen confidence in European democracy.”

Next steps

The agreement needs to be signed by all parties before it can enter into force. The agreement will be reviewed three years after its entry into force to improve and enhance the Body.

Background

The European Parliament has been calling for the EU institutions to have an ethics body since September 2021, one with real investigative authority and a structure fit for purpose. MEPs reiterated the call in December 2022, in the immediate aftermath of the allegations of corruption involving former and current MEPs and staff, alongside an array of internal improvements to enhance integrity, transparency, and accountability.

MEPs adopt plans to boost Europe’s Net-Zero technology production | News

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25 April 2024

The “Net-Zero industry Act”, already informally agreed upon with the Council, sets a target for Europe to produce 40% of its annual deployment needs in net-zero technologies by 2030, based on National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and to capture 15% of the global market value for these technologies.

Technologies to be supported include all renewable technologies, nuclear, industrial decarbonisation, grid, energy storage technologies, and biotech. The law will simplify the permitting process, setting maximum timelines for projects to be authorised depending on their scope and output.

The agreement provides for the creation of “Net-Zero Acceleration Valleys” initiatives, speeding up the permitting process by delegating parts of the evidence collection for environmental assessments to member states.

Sustainability and resilience criteria

National support schemes aiming to get households and consumers to move over to technologies such as solar panels and heat pumps more quickly will have to take into account sustainability and resilience criteria. Public procurement procedures and auctions to deploy renewable energy sources should also meet such criteria, albeit under conditions to be defined by the Commission, and for a minimum of 30% of the volume auctioned per year in the member state, or alternatively for a maximum of six Gigawatt auctioned per year and per country.

The legislation will encourage funding from national Emission Trading System (ETS) revenues and for most strategic projects through the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), and it is a step towards a European Sovereignty fund.

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“This vote is good news for European industry and sets the tone for the next term. To achieve all our economic, climate and energy ambitions, we need industry in Europe. This Act is the first step to making our market fit for this purpose”, said lead MEP Christian Ehler (EPP, DE).

Next steps

The legislation was adopted with 361 votes to 121, with 45 abstentions. It will now have to be formally adopted by Council in order to become law.

Background

A considerable amount of clean energy technology is needed to support reaching Europe’s 2030 and 2050 climate targets. Europe largely imports these technologies, and many non-EU countries have stepped up their efforts to expand their clean energy manufacturing capacity.

Conference on the future of Europe

The “Net Zero Industry Act” aligns with the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe through several key proposals and measures.. Specifically, the Act reflects Proposal 3 (measures 1, 3, 5, 6), Proposal 11 (measure 1), Proposal 12 (measure 5), Proposal 17 (measure 1), and Proposal 18 (measure 2), which collectively aim to foster a sustainable, resilient, and independent energy framework within the EU.

MEPs call for a firm response to counter Russian interference | News

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25 April 2024

Following several recent revelations of Kremlin-backed attempts to interfere with and undermine European democratic processes, MEPs adopted on Thursday a resolution firmly denouncing such efforts. Any such tactics, they say, must have consequences. Parliament is appalled by credible allegations that some MEPs were paid to disseminate Russian propaganda and that several participated in the activities of pro-Russian media outlet “Voice of Europe”, at the same time as Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

MEPs want EU and member state leaders to deal with Russian interference efforts, not just in the EU institutions but across the Union. There is, they argue, a sense of urgency and resolve to this given the approaching European elections on 6-9 June 2024.

Paying elected representatives to spread propaganda

Referencing suspected Russian interference cases from across Europe, including Bulgaria, Germany and Slovakia, MEPs are concerned by the recent questioning of leading Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) MEP Maximilian Krah by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over suspicions that he received money from Kremlin agents, and by the arrest in Germany on 23 April 2024 of his parliamentary assistant on charges of being a Chinese spy. Parliament calls on the AfD to publicly declare without delay its financial relations, especially with the Kremlin, and to publicly disclose the purpose and exact amount of all payments originating from Kremlin-linked sources.

Joint and vigorous response needed to counter interference

MEPs say that while Russia remains the main origin of foreign interference and disinformation in the EU, other countries are also active. They underline that the EU’s response to these threats can only be effective if it is based on a cross-cutting, holistic and long-term policy approach jointly carried by both the EU and member states.

To beef up Parliament’s own defences, the resolution suggests enhancing its internal security culture, including thorough internal investigations to assess possible cases of foreign interference and the full enforcement of its internal sanctions framework. MEPs also want mandatory security training for MEPs and staffers, appropriate security clearance, and reinforced staff screening.

The resolution calls on the Council to include Kremlin-backed media outlets, other broadcasting and media organisations, and individuals responsible for propaganda and disinformation campaigns in the EU in the forthcoming 14th Russian sanctions package. MEPs want to mirror the sanctions adopted by the Czech government against “Voice of Europe”, as well as Ukrainian pro-Russian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk and his close associate Artem Marchevskyi. They also deplore Voice of Europe’s ability to restart its operations from Kazakhstan and call on EU member states to ensure it cannot be accessed in the EU.

For the full details, the resolution will be available in full here (25.04.2024). It was adopted by 429 votes in favour, 27 against with 48 abstentions.

Human rights breaches in Azerbaijan, The Gambia, and Hong Kong | News

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25 April 2024

Azerbaijan, notably the repression of civil society and the cases of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and Ilhamiz Guliyev

MEPs urge Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally release Ilhamiz Guliyev, a human rights defender arrested in December 2023, and all other political prisoners, including EU and other nationals. They call on the authorities to lift the travel ban and drop all charges against Gubad Ibadoghlu, a political economist and opposition figure, and ensure he receives independent medical care after he was released from jail and placed under house arrest on 22 April.

The ongoing human rights violations in Azerbaijan are incompatible with the country hosting COP 29, MEPs say. They want the Commission to consider suspending the strategic partnership with Azerbaijan in the field of energy. MEPs insist on making any future partnership agreement conditional to the release of all political prisoners and an improvement of the human rights situation in the country, and they reiterate their call for EU sanctions against Azerbaijani officials who have committed serious human rights violations.

The resolution was adopted by 474 votes in favour, 4 against and 51 abstentions. For further details, the full version will be available here (25.04.2024).

Concern over potential repeal of female genital mutilation ban in The Gambia

MEPs warn that The Gambia risks being the first country in the world to reverse legal protection against female genital mutilation (FGM) and urge the Gambian Parliament to reject a proposal to repeal the current FGM law and to uphold the practise’s criminalisation. They also urge the Gambian government to strengthen its efforts to prevent and eliminate FGM through enforcement measures, education and collaboration with international partners.

Parliament says it is ready to support the government and civil society in community engagement to combat FGM, assist survivors, and defend women’s rights. FGM should, MEPs argue, be urgently and systematically raised with the Gambian authorities by the Commission and the European External Action Service.

The resolution was adopted by 535 votes in favour, 1 against and 1 abstention. For further details, the full version will be available here (25.04.2024).

The new security law in Hong Kong and the cases of Andy Li and Joseph John

The resolution strongly condemns the adoption of the Safeguarding National Security Ordonnance (SNSO) in Hong Kong, expanding the National Security Law (NSL) imposed by China, and urges China and Hong Kong to repeal both laws.

MEPs are appalled by the shutting down of pro-democracy political forces, civil society, news outlets and the arrest of over 200 people since the adoption of NSL. They urge the Hong Kong government to immediately and unconditionally release Andy Li, Joseph John, Jimmy Lai, all other pro-democratic activists, and drop all charges against them.

They demand the Council review its 2020 Conclusions on Hong Kong and adopt sanctions under the EU global human rights sanctions regime against Chief Executive John Lee and all officials responsible for the crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong. They are also concerned about the Safeguarding National Security Ordonnance’s extraterritoriality and retroactivity, targeting the Hong Kong diaspora, and urge member states to suspend extradition treaties with China and Hong Kong.

The resolution was adopted by a show of hands. For further details, the full version will be available here (25.04.2024).

Sudan catastrophe must not be allowed to continue: UN rights chief Türk

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United Nations News

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25 April 2024

Sudan catastrophe must not be allowed to continue: UN rights chief Türk

A year to the day since heavy fighting erupted between Sudan’s rival militaries, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warned of a further escalation, including an imminent attack on El-Fasher in North Darfur.

“The Sudanese people have been subjected to untold suffering during the conflict which has been marked by indiscriminate attacks in densely populated areas, ethnically-motivated attacks, and a high incidence of conflict-related sexual violence. The recruitment and use of children by parties to the conflict are also deeply concerning,” said Mr. Türk.

And as an international donor conference for the Sudan emergency began in Paris on Monday, the UN rights chief underscored the potential for further bloodshed, as three armed groups announced that they were joining the Sudanese Armed Forces in their fight against the Rapid Support Forces and “arming civilians”.

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UN chief’s appeal

In a video message to the conference, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that “we cannot let this nightmare slide from view”, given the sheer scale of the suffering.

“I appeal to the generosity of donors to step up their contributions” and support for the life-saving humanitarian work being done, with woeful shortfalls in current contributions.

The Humanitarian Response Plan of $2.7 billion is only around six per cent funded.

“We urge effective and coordinated international mediation efforts to stop the fighting”, he said.

Since fighting erupted on 15 April 2023, more than eight million people have been displaced, including at least two million to neighbouring countries.

Acute hunger danger

“Nearly 18 million people face acute food insecurity, 14 million of them children, and over 70 per cent of hospitals are no longer functional amid a rise in infectious diseases – this catastrophic situation must not be allowed to continue,” said High Commissioner Türk.

Echoing those concerns, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that some 8.9 million children are suffering from acute food insecurity; this includes 4.9 million at emergency levels.

“Almost four million children under five are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition this year”, including 730,000 from life-threatening severe acute malnutrition, UNICEF said in a statement on Sunday.

“Almost half of the children suffering from severe acute malnutrition are in areas that are hard to access” and where there is ongoing fighting, noted UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, Ted Chaiban.

“This is all avoidable, and we can save lives if all parties to the conflict allow us to access communities in need and to fulfil our humanitarian mandate – without politicizing aid.”

Civilian rule targeted

Top UN rights official Türk also expressed deep concern that arrest warrants had been issued against former Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok and others on apparently unsubstantiated charges.

“The Sudanese authorities must immediately revoke the arrest warrants… and prioritize confidence-building measures towards a ceasefire as a first step, followed by a comprehensive resolution of the conflict and the restoration of a civilian government,” Mr. Türk insisted.

UN humanitarians meanwhile have reiterated that chronic hunger and malnutrition continue to make children “much more vulnerable to disease and death”.

Conflict has also disrupted vaccination coverage in Sudan and safe access to drinking water, UNICEF explained, meaning that ongoing disease outbreaks such as cholera, measles, malaria and dengue now threaten the lives of hundreds of thousands of children.

“Spikes in mortality, especially among internally displaced children, are a forewarning of a possible huge loss of life, as the country enters the annual lean season,” the UN agency said, as it underlined the need for predictable and sustained international aid access.

“Basic systems and social services in Sudan are on the brink of collapse, with frontline workers not being paid for a year, vital supplies depleted, and infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, still under attack.”

Schools shuttered

And in a warning that the whole country could be engulfed in fighting that has left half of Sudan’s population in need of humanitarian relief, the global fund for education in emergencies, Education Cannot Wait, underscored that four of the eight million people uprooted by the violence are children.

The conflict “continues to take innocent lives, with over 14,000 children, women and men reportedly killed already,” said Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait.

Ms. Sherif echoed deep concerns that Sudan now has one of the worst education crises in the world, with more than 90 per cent of the country’s 19 million school-age children unable to access formal education.

Mariam Djimé Adam, 33, is sitting in the yard of Adre’s secondary school in Chad. She arrived from Sudan with her 8 children.

“Most schools are shuttered or are struggling to re-open across the country, leaving nearly 19 million school-aged children at risk of losing out on their education,” she said.

To date, the global fund has provided nearly $40 million to support education for victims of the crisis in Sudan and beyond, in the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

“Without urgent international action, this catastrophe could engulf the entire country and have even more devastating impacts on neighbouring countries, as refugees flee across borders into neighbouring States,” Ms. Sherif said.

An employee of the Belgian development agency Enabel in Gaza killed during a bombing

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NewsdeskTET

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25 April 2024