France warms to idea of seizing Russian assets in Europe – POLITICO Europe

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  1. France warms to idea of seizing Russian assets in Europe  POLITICO Europe
  2. Is It Time to Transfer Frozen Russian Assets to Ukraine? Calls Grow Louder.  The New York Times
  3. UK-France tensions over plan to seize $350bn Russia assets for US arms  The Guardian
  4. Rishi Sunak on why Ukraine should get Russia’s frozen assets, not just the interest on them  The Economist
  5. As Europe mobilizes behind Ukraine, it's sitting on a $218 billion ace card — and it's being urged to play it  Yahoo
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European leaders brace for their ‘5-minutes-to-midnight’ nightmare summit – POLITICO Europe

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  1. European leaders brace for their ‘5-minutes-to-midnight’ nightmare summit  POLITICO Europe
  2. EU leaders to back defence surge, support Zelenskiy after US aid freeze  Reuters
  3. EU leaders to hold emergency Ukraine talks, seeking to adapt to new security demands without the US  The Associated Press
  4. Zelensky will visit the EU summit tomorrow - media  Українські Національні Новини
  5. Zelensky to take part in special European Council meeting on March 6.  Kyiv Independent
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China maintains defence spending increase at 7.2% amid roiling geopolitical tensions – Reuters

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  1. China maintains defence spending increase at 7.2% amid roiling geopolitical tensions  Reuters
  2. China will increase its defense budget 7.2% this year  The Associated Press
  3. China Ramps Up Spending on Its Military as US Looks to Cut Costs  Bloomberg
  4. China Raises Military Budget as Trump Nominee Warns of 'Catastrophic' War  Newsweek
  5. China to raise defense spending by 7.2% in 2025 to ‘firmly safeguard’ national security  CNBC
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China will work to firmly advance ‘reunification’ with Taiwan, premier says – Yahoo News Canada

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  1. China will work to firmly advance 'reunification' with Taiwan, premier says  Yahoo News Canada
  2. China pledges to advance Taiwan unification at annual meeting  Taiwan News
  3. What does Beijing have in mind for Taiwan in 2025 after Ukraine shock?  South China Morning Post
  4. MAC urges China to exercise self-restraint and reason  台北時報
  5. China Reaffirms Commitment to Advancing Reunification with Taiwan  AL24 News
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DR Congo conflict: Men risk drowning to flee conscription by rebels – BBC.com

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  1. DR Congo conflict: Men risk drowning to flee conscription by rebels  BBC.com
  2. Burundi Takes in Majority of 80,000 Fleeing DRC Violence—UNHCR  News Central
  3. Over 60,000 Congolese Seek Safety In Burundi  Voice of Nigeria
  4. UNICEF Burundi Flash Update No. 1 (Refugee Response - Impact of DRC Crisis) - 14-27 February 2025  ReliefWeb
  5. UNHCR calls for continued protection and assistance for Congolese fleeing escalating conflict in eastern DR Congo  UNHCR
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Vance irks allies in UK, France with skeptical comments about Ukraine peacekeeping mission proposal – PBS NewsHour

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  1. Vance irks allies in UK, France with skeptical comments about Ukraine peacekeeping mission proposal  PBS NewsHour
  2. A 'disgrace' and a 'clown': JD Vance's 'random country' comment riles Britain and France  USA TODAY
  3. JD Vance Ignites Outrage in UK With ‘Random Country’ Comment  The New York Times
  4. PM pays tribute to British troops after Vance comments  BBC.com
  5. ‘Trump said he’d have our backs’: Starmer’s magical assertions comfort Badenoch | Zoe Williams  The Guardian
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Florida attorney general opens criminal investigation into Andrew Tate and brother

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Inquiry launched after pair was able to fly into state despite facing trial in Romania on rape and trafficking charges

The attorney general of Florida has opened a criminal investigation of Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan after the pair were able to fly into the state last week despite facing trial in Romania on charges of rape, sex with a minor, people trafficking and money laundering.

James Uthmeier, appointed to be the state attorney general by Florida governor Ron DeSantis, said on Tuesday he had begun an “active criminal investigation” of the brothers and was prepared to use the “full force of law” in his examination of their conduct.

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Crisafulli urges residents to prepare as storm approaches – as it happened

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This blog is now closed. Read the latest Cyclone Alfred news update here

Sandbag queues ‘about an hour’ in Brisbane – Wells

The federal sports minister, Anika Wells, also spoke on the Today Show this morning from Brisbane and said it was the “calm before the storm”.

At the moment that’s the shortest it’s been in 24 hours. It’s a big couple of days ahead for south-east Queensland. We’re more than up to the task, but everybody’s doing their bit.

So everyone’s doing their bit and we thank them for it.

We know that there’s going to be damaging winds, there is going to be powerful surf, coastal erosion, and it will be followed by significant rain that can last a couple of days. So we’re really urging people to be alert, to be prepared, just like the SES is.

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Tropical Cyclone Alfred: Queensland evacuations begin as storm path tracks towards Brisbane

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Up to 20,000 homes could be flooded, with beachside and low-lying suburbs most at risk, city council flood map shows

Queensland authorities are advising some residents to leave coastal properties in the path of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, amid warnings that a storm surge of up to 1 metre higher than typical tides could inundate communities.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said Australian Defence Force assets have been placed on standby to respond to the looming storm, which was tracking towards the heavily populated coastline between the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.

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VE Day 2025: Tower of London poppies to return to mark 80th anniversary

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Four days of events planned in Britain to commemorate eight decades since end of second world war in Europe

For the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day the Cenotaph will be draped in union flags and there will be a military procession and flypast as well as a new installation of about 30,000 ceramic poppies at the Tower of London, it has been announced.

Four days of commemorations will begin on the bank holiday Monday of 5 May in tribute to the millions of people across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the second world war.

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