France joins Poland’s push to curb Ukrainian imports – POLITICO

A crew stranded on the beached cargo ship H&S Wisdom in the Humber estuary has received essential food and water supplies and will soon get donations of sweets from locals. The ship, stuck on a sandbank since 2 March, may remain immobile until tides rise at the end of the month, with refloating efforts likely starting on 28 March. Loaded with steel, the vessel, with six crew members onboard, will need the next spring tide...

Cabinet minister Pat McFadden has reassured that he will not implement drastic cuts to the civil service, amid concerns of an Elon Musk-style cost-cutting strategy. Despite denying setting targets for job reductions, he announced significant reforms to Whitehall, including linking pay to performance and targeting long-term disability payments. The government's plans for savings to fund increased defence spending resemble Musk's Department of Government Efficiency in the US, known for its aggressive cost-cutting measures. Full Article

A 32-year-old man named Omar Prempeh has been charged with the murder of 16-year-old Lathaniel Burrell, who was shot dead in Stockwell. The incident took place in Paradise Road in south London, where officers responded to reports of a shooting at 3:21pm on Tuesday. Prempeh, who was arrested in Croydon, is set to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Monday, while Lathaniel’s family receives support from specialist officers as the investigation continues. Full Article

Russian defence forces have launched a large-scale attack in western Kursk to reclaim territory seized by Ukraine, with reports of Russian soldiers using a gas pipeline for infiltration. Major General Apti Alaudinov stated that the enemy is abandoning positions while Russia's Defence Ministry reported capturing villages in Kursk and neighbouring Sumy region. European leaders fear Ukraine's potential failure in the war as Russian forces advance and engage in ongoing fighting in Sudzha, according to Ukrainian...

Former deputy prime minister Lord Michael Heseltine is warning of the need for a major Brexit rethink on defence and security, advocating for a single European military command structure and the defence of the continent's borders due to the unreliable nature of the US as an ally under President Trump. He believes Sir Keir Starmer must address the damage of Brexit beyond current reset talks, emphasizing the importance of engaging in open debate to support...

Elon Musk advocated for a US exit from NATO, stating it doesn't make sense for America to pay for Europe's defense. Trump emphasized NATO members should meet funding obligations, warning he won't defend those who don't pay. European leaders are responding by considering a significant increase in defense spending to address NATO funding concerns. Full Article