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TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to SBS News in Easy English. I'm Camille Bianchi.
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Queenslanders are making their final preparations for Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which is now expected to cross the coast early on Saturday morning.
The category-two storm has slowed down and the Bureau of Meteorology says it will likely make landfall on the Queensland coast between Noosa and Coolangatta.
The places that will be affected are areas within Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay and Ballina.
The state's commissioner of Fire and Emergency Services, Steve Smith, says residents have been urged to prioritise safety.
"We do have hundreds of Rural Fire Service Queensland and foreign rescue service staff ready to respond when it is safe to do so to support the recovery, so they are in place and are ready to respond, as and when conditions are needed. We are ready, but I do ask you all to please hear the warnings and advice that authorities have provided, and ensure you make good decisions for the process."
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European leaders have made plans to spend more money on defence as they promise to support Ukraine.
At an emergency meeting, leaders of 27 European countries have talked about ways to make sure Ukraine will still be properly protected.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says it is important for leaders in Europe to take urgent action.
"I present today to the leaders: the “ReArm Europe Plan.” The 'ReArm Europe Plan' provides up to 800 billion euros for defense investment. It gives the member states fiscal space to invest in defense. It gives the member states possibility to invest in the Ukrainian defense industry or to procure military capabilities that go right away to Ukraine."
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US President Donald Trump says he has paused 25 per cent penalties on most products from Mexico for one month.
Mr Trump said that, after speaking with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
The delay means that tariffs are paused until the 2nd of April - instead of starting this week.
President Sheinbaum says she had a positive talk with Mr Trump.
"In February alone, the reduction in fentanyl seizures on the US side of the border with Mexico was reduced by 41.5 per cent. Donald Trump was not aware of this graph until we sent it to him. And I also explained to him that what we had decided about the 10,000 guards at the border, the customs review, that is giving us results. So I said to him, we are getting results, President Trump, now that you put in the tariffs how are we going to continue cooperating with something that hurts the people of Mexico?"
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New information shows the richest Australians are getting more money, but people with low incomes are struggling more than ever.
The study shows there is now the biggest difference between rich and low-income Australians than ever in the past 20 years.
These people who live in Sydney - Australia's most expensive city - say they see these results in real life.
"I mean, the prices of the house have gone up, I mean, I'm in the trade at the moment building houses, and all these houses have tripled the prices since like two years ago."
"A lot of older people I know, grandparents, they own their homes, it's not...All the people my age just sort of think about moving overseas if they want to buy a home. Economically, everyone I know is sort of saying there's no point trying to live in Sydney anymore."
"Everyone has to balance their lifestyle and income and I think, people that get it don't go out and spend 30, 40 dollars a week on avocado on toast or other things, right?"
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And that's the latest SBS News in Easy English - I'm Camille Bianchi.
