EU leaders open emergency talks on defense and Ukraine aid as US support wanes

Roy Ayers, the legendary vibraphonist and musician known for his album "Everybody Loves the Sunshine," has passed away at the age of 84 in New York City after a long illness. His family announced the news on Facebook, expressing their great sadness and asking for privacy as they plan a celebration of his life. Ayers, who started playing the vibraphones at age 17, had a career spanning over six decades and was a pioneer in...

Killer paedophile Sidney Cooke was brutally attacked in prison by another inmate wielding a drinks flask, as seen in shocking footage obtained by The Sun. Cooke, 97, known as 'Hissing Sid', was knocked unconscious and saved by a fellow prisoner who intervened. The attacker was disciplined by prison authorities and released from Wakefield prison, known as 'Monster Mansion', where Cooke was targeted for his involvement in a paedophile gang suspected of abducting and killing multiple...

The Conservatives are urging the government to overrule proposed changes by the Sentencing Council that would prioritize the ethnicity or faith of offenders when determining sentencing in England and Wales. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood plans to challenge the guidance, which is set to take effect in April, emphasizing the importance of pre-sentence reports for judges to consider individual circumstances. Critics, including shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, argue that the new guidelines could lead to unequal...

Alibaba shares surged after unveiling its new AI reasoning model, QwQ-32B, which the company claims can rival DeepSeek's R1. The Hong Kong-listed shares of Alibaba ended up 8.39%, hitting a new 52-week high, with a 71% gain in the year to date. Optimism surrounding AI developments could lead to large gains for Alibaba stock, with analysts projecting an upward trajectory driven by advancements in AI technology. Full Article

Bosnian officials challenge laws preventing state judiciary and police from operating in Serb-controlled part of Bosnia, citing violations of constitution and peace agreement. Disputed laws passed after conviction of pro-Russia president Milorad Dodik for separatist actions. Dodik's push for independence of Serb-run half of Bosnia has raised tensions, prompting fears of clashes between rival police forces. Full Article

The White House confirmed direct talks with Hamas, facilitated by Qatari intermediaries, focusing on securing the release of Israeli captives. President Trump threatened Palestinians in Gaza with deadly consequences if captives were not released, advocating for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza. Hamas has not officially responded to the talks, while Israel expressed concerns about the US engagement with Hamas. Full Article