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The Italian government has approved a draft law that officially recognises femicide as a distinct crime within the country's criminal law, with penalties of up to life imprisonment, reports AP. This decision, announced just before International Women's Day on Saturday, aims to address the alarming rate of homicides and violence against women in Italy. The law proposes stronger measures against gender-based crimes such as stalking and revenge porn. Italy Embassy in Dhaka reaffirms commitment to combating visa corruption The proposal, agreed upon late Friday, still requires approval by both houses of parliament to become law. “This is a highly significant bill, which introduces femicide as an independent crime in our legal framework, with a life sentence as the penalty,” said conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a strong supporter of the measure. “It also includes aggravating factors and harsher sentences for crimes like personal abuse, stalking, sexual violence, and revenge porn,” she added. While the centre-left opposition welcomed the initiative, they noted that the law focuses only on the criminal aspect, leaving economic and cultural disparities unaddressed. Femicide has become a systemic issue deeply rooted in Italy’s patriarchal culture, with some violent incidents sparking renewed discussions on gender-based violence. A notable case was the murder of Giulia Cecchettin, a 22-year-old university student fatally stabbed by her ex-boyfriend Filippo Turetta in November 2023. In December, Turetta was sentenced to life imprisonment. Italy contributes €3 million to support Rohingyas in Bangladesh Recent studies show that, although homicides are decreasing in Italy, femicides remain stable or decline only slightly, with the majority linked to domestic or emotional relationships. According to the Italian Interior Ministry, 113 femicides were recorded in 2024, 99 of which were committed by family members, partners, or ex-partners.

Eurostar services to and from London, along with other trains traveling north from Paris, came to a standstill on Friday after an unexploded bomb from World War II was found near the tracks serving the busy Gare du Nord station, reports AP. France’s national railway operator, SNCF, stated that train traffic was halted at the request of the police. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot warned that travel would be "strongly disrupted" throughout the day, with only limited services resuming in the afternoon, and advised passengers to delay their journeys. The bomb was discovered at around 4 a.m. by workers conducting earth-moving operations near the tracks in the Seine-Saint-Denis region. Minesweepers were deployed to the site, and their operation remains ongoing. Meanwhile, stranded passengers gathered at the station as it opened on Friday. Gare du Nord is a key European transit hub, connecting Paris to international destinations north of France, including Brussels and the Netherlands, as well as the city’s main airport and numerous regional locations. Assad loyalists kill at least 13 police officers in ambush on Syrian forces in coastal town While unexploded bombs from World War I and World War II are frequently uncovered across France, finding one in such a densely populated area is highly unusual. Speaking on broadcaster Sud Radio, Tabarot reassured local residents and those near the train station that there was “no fear” of an explosion, emphasising that proper procedures were in place for defusing and removing the bomb. Eurostar, which operates passenger trains through the Channel Tunnel between Britain and mainland Europe, cancelled all services between London and Paris on Friday morning and advised travellers to reschedule their trips. Friday is among the busiest days of the week at Eurostar’s London terminal, St. Pancras Station, with thousands of passengers departing and arriving for weekend getaways. New Zealand's top diplomat in London loses his job over remarks about Trump Trains between London and Eurostar’s other major destination, Brussels, remained unaffected.

With the possibility of losing US support under President Donald Trump, European Union leaders convened an emergency meeting on Thursday to strengthen their security and ensure Ukraine remains adequately protected, reports AP. Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and summit chairman Antonio Costa discussed ways to bolster Europe’s defence over breakfast in Brussels. Merz has been advocating for easing the country’s debt constraints to facilitate increased military spending. US pauses intelligence sharing with Ukraine amid diplomatic spat At the same time, EU leaders woke up to reports that French President Emmanuel Macron was set to consult them on the potential role of France’s nuclear deterrent in safeguarding Europe from Russian threats. These discussions highlight the significant shift in dynamics over the past two months since Trump assumed office and began reshaping the long-standing US-Europe alliance, which has underpinned Western security since World War II. “Invest, invest, invest in defence and deterrence. That is the key message,” said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. This marks a sharp break from Europe’s decades-long trend of deprioritising military expenditure in favour of other budgetary concerns. Macron, addressing the French public on Wednesday night, emphasised that the bloc would take “decisive steps forward.” He stated that member states would be able to increase military spending, with “massive joint funding” allocated to procure and manufacture advanced weapons, tanks, munitions, and other military equipment within Europe. Reinforcing his point, Macron asserted that “Europe’s future does not need to be determined in Washington or Moscow.” Ukraine's President Receives Warm Reception Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who attended the summit, was met with strong expressions of solidarity from most EU leaders— a stark contrast to the harsh criticism he faced from Trump less than a week ago. “I want to thank all our European leaders,” Zelenskyy said. “From the very start of the war, throughout this entire period, and even last week, you have stood by us.” Boosting Defence Budgets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed easing budgetary constraints to enable countries to significantly increase their defence spending. Her plan includes €150 billion ($162 billion) in loans to help acquire essential military equipment. Given that most of the increased military expenditure would have to come from national budgets, von der Leyen has proposed measures to prevent struggling member states from being penalised for additional debt incurred for defence purposes. “Europe is facing a clear and present danger, and therefore it must be able to protect and defend itself,” she stated. France, for instance, is grappling with a high budget deficit of 5% of GDP after accumulating debt—now at 112% of GDP—due to economic relief measures during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Five other eurozone nations—Belgium, Greece, Spain, Italy, and Portugal—have debt levels exceeding 100% of GDP. In contrast, Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has more fiscal flexibility with a debt level of 62% of GDP. Addressing Ukraine’s Security A crucial part of the EU’s security strategy is ensuring Ukraine remains supported. On Wednesday night, a Russian missile strike on a hotel in Zelenskyy’s hometown killed four people. The hotel, located in Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine, had recently become a base for humanitarian volunteers, including Ukrainian, American, and British nationals. It was unclear whether any of these foreign aid workers were among the 31 injured. Earlier this week, Trump ordered a halt to US military supplies to Ukraine, pressing Zelenskyy to negotiate an end to the war with Russia. This development has injected fresh urgency into Thursday’s summit discussions. However, the meeting is not expected to immediately resolve Ukraine’s most pressing needs. It will not be focused on rapidly increasing arms and ammunition supplies to compensate for the US freeze. Nor is there consensus on whether to release the estimated €183 billion ($196 billion) in frozen Russian assets held in a Belgian clearing house. Zelenskyy wants peace, ready to accept minerals deal: Trump A Divided EU Faces a Defining Moment Despite these limitations, EU leaders acknowledged the significance of the moment. “This is a turning point for Europe and for Ukraine as part of our European family,” von der Leyen said, standing alongside Zelenskyy before entering the summit. The greatest challenge, however, may lie in forging a unified EU stance at a time of internal division. Many key decisions require unanimous agreement, and Hungary, along with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, is threatening to veto parts of the summit's statement on Ukraine. “We must make decisions, regardless of one or two dissenters,” said Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda. “Otherwise, history will judge us, and we will pay a steep price.” While Thursday’s summit is not expected to yield immediate financial commitments for Ukraine or EU defence, the upcoming EU summit on 20–21 March is expected to offer clearer decisions on these matters.

Pope Francis was resting on Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Lenten season leading up to Holy Week, after sleeping through the night while wearing a ventilation mask during his hospital treatment for double pneumonia, reports AP. Pope rests after double pneumonia, needs ventilation In its latest update, the Vatican confirmed that the pope had a good night’s sleep, waking shortly after 8 a.m. He remained in stable condition, though his prognosis remained cautious, meaning he was still not out of danger. In the morning, he resumed supplemental oxygen via a nasal tube, alternating with the ventilation mask at night to assist with his breathing and allow for better rest. At 88 years old, Pope Francis, who suffers from chronic lung disease and had part of his lung removed when younger, experienced two respiratory crises on Monday, which delayed his recovery. On Tuesday, he was only receiving supplemental oxygen following the previous day’s respiratory issues but resumed using a ventilation mask overnight, according to the Vatican. The pope’s hospitalisation, which began on February 14, marks the longest of his 12-year papacy. As Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, the Vatican is continuing preparations for the season, despite the pope's absence. A cardinal has been appointed to take his place during Vatican celebrations, including the traditional service and procession in Rome. On Ash Wednesday, Catholics receive the sign of the cross in ashes on their foreheads, symbolising human mortality. It is a day of fasting and abstinence, marking the start of the most penitential season in Christianity. Preparations for Lent proceed without the pope, who had initially planned to attend a spiritual retreat this coming weekend with the rest of the Holy See hierarchy. However, the Vatican confirmed on Tuesday that the retreat would still take place, with the theme of “Hope in eternal life,” which had been chosen weeks before his illness. Pope Francis, who uses a wheelchair due to limited physical activity and is overweight, had been undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to improve his lung function. His inability to expel fluid from his lungs due to weak muscle tone was contributing to his condition. Doctors frequently use noninvasive ventilation to prevent the need for more invasive procedures such as intubation. The pope has not been intubated during this hospitalisation. It is unclear whether he has provided any directives regarding the limits of his care in the event of a serious decline or loss of consciousness. Italian Premier visits Pope Francis in hospital Catholic teaching asserts the importance of defending life from conception until natural death. It maintains that chronically ill patients, even those in vegetative states, should receive “ordinary” care like hydration and nutrition, but “extraordinary” or disproportionate care may be suspended if it no longer benefits the patient or merely prolongs suffering.

At least three lawmakers were injured on Tuesday, one of them seriously, after chaotic scenes in Serbia ’s parliament, during which smoke bombs and flares were thrown, further fueling political tensions in the Balkan country. Lawmakers were scheduled to vote on a law that would increase funding for university education, but opposition parties said the ruling majority was also planning to approve dozens of other decisions. They said that was illegal and that lawmakers should first confirm the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and his government. Chaos erupted about an hour after the parliamentary session started, with opposition lawmakers blowing whistles and holding up a banner reading “Serbia has risen so the regime would fall!” Hundreds of opposition supporters rallied outside the parliament building during the session. Video footages from the assembly hall showed clashes between lawmakers and flares and smoke bombs being thrown. Serbian media said eggs and water bottles also were thrown. Austria's new government takes office after a record 5-month wait Officials later said three people were injured in the disturbance, including lawmaker Jasmina Obradovic who was taken to hospital. Parliament speaker Ana Brnabic, who accused the opposition of being a “terrorist gang.” Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic described those behind the incident as “a disgrace to Serbia.” “The vandalism of opposition MPs has exposed the nature of their personalities and the essence of their political agenda,” Gasic said. Serbia’s populist President Aleksandar Vucic visited Obradovic in hospital. “Jasmina will win, Serbia will win,” Vucic said in a post on Instagram, showing him holding the lawmaker's hand in an emergency room.

Austria’s new government took office on Monday, with Christian Stocker taking over as chancellor at the head of a previously untried three-party coalition after a record five-month wait for a new administration. The new government will have to deal with rising unemployment, a recession and a creaking budget. Its coalition agreement, reached on Thursday after the longest negotiations in post-World War II Austria, foresees strict new asylum rules in the European Union country of 9 million people. “I stand in front of you today with great respect for the tasks that await, and I am very well aware of the great responsibility that comes with these tasks,” Stocker said at a handover ceremony. “I aspire to be a chancellor for everyone.” The end of a long road This is the country’s first three-party government, bringing together Stocker’s conservative Austrian People’s Party, the center-left Social Democrats and the liberal Neos. The alliance in the political center came together only at the second attempt, after the far-right, anti-immigration and euroskeptic Freedom Party emerged as the strongest political force in a parliamentary election on Sept. 29. Austrian FM Schallenberg appointed as interim govt leader A first attempt collapsed in early January, prompting the resignation of then-Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who had said that his party wouldn’t work under Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl. Stocker took over from Nehammer as leader of the People’s Party and went into negotiations with Kickl on a possible coalition, but those collapsed on Feb. 12 amid mutual finger-pointing. The three parties in the center then renewed their effort to find common ground, heading off the possibility of an early election. On Sunday, the coalition deal received strong backing from members of Neos, which is entering a federal government for the first time — the final step before the government could take office. “One could say ‘good things come to those who wait’ — that, in any case, is my hope in view of the many days it took to form this government,” President Alexander Van der Bellen said as he swore in the new government. “This process certainly took a long time; whether it will turn out well now isn't yet decided, but we are positive and optimistic," he added. "That is down to us all.” A new team with some familiar faces Stocker, 64, becomes chancellor although he wasn’t running for the job when Austrians voted in September and has not previously served in a national government. Social Democratic leader Andreas Babler became the new vice chancellor. Neos leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger took over as foreign minister from Alexander Schallenberg, who also served as interim chancellor for the past two months after Nehammer’s resignation. Schallenberg says he is leaving politics, at least for now. He told Stocker that it would have been hard to imagine such a friendly handover when he took over temporarily in January, at a time when a Kickl-led government with a more skeptical attitude toward the EU looked likely Talks on a new 3-party Austrian government collapse as the smallest party pulls out “We have a strong, pro-European government with you at the helm that understands clearly that pulling up bridges and closing hatches isn't a policy that makes sense for our country,” he said. Some conservative ministers from the old government kept their jobs, notably Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner. But the important Finance Ministry went from the People's Party to the Social Democrats, with Markus Marterbauer taking the job.

Police in the western German city of Mannheim have asked the public to stay away from the downtown area and keep inside their homes. Mannheim is a city of about 300,000 people located south of Frankfurt. Police would not disclose what prompted the large law enforcement presence in the city center but a spokesperson said the incident had been reported as “a life-threatening deployment situation.” 4 candidates want to be Germany's next chancellor. Who are they? Police spokesperson Stefan Wilhelm told n-tv television that an “incident” occurred at around 12:15 p.m. in the Paradeplatz area of downtown Mannheim that triggered a large police deployment. He said he couldn’t give details. Authorities pushed an alert on the Katwarn app telling people in Mannheim to avoid the city’s downtown area due to a big police deployment. Katwarn is used by officials to communicate information about major emergencies such as thunderstorms, militant attacks or fires.

Pope Francis had coffee and read newspapers on Saturday following a concerning setback in his two-week recovery from double pneumonia, reports AP. Doctors placed him on noninvasive mechanical ventilation after he suffered a coughing fit, during which he inhaled vomit that had to be extracted. Italian Premier visits Pope Francis in hospital Medical experts stated that it would take a day or two to assess whether Friday afternoon’s incident had affected the pope’s overall condition. His prognosis remained guarded, meaning he was still not out of danger. In a Saturday morning update, the Vatican confirmed that the 88-year-old pope experienced no further respiratory crises overnight: “The night has passed quietly, the pope is resting.” He had coffee with breakfast, indicating he was not reliant on a ventilation mask for breathing and continued to eat independently. In its late Friday update, the Vatican described the incident as an “isolated crisis of bronchial spasm,” where a coughing fit caused the pope to inhale vomit, leading to a “sudden worsening of the respiratory picture.” Doctors aspirated the vomit and placed him on noninvasive mechanical ventilation. Pope Francis diagnosed with pneumonia Throughout the episode, Pope Francis remained conscious, alert, and cooperative with the necessary medical interventions. He responded well, maintaining good oxygen exchange levels and continuing to use a mask for supplemental oxygen, according to the Vatican. The incident marked a setback after two consecutive days of increasingly positive updates from doctors treating him at Rome’s Gemelli hospital since his admission on 14 February. The pope, who had part of one lung removed in his youth, suffers from lung disease and was hospitalised when a case of bronchitis worsened into pneumonia affecting both lungs. Doctors express concern The Vatican noted that this episode differed from the prolonged respiratory crisis reported on 22 February, which had caused discomfort for the pope. Dr John Coleman, a pulmonary critical care physician at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, described the event as alarming, highlighting the pope’s fragility and the rapid changes in his condition. “I find this extremely concerning, given that the pope has been hospitalised for over two weeks and continues to experience respiratory episodes, now including an aspiration event that requires greater support,” Coleman told The Associated Press. “Considering his age, fragile state, and prior lung resection, this is very concerning,” he added, though he is not involved in Francis’ treatment. Dr William Feldman, a pulmonary specialist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, agreed that while it was reassuring the pope remained alert during the episode, it still marked “a worrying turn.” “Often, we use noninvasive ventilation to prevent the need for intubation or invasive mechanical ventilation,” Feldman explained. Types of noninvasive ventilation include a BiPAP machine, which assists breathing by pushing air into the lungs. Doctors typically monitor whether a patient’s blood gas levels improve with its use before transitioning back to oxygen therapy alone. Friday’s statement indicated Francis showed a “good response” to gas exchange through ventilation. Doctors have not resumed describing Francis as being in “critical condition,” a term absent from statements for the past three days. However, they caution that he remains at risk due to the complexity of his health situation. Prayers continue worldwide Francis’ hospitalisation coincides with the Vatican’s Holy Year, drawing pilgrims to Rome from around the world. Many are walking through the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica and making pilgrimages to Assisi, the hometown of his namesake, St Francis. “Every day, we’re praying for the pope,” said the Rev. Jacinto Bento, a priest visiting Assisi on Saturday with 30 Jubilee pilgrims from the Azores Islands. “We’re very sad about his condition.” Veronica Abraham, a catechist and Argentine native, visited Assisi on Saturday with her two children and other parish kids from Lake Garda. She shared that the group had prayed for the pope at every church they had visited. “I’m sure he’s hearing our prayers, that he feels our closeness,” she said. Serena Barbon, visiting Assisi from Treviso with her husband and three children, expressed hope that if Francis does not recover, his successor will carry on his legacy. “He’s been very charismatic, and we pray for him and that any new pope might also be someone who puts the poor at the centre. Because in some way, we are all the poor,” she said.

Following a heated Oval Office confrontation between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainians have rallied behind their leader, viewing him as a steadfast defender of the nation's interests, reports AP. The tense exchange, which occurred in the final moments of their highly anticipated meeting, appeared to undermine hopes that the United States would remain a steadfast ally in helping Ukraine resist and ultimately end Russia’s three-year-long invasion. Trump’s thrashing of Zelenskyy shows limits of Western allies’ ability to sway US leader During the discussion, Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticised Zelenskyy for what they perceived as insufficient gratitude for previous U.S. support, a moment that was welcomed by officials in Moscow, who saw it as a significant deterioration in Washington-Kyiv relations. Ukrainians unfazed by the disputeDespite the confrontation, many Ukrainians expressed little concern, believing that Zelenskyy had defended Ukraine’s dignity and interests by standing firm against some of the world’s most powerful leaders. Nataliia Serhiienko, a 67-year-old retiree from Kyiv, said she felt Ukrainians approved of Zelenskyy’s performance in Washington. “He fought like a lion,” she remarked. “They had a heated discussion, a very intense one,” she added. “But Zelenskyy was defending Ukraine’s interests.” The meeting had originally been intended to finalise a bilateral agreement to establish a joint investment fund for Ukraine’s reconstruction—an initiative seen as a step towards ending the war and fostering long-term economic ties between the two nations. However, with the meeting ending on a sour note, the deal remained unsigned, and Ukraine’s prospects for securing further U.S. security guarantees appeared more uncertain than ever. Nevertheless, despite Zelenskyy leaving Washington empty-handed, his support at home remained strong. Zelenskyy departs White House without signing minerals deal following heated exchange in Oval Office Regional leader praises Zelenskyy’s resilienceAs two drone strikes hit the northeastern city of Kharkiv on Friday night, the region’s governor, Oleh Syniehubov, commended Zelenskyy for standing firm against pressure, insisting that any peace agreement must include security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression. “Our leader, despite the pressure, stands firm in defending the interests of Ukraine and Ukrainians… We need only a just peace with security assurances,” Syniehubov stated. Kyiv resident Artem Vasyliev, 37, was critical of the U.S. response, describing the Oval Office exchange as “complete disrespect” towards Ukraine, despite the country's role in resisting Russian aggression. “We are striving for democracy, and yet we are met with utter disregard—for our warriors, our soldiers, and our people,” said Vasyliev, who hails from Russian-occupied Luhansk in eastern Ukraine. He also criticised Trump for failing to grasp the human toll of the war. “He doesn’t understand that people are dying, that cities are being destroyed, that people—mothers, children, soldiers—are suffering. He is just a businessman, and for him, money is sacred,” Vasyliev said. Social media praise for ZelenskyyUkrainian social media was flooded with messages of support for Zelenskyy, with officials at various levels of government voicing solidarity with him. The reaction mirrored a previous surge of unity after Trump falsely claimed that Ukraine was led by a “dictator” who had initiated the war with Russia—a statement that prompted even some of Zelenskyy’s critics to rally behind him. Oleksandr Prokudin, governor of the southern Kherson region—partially occupied by Russia early in the war before being retaken by Ukrainian forces—stressed that years of conflict had strengthened Ukrainians’ resilience. “We understand pressure—on the battlefield, in politics, and in daily life,” Prokudin stated. “It has made us stronger. It has made the president stronger. Determination drives us forward, and I am confident we will persevere.” While the Trump administration framed the Oval Office confrontation as part of its “America First” policy, accusing Zelenskyy of lacking gratitude for U.S. assistance, the Ukrainian leader’s supporters praised his unwavering commitment to the nation’s interests—even at the cost of clashing with Washington. “Unyielding dedication to Ukraine’s interests and loyalty to his country. That’s what we witnessed today in the United States. Support for the President of Ukraine,” Vice Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba wrote on Telegram. Calls for diplomacyNot all Ukrainian political figures were entirely supportive of how the meeting unfolded. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko expressed concern that the rift with Washington could cost Ukraine vital U.S. support. “We must not lose the backing of the United States, which is critically important to us,” Klitschko cautioned. “Now is not the time for emotions, from either side. We need to find common ground,” he urged in a Telegram post.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit the White House on Thursday to try to convince President Donald Trump that a lasting peace in Ukraine will endure only if Kyiv and European leaders are at the table as negotiations move forward with Moscow. Starmer’s trip, coming a few days after French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron’s own visit, reflects the mounting concern felt by much of Europe that Trump’s aggressive push to find an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine signals his willingness to concede too much to Russian President Vladimir Putin. “We’re going to do the best we can to make the best deal we can for both sides,” Trump said Wednesday as he held the first Cabinet meeting of his second term. “For Ukraine, we’re going to try very hard to make a good deal so that they can get as much (land) back as possible.” But the president’s rapprochement with Russia has unsettled America’s historic allies in Europe, who have found themselves on their heels with Trump returning to the White House with a determination to dramatically make over U.S. foreign policy to correspond with his “America First” world view. The Trump administration held talks last week with Russia without Ukrainian or other European allies represented. And this week this U.S. refused to sign on to resolutions at the U.N. blaming Russia for the war. The drifting White House view of Ukraine under Trump is leading to a tectonic shift in transatlantic relations. But the administration is pushing back on the notion that Trump is ignoring Europe or that Trump is too eager in his push for settlement talks with Putin. “He hasn’t conceded anything to anyone,” Vice President JD Vance said. “He’s doing the job of a diplomat.” There's no honeymoon for new UK leader Keir Starmer after a summer of unrest Trump’s meeting with Starmer comes a day before he is to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In that meeting Friday, the two are expected to sign off on a contentious agreement that would give the U.S. access to Ukraine’s critical minerals, which are used in the aerospace, defense and nuclear industries. Zelenskyy had chafed at signing off on an agreement without specific security guarantees from the U.S. But Trump, in announcing plans for the leaders to sign the agreement, was noncommittal about any coming American security guarantees. “I’m not going to make security guarantees ... very much,” Trump said. “We’re going to have Europe do that.” Indeed, if a truce can be reached, Starmer and Macron have agreed to dispatch troops for a potential peacekeeping mission to Ukraine to ensure that fighting between Ukraine and Russia doesn’t flare up again. The British prime minister confirmed Wednesday that he will host a meeting of international leaders in the U.K. on Sunday, focused on Ukraine. Zelenskyy is expected to attend. Starmer also announced plans this week for the U.K. to bolster defense spending — an issue that should sit well with Trump, who has been critical that European allies are spending too little on defense. The U.K. government will boost military spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product by 2027, years earlier than expected, and will aim to hit 3% by 2035. Beyond the war in Ukraine, Starmer said the talks will home in on “a stable economy, secure borders and national security,” as well as cooperation on AI and other cutting-edge technology. He’ll stress that Europe must “play its part on global defense and step up for the good of collective European security.” A NATO summit and mending EU relations are among first tasks for new UK leader Keir Starmer “The world is becoming ever more dangerous, and it is more important than ever that we are united with our allies,” Starmer said. “There are huge opportunities for us to deepen our special relationship, deliver growth and security, and improve the lives of working people in both our great nations.” Starmer is also keen to discuss “the opportunities that further technology and AI partnerships could deliver,” his office said, including ambitious but vague “shared moonshot missions across top technologies including quantum and AI, and a deeper partnership on space.” Britain has signaled it aims to eschew the European Union’s high-regulation approach to AI as it seeks to become a leader in the field. The U.K. joined the U.S. in refusing to sign a joint declaration at an artificial intelligence summit hosted by Macron in Paris this month in what was seen as an attempt to curry favor with Washington and seek investment from American tech firms. Starmer’s office said the prime minister “will make the case for further integration between the two countries’ tech sectors to make them the most efficient, ambitious technology sectors in the world.”