International
Ali Khamenei calls for participation in Iran elections to “make our friends happy and disappoint our enemies”
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, called for participation in parliamentary elections on Friday to “disappoint the enemies,” marking the country’s first elections since the protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022.
“Many people around the world, whether ordinary individuals or politicians and authorities, have their eyes on Iran, on you, to see what you will do in these elections,” said Khamenei in a message to Iranians after casting his vote shortly after the opening of polling stations, in an event televised by Persian channels.
“Make our friends happy and disappoint our enemies. Please vote,” urged the religious leader, who in recent days has appealed to Iranians to vote given the popular indifference. Iranian authorities often use the term “enemies” to generally refer to the United States, Israel, and opposition groups.
Some 60,000 polling stations opened at 08:00 local time (4:30 GMT) and will remain open for 10 hours nationwide, with over 61 million people called to the polls, as reported by the official IRNA news agency.
Around 15,200 candidates – 1,713 of whom are women – are competing for the 290 seats in Parliament, while 144 clerics are running for the 88 seats in the Assembly of Experts, which selects Iran’s Supreme Leader in case of vacancy. This body is elected every eight years and the outcome of these elections could be crucial for the future of the Islamic Republic, given the advanced age of Khamenei, 84 years old.
Electoral Process in Iran
The elections are dominated by the conservative bloc, which now holds a parliamentary majority, following the disqualification of numerous reformist candidates, raising doubts about the freedom of elections and, in some cases, calling for a boycott.
The electoral process is marked by some indifference and apathy among voters due to the country’s poor economic situation, the disqualification of many reformist candidates, and political detachment, which was exacerbated by the protests sparked by Amini’s death after being arrested for not wearing the veil properly.
For months, young Iranians protested in the streets of the country chanting “woman, life, freedom,” demanding freedoms and an end to the Islamic Republic, in protests that subsided after the death of about 500 protesters at the hands of security forces.
Polls estimate participation between 30% and 41%, compared to the 42% turnout in the 2020 legislative elections, the lowest level in the history of the Islamic Republic.
Hundreds of activists, politicians, student associations, teachers, as well as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, consider boycotting as “a moral obligation for Iranians who love freedom and seek justice.”
International
Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint
The government of Brazil has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, while calling on both nations to exercise restraint.
In a statement released Wednesday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties involved to act with moderation and seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
“Brazil encourages all sides to act with moderation in order to find a peaceful solution to the controversy. It stands ready to support dialogue efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region,” the statement said.
Brazil also expressed “serious concern” over reports of deaths in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incidents have not yet been clarified.
The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries, increasing regional concern over stability and security along their shared border.
International
U.S. lowers travel advisory for much of Venezuela but keeps high-risk zones under warning
The U.S. Department of State announced on Thursday that it has lowered its travel advisory for much of Venezuela to Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”), reflecting what it described as improved security conditions in parts of the country.
However, the agency will maintain the highest Level 4 warning (“Do Not Travel”) for several regions, including the states of Táchira, Amazonas, Apure, Aragua and Guárico, as well as rural areas of Bolívar, citing ongoing risks such as crime, kidnapping and terrorism.
The updated advisory marks a shift from December, when the United States raised the alert for Venezuela to Level 4 nationwide, warning of severe security threats.
Despite the partial downgrade, U.S. authorities continue to urge caution, emphasizing that conditions remain volatile in certain areas and that travelers should carefully assess risks before planning any trips to the country.
International
EU lawmakers move to ban AI tools that generate non-consensual nude images
Members of the European Parliament are pushing to ban across the bloc artificial intelligence services that allow users to digitally “undress” people without their consent.
The proposal, adopted on Wednesday at committee level, aims to prohibit applications that generate non-consensual explicit images. Irish lawmaker Michael McNamara, one of the sponsors, said the measure seeks to stop tools that “have caused significant harm for the benefit of a few.”
Dutch MEP Kim van Sparrentak welcomed the move, calling it “a major victory, especially for women and children in Europe.”
The amendment, part of broader EU legislation on artificial intelligence, was approved by the Parliament’s civil liberties and internal market committees. It specifically targets systems that use AI to create or manipulate sexually explicit or intimate images resembling identifiable individuals without their consent.
The proposal will be put to a full vote in the European Parliament on March 26. If adopted, lawmakers and European Union member states will need to agree on a final version before it can take effect.
Separately, representatives of the 27 EU countries recently backed a Franco-Spanish amendment seeking to ban AI services used to generate non-consensual sexual images or child sexual abuse material.
The initiative follows controversy surrounding a feature introduced in Grok, developed by xAI, which allowed users to create simulated nude images from real photos. The tool sparked widespread criticism and prompted an EU investigation.
In response, xAI restricted image generation features in mid-January to paying subscribers and stated it blocks the creation of sexualized images in jurisdictions where such content is illegal.
Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint
U.S. lowers travel advisory for much of Venezuela but keeps high-risk zones under warning
EU lawmakers move to ban AI tools that generate non-consensual nude images
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International2 days agoTwo killed in shooting at restaurant near Frankfurt Airport
-
Central America2 days agoEl Salvador destroys $166 million worth of cocaine seized from Tanzanian vessel
-
International3 days agoGerman president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz
-
International2 days agoU.S. counterterrorism chief resigns over opposition to war in Iran
-
International4 days agoNoboa intensifies anti-cartel crackdown as violence persists in Ecuador
-
International3 days agoVenezuela’s foreign minister accuses UN rights chief of “immoral bias”
-
International3 days agoMexico security chief meets DEA director in Washington to boost anti-drug cooperation
-
International4 days agoPeruvian presidential candidate Napoleón Becerra dies in campaign road accident
-
Central America1 day agoCosta Rica closes embassy in Cuba, citing human rights concerns
-
Central America2 days agoAnalyst questions IACHR role over report on El Salvador emergency measures
-
International1 day agoHiroshima survivor who embraced Obama dies at 88
-
International8 hours agoBrazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint
-
International8 hours agoEU lawmakers move to ban AI tools that generate non-consensual nude images
-
International1 day agoColombia seeks ‘total suffocation’ of armed groups with regional support
-
Central America1 day agoCosta Rica closes Cuba embassy as president escalates rhetoric
-
International8 hours agoMeningitis outbreak in England rises to 27 cases with two deaths reported
-
International8 hours agoU.S. lowers travel advisory for much of Venezuela but keeps high-risk zones under warning