International

Zelensky and mitsotakis unharmed after russian drone attack near their convoys

Several explosions were reported less than 200 meters from the convoys of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis just minutes before the two leaders met, unharmed, in the Ukrainian city of Odesa.

According to the private television station SKAI, the explosions occurred just about 150 meters from the convoy and were caused by a Russian drone attack.

Greek government sources indicated that Mitsotakis and all members of his delegation are in good health, while minutes after the incident, Mitsotakis and Zelensky held the meeting as planned.

Greek convoy diverted from route

Immediately after the explosions, the Greek convoy diverted from its predetermined route, following the instructions of Ukrainian authorities, SKAI reported.

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Minutes after the attack, Mitsotakis and Zelensky held the planned meeting.

Meeting between Zelensky and Mitsotakis

“We were at the port of Odesa, and President Zelensky and his team were giving us a guided tour when we heard sirens and, shortly after, as we were getting into our cars, we heard a loud explosion,” Mitsotakis said after the meeting in a press conference alongside the Ukrainian president.

The Greek Prime Minister emphasized that this incident is “the best and most vivid reminder” that in Ukraine, “there is a war every day that not only affects the frontlines and soldiers but also innocent people.”

Several attacks on the city in recent days

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According to the correspondent of the Greek public broadcaster ERT in Odesa, during the meeting of the two leaders, there was also a ballistic missile attack on the city.

Last Saturday, twelve civilians, including five children, lost their lives in this southwestern Ukrainian port city when a Russian missile struck a residential complex.

Mitsotakis’ trip to Ukraine was revealed by Greek media earlier on Wednesday, highlighting that it was a lightning visit to meet with Zelensky and show support from his government in their resistance against the Russian invasion.

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.

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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.

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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.