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OpenAI, the company behind the AI chatbot ChatGPT, has rejected more than 250,000 requests to generate images of key US election candidates using its platform, DALL-E. The rejections, which were disclosed in a company blog update on Friday, were part of measures aimed at ensuring the safety and integrity of the upcoming election period.

Requests for AI-generated images of high-profile figures like president-elect Donald Trump, his vice-presidential pick JD Vance, current president Joe Biden, vice-presidential candidate Kamala Harris, and Tim Walz were all blocked. According to OpenAI, these refusals were implemented as part of “safety measures” to prevent the platform from being used to create misleading or harmful content in the lead-up to Election Day.

“These guardrails are especially important in an elections context and are a key part of our broader efforts to prevent our tools being used for deceptive or harmful purposes,” the blog post explained. The company emphasized that it had not seen evidence of any widespread influence operations in US elections through its platforms.

In addition to the image rejections, OpenAI revealed that it had taken action earlier this year against a political influence campaign linked to Iran. In August, OpenAI blocked the Iranian campaign, known as Storm-2035, from generating political content on US elections, which attempted to impersonate both conservative and progressive news outlets. Accounts tied to this campaign were subsequently banned from using OpenAI’s services.

The company also highlighted in an October update that it had disrupted more than 20 separate influence operations and deceptive networks from around the world that had attempted to use OpenAI tools for misleading purposes. However, the company’s report noted that none of these election-related operations managed to generate significant “viral engagement.”

OpenAI’s proactive steps to protect the integrity of its platforms during the election period are part of its broader efforts to minimize the potential for AI-generated content to be used maliciously or deceptively, especially in politically sensitive contexts. Despite concerns about the potential misuse of AI technologies for creating misinformation, OpenAI asserts that its safety measures are working to limit such risks.

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Zelensky Calls for ‘Army of Europe’ Amid Uncertainty Over U.S. Support

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the creation of a European military force to defend against Russia, warning that the continent can no longer rely on U.S. protection. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine would not accept peace deals made without its involvement, following reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to initiate negotiations.

A Shift in Transatlantic Relations

Zelensky’s remarks come amid growing uncertainty over America’s commitment to European security. In a speech at the conference, U.S. Vice President JD Vance called on European nations to take greater responsibility for their defense, signaling a shift away from traditional U.S. leadership in NATO.

“Yesterday here in Munich, the U.S. vice president made it clear—the decades-old relationship between Europe and America is ending,” Zelensky said. “From now on, things will be different, and Europe needs to adjust to that.”

A European Military Force?

Zelensky’s proposal for an “army of Europe” echoes past calls from leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, who has long advocated for an independent European defense force to reduce reliance on the U.S.

“Many, many leaders have talked about Europe needing its own military,” Zelensky stated. “An army—an army of Europe.”

His comments reflect growing frustration within NATO and the European Union, especially as U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, suggest that Ukraine is unlikely to join NATO anytime soon. Hegseth has also dismissed the idea of Ukraine reclaiming its pre-2014 borders, a stance that has further strained relations between Kyiv and Washington.

Trump-Putin Talks Raise Concerns

The Trump-Putin peace discussions, held without European input, have alarmed Ukrainian officials. Zelensky revealed that Trump had briefed him on the talks but failed to mention Europe’s role.

“A few days ago, President Trump told me about his conversation with Putin. Not once did he mention that America needs Europe at the table—that says a lot,” Zelensky said. “The old days are over when America supported Europe just because it always had.”

Trump and Putin have reportedly agreed to meet in Saudi Arabia, with plans for potential visits to each other’s capitals. While no date has been set for Trump’s visit to Moscow, Zelensky accused Putin of orchestrating a propaganda spectacle.

“Next, Putin will try to get the U.S. president standing on Red Square on May 9, not as a respected leader, but as a prop in his own performance,” Zelensky warned.

May 9 marks Russia’s Victory Day, commemorating the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.

European Leaders Weigh In

European leaders have voiced strong opposition to any peace agreement that does not include Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated that Germany would never support a dictated peace, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Europe must take charge of Ukraine’s future, or risk having global powers decide for them.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin insists that Ukraine will have a role in negotiations, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that Kyiv “will of course” be involved in some capacity.

As Ukraine’s war with Russia approaches its three-year anniversary, Zelensky’s calls for a unified European defense force could mark a turning point in the continent’s security strategy. Whether European nations will act on his proposal, however, remains to be seen.

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European Leaders Weigh Deployment of Troops to Ukraine in Future Peace Plan

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A group of European nations, led by the United Kingdom and France, has been quietly discussing a potential military deployment to Ukraine to help enforce any future peace agreement with Russia. The discussions have taken on a new sense of urgency amid fears that a future U.S. administration under Donald Trump could bypass European allies and strike a unilateral deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

UK and France at the Forefront

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed on Thursday that the UK would play a role in any post-war security framework for Ukraine but declined to provide specifics.

“I won’t get into the particular capabilities, but I do accept that if there is peace, then there needs to be some sort of security guarantee for Ukraine,” Starmer said.

The concept of European troops in Ukraine first gained traction in early 2024 when French President Emmanuel Macron refused to rule out deploying forces on the ground. His stance initially met strong opposition from Germany and Poland, but recent discussions indicate a shift in attitudes.

Behind-the-Scenes Talks

The first high-level talks on the idea took place in December 2024, at a private meeting at NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s residence in Brussels. Attendees included leaders and ministers from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Denmark, and the Netherlands, along with top EU officials.

The plan is still in early stages, and several obstacles remain. Italy’s constitution limits its ability to send troops abroad, while the Dutch and German governments would require parliamentary approval before committing to a deployment. Poland, meanwhile, remains cautious due to historical tensions with Ukraine.

Challenges and Possible Deployment Size

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made clear that he envisions a force of 100,000 to 150,000 troops securing a post-war peace, while media reports suggest a smaller 30,000- to 40,000-strong European contingent. No final figure has been confirmed by European officials.

Estonia’s Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur emphasized that any deployment would depend on the conditions of a peace agreement. If Russian and Ukrainian forces agree to draw down troop levels, European forces could more easily maintain stability. However, if active fighting continues, the situation would become far more complex.

Ukraine’s Position and Future Alliances

During the Munich Security Conference, Zelenskyy argued that Ukraine’s military experience could play a pivotal role in Europe’s future security. He proposed the formation of a new military alliance, calling for an “Armed Forces of Europe” to counter Russia.

“Without the Ukrainian army, European armies will not be enough to stop Russia. This is the reality,” Zelenskyy stated.

However, he acknowledged that Ukraine lacks sufficient military equipment, including fighter jets and air defense systems.

“If we had 150 to 160 F-16 fighter jets and over 25 Patriot missile systems, why would we need U.S. or European troops?” he questioned.

Implications for NATO and the EU

Zelenskyy has insisted that if Ukraine is not granted NATO membership, an alternative security structure must be created—potentially involving European troops on the ground. He also warned that Russia could attack European NATO states from Belarus as soon as this year, increasing the urgency for Europe to develop a unified military response.

As discussions continue, European leaders must decide whether they are willing and able to send troops to Ukraine’s front lines—and what risks such a move could pose for relations with Russia.

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UN Accuses Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s Government of Crimes Against Humanity

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A United Nations investigation has accused former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government of orchestrating systematic and deadly violence against protesters in a desperate attempt to cling to power, with UN officials warning that such actions could amount to crimes against humanity.

The UN report, released on Monday, details a brutal crackdown on mass anti-government demonstrations in mid-2024, with up to 1,400 people killed, primarily by security forces. Investigators allege that the violence was state-sanctioned and directed by senior political leaders and security officials.

Government-Led Crackdown on Protesters

The student-led protests, initially sparked by controversial civil service quotas, quickly escalated into a nationwide uprising demanding Hasina’s resignation. The unrest intensified after a deadly police crackdown, plunging Bangladesh into its worst political violence since its 1971 war of independence.

According to the UN, the government’s response was a “calculated and well-coordinated strategy” to maintain power at any cost. UN human rights chief Volker Türk stated that officials, security forces, and Awami League-affiliated groups committed “serious and systematic human rights violations”.

“There are reasonable grounds to believe that extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, detentions, and torture were carried out with the knowledge, coordination, and direction of the highest levels of government,” Türk said at a press conference in Geneva.

Atrocities and Widespread Abuses

The UN investigation, which included interviews with over 230 survivors, witnesses, and former officials, found evidence of:

  • Protesters being shot at point-blank range
  • Targeted killings and deliberate maiming
  • Torture and arbitrary detentions
  • Children being among the victims, with up to 13% of the dead underage

Former PM Sheikh Hasina, who fled Bangladesh by helicopter to India last August, was aware of and involved in these serious offences, the UN report claims.

The investigation also found that security forces deliberately targeted individuals they deemed as opposition supporters, as well as certain religious and ethnic groups. The UN urged further investigations into these incidents.

Caretaker Government Calls for Justice

The UN investigation was requested by Bangladesh’s caretaker leader, Muhammad Yunus, who took office after Hasina’s government was deposed.

Yunus vowed to restore security and dignity to the country, pledging that all perpetrators would be held accountable. However, the UN’s estimated death toll of 1,400 far surpasses the 834 deaths acknowledged by the interim government.

The UN team—comprising human rights investigators, a forensic physician, and a weapons expert—analyzed medical records, photographs, videos, and testimonies to compile the damning report.

“The evidence paints a disturbing picture of rampant state violence and targeted killings,” Türk said.

As Bangladesh moves toward rebuilding under its new leadership, the UN’s findings could pave the way for international legal action against Hasina and her former government.

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