Cyprus in talks with Gulf energy companies over natural gas licences, president says

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Energy companies from Persian Gulf states have expressed interest in searching for natural gas off the southern coast of Cyprus, President Nikos Christodoulides said Friday. Speaking at an energy conference in Nicosia, he said Cypriot authorities are in early...

Australia's plan to ban children from social media proves popular and problematic

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — How do you remove children from the harms of social media? Politically the answer appears simple in Australia, but practically the solution could be far more difficult. The Australian government’s plan to ban children from social media platforms...

Man who stole and laundered roughly $1B in bitcoin is sentenced to 5 years in prison

WASHINGTON (AP) — A computer expert who stole bitcoin worth billions of dollars at current prices — and then spent years laundering some of the hacked cryptocurrency with help from his wife — was sentenced on Thursday to five years in prison. Ilya Lichtenstein masterminded one...

Tech consultant spars with the prosecutor over details of the death of Cash App founder Bob Lee

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A tech consultant charged with murder in Cash App founder Bob Lee’s stabbing death sparred with the lead prosecutor at trial Thursday, interrupting questions asked of him with his own questions as he was grilled on his testimony. Nima Momeni, 40, had to be...

AI could help scale humanitarian responses. But it could also have big downsides

NEW YORK (AP) — As the International Rescue Committee copes with dramatic increases in displaced people in recent years, the refugee aid organization has looked for efficiencies wherever it can — including using artificial intelligence. Since 2015, the IRC has invested in...

Homeland Security Department releases framework for using AI in critical infrastructure

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Thursday released guidelines for using artificial intelligence in the power grid, water system, air travel network and other pieces of critical infrastructure. Private industry would have to adopt and implement the guidelines announced...

EU slaps Meta with a nearly 800 million euro fine for engaging in 'abusive' Marketplace practices

LONDON (AP) — European Union regulators issued their first antitrust fine to Facebook parent Meta on Thursday with a penalty of nearly 800 million euros for what they call “abusive practices” involving its Marketplace online classified ads business. The European Commission,...

Disney Q4 bolstered by strong results from streaming, 'Inside Out 2' and 'Deadpool & Wolverine'

Disney's fourth-quarter adjusted profit beat Wall Street's expectations, bolstered by strong results from its streaming service and box office success with “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool & Wolverine.” Disney earned $460 million, or 25 cents per share, for the period ended...

In Cyprus, Ukrainians learn how to dispose of landmines that kill and maim hundreds

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — In a Cypriot National Guard camp, Ukrainians are being trained on how to identify, locate and dispose of landmines and other unexploded munitions that litter huge swaths of their country, killing and maiming hundreds of people, including children. Analysts...

EU fines Facebook parent Meta nearly 800 million euros over 'abusive' Marketplace practices