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US steps up aid to Cuba even while choking off fuel supply

US steps up aid to Cuba even while choking off fuel supply

By Simon Lewis WASHINGTON, Feb 5 (Reuters) - The U.S. will provide an extra $6 million in humanitarian aid to Cuba, the top State Department aid official said on Thursday, even as Washington has stepped up efforts to block oil supplies to the Caribbean island nation, causing crippling shortages.

Venezuela amnesty law would cover political protesters, return assets, draft shows

Venezuela amnesty law would cover political protesters, return assets, draft shows

Feb 5 (Reuters) - An amnesty law being considered in Venezuela's legislature would grant immediate clemency to people jailed for participating in political protests and critiquing public figures, return assets of those detained and cancel Interpol and other international measures against those

US, China opt out of joint declaration on AI use in military

US, China opt out of joint declaration on AI use in military

By Victoria Waldersee A CORUNA, Spain, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Around a third of countries attending a military AI summit agreed on Thursday to a a declaration on how to govern deployment of the technology in warfare, but military heavyweights China and the U.S. opted out.

European Lawmakers Propose Stricter Social Media Age Limits to Protect Youth

European Lawmakers Propose Stricter Social Media Age Limits to Protect Youth

European lawmakers are considering implementing stricter age limits for social media usage to protect young users from potential harms. The European Parliament has proposed a resolution to set a minimum age of 16 for accessing social media platforms, with parental consent required for those aged 13 to 16. This move aims to address concerns about the exposure of minors to harmful content and addictive engagement models on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. The proposal also suggests disabling features such as infinite scroll and auto-play by default. Several European countries, including Spain and France, are drafting laws to enforce these age restrictions, with Spain planning to ban access for children under 16 unless strict age verification is implemented.

As US moves to block oil supply, Cubans wonder how they'll survive deepening energy crisis

As US moves to block oil supply, Cubans wonder how they'll survive deepening energy crisis

Cubans on Friday are facing a worsening crisis as U.S. efforts to block oil supplies take a toll

Turkey edges towards curbing social media access to minors amid global push

Turkey edges towards curbing social media access to minors amid global push

By Can Sezer ISTANBUL, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Turkey is laying the groundwork to restrict social media access for minors with a parliamentary report this week calling for broad measures including age verification and content filtering, joining a growing list of countries seeking tighter controls.

A glimmer of hope for democracy in Venezuela as opponents test the limits of free speech

A glimmer of hope for democracy in Venezuela as opponents test the limits of free speech

In Venezuela, political critics are emerging from hiding following the U.S.-backed ouster of President Nicolás Maduro

Argentina requests extradition of Maduro from the US on crimes against humanity charges

Argentina requests extradition of Maduro from the US on crimes against humanity charges

An Argentine judge has requested the extradition from the United States of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was captured by the U.S. military last month and now faces federal charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine in New York

Trump calls Colombia's Petro 'terrific' after White House meeting while downplaying past insults

Trump calls Colombia's Petro 'terrific' after White House meeting while downplaying past insults

President Donald Trump met on Tuesday with Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House for two hours

Senator Rand Paul Criticizes Trump Administration's Justification for Maduro's Arrest

Senator Rand Paul Criticizes Trump Administration's Justification for Maduro's Arrest

Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul has publicly rejected the Trump administration's justification for the arrest of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Paul argues that labeling the military operation as a law enforcement action does not change its legality, asserting that only Congress has the authority to declare war. The arrest, which involved collaboration between law enforcement and the military, has been criticized by some Republicans and many Democrats as an illegal act of war. State Secretary Marco Rubio defended the operation as primarily a law enforcement function, aimed at apprehending indicted fugitives.

Factbox-Hedge funds jump into volatile January to reap returns

Factbox-Hedge funds jump into volatile January to reap returns

By Nell Mackenzie LONDON, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Hedge funds posted positive returns in January thanks to ripples of market volatility stemming from U.S. military action in Venezuela, questions around the independence of the Federal Reserve and a cold snap that sent natural gas futures flying.

Spain and Greece Propose Teen Social Media Bans Amid Concerns Over Addictive Platforms

Spain and Greece Propose Teen Social Media Bans Amid Concerns Over Addictive Platforms

Spain and Greece have proposed bans on social media use by teenagers, reflecting a growing concern among European nations about the addictive nature of technology platforms and their potential to expose children to harmful content. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced plans to prohibit social media for those under 16, while Greece is considering a similar ban for children under 15. This move aligns with actions by other countries, such as Australia, which recently implemented a ban on social media access for children under 16. The initiative is part of a broader effort to address the impact of screen time on children's development and mental well-being. Spain has also joined a coalition of European countries, dubbed the 'Coalition of the Digitally Willing,' to coordinate cross-border regulation of digital platforms.