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Australian defence firm helps Ukraine zap Russian drones

Australian defence firm helps Ukraine zap Russian drones

One of Australia's most highly valued defence firms is helping Ukrainian soldiers knock Russian drones off the battlefield, riding a surge in military spending by Western governments with tech combating the weapon of the future. From the trenches of Ukraine to the Red Sea and the cartel wars

Afghan barbers under pressure as morality police take on short beards

Afghan barbers under pressure as morality police take on short beards

Barbers in Afghanistan risk detention for trimming men's beards too short, they told AFP, as the Taliban authorities enforce their strict interpretation of Islamic law with increasing zeal. Last month, the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice said it was now "obligatory"

Cuban opposition figure Ferrer supports Maduro-like US operation for Cuba

Cuban opposition figure Ferrer supports Maduro-like US operation for Cuba

Cuban opposition leader Jose Daniel Ferrer supports a US operation in his country akin to the one that ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro should the communist leadership refuse to give up power, he told AFP in an interview Wednesday. "Cubans keep dying of hunger in prisons and on the

High-stakes showdown in Nepal's post-uprising polls

High-stakes showdown in Nepal's post-uprising polls

In Nepal's eastern plains, rival political flags depicting blue bells and red suns flutter over tea farms and brick homes -- symbols of a local election campaign shaping landmark nationwide polls. Two prime ministerial candidates are going head-to-head in Jhapa-5, turning the sleepy district into a

White House tells Iran to do deal as Trump hints at US strikes

White House tells Iran to do deal as Trump hints at US strikes

The White House warned on Wednesday that Iran would be "wise" to do a deal with the United States as President Donald Trump once again hinted at military action. The two sides recently resumed indirect talks, mediated by Oman, after Trump repeatedly threatened military action against Iran over

Deadly Indonesia floods force a deforestation reckoning

Deadly Indonesia floods force a deforestation reckoning

Permits revoked, lawsuits filed, the threat of state takeovers. Deadly flooding in Indonesia has prompted unprecedented government action against companies accused of environmental destruction that worsened the disaster. But environmentalists who have long warned about the risks of rampant deforestation fear the current response will not solve the problem, and

Zuckerberg grilled over underage users at social media trial

Zuckerberg grilled over underage users at social media trial

CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Wednesday he regretted Meta's slow progress in identifying underage users on Instagram, as he faced stinging criticism at a landmark social media trial over accusations that his company deliberately hooked children. Asked to comment on complaints from inside the company that not enough was