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Jul 7, 2026 - World

Researchers testing a cheap, homegrown oil in Uganda found what cats knew all along – it worked as well as the artificial chemical used globally A homegrown catnip lotion has proven “just as effective as Deet” as a mosquito repellant in trials carried out in Uganda.Catnip, or Nepeta cataria, is a common herb from the mint family. The chemical in the plant that causes feline euphoria – nepetalactone – also has insect-repelling properties but this has not previously been commercialised. Continue reading...

Jul 7, 2026 - World

Celeste Amarilla could face charges after French Football Federation complains about social media posts over World Cup matchProsecutors in France have opened an investigation into the racist attack on Kylian Mbappé by a Paraguayan senator, with officials weighing whether to demand that the senator be charged with aggravated public insult or incitement to hatred or violence.The Paris prosecutor’s office told the Guardian on Tuesday it had launched the inquiry after the French Football Federation (FFF) filed a complaint with the national unit for combating online hate. Continue reading...

Jul 7, 2026 - World

Amnesty International says Albanese has opportunity to ‘reaffirm mutual commitment’ to rule of law as thousands in diaspora expected at stadium eventFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to Australia in three years has sparked calls for the federal government to raise human rights concerns, as excitement builds within the nation’s Indian diaspora.Modi’s visit begins on Wednesday evening and marks his third since becoming prime minister. It will see him return to Melbourne after more than a decade, with a stadium event expected to attract more than 20,000 people. Continue reading...

Jul 7, 2026 - World

Following Donald Trump dismissing questions about the Iran war quagmire the U.S. is stuck in during a press availability preceding NATO talks in Turkey, retired United States Army Lieutenant General Mark Hertling pounced on the president for parroting Russian strongman Vladimir Putin.After live coverage of the question and answer period concluded on MS NOW, host Stephanie Ruhle noted, “General, let's start right there with the president's comments with regard to the war with Iran; he said, it is ‘not even a war, it's just a military operation.’”“I think he called it a ‘special military operation,' which sounds eerily familiar to what President Putin was calling the invasion in Ukraine,” Hertling shot back.“It is a war, Stephanie,” he continued. “I mean, it meets every definition of war that I've ever read in history books or doctrine or military theory. So it's just a canard that he's throwing out there to say, ‘yeah, this is no big deal, we won, everything's fine.”“But last night we saw more ships being struck by Ukrainian drones or, excuse me, Iranian drones. It's just a mishmash of information that he’s passing off to the press,” he accused. - YouTube youtu.be

Jul 7, 2026 - World

NATO allies admitted they will tiptoe around Donald Trump at this week's summit in Ankara, and they're not even trying to hide it, according to a report from Politico.European diplomats are pulling out all the stops to prevent a Trump "blow-up," using what one called "Trump management." Speaking with Politico, diplomats were upfront about tactics to be used: lavish praise on defense spending increases, avoid divisive topics, and signal "unwavering" support on Iran policy. In other words: whatever it takes to keep Trump satisfied."There's no alternative how to approach him but to be diplomatic and not to extremely offend him and saying that we're stepping up," Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken told Politico. "That's what we need to do and that's what we're doing."One senior NATO diplomat bluntly added, "The aim is to keep one person happy and satisfied"The problem is that Trump has a reputation for being fundamentally unpredictable. Grievances over defense spending, U.S. base access, defense funding, and the volatile Iran ceasefire could all ignite an explosion at any moment. "If this conflict flares up again — which can't be ruled out — and then Trump again puts [out] statements that Europeans should step up," explained Gerlinde Niehus, a security expert and longtime NATO official, "then that topic would of course overshadow everything else."Last week, Trump again attacked European allies over their defense commitments by writing on Truth Social: "Ridiculous for the U.S.A. to continue along this one-sided path when the relationship is not reciprocal."Even worse, German officials are now bracing for Trump to potentially derail the entire summit by demanding Europe contribute to a purported €300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran. That demand alone could explode the fragile consensus NATO has been working to maintain, Politico is reporting.