Lead Story
Gibraltar-Spain border fence comes down after 300 years under landmark UK-EU treaty
The physical border barrier between Gibraltar and Spain, known as La Verja, was removed just after midnight on July 15, ending routine passport checks at the land crossing for the first time in more than three centuries. The change is the first visible result of the EU-UK treaty on Gibraltar, agreed in February 2026 and formally signed in Brussels on July 14. Border controls move instead to Gibraltar's airport and seaport, where Spanish officials will conduct checks on behalf of the EU while Gibraltar maintains its own independent screening; roughly 14,000 to 15,000 people cross the land border each day for work, and crowds gathered on both sides waving Spanish and Gibraltarian flags to mark the moment.
Read more →Lead Story
Gibraltar-Spain border fence comes down after 300 years under landmark UK-EU treaty
The physical border barrier between Gibraltar and Spain, known as La Verja, was removed just after midnight on July 15, ending routine passport checks at the land crossing for the first time in more than three centuries. The change is the first visible result of the EU-UK treaty on Gibraltar, agreed in February 2026 and formally signed in Brussels on July 14. Border controls move instead to Gibraltar's airport and seaport, where Spanish officials will conduct checks on behalf of the EU while Gibraltar maintains its own independent screening; roughly 14,000 to 15,000 people cross the land border each day for work, and crowds gathered on both sides waving Spanish and Gibraltarian flags to mark the moment.
US strikes Iran for fourth straight night as naval blockade of Hormuz resumes
US forces carried out a fourth consecutive night of strikes on Iran, hitting dozens of military targets near the Strait of Hormuz and coastal areas including Bushehr, where local officials said four points in the city were struck. US Central Command said the strikes aim to degrade Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping, and confirmed the naval blockade of Iranian ports resumed at 4 p.m. ET on July 14. The renewed hostilities followed the collapse of an interim US-Iran ceasefire agreement, with oil prices climbing as fighting in the Gulf continues and President Trump warning of harsher strikes on Iranian bridges and power plants if Tehran does not reach a deal.
Read more →US strikes Iran for fourth straight night as naval blockade of Hormuz resumes
US forces carried out a fourth consecutive night of strikes on Iran, hitting dozens of military targets near the Strait of Hormuz and coastal areas including Bushehr, where local officials said four points in the city were struck. US Central Command said the strikes aim to degrade Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping, and confirmed the naval blockade of Iranian ports resumed at 4 p.m. ET on July 14. The renewed hostilities followed the collapse of an interim US-Iran ceasefire agreement, with oil prices climbing as fighting in the Gulf continues and President Trump warning of harsher strikes on Iranian bridges and power plants if Tehran does not reach a deal.
England face Argentina in World Cup semifinal showdown for place in the final
England and Argentina meet in Atlanta on July 15 in the second World Cup 2026 semifinal, renewing one of football's most storied rivalries with a place in Sunday's final at MetLife Stadium at stake. England reached the last four after an extra-time win over Norway, while defending champions Argentina advanced on a 112th-minute long-range strike from Julian Alvarez against Switzerland. The winner will face Spain, who beat France 2-0 in Dallas in the tournament's other semifinal on goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro, in the July 19 final.
Read more →England face Argentina in World Cup semifinal showdown for place in the final
England and Argentina meet in Atlanta on July 15 in the second World Cup 2026 semifinal, renewing one of football's most storied rivalries with a place in Sunday's final at MetLife Stadium at stake. England reached the last four after an extra-time win over Norway, while defending champions Argentina advanced on a 112th-minute long-range strike from Julian Alvarez against Switzerland. The winner will face Spain, who beat France 2-0 in Dallas in the tournament's other semifinal on goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro, in the July 19 final.