Spain and Gibraltar have signed a deal that ends border checks between them, removing the fence that separated the two since 1908. The agreement allows people to cross more easily and gives Spain control over security at Gibraltar’s airport and port.
Key Facts
The deal was signed in Brussels and started at midnight after four years of talks following Brexit.
It stops all border and customs checks for residents, visitors, and workers crossing daily between Spain and Gibraltar.
Spain will manage Schengen border controls at Gibraltar’s airport and port.
The border fence separating Spain and Gibraltar since 1908 has been removed.
Gibraltar has about 40,000 residents and depends on 15,000 Spanish workers crossing daily.
The agreement does not change Gibraltar’s status as British territory.
Gibraltar will join the EU’s Schengen area for free movement, and UK visitors will go through new EU entry/exit controls.
The Spanish prime minister planned to attend the fence removal ceremony in La Línea de la Concepción.
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Lebanon and Israel began talks in Rome on July 15, 2026, with the help of the United States. Lebanon wants Israel to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon, but quick progress is not expected.
Key Facts
Talks are taking place in Rome, Italy.
The United States is mediating the discussions.
Lebanon aims for Israel to pull its troops out of southern Lebanon.
The talks resumed on July 15, 2026.
Both sides have low expectations for fast results.
The issue involves ongoing tensions between Lebanon and Israel.
The talks are part of a broader effort to stabilize the region.
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Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former ruler of Qatar, launched the Al Jazeera Media Network to create a news channel with freedom of journalism different from other Arab media. Despite challenges and pressure, the channel grew influential in its region and globally, continuing the vision of independent news begun under Sheikh Hamad's leadership.
Key Facts
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was the ruler who initiated the creation of Al Jazeera.
Al Jazeera was established to be a free and professional news channel unlike traditional Arab media.
The channel’s slogan is “The Opinion and the Other Opinion,” reflecting its commitment to balanced journalism.
Al Jazeera began broadcasting in November 1996 with six hours of programming per day.
Sheikh Hamad personally supported the channel but did not interfere with its editorial content.
The channel faced opposition and pressure from various Arab and international sources.
Al Jazeera has grown into a leading media network in both traditional and digital platforms.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the current emir, continues to support the channel after succeeding Sheikh Hamad.
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Iran continues to have the military strength to cause trouble in the Middle East. Despite claims from the United States that Iran’s military was mostly weakened early in the conflict, Iran has carried out several retaliatory attacks showing it still has power in the region.
Key Facts
Iran has launched retaliatory strikes in the Middle East.
The U.S. claimed it had mostly disabled Iran’s military early in the war.
Iran’s actions show it still has significant military capability.
The region remains unstable due to Iran’s ongoing military presence.
The information comes from reporting by France 24.
No specific details about the scale or targets of Iran’s military actions were given in this article.
The situation is part of continuing tensions in the Middle East.
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Two large fires have burned more than 2,000 hectares in the Fontainebleau Forest near Paris since Sunday. Officials say the fires are under control but not fully out, and two people have been arrested for starting them, including a volunteer firefighter who admitted using matches and gasoline.
Key Facts
The fires started in the Fontainebleau Forest, south of Paris.
Over 2,000 hectares (about 4,940 acres) have burned since Sunday.
Local authorities say the fires are "contained," meaning they are not spreading, but they are not yet fully extinguished.
Two suspects have been arrested for causing the fires.
One suspect is a volunteer firefighter who confessed to setting twigs on fire with matches and gasoline.
The arrests happened as firefighters continue to work on controlling the blazes.
Officials are investigating the exact cause and details of the fire-starting.
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Iran launched attacks on Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, saying they destroyed the US Fifth Fleet’s command center. These attacks took place after the United States carried out strikes on Iranian coastal cities and after talks between the two sides failed.
Key Facts
Iran attacked Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan on Tuesday night.
Iran claimed it destroyed the US Fifth Fleet’s command center during the attacks.
The attacks followed US strikes on cities along Iran’s coast.
Talks between the US and Iran recently collapsed.
The US Fifth Fleet is a key part of the American naval presence in the region.
The situation indicates rising military tensions between the US and Iran.
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The article covers several entertainment topics, including celebrity weddings, a new superhero movie, the 20th anniversary of a reality TV show, a new crime novel set in Harlem, and changes in shark migration affecting beachgoers. It highlights Taylor Swift’s wedding, the poor box office performance of the movie Supergirl, ongoing popularity of Bravo’s Real Housewives series, a new book by Colson Whitehead, and shark sightings linked to warmer ocean temperatures.
Key Facts
Celebrity weddings sometimes have famous people officiate, like Adam Sandler for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
The movie Supergirl cost over $200 million but earned less than $40 million in its opening weekend.
Bravo’s Real Housewives of Orange County marks 20 years since it began in 2006.
Colson Whitehead’s Harlem Trilogy follows Ray Carney, a man involved in complex crime stories over three decades.
The newest book in the trilogy, Cool Machine, will be released on July 21.
Rising ocean temperatures are causing sharks to swim closer to beaches in many parts of the world.
Shark sightings are making some people avoid the water during heat waves.
A new show about sharks, The Devil’s Mouth, premieres on Prime Video on July 29.
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The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles offers film lovers chances to watch and learn from top directors. Recently, director Guillermo del Toro shared his favorite Alfred Hitchcock films and explained why key scenes are important to both Hitchcock’s work and movie history.
Key Facts
The Academy Museum is located in Los Angeles, a city known for its strong connection to Hollywood and movies.
On weekends, visitors can see Oscar-winning directors present and talk about their favorite films.
Guillermo del Toro recently presented Alfred Hitchcock movies and gave a lecture about them.
Del Toro explained famous scenes, such as the crop duster chase in "North by Northwest," focusing on both the story and filmmaking.
The museum treats these presentations as educational events, not just fan gatherings.
Del Toro said it’s important to learn how to understand movies deeply.
The museum provides a unique opportunity to learn about film from some of the most visionary directors.
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Olivia Wilde directed a new comedy film called The Invite that explores open marriage and swinging couples in San Francisco through a dinner party story. The film focuses on how having relationships outside a marriage might affect that marriage, a topic not often shown in movies.
Key Facts
The Invite is a comedy directed by Olivia Wilde about open relationships and swinging couples.
The story centers on Angela and Joe, a married couple invited to a party by their neighbors Hawk and Piña.
Hawk and Piña reveal they want to include Angela and Joe in their sexual relationship, causing the couples to rethink their marriages.
The film is notable because open marriage and polyamory are rarely shown positively in popular movies.
Previous movies like Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969) and Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) touched on similar themes but did not focus deeply on couples considering open marriage.
More Americans are delaying or skipping marriage; in 2021, 25% of 40-year-olds had never married, compared to 6% in 1980.
Almost one-third of Americans say they prefer relationships that are not fully monogamous, and 9% are currently in open or polyamorous relationships, according to recent surveys.
The Invite aims to start conversations about changing relationship norms through its portrayal of modern marriage issues.
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Russian forces attacked port infrastructure in Odesa and Mykolaiv, killing at least three people. In response, Ukraine launched drone strikes on 20 Russian vessels in the Black Sea to disrupt Russia’s supply routes.
Key Facts
Russian strikes targeted civilian, industrial, and port facilities in Odesa and Mykolaiv for five consecutive days.
At least three people died and three were injured in the attacks on Odesa.
Russia said it targeted sites used for storing fuel and assembling drones.
Odesa ports handle much of Ukraine’s grain exports and are vital to its economy.
Ukraine used drones to attack 17 Russian oil tankers, two gas tankers, and one tugboat in the Black Sea.
Ukraine’s drone commander claimed 116 Russian vessels were targeted over nine days.
Russia plans to reroute exports after repeated attacks on its shipping in the Sea of Azov.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Kyiv to announce new plans for EU-Ukraine defence cooperation.
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The United States has restarted its naval blockade of Iranian ports after recent attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The US military launched strikes against Iranian military sites, while Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on US forces and allies in the Gulf region.
Key Facts
The US blocked traffic to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas.
US Central Command said it struck dozens of Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz over seven hours.
Iranian media reported US attacks hit both civilian and military sites in Iran.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched missile and drone attacks on US military assets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.
Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan reported missile and drone attacks linked to Iran, with injuries and military responses.
Iran declared its agreement with the US was no longer valid after the blockade was reimposed.
The Iranian military warned it may stop all energy exports from the Middle East.
The US froze more than $130 million tied to Iran by sanctioning cryptocurrency wallets linked to Iran’s central bank.
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Kenya’s High Court rejected a request from the Rastafarian community to allow cannabis use in their religious practices. The court said the group did not prove that drug laws violated their constitutional rights, but noted that Kenya should have a wider discussion about cannabis laws.
Key Facts
The Rastafarian community in Kenya wanted cannabis use legalized for religious reasons.
They argued that banning cannabis broke their right to freedom of religion.
The High Court ruled against the Rastafarians’ petition.
Judge Bahati Mwamuye said the community did not prove the law violated their rights.
The judge suggested Kenya needs a national debate on cannabis legalization.
Supporters say legal cannabis could create jobs and increase tax revenue.
Cannabis is also discussed for its potential medical and industrial uses.
The court’s decision focuses on current laws while leaving room for future discussions.
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Ahmed El Attar, an Egyptian director, presented his play "Salma mon amour" at the Avignon theatre festival in France. The play explores how the Gaza war impacts a wealthy family in Cairo and focuses on a young woman named Salma to challenge common stereotypes.
Key Facts
The Avignon festival celebrated its 80th edition in southern France.
Korean culture was highlighted this year, featuring drama, dance, and literature.
Ahmed El Attar’s play "Salma mon amour" addresses the war in Gaza's effects on a Cairo family.
The main character, Salma, is a member of Generation Z who expresses feelings of injustice and anger.
El Attar aims to show a more detailed view of young people like Salma, beyond common clichés.
The play carries a humanitarian message about rage and resistance.
The festival also presented a show called "Maldoror," which uses high-tech effects to explore evil.
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The Ebola outbreak in Congo has reached 2,011 confirmed cases, with 754 deaths reported. Health officials say this is the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record and face challenges tracking its spread.
Key Facts
There are 2,011 confirmed Ebola cases in Congo.
The outbreak has caused 754 deaths so far.
About 753 people are still in hospitals or isolation.
A total of 366 people have recovered from Ebola.
The outbreak started on May 15, 2026, and is linked to a rare virus type called Bundibugyo.
Health workers are struggling to trace people who may have been exposed; only 67% of contacts are identified.
The World Health Organization reported that 80% of new cases come from unknown transmission sources, making control difficult.
Congo’s health ministry and international groups are working to respond, but the virus continues to spread quickly.
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A deep sea expedition off the coast of Canada has created detailed 3D digital models of two historic shipwrecks linked to famous polar explorers Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott. Using advanced underwater imaging technology, the team mapped the wrecks of Shackleton’s Quest and Scott’s Terra Nova to preserve them digitally before the ocean reclaims them.
Key Facts
The shipwrecks of Shackleton’s Quest and Scott’s Terra Nova were found over 1,000 feet below the Labrador Sea.
The expedition started on July 2 and lasted 21 days, led by John Geiger of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS).
The submersible Alvin, known for visiting the Titanic wreck, was used to explore the shipwrecks.
Both Quest and Terra Nova were important ships in early 20th-century polar exploration.
Shackleton died on the Quest during an Arctic expedition in 1922; the Quest sank in 1962 and was discovered in 2024.
Terra Nova carried Scott’s team during their 1910 South Pole attempt; after Scott’s death, the ship was used in seal fishing before sinking in 1943.
A Canadian company, Voyis, provided technology to create precise 3D digital twins of the shipwrecks.
The project aims to preserve the ships digitally as physical wrecks will eventually deteriorate underwater.
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England and Argentina will play a World Cup semifinal match, renewing a strong rivalry linked to the 1982 Falklands War. The competition is intensified by Argentina's ongoing claim to the islands and recent oil discoveries near the Falklands.
Key Facts
England and Argentina have a long soccer rivalry connected to the 1982 Falklands War.
The war lasted 74 days and resulted in hundreds of deaths on both sides, with Britain winning.
Argentina’s 1986 World Cup win over England was seen as symbolic revenge for the war.
The upcoming World Cup match is their first meeting since 2002 in the tournament and first overall since 2005.
Argentine players have publicly referenced the Falkland Islands during this World Cup, despite FIFA rules against political messages.
The Falklands, called Las Malvinas in Argentina, have fewer than 3,700 people living there.
New oil projects near the islands could bring significant wealth, with production expected to start in 2028.
The Sea Lion oil project is the largest deep-water oil development in the South Atlantic outside Brazil.
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The United States carried out air, drone, and naval strikes on several military targets in southern Iran near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded by attacking U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, leading to continued tensions despite a recent ceasefire agreement.
Key Facts
The U.S. military operation lasted seven hours and targeted dozens of sites in southern Iran.
The strikes occurred alongside a renewed U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran reported explosions and activated air defenses in multiple southern cities and islands.
The IRGC claimed it attacked U.S. facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, damaging a major U.S. naval base and destroying aircraft shelters.
Jordan intercepted and destroyed three Iranian ballistic missiles.
This conflict escalation happened less than a month after a ceasefire extension and an agreement to hold talks.
President Donald Trump said attacks would continue until he decides to stop and threatened to target Iranian infrastructure like power plants and bridges.
The U.S. deployed around 21 naval vessels to enforce the blockade near the Strait of Hormuz.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Kyiv to announce plans for new projects to connect the defense industries of Europe and Ukraine. The visit came after military parades involving European and Ukrainian forces, while fighting continued with drone strikes on Russian ships and Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports.
Key Facts
Ursula von der Leyen is in Kyiv to present new ideas for closer cooperation between European and Ukrainian defense industries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and von der Leyen both attended a military parade in Paris on Bastille Day.
Ukraine reported its drones struck 20 Russian ships in the Black Sea overnight.
Russia launched attacks on Ukrainian ports in Odesa and Chornomorsk.
Serbia’s President Aleksander Vučić traveled to Kyiv despite his country’s close ties with Moscow.
EU ambassadors in Brussels are trying to finalize the 21st package of sanctions against Russia, with disagreements over some measures like a price cap on Russian oil.
Germany’s politician Friedrich Merz plans to hold a press conference regarding government matters.
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Keir Starmer is holding his last Cabinet meeting and final session as Leader of the Opposition in the UK Parliament. Meanwhile, Andy Burnham is close to becoming the new Labour Party leader and is expected to announce his team soon.
Key Facts
Keir Starmer chairs his final Cabinet meeting and attends his last Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) session today.
Tony Blair once described his last day in Parliament as a time for respect and no serious debate, but today’s session may be more contentious.
The government blocked a Tory attempt to delay the parliamentary summer recess for Andy Burnham to speak.
The official start of the parliamentary recess is tomorrow, despite opposition attempts to change it.
Andy Burnham is expected to announce his new Labour Cabinet team on Monday.
Other events today include a Reform UK press conference, a BBC leadership hearing, and Labour’s Greater Manchester mayor candidate launching a manifesto.
Dan Jarvis, the UK Defence Secretary, is visiting Yorkshire this afternoon.
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Smoke from wildfires in Canada is spreading into the United States, causing air quality alerts in several states. Health officials warn that the smoke can make breathing harder, especially for children, older adults, and people with lung or heart problems.
Key Facts
Canadian wildfires are producing large smoke clouds moving south into the U.S.
States like Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado, New York, and possibly Illinois have air quality alerts.
Massachusetts and other New England states are seeing hazy skies from the smoke.
The National Weather Service issued warnings about fine particle pollution called PM2.5 in the smoke.
PM2.5 can cause breathing problems and worsen asthma or heart conditions.
Sensitive groups include children, elderly people, and those with existing health issues.
The smoke traveled hundreds of miles from the wildfire areas.
The situation is ongoing and officials are monitoring air quality closely.
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