Spain, Austria

Migrants queue to get food distributed by NGO Luna Blanca in the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta on August 7, 2026, following a mass influx of migrants from Morocco in recent days. (Photo: AFP)

Spain imposes border checks on Italy as migrant showdown grows

The checks, which come "amid the persistent irregular migration pressure" facing Italy, will start at midnight on Saturday and last until September 7, Spain's interior ministry said in a statement.

Migrants wade through the water near the border with Morocco as they attempt to enter Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta on July 31, 2026 (AFP)

EU grapples with migrant crisis in Spain's N. Africa enclave

France tightens checks at its border with Spain and says it will increase its police presence there fivefold, to 334 officers and gendarmes, by Saturday.

August 1, 2026

Thousands cross into Spain's north Africa enclave in new migrant crisis

The sudden massive influx has sparked an international crisis for Spain's government, drawing criticism from Italy and Finland and prompting France to tighten checks on its border with Spain.

July 31, 2026

Italy calls for 'closing' Schengen zone to Spain

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Thursday called for Spain to be suspended from the Schengen zone after hundreds of migrants entered its exclave of Ceuta from Morocco.

July 30, 2026

Spain's world champions head home to million-strong Madrid welcome

Millions of fans are expected to greet Spain's World Cup winners heading home on Monday to a heroes' welcome in Madrid; the team will be received by King Felipe VI and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez before climbing aboard an open-top bus for a parade through the city.

July 20, 2026

France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the 2026 World Cup football tournament third-place match between France and England at the Miami Stadium in Miami on July 18, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Mbappe retains World Cup Golden Boot crown

The French captain scores 10 goals to top the charts ahead of Argentina's great Messi, who finished with eight.

July 20, 2026

Spain's forward #19 Lamine Yamal lifts the trophy with his teammates after winning the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. (Photo: AFP)

Spain win World Cup after Messi's Argentina fall flat

Ferran Torres scores the only goal of the game in the early moments of the second period of extra time following a brilliant knock-back by Nico Williams.

July 19, 2026

Wildfire scorches 12,000 hectares north of Madrid: Spanish authorities

A wildfire north of Madrid burns more than 12,000 hectares and forces hundreds to evacuate, as Spain battles multiple major blazes amid extreme heat and heightened wildfire conditions.

July 19, 2026

Majestic Spain stun France to reach World Cup final

Spain beat France 2-0 in Arlington to reach the World Cup final, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro. A dominant midfield performance neutralized France's attack, sending Spain to face Argentina or England in Sunday's final.

July 14, 2026

Swimmers jump from a bridge into the Canal Saint-Martin as France experiences a heatwave, in Paris on June 22, 2026 (AFP)

UK schools plan to close as Europe braces for record-breaking heatwave

The UK's meteorological office issued an extremely rare red heat warning -- only issued once before -- for Wednesday and Thursday, as temperatures could soar to 40C, unprecedented for the time of the year.

June 23, 2026