Lindsey Graham’s sister has been sworn in to occupy his seat in the United States Senate. The move fills the Senate position previously held by Graham. No further details about the swearing-in or her political role are provided.

US politicsUS SenateLindsey Graham

Spain supporters celebrated through the night on Tuesday after their team defeated France 2-0 in the World Cup semi-final. Mikel Oyarzabal put Spain ahead by converting a penalty in the 22nd minute. Pedro Porro extended the advantage in the 58th minute. The result eliminated a French side that many had expected to win the tournament. The victory prompted jubilant scenes among Spain’s fans.

SpainFranceWorld Cupsemi-final

France’s prolific scoring run at the World Cup has ended with a 2-0 defeat by Spain. The result sends Spain through to the final. It also damages Kylian Mbappe’s hopes of reaching a third final. As France’s fireworks fade, Spain continue their advance toward the tournament’s biggest match.

World CupFranceSpainKylian Mbappe

Spain defeated France 2-0 to book a place in the World Cup final. Their performance shut down Kylian Mbappe during the match, preventing the France forward from making the expected impact.

World CupSpainFrance

Spain’s defensive strength and confident style proved too much for France in a 2-0 victory. France’s attacking trio, led by star Kylian Mbappé, could not break through. The 2010 champions will play on Sunday against the winner of Argentina’s match with England. France will instead contest the third-place match on Saturday. The report comes from the Dallas stadium where the semifinal was played.

SpainFranceWorld CupKylian Mbappé

France were beaten 2-0 by Spain in the World Cup semi-final. The result ended the French team’s ambition of reaching a third consecutive final. Only two other nations had previously achieved that feat. Spain’s commanding performance brought France’s run and its hopes of another final appearance to an end.

World CupFranceSpain

France striker Kylian Mbappe attributed his team’s World Cup semifinal defeat to technical and tactical mistakes. He acknowledged that Spain controlled the match in Dallas and punished France when errors were made. His assessment focused on shortcomings in France’s own performance as the decisive factor behind the loss.

Kylian MbappeFranceSpainWorld Cup

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s proposed consumption-tax reduction on food is becoming more plausible through a 1% rate combined with payments that would make the effective burden zero. The plan would nevertheless require more than 5 trillion yen in fiscal spending. Supply constraints could limit the impact of the cut, while concerns about worsening public finances remain. The debate also exposes a collision between public commitments and underlying intentions.

Japan politicsconsumption taxfiscal policy

Spain and Gibraltar are celebrating the removal of the last frontier fence in western Europe. A post-Brexit agreement took effect at midnight, ending land-border controls between Spain and the British overseas territory for residents, tourists and the thousands of Spanish workers who cross daily. Signed in Brussels on Tuesday, the deal concludes more than four years of negotiations involving the UK, Spain, Gibraltar and the EU after Britain left the bloc.

SpainGibraltarpost-Brexit dealborder controls

Border controls between Spain and Gibraltar have come to an end. As the new arrangement took effect, the old chain-link fence separating the two sides was removed. The historic decision is intended to make it easier for people and goods to move across the border, marking a significant change in movement between the two territories.

SpainGibraltarborder controls

Two fires in the Fontainebleau Forest south of Paris have burned slightly more than 2,000 hectares since Sunday. The local prefect said Tuesday evening that the blazes had been “contained”, although firefighters had not fully extinguished them. Two people were arrested on suspicion of starting the fires. One of them, a volunteer firefighter, confessed to setting twigs alight with matches and gasoline. France 24’s Claire Paccalin reported from Fontainebleau.

Fontainebleau Forestwildfiresarson investigation

China’s economic growth slowed markedly to 4.3% in the second quarter of this year. The pace was below the full-year economic growth target. It was also the lowest quarterly growth rate since the end of 2022.

China economyeconomic growthgrowth slowdown

China’s economy expanded at its weakest rate in over three years during the second quarter, according to data released Wednesday. The result fell short of expectations. Strong exports, powered by the global artificial intelligence boom, provided important support. That strength helped offset some of the trade disruptions linked to the war in the Middle East.

China economyeconomic growthexportsartificial intelligence

England and Argentina held training sessions at the venue ahead of their World Cup semifinal in the North and Central American tournament. The match is scheduled for Japan time on the 16th. At press conferences, the managers of both teams spoke about their determination before the game. Their previous meetings are also being revisited.

World CupEnglandArgentinasemifinal

England and Argentina are set to renew their World Cup rivalry in the semifinals after a 24-year gap. The match brings Harry Kane and Lionel Messi into direct contention on the same stage. The preview focuses on the renewed rivalry and the two star players at its centre. It also considers what the outcome could be as the teams meet for a place in the final.

World CupEnglandArgentinaLionel MessiHarry Kane

England will meet Argentina in the World Cup semifinal on Wednesday. Thomas Tuchel says his team has “not peaked yet” ahead of the match. England are seeking a place in the World Cup final. Reaching it would mark their first appearance there since 1966.

World CupEnglandArgentinasemifinal

A Russian strike on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa killed three people, according to a local official speaking on Wednesday. The attack came as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv to announce new defence initiatives. Ukraine also said it had struck 20 Russian vessels in the Black Sea overnight, including gas tankers. The report links the deadly attack and the parallel maritime strikes to an intensifying confrontation between the two countries.

Russia-Ukraine warOdesadefence talks

Russia struck a foreign vessel in Odesa Oblast for the second time within days on July 14, killing two people, Governor Oleh Kiper said. Kiper described the incident as another enemy attack on port infrastructure. He said a hostile drone hit a civilian vessel during the assault. The strike adds to recent attacks involving foreign shipping in the region.

Russia-Ukraine warOdesa Oblastdrone strikecivilian vessel